Ridahne heard Darin tell someone that she wanted to speak with the Sols, and that they’d essentially need to wait on her whims without any real sense of timing. Some part of her, culturally conditioned to respect the Sols at all costs, was a little horrified. But a larger part of her, the part that had let go of some ceremony and the rigidity of her society in some ways, chuckled into her drink. She approved of that. It was such a small thing—not a direct insult, not anything grandiose or attention-seeking. But it was a power play, and considering Ridahne’s history with feeling unable to have any power or much autonomy around the Sols in the past, she thought the whole thing delicious.  She didn’t mention it, though she did sneak a sly grin at Darin from behind her cup. 

Ja’heil was a reserved lad, but he liked Darin and offered a soft smile at all her questions. He was still a little in awe that he was sitting across from a person who could command the forces of Astra with a whim, and some part of him warned himself to be extra polite. Still, he felt like he had something of a friendship with her and let his guard down a little. He didn’t relax completely. Ridahne could see that much by the way he held himself and the way he kept his voice only just loud enough to be heard by his present company and not the whole table. He was technically off for the night, but apprentices were rarely ever fully free of their duties. Even if he wasn’t actively working, there were manners to be upheld, and as a Hama—an apprentice, he did not have the liberty to dispense with formalities as much as his more veteran colleagues. 

“Well…” his yellowish gold eyes flicked momentarily to Salei, his master, who was seated further down the table and loosely watching her charge. They made eye contact. When she looked away, hiding a soft upward twitch of her lips, he spoke a little more freely. “It’s…a lot.” He allowed himself a little laugh. Ridahne laughed too, a little sardonically, knowingly. That was an understatement. “I spent most of my time with Elaitih-Rajenni. You know her by her first name, Salei. I learn from her. Everything. How to speak with people from other classes, or areas, or lands, how to speak with Sols or behave around them, how to deal with the regular people that come in here for their business, and of course, how to fight.”
“Have you chosen a specialty yet?” Ridahne asked. 
“I think so. I really like the spear, and how it can be used as a tool as well as a weapon. But I’m also training with a smaller knife, too, as a a backup because spears aren’t good in close quarters. I’m…” he smirked, looking over at his master again. “I’m sort of owned by her. When an eija decides to become an elaitih and they pick their hama, once you accept you kind of resign yourself to belong to them until your training is done, or until they decide you are best off with someone else. But the word…’belong’….in your culture it is mostly used to speak of items, of ownership. This is not that sort. A hama has a responsibility to learn and obey anything their elaitih says, but the elaitih has a responsibility to keep their charge well, and train them properly. I don’t have much freedom right now, but I am well cared for, and learn constantly.”
“It’s part of what makes eija so highly trained and sought after by other peoples. The training process is long, strict, and consumes your life for a few years,” Ridahne supplied. “As a result, we’re the best.” 

Ja’heil nodded. “It’s very hard work, and I miss my family. I have not seen them in months. But I know my family is very proud of me, and I get treated very well here. An abundance of good food, nice clothes, the best gear. But I get to travel so much too! Last month I just returned from a trip to the Siren capital city. Very interesting place! I don’t travel as much as you, though.”

He thought for a moment. “Something people get wrong…? Hm. Well, I am not a slave. I do not know if such things exist since the Tree’s first blossoming, but there is often whispers from foreigners when we travel. They think I am not there willingly because I am quiet and obedient. There is a rumor that eija raid villages and find their successors that way, but that is not true. We are selected, and sometimes picked out of a crowd for some talent or trait, but we have every right to refuse. Many do, and respect is given to them for their honesty. It’s a great honor, not a thing to be forced. And,” he added, as an afterthought, “I’m not shy. People think because I am quiet, I am shy, but I am not.” He lifted his chin as if in pride. “And I’m still allowed to dance, or sing, or play games. Just not when I’m on duty, not unless Elaitih-Rajenni asks me to or permits me. I actually really like to dance. And sing. I’m not good at it, but I like to anyway. Do you dance and sing in your land?”