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The surface of the bowl's contents was pierced by a large spoon, and soon a greedy clump of food made its way across the table from one visitor's plate to the other.

[color=dde0c7]"Say [i]ah-[/i]"[/color]

The lump of mashed peas hung from his outstretched arm, wobbling. 

[color=#ffff66]"Idiot."[/color]

The glob fell on the table with an undignified splat. Even food wasn't safe. 

[color=dde0c7]"Hmph. Suit yourself. Honestly, this constant air of misfortune makes me feel as if I'm being toyed with. We're the rogues of the group, Lynx, we're the ones whose presence slips in with the night wind and sky. Now those very same forces of nature we conceal ourselves with are against us!"[/color]

He banged the sanded end of the spoon on the table. It was big and wooden, something a person wouldn't gouge themselves with on accident. 

[color=#ffff66]"Steady yourself. You are attracting attention."[/color]

The lynx familiar sat on a chair across from Octavio. Unlike his traveling partner, he had no need nor desire to eat, so his eyes rested on Octavio's food with disinterest. 

[color=dde0c7]"Sesh the one sitting like a human in public,"[/color] Octavio retorted. He ate with delicate movements, but didn't swallow before speaking. It brought to mind the attitude of arrogant royalty. [color=dde0c7]"When did that start, anywaysh?"[/color]

[color=#ffff66]"You are not the only one undergoing change. I wish to be seen as an equal non-human. It will not be possible depending on the circumstances, although engaging in social behaviors such as attending a tavern could help."[/color]

With the admission came the opportunity to mock the familiar. He was right, however. Octavio's life had been a series of acts and masks meant to take the blows in place of whatever his true self was, a concept that extended to his powers. Their new party had come to see Octavio in a more piercing light than anyone had, barring a particular old friend. What Lynx was doing in front of him felt similar. The others had accepted Octavio's role within the group, so he met Lynx's declaration with a silent acceptance. 

[color=dde0c7]"Well... we still don't have a halfway decent proposal for how we're going to convince that man." [/color]His voice lowered. [color=dde0c7]"He's neither an arrogant fool nor a woman looking for love, so this isn't exactly within our direct line of work."[/color]

[color=#ffff66]"Tidy the spoon."[/color]

[color=dde0c7]"Come again?"[/color]

[color=#ffff66]"I said to tidy it. Place it along the side of your plate. Straighten your back after."[/color]

He hesitated, but did as he was told.

[color=#ffff66]"Perhaps the nobility traveling with us will not be enough. Perhaps we need another. One who wants their grace to be visible."[/color]

A familiar wry smile crackled along the corners of Octavio's mouth. [color=dde0c7]"A return to form amidst change."[/color]