[center][h1][b][color=DAF6C7]Ríoghnach "Riona"[/color][/b][/h1][color=DAF6C7]Time:[/color] 6PM
[color=DAF6C7]Location:[/color] Guest House Dining Room
[color=DAF6C7]Interaction(s):[/color] Mayet & Nala [@13org]; Auguste [@Inertia]; Munir [@Infinite Cosmos]; Lorenzo [@FunnyGuy]; Charlotte, Hafiz, & Raif [@princess]; Layla [@Potter]; Nahir [@Rodiak]; Farim[@Lava Alckon]; Ariella [@Tpartywithzombi][/center]
Riona blended into the dining room walls, her back straight, her face a mask of practiced neutrality. Beneath the surface, however, her nerves were on edge. Every time Shehzadi Mayet or Prince Auguste directed any amount of attention to her, her heart hammered against her chest like a wild animal trying to escape its cage. When she thought there wouldn’t be more reason to be anxious, Shahzade Munir swaggered into the room. She could have sworn her heart jumped out of her mouth. 

Thankfully, Riona’s intuition proved correct; the Shahzade appeared to have forgotten all about the maid after their brief encounter on the dance floor. He breezed past her without a second glance, claiming a seat between the Sultan and the Prince. With a measured exhale, Riona allowed herself a quiet breath of relief.

Maybe, just maybe, she would make it through the evening unscathed. But her hope was short-lived. Duke Lorenzo “stole” Grand Vizier Hafiz’s seat at the head of the table. Riona braced herself for the inevitable trouble that would follow. At the very least, she took solace in the fact that any attempts to shift the blame onto the servants for this debacle would need some impressive mental gymnastics.

Riona watched the Duke and Grand Vizier exchange barbs and jibes at each other across the table with mixed fascination and frustration. Where had this version of the Duke been hiding all along, and what was he doing here bickering with Alidasht royalty instead of confronting the real enemies at his doorstep?

While the other dinner attendees did their best to calm the situation, Riona turned to a nearby servant and whispered a few words. The servant nodded and hurried off to gather the items she requested.

As the first course was being brought in, Riona discreetly slid drinks onto the table, positioning them within easy reach of the attendees’ drinking hands. It went against proper Northern Kingdom dining etiquette, but this wasn’t a Caesonian dinner or a typical Alidasht dinner either. It was why, after serving the Alidasht guests their drinks, she changed plans and provided the Caesonians different refreshments, hoping to ease some of the tension building up.

Lady Ariella’s polite smile was delicate as a lace doily, too thin to hide her discomfort. Riona’s heart went out to the poor woman. She looked like she could use a stiff drink to dull the razor-sharp edge of the awkwardness that permeated the room. Though Riona was no expert in the art of fancy cocktail making, she knew that mixing vodka with vermouth was a solid option. She presented the concoction to Lady Ariella with a reassuring smile before moving on.

She didn’t need to ask what Prince Auguste wanted. She knew his preferences like the back of her hand, having served the Danrose family for years. Riona poured him his usual brand of light wine he drank at least once during dinner. As soon as her fingers released the crystal goblet, the maid retreated with a quick, almost imperceptible bow. She knew better than to linger and risk any unnecessary contact or conversation.

Crimson liquid sloshed in the decanter, allowing the vintage Riona’s father claimed paired perfectly with Alidasht cuisine to breathe before filling Lady Charlotte’s cup. Although it wasn’t her responsibility, Riona didn’t want the Vikenas leaving this dinner with a bad impression of Alidasht, compelled to honor her grandmother’s cherished memory of the land. If Lady Charlotte couldn’t enjoy the company of its people, at least she could leave knowing its food was good. 

Riona advanced towards Duke Lorenzo with the decanter. However, as she drew closer, her steps slowed and eventually stilled. She gave the older man a critical appraisal, then retraced her steps to retrieve a jug of water. The sound of water cascading into the cup hid words meant for the Duke’s ears alone, [color=DAF6C7]“Is there a reason you cannot be as bold as this with Edin or Calbert, Your Grace?”[/color] Setting the glass down, she continued in a hushed tone, [color=DAF6C7]“They would not trample over you as much if they knew you could bite,”[/color] before blending back into the background. 

For the last guest, Riona poured the rest of the water into a bowl. She approached Shehzadi Mayet and dipped her head. With a fluid motion, the maid bent down and placed the bowl beside Nala, who was lying at the Shehzadi’s feet. She wasn’t sure of the tiger’s appetite or preference, but she also offered a piece of meat. Riona felt that the patient companion deserved a reward for putting up with all this human nonsense. 

As she rose, Riona mentally patted herself on the back for taking care of all the dinner attendees with quick efficiency.

The Varian?

He had plenty of air to drink around him: he didn’t need her to serve him anything.