Xaltwind
datadogie
TruthHurts
Yankee
Renose
BabyKaiju
Double
Crusader Lord
Savo
Dragonfly 9
Alexander of Tyrania, Isilfarrel Mornelis, & Kyvir Lokerakir
Alexander, despite the many attempts of being well groomed, had to snicker when the elven girl's stomach growled for food. "Yes, dinner." He merely commented, knowing full well that his own stomach might replicate a whale song soon if he didn't eat. The whole hall was filled with absolutely delicacies. From pie to extremely foreign food. Which Alexander couldn't place sometimes. Was it a dessert or a soup? Maybe it was part of the main course? But then the giant thiefling appeared. Despite his size, Alexander never saw him coming.
Lady Mornelis? Alexander looked up a bit surprised. The elf didn't strike him as that special? Or maybe that was the facade. Alas, he was still happy to have a name. Right then Kyvir introduced himself. Alexander did not miss the hand resting on the pommel. "I-I am Alexander." but he then shook his head. He wasn't just Alexander! "I mean, Prince Alexander of Tyrania." His father would demand he said his full title. Enough lives and years were spent acquiring it. "Pleased to meet you, Kyvir." he responded, trying to sound brave before he continued gathering his food with the group.
He went with a few known dishes like pork chops and some potatoes. If he was hungry he could always take some more. So as the group took their seat, Alexander began. "So what's your story?" he asked towards the elf first.
Isil laughed softly as Alexander introduced himself, stuttering slightly at Kyvir’s appearance. Prince? This man was a prince? Well that was…curious, at least. Perhaps she would do good to get on his good side. Having a connection with a human royal was bound to only be a boon in some fashion. For now, though, it was dinner time and she wouldn’t let her stomach get the best of her.
The food in the dinner hall was absolutely delicious looking. So many foreign delicacies and food she wanted to try! The smells alone were enough to want to make her sample each and everything, but she had to exercise a little self-control. Perhaps a bit stereotypical, her plate was filled mostly with and vegetables and fruits, though she let herself take a leg of chicken or two…or three.
“My story?” Isil asked slowly as she took a seat next to Alexander. “Aha, I’m no one special, really. Not as special as a prince anyways.” She gave him a friendly smile. “Just an Elf who wanted to study magic abroad, away from Thien'lotal.”
The Tiefling smirked internally at the boy Prince's attempts at courage, although he made no external sign that he was entertained by Alexander. Bowing deeply, he spoke
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord of Tyrania."
After determining that this man was of little threat to his Mistress, he removed his hand from the pommel of his sword, letting it rest by his side. If this boy was truly a Prince, he would be of great value to Lady Mornelis, if the boy played his cards right, he could gain a few powerful allies in the High-Elf and her Tiefling. However, now was the time for food and celebration, not political strategy.
The Tiefling followed a few steps behind his Mistress, looking over the food carefully. It was not long before he found himself in front of what could only be considered Tiefling delicacies, about three platters of raw, bloody meat. He placed three various cuts of meat on to his own plate, each of them dripping with blood and gristle, with bones potruding from them, filled with marrow. He found himself hard-pressed not to lick his lips as he also placed a few scoops from a bowl of roasted insects on his plate as well. Then, he took his seat next to Isilfarrel, and began to quietly enjoy his meal, taking care not to allow blood or insect bits to drop from his silverware or mouth and cause a mess.
For a half-demon slave eating a plate of raw-meat and insects, he had suprisingly astute table manners.
Alexander was, genuinely, thoroughly, confused by the tiefling. He knew close to nothing of the creatures. So when Kyvir sat down next to the elf with a plate filled with burned insects and raw meat, he was more than just a little put off. In fact, he looked at the pile on the plate and then around him, trying to see if that was supposed to be a thing. Though as the creature started to eat with surprisingly well manners, Alexander assumed it was part of their natural diet. Though a bit ashamed he started eating himself a bit. As a mirror image of Kyvir, Alexander lacked certain table manners as he sometimes used his hands to scoop up all the food on his fork. Making his claim of prince-ship weaker with every move.
"No great story here really. Well, not mine anyway." Alexander admitted. "You must be brave. I haven't seen many High Elves around. A book I once read said they prefer to stick together in their own lands. So coming here, that must have taken a lot from you." he really did admire Isil for it. But he then turned towards Kyvir. "So... what about you? How did you end up at the Grand Arcanium? Did your friend convince you?"
Kyvir watched the boy eat like a child for a moment, and his fist clenching below the table, although his face did not betray him, everything appeared to be going well. This child claims to be a superior of Isilfarrel, despite the blatant weakness he portrays? He unclenched his fist and resumed eating, as if nothing had happened, and listened to Alexander's compliments of his Mistress.
After a moment however, Alexander had turned a question to Kyvir, and Kyvir lowered his fork to his plate, looking Alexander directly in the eye. Clearing his throat for a moment, he saw a perfect chance to averty scrutiny from his Mistress and in his deep, harsh voice spoke dutily.
"Lady Mornelis is my Ward, and I am sworn by the Gods and men to be her Guard, Strategist, and Assistant in matters both Personal and Political. My attendence here serves to fufill my responsibility, while allowing me to improve my current abilities."
Finished with his Answer, he turned back to his meal, Uninterested in his response, nor further questions. He continued to politely eat his fill, pausing occasionally to sip a fragrant drink of made up of Oil, Sulphur, and Firewater.
“Aha…don’t mind him too much.” Isil laughed quietly. “Well, as he says he is my ward but it only happened out of circumstance on the way here from the Isles. I had to travel through a country called Thay. Heard of it? I…was sorely unprepared for traveling through that. Kyvir and I sort of…ran into each other and after a small little misadventure we ended up traveling together.” Nothing was a complete lie, though it was far from the actual truth of the matter. “He’s not the most sociable sort, though his company is still welcome.” She took a bite of an apple as she waited for Alexander to respond.
Alexander wasn't a fool. He had gotten crash courses in the arts of the court. The Tiefling's story sounded a lot more subservient than what Isil was saying. Pondering upon the words for a moment, he took another bite of his steak. Which tasted absolutely sublime with every piece. Alas, he couldn't really think of a reason why they spoke in such different ways. Nor, he thought, that it would matter. That and there were other things to care for right now. "So... enchanting?" he uttered carefully. "You mentioned you read some books back at..." and then he realized he forgot the name of her home city. Take another moment of silence in an attempt to guess it, he eventually yielded. "I mean back home." All elven places sounded way too complex to remember anyway, he defended in his own mind. "I would love your advice! Maybe we could meet up tomorrow? After the courses?" he suggested, hoping the elf wasn't too offended.
The truth, however, was that Alexander didn't really care to remember the name. The High Elves weren't close to his home and there were more important names to remember. Should anyone ask him after the rivers, mountains or cities of Tyrania, he'd be able to name them without a map. Should someone ask about his kingdom's neighbors he'd accurately explain the economic and political situation of each land. But the High Elves were not his neighbors and were not his allies. So he wasn't expected to know them. He was only expected to know prey, targets. Alexander was, after all, a Warlord's son.
“Thien'lotal. Specifically, the City of Living Summer, Bistrial.” She laughed softly. It was no surprise that he had trouble with Elvish names. Most humans she met did. It was rather endearing, really. In a ‘cute lesser ability sort of way’. “But yes! I would be more than happy to assist you. I would be remiss not to offer my help if I am able to.” If he was willing to learn and made decent progress of course. She had no time to waste time on failure or those who didn’t give their absolute best in something. That and, well, she was curious as to who exactly this prince was. She’d need to do a little research before she met up with him tomorrow.
Ask a few of the students. It’d be easy enough to innocently ask about it, passing it off as wanting to learn more about the human realms.
Alexander's face was filled with gratitude. Back home, there were but few mages left over. Most had sided with the loyalist. Sure, they were fearsome, living weapons. But his father had no problem in utilizing rather obscure tactics. The New Moon Massacre was one of those infamous moments. When his men snuck into the mages tower at night and murdered them all at night. While effective, they left very few tutors for Alexander. Those that survived had little desire to teach the conqueror’s son. So they often chose exile over servitude. Sure, during the conquest books were send back. But Alexander knew a tutor would have gotten him a lot further. "Thank you!" he exclaimed. "You won't regret it! If there is every anything I can do to help you with something, just say it. I'm in your debt."
But obviously, now other things popped up. Namely the mysterious teacher. She didn't look like she came from around. Alexander had been curious the second he saw her. However, he had a obligation of politeness to first talk with the High Elf. Having now secured a potential tutor, he it was time to move. Some would use the feast to relax, unwind and enjoy an evening. Not a Warlord's Son. Even during such festivities, he had to move further and learn more. Even if it just meant getting to know people. "If you would excuse me. I have to refill my plate." he excused himself from the table and walked up towards the Far Eastern teacher, making her raw fish dishes.
The Tiefling's eyes followed the Boy Prince suspiciously as he excused himself, and watched him carefully, as he made his way towards a particular teacher. After the boy was a fair distance away, Kyvir looked at his Mistress from the corner of his eyes and stealthily removed the note he had stashed away in his waistband,placing it on their shared table directly in front of her.
"The Warlord's Son smells of Guina," He stated softly, his True Tongue harsh and guttural, as that was how it was spoken in Thay.
"He would be of us."
He finished, his observations of the Prince expressed. Looking back to his plate, he continued to eat politely,waiting for his Mistress to read the note.
Isil watched Alexander leave with a small smile, turning back to her own plate and picking up one of the pieces of chicken as he left. For a few seconds, she simply silently chewed on the meat, lost in thought as Kyvir spoke and placed a note between them. She reached over, curious as to what the note could be before realizing what it said and laughed lightly.
“I will not disappoint you Lady Mornelis”
“That remains to be seen.” She spoke lowly, a small smirk forming as she drew in a deep and exhaling slowly. “But it’s a good start. Tomorrow we shall pay Alexander a visit and…discuss things with him. I’ll ask around about this prince and his country this evening.” She cast a glance over to Kyvir before taking a lighter tone and laughing. “Aha, this food really is good. How do you like the food, then, Kyvir? I must confess I am not knowledgeable about Teifling cuisine. I tend to stick with vegetables and…chicken, heh.”
It seemed that was the end of that discussion, for now.
