Tales of the Exalted

Callista gave the newcomer the rest of the day to settle in but she thought it would be nice to arrange for him to be able to speak with all of them in a more comfortable settling. As she had May set up the small parlor for tea, she reflected that this was also the first time the entire group of recently Exalted would be together aside from their meeting before the Khal. It occurred to her how important this might be, to all of them for many different reasons although she understood they may not all find time to make it. Seating was difficult so she didn't assign any, but the room she had chosen had a round one which helped some.

It was a nice afternoon for a social get together. The arched windows were shuttered for shade since their afternoons were growing more warm as the season of Fire ascended. This meant that she was able to wear her lighter silk dresses that she loved so much and the gold one with the delicate glass beading and silver stitching seemed to be a fitting match for their tea. She knew most of the guests on a personal level but she was nervous yet so decided to wait by the window to take in the calming view of the gardens as she waited for her guests to arrive.

Donovan knocked three times at the door before entering My Lady. he bowed slightly. May I join you by the window?

Callista smiled and nodded to Donovan. "Of course you may, Sir Donovan. How have you been? I am glad you could join us."

Dovovan looked out over the garden’s. I… I appreciate you scheduling this opportunity. To be frank, I am not sure who has been walking on egg shells more: me or the palace staff. his shoulders relaxed letting the tension of the past few days melt away These garden’s truly are beautiful.

She looked a little amused, glad she wasn't the only one who had felt the pressure from their constant surveillance. "Yes, the gardens are very beautiful. If you ever need to take a break from those eggshells, you are always welcome to come with me for a walk in them," Callista smiled. She enjoyed the knight's calm demeanor, as well as his mix of formality and familiarity that they had fallen into since getting to know eachother. He was a valuable assent for more reason than his fighting prowess and she wondered if this was lost on the Khal, but she wouldn't disregard it.

Eida stood quietly behind one of the chairs, and hesitated before he pulled it out to sit. A pang of hurt shot through him. He had thought those gardens were something special between he and the Princess. A place to share their moments of vulnerability. It was not really a surprise that a generous soul like her would offer to comfort others, but n ow at least, he knew that it was not his alone. He could still visit the Sakura on his own, but he was not sure if it would hold the same meaning again.

He slid the chair out, making sure to grind a foot against the floorboard so that they knew that someone else was present. Eida idly fingered the rings on his hands, wondering if it was just the power he had that drew them together. He tried to disregard it, but that was a common factor according to his Warlord, the building of power for personal call.

The princess started at the sudden sound but as she turned to see the source her face softened from shock to a warm look that didn't hide her pleasure at seeing the sorcerer there. "Eida, it always surprises me how silently you can move. It is truly a talent only rivaled by Sanjuro. I'm glad you came," she said genuinely as she smiled.

Eida smiled at the pair of them, "I am glad that my skills are comparable to Chanekeh, Princess. The invitation you sent was rather vague though, what task are we encountering today?" He glanced over at the hefty knight, wondering how he could compare with a man like that.

Cion knew both of his guards by name, except they had replaced the woman with another man before the first night was up so he was having to get to know him now. ”Tea is nice and all but I could really use a hearty dark ale. Do they have any of those here, Bolad? Did I pronounce that correctly? Well, a girl like the princess could serve me trough water and I would drink it with a smile,” he winked as the guards remained looking professional but the glances they gave him told him they shared his sentiment.

They stepped aside at the door and Cion gave them a polite salute as he strolled inside. ”Thank you, uasal. I can not wait until you return to my heels once more. I never knew how lonely latrine visits were until I met you two.”

He grinned broadly at the group as if they were already old friends and bowed his bright red head dramatically. ”Tráthnóna maith daoibh,” he smiled. Cion was no longer in his armor but in attire that was a mix of Realm and local fashion from his home. He cut a fine figure once properly cleaned from the road and seemed at ease around his new acquaintances. ”Is it permitted to approach and greet the Lady Callista in Tirnanog custom or will I find another handmaiden at my throat?”

Eida stood up again at the newcomer's entrance. He had been expecting the siegemaster and her companion, not this one. Maybe the two shared a bloodline somewhere, with their red hair and presumption. "That depends entirely on your tradition. You would not have had that issue if you were aware of local custom. Be happy it was her handmaiden and not another with less restraint."

A sleepy eye opened in the gem on Callista's right hand as the Tiger approached.

"He wants to kiss her hand. So many words, no substance." Mayumi said, not looking up from the tea she poured. "How you like your tea, Gaijin? Hot or cold?" she asked him. Then looked up.
"The Shining Princess has asked me not to throw you across her ancestors tea room, even if you are lewd." she said, as if that should mean he was safe to sit down.

Callista had just opened her mouth to inform Eida of the reason they were meeting when the fiery haired foreigner entered the room, bringing nothing but commotion with him. She had to admit without the armor on he was still very broad chested and handsome. Callista supposed this was the kind of man her non-Azuma handmaidens were always twittering about but didn't understand the appeal farther than something nice to look at.

Her jaw snapped closed because it had remained hanging open at the interchange that immediately begun upon him entering the room ”I apologize for any confusion. I understand that you have traveled very far and things are a bit different here,” she smiled kindly but shot May a slight warning glance as if she could will her to be polite. ”Here, in the southern parts of the Hundred Kingdoms it is not polite to touch someone you are not familiar with.” Her mind wandered to a moment under shaded trees and a feeling of closeness that she had not shared since her mother was alive. Callista's eyes almost followed her thoughts but she moved them away from the table and back to the entryway. ”However, since you are not from here I see no harm in learning a little of your customs.” Despite herself she was curious. Was he really going to kiss her hand as May claimed? It was a strange custom if that was so.

Cion's eyebrow quirked up at the shirtless man's comment, wondering if he was implying the he would have been the one with less restraint. Before he could decide if either Eida or the handmaiden were making threats again, the Princess spoke up and drew his attention back to her.

”Thank you for informing of my that, Princess Callista. It is a strange custom but I will remember it, even if it is difficult to resist the desire to kiss someone as lovely as you,” he winked as he lifted her hand to put his lips on it lightly and politely.

As the red-head turned his back, Eida narrowed his eyes. He wasn't sure what Cion was here for, but he wasn't someone to take lightly. His carefree manner put others at ease. Watching for Chanekeh and learning life's difficult lessons made Eida mistrustful of people so open.

His action seemed harmless enough, but he could see Callista's heart flutter for just a brief instant. Embarrassment? Maybe. Something else? Eida was not sure.

Finally the last of the Shining's Prince's chosen walked through the door. Hopefully she would set things more at ease by pulling the foreigner's attention.

Ruby rushed through the door without so much as a knock. "Sorry about that, I got...waylaid." Jaroko smiled and waved from behind her, waiting outside with Cion's 'escorts,' laughing with them about something or another.

"Apparently I can't even bathe without someone nearby, and I won't have that nosy dragon anywhere near my room. I swear he can hear me through walls!" She looked around at her company. All of the other Solar exalts were present, but Silver hadn't shown up yet. Oh well, leave a cat to do whatever a cat wants. She'll show up when she's good and ready. Or wants pets.

"Sorry, may not have wanted to hear that. I can't wait for them to go away."

Callista thought the strange custom was quaint and a bit sweet but it did make her a touch embarrassed. Perhaps it was because kissing wasn't really something she thought of often, mostly because it was usually connected to her marriage to someone who was chosen for her. She pulled her hand back, perhaps too quickly and she feared he might consider her rude but Ruby entered just in time.

”Welcome, Rebekah. It's nice of you to join us,” she said, stepping past Cion to greet the woman. ”If it makes you feel any better, I haven't bathed alone in so long I can't remember what it's like. Please, come in and be seated. Do you know if Silver will joining us?”

Ruby held a hand up about to respond, thought about it, and thought better. Callista at least had female attendants. "I don't. She does what she wants, when she feels. If you sent her a letter like we got, she'll be itching to know what it's about though." The setup was cute, and her bodyguard was quick to the tea. Ruby took a seat facing towards the open gardens, to the right of Eida in all of his morose personality.

Donovan smiled broadly at the new entries to the room. The shared hardships of the road had bonded them. He expected they would soon have the same bond with the newcomer.
Eida, Ruby, it is good to see you again. Cionaodh Is óige mac Sonek it is a pleasure to have you in our company. You will find that the Khal’s lands that there are a great many customs and courtesy’s to be observed. Most of which are ancillary, however it can make life at court a bother. Here though, please do not stand on ceremony. he moved around the table and took a seat.

Cion noticed her quickly removal of her hand but remained nonchalant. Perhaps she was just shy, or very proper more likely and they were in a crowd. He also considered that someone as beautiful as her likely had plenty of suitors and maybe even already had given her heart to someone. The Dawn glanced over at the fighter she had been standing by at the window with, who he assumed was the obvious candidate. Regardless, he figured it never hurt to try.

”Good to know we do not have to be bogged down by formalities here. Speaking of, you can call me Cion as it is much easier to pronounce.” He bowed and greeted Ruby as she entered the room but she seemed to move too quick to a seat to give him any chance to share his ‘custom’ with her as well which was a touch disappointing. Then he was left with the decision of which seat he should take, given the options he wasn't sure where would put him in the best position to continue his flirting.

He quickly made up his mind and sat next to the red haired woman. ”Us hot blooded types should stick together, right?” He winked. ”By your accent it, you are not from around here am I right to assume?”

Jill was late. She'd stopped by the kitchens for a snack and had noticed the the kaiseki meal being prepared. Cursing she scampered down the hallways, switching back up into her human form before winking at the guards and walking in calmly. Jill was politely greeted by the princess who didn't seem bothered at all by her tardiness. Her tail twitched, seeing the seating order seemed to be boy-girl and Ruby was already surrounded anyway. She decided to go give the new guy a chance, not only was he good looking but seemed less up tight than the rest of the group. Jill settled in between Donovan and Cion, giving them both large grins as she did.