Diversity At and Around the Table

[Kala Leukos]

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Kala grew quiet, but not pointedly so. She was often thus. Kaus, on the other hand, was subdued. They had only formed the lightest of Avialae bonds with Raithen in order to help him experience some of what he had missed growing so far from the center of Synnekar—or even Kathar—civilization. Then, she had grown to suspect there was a bond between him and his mother, whether formed on purpose or intuitively. Now, more familiar with him and more powerful herself, she was certain.

Like a bird on a wire, His Exalted Highness' husband had sung once, like a drunk in a midnight choir, I have tried in my way to be free.

Like a worm on a hook... No.

There were stakes here that she didn't know, and while she didn't understand the full context of the Phædryn fraternal history, she knew that it was making her brother and her uncomfortable, and possibly too their hostess. Raithen was in quiet distress, and Phocion was showing a side of him that she wasn't sure she liked, though he was such a glib politico he seemed to be dancing near a boundary one moment, and far from it the next.

She sighed.

"Please pardon me if I am blunt. This isn't a courtly affair and I consider myself among friends." Blue eyes found every other pair in the room, each for a beat. "I care about each and every one of you, and as I have only just become aware of a few matters, I think perhaps others might not be aware of other matters that pertain to them, even tangentially.

"First, Hilana, I was not aware until I saw you together that you have a relationship with Raithen. I do not know what contract, formal or informal, might exist between you, but it was not my intention to interrupt that when I returned his amorous advances.

"Phocion, I have had amorous relations with your brother. While I am not normally one to kiss and tell, I was not trying to keep that a secret, and..." She laughed quietly. "...I imagine that few are the secrets in Solunarium that live in your steel-trap mind. I have not pursued him or any other since we began courting. Though that was not a stipulation you made, it was a decision I made in order to give your suit its due attention.

"Raithen." Her gaze softened. "Duck. It has been some time since we have seen you in Karnor, or since you have been available when we have been in Solunarium. I was surprised when Phocion asked to court me, but as I knew it was with your mother's blessing, I assumed it was also with your knowledge." Surprised as she had been, given she was neither elf nor princess, upon later reflection she had wondered why Cithæra hadn't sent Raithen in Phocion's place—he with wings akin to her own and he whose ducal title was not so far above her own as Phocion's.

"Hilana. I don't know whether this is any sort of a state secret, so I defer to Phocion's wishes in the matter, but as nothing is official, I hope you will keep it to yourself for the time being." She smiled. "I'm glad you know, though. Solunarium has been an unexpected haven for me as I have... changed such that I became a person of interest to the Custodes Deorum. If I have offended, I heartily apologize and ask your forgiveness. If not, I do sincerely hope to explore new planes with you, and show you around my homeland as you have been such a generous hostess of your own.

"Phocion, Raithen. I do not understand your relationship and I am not asking to know what is not meant for me to know. Even if I were to marry one or both of you, there would be parts of your heart it would be inappropriate for me to demand. I cannot help but feel as though I am... exacerbating something that exists between you, and I hate that. I care about you both, and would wish the best for both of you even were we never to meet again. But if some row exists between you, I would ask that you not put me in the middle of it unless because you have decided together that you wish my help in mediating.

"Now, if I haven't spoiled the meal, could I...?"

But Kaus was already pouring more wine for her, and then for himself.

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[Raithen]

Licking lips gone dry, Raithen managed a smile for Hilana's consideration, turning to her briefly.

"It's well, Umbra. You never make anything that isn't pleasing. I know better than to complain." If his eyes moved back to Phocion for the last sentence, it was a hardened submission, rather than any form of mocking or rebellion.

Both brothers were turning to continue the conversation with the ladies at their sides but kept returning to each other, as though there were multiple conversations passing, one spoke and one unspoken. The Avialea's smile became obsidian; dark, sharp and brittle.

"My likes and dislikes should never be of any consideration to His Divine Radiance, nor to me in His service."

The memory of the abject terror he had felt flying over the open water to reach the Neptori island as a messenger of Divine Light did not serve to calm the acidic roil that filled him; physical form and mind alike. The none-too-subtle reminder that he was, in fact, sworn to Avaerys, used as a shield against the potential of his brother's cold wrath, made him feel pathetic.
Picking up the utensil specifically for the expensive pie, he took a bite, not sure if the dust it tasted of to him now was better or worse than tasting the fish would have been.

This close, those bonded to him would feel the reduction of his person to a tightly contained knot with a smooth, blank surface. The worst of it was that Raithen wanted what he was being given; hated it, feared it, but wanted it still. Being the center of Phocion's attention. Mocked and exhibited to disadvantage; even as his mind shied from the treatment, another part basked in it. If he had been more self-reflective, he might have wondered if part of his discontent of late had been due to the lack of such fraternal attention. If he had learned enough at last to grow out of such attacks, would he be as much above his brother's attention as he was below it? And if so, never the object of it at all?

Taking a slow breath through his nose as he chewed, he made note of the room, the food, the colors and scents, the other faces around the table, grounding himself away from such thoughts, or any thoughts. Kala calling attention to herself was an excellent thing to concentrate on. His face softened and the sound of waves in his ears faded.

When Hilana's connection with him was mentioned, he turned his smile back to the Vastian woman for a moment. That connection, at least, was uncomplicated. Raithen had never been under the impression that he had secrets from his family, knowing that his every action was known had enabled him to continue his life as he pleased, knowing that should he err, he need not even confess it before he would be corrected. Kala was polite to inform Phocion, but sure, there was no need. His mother and elder brother both knew of his near-to-need for the company of the two other Avialae. It took a moment for him to process from the confession that information that he had been unaware of.

His throat closed, slowly, around the ash that he tried to swallow. As Kala turned her attention, gentle and kind, to Hilana, Raithen returned his to Phocion, smile wide and as bright as his eyes.

"You're courting?" It wasn't loud, possibly not even heard by anyone not looking directly at him. Not waiting for a verbal answer, he nodded, pressed his lips together and gave a quick laugh trying to clear the shards of shattered lava glass from his throat. Looking down into his lap as his laugh reiterated and then faded several times, he settled himself.

When he raised his head again, he also raised his glass, seeing that those around the table that needed a refill had been serviced.

"Let's drink then. To the family that loves me, and those who I love that may soon join it."

Lifting the goblet in a little salute, first Phocion and then Kala he drained it. If he could not clear the glass, he would swollow it.

[Hilana Chenzira]

Hilana was quite pleased with Phocion's reaction to the lamprey pie. She had always intended to make it for Arvaelyn, and then things went south with their friendship due to Finn's injury, and they'd never recovered. Where they were now was at least good enough, though she did exercise a great deal of caution there. He didn't shun her outright and he was pleasant enough in person. She had brought a demigod into the realm that ended up Tethered to Varvara through him and Phocion, she was doing decently enough, but... He might forgive her one day, if she found that Horn.

"I'm glad you like it," she was smiling. "I did know that it was served during the Founders' times, but it's good that it's coming back." Hopefully the others did, too, though she now knew Raithen may have found it questionable. But there was the lamb, even if the Moonborn Prince offered chastisement about being picky about fish. She knew how hard Raithen took critique from his elder brother, and considering how he was already feeling... One shot to his heart without breaking the skin. No one had the power to hurt you like your kin, especially when you cared about their opinions like Raithen did.

Then Kala spoke, and Hilana turned her attention there. She was quiet as she addressed each of them in turn, refraining from eating while the petite blonde spoke. She was kind, but she needn't be worried about coming between her and Raithen. What they had was largely informal and defined by the fact that they enjoyed each other's company and could usually scratch whatever itch the other was feeling. But it would never be more than that. He might claim her as his concubine if need be one day, or he may never, but she knew that that was as far as it could go.

That was the way of things here.

She did confirm the courtship between herself and the Sentinel that Hilana had wondered at, and she looked back to Raithen, wanting to squeeze his hand and try to offer comfort to him. Which may have been silly: he was a Duke, and she was little more than an up-jumped shopgirl.

"You needn't worry about Raithen and I. We are just friends. Good friends, but friends. You weren't coming between us. But your secret is safe with me, Lady Kala. It will not leave this table," Hilana assured her. Inasmuch as she loved to talk, when she was trusted with a secret, she kept it. This sort of thing was not her business to share.

At Raithen's toast, she raised her glass to them, and had a drink from her glass. She did wonder if Raithen might return later, or if her Lux would seek comfort from others tonight. It was hard to know - the bronze bird had had a hell of a shock, and while she thought she knew him well, she didn't know entirely what he would do.

[Pharaoh]

Phocion tilted his head in Kala's direction as she spoke up in a sharper tone than that with which he was familiar. He nodded slightly, as she acknowledged the casualness of the environs and her friendly regard for those around the table. He set his jaw, eyes turning from Kala to the table as he placed his fork down and sat back when she began to highlight Raithen's carnal connections to everyone at the table save himself. Truths of which he was not ignorant, but found himself confused as to why they were a subject of dinner table conversation- even in an informal setting.

When she addressed him directly, Phocion dragged his gaze back up from the table to meet hers. His brow was furrowed in sustained bemusement and, while he did not react in any tangible way to her history with Raithen, his eyes did seem to soften at the revelation that she'd paused such pursuits with others for his sake. Pursed lips parted slightly, but ere he could speak, she turned her regard to Raithen, then to Hilana and, all the while, he appeared perplexed. His eyes darted to Raithen as she spoke to him as if...

"O fæx..." He sighed, barely audible as he reached for his wine and gulped it. He let her finish her speech as he finished his wine and as she reached for a refill of her own, he seemed poised to speak. But then Raithen was beaming and proposing a toast in the prospect. Phocion's mouth just hung open as he gaped at Raithen, then slowly panned his gaze to regard the whole of the table.

"I..." He didn't even look at the wine pitcher. It almost looked like the pitcher had picked up on the awkwardness of the moment for him and shown him mercy by pouring its contents into his cup, but he raised it all the same and conjured a faint smile.

"Gratias." He said, raising the vessel to clink against its comrades. After the obligatory sip, he turned to Kala.

"Mea columba, your reservedness often makes me forget that we are of different cultures. While I will apologise if my tenor with Raithen made anyone at the table uncomfortable, such repartee is mild compared to what one might hear passing between relations at dinner in any Sol'Aværys household. Formal banquets are brutal by comparison. Think of our Gods, think of Their Domains. We are desert creatures: Durable. Your Northern empathies are kindly offered, but likely misplaced..." He paused to sigh, turning to Raithen.

"That being said, it did not occur to me that you would be unaware of the courtship. I can see whereas that might have lent undue weight to our exchange on your end but, unlike most of our ilk, I am no mindreader. Still and all, you are no worse for wear, are you?" Finally, he picked up his fork again and returned his attention to the pie.

"Nothing a night out in the Noctis Æternæ with your favourite people won't repair."

[Kala Leukos]

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While she had spent some time in Solunarium over the past year and a half, she knew she was expert in their culture. The lines of her face were not hard, but rather concerned—concern for the comfort of their hostess, concern for Raithen's feelings, as well as those of Phocion, her brother, and herself. Still waters ran deep, and she was never certain when crocodiles were sneaking up on her in social situations here.

If she had misread or overstepped, she would be entirely and sincerely apologetic, but she could only act based upon what she observed and how she might best interpret that. She was willing to sacrifice some dignity in being wrong if it could rectify perceived wrongs. But Raithen toasted, and so she offered a wan smile before taking a sip—well, another sip.

Kala was a mind-reader, though she rarely used it to that extent without grave need. She wasn't digging around in anyone's aura, but she could feel Kaus' discomfort as if it were her own, though she had over two decades of practice keeping his feelings separate from hers. And she could feel Raithen's discomfort, albeit not so keenly.

Unsure whether she were being gaslit or if the family dynamic was so deep-rooted even they were unaware how it seemed from without.

"Thank you, Duck." And to Phocion, "Then I beg your pardon. I thought it best to clear the air; now I needn't misapprehend." Her smile was not false.

Kala had met the Divine Twins on more than one occasion, although she understood that Phocion, at least, experienced Varvara far more intimately than she had. She wasn't jealous, although she still wondered whether being tethered—and being Tethered—might not end up overly complicating a marriage between them.

While she had a light bond with Marda Ahtivin, she had not asked the priestess of Ioniri to worship her. And while she understood commerce better than most, she didn't expect Avenna to come offering favor.

Well, if they did take her to the dance hall, perhaps they might find Unity there.

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[Raithen]

The Avialae nodded at their host's explanation of their relationship. It was true, for both of them. They could seek other partners as they chose. That Hilana might, someday, choose a more permeant partner, even a spouse, was not off the table any more than it was that his family might choose one for him.

"Of course."

Was the simple reply that met Phocion's assertions as to how easily it was to mend any ills Raithen received. It was what was expected of him and, he could admit, some of that was due to his own assertions to the same effect on a multitude of occasions. The apology offered was not for Raithen, and he wouldn't have known what to do if it had been.

"We are neither of us mind readers." This was directed around the table generally, an agreement that Phocion held no blame.

The only outward change in his demeanor for the rest of the meal was that he kept his limbs, above and below the table, to himself. The main course was gotten through, and what came after. The conversation flowed, due in no small part to the affable efforts of both of the women present.

As the party wound down, Raithen turned and offered Kaus a smile that was at least a little more honest than the ones he had been spreading since the main course had been served.

"I trust that you, at least, are still interested in joining me after?"

In case this was overheard and misinterpreted, or interpreted correctly, in the sudden lull of conversation he turned back to the courting couple and added,

"As I am sure you both had a lovely evening planned. Had I known, I would not have pressed my own suit for either of your hands in my paltry revelries."

[Hilana Chenzira]

Hilana did not miss the little term of endearment from Phocion for Kala, and she thought it was rather sweet of him, considering her wings. Still, she wouldn't call attention to it, especially since his explanations seemed to smooth things over a bit... hopefully. Flowing spirits helped, and in that regards, Hilana was well stocked. Besides, if they were courting, it was better that he explained the intricacies of this. She hadn't actually ever been to a more formal dinner with anyone of the royal persuasion; she had had invitations here and there to the villa and she had had a good time with Finn and Arvaelyn before knowing that he was in fact royal. There had been the luncheon in which they had introduced Lykos to Arvaelyn as well, but that had gone rather smoothly, ultimately. She did remember the verbal bloodletting from Aeros' ill-fated 'look at me, I'm dead but not!' party that she had heard amongst the elves there, and she could only imagine how much sharper it got as one ascended the pyramid.

It was better to keep things moving in a smoother direction and hopefully no feathers were too badly ruffled.

She would clear the plates when their main course was finished, she would present a small pre-dessert to cleanse the palate: small dishes of shaved ice with a light drizzle of pomegranate syrup. Following that came the mensae secundae: dessert. Hilana loved desserts and pastries, but she had to remember her company (primarily Prince Phocion) and think about the balance of the meal. She had gone for another fairly traditional dessert that wouldn't be too overwhelmingly sweet - a pear patina with globi - honey fritters. The patina seemed to be something like a souffle and a steamed pudding that had cooled and set, and was garnished with thin slices of pear and edible purple flowers up top. It had a delicate, balanced flavour without being too sweet, as some of the flavours contained therein brought it to closer to the savoury end of the spectrum, and the tiniest cracks of pepper to help offset the sweetness of the pears and honey on the tongue. It was served with a number of honey fritters that had been fried to a deep golden brown, and had been lightly dressed in honey with some poppy seeds. There were dipping bowls of honey syrup for her guests to dip the globi into as they wanted for their own tastes.

She thought that perhaps it didn't turn out too badly, and Sviras had eventually joined them at the table, still incorporeal, winding his way over to a perch upon her where he could investigate her guests with no small amount of curiosity. But the evening seemed to wind down at last, and she would see what was decided - would Kala and Phocion accompany Kaus and Raithen to the Noctis Aeternae, or carry on with their own plans for a post-dinner digestif.

[Pharaoh]

Phocion nodded to Kala as she seemed content to set the awkward matters aside, which made the lamprey pie that much easier to enjoy sans the aroma of discomfort tainting his relish. Whatever peccadilloes Hilana may have broached in the past, he could not fault her cooking. Perhaps she was so keen to feed everyone out of awareness that she excelled in that medium. It was a sort of Ambition, he supposed, and that was to be lauded. It was only a shame she'd grown so high in the Founders' esteem insofar as it meant he could not poach her to be a full-time chef at his Prædium. He glanced sidelong to Kala and smiled to himself, thinking: 'Well, perhaps Hilana would not be above being commissioned for a wedding cake.' Catching himself in this internal fancy, he actually flushed. Who was he becoming?

At least he hadn't turned so saccharine as to be taken in by sweets, so when it was time to shift into the dessert course, he tasted everything but surfeited on nothing. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy it, but his knowledge of his own metabolism was such that he prioritised what he most preferred and rarely indulged overmuch in things that weren't either very nutritious or absolutely delicious to his palate. He did try to take note of what Kala seemed most keen on during the dessert course, as such knowledge could be useful in a relationship.

He glanced to Raithen after dabbing at his lips with a serviette.

"My offer to join your evening outing still stands, if Lady Kala does not fear my sustained company might cripple your psyche..." He turned to Kala with the broadest grin she'd ever seen him wear and lowered his voice to add, in slightly accented Synskrit: "You have my permission to punish me if I'm naughty by Northern standards."

[Kala Leukos]

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"Alas that I am," she murmured, mostly to herself. Kaus only partially heard it, intuiting the rest from their bond.

But she didn't allow herself to be deflated. Family and relationship dynamics were complicated and difficult, and that was just reality. Kala's grasp of draconic was growing to the point where she could understand much more of Garel's grimoire, so she had some idea of why certain realities of anatomy and physiology existed for her people.

The wings were in and of themselves magical. Their flight was magical. Were they not, the wings would have been pretty, but more harm than help, realistically speaking. Physics would not have been on their side. Garel had wanted a people who looked like paragons of their respective races with impressive wings who could fly, and so those wings required a great amount of fuel, and that was why Avialae were always hungry—at least in part.

Warping reality came with a cost.

So Kala, at least, had more appetite than she ought now that she had her wings. While she maintained her table manners, she could eat more like a raptor than a dove. And while she ate more than her small frame would seem to support, she was moderate with different flavors, seeking to balance out sweet and savory, salty and umami, to maintain a sort of balance.

Alas, her choices offered Phocion no silver caster for preferences, other than that she was willing to try things and that she enjoyed Hilana's cooking.

As the meal started winding down, and questions were raised, Kala only smiled faintly. They had only really discussed the dinner, not what might come after.

Kaus replied to Raithen's question with a blithe smile: "As ever, I will do my duty."

Though his natural ebullience had reasserted itself, Raithen could sense that he remained troubled. He could also sense that Kala was taking their word for all being well for the moment, but that she was reserving judgment. As ever, her assessments were more nuanced than her brother's, at least on the surface.

And then both winged men could sense Kala's surprise as fair brows shot upward, turning a bemused smile upon Phocion.

"Did she slip an aphrodisiac into your eel, little Raven?"

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[Raithen]

The dinner continued, the remaining courses were served, and Raithen wouldn't have been able to tell someone the next day what they had been.

It was the first time he had ever been in the company of either Hilana or the Leukos twins, and wanted to get away. It was not an unfamiliar feeling when in Phocion's company, though the feelings were more complicated than would be easy for him to explain.

It was not as though his elder brother had never called him down or mocked him, but it had been rare to happen in the company of those outside their family. In fact, he could not currently recall any specific time that it had happened. Holding the family line was as important as anything else he had been taught. Perhaps it was that Hilana was not important enough to count, being seen as a sort of servant to Phocion. Perhaps the Leukos', now revealed to be considering joining his family, were close enough to count. But if this was a preview of how his time around the twins was to be spent going forward, at least, any time Phocion was also present...

The slight sickened feeling the Avialae body had been harboring for over an hour rose, and with it, so did he. Standing abruptly, chair squeaking, he flashed a tight, smile that attempted to be jovial around the table and said,

"I think I might just go for a flight, actually. I..." The flirtatious looks on Kala and Phocion's faces were not helping him make himself understood. "I think it's just too hot in here."

The smile turned apologetically on Hilana. Turning to Kaus at his side as he moved back from the table, he offered a hand,

"Would you like to come with me?" Technically, Phocion did not have wings, but that did not stop Raithen from believing that, had he extended the invitation to the feminine twin, his brother would have managed to follow them into the air.

When the two winged men were outside, Raithen wrapped an arm around Kaus' shoulders before they could take off. Grin going all shattered glass again he nosed at the twin's ear and whispered,

"You wanna fuck me?"