DinnerInAmberIndex | Time Under Chaos | Game Logs | Dinner In Amber Dinner in AmberThe family of Amber and their guests arrived in the larger family dining room - a large, oak-annelled room, rich and mellow with gleaming silver and candlelight contrasted with the rich, mellow wood. To the right of the door there was an easel, which held a sheet of parchment setting out the seating arrangement. Unusually for one of Flora's organised events, the ink appeared to be gleaming in the candlelight, as though it was still a little wet. Once the Prime Minister had escorted her to her seat, Islain stood with all the confidence and majesty of a goddess in human form (or perhaps a slumbering volcano) while her seat was pulled out for her. Then she smiled and nodded graciously as she seated herself. Damien returned just in time to file in and be seated, absent Tear. At last, everyone was seated. At the moment, there was an empty place next to Mandor, where Solitaire, Baronness Helgram, should have been sitting. Mandor glanced at Damien, and then smiled faintly. Then he rose to his feet. "On this most auspicious of days, when we have seen the arrival of new friends and family from Chaos, when we have have our lives well-nigh miraculously preserved from murderous attack, let us give pause for a moment to give thanks - no matter what our deities - for our presence here this evening." He smiled around the table. Flora looked the model of pious devotion as she lowered her eyes. Bleys shifted in his chair and sighedfaintly. Merlin stared straight ahead, a muscle jumping in his cheek. The Kashfan Ambassador, after a searching glance at those nearest to him, inclined his aristocratic head in a display of humility. Paloma's was already bowed, her expression every bit as devout as Flora's. The Begman Ambassador lowered her head, and then peeped up mischeviously through her long dark eyelashes, so strong a contrast with her fair hair. A minute's silence - and then Mandor signalled with his right hand. The servitors moved forward ti begin serving the first course ... a choice of open ravioli of king scallops with cucumber, fried ginger, and yellow pepper vinaigrette or a sweet potato and goat's cheese roulade, with smoked paprika aioli, or mache watermelon and radish salad with a honey and papaya dressing or pan fried foie gras with roast peach puree and toasted brioche. Mandor selected the scallops, as did Bleys. Flora went for the salad, while Merlin signalled for the foie gras. The Kashfan Ambassador, after some hesitation, went for salad. The Begman Ambassador excelaimed with delight at the scallops while Paloma watched what Merlin chose - and selected the same. When the first course service was well underway, Larissa entered, in unornamented black and nose firmly planted in a book. She spared only the briefest glance for the seating chart before resuming her reading as she walked to her place, dragged her chair out with one hand while turning the page with the other, and sat. Servants placed a salad before her despite no visible signal, and Larissa began to eat one-handed, showing no sign of having noticed anyone else was in the room. Damien ordered the ravioli, but otherwise ignored Larissa's arrival. Chadwick offered her a hand with her salad as his own was placed before him. "It's so good to be surrounded by such wonderful people and family," he said. It was as though Chadwick hadn't spoken for all the reaction Larissa showed. He raised an eyebrow, looked about at the others, who seemed to have started their own conversations, and then back at Larissa. "I encountered a marvelous chocolatier today," he said. "Simply delightful." He ate some salad and raised an eyebrow to his cousin. She took a sip of wine and turned the page simultaneously. A sly grin spread across his face as he considered tickling her. He looked down the table toward his mother and then returned his attention quickly to Larissa. His fingers curled in preparation... Larissa maneuvered a chunk of watermelon to her mouth. |
