okay but do we have to leave so soon

[liakoura]

The Ardelay twins loiter in the palace for a few days, then fall back to the Chialto house, in plenty of time to receive any prompt reply to the correspondence Kiri sent out when they arrived in the city.

Comments

[calendarofcrime]

It is at this point that Sarelle's voice says out of (appropriately enough) thin air, "Would we prefer to eat informally in the sitting room or in the nearby dining room with a table large enough to seat everyone? Our host has no preference."

[liakoura]

"I'm comfy right here," offers Aleko, looking around as though there might materialize an appropriate direction at which to render his opinion.

[pyrophyte]

"The same," says Ekador.

[calendarofcrime]

Sarelle waits a moment to see if any objection is forthcoming from Kiri, then says, "Very well. We will bring dinner."

Mere moments later, she appears, carrying a tray.

[free_flowing]

Loel is behind her with another one. Between them, they have all appropriate food, dishes, and utensils, needing only to be put down somewhere and then distributed.

[calescent]

Mmmm, rice.

Kiri digs in immediately.

[liakoura]

Aleko serves himself a heap of rice, watches steam coming off of it, and holds it in Kiri's direction, taking it back a moment later after she nods slightly, presumably finding it a safer temperature after this procedure.

[free_flowing]

Loel serves himself some rice and sits on the floor next to a low table. He does not choose to solicit temperature control from Kiri.

[calendarofcrime]

Sarelle... looks at him. But she doesn't comment, only obtains her own dinner and a more conventional place to sit.

[pyrophyte]

Ekador gets some food and returns to his chair. Chairs are normal. And comfortable.

[liakoura]

Om nom nom.

[calescent]

"If anybody else wants their rice heated or cooled I don't mind," Kiri says, "that is not a just-my-brother thing."

[pyrophyte]

Ekador tries his rice, determines the temperature acceptable, and says, "No, thank you."

[calendarofcrime]

Sarelle does likewise, but makes no verbal report.

[liakoura]

"Does not taste at all like soap, nicely done, Loel."

[free_flowing]

He snorts. "Thanks."

[calendarofcrime]

"It's very good," Sarelle agrees, smiling. "Not that I expected any less, having watched you cook it."

[calescent]

"Do you cook too or do you just know what it looks like when done well?" Kiri inquires of Sarelle.

[calendarofcrime]

"I cook. Competently, at that."

[free_flowing]

"You sure sounded like you knew what you were talking about," says Loel. "If you wanna borrow my kitchen sometime, feel free."

[calescent]

"Heh. I can do a little, too, but not well enough to ever chase anybody else out of a kitchen if they're willing to feed me."

[free_flowing]

"And I'm always willing to feed people," says Loel, grinning.

[liakoura]

"Ekador might want to try your cilantro later," remarks Aleko.

[free_flowing]

"Yeah?" He glances over at Ekador.

[pyrophyte]

Ekador is currently chewing on a bite of rice, and therefore cannot answer immediately.

—And then a look of extreme startlement crosses his face and he starts coughing into his hand.