The Dining Room
The dining room. There were lots of people spread out all over the place, but no one I even remotely recognized. I tried using my sense of smell to see if Dad had even been there, but the smell of food and the fact that I had eaten nothing else but the bread was brought back into sharp focus.
The whole room had a feeling of being very upscale, sophisticated and refined--not too much unlike that fancy steakhouse Flora had taken me to the day before. However, I was instantly feeling underdressed, out of place and somewhat lost. It must have been clearly showing in my face as a man got up from the table and approached me.
"Good evening, milady. May I help you with something?"
"Good evening," I smiled, doing my best not to stammer, but couldn't help the rush. "I was actually looking for Eric or Flora and food. I found one out of three thus far. I don't know if maybe you've seen the other two? I'm a little new. Name's Tabby." I felt a little flustered, but put on my warmest smile, trying to gauge a reaction. --I have been noticing that people don't seem to either notice or care about my eyes, and no one has shown any fear of me either. I kinda like it.
He simply nodded. "Well, neither has been here, and I've not heard from the guards that they're in residence, but their position is such that it's difficult for the guards to gainsay them. However, you have found food--and as dinner tends to be fairly formal, if they're in residence, they should show."
"Ah," I responded and gave it a second or two to let what he said sink in. I think I had gotten the gist, but then I "did it again" as I usually seem to do whenever I meet anyone.
"Then I probably have nothing to worry about. Dad and I were in town earlier and he suddenly had an errand to run and I was hoping he'd be back by now. I've only just arrived yesterday, so I was hoping not to sup alone--be able to meet other folks and family. I managed to follow my nose 'cause I got a little hungry and here I am. I had no idea dinner would be a formal affair--I'm probably not dressed right for it, but then, when my nose takes over, I tend to get a one-tracked mind." [breath] "Oh, dear." My hand was over my mouth as I had caught myself, but too late and was turning red with embarrassment and slowed down my speed considerably.
"Sorry. I tend to ramble when I get excited. I never caught your name?"
Servants were darting around us with trays and carts as if we had always been a fixture there. I could feel other eyes on me as we stood there, catching not-so subtle glances from others at other tables once every so often.
"I meant formal, as in the family makes a point of eating together when in residence. The King more or less insists on it," he replied. "I'm Lachlan."
"Ah," I replied again, my eyes on the floor, suddenly feeling somewhat stupid at that comment as I could feel my cheeks get hot. But I quickly mastered my self and returned my focus on him again and was studying him somewhat intently--taking in his dark features and silently cataloging his scent.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lachlan. Please forgive my naïveté. I haven't had much chance to get to know the place, let alone the folks around here. I take it you're a cousin? Were you looking to meet someone for dinner?" I took a look around the room, smiling at those who caught my eye. My attention made it back to him after a second.
"Yes, I'm a cousin. There seem to be an awful lot of us. Shall I show you to a seat, Cousin?" he asked.
"Certainly, Cousin," I smiled back enthusiastically, letting him take the lead. As I followed him along, I took silent note of how the folks that were seated were dressed. My guess was that most of them were possibly courtiers, courtesans and dignitaries by the finery they were wearing. Lachlan found us a seat and a servant instantly fell to, bringing glasses and place setting and ready to take an order.
"So, you've not been in Amber--recently, at least. How do you find it?" he asked, taking a glance about the room as if searching for someone.
"I'm enjoying myself so far. I got to meet Random this morning, albeit a bit brief. And then Dad showed me around the city some. He got called away a little earlier, so I've been trying to get around on my own since then. Found the kitchens and here I am," I said and then turned to the servant who was still standing by. "I would love to have some of that awesome-smelling meat and a baked potato if it's available, please." Then I turned back to Lachlan.
"So! Are you from Amber, or did you come recently as well?" I asked, trying to get the ball rolling.
"I've been in Amber for a long time, but I was not born here, nor raised as far as I am aware." He glanced away again.
"I see," I said and took a discreet whiff to see if I could catch anything underlying with him as he was clearly preoccupied. I mean, when having a conversation, you usually keep it going, small talk or not. One asks a question, the other answers and then returns the serve with a question of their own, right? I was getting the distinct idea that he was hunting.
[ooc: although, I don't mind sharing that this exchange is very familiar, like trying to talk to my husband after he gets home from work--I do all the talking and he answers with one-liners! =) ]
"Do you hunt?" I asked, amused at this now.
Lachlan nodded. "I do--in fact, I've been intending to go back out to Arden one of these days and ask Julian if I can spend some time. Don't really have time right now, though."
"Oh, really? Seems to me you're hunting right now," I said even more amused. "You're obviously preoccupied. Go on, I won't think it rude for you to go and hunt whoever it is down. Really."
Lachlan shook his head this time. "Not at all. At present, I have no particular prey. I suppose I must explain my demeanor, since no one has previously warned you. I spent many years in service to The General and much of his nature has rubbed off on me."
"Ah, you're military? That will explain a couple of things." I couldn't help a little sigh. "Now at the risk of coming off as clueless--too late--who's The General? and would he happen to be here? How long have you been serving Amber?"
"Yes I was--am, actually. And I tend to forget that not everyone has spent that much time here. The General of Amber's armies is how he's better known. Prince Benedict, if even that's too obscure." he said.
"Benedict. Right," I said remembering the image of the card Flora had shown me the day before. I began to look around for that servant who was supposed to be coming back with my food. Where the heck was he? I was looking around the room again, hoping he'd take a cue for some real conversation. Heck, I gave him an out earlier, but he didn't bite.
"Still looking for Eric? A word of advice. With one or two exceptions, do not expect the elders to behave as they expect you to behave. They will be death on tardiness and arrive two hours late because they are the power around here," he said.
"I'll keep that in mind," I replied taking note. "I was actually looking to see if the food was on its way or not. It just smells so darn good that I'm having a hard time thinking of much else. I could wolf down just about anything at this point." I gave a smile, albeit a weak one. He merely nodded and left me to my search while he looked about the room on a search of his own.
It didn't take long for me to spot a cart laden with food heading in my general direction. As I was silently willing it to make its way all the way to me, I took notice of a pair of twins that had just entered the room. They were a very striking pair, I must say. They took a look around the room, spotted an empty table and sat down.
"Oh, good," I murmured about the cart as it was getting closer. I noticed that Lachlan was also studying the twins.
"Do you know them?" I asked casually, still keeping an eye on that cart.
"They seem a little familiar, but no--nothing comes to mind immediately," he shrugged.
"Oh," I said and kept the twins at the corner of my eye and couldn't help adding "Let me know when you remember."
I took a moment to catalog their scent for later reference. I could tell that one seemed very confident as if she knew she belonged while the other was the opposite and seemed unsure as if she had just walked into a different world. They kept glancing across the room at something and I noticed that Lachlan was also glancing that same direction.
However, I wasn't going to give it too much more thought as the food had finally arrived and I was allowed to finally eat. Oh, but it smelled SO good! I put down a big slab of the meat and piled on the smashed potatoes and gravy. I did not care who noticed--I do not eat like a bird like other girls tend to do. When I'm hungry, I'm hungry. I get fed, darn it! But I'm not so coarse to where I didn't learn any manners. I politely waited for others around me to finish serving themselves as I put my napkin in my lap. Once that happened, I allowed myself to dig in with a will, making quick work with what I had on my plate. I wasn't kidding about wolfing things down. It wasn't until I was about half way through did I slow down some. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Lachlan glancing in that same direction again.
"I keep noticing y'all keep glancing every so often in a particular direction. Is Random supposed to be making an entrance soon?" I asked quietly.
Lachlan shrugged again. "I have no idea. But I am concerned at some of the new arrivals' actions." He then stood up and headed to one of the guards and spoke with him. I could tell that he was concerned over the twins. I was curious, so I was trying to see if I could perk my ears to catch any of the twins' conversation to see if they were plotting, but there was just too much going on around me to pinpoint just one conversation.
I glanced back at Lachlan and the guard and saw the guard give a quick nod. I was picking up on a heightened sense of alertness as the guard signaled for a messenger, who got his orders and darted off, giving off a scent of urgency. I waited to see if Lachlan would return to the table.
He only took a moment, but returned quickly enough to where his food hadn't got cold. I couldn't help feel mounting tension in the room as the twins made their way over to a table to where the occupant made a frown, but got up to greet them, gestured at his companion and seemed to invite the twins to sit down.
"Do you smell trouble?" I asked Lachlan quietly to where only he could hear.
"I always smell trouble--but in this case, it seems more likely," he gave a slight shrug.
"Ah," I responded lightly. "Then would I be asking too much if you could clue me in a little? Who are they and what do you think is going on--or about to?" I know I wasn't specific in my question, but I was hoping for an inkling, like who it was at the table, maybe?
"If I knew either answer, Tabby, I wouldn't be concerned."
"Okay," I replied simply. I had a feeling that I knew better than to keep up the line of questioning and made quick work of what was left of the mashed potatoes and gravy. From what I could tell, the tension seemed to be coming from Lachlan, not so much the twins and their table companions. If anything, their mood seemed genuine and relaxed. But I wasn't going to let my guard down just because. I snagged a roll, slathered a little butter on it and slowly ate it while Lachlan continued to eat and still watch them.
The casual entrance of a young man had caught my attention. He was dressed in black and silver and he sported long, white hair. This intrigued me. He headed to the twins' table. As he passed, he gave a polite nod to Lachlan and I was able to catch his scent. I was silently hoping that my nose didn't wrinkle too much as I caught the smell of something...foul. It was almost familiar, but I couldn't place it. I could also tell that as he approached, the mood at the table was suddenly wary and even a bit suspicious but it dissipated as soon as he sat down. Things appeared to be just fine.
At the same time, the page had returned and handed Lachlan a long, slender case that I was sure held his sword.
"I might not know the cause for your alarm, but with the arrival of that thing I'm not sure if I should feel secure or nervous," I said, indicating the case. "Do you think trouble will erupt here during dinner?" That was hard for me to wrap my noodle around.
"I don't think so, no," he put the case down. "But it's what you don't expect that will bite you in the ass. So I try to expect as much as possible."
"So who is that?" I asked since Lachlan and the white-haired man seemed to know each other.
"Oh, that's Vendric," he replied looking at me. "I'm not entirely sure of his rank, if he even has an official rank in Amber, but I met him before, back in the recent troubles."
"Hm," I replied, still trying to pin down the scent I had caught from Vendric. "There's something about him. Doesn't smell right. Just can't put my finger on it..." I was speaking more to myself.
Lachlan shrugged. "I believe he comes from Chaos--but he's okay despite that."
"Hm," I said again with an arched eyebrow and let it drop. I'm sure I'd soon discover what or where this Chaos was. I wasn't sure if I wanted to know just yet--Amber was an overload as it was. I was looking around the room again for the heck of it. It was at this point that I began to notice that people were done eating and were filing out. Servants were clearing the tables behind them and removing them as well.
"Was there anything planned for after dinner, or are we on our own again?" I asked. I noticed that Vendric had also risen and with one last exchange, he left again. Once the man sitting at the twins' table had risen, Lachlan followed suit.
"Good evening, Tabby. I'm not aware of any other amusements planned--you might seek out a page. They know more than anyone's aware."
"Good evening, Lachlan. Thanks for the company during dinner," I also rose. I gave him a genuine smile and began to mosey for the door.