Florin held Mikki’s gaze for the long, long moment until she looked down at the glass she had placed in his hand. He glanced down too and was surprised to see his other hand resting gently upon hers. He gently squeezed her hand in return and smiled tenderly as his gaze returned to her eyes again. But that moment ended with the arrival of Domitius, Alisa and Kiera.

”No such luck,” he sighed.

He gave her hand another gentle squeeze before letting go and turning ng to face the trio. He raised his glass to them in greeting.

”Welcome, friends. Has your visit here been productive?” he asked.

Alisa smiled courteously at the man with the dark, curly locks.

"Yes, you could say so.   And what of yourself, sir? You serve Abadar, don't you?"

Domitius gave Brother Florin a nod "Brother Florin, Mikki a pleasure.  Moderately productive so far but we have really only just arrived."

Brother Florin nodded and smiled.

”Yes indeed, I am a Canon at the Cathedral of Abadar in Tusk. I came here to obtain a couple of the sacred texts of our church to take back to the cathedral in Tusk. I have been able to secure the copies we need - old and well thumbed, admittedly - but we will scribe and illuminate new copies worthy of the cathedral we have built in Tusk. I am glad that I will have all of you with me on the journey back to Tusk, to ensure they will arrive safely - that we will all arrive safely.”

The Abadarite cathedral was the region's largest and most prominent church.   As a cleric of an all but unknown goddess, she could only imagine what it would be like to practice your chosen faith in such a big and well connected organization.   She inclined her head in respect to Florin's work.

"I'm sure the cathedral will be pleased by that.  And we'll play our part in keeping the train safe.   Bandits or the like would be nothing compared to some of what we've seen lately."      A thought occurred to her; something she would ask of another cleric.   About the peculiar undead they had fought.    But, it would be a darksome thing to bring up at an event such as this.  So she decided against it.

"Lord Kendrick will arrive soon." Mikki turned back to Florin, "More wine?" She poured the glass almost to the brim without waiting for a reply. She looked up and smiled at the Canon of Abadar. She set the pitcher of wine down at the table. Mikki turned with a smile at the two ladies. She approached and curtsied. "Hello and welcome. Care for some wine?"

"Hello - yes, that would be wonderful, thank you."    She noted the woman's brooch, along with the announcement of Kendrick's arrival.   Lord Kendrick -- she'd need to remember the title, in this company.

"Ah, you're a part of Wintersun?"

"Well... I won't lie, I could get used to it.  Could get used to all of this."

Taking a second, she'd just look around the restaurant, simply enjoying the ambiance.  Though she still felt out of place... maybe it wasn't as bad before now.

...but if this was a restaurant, where was the food?
This message was last edited by the player at 03:46, Mon 16 Mar 2020.

Florin smiled back at Mikki but was left holding a very full wineglass when she moved away to join the other ladies. He raised the glass to his lips and quietly drank a quarter of the wine so he would not spill it when he moved.

He turned to Domitius and spoke quietly.

"What news have you heard since you have been here in Restov? Have you heard the rumours that the trouble between the King and the Aldori is coming to a head? The rumour is that war is coming to Brevoy. Civil war."

"Indeed I have Brother, it seems the fires of Rostland still burn and Issia's yolk has been worn too long. Domitius responded quietly with a sigh "The ravens gather and Gorum stirs my friend.  I fear there will be many orphans in New Stetven before too long.  But this is a night to celebrate the success's of Midmarch and enjoy the company of friends and family.  Who knows what tomorrow may bring."

"Are there more of your party to come?"  The Maitre D' asks politely.

OOC:  last calls for dinner.  Anyone coming in  now is fashionably late :P  And I need to get this trip finished.

Kendrick entered the room in military dress but not in the recognizable colors associated with the Restov Guard or its Sword Schools. Instead, Kendrick was dressed in white shirt and jacket with black trousers and sash. The short-waisted military jacket was trimmed with gold thread on the cuffs, sleeves and collar. A wolf head was embroidered over his left chest and right shoulder. He seemed very much at ease with only a dagger at his belt. "Thank you for your patience. Please sit and enjoy. I heard that we'll be having roasted pheasant." He selected a seat by the table and waited for everyone to select a seat before sitting.

Florin waited for a moment or two as others headed for the table then walked around to where Mikki was heading. He smiled at her and pulled out her chair for her as she approached the table.

"May I sit with you, Mikki?" he asked before settling in the chair next to hers.

"Ms Vallani has sent her apologies." The maître d' purrs as he waves his team forwards.

A server comes alongside each of you, settles you into your seat, flaps a napkin open and lays it across your lap.  A few moments later, your servers return with a small plate full of various tasty morsels, and places them before you.

"Buon appetito." says the maître d' as he waves his team forwards again, to place a small glass of a dry white wine - that complements the antipasto superbly.

In reply to ~Brother Florin (msg # 85):

"Why yes." Mikki said with a smile. She sneaked a glance at Kendrick but he appeared to be busy with his other guests. "Thank you, Florin. Um, I'm sorry. I don't know if that's the proper way to address one that's ranked so high in Abadar's favor." She hesitated as she took the offered seat. "Canon Florin?" She tested the words carefully as she spoke them.

Florin smiled back at Mikki. He seemed to be doing that a lot tonight but it seemed the most natural thing in the world, too.

"Within the church I am Brother Florin, but please, you can just call me Florin. You give me more credit than I deserve. We canons are not fully-fledged priests. I suppose you could think of us as religious adepts, rather than clerics," he explained modestly. "My religious calling is strong but perhaps no more so than my love of languages and learning, and I have found myself a good home within the church of Abadar."

"But what about you? Have you trained in any particular field? I must confess I am intrigued by that sun and moon brooch you wear. I can't decide whether it is a religious emblem I am not familiar with or a house motif or simply a fascinating piece of jewellery."

When the first course is finished, the maitre d' waves his team forwards again -   plates and glasses are removed and the second course course is served.

Soup bowls contain small pieces of salmon, wrapped in a soft pastry parcels, and served is a light broth.  It is accompanied by a mellow wine, almost a creamy yellow colour, which complements the food perfectly.

This whole meal- this whole experience, well... is much different than anything she'd ever really had.  Maybe she'd just get some cooked meat of some kind, maybe a bowl of stew, with a bottle or tankard full to wash it all down, maybe a little bit of fresh bread to add.

But this... well, it's not that it's not tasting good... but she'd never thought of herself as the kind that would eat something that took more time to describe it than time to eat it.

But still, it wasn't all that bad.  Though it wasn't much the same.  But the wine was good!

But still, as she ate, she just took the time to... people-watch. It was something to do, and it just let her enjoy what was going on.

Though she wondered how many different things to eat there were...

Florin does justice to the delicious fish soup dish but it is the wine that he seems to appreciate most. He lifts his glass up to the light to admire the colour.

"It is almost like liquid gold," he muses.

He sips the wine and savours the taste.

"There is a reason this is the finest restaurant in all of Rostland Brother Florin" Domitius said raising his glass in salute.  "I am curious what have you heard about events further north."

Brother Florin raised his glass and held Domitius's gaze for a long moment before responding.

"What I have heard is this. War is coming. The king has been pushing for a long time, and the Aldori have pushed back. Now it looks like battle lines are forming. Troops have been syphoned out of the city and are now stationed up by the borders of East Rostland. Restov has been trying to stay neutral but they are concerned they will have to make a choice soon. If you have heard anything else or have any idea which way Restov is likely to turn I would welcome your insight. We need to know where we stand," he replied.

He carefully pitched his voice at a level that might be heard by those seated nearby but not to be overheard by the restaurant staff serving them.

Alisa frowned as she listened.   Now picking distractedly at a vegetable stew with a very tasty seasoning.    The fingers of her free hand were on the stem of her wine glass.   It was a wonderful vintage, as the men had remarked.  But there was now a sour taste in her mouth -  one that had naught to do with anything she was eating or drinking.

"I've no military information," she ventured with serious eyes, using the same low tone, after some moments.  "But, Aldori pride is well known.  And I've heard, more than once, there are places in Restov that are havens for the Firebrands.   Who oppose the King.   And are persuasive, and charismatic.   The sort of people Aldori would idolize, and listen to.  It's like sparks being flicked at kindling, I think."   She shrugged. "And my guess is that there will be fire." 
This message was last edited by the player at 00:57, Thu 02 Apr 2020.

In reply to ~Brother Florin (msg # 88):

"This?" Mikki asked with some surprise. Her hand reached up to her brooch. "This is the sun and sword of Iomedae. Are you familiar with it?"

EDIT: Corrected text :)
This message was last edited by the player at 18:25, Sun 05 Apr 2020.

In reply to ~Brother Florin (msg # 93):

Kendrick nodded as he heard Alisa describe the Firebrands. "If war comes to Brevoy. What do you suppose would happen in the Midmarch? Many of us have ties in Brevoy..."

Brother Florin is clearly startled by Mikki's explanation and he bends closer to inspect the brooch more clearly. Then realising how awkward that might look he begins to blush.

"Oh, of course it is. It must have been the angle ... er, Lord Kendrick is a paladin of the Lady of Valor, isn't he? Are you a worshiper of Iomedae, or are you called to her service as well?" he asked Mikki.