A quiet area of the hotel's reception area.  The reception staff make sure they keep a discreet distance.

OOC: suitable for quiet conversations.
This message was last updated by the GM at 06:38, Sat 26 Sept 2020.

Cass looked in the background as well, overseeing things quietly. It was time for the bride and groom to shine, so it was one time that Cass was glad not to be anywhere near the center of attention. The conversation among the guests had been flowing even more than the drinks, which was the perfect sign that things were going accordingly.

The big half-orc makes his way out of the main room, when he sees Cass in reception.  Brushing down the yellow frogging on his coat he says, "Nice job your folks have done in getting this set up.  The music is a bit quiet for my taste, but I suppose it suits most of 'em ..."

“Thank you, Big Job.” Cass smiled. “ Your approval is likely worth more than you know. And it is good to hear that the staff is getting things right. Such short notice. I dare say that there wasn’t anyone left unsurprised. As for the music, it is really just there to give one time to think during a lull in the conversation. It will likely pick up once the dancing sets in earnestly.”

Cass noticed two ladies lingering somewhat hesitantly behind Big Job. “Oh, I see that you have someone with you. Hello ladies! May I offer you a drink or something to eat? You are welcome to take a seat as well, if you like.”

Rana wasn't certain what the etiquette was down here when meeting leaders of towns, but she decided to err on the side of caution - or courtesy - so she sketched a small curtsey.

"Pleased to meet you, sir.  Big Job has said that you're the mayor and owner of this hotel."  Rana's gaze takes in their surroundings a bit more closely and smiles in appreciation as she holds up her half-full glass.  "I don't need another drink at the moment, but I'm certain that some food wouldn't go amiss.  Lunch seems like a very long time ago and it's never a good idea to drink without food.  Things always seem to go quickly from good to bad when that happens!"

“Yes, correct on both counts.” Cass grinned. “You are wise beyond your years. We have a small buffet set up. Would you like to help yourself or have someone create a plate for you?”
This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Sat 03 Oct 2020.

Rana chuckled at Cass' statement.  "I think it has more to do with growing up working in my family's inn and seeing what happens when folk drink without eating, more than anything else."  Her gaze swept from Cass to where he indicated the buffet was located, and back.

"Whilst it would be decadent to have someone else plate a selection for me, I am certain that the staff have many other things that they can be doing that are more useful for the occasion than fetching me food," Rana paused ever so imperceptibly before adding, "and it would deprive me of admiring all the choices as they are displayed."

The young woman actually doubted that she could eat much, her stomach seemingly with a mind of its own tying itself in knots, but she refused to let herself be dazzled by the local hierarchy.  She had, after all, been invited to this party although the why still escaped her!

"I'll go." Big Job says.  "I'm peckish as well, and I never turn down free food.  I'll just pile a big plate up and put it on the table ...."  With a wide grin, he sets off to tell the serving staff that he needs a massive plate of food for the Mayor and his personal guests.

“For Big Job, they will bring out a serving platter.” Cass smirked. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it has at least one full roast chicken on it. We do like to feed people around here.”

“So I take things are going well with you in Midmarch? The creation of these new Marchdom charters have caused a new stir of excitement lately.”

"A healthy appetite is a sign of a healthy person, or so my mam always says," She commented almost reflexively and with a small shrug.

"I feel as if I've only just arrived and, to be honest, I am not sure what the Midmarch Charters are." Rana blushed ever so slightly that it was difficult to tell if she actually blushed or if it was just a normal reaction to the warmth in the room.  "I travelled here with two others who I met at home and we all were looking for somewhere to go and this was where the roads carried us."

Rana lowered her eyes briefly, then caught Cass' gaze yet again.  She looked as if she was going to say something more, but then just smiled instead.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:24, Tue 06 Oct 2020.

“Well, I hope you find the area to your liking.” Cass offered. “Henry has been really amazing in organizing Midmarch into its own region rather than just a wild frontier haven for bandits. Many opportunities have opened up as a result. I, myself was a mere street performer before coming here.”

Rana's eyes widened slightly as Cass professed his seemingly humble beginnings.  "A street performer?  Truly?"  Her eyes scanned their surroundings and she smiled more broadly.  "Obviously a very talented street performed with a knack for business.  You have done well."

Rana's voice was sincere but also held a note of wistfulness in it as she spoke.

“I am not really that good,” Cass laughed. “I just don’t face much competition. As for a head for business, I just picked an area that I was interested in and pursued it, the same with most people, I think”

Big Job returns, grinning from ear to ear, and lays down a platter of food on the table.  There might not be a whole chicken, but there is a selection of cold meats, cheeses, breads and fruit - with a plate loaded with small pastries set in the middle, as a centrepiece.

"Just put the plates and cutlery down there." He instructs the first of the servants who is following him, then indicates a different spot on the table where the second servant deposits a  set of glasses and a couple of bottles of wine.  "Thanks guys", he adds as they leave.

"You should have seen them, all falling over themselves when I said it was for The Mayor and his special guests.  Help yourself ..."  he adds as he reaches for a plate.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 09:23, Sun 11 Oct 2020.

A small laugh escaped Rana's lips as Big Job returned with what looked like half of the buffet table and extra plates.  "Did you leave enough on the buffet for everyone else, Big Job?  She turned to Cass and gestured at the secondary buffet that was now within their reach.  "I suppose it would be rude to ignore the food which Big Job so kindly acquired."  With a small, almost imperceptible shake of her head, Rana moved to pick up a plate and added a small selection of cold meats and cheeses, then set her wine glass down on the table so she could nibble on the food she'd selected.

She returned her attention to Cass.  "I have yet to find exactly what I'm good at, or overly interested in.  Which, I suppose, is one of the reasons I left home."  Rana had a faraway look in her eyes as she paused for a heartbeat before continuing.  "So, out of curiosity, what kind of street performing did you do, Cass?"

“Glad to hear that they are on their toes.” Cass smiled at a Big Job then laughed at Rana’s calling it a second buffet. “It is always good to have a variety. Black olives, green olives, and that special kind that Elkin gets from somewhere.”

Cass waited for the others to start filling their plates before continuing the conversation. “What type of performing? Mostly songs and story telling. My mother was a barmaid so I learned from other performers mostly.”

Tic was looking for the buffet when he spotted a big half orc who looked vaguely familiar carrying a tray of food.  He tapped the side of his nose and followed behind him and the other servants who were following then he spotted the Mayor and his guests.
"Nice one Tic, well in for a penny." he muttered then moved to join the group chatting to the Mayor.

"I don't suppose there is enough for one more Lord Mordane, I'm just a wee fellow after all." Tic stood a little over three feet tall, sun tanned from many ours in the outdoors he wore a patch over his left wye.  Blue jacket over a frilled white shirt and three quarter length red trousers.

Big Job, in his purple and yellow suit that is cut in the traditional fashion, looks approvingly at the halflings choice of clothing.  Then he grins as Tic speaks of only being a Wee Fellow, and the implication that he won't eat much.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:16, Sun 11 Oct 2020.

“If we don’t have enough,” Cass said congenially, “We can always bring forth more. Please, help yourself.”

Cass motioned one of the waitstaff to step over with a tray of drinks for those who were having their repast. He also helped himself to a glass of the bubbly white wine called perlet. “Thank you.”