The evening that Umeko invited her new friend to a nice dinner begins not at a restaurant, but at her room at the Palace of the Spheres. At just about the start of the hour Umeko asked Ren Minami to visit, the glass bell above her door chimes, tinkling almost hesitantly, as though the person outside only barely tugged the line for it leading outside.

There's no watch to tell, but it's precise enough timing that Ren might have been carefully waiting outside before she rang, so as not to be too early or too late.

Palace of the Spheres, Caroban - Mid Tier Room
The Palace of the Spheres is a privately run hotel located in the commercial ring at the center of Caroban, taking a literal interpretation of the Spheres of Magic to serve as a theme for its structure. It is a place of blue marble and misty-white glass. The mid-tier and higher rooms reflect this; having been made from those materials. The room is fairly large with a single 'king-sized' bed against the far wall. There is also a small area set up with several sofas to lounge upon that are made of fine cloth in warm colors to contrast with the marble-white floors and walls. They're strategically positioned near the carved fireplace that sits opposite the bed. In addition to the main room, three doors exit from it. One leads to a decent sized bathroom with complete plumbing. The other leads to a smaller sitting room for more formal discussion or perhaps reading. The third door, is, well, the exit to the main part of the hotel.

Umeko 'glides' over to the door, her steps so measured that she doesn't bob at all when she walks ... and with her kimono hiding her feet, well, it looks as if she floats. She turns the well-crafted locks, which make so little noise as only a lapi or an Eeee might hear the inner pins falling as the latch releases. The kiriga then turns the doorknob and eases open the door, presuming the visitor to be Ren.

Sure enough, Ren Minami stands outside, looking slightly startled when the door swings open. She's still holding the door chime's pullstring between thumb and forefinger. In the crook of her other arm is a small, simple glass bowl with a bit of water in it. Floating on the surface is a large cream and pink colored blossom with numerous pointed petals arrayed in a starlike pattern around a cluster of stamen. She's dressed in robes of blue, fairly simple and with the sigil of water on them, and her dark hair is brushed neatly back and held in place with a simple but brightly polished hardwood clasp. At the sight of Umeko, she smiles, and bows politely at the waist. "Umeko-sama," she says, in Jadian inflected Imperial, as there aren't any others around at the moment. "I hope I'm on time? Forgive how shabby I look. My Collegia robes are the nicest thing I have."

Umeko returns the bow and even goes as far as tilting her head and letting her eyes close once as well. "Please, enter, Lady Minami," she replies in kind in Jadian inflected Imperial after she rises and as she steps to the side to allow Ren to enter. "And you do yourself disservice, you do not look shabby at all. Even in such simple attire you retain dignity, poise and radiate. Please make yourself comfortable."

Nawar stands ready, in case she is needed - especially since Ren brought something that probably needs to be set on a table.

The silver kiriga glides past, not as regally as Umeko but with some measure of decorum. "You are too kind, I certainly cannot match your style and grace! I brought a very insignificant something for your room," she says, holding the bowl carefully so that the water doesn't stir too much. "I hope it doesn't seem arrogant with my name... I do love these flowers and like to share them, they grow around the water campus much as they do in some places back home." It probably also doesn't hurt that she can afford them.

Ren stops partway into the room to give the young lapi present a warm smile. "Hello, Nawar," she says, returning to her slightly accented Rephidim Standard.

"I am honored, a second gift not necessary, Lady Minami. Your presence was more than gift enough," Umeko says as she smiles and closes the door behind Ren. "Nawar, will you tend to the beautiful flower for me? You may set it beside Summer Tempest's display on the fireplace mantle."

The Lapi girl takes the bowl and very carefully finds a spot for it near the window.

Ren surrenders the blossom to Nawar, which affords her a chance to look around the room with interest. Her gaze pauses on the pair of steel blades resting near where the lapi takes the bowl, the silver crackling along their scabbards glinting. "Summer Tempest. That's their name?"

Umeko motions to the blades as she says, "You may examine them if you wish. They were my Father's. He gave them to me after ... well, I lead the Imperial Army to victory. They were forced my my great uncle, if my memory serves me correctly. Sunlight-Through-Storm and Grey-Cloud as they are individually called. Before those, I wielded Autumn Harvest." She now moves closer to look over the crackling along the scabbard. "Does your sister's blades bear any special naming?" she asks.

The water apprentice approaches Tempest's stand, leaning down a little to admire the weapons more closely, though she doesn't touch them and even carefully holds her long hair so it doesn't swing against the inlayed black laquer. "They're beautiful... they must be masterworks! And to think they came into your hands in such an auspicious way. You and Summer Tempest must share a great destiny." Ren stands back upright, looking back over her shoulder. "Rin calls hers 'Twin Tsunami'. The big one is Whirlpool, the little one is Sea Spray. To be very honest, I haven't always listened as closely as I should when she told me about them... she says she doesn't know everything about them, and she's always been trying to learn more."

"Where did she get them? Have they always been in your family?" Umeko asks as she folds her hands together. "And please forgive me, here I am talking about weapons when there is much still to do. Will you follow me into the bathroom, Lady Minami? You too, Nawar. I would be honored if you would allow me to dress you tonight in the trappings of our people. You deserve more than your simple mage robe." Umeko waves her hand lightly for the pair to follow her, then she heads towards the bathroom door.

"How do toilets work when your bathroom is underwater?" Nawar quietly asks Ren as she follows.

Ren hides a little bemusement behind her hand, but answers Nawar in all seriousness. "Well, we're luckier than many of the other spheres... fluid dynamics are child's play for many of our instructors, so we benefit from the finest plumbing on the island. They can make water move in any direction they like, so everything is whisked away. I dare say we have the cleanest bathing rooms on all of Caroban." She follows Umeko obligingly, though she holds her hands up at the honoriffic. "Please, Umeko-sama, I'm just Ren. My family might have been something in the past, but as far as I know, Rin and I are the only Minami left. Twin Tsunami belonged to my father, but we only discovered them after he passed away. I'm not sure what he meant to be done with them. Maybe he meant them for a son. His death was unexpected for everyone... I don't think it even crossed his own mind, because he knew he had to provide for us and that was that."

Umeko guides the pair into the marble bathroom. It's quite large for a bathroom and sports a shower separate from the bathing tub. Umeko has also set out an array of grooming instruments; from various finely carved combs to jade hairpins and even scale lacquer brushes. She has also taken to handing an intricately made white and blue kimono from one of the clothing hooks; presumably for Ren to wear. "You are not 'just' Ren," Umeko insists, though in a kind tone. "You are a daughter of Jadai. That by itself means much. But ... I will call you Ren if it will make you more comfortable." Umeko goes to check the kimono for any undignified wrinkles and as she does so, she says, "Nawar, will you help Ren disrobe? Ren ... tell me about your father? What did he look like? What was he like?"

The Minami sister's footclaws click on the marble as she crosses it, apparently having left her sandals behind at the door. She returns Nawar's smile over her shoulder, undoing her sash and then shrugging her robe back toward the lapi girl. Rough blue cloth gives way to gleaming silver, individual scales of copper dotting her neck and back, the number of them getting denser toward her spine. "Father was a fisherman, grey as a thunderhead and just as strong. He loved the sea, and I think if it hadn't been for us he would have been glad to die in it. I'm a little ashamed to say this, but I always thought he was a simple man... Rin thinks he kept secrets from us, so as not to trouble us. She said Twin Tsunami was an example. What about your father? I've never heard of one giving his swords to his daughter."

Like a good minion, Nawar makes sure to fold Ren's clothing and set it where it won't get dirty, then awaits further instructions!

Under the robe, Ren seems to be wearing little except for a length of white cloth wrapped around her waist, tail, and between her legs, tied neatly off to hug her closely as smallclothes.

"My father is as red as the crimson dawn, with a mane as dark and shiny as onyx. He is a strong and proud man; one who shows little emotion and sought to maintain the family honor," Umeko explains as she picks up one of the combs and approaches Ren and moves to stand behind her. "Watch how I do this," she says to Nawar, "As you will need to know how to do this some day." Umeko begins to gently brush out Ren's mane in long strokes. She also uses this as opportunity to look over Ren's build and look for family traits, such as horn ridges and the like. "My Father and I ... " Umeko begins, her voice faltering slightly, "Have not always seen eye to eye on many things. For a long time ... I was his greatest disgrace; a daughter who would not be a proper Jadaian lady. My interest in the martial ways troubled him. He rarely addressed me, save for when it was to admonish one of my actions."

Ren frowns a little, though she hardly looks surprised. "That's saddening... though I admit, before Rin became what she is, I probably would have been disconcerted too. I think it must be difficult for many more traditional families to understand. Obviously, that changed, though! What did your mother think?" The silver kiriga settles into place, reaching up to undo the laquered wooden clasp keeping her hair gathered. Straight black tresses spill to the sides over her shoulders, hair smooth and fine. Running the comb through Ren's hair is like pulling it through water, there's almost no resistance, but it 'organizes' it, shaping it into a narrow black stream along her back suitible for styling, braiding, or pinning up.

"My mother was quiet on much of what I did, she tended to let Father speak on matters regarding my upbringing. When we were alone, though, she would often tell me the feeling I had, the dreams would pass in time when I found my place in society. She tried to comfort me as best she could in her way," Umeko explains as her hands work slowly and gently through Ren's mane. "Nawar, please bring me two of the jade hairpins," she instructs the doe. "I have not seen my mother since ... well, I stole Autumn Harvest and fled the island. Father had ... engaged me to the Artist Hakuu. Our family was faltering and he had hoped the union of the two families would return some prestige to us."

The Lapi girl hops to her feet and retrieves the hairpins, glancing at Umeko's own hair to see if flows the same way Ren's does.

Umeko's own mane lays a bit differently due to the delicate ridge-horns she has that tails down her neck and spine. The texture, though, is very similar, just pure white instead of black.

The water mage in training brings a hand up to her short muzzle, shocked. "Lord Hakuu? But he was so famous and well regarded and talented and wealthy! Though... I suppose by then, you had decided the course of your life. I doubt Rin would have stood for that either."

"Lord Hakuu was also evil in many ways as I learned from my interview with him and things a friend of mine discovered. He used the bodies of those in his service to perform 'art'. I was to be his greatest work," Umeko admits as she starts brushing and collecting sections of Ren's mane to pin up. "He also allied with those that would disgrace and steal from our people. So, yes, my course of action was set. I knew I had to stop what he had planned; I also knew that I would die in the process, as it would have been the only way to preserve family honor. But still, if I was to die, at least I could choose how; I would not be a prisoner. I would not be art."

Ren's smile can be seen reflected in the mirror. It's not a metal-backed one, but glass with some sort of polished crystal portion, so while the image in it isn't perfect it's enough to see by. "I'm glad you did. I suppose his family did seem eccentric, to say the least. You're an amazing person, Umeko-sama... maybe more girls in Jadai will take after you after hearing of your exploits."

"From Jadai's perspective, yes," Umeko admits as she pins a portion of Ren's hair up. "And leaving home was the hardest thing I ever did. Much happened during that time. Much sorrow, much loss. When I was appointed Governor-Militant of Viper's Hold, I made it a point to treat all those who served under me as equal as I could. I would visit the infirmaries where wounded soldiers were; I would sit and talk with them. Those that died ... I made sure to know their names; I made sure that if possible, letters were sent home to family. I believed that by being born a noble, I had a duty to those who served us. I needed to earn the honors given; it wasn't enough to just be from the right family."

Ren's hair is very fine, and gathers easily into a small bun that one of the jade pins slides through easily. She folds her hands in her lap soberly. "That is a lot of responsibility. Lives in your hands, a nation watching you. I can't even imagine it. I've never even been to Nagai except to fly through it on my way here, and we never left the airship. I've heard of the Emperor, though, and their ways and works both amazing and savage. The grand city was both awe inspiring and frightening." She turns her head a little, though not enough to disturb Umeko's hands. "What about you, Nawar? You're very far from home too, aren't you?"

"Yes, but I've always wanted to travel," Nawar says. "And my brother is a Mage, so.. I can't be afraid of anything, can I?"

"Fear is natural. Only a true fool feels no fear," Umeko recites as she twirls one of her fingers you coil up Ren's long mane for further pinning. "Even if you are afraid you can still act, and that is what matters. I imagine coming here and alone was scary for Lady ... Ren. Yet here she is learning; and has made new friends with the mages and a new extended family with them, perhaps."

Nawar looks slightly confused, but remains quiet. She's sure Lady Umeko didn't just admit to feeling fear at times.

Ren smiles, a little more certainty in it than she had when she'd first been getting to know Umeko and her friends. "Well, I'm trying," she demures. "I must admit, it can be very intimidating here... dwarfed by all these towers and amazing structures, and scurrying around in the presence of old and powerful magi, each frightening in their own way. Master Sharif, larger than life. Master Cirrus, colder than ice. I would have thought a naga would be more familiar, but the bone-white master from the sphere of spirit makes my scales crawl."

"Ah, such is the effect of presence," Umeko remarks as she delicately plucks one of the jade hair pins and sets another section of Ren's mane in place. "The manner by which another acts can have great effect on one who lacks self confidence; eliciting in many a form of submission. There is a lot of education in a noble's life, for example, on how to compose his or herself, such that the right appearance is given and thus, people defer to them. Plus ... if they all acted as Mage Xander did ... well, there would be little education going on, no?. No one would listen. To command you must appear commanding ... and so on. The way I appear when acting in an official capacity is far different than how I am around my friends."

Ren taps her lip thoughtfully, instead of nodding so as not to disturb Umeko's work. By now her glossy hair has been mostly tied up into the bun, with two jade pins holding the bulk of it in place, each slid in at an angle and matching the ebon color well. "I suppose it's a strategy. Rin says everything is a battle, even if there aren't swords involved. So intimidating your rivals gives you an advantage in any facet. Face is important, she says. I suppose I've always been a little more lazy or timid about it."

"Rin is correct. By appearing powerful, people instinctively react to it. Many will not challenge you, when in fact they would be capable of defeating you. What people believe you are capable of may be more powerful than anything you wield," Umeko says and bobs her own head in agreement to Ren's words. She then rolls her head a bit to better look at Nawar. "Perhaps in a few more years," she offers the young lapi. "Now, will you please fetch the cerulean kimono for me? It is hanging just over there," she says and flicks her hand in the direction of the dressing curtain.

"See-roo-lee-an," Nawar repeats to herself as she goes to fetch and bring the kimono back to Umeko.

The silver kiriga's eyes turn as much as they can to follow Nawar, though she doesn't turn her head at all. For all that she might not be used to upper class arrangements, she does seem used to being worked on in this way. The finishing touches on her hair shows how fine it is, what looked very volumnous being able to pin up into a remarkably compact style.

Umeko, as she works, pauses one of her golden hands near some of Ren's coppery spot-scales to compare the color tones. "If you do not mind me asking, how old is Rin?" she asks.

"Less than a year older than I am," replies Ren. With Umeko's hand near the nape of her neck, the other kiriga can see a trio of precious metals represented. The copper dappling is a more orangy color to the warm yellow of Umeko's golden scales. One would guess that without polish, Rin's copper spots would be a dull, earthy color, orangy-brown perhaps. Burnt sienna, maybe.

"A year younger than me," Umeko notes, "They way you spoke of her ... I expected her to be older than me." She smiles down to Nawar and then lifts the Kimono from her hands. "Thank you, Nawar. Now, please stand there and hold a few things for me?" she asks, then proceeds to remove the outer (and decorative) layers of the clothing and drape them over the lapi's arms.

The bunny does as asked, trying not to buckle under the weight of the fabric. "Does Rin have a boyfriend?" she asks.

"Ah, is she, Umeko-sama? I don't think this is so surprising, really... Rin had to grow up fast, we both did. But so have you... and I don't think either of us would claim to be more accomplished than you," says the silvery kiriga. With her hair safely done up, she looks over her shoulder at Nawar, her smile slight but her eyes bright. "Heehee... oh, no Miss Nawar. She says she has no time for boys, but I think in truth they just confuse both of us. I think it must be more difficult for her. I doubt she could respect a man who could not equal her, martially."

"You mean.. boys like you better if you can beat them up?" Nawar asks, apparently warming to the idea..

Rin has to giggle at that. "I don't know about that. I can't beat anyone up, or scare anyone, but Carla says.. mm... some are interested in me." She pauses a moment, seeming to look for a good way to understate.

The kiriga adds, "And I know for certain that lots of them are interested in Carla."

"I am only more accomplished through chance and luck, Rin. Well ... for the most part," Umeko admits as she slides the slight and silky under-layer for the kimono over Rin's arms and then up onto her shoulders. "Now as for boyfriends ... girlfriends, just friends in general ... it is best to keep an open mind. One thing being alone in a greater world, so different from others ... I had to be willing to accept other cultures and learn what makes them beautiful. I like to believe it has earned me many friends and perhaps even a few places I could call a home when needed." It's now her turn to laugh lightly as she says, "Most men are scared of me; and perhaps I suspect it may be true for Rin as well. We do not follow with what is expected and that is both confusing and dangerous."

"Because they know I could kill them in a fraction of a second," Umeko says seriously.

Ren holds her slender arms out to let the sleeves slide over them, the zolk moving almost frictionlessly over her scales, brilliant blue crossing over silver at her chest. "I can't blame them. I think Rin is scary, and I'm her sister."

"Do you find me as scary as your sister?" Umeko actually asks as she reaches around Ren's thin form and finds the waist strings. She draws them together and ties them neatly into a bow. Now UUmeko reaches for the main outer layer of the kimono, a zolk-like material layered together to form swirling stylized scenes of the sea, storms, and great legendary beasts of the sky and water.

The younger kiriga shakes her head, slowly so as not to risk dislodging one of the jade pins holding her hair. "Oh no, Umeko-sama... well... at first you were more than a little intimidating, but only because of who you happened to be. And of course, my sister is more familiar to me," says Ren, keeping her arms up a little so Umeko can cinch the kimono close around Ren's narrow waist. "But as she is family, she is also more demanding of me. I love her, and her me, and so it's not really fear. I'm sometimes afraid to disappoint her because I care so much what she thinks, I suppose. But the few times I have seen her prepare to fight, I thought she was frightening, even if not directly at me. Her visage becomes as cold as the winter sea, and her eyes hard like sapphires. Then she moves purposefully, and there is a sense of impending danger... have you ever been in a great storm, with lightning? There's something uneasy in the air that makes you feel like you may be struck any moment, some kind of nervous

energy. It feels like that, to be in her presence when she is prepared to draw the Twin Tsunami."

"That is a very pretty dress," Nawar declares. "I do not think anyone will think you will kill them while wearing it."

"I think many would describe me in much the same way when the storm of war comes and I must meet it," Umeko admits as she slides on the outer layer of the kimono and gently tugs it closed across Ren's front. The remaining part, the Obi, is collected from Nawar now and wrapped around Ren's middle several times until the length is reduced enough to tie a reasonable bow at the small of her back. "I still remember the horror in my friends eyes when I was going to kill a handmaiden of Hakuu after we defeated her in battle. She chose death over being a prisoner and I was to grant that request. But ... Anisa could not bear it. Nor could Xander. It is our way, what should have been done. When a battle comes, death walks with us ... but so many do not understand. But ... I held my hand and spared her life. Out of respect for their wishes I broke our tradition."

Ren folds her hands in her lap once the obi is tied off, pondering the tale Umeko relates. "I can see it in you... the same will to fight, to kill if necessary. Please do not take offense, Umeko-sama, but I hope I should never behold it myself. I don't fault you for breaking with tradition, though. There are good facets to almost everything, and certainly to mercy, such as it was." When the tie is finished, she gazes into the mirror with a look of wonder on her face, forgetting what she was talking about and seeming not to recognize the person in the reflection. A young but stately kiriga looks back at her, shining silver with glossy hair expertly arranged, wearing the finest kimono she has ever seen matched perfectly to her, each small movement making the waves and creatures decorating it seem to come alive.

"Aren't I your handmaiden, Lady Umeko?" Nawar whispers nervously to the golden Kiriga.

"And we are almost done," Umeko says from where she stands behind Ren. "Nawar, please fetch me the small wooder box upon my nightstand. It will have the symbol of a brush burned into its surface. And yes, Nawar, you are." She lists her hand and lightly places it on Ren's shoulder now, adding, "May I leave you with a thought, Ren? You fear your sister when she fights, the determination on her face and the coldness that takes her. Have you ever wondered why she does it? Perhaps I am wrong, but I believe the answer is the reflection in the mirror, Ren. She does it to protect you and so that you don't have to. It was her sacrifice to her family."

Nawar hastens to fetch the box, and brings it back for Umeko even faster now that she knows her mistress has no qualms about executing handmaidens!

Umeko's hand draws away from Ren's shoulder so she can take the box from Nawar. The lapi's apparent fear does cause Umeko to arch her brow questioningly but ... she says nothing. Instead she opens the wooden case and draws out a couple brushes with delicate tips. Those she offers to Nawar and once the lapi takes them she looks through the box for a bit longer. Her head bobs when she seems to have found what she sought and the kiriga draws out a single stoppered vial of some sort of blue liquid.

Ren inclines her head soberly, nodding slowly once the spell entrancing her has been broken. "Yes, it's true. Rin never fights without reason, never just to brawl or for fun. I think some part of her revels in the excitement, but she takes it very seriously. She would never hurt me. I don't fear her directly... it's just fearsome to witness, like the tsunami her swords are named for." Her eyes follow Umeko's hands curiously, the vial glinting as it's removed from its box.

The bunny is uncertain of what else to do, so just holds onto the brushes for now.

Umeko removes the stopper on the vial and trades it to Nawar for one of the brushes. She draws the brush up and taps lightly at the underside of Ren's chin to get her to raise it a bit, then nods once she is satisfied with the position. "Please hold still," she instructs as she dips the brush into the vial. Umeko takes that blue-tinged brush and delicately traces around Ren's eyes, drawing it outward with a light sweep of her hand when she reaches the outer corners. The effect is subtle, but it does seem to make Ren's own blue eyes stand out all the more. A few more light lines of the blue lacquer are added here and there, mainly to accentuate a particular aspect here or there, such as the graceful curve of where Ren's ears are. "There, done. It is not much but we have not the time to do anything complicated with highlights," she says as she retrieves the stopper and corks the bottle. Both are offered to Nawar now with the instructions, "There is a bottle of clear liquid in the case. Please us

Please use it to clean this brush. Make sure to rinse it thoroughly when you are done."

The Lapi takes the brushes and bottles and case, and goes to clean the brush as instructed.

The silver quasi-dragoness obediently holds statue still, not even blinking as Umeko carefully shadows her eyes. The end result defines them sharply, outlining their sleek shape where her eyelashes don't. Now, Ren would not look out of place in one of Jadai's courts, or kneeling next to Umeko at one of the low tables in Tsurugi manor while Umeko's father hosted. Umeko's mother would no doubt be delighted as well. "Oh, Umeko-sama.. to wear such finery... I'm almost afraid to move! I treasure this experience. I wish Rin could see, and father and mother. Thank you." She blinks a few times, carefully holding back a tear so as not to muss the lining at her eyes.

Umeko raises her hand as she dips her head slightly. "I should thank you," she says, "For allowing me this moment of sentimentality. I remember how I felt when I was alone in the world and what brought me comfort. For me it was feeling like I belonged somewhere; and I found that in the families of my friends. In this ... I wanted you to feel like you still belonged to Jadai. I know times have been difficult for your family and I wish I could do more. And I must admit that this has allowed me to imagine what it might have been like had my family bore more than just me as its heir. I would have liked to have had sisters, if for nothing else than to share in my .. trouble making." Umeko shakes her head slightly, then lifts it and smiles, "Now if you do not mind waiting outside this bathing chamber? I need to straighten my attire before I give you a second lesson in being a proper lady."

Ren tries not to grin too childishly, eyes bright. "I don't mind at all, but it will be all I can do not to rush off and show Carla and the others in the Water dorm."

"Can that dress be gotten wet?" Nawar asks, as she repacks the wooden box after cleaning the brush.

Ren puts a hand to her mouth to titter behind it. "I've heard of water zolk... but I wouldn't dare."

"If I were living in water, I would not bother with clothes at all," Nawar claims, and sets the box back where she first fetched it from.

"It can tolerate small amounts of water, but I do not recommend it," Umeko notes. The kiriga's eyes then narrow and her lips draw back in an almost impish smile. "Dear Ren, your next lesson is one of presence. So ... I fully intend that you are seen by as many people as possible. Xander is arranging dinner for us and we will be talking the long way to get there. So ... going by your dorm is not out of the question," she says.

The silver kiriga can't help balling up her little fists under her chin excitedly, but at least she doesn't bounce in place too much. "They're going to be talking about this for weeks!"

"Longer if I leave you with the kimono," Umeko says as she ushers Ren out of the bathing chamber, then drags poor Nawar back in with her. "I hope you were paying attention to how I worked her hair, Nawar ... you will be tested later..." the kiriga says to the lapi as the door closes...

Ren quickly describes an ideal circuit to make around the Water campus' lake after getting used to the idea going out dressed like this at all, though she spends at least five minutes insisting that Umeko cannot POSSIBLY leave this kimono behind when she plans to leave Caroban. The route involves taking a few back ways through the under-lake classrooms and labs, and borrowing one of the water repelling stones for longer than is usually allowed, but this lets Ren, Umeko, and Nawar emerge from one of the less-used exits at the edge of the lake. Usually it's for allowing processions in and out of a large auditorium for guest speakers or demonstrations, but after cajoling one of the senior students who works as a caretaker for the grounds, the doors are unlocked for her. It takes Ren a few minutes to get her face straight. "Alright, I'm ready... heehee... no, seriously now... heeheehee... okay, I think I got it all out, for real this time." And then the trio make their way from the double doors. The bubble

the stone forms swells out into the water, and as they climb the steps the lake parts around them. The path leads into the campus commons, where there are plenty of startled faces to look back at the kiriga (and lapi!) as they wordlessly glide out from the water in all their splendor.

Umeko has never quite been the giggling sort ... but being around Ren is making it exceedingly difficult for her to stop herself from doing so. Seeing Ren bubbling over with excitement and happiness is infectious and by the time they were about to make their appearance, well ... Umeko ended up giggling (though muffledly!) whenever Ren would start. She tried to glare at Ren when it happened ... but glaring and giggling tended to repel each other so it never quite worked. But at last they ascend to the lakeside beach. Umeko lets Ren take the lead on exiting, since this is her debut to show everyone how amazing she is, after all. All Umeko does is cast a sidelong smile to Nawar, then pats the doe lightly on her head as they emerge.

"Is Xander gonna meet us here?" the Nawar asks Umeko, looking a bit cowed by all of the people in the commons.

"Hm. Perhaps. If I predict Xander ... he may be following Cloudme ... Carla around," Umeko admits, "In some ways he is very much predictable..."

"I'm sure Master Lightfoot awaits us at the dining hall... please come, we shall be there in good time." Ren does at least manage to keep her face straight once their procession has emerged, guiding her guests along at either elbow. Though she might not have had as much education in courtly manners as Umeko, it seems she's had at least some, because she moves with the same small-stepped gait that Umeko uses that seems to make the kirigai simply slide along on the hems of their kimono. The trio is led through the commons and along the path that takes them past the lakeside beach where they first came in. Reactions range from furtive sidelong glances to open-mouthed staring to hurriedly checking with each other to see if there was some dignitary function happening today but why is REN involved. Chatter and rumor race like wildfire through the students, but it simply seems to wash over the elegent pair of kirigai and their lapi friend as they make their way to their appointment.

"Excuse me, pardon me.. coming through here.." It takes Xander a bit of effort to get through the crowd to the Kirigas. He's wearing the black and red robe/uniform that Umeko bought him in Nagai City, along with the articulated dragon ear-clips on his left ear. "Wow!" he says when he sees the pair.

Umeko lifts her hand up and taps her lips lightly when Xander makes himself ... loudly known. Predicable as ever; such a Lightfoot! Her hand then rolls to indicate that Xander fall in pace with her a few steps behind Ren. "Does she not shine?" she says in whisper when the elder lapi joins up, "I pale in comparison." She slips her hands back into the sleeves of her kimono and resumes her gait, head held high, chin out, and looking proud. "You are about to become more popular than ever," she whispers to Ren through barely moving lips, "Presence. They wonder of you now; see you as special."

"All of the gold and silver coins in the world would appear tarnished in comparison to you two," Xander says, falling into step next to his sister. "Do you know the way to the restaurant?" he whispers to Umeko.

"No, but she does," Umeko answers quietly. "I truly wish her sister were here to see this and be part of it."

"Umeko-sama far understates her beauty, and I cannot match her poise and elegance," Ren demures, but her eyes are alight. With Xander joining them, they're able to move as a group more than a procession, so leaning intimately toward each other to exchange murmurs simply looks like they're talking about important matters of state or some such. "I hope I don't give the other students the wrong impression. I'm not special, not any more than they are. I owe this to you, and I'll never forget this day. Yes, I wish Rin could be here too. Perhaps when next she visits, I would dearly love for us all to meet again."

"I've reserved a special booth for us at Enchanted Cuisine," Xander whispers. "I hope you'll enjoy it."

Ren's smile widens. "I can only imagine it must be better than the student cookhouse."

"You are also welcome on the Tsuguri Estate in Jadai, I will make sure that the servants will welcome you, should you chance to visit. The ladies of the Blushed Pala will also be asked to help you and you sister if they can," Umeko notes quietly as the four continue on their journey. "Or if not there, then my humble estate in Viper's Hold. You would have a chance to dance with the Burning Sands there. And you need not owe me ... but perhaps I will have a water mage I can call upon in a few years time. I am certain that one day I will need one, you see. A Fire Mage such as Xander Lightfoot invites doom..."

"She doesn't mean that," Xander whispers to Nawar. "The cannon thing was a fluke.."

Ren beams at the prospect, already imagining herself in the robes of her art. "Should I ever become a mage of worth, I will gladly be at your service."

After a brief run in with Carla (who was extended an open invitation to join them for dinner, should she get over her apparel shock), the entourage arrives at Enchanted Cuisine, the most fantastic restaurant on Caroban - and where Xander spent time as a cook during his Apprentice year. The maitre de is an animated Naga made of water, who leads them along between various booths deep into the interior maze of the restaurant.

Enchanted Cuisine - The Tea Garden
Everything in this restaurant is created, presented or relies on magic in some way. The Tea Garden is one of the more obvious examples, as the room is inside the restaurant until you enter it, and then it appears to be an outdoor garden, complete with koi ponds and manicured foliage under a warm noonday sun. Almost all of it is illusion of course, except for the narrow river that winds throughout the entire establishment. The actual booth is no bigger than the stylized pagoda where the table and chairs are, accessed by a miniature bridge over the water.

Xander hurries to hold out the seats for Umeko and Ren, while Nawar just gapes around.

It's one of the rare times where Umeko is surprised and reminded that Xander is a bit more than just a fawning Fire Mage. He shows thought and care far beyond the exterior he presents to others. Her eyes blink a few times as she takes in the surroundings. "Xander," she says, sounding as if she's out of breath, "It is like being home. I do not know what to say." Xander quickly discovers that with the slow pace Umeko takes as she walks across the small bridge that hurrying wasn't necessary. "Of course these would be pillows, not chairs, but I cannot imagine the usual guests would appreciate them," she tells the lapi as she settles down into her chair, tail coiled around one of its legs. Her hands find a resting place in her lap, fingers interlaced.

"I'm glad you like it," Xander says, scooting Umeko's chair forward just a bit, then holding the next out for Ren. "I think it's fairly recent, since they rotate the scenics every so often."

Normally, in such traditional finery as the kirigai wear, Ren would be given a place to sit on her knees and shins at a low table, but here she adapts to allow for the Rephidimian style of gentility, smiling warmly at Xander as she takes her seat and lets him scoot it in. "It's beautiful," she agrees, now that they're at more liberty to talk without their playacting in front of the other students. "I can't say it reminds me of home because we didn't live like this, but to touch on the finer things.. it's like the stories mother told us."

Umeko's ears perk. "Tell me more of your mother?" she asks. "If it is a topic you do not find too painful, of course."

After getting Nawar seated, Xander sits as well. The table is round, but not so large to make conversation difficult. It's inlaid with with scenes of Naga and fish and crane Wimmers.. fishing. The center holds a shallow bowl full of coals, providing a bit of welcome warmth. "There aren't any menus here," Xander reminds. "They should be able to come up with whatever you can describe.."

The waitstaff are attentive here, and soon a naga has arrived, medium in length but light of build. She (it's difficult for Xander to tell initially) is dressed smartly in a white chef's smock altered to fit her sinuous body, and a tall chef's hat in the gallisian style perches absurdly on her smooth, flat head, held in place with a ribbon under her chin. A leather belt is strapped around her midsection, from which are slung a variety of steel knives, forks, and spatulas. "Welcome, welcome to Enchanted Cuisine! Your fantasy is our fare. How is everyone this evening?"

Nawar stares at the chef, as if trying to catch out the illusion. "We are all doing well, and this is a semi-special occasion," Xander replies. "I've just graduated to Alumnus level, and these two lovely ladies have found one another through chance or destiny and become fast friends."

What Umeko wants to say is she's trying hard to not laugh at the ridiculous hat. Fortunately her tact is far better than, say, Xander usually would. "Indeed, it is a special occasion," she agrees, "As he says. Fate has given me the chance to help other daughters of Jadai."

"Wonderful, wonderful! My congratulates to you, master mage! I expect that with your new status, I'll be seeing you much more frequently here, and I hope your guests as well," says the naga, flicking her tongue cheerfully. Before the chef/waitress can really get started, though, a familiar buff-colored skreek arrives at her elbow, peeking around her and grinning. "Hey, everyone!" says Carla! "Star and Anchor, you all look fantastic! I came dressed as nice as I could... I don't think any extra time would've helped anyway." The skreek's hair has done into a thick braid, if quickly, and tied off with a teal ribbon. Her dress doesn't approach the class of anyone present, but it does look like she wore the nicest things she could find, with a blue skirt decorated with waves clinging to the bell of her hips, matching a dress top over which she wears an intricately embroidered corset. "The dress and corset are borrowed," she complains, and that much is obvious when the skreek tugs at the sides a little where

it hugs her midriff and lifts her chest. The ill-fitting top half of the dress barely reaches past the bottom half of her bust, a couple points prominent behind the zolk and constantly threatening to spill her out.

"Ah, Miss Cloud- err.. Carla!" Xander says, hopping up to hold out a chair for the Skreek. "Glad you could join us, and help keep Ren out of trouble."

"You look fine Miss Carla," Umeko notes with a light smile. "It is my fault that we are dressed such. I insisted that Ren indulge in her heritage ... and have a little practice with presence. I was surprised how embarrassed she is of her own beauty ... but I am very stubborn and insistent." Her head tilts as she casts her eyes to Ren, adding, "I was hoping to get her to tell us a bit about her mother. She had just mentioned this place reminds her of childhood stories."

Nawar turns her attention from the chef to the Skreek, chewing her lip and wondering if her anatomy helps her float - which at least could be handy for someone who works with water.

The skreek turns her grin on Xander as he graciously rises and gets her seat for her, and Carla sits with a bump that takes a moment to settle. "I wouldn't have missed it for the world, even if I had to come naked. It's not every day you get a chance to visit Enchanted Cuisine, especially on a student's budget. And thank you for treating Ren, Lady Umeko. I haven't seen her this happy since I first met her."

With a great effort, Xander manages not to twitch at Carla's comments or undulations, and returns to his own seat without incident. Then he remembers to breath again.

"You all make much of such a small thing. I know how it feels to be alone and lost," Umeko says as she bobs her head lightly. "It is an honor to make her smile and bring a bit of home back to her life. I only wish her sister were here too. Did you have a chance to meet Rin?"

Rather than interrupt the conversation, the chef respectfully goes silent and takes to preparing a variety of appetizers before asking about entrees. She doesn't have to go to the kitchen for any of it. She taps the center of the table with the butt of one of her knives, and what looked like a decorative stone disc slides open, a portion underneath lifting up with several baskets of bread and flavored butters and a few other platters of what appear to be raw ingredients... prawns laying in a bed of ice, slabs of fish, crisp vegetables beaded with condensation. She brings her coils closer and reveals she's been carrying several brushed metal bins on her back, which she starts going into for spices, sauces, and other ingredients.

Carla shakes her head. "No, I met Ren after she was already assigned to the dorms, and the few times that she's visited, she hasn't had much time to spend, so she spent it with Ren. I caught a glimpse of her once, but that was all." Ren looks a little abashed. "Yes, and I'm sorry I've never been able to introduce you."

The young Nawar's eyes go wide at the culinary prestidigitation. She ducks down to look under the table to see if there are more Nagas underneath passing the food up through the hole.

"How often did she visit? Ren said she was in service currently, somewhere in the southern parts of the Empire if my memory serves me," Umeko says. She also can't help and watch the chef a bit now; probably trying to determine if her knife work has any martial application.

Oddly, beneath the table there doesn't seem to be anything but knees and feet, and no break in the floor. Obfuscation magic? Xander did say there was a lot of magework involved in cooking here.

Seeing as how Xander isn't concerned by the appearance of the food, Nawar decides not to be too alarmed after all, and sits up straight again.

It's Ren that answers Umeko's first question. "She's tried to visit as often as she can, but it's usually at least several months between them. We do our best to make up for it by writing letters and sending care packages when we can." Carla nods, and not especially concerned with courtliness dips forward to reach to the center of the table for a dinner roll. "Yeah, it's not the Minamis' fault at all. Between the rare visits and our busy schedules, we've just never been able to find a time." The naga doesn't pause in any of her preparations, meanwhile... her knifework doesn't seem to have much use for fighting, but it's deft, precise, and done with a flourish. One cut up and down for each prawn shells them, and she spins the knife around her finger before holstering it and coming up with a smaller one. She rings it on the edge of a wok, and as Xander could mentally predict, a flame leaps into existence under it. Fuff!

"Did you drop something?" Xander Lapi-whispers to his sister, who shakes her head. The buck looks tempted to peek under the table now too.

At this moment, looking anywhere other than the leaning-over-and-stretching Skreek is difficult for the Lapi.

"Such an unpredictable visiting schedule makes it difficult to challenge her," Umeko says with all appearances of complete seriousness. "Oh, Xander, can you pass me a roll?"

"Roll.. what?" Xander squeaks, then realizes what Umeko wants and reaches to get her a roll. "Sorry.. was.. distracted by the expert knife wielding. I wonder if our chef is a Life Mage by any chance?"

Carla looks a little surprised by Umeko's suggestion, but when she looks askance at Ren, the silver kiriga doesn't seem perturbed, nodding seriously. "I'm sure she would regret not being able to meet you and test herself against you... she's always been very keen to learn in this way, despite my worries that she'll get hurt or hurt someone else."

"It's a warrior thing," Xander whispers to Carla. "A sign of respect for another's skill.. I think." After a moment, he asks the Skreek, "So.. the female students really do try on each other's clothes?"

The naga laughs lightly. "Oh, no, master of fire... but close! My counterpart in the kitchen is, my sphere is earth, specializing in plants." And sure enough, a vine reaches over the edge of the table, and uses it to haul up the bulk of the rest of the plant, a tall thick stalk apparently standing on its roots without the benefit of soil. The chef taps a portion of it, and several leaves sprout there, which she plucks off and crushes into the oil in the wok, making a savory fragrance fill the air. The prawns are dropped in, and begin sizzling, while she changes her focus to the veggies stacked in the plate, which she begins staring at intently.

"You are hopeless," Umeko tells Xander as she accepts the roll from him. At least she's smiling lightly when she says it. "Oh, I would not wish to harm her at all. It would be a horror to damage another artist; I am certain there is much each could teach the other, that is. Also, given I am establishing an estate in Viper's Hold, there is always a chance I may need to hire a captain to lead guards. I would prefer to employ someone I know will have impeccable honor. Being a kiriga is, well, also a benefit admittedly."

"Well, you have the hands of a surgeon then," Xander tells the Naga. "Although I'm always impressed by those in Earth. Some of my best friends are Plant Mages.."

"Do you speak of the mage who chased you with shears and threatened to snip you and change your outlook?" Umeko asks Xander. "After you exploded her butt, that is."

Carla's mouth becomes an 'o' at Xander's explanation. "Well she sure seemed serious enough in that way, from what I could tell afar. All lean and angular and hard edges. She's a little taller than Ren, built like one of the rails on the Chronotopia/Justininople tracks." The chef smiles liplessly, tongue flicking again. "Why, thank you!" she hisses. "Not a surgeon, maybe, but good enough to prune at least." She returns to staring at the chopped vegetables on the dish... Xander can feel an active spell in the air. And suddenly, one of the bell peppers sprouts tiny feet and stands up. A carrot develops several in a line along each side. They begin leading a procession of marching vegetables in a short circle around the edge of the stone disc.

Ren nods enthusiastically at Umeko. "I think she'd like that! I mean.. she might miss travelling a bit, but she's talked about wanting to earn enough to have the luxury of travelling instead of the necessity."

Nawar squeaks at the sight of the marching vegetables - whether in delight or terror is uncertain. In any case.. Lapi aren't used to seeing their food move.

"Do you know what your sister's standard fee is?" Umeko inquires of Ren. She can't help herself and tilts her head a bit to watch the food march onto the cook top. "And why is it your cooking while we were in the Beast Lands was not this interactive, Xander?" she asks of the lapi.

"Because I wasn't a chef when I worked here," Xander notes. "I stayed in the kitchen and made the ovens dance; it's not easy cooking four things all at different temperatures in the same oven."

"Women like men who can cook," Nawar notes to her brother. "If you worked on your presentation and seasoning, you would probably not be a bachelor still."

"For the last time.. I'm not going to open a restaurant until I'm ready to retire," the buck whispers back sternly.

"It is, alas, more his lack of tact that harms his chances the most," Umeko notes as she folds her hands together. "He terrorizes those he likes..."

"Ignore them," Xander says to Carla. "They just like to tease me. So.. my nickname's Hotfoot, since it's a play on my real name and because my best spell is also Hotfoot," he offers, hoping Carla will respond in kind about her unusual nickname.

Nawar watches the march of the veggies closely now, knife in hand in case she has to fight off a carrot.

The parade of fruits and vegetables is soon an unbroken ring around the stone disc in the center of the table. The disc flips itself over, revealing cookware on the other side. Aside from somehow having apparently clung there, it's oddly arranged, saucepans, skillets, and tempered glass cups full of fragrant, flavored oils. There's also a number of blades and peelers foresting the scene, and the first to go in among them is a large radish, which begins rubbing up against these implements to carve and shave chunks out of itself, beginning to take the shape of a drokkar. Several other vegetables of different colors follow suit. Ren seems bemused, but she's not so captivated that she can't answer Umeko. "Well, I only know what she's been able to provide me.. costs thousands of shekels to study here, especially if you don't have work on the island itself. Ren takes assignments from very wealthy clients who are willing to pay for someone they know will defend them to the death."

"Mm, hopefully I would be able to afford her. I have much I must deal with in Viper's Hold and elsewhere. I also have a tendency to take on missions for no pay at all; the last in Sylvania garnered no wealth," Umeko notes, "Still, it would be remiss of me not to try. An army of fierce Kiriga women would be a most terrifying force. And perhaps by the time you graduate I would have work for you. I am sure you could put out Xander's mistakes, if nothing else." Her lips curl back in a bemused grin as she adds, "Or more seriously, a water mage is beneficial in a desert."

"Oh yeah? Hotfoot, hmm?" Carla takes a bite of her roll, and leans with her elbows on the table. Her chest pushes her plate forward a little, and makes a tea saucer lift one edge up. "I think I heard a little about you around campus... wasn't there some issue with you blowing someone up?"

"That happens to all Fire Mages at some point or other," Xander mutters. "And I found the mission in Sylvania very rewarding, Umeko."

"It wasn't from a financial viewpoint," Umeko points out, "But from one of the heart, it was."

Ren shakes her head and holds up her delicate hands. "Oh, Rin would not insist you adhere to some sort of rigid fee. I think what she asks for varies, depending on how dangerous it is and how much she wants to do it. If she thinks some overfed merchant is going to cower behind her because he's sure someone wants him dead, she sees no reason she shouldn't demand as much as she's worth. She's taken on more agreeable assignments for less, when money wasn't too tight."

Xander resists the urge to right Carla's cup and saucer. "So.. Cloudmelons?" he asks with a forced casualness. "Something to do with Sky Gardens, I assume?"

Nawar just stares as the vegetables carve themselves into fanciful shapes. Thank goodness they aren't making sounds while doing so at least.

The drokkar have since finished carving their fine details out. Far from looking pained, they're able to canter and prance around much more quickly, their foreheads decorated with broccoli florets, tack and bridles made of cornsilk. They've been followed by other beasts made up of squash, carrots, peppers. Rings and hoops are set up, and the center of the table begins to take on a distinctly circus-like atmosphere.

"It would need to be enough to support her and you at the least," Umeko says to Rin and smiles. "And in time take your proper place as a Lady. Minami may return to a name renowned as it was, I suspect, in the past." The way Umeko says the last sentence has a definite tone of finality to it. "So, we shall see. I am, at least, stubborn and the fates have learned that I will rewrite them if I am dissatisfied."

"All Xander ever did was make fire puppets for me," Nawar says to the Naga Chef-Mage.

Carla glances sidelong at Xander, and the corners of her mouth quirk upward a moment, just a bit. Her eyes narrow a little, and she laughs huskily. "You want to know about my nickname? I could show you sometime. It's because of a... I guess you could call it a 'pet' project."

"Is it do with steam-shaping?" Xander asks quickly. "That would be so useful on the ground, since Air Magic can only handle clouds in the air.."

"A bit of warning," Umeko notes to Carla, amused, "Xander is easily excitable. Be gentle with him, or he may break."

The naga chef, meanwhile, flicks her tongue and demonstrates that she's one of the few naga that can smile without looking threatening. "We've got so much more than puppets at Enchanted Cuisine. We haven't even begun the course for our Jadian guests yet." As if on cue, the water elemental that greeted them at the door arrives. It's considerably more colorful than before, due to the fat, shining fish swimming around in it.

"That is part of the joys of eating them," Umeko explains to Nawar, "Thee smaller ones squirm going down. Quite delightful to the palate. Prepared is also good if they are not cooked or only seared, but they do lack the moving touch."

Ren looks at Umeko, a little stunned and maybe a little anxious now. "Lady... but... we have no holdings. We're all that's left of the Minami, that I know of, we can no longer stake any claim to nobility. Umeko-sama, I am grateful, but we cannot accept honors we haven't earned. To be honest, I still can't really fully understand your kindness to me, except for knowing your spirit is strong and your heart good. I'm a countrywoman, but I'm just one in many."

"That must be why I want to freeze motionless around the really big Nagas," the Lapi doe notes.

"I intend to give you the opportunity to earn it," Umeko explains to Ren. "As for why; I almost lost everything, including my soul and my very body. It .. taught me to be protective of many things." The golden kiriga then shrugs slightly, adding, "Plus I grew up in a very lonely household. I wish to fill it with friends."

The vegetables seem to have organized themselves into acts, diving from towers or tiny trapezes into cups of oil, then hopping out to begin skating around in pairs on a hot, flat skillet, sizzling as they go. The earth mage naga seems to be keeping most of her attention on this to maintain her spell, but every so often she tosses handfuls of spices, a stick of butter, or salt and pepper into the elemental, which starts to go from clear to a dingier color.

"Friends who aren't homicidal orange bags of bones, at least," Xander adds with a grin.

"Master Longtooth is not a homicidal bag of bones, Xander. You should show more respect for your elders," Umeko notes, "Or I may have to defend his honor..."

Carla is watching the elemental raptly, and when she glances back over at Xander, she remembers the question he asked her, and grins. "Mist, actually. You really want to know part of the nickname's origin? I was going to be an air mage, originally, before they discovered my affinity for water. My student project reflects that a little... it's cultivating sky gardens by feeding them mist."

"He was always stealing my food," Xander objects to Umeko, then blinks at Carla. "So I was half-right both times? You actually have a sky garden tethered somewhere?"

"Were you antagonizing him with your elemental mockery of him?" Umeko asks Xander.

"I didn't mock him; he just didn't like me," Xander notes. "I tended to him and stuff.."

"Well, then he liked you," Umeko concludes. "If he hated you he would have done that while he was awake."

"I have no idea where he is now though, or if he's even alive," Xander notes. "I'm sure he'll just wander in from the desert some day, flop onto a couch and call for wine."

The vegetables do seem to be quite cheerful, some of them balancing on the backs of the drokkar, some califlower clowns doing some slapstick that tends to make them topple into vats of sauce or throw little dressing 'pies' at each other. Most of the vegetables have taken on a rich golden brown cast, and as they conclude their individual acts, they begin climbing a pyramid in kick-lines. (At least ones with legs.) The naga mage begins distributing smoked glasses and earmuffs to each diner. "Put these on please, and get ready for the finale'."

Nawar and Xander go for the earmuffs first, knowing their priorities when it comes to which sense needs the most protection.

Umeko accepts the earmuffs and glasses. It is a bit of a trial to get the glasses to balance on her muzzle, given its shape and minute horn ridge. The earmuffs, though, fit quite well. "I sense a vegetable explosion coming," she remarks.

Before Xander can don his earmuffs, Carla leans over to him. "Well, it's also because I've got-" She cups a mouth to his ear and whispers something, then sits back and puts on her glasses and earmuffs, grinning.

The Lapi nearly chokes and fumbles his muffs, recovering them at the last moment.

"Almost," says the mage. "This is actually for your course." And she signals at someone from across the restaurant. While the veggies lift roots and stalks for the crescendo, the elemental lifts itself a little higher... and then a bolt of lightning cuts the air, a thunderclap muffled in the diners ears but felt in their chests. It strikes the elemental, the brilliant flash momentarily blinding even with the glasses, but when the afterimage of the bolt clears, the elemental is sliding savory smelling fish onto plates, still sizzling.

The act concluded, the vegetables slide down their show pyramid and tumble onto plates. They take bows before going inert. In a curiously mundane fashion, the naga chef takes each plate around to each guest one by one, smiling broadly. "Thank you for coming to Enchanted Cuisine, please enjoy the most unique dining experience in all of Sinai. Feel free to call any of our waitstaff should you like more water, wine, juice, or anything else you might desire. It will come out to you shortly, possibly by itself."

Umeko actually jerks back slightly from the flash of light and the noise. It's surely an act of will for the Kiriga to not assume a defensive stance; as such is usually prelude to a battle. Instead she forces herself to breathe slowly and count to ten before she removes her glasses and earmuffs, assuming it is safe enough now. "I have never had food prepared by sky fire," she admits to the chef, sounding impressed. "Thank you for your skilled preparation and dedication to your craft here."

Ren blinks rapidly as well, peering out from between sleeves tossed over her head. Carla is tugging the front of her blouse up a little, as if something might have gone out of place when she started. "Wow!" enthuses the skreek. "I did NOT see that coming!"

"Well, they must have gotten the Chaos elements perfected since I worked here," Xander explains. "My fur isn't even standing on end this time!"

"Ahhh.. no," Xander admits. "If I'm going to be getting hot and sweaty, I want it to be for a more enjoyable reason now."

Umeko's eyes flick between Xander to Carla, then back to Xander. Her brow arches questioningly.

"Oh, which reminds me; I wanted to show you the Grotto of Three Spheres after dinner, if you like. It uses Water and Fire enchantments, and is great if you need some heat to aid in digestion," the buck adds.

The meal itself is actually fairly unremarkable, though tasty enough. The veggies are a bit too oily, but crisp and flavorful. The fish, while very fresh, is surprisingly a little bit bland. However, the service is excellent and attentive, if not always sentient.

Nawar certainly enjoys it, even if she does make sure to bite the heads off of the sculpted vegetables first, to be certain that they don't come to life again inside her belly.

Umeko enjoys as well. The food on the road has never been much to speak of, so even though the meal here is not up to Jadian standard, it is still better than she has had in many a week. "Did you mean just me, or all of us?" Umeko finally asks Xander when it is polite to do so, "The Grotto you speak of."

"Oh, everyone," Xander says. "I thought Rin and Carla might find it interesting if they've never been there before - it's not that well known, I imagine - was just an art project between some Earth, Fire and Water Mages a few years back.

Both the junior students nod agreeably above their dinners, Carla saying, "I've never heard of it! I don't know if I could find all the little niches in Caroban if I studied here for the rest of my life."

"It is fine with me," Umeko agrees with a bob of her head. "It is probably much more impressive than the gardens of my home."

"I've only been to it once before, so I'm looking forward to it!" Xander notes, as he tries to eat rice with chopsticks.

Ren smiles, "Well, I'd love to see it with any or all of you." She raises her wine glass. "Here's to new friendships!"

"You lift the bowl, Xander, and use the chopsticks to push it into your mouth," Umeko instructs, "Do not try to eat each grain, you will go insane." It's then that Umeko looks back to Ren as she raises her glass and says, "I am sorry that I make you nervous, Ren. I tend to be ... pushy, I believe the phrase is."

"To new friendships, and beautiful pushy dragons," Xander says, raising his own glass. Nawar just raises up her juice glass without comment.

Ren's smile brightens a little more. "I admit, this has all happened so fast that it is unsettling. Last morning I was resigned to just reading my books and trying to slide a water drop up a glass plate, and today I've been treated to dinner at the finest restaurant I've ever been to, dressed in finery I'd be afraid to touch for ruining it otherwise. I could very much get used to being pushed like this."

"Ah, a dangerous thing to admit to me," Umeko remarks, her lips curled and eyes narrowed as if she was plotting some devious scheme. "To new friendships, new adventures, and exploring whatever life presents. May it always be weighted more to happiness than sadness."