The meal started a little stiff.
Marielle and the others had already eaten their fill earlier, so now they only lifted their forks occasionally, taking small, polite bites from their plates purely as a gesture of respect. They moved in a controlled, almost ceremonial way, just so that Zephan and his people wouldn't feel weird about being the only ones eating.
On the other hand, Zephan and his Elders were careful with every move. They cut their meat into small, even pieces, chewed slowly, and held themselves with calm grace. They knew how they looked in front of a powerful Lady from the Central Region and the Humans who ruled this place so well that even something as simple as lifting a fork became part of the image they had to keep.
Adyr was the only exception at the table.
He simply ate.
He did not shovel food like a starving beast, but he did not bother to pretend either.
