A New General Approaches

Valeria as usual, listened intently to each General who deigned to speak. At least some of the more taciturn ones opted to stay quiet and focus on the food. She could only offer Decavian polite responses and slight smirks at his attitude.

She noted Darius's arrival, noting the blood on him. "Evening, General Darius. Please, join us. You've just made it to the second appetizer. The Poro cuts seem to be quite a hit."

Valeria met eyes with Maria- by some circumstance the two women were seated next to each other, their differing appearances greatly contrasting- the warrior and the scholar. It seemed Maria matched Valeria’s appetite, but for likely different reasons. She smiled a bit, seeing a fellow female with such a similar gusto for food.

“It’s nice to meet you too, General Blackwind. My record is publicly available- I am turning thirty years old tomorrow. I am youngest of this circle, but still counts as Snowdown Cake, sadly. More wine?” She offered, a nearby server filling her cup, finally finishing her first round for the evening. She looked around the table and produced a very light chuckle at the warriors' tales.

"Well it seems the Poro cold cuts seems quite popular among the Command. I wonder how they managed to come by a supply of these creatures." Indeed, everyone seemed quite taken by the meat of the little furballs from the North; nearly all the platters were exhausted.

First Main Course Served

It had been nearly an hour since the feast began, now Soft Dining bells would announce the arrival of the first main course. Once everyone had their fill of crustacean soup and Poro cold cuts, the plates of the second appetizer were replaced by larger, main course cutlery. a new group of servers and carts came in and served platters of lobster accompanied by steamed vegetables, as well as Poro Foie Gras. It was common knowledge that Foie Gras was the liver of force-fed creatures. Generous plates of butter and sauce dishes of olive oil for the lobster were attached to each new plate.

The good doctor, having scarfed down the most appetizer thus far, didn't slow down or shy away from the feast. She helped herself to a large lobster claw and began cracking the shell. Like a good subordinate though, and despite having already seen him refuse food, still offered crustacean to Swain, and noted the servants bringing in an extra chair.

"Well... I certainly didn't expect the High Command to be this civil... Oh, are we expecting more guests?"

Decavian did not touch his lobster. He merely ate the steamed vegetables and poked his fork at the Poro liver, dismissing it.

In response to Andre's comment, he simply gave a slight cut-laugh. "Why, being civil is a part of the job before the eyes of the public. I advice you to remember that, Miss Mordenheim. Decavian said, choosing his tone carefully, not wanting to sound threatening. He noted the extra chair brought, not sure who should arrive. He offered his glass to a servant and he refilled it. Decavian sniffed the cup and turned it back in dismay.

"No, no, give me a Roselet Vintage. I despite all but northern vintages." Decavian said in a spiteful tone as he waited for the servant to refill his glass with the appropriate wine.

Decavian afterwards turned to Valeria and spoke to her in a calmer tone. "Well then, allow me to greet you an early birthday." He said, using his normal thinking of 'Now, because tomorrow one of us may be splattered in a pool of blood'.

Maria nodded at Valeria politely, swallowing her mouthful of dead animal before opening her mouth to speak in return.

Just as I suspected, looks can be deceiving. I'd be interested in the tale of how you preserved your youth...

She held up her hand,a black web of veins creeping across it, the ivory skin turning to jet near instantly.

... I sacrificed my humanity for mine. Funny, isn't it? The things we do to better serve our homeland.

Seizing the opportunity to consume yet more Poro, Maria reached for the Poro Foie Gras, spreading it over the provided biscuits and consuming it with gusto.

Clad in all her sparkling splendor, in the new dress and jewels that Singed had gifted her, Cassiopeia Du Couteau slithered arm-in-arm with the chemist, her expression set in a sultry smirk as bits and pieces of aristocratic conversation reached her ears. She had not attended a high-society function of this magnitude in many, many years.

At her escort's invitation to approach the esteemed table at the head of the room, her smirk spread into a grin, gleaming fangs reflecting chandeliers' light. "Oh, yessss..." She pulled herself in close so that his gangly arm rested against her full bosom. "That would be so lovely of you, to offer your regards. She is a doctor, after all. You must be an idol to her.

"Lead on, mon grand," the lamia cooed, batting her mascaraed lashes.

"I believe now would be an appropriate time for my entrance, yes?" a silken voice wafted from behind Swain's chair.

The click of heels, and out of the shadows, the Deceiver appeared. Her dress was a bright crimson, sleeveless, its texture made it resemble pressed flowers rather than the silk it was. Her upper half was wrapped in this fairly simple design, no intricate patterns, when her waist seemed to explode into spring time. Dozens of stylized roses trailed down from her hips down to the floor, her front ending abruptly just above the knees to showcase her cream-colored thighs and calves. Her feet were adorned by black stiletto heels, dressed with the occasional tassel of diamonds and rubies.

LeBlanc curtsied before Swain and made her way to the empty seat on his left side. "Thank you for reserving a seat, dear. Today is a very special occasion, after all."

Her eyes darted to Valeria, she smiled sweetly at the woman and gave her a nod of her head. "Congratulations on your promotion, General Valeria van Mordenheim." Her eyes continued to look about the room, each time she made eye contact with a general she would greet them in her sweet voice.

"Greetings, General Theun. Greetings, General Bleakwood. A fair day for you, General Blackwind. General Darius, you seem as charming as ever. And do forgive me, but..." LeBlanc looked at Swain once more and flashed him a wide smile. "I do believe our Grand General deserves another greeting, no? Greetings to you, Grand General Swain."

Upon Singed's approach, and at the sight of Cassiopeia, LeBlanc tapped her table. A servant ran over, and leaned close to the Deceiver's lips. A few words, and the servant would walk over to Singed and Cassiopeia.

"Matron LeBlanc would like to know if the two of you would care to share a glass of wine with her. Do forgive me, I do not mean to be abrupt, but I must retrieve her specified wine." He gave the two a quick bow and quickly walked away, knowing that time was of the essence.

Decavian was a bit surprised to see the Deceiver and cursed himself for not assuming she will come. He was not, apparently, enough steps ahead as he thought he was. He nodded at LeBlanc.

"Good evening, Madam LeBlanc. You certainly look stunning today." He said as he took another sip of wine in a crafted surprised tone, too annoyed to actually be surprised. The deceiver was a headache. He never knew what she was up to. Swain seemed to trust her enough but Decavian would not want to be caught off guard.

Moments later, Decavian turned to Singed and his scaly companion, Cassiopeia. He felt the need to hold his head with the palm of his hand but he knew better than that. "Good evening to you, Mr. Singed and Lady Cassiopeia. Always a pleasure to have men of progress in our company. Of course, ladies of all kind too." Decavian said and nodded, returning to be quiet. Thinking about how to night will roll. He checked his glass again, still the same. The vintage he asked of the servants was unique because it disables most kinds of poisons put inside. He wouldn't want to risk himself any time or day.