((sorry! been a little busy lately but ig it’s to be expected with it being the end of the year and all. anyways here’s my response!))
The display was something else. Adonias had attended parties in his time, a few - some he wasn’t exactly invited for. So he wasn’t a stranger to grandeur. It was just different this time, considering he was supposed to be here and actually, officially, called here as well.
And the fact that he’d be departing within the hour.
Adonias sat down and ate his fill, simply content with the energy that it gave him for the day. A careful eye would note how Adonias looked around, not moving his head - just his eyes - and investigated his surroundings, seeing how others were acting. Noting all their behaviour, whatever he could gander. Even if he didn’t say anything of it now, it helped him build a better image of his companions.
Putting their scroll away, Efraim turned their attention away from the walls and sat down at the table with the others. Their face was expressionless as the food was brought in; they had seen such displays before. They paused to glance up at the Pharoh and then at the warrior woman. Offering her a smile, they nodded and brought out the introduction they showed to Ehlaea earlier, though of course, the second half of it was irrelevent.
Their gaze turned back to the food, not getting up to eat either. A lot of these foods did not look kosher, especially the meat. After a moment or two, they reached over and grabbed a bit of bread, cheese, and fruit, and filled their cup with water. This should be enough. They prayed a blessing over their meal, then began to eat. Occasionally, curiosity came over them and they glanced up to watch the others.
Tilila nodded at Efraim's written introduction. The name was Hebrew, so he was likely an Israelite. She had finished introducing herself to everyone, so she simply observed everyone else. A group of such drastically different people. A Lydian prince, an Egyptian priestess and princess, a Hebrew artist, a Gaulish healer, a Carthaginian spy, and a Greek sorceress. And of course, her, a Lybian warrior. She smiled at the thought. She really couldn't wait for what was expecting them on the road ahead. She thanked her ancestors and the spirits of nature for guiding her life to this pivotal moment.
Actually, she realized, she hadn't introduced herself to the sorceress (whoops, my bad, I forgot). The sorceress was sitting next to the Princess, both in silence, so she decided she would try and kill two birds with one stone with an introduction. She got up to head towards them and began with a bow "Good morning ladies, Princess" she said referring to Neni "and Sorceress" she referred to the other one, who she presumed was Greek, simply by her clothing style. "I am the Warrior, Tilila" she looked up now "And I have known many sorcerers in my tribe, but I've never met a foreign one before! What is Greek magic like?" She asked enthusiastically
(You’re good, lol)
Ehlaea was leisurely eating when she heard approaching footsteps. She had been enjoying the silence, but apparently that moment was ending. One of the others came over, introducing herself as the Warrior.
Ehlaea gave Tilila a polite nod, hesitating a moment at the woman’s enthusiasm. She wasn’t used to people asking what her magic was like. It was a daunting question to answer.
“I… am Ehlaea. I… I am an oracle,”she said shyly.
She didn’t know what else to say about her magic. She had never known any other sorcerers, so she had nothing to compare it to. Also, she wasn’t even sure how to describe it anyway.
"An ora…cle?" She said it strangely, as the word was entirely new to her. She did notice the discomfort of the sorceress, and she felt bad, but her curiosity got the best of her "I've never heard of an oracle sorcerer. My tribes sorcerers are astrologers and spirit communers. They use the stars or the spirits to prophesize, and do miracles. Is that anything like oracle magic?"
Ehlaea had a bad feeling when Tilila asked what an oracle was. There would be more questions to answer, and more enthusiasm. True to her suspicions, there was. Though, the description of the other sorcerers was intriguing.
“Similar. I… I see possible futures. It’s vague and it works best at night, but… that is what it is,”she replied.
Hopefully Tilila didn’t question her about the rest of her abilities. Ehlaea wasn’t sure if she was feeling up to explaining everything she could do. It was just so strange, talking about her magic.
" Interesting. Thank you! It was nice meeting you Ehlaea." She bowed and made her way back to her chair.
Exactly half an hour after their mealtime had begun, enough time for them to enjoy their meal, another group of guards marched in. They could tell they were different guards because they had blue and white striped headdresses, as well as swords and shields in their hands. They stood at the sides of the open doors, except for one, who walked over and stood by Princess Neni's side, and one of them announced "The Great House of Horus (an honorary title of the Pharaoh) has ordered your presence at the dock." with these words, the guards turned and waited "We will escort you there."
Ehlaea nodded in response, then watched Tilila leave. She inwardly berated herself for acting like a frightened child. It did no one good if she was too busy being anxious and shy to serve the mission.
With a quiet sigh, Ehlaea finished her meal and tried not to think of the incident anymore. It nagged at her though.
When the guards entered the hall, almost all thoughts of her behavior left and she focused on the announcement. She stood, subtly taking a deep breath to calm the rest of her nerves, and headed to stand by the guards.
Emirhan looked over at the guards. Quietly, he set his eating utensil down. His foot lightly tapped against the floor as he listened. Their mission is about to begin. It is unbelievable, but he is looking forward to it.
Once the one guard was finished speaking, he did his best to finish his food at a reasonable pace. He had to force his leg to stop bouncing as he ate. Such a habit is difficult for him to control, especially when he is excited about something.
When Emirhan did finish, he neatly placed the eating utensil to the side then sat back in the chair. In the corner of his eye, he saw Ehlaea standing by guards. "Oh…" He rose up from the chair then went to over stand, waiting to be escorted to the dock.
