The Potbellied Emperor [Closed to Eleven, Hendrik, and Jecht.]

[darkenedmoon]

The place was not a dingy one--as if Yotsuyu would ever allow herself to be seen in a place that was run down and dingy. Still, it was not overpowering in its decor, either. The walls were simple and whitewashed, though the paintings and Noan calligraphy on display were elegant. There were a great number of carved partitions that separated the dining room into private areas where patrons could be seated and dine. Bamboo plants were placed around to give life and greenery to the place, and in certain corners, they were accompanied by very real scarlet lilies, to catch the eye and give a pop of color--one echoed by the strings of drying bird chiles that criss-crossed the restaurant. Perhaps the centerpiece was the fountain centered in the restaurant, upon which was seated a statue of its namesake--Huayuan, a generations-past emperor of Noa, seated, with his robes somewhat open (tastefully, less the place's reputation be smirched) to expose the place's namesake. Indeed, Huayuan was possessed of a pot belly, both in the paintings that depicted him in life, and the statued namesake that sat above the fountain and the small fishpond that served to give the place atmosphere.

All in all, a quaint little place, one that might be overlooked because it was small and unassuming--until a person's nose caught the rich scents perfuming the air.

This was where the Witch of Doma had invited her...friends? Well, they counted her a friend, and she certainly returned the sentiment, and so perhaps it was not so strange. In truth, she only hoped that the three men would get along...

Comments

[unswervingcompanion]

Dinner parties were never his thing. He did them as was required of course but this wasn't that. He didn't want to sit and make small talk, because that wasn't his thing either. But Hendrik didn't have any duties to attend to as he could have used back home to excuse himself and get out of things.

If he left he figured the Luminary was in safe hands. So the knight finally stood and bowed slightly to Yotsuyu.

"I apologize, but I must go. I have matters to attend to and I thank you for dinner and the company that you have provided."

Turning to the Luminary, he patted him on the shoulder before he left. "I will see you for training tomorrow."

[sublimelymagnificentblitz]

"The hell...?"

Jecht stared at Hendrik, then glanced back to Yotsuyu and Eleven with an expression that clearly said, 'you guys got ANY explanation for him?'.

[darkenedmoon]

To judge by her expression, no, Yotsuyu had no explanation for this, and was just as startled as the others.

Well, she'd simply have to do her best to keep up appearances, wouldn't she? Clearing her throat a moment, Yotsuyu shook her head briefly and tried to smile. "I thank you as well for coming, Hendrik. I shall see you at the Academy."

She guessed. Clearly she was not as good at dinner parties as she had hoped...