While Gus and Ethelred are out gathering materials, Ezrin takes a break from his studies and waits for Alexis to pause his own work.
“I say Alexis Laelius, what do you make the fine Aegierian hospitality we’ve seen of late? The King Adelfried’s Army set’s a fine example, don’t you think? The guests we met the other night, do you think they were guests of the Green Shirts, or just friends of a soldier?”
Ezrin winks very obviously at Alexis.
“I think the Green Shirts wouldn’t let their guests mingle with ‘common’ guests of a mere soldier. They would be escorted to the finest red chambers to be wined and dined until they met Raiden himself.
I do… feel for them. So much hospitality. Sometimes it can be too much. Some people belong away from the hustle and bustle and out in the countryside somewhere.
But these are idle musings. Not much can be done, but… hope they get to see their friends-in-the-country again. By Avv, perhaps they’d like the Westlands more.” Alexis gives a shrug.
“Any thoughts about the large fella? How about the shrimpy little one? Strange folk, and it’s got me wondering about the Green Shirts and their role. I can’t decide if it is odd that they were associating with the common soldiery or not?
“If I was to guess, I’d wager that Mr Big and Mr Small didn’t come all the way here on their own, but tagged along with a road warden or a wanderer. This is the biggest ‘town’ around and anyone who’s anyone would want to be here if they’re in the area.
Aegir city would be so much better, but it’s so much further. As some say in Sutheron: ‘you hospitality with the city you have’.” Alexis seems surprised by the saying he made up and gives Ezrin an apologetic look.
“Now that I think about it, I’d be curious to talk to whomever invited Mr Big and Mr Small (who I assume are different men). I wonder how long they’ve known the gentlemen, or if they’re better friends with the family or friends of Mr Big and Mr Small.”
Alexis makes a note in his notebook. When he looks back up to Ezrin “could you get them a invite to our soiree?” and mimes a simplistic magical gesture with his hands. I would only want them to get an invite if I could get a ‘répondez s’il vous plaît'”.
Ezrin smiles at Alexis reference to Sutheroni etiquette, but his face turns quickly to regret.
“Alas, my person courier is on an extended vacation and the local couriers only seem to do a one way route.’
“Perhaps our good engineer could come up with a replacement for your personal courier. Sometimes complicated invitations only need simple responses.”
Alexis is clearly thinking about what might work, and if he even wants to go down this route.
Ezrin looks at Alexis with a bit of fear and disappointment, then smiles.
“He is still learning the basics of proper etiquette, I fear his desire to experiment would offend. But perhaps I am thinking too much like a Sutheroni, or perhaps it is my natural conservative temperament, ha-ha.”
Ezrin sounds expectably like a lower class Sutheroni child pretending to be from a Named Family, but also uncomfortable playing that particular game with Alexis.
“Perhaps we could bring up the idea with our engineer when the four of us all go on our next forest outing”