Kai, Stopper of Floods, Breaker of Storms, Sinker of Fleets, Incarnation of Pisces on Liphilius, of the Great Shark Tribe
Location: Arcadia, Celestialan Tower
Accompanying: Nawai'Ano Maikiki, Rain Maker, Drought Stopper, of the Great Shark Tribe; Oh, and the Eccentrique

Kai straightened up from his slouch at the mention of the previous leader's death. His brow furrowed. "I am Kai, Avatar of Pisces. What happened to Cryion?" He'd seemed fine at the last meeting Kai had attended. While that was several meetings past, the point stood. Sudden onset of illness was unlikely for a man who would be in contact with the best mages of all types in Liphilius.

Malachi watched the exchange anxiously but with that placid look on his face. Everything was going mostly well. Of course he knew his mother would never outrightly be rude or decisive he wasn’t sure what things held in the long term. The fact she’d only critiqued his friends eyes and clothes was a blessing from the All-Mother as he had witnessed that Maaylithia was quite ruthless in private when it came to her opinion of others. He was glad when they were left to their own devices until dinner.
The affectionate name made Mal smile and he gave a nod, “Of course. How silly of me not to offer that- My mind’s in a bit of frazzled with us being home. Here come-“

The Hythian castle is a large and intimidating structure of white stone and tall spires but of course when one had learned to walk in its halls it becomes less of a maze. The structure somewhat resembled a cross inside a square. The main tower containing the dining halls, lavish ballrooms and larger spaces where the north, south, east and west towers/wings housed private quarters and the smaller places.
Mal led Eir first to the north tower.
“I think this might become your favourite place quickly as you learn our language...” he smiled at his friend as they stood on the bottom floor looking up. The library occupied most of the North tower, starting on the bottom floor and lining the round walls all the way to the ceiling. A gap in the wood at the second level of the library allowed one to peer all the way up. Of course it had railing to prevent an unfortunate accident, but even to Mal who had scaled the stairs many times, it made him a little queasy.
“The Hythian libraries... Generations of collections. My father had that large hole cut in the floor as part of the renovations when he became Lord of Phonax when his father died. He said it held a special place in his heart...”
Which now Mal said it aloud, it seemed odd because his father never spent very long in the library.

The South wing held both Malachi, Mathias and Eir’s quarters were where they quickly changed before the tour continued to the West tower where the kitchens were and the East tower where his mothers and fathers room was located. Each tower was complete at its highest point with access to the antichamber. Small rooms with a generous view of the gardens below. After the long and winding trip, they arrived at the centre once more now standing outside the closed dining hall doors.
“It seems a maze now, but I promise it’ll get better. Any questions?”
Malachi had chatted away nonstop as they wandered, unable to help the excitement of welcoming his friend to the home he’d told him about.

"Of course I'll have your back, Asena. Through anything." Septimus smiled lightly and kissed her on the head before stepping away. "Here, let's see what is suitable to be picked for tonight's dinner, shall we?"

As the Lady spoke, Eir offered her his full attention. His mother’s coaching in private about the Hythians had been quite astute. Maaylithia Hythian was beautiful and carried herself with the grace a lady of a territory commanded, but she was also able to backup her colder candor with her quick whit and poise. Even her words were flowery and poetic, much like Malachi’s had a tendency of being when he was in social situations requiring more tact. It was quite different from his own people who were blunt and often candid with their remarks. But he would get used to it and had practiced his expressions enough on that philanthropic trip he and Malachi made to keep a pleased smile while dealing with her. Warmth and kindness as he would with patients within the temple...
He was about to ask questions about what she meant by the winter setting in as it never got cold enough near the shores for Glapera to see snow outside of the mountains. He was excited by the newness and what lay in his future, but found the woman keen on getting off the streets. As was understandable, it was a bit chilly out here.
As servants scurried past to collect his things, he thanked them quietly unused to dealing with staff outside his own family’s who practically raised him. But once the thanks were done, his eyes were drawn to a magnificent carriage that looked more opulent than what even his own family owned. It shocked him briefly that they would be riding in something like that that glittered so in the light, but Malachi woke him from that surprise with a few words of encouragement. He took Malachi’s encouragement as he needed it under the ever watchful gaze of Lady Hythian...
The ride in the carriage after Malachi helping his mother inside was followed by a silence as Eir watched the streets out the window. It was better than making eye contact with his mother or the woman beside her as he was sure that would be awkward for everyone involved if his eyes were so off putting. Eir wasn’t sure who the other woman was. Malachi never mentioned a sister and she didn’t favor either Hythian. Maybe she was a niece or a cousin? He wasn’t sure if he was even allowed to ask her name as she hadn’t spoken. Perhaps it was best to let Malachi fill in the blanks later while alone.
His attention was drawn back to the family as they spoke on winter and even a strange ritual with skating on ice. He had never heard of such a thing but found the very idea intruiging.
“I would very much like to try it. We don’t see snow or ice on our shores, or cold really. I can’t wait to see it actually.” He admitted, trying to not show just how excited he was as everything here seemed so subdued with ones emotions.
While the expressions were subdued, the decoration and beauty of the Hythian estate certainly wasn’t. Eir found himself speechless at the high spires and the white stone that looked almost cold to the touch. It was impressive and so different from the warm and vibrant colors of his homeland. Eir hadn’t seen a stitch of rich reds or purples anywhere, let alone any golds. Instead he found the pretty, calming blues and silvers that reminded him of the waters outside.
“Stunning...” Was all Eir could mutter to Lady Hythian’s gesture of reveal, his eyes flicking to Malachi as if to confirm this was where he lived.
However, it seemed that Malachi was curious about where the rest of his family was. It seemed Malachi’s father was busy with work and his brother was perhaps as well? Eir was confused they did not mention any elders but he assumed that meant they had passed? He wasn’t sure so he did not bring it up. Instead he gave Lady Hythian a shake of his head at her apology.
“Oh there’s no need for an apology. I’m sure Lord Hythian is quite busy as my father is as of late. The end of the trade season is always the most busy.” He said before he caught her look at his clothing. It was strange how much her looks mirrored his grandmother. So this is how outsiders felt when dealing with Elder Aluanas? Eir gestured to the outfit, considered quite opulent in his home, but understood it was strange and colorful here. “And of course, Lady Hythian. Malachi helped me organize and bring along a few things from my family’s tailor to be sure I am dressed for such occasions.” He admitted to the woman, sparing his friend a small smirk in remembering how lost the poor woman had been while trying to sift through her fabrics and cutting templates for the sort of outfits Eir would be expected to wear there. Even so, they would hardly be a match for the cold when it began and he knew he would have to go shopping for more.
He folded his hands behind his back, fidgeting with his fingers as his nerves made the becomings of scales form on his palms. He knew there was no need to be nervous but he really did wish to make a good impression with Malachi’s family as Malachi had with his own. If the families were work together in the future and support consistent trade then they would need a firm alliance in place. Eir was just as much responsible for preserving such an alliance as Malachi was for his family...
“Before dinner, might I get a tour, Isthasy? I want to see where my dear friend grew up.” He asked Malachi, using the term for brother in Vs’Shtak as he was sure it was okay. It was how he often referred to Malachi back home and here his family wouldn’t even know what it meant. It was something that grounded him, made him feel a bit less as an outsider to have someone that understood him. Perhaps then he could ask Malachi how he could warm his family up to him and make the best impression at dinner.

Maaylithia watched as Eir gave his formal bow and greeting, being in line with the formal greeting of their people. It would seem Malachi had been teaching him a few things if his rudimentary Sandarin was anything to go by. She quickly covered her snubbish look with a tight smile of welcome. With a wave of her hand most of the servants scuttled off to grab their things, only her handmaiden- who still eyed Eir curiously -remained at her side.
“I’m glad my dear son has been able to describe at least some of the beauties of our land, though I’m sure over the next year you will find many more. The All-Mother has blessed us greatly with a good harvest this year and soon the cold shall be setting in. Enough of that though- I’m sure you’re all exhausted and would like to get home”
She gestured with her hand to a lavish carriage that was coated in silver leaf and painted in rich blues; clearly a Hythian carriage. Maaylthia moved gracefully toward it as if her steps simply floated, only pausing for a pointed enough silence that had Mal rushing to open the door and help her in. He gave Eir a sheepish look and a shrug, moving by his side to whisper “You’re doing well my friend. Your Sandarin was practically-“
“Are you two boys coming or must we dawdle by the Portside forever, mmm? Chop chop”
Her accent was heavy with the rolls and grace of their natural language and it took Malachi a moment to readjust his mind to understand. Surely he hadn’t been in Glapera so long that even his mother’s voice sounded foreign.
Malachi gestured up into the carriage for Eir to sit by him. It was the four of them inside now; Lafy Hythian, her hand aided, Eir and Mal.
“I had been telling Eir’Asa about the snow during this type of year”
She nodded and smiled, “We freeze the lake by the great market square for people to skate on. It’s quite quaint really. More of a commoner thing of course-“
“But I’m sure we can try it” Mal interjected quickly.

Before long they reached the Hythian Mansion. It was a tall and intimidating structure made out of a very pale stone. Graceful columns lined the front of the building atop a dias of stairs. It almost looked as though the place were made of ice and snow. The gardens out the front were minimal and bore many gentle water features alongside Lily’s and luscious plants. The servants came behind them with their things into the great entry way.
If the Alunanas household was warm and bold, the decor of the Hythian house was cold and peaceful. Large white staircases, crystal chandeliers and the drapes that hung about in Hythian blue and silver.
“Welcome” Maaylithia began, gesturing around proudly. She was responsible for the styling of the mansion and took pride in the way she managed to liven up the old heirloom of a house.
“Where is father?” Mal asked. He’d expected that the male might make an appearance at their arrival but highly doubted it.
Maaylithia gave a tight smile and patted her son firmly on the back, “He’s busy at the moment-“ she looked to Eir in apology “Sorry for his rudeness but you shall meet him at dinner. Make sure you’re both dressed appropriately...”
Her eyes trailed the Glaperan style robes they both wore with a distant air of distaste.