Dinner with the family

Oliver grabbed my arm before we went into the room. "I still believe you have been a bit too harsh on them."

I considered what he was saying before I responded. 'In reality, I suppose I am being too rough with them, but it is necessary for the establishment of my future organization. However, Oliver can very much be a core part of my future plans, so I need to seem justified to him.' I came up with an idea, "I suppose that is possible, but before we deploy that judgement, how about we see how they act when alone."

He tilted his head at me, "What do you mean?"

I held up my hand in an explaining gesture, "People commonly act their worst when they are not around others. So, let us see how they behave during this meal, before we decide how harsh they deserve to be treated."

He put his hand to the chin of his helmet, "I suppose that makes some sense."

I gave him a nod before turning to the dining room. Before he could argue any further, I opened the doors and walked inside.

The family was in the middle of some discussion or other which was silenced by my arrival. Norman was seated at the head of the table, Norma to his left, and an empty seat to his right. Next to Norma was some nobleman of ill significance, beyond who was a pair of empty chairs. Across the empty chairs was Nathaniel and a woman in squire wear, who was in turn sat next to Kyle and Mason. Lastly, across from Kyle and Mason was Millana and Isabell, with no chair on the end opposite Norman.

Kyle sneered at me, "What are you doing here? Get lost or something?"

Norman shut him up, "I invited him." All of his children and their guests turned to him in shock, including Millana.

I gave a bow, "I thank you for your invitation, may I ask where I shall be seated?"

Before Norman responded, Nathaniel spoke up in opposition. "So what, just because he beat Lana, you're giving him her seat? What if she is showing up, you kicking her out of the table?"

Norman was quick to silence him, "It is not Lana's seat I am giving him."

A look of confusion crossed Nathaniel's face before a look of horror replaced it. "You don't mean..." He turned angry, "You wouldn't give that seat to a stranger, before your own son." Norman simply turned to him with a disapproving expression. Nathaniel continued his cries of disbelief, "After everything I have accomplished and overcome? I deserve that seat more than some traveling hermit, I got into the Royal academy-"

Norma interrupted him, "Oh please, the only competition you had was that idiot Oliver." I was taken aback by the coincidence happening before me. 'Well, I guess that will make Oliver less sympathetic to them.' Much to my surprise, it continued. "That self-righteous buffoon fell for the most obvious trap ever, and you still had to ask for my help in the end. You most certainly do not deserve that seat." She turned in her chair to look at me, "Him on the other hand..." She gave me a wink, "I think he will be a very promising individual, and hope that he will be on good terms with us in the future."

Millana seemed uncomfortable, and Nathaniel was about to speak up again when Norman silenced the table. "Enough. Mathew, if you would kindly take the chair to my right, with your companion next to Nathaniel."

I looked to Oliver to see if he had any objections, but he gave me a slight nod, so I accepted. "Of course, I do apologize that my presence seems to have caused some problems."

Norman shook his head, "Nothing that would be a problem if not for their annoying politics." All of his children recoiled at that, clearly not expecting his open badmouthing of them.

Me and Oliver took our seats, though the conversation did not pick up. There was awkward silence for awhile as I simply waited for food to arrive. Kyle was looking to me with slight fear, Nathaniel fuming to himself, Millana mostly stunned, and Norma looking at me with curiosity.

It was Norma who broke the silence, "So, who is this knight? How did you two meet?"

Oliver answered before me, "I am a humble mercenary, who Mathew has helped a great deal. I owed him a great favor, so I suffered to come to this party on his behalf." I chuckled hearing this, 'Who's treating them too harshly now?'

Norma seemed slightly taken aback by this response, "I... see... Well, um..." She struggled to find something else to talk about.

It was Kyle who came to the rescue, leaning over the table to be able to see me. "So, who's this god of yours?"

I smiled at the chance to spread the word of... well, me. "Ah, my lord is known as Moged-Ruun. He is the newborn god of Growth. Through his instruction, I met with young lady Millana, " I nodded to her as I spoke, causing her to slightly blush. "As well as my companion."

Kyle leaned backwards, his chair propping onto its back two legs. "That weird mask thing, what is it?"

I picked it up from my chest to hold it up, "It is an artifact which bears the mark of my god. I can channel his power through it, and even animate it."

Nathaniel's companion spoke up, "Say what now? What do you mean you can animate it?"

Right as I was about to answer, the doors opened and a group of kitchen staff walked in. They brought forth a series of delightful dishes, from some salads to big bones of meat. The Normn children wasted no time in grabbing their own servings, myself and Norman watching with a shared look of disapproval.

When they were done the rest of us grabbed out own meals. I filled my plate before Oliver caught my attention. He simply sat there without moving for the food. "You should feel free to get some food," I told him.

He tilted his head at me, "Are you certain?"

I nodded, "As long as you are comfortable with it." I watched him cautiously.

He thought for a good moment before nodding. "Yes, I suppose there is no point in hiding anything. As Grutrod said, I must face it in order to get past it."

I put on a wicked smile before saying in an audible voice, "I couldn't agree more, Oliver."