Kimi invites Emid over after dinner

Emid got up before his mother. His sister wasn’t home either. She had probably just stayed at Kari’s. Emid went straight to the mess hall for breakfast. He needed to get some food in his stomach and the Banpa castle mess hall standard of porridge and sausage would have to do the trick. He saw the elf from the blacksmith station and invited her to come eat with him and Jimso. She was characteristically quite but did mention the blacksmith is known to be abrasive but is usually kind to those who work for him if they don’t make mistakes. She said that’s why he is always yelling at his assistant. Sebo was waiting outside to begin patrol.

The morning was thoroughly uneventful. They went by the infirmary and saw that Kari and Eso were hard at work under the supervision of the head physician. But all was in order. After lunch, Emid saw Kimi on one of the balconies overlooking the West side of the kingdom that was lined by mountains. Sebo waved Emid off to go chat and continued with the patrol. Emid was thankful to have such an experienced but laid-back mentor.

Kimi was pensive after meeting whoever she came to talk to but smiled as soon as she saw Emid. It seemed she was suddenly carefree and invited him to come to the manor later that evening. Emid accepted but Kimi said it had to be after dinner because they were entertaining. Emid agreed and asked if he should use the staff entrance on the West wing, Kimi told him that may be best, but implored him to refrain from taking offense, it’s just their guests thought folks should stay in their place but her and her mother thought of Emid as an equal. Emid assured her he understood, and Kimi smiled at him as backed away before returning to patrol. Sebo had been waiting a little down the hallwayand overheard some of the conversation. He commented “your friend and her mother seem like the kind of people you want to keep in contact with. Between us, its rare to find nobles with that outlook on us commoners.” Emid went wide-eyed and stared at Sebo not knowing what to say. Sebo always seemed to be a good man, but he didn’t know if there was something behind the comment and felt betrayed. Sebo saw Emid’s alarm, and his face softened “that wasn’t a threat. I am happy you have good friends in a high place. We both know many other nobles who don’t share their outlook. The world would be a better place with more people like Cyni and Kimi.” Emid was shocked Sebo was so forthright. He was typically characterized by pessimistic humor delivered with a smile that made his coping mechanism hard to pierce.

The rest of the afternoon was not eventful. The patrol schedule ended early some days so patrol guards could attend an afternoon combative training session. Emid did well but was getting winded. He needed to start waking earlier and going to the morning fitness training with some of the guards. He made a mental note of his goal. And headed for a wash and a shave. After changing, he went to the mess hall and had dinner and went to the Deno manner. He entered as planned through the staff door. The cook was coming down for supplies and knew why Emid was there. He told Emid the dinner was still going on, but the gardener and guard were in the shed having an ale. Emid thought it best to go join them. They played a few rounds of cards and were having a great time. Emid went back in to check and the dinner was over. Kimi was waiting for him near the kitchen supply closet and took him up to her room. The manor seemed to be empty except for the cook and his assistant cleaning the dishes from dinner. Soon after they arrived, they heard a knock on the door and Kimi went to answer it and found Shinai with a smile. Kimi invited her in and Emid thought they must be getting along well. Shinai saw Emid and smiled at him. She told Kimi “Good you have a friend over; I was going to propose we have some fun tonight. My escort brought some fine Jinpla wine and liquor that you might call vodka or gin up here. Shall we go down to the basement and get a bottle of each?” Kimi said “no, no. You don’t understand. We are allowed to drink at dinner and banquets, but we shouldn’t have any otherwise or my mother will be upset.” Shinai countered, “the staff is allowed to drink after their shift, and I’ve even seen Esme and your mother having wine in the evening.” Kime looked relaxed, thinking this was just a simple misunderstanding. Kimi informed her cousin “My mother is the head of our estate and her staff are held to a high standard for their performance, but once they are off work, she offers them facilities, but has no say in their lives as long as they don’t disturb the goings on of the manor.” Shinai did not understand saying “but they are commoners, besides us nobles are under stress so we should be allowed to relax too right?” Kimi did not buy it, “Shinai, we cannot. Once I have finished my training, I will be extended more lenient rules, but I have not proven myself yet. You are a year younger than me so I doubt my mother would extend such a courtesy to you.” Shinai said “ok, but she doesn’t have to know. Have you never done something behind her back? At home I’m not allowed such things but me, my siblings, and our other cousins have sneaked wine before. I think it will be ok. It looks like the manor is mostly empty now anyways.”