Let's not keep them waiting

You step in front of your assistant and turn to face the main hall of the manor. Far across the room, the brightening light of day filters through stained glass windows above the entryway, shining red and blue beams throughout the hall. Most of the hall, however, is lit by a series of clean-burning lamps. Lady Caronella, the staff wizard, had once explained the arcane mechanics of the things, but you had no idea what she was talking about. It definitely sounded more complicated than electrical lighting, though. If only Aelfryd Hall had easy access to a supply of electrical power. That would make several things easier, but sadly such is not an option at this time.

Someone on the staff must have had the foresight to bring in chairs from the adjoining rooms, as most of the staff are already seated. The assembled number rise to their feet as you step to the front and prepare to speak. It feels good to be this respected by your staff.

You do a quick visual scan of the people assembled below you. You see the maids near the front, on the left, easily identified by their traditional black-and-white dresses and aprons. Most of the girls look up at you with a sparkle in their eyes in spite of the early hour. You notice that Rini, the head maid, seems to be standing just a little bit closer to one of the girls, a cat-eared Wild Folk. Her attention flits between your direction and the rookie maid. You try to remember the new girl's name - Raika? Rika? Riker? It'll come to you eventually.

Near the back you see the Fahrenters, the elders Heinrich and Lora, and their young granddaughter Eira. The old gardener and his botanist wife would stand out in any crowd - you don't see a lot of centaurs outside of Raumina - but owing to their equine lower halves the two stand quite a bit taller than the rest of the people in the room. And then there's Eira - from the waist up every bit the buxom vision of beauty, her long, blonde hair braided and draped over her shoulder, resting near her ample breasts - but below the waist a well-muscled, horse-like body with a pale, tawny hide. Eira looks around the room with interest, while Heinrich leans over to his wife and whispers something in her ear.

You spot Caraway, the slender, nearly-effemanite companion to your staff wizard, amidst a group you recognize as some of the cooks, porters, and other assorted staff. For a moment you are surprised that his mistress, Lady Caronella is not there - it seems the two are rarely apart for long - but then you spot her, the one attendee still seated, in the center of the group. She looks more or less like she always does, her long, silver hair hanging loosely around her pointed ears, her body concealed by her customary billowing, blue robes. You think to yourself that you have no idea what she actually looks like under that robe - she could be thin or fat, large-breasted or flat, and have an ample, round bottom, a tight, slappable one, or no ass at all. As if sensing your thoughts from across the room she looks up at you, her penetrating gaze cutting to your core even from across the room. Maybe it would be best to tuck those thoughts away for now.

Off to one side, trying to keep mostly to herself, you see Maya, the aspiring historian who more or less lives in the manor's library. She isn't technically part of the Aelfryd Hall staff, so you suppose she didn't have to come to this meeting. If she managed to drag herself away from her books and her studies to be here, she's either interested in seeing what all the commotion is about, or perhaps was looking to speak with you anyway. You may have to make a point to check in with her later today. She looks more or less the way she always does - thick-rimmed glasses and curly, dark hair framing her lovely face, and a pale-colored polo shirt pulled over her full, round breasts. A pair of well-worn, comfortable khaki pants cover her lower half, tighter around her curvy hips and, if you recall the last time you walked behind her in the hall, her round, thick ass.

Assorted other members of the Aelfryd Hall staff stand in the hall as well, awaiting your address. You have never been good with keeping track of all of the people around here - that's more of Aeola's oeuvre - but you think to yourself that it's a good thing you don't have any issues speaking in front of a large group.

Giving the room one more quick glance over, you inhale deeply and get ready to speak.