Even the air tastes divine

[Mandaz]

((Don't think i've forgotten about you! It's been a little hectic around here, but i'll get to posting in the other thread with the NPC's some of you are interacting with soon.))

Tables upon tables lined the walls, filled with food up to their edges, placed perfectly and artistically on their handcrafted ware and set on the beautifully woven cloths that draped over each table. The food itself would seem strange and foreign to anyone. Some dishes looked completely inedible, blobs of mush just set out for the guests to prod at, while other dishes were works of art themselves, and were simply not eaten because they were too admired. Melons, for example, were carved into masterful, edible sculptures of flora and fauna that were native to the island. Fruits such as strawberries and oranges were prominent, and mushrooms seemed to be a common ingridiant in most of the prepared dishes. Bowls of colorful sweets and candies were places everywhere, each one differing in delightful flavor. Meats and main courses were comprised mostly of fish, though a colorful pheasant or steaks of a strong buck were present on a few tables. On smaller, golden plates were strange, flattened squares, hand painted with a design of a blue eye. These squares seemed palatable, and guests would notice natives in a strange practice of sliding the sheets onto their tongues, holding them there for a bit as they would soak into their taste buds.

Edric himself would make his way into the banquet hall, sampling a strawberry upon his arrival. The king was a simple being to please, and the strawberry offered simple proof of that. He held it pressed between his lips for a while, enjoying the rough texture of skin and seeds, tonguing the tip before taking his initial, almost shy nibble. The fruit filled his senses, causing the king to smile with delight as he finished it, the small wings at his back beating with enthusiasm. He would go on sampling many other foods like this, taking time to fully appreciate each one as if he’d never had the sensation of taste before. His subjects left him well enough alone for now, seeming to enjoy their own games and dancing.

[Cork]

Alhanoque:

Nock had patted each and every child on the head and whistled goodbye to them while he waited for his turn to give Eroina his present. Every time she was unoccupied, he was distracted or not paying attention. He was beginning to get a little discouraged, he wanted to play his violin, both for her and for himself. Now it looked as though there were two people crowded around her, all speaking. Nock visibly sagged a few inches and he began to look around for something else to occupy his time while waiting.

While he scanned the crowds of people, his eyes layed upon Edric - Rift King and Angel of Lucidity - in the Banquet Hall. It wasn't like him to remember faces, and truthfully he didn't even remember Edric's name from when it had been announced earlier. But he remembered the song that Edric sang with him, a melodious memory causing elevated elation within his body. He glanced back to Eroina and the two men before gleefully stepping away from the crowd.

Nock whistled his arrival and gave Edric a hug, having never been one for words, he had long ago decided this was a very good alternative to 'hello'. Especially for a good friend. While he hadn't meant to, his Edric-vision kept him from noticing any others present.

[Titan]

I hadn't quite been prepared for the great variety of scents that assaulted my senses as I approached this room of feasting. I stopped in my tracks, taking in a deep, lung-filling breath that I held for a few moments. The instant I exhaled I'd set my bag down again, near the wall and mostly out of the way, yet still where I could keep an eye on it. Afterwards, without any sense of hesitation I made a bee-line for the steaks so enticingly set out.

I did this, rather than going straight for them, so my path would carry me over to gather a plate to fill and silverware to use. It would be better to display some manners rather than just grabbing a hunk of meat and gnawing on it like a beast, no matter how much I wanted to. Three of the steaks I took, moving noiselessly towards the musical masked man and Edric, the lord of this place. I only 'approached' them because they were near the fruits; on what free space there was I loaded the plate with strawberries.

Just as stealthily as I'd come so had I gone, off to the side and separated from the others, hopefully making it obvious that for the moment I preferred some solitude. My sitting position caused the folds of my cloak to fall slack. The lower half of my white jacket could be seen, as could the matching pants; a black leather belt though needless it was, I had around my waist. The light of the room danced across the polished surface of my shoes, one of which I tapped to a tune only I heard.

Then I began eating strawberry after strawberry whole. One might think I was merely eating to fill my belly, which of course I was, but even as fast as I downed the fruits my sense of taste let me indulge my sweet tooth quite well. Before long I had begun to carve one of the steaks into smaller chunks; so did I truly begin to sate my appetite.

[Mandaz]

“You found your way! I was hoping you would! It’s been a really really long time, hasn’t it? You aren’t hurt either!” he squealed “I’m so glad!”

Edric really was hoping to see his friend today. There were a few creatures that Edric really became close to and genuinely enjoyed their company. Nock was one of them. He threw his arms around his musical friend as tightly as he could, snuggling his crimson poncho in childish glee. Edric couldn’t wait to show his friend around the castle and the entire island. He knew Nock would like what he had created. Lots of lovely sounds and colors to indulge in. The angel wasn’t sure if the musician could feel the effects of the island’s air, but if he could Edric hoped he enjoyed that too.

“When we first met and I asked you your name, you knocked on your violin, I remember! I remember. So, does that mean your name is Knock? Like knock knock! Who’s there? Edric!”

The colorful king laughed like a songbird with a smile that stretched wide across his features. He let go of the embrace, but kept hold of Nock’s hands, afraid if he were to release the musician that he would disappear again. Still, his elation was as difficult to hide as his smile. The small wings at his back twittered with excitement, beating to match the pounds of his heart.

His focus on Nock was broken for a moment once he realized he was in the way of the strawberries, with a quick skip forward, closer to the towering violinist, he made enough room for the new guest to retrieve the fruits.

“They’re good!” Edric nodded with vigor, but it seemed the guest wasn’t interested in his opinion for the moment.

[Titan]

It was surprising I hadn't choked as I wolfed the steak meat down, taking to it like a man starving. I didn't eat in this manner to try and be rude to our host, who was still talking with the one man who had managed to still my restless spirit on the boat ride. The simple fact was, I, maybe, had other matters to attend to and merely wanted to be ready for anything that might come my way. The quicker I finished my meal the more time I would have to do some exploring and better get my bearings in this strange castle. So it was that before long I had deftly carved apart and devoured all three of the steaks I'd taken, quite an accomplishment considering my somewhat small frame. I had the feeling of being watched, for the moment I stood one of the island's inhabitants came to take my plate for me; I was grateful though, and gave the man a nod of my head.

Before I simply whisked myself away from this grand harvest, though, I again made a pass to snatch up a handful of the delicious strawberries, intending to savor these as I walked about aimlessly, whittling away the time. When once more passing by Edric, in a quiet tone I said to him, "They are. Steaks too." A reply to his comment of the strawberries' greatness. I didn't wait around for a reply though, respectfully leaving so he and Nock could engage in the conversation so ready to begin, it left a palpable feeling in the air. Without stopping I had gathered up my pack, deposited four of the berries into the top pouch while slipping the snagged strap onto my shoulder. Then I was gone, lazily nibbling at the one fruit still in my hand.

[Cork]

Nock stared curiously at Titan, quite unsure of the man's sloppy eating habits. He'd, of course, seen people eat before, but not quite like this. Alhanoque never got hungry, therefore he never ate. Normally when people ate he just watched them as he was doing now. Some people got very offended, or just 'weirded out,' as they had put it. Whatever that meant. The man spoke very few words. On that note they were similar. Nock slouched slightly when he walked away, but remembered Edric beside him.

Nock nodded vigorously in response to Edric's words, and when asked about his name, the violin was once again produced from the snug pocket in his poncho. He played a happy high note and knocked gently on the prized instrument. While he held Edric's hands he swung them a little back and forth, elated to see his friend again.

The colourful fruits and other foods kept catching his attention, he almost wished he could taste them. He knew, though, that his body rejected food, and not in an entirely pleasant way. He felt worse, though, just because Edric had gone to the trouble of making this large feast, and yet the room was nearly empty. Even the man who had come in had left his field of vision.