The Grand Sultan

[Nephrite]

"Did you expect I'd steal the giant spider they have in the basement?" Moore asks.

[Anastasia]

Conversation is cut off by the blowing of a horn. A deep noise, stopping the conversation where it is. "Ah," Akil rises, "The Grand Sultan is preparing to enter."

[Corwin]

Seira rises herself, intending to be courteous as a visiting dignitary to her host.

[Nephrite]

Moore will follow along with Barachiel's steps with regards to this!

[Anastasia]

Barachiel stays sitting, though he doesn't stop Seira from rising.

Before all of you, the seat opposite Barachiel is slowly filled with flame.s A column of flame descends from above, the heat like a physical force slamming into each of you. It burns and burns, the figure there tall, powerful. A superior specimen, clad in lush red silks and turban, sitting here with a self satisfied smile. "My guests, welcome," The Grand Sultan greets all of you, "Welcome!"

[Nephrite]

Moore gives a polite nod.

[Corwin]

"Thank you, Lord of Flame," Seira returns, curtsying. "It is a pleasure to be here as your guest."

[Anastasia]

"On behalf of Celestia, we accept your invitation to discuss current events," Barachiel agrees, meeting the Sultan's gaze.

The Grand Sultan has a black beard, a hand going up to stroke it as he smiles, a sharp and devilish thing. "On behalf of the Empire of the Efreet, I accept," he says indulgently, a few moments of stairdown with Barachiel. "A toast. To this meeting," he picks up a goblet and raises it high, breaking the staring contest.

[Corwin]

Seira has every reason of playing along for now!

[Nephrite]

Moore at least has no qualms of following along with this, so takes his glass and raises it along with Seira.

[Anastasia]

"Now," With a growing smile as he sips his drink before putting it down, "We've never had a chance to meet like this before, any of you."

"Not quite," Adalan speaks up, placing his goblet down. "We met a long time ago, Sultan. Before you rose to the throne. Do you remember Al-Bakrit?"

A pause at that, "You've grown up," The Sultan says at last, "That WAS a long time ago."

The healer merely inclines his head towards the Sultan. "You chase what the Crimson Firebrand built."

[Nephrite]

Moore glances over -- he'll have to do some research on that later. Now isn't the time to be distracted!

[Corwin]

"We've met two decades ago, give or take a year," Seira comments, sipping at her own glass. "Although at the time, it was at your court, Grand Sultan."

[Anastasia]

"And you survived Al-Bakrit," The Sultan concludes. "For that, live." Then he turns his attentions to Seira, "So we did. You've grown up as well, dragonling." He chuckles, eyes dark.

Meanwhile Vel Custos is staring down Akil, the two of them doing that to the side.

"You'll find we all have, Sultan," Lady Honeydip speaks up.

Barachiel seems content to sit back for the moment, though at that he says, "Our new generation is hopeful, Sultan. What of yours?"

[Nephrite]

For his part, Moore tries to avoid any impolite staring but does look to the other side of the table for their answers!