Tamrissa nods to each of them in turn, offering her hand to those who will take it. She gives Kax’s hand a small squeeze when he takes hers, watching him through partially closed eyes.

“Many of you are new to me,” she remarks softly, then greets Kaworu as he comes forward. “And some are just as I left you…if slightly different, you have not changed in my eyes.”

She cups his face with her palms and places a small kiss on his lips, then smiles and lets him step back. ((There’s your kiss, m’dear. ))

“It is odd that some of you should be as different in appearance and manner as I am when your time away has been very much shorter than my own, but this group has always been subject to rapid change.”

Her eyes go to Karain, her smile fading only slightly as she watches him turn and leave. The questions that are suddenly thrown at her make her freeze, face dropping for a moment.

“I will explain Fei’s fate to you once we are in a more suitable place to talk,” she folds her hands together over her stomach and looks at Jihon. “But I can give you part of the reason for my happiness and the sudden health of the Umbra.”

She brings one hand out in the air beside her, elbow bent and hand crooked as if someone were holding it. A complete hush falls over the entire city and the courtiers step back yet another step. In the shadows within the doorway of the palace, a man in the same scarlet as Tamrissa moves forward. He glides, a feline grace making it hard to take eyes from him.

“His name is Naraka Makani,” she grins with a child-like glee as he takes her hand and raises it to his lips.

Naraka is tall, dark and mercilessly handsome to some. The raven of his hair is left down around his shoulders, a few tiny braids situated throughout it with red feathers stuck sparsely in them. Black lines his eyes and draws out to his temples in a sharp point that only emphasizes his panther-like appearance. Ebony embroidery is stitched heavily into the scarlet jacket he wears over a billowy white shirt, which is open at the top to expose a small portion of muscled chest. Black leather pants hug his hips and legs, polished boots rising up to just below his knees. A chain of silver can be seen around his neck, a pendant peeking just above where his shirt buttons.

His dark eyes pierce through each and every one of those standing before them. A power pours in waves off of him, a power that is strange and positively tremendous in strength. He lets Tam have her hand back and then sweeps a small bow, arm extended to the side. When he comes back up, he is still staring at them, judging them and measuring their power with a friendly smile on his face to hide his observant gaze.

“Greetings, my friends,” he speaks in his low, persuasive voice. “Tamrissa has spoken often of you…of your battles together mostly.”

Tam has turned her head towards him, watching him as if he were the only one there. He flinches a bit and brings his hand to the side of her face; thumb brushing her cheek lightly. His expression softens, but his eyes don’t.

“Naraka has been the Upper’s savior,” she speaks in a slight whisper. “He has been my savior.”

She breaks her loving gaze to look back at the others with bright olive eyes.

“He is partly the reason I brought you all here,” she raises her chin proudly. “But I will explain more once we are inside. Come, there is a meal waiting for you and afterwards a night of rest if you wish. Your army is welcome too. There is plenty of room.”

Naraka sweeps his arm out to the side again and Tam smiles and turns, walking back towards the doors of the palace. He gives a small smile to the group and then turns and follows her. The courtiers wait for the guests, patiently watching them.

When each warrior steps up, an elegant lady takes her place beside them. For Asaki, there is a young man, who politely offers an arm to her and a harmless smile of charm.

They walk through the arched doorway in a procession of armor and silk. The roof of the first room shoots up above them in a cathedral ceiling, flawless marble beams stretching across the entire room. The floor is a mass of tiny tiles put together to make a vibrant pattern…a flame of blue like the symbol on the shields of the Upper’s army. Various statues sit around the large chamber, many with the wings of angels and their fingers extended upwards in a silent gesture towards the huge chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. They are made entirely of blue crystals, which seem to glow without the need of candles. Reflections of light dance around the room as the crystals swing in a light breeze.
The door they move through next leads into a hallway, where the smells of food can now be faintly scented and the sound of a harp drifts over the muttering voices of the guests. In the hallway, the ceiling is just as high, but it is covered in paintings. Shadowed, singing (or screaming) faces peer out of swirls of blue, their arms curving along with the wavy lines of blue, as if they are part of the flow. The whitewashed walls hold silver swords and axes, all of them with their blades or edges pointing in the direction of the next room.
At the end of the hallway, the entire décor changes. The water-like blue of the ceiling blends into an abrupt and bright orange flame, the faces now turning reds and pinks like they can feel the heat. It opens up into another huge chamber, and the flames and faces continue across the entire ceiling.

Warmth drifts over the group as they enter the massive dining chamber. Large tables are set up in the center of the room, dark brown, almost black, wood covered in fine gold dishes. Fans of red napkins are placed expertly on each plate and a dark wine fills each goblet. At each end of the room, there is a huge hearth, a small fire in each to help give the room its heat. Three chandeliers hang ten feet above the tables, candles flickering and giving the whole chamber an orange glow. At a corner on each end of the room there lays a staircase, leading up into the darkened balcony that lines the sides of the room.
Meats, fruits, and breads are laid out on the table, ready to be served and eaten. Music is playing softly, though from where it is unknown. The balcony might be a good guess, however.

The guests are led by their chosen courtiers to a chair and then they are bade to wait before sitting down.

Tamrissa and Naraka move to the head of the tables. She raises her hands and claps twice, servants immediately rushing from the sides of the rooms.

“The servants will take care of what ever needs you may have, you only need ask,” she smiles. “Your escorts can take you to your rooms if you are tired or wounded, but I would wish that you stay and wait until I make my announcements as many of you have already asked questions that I need to answer.”

Her eyes glimmer in the candlelight.

“Be seated and I will speak in a few moments…”