Naomi sets the last dish of roast potato on the table; the record-keepers remain standing behind their chairs, hands tucked behind their backs and cloaks hanging around their necks. Naomi walks down the side of the dining room and she settles at her usual seat beside Raurlin. The eyes fall to the end of the table to Raurlin and Raurlin pulls his chair back then gestures to the rest of the chairs. Naomi begins pulling her chair back and is interrupted by Raurlin who with a secret smile pulls the chair, allowing for her to sit down into it.

Once the table is seated the awkward silence seems to buzz loudly, rattling along the glasses and candleholders. Raurlin clears his throat and he looks at Soraya who is picking at her nails on her lap. Her cheeks are flushed pink ever so slightly and she has changed out of her home clothes into a sleek black turtleneck and a touch of pink lipstick. She looks up at Raurlin, a small smile at her lips.

"Soraya," Raurlin booms, "is the chef of this feast today. Soraya, would you do us the honour of carrying us through the meal."

Soraya swallows down visibly and she nods quickly. "This evening we have a grilled steak basted in butter and herbs. Roasted potato and a sweet cinnamon butternut. I hope it pleases, My King."

"It pleases not only me, but it pleases The Gods. I assure you they feast on this meal, this feast of beginning in the Great Beyond as they watch us from the clouds."

Soraya's cheeks flush an even deeper red. Her eyes fall back to her lap. Naomi smiles at her then looks down the table at the record-keepers who are looking around the table hesitantly. Naomi raises an eyebrow and tilts her head slightly. The three begin offering praise and thanks and Soraya shakes her head, modestly.

Raurlin raises a hand and the table falls silent. "Please, let us dig in while the food is still warm. Please eat and be merry." Raurlin sits back in his chair and Naomi lifts the dish, scooping some food into her place then passing the dish down the table. Naomi settles back into her seat once her plate is full. She begins eating and after some hesitation around the table everyone begins eating too. Naomi steals glances at Raurlin who merely watches the scene in front of him.

"Tell me," Naomi says, breaking the silence, "is the accommodation to your liking?"

Ing sets her fork down with a nod at Naomi, holding eye contact. "Yes, it is more than we could have asked for. We thank you."

"We tend to not discuss business over dinner," Naomi lies with a straight face. "But tonight we will make an exception on account of the very long day that we have all had. Ing, you seem to be more of a Hayward. Baldev, I would not strip you of that title, though. So between the three of you, there are four of us. How will you divide yourselves?"

"My Queen," Baldev mutters then sits up straight, "we would present the idea of Ing assigned to the King and His Resolute. With your blessing I would be honoured to be your record-keeper. Hyacinth will act as a mediary, consolidating the records from either side."

"The King," Jackson demands firmly, "is he not your king?"

Baldev's face flushes a ruby red and he shakes his head quickly, looking at Raurlin. He stands up quickly, his knife falling off his plate and onto the floor beside Soraya. "My King, I meant no offence! Please you must understand-"

Raurlin holds his hand up. "Sit and be at ease Baldev. Pick up your knife."

"I would love to have Baldev with us," Sarah directs and Naomi and Naomi nod her agreement. Yes, Baldev, we accept your assignment."

Raurlin's hand comes down on Naomi's and he squeezes her fingers together tightly. Naomi looks from their hands to him and he is trying to remain silent. Naomi's eyes remain squarely on him as she calls out "Horatio, I believe we're done with dinner. Please come and clear the plates."

In silence Horatio strides into the room and he gathers the used plates and clears the remnants of dinner. Horatio looks up at Raurlin and Raurlin lowers his head slightly. Horatio nods and walks out of the room. Naomi looks at Sarah with a small smile, she turns her attention to Baldev. Baldev's eyes are resting on her and once he has realised that Naomi is watching him back his cheeks flush pink and his eyes fall to the table in front of him.

"Baldev," Naomi directs, "what an interesting name. Tell me, was it inherited?"

Baldev smiles revealing small dimples in his cheeks. "Yes, My Queen, it is inherited. I come from a region just off the cliffside of Havebyr. It's actually closer to Ketevik. It is a land of tall waterfalls and wildflowers."

"Avasi," Raurlin and Baldev turns his smile to Raurlin.

"Yes My King. Avasi is the name of a cliffside along a waterfall that is covered in the Avasi wildflowers. It is said that I am of the lineage that discovered Avasi. Baldev is the Old Tongue for explorer."

Naomi looks from Baldev to Raurlin and Raurlin nods his agreement, confirming Baldev's words. "I used to travel to the Avasi cliffside when I was a boy. You'll remember Jax. We travelled as winter was coming to an end through the snows of Ketevik. On the travel the snow melted to water that seeped into the land and birthed the wildflowers. Those memories from my boyhood are perhaps my favourite. My aeturnum..."

Raurlin pauses as Horatio walks into the room carrying a silver tray with tall glasses filled with blood. The smell is rich and it fills the room quickly. Naomi's eyes dart to the tray then to Soraya who is clenching down on her teeth hard. Naomi is certain she is clutching her hands into fists in her lap. She wants to reach out and take hold of her hand. As if reading her mind Sarah slips a hand off the table and to Soraya. Once the glasses are placed in front of everyone Raurlin calls for Horatio as he walks to the door.

"Come old man," Raurlin teases lightly, "sit. We're reminiscing." Raurlin pauses as Horatio drops into a seat in the furthest seat at the table. "I was saying, my aeturnum," Raurlin reaches a hand to Naomi and Naomi slips her fingers through his. "It is going to come out anyway so I'd rather share it now, in my own way. That evening when you came to my aid and saved my life, I was certain I had died. My body was weak and I couldn't lift a finger but I became surrounded by the smell of wildflowers. I thought that perhaps the passage to the Great After was through the happiest of memories of my life. I came to and you were curled up on my bed. You were the wildflowers, my happiest memory, my Avasi wildflower."

Naomi tightens her hold on Raurlin's hand, his pulse seems to run from his fingers into Naomi's hand. She knows their hearts are beating perfectly in sync. In perfect harmony. Everyone around their table is supernatural and if they cannot hear it they can feel it. Raurlin's eyes seep a rich golden glow. Naomi can't help the smile on her face. They are in perfect harmony. Even if it is only momentary.

Jackson reaches for his glass and he raises it. The table mimics him and Naomi watches as they do, her hand remaining intertwined with Raurlin's. "To the King and the Queen," Jackson toasts and the words are echoed around them.