The child nodded smiling as she carefully, but still rather fast cut up the potatoes, her tail swaying back and forth with each chop she did, jade eyes focused on it with a small sweet purr. She swayed and put a little bit of water in a pot onto the stove, heating it up for tea as she filled a small metal tea ball with a couple of fruity herbs, murring sweet and happy. Bounced back to the potatoes and continued to slice them up, sliding them into a bowl as she passed it to M, smiling a little shy and nervous.

M kept an eye on Rumiel as she worked, while still doing her own thing. The beef was cooked so she put it aside in a bowl while she sautéd some onions in the beefy oil. With that done she placed in an abundance of broth to start simmering the veggies. "We still need some carrots, and spices. Would you like to cut the carrots while I mince some garlic and put in the spices?"

She nodded silently tail swaying back and forth as she grabbed up a couple handfuls of carrots, quickly, almost in a trance she chopped them. Her jade eyes were bright and focused on the task, ears perking straight up.

"You're quite good at this." M mumbled, not really meaning to say it aloud but couldn't help her impressed comment. M put in the rest of the pepper, salt, garlic, rosemary and some other herbs. "Okay it's ready for your carrots and potatoes. Then we just cover and let it sit for a few hours." M sent her another smile before putting in the beef and starting to stir it together while Rumiel places the other items in.

The after dropping the items in the child wiggled around a little excitedly, peeking away. The shy girl then just perked up her ears and tail as she trilled out. "M..Ma..master taught me how so I could cooks for him~ He.. a..also likes tea.." Whimpered gazing down lonely as she hugged to herself tightly.

M grabbed the tea that had been almost finished by the time they were and poured some for the both of them before setting the kettle back on the fire next to the pot. She brought the two cups to a table and took a seat setting one across from her and keeping the other in her grasp. She'd need to get in some more comfortable clothes later, and attempt to get her dragonous features put away again as well. A sigh escaped her lip at the relaxation of the tea after taking a sip. She listened to Rumiel with her eyes shut and the tea held close to her lips even when not sipping. "Very good," murmuring about the taste. M knew about slaves and subs and whatnot from roaming the lower areas during war. It was a shame. "It seems you're better off with just what he taught you and that's it." Meaning Rumiel had learned things from someone she was better off without in her life, and that was the only benefit. A small attempt to let Rumiel know she didn't have to speak of it unless she wished.

A girl who seemed to consist only of few colors - silver and white, purple and black, slipped inside, along with the shadows, from inside. At first, before she came closer to one of the tables, most of the present people didn't even notice it.
After a moment, though, she sat down on one the stools, looking around, for a moment seeming nearly lost, lonely and sad, but it was gone in blink of an eye.

Without even opening her eyes the woman had started at the newcomer, "Welcome. Might I get you anything?" Her dragon-like features may frighten some, but her peaceful manner seems rather harmless as she sat there sipping a cup of tea as if she was asleep.

"No," the reply came harsh, but was quickly followed by softer tone: "no, thank you." Shadow Mask realized she did not have to be hostile here, but it had become second nature to her. She looked at the two present in mess hall and wondered what had brought them here... Stories of beings around her fascinated her, although, she usually had to be concerned only about ending them.

The woman hadn't even seemed to acknowledge the cruel manner she had spat out at first. She wasn't one to judge when she was the very same way at times after a hard fight. "If you need anything please let me or Rumiel know," obviously speaking about the child that sat with her.

"I will," Shadow Mask nodded, and then seemingly froze. It was hard to tell if she was even breathing. Her gaze was pointed at some meaningless spot on wall and minutes passed as she looked at it. Then, just as suddenly, she stood up and went to a corner where the light did not reach so well and her hands went deep into the shadows, pulling out a heavy tome in one hand and ink with quill in other few moments later. She returned to one of the long tables and sat as far away as possible from the two and started scribbling something. As she did, the cold aura around her seemed to slowly melt away and something human, more understandable appeared.

M peeked out the corner of one of her opened eyes at the woman's movement, unable to decipher the sounds of what she had been doing. As the woman had pulled out the items from seemingly nowhere, and gone off writing with them she had felt the sudden change in the room. 'What an interesting being,' M had thought to herself.

About half hour later, Shadow Mask shut the book quietly and placed the items back wherever she had taken them from. She sat down once more, but this time closer to Ascent Arco and Feryxonis, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "Is there anything pie and tea like I could have?" she asked.

It had seemed as if M was actually sleeping during this time, jerking a bit when the woman began to speak. This place was far too comfortable, came to thought when she realized she had dozed off, tea still at hand but now cold. "There is warm tea on the stove if you like. We have stew cooking, but it won't be ready for another hour or so. Bread to hold you over till then?"

"Tea and stew does sound wonderful," Shadow Mask nodded. "I have not had anything warm to eat for.... a long time," she said thoughtfully. Certainly, not since the beginning of the festival. She did enjoy cooking in her spare time, but the girl had not had any such chance.
"You two seem familiar with this place. Are you owners, of some sort?" she said, trying to keep conversation alive, although surprised why she would even bother.

Shadow mask stiffened slightly at another person making appearance, but did not show any signs of open hostility.

M sat down her cold tea, still willing to drink it later, as she got up to serve the guest that had been with them. She mossied to the stove and filled a cup of tea and grabbed some fresh bread and butter for the woman. "I am just helping the owner for the time being. Possibly permanently if she approves." She set the morsels on the table before the woman and gave her a small smile, still not showing any emotion within her eyes. As the next guest came in and began to do her nails she looked to her with her red eyes, "Might you like some tea and bread while the stew stews?"

Tired after a long day running messages for her CO Fey slips into a quiet table, her eyes red rimmed from lack of sleep. She'd hoped to catch a bit of rest after her night of fighting, but luck hadn't been on her side. So now she sat quietly, waiting for her wits to return to her before she made back to camp for the next round of skirmishes.

Dem had fallen asleep under one of the tables and was awoken by the sound of another soldier coming in. She sleepily made her way out from under the table and smiled slightly at who she saw. "Rough day I take it?"

Peering down at the voice she smiled to see a friendly face, "Indeed, though I suppose we could say it's STILL a rough day. How was your luck on the field?"

"Quite, well, at least better than usual. Only one scar this time." She smiled wryly.

"You could go see the healer, he's quite good at preventing scars. I'll admit to enough vanity to see him regularly if I fear for that result."

She shook her head. "I don't really mind my scars."

Rubbing a hand over the last place she'd had healed, the sword wielder had nearly cut her to the bone. "A few scars are good, but some are more than I wish to own."

Dem nodded. "Aye, some are, but not many in my opinion."

Flagging down a passing server she grabs up to tankards and hands one down. "I guess I'm still vain enough to really care. Mayhaps by the end of the fight I'll stop...but that may be a long time coming."

She greatfully accepted the tankard of the liquid and pulled it up to her mouth. "We've all been through hell at some point or another in this battle, so if a couple scars is all we come out with I'd say we did well."

Recalling the not so lucky ones she'd seen on the field Fey felt the perspective all into focus. "Indeed, and at least we'll have a story to tell."

"Indeed... others..." Dem bowed her head. "Are not as lucky."

"Speaking of which, the CO was calling for all able bodies to help with identifying those that hadn't returned. If you can spread the word...it will mean much to their families." It was never fun to be the messenger, so she felt bad for whomever was sent to bear bad tidings.

"Aye, I will when I get a chance." she sighed. "It's unfortunate for a lot of these people... They never think it could happen to their loved ones... and then, when it does... It tears them apart."

"But, at least most of them stand behind their decision to fight," Fey had a bitter twist on her lips. Her family had not been so understanding, and should she fall in battle there would be no mourners at her wake.

"Mine would have, if they were still around." She thought for a moment. "Well... I guess they are. I just don't talk to them anymore."

Taking a long pull on her drink Fey met her comrade's eyes, "Then you should talk to them, before it's too late. And you're lucky that even without their presence you know of their approval."

"If I knew where to find them... Hell, it's been so many years." She ran her fingers through her hair. "But I'll certainly do my best..."

"If you need help finding them ask about, our resources are vast when pooled." And a few well placed missives, despite her families wishes, could find most anything.

"I'll consider it... Though it'll be more gratifying to try on my own first."