The meal is excellent. Cali employs a chef of great skill, if this meal is any indication. Your servants quietly wait in the corners of the room for you. They are very good and not disturbing you. Even your "servant" with the weapon case maintains his quite, standing by the door with the case held under one arm.
At length, perhaps four hours later, there is a small tone that sounds from the door. Without waiting for orders from you, she heads to the door. You note that one of the male servants quietly moves to stand near you, and the other one positions himself between you and the doorway. You have seen such things before - they are positioning themselves to protect you should an enemy be at the door. Basima takes a quick glance at the room to make sure everyone is ready, and opens the door.
You see Arienne, dressed now in a long, loose white linen wrap, belted at the waist with a blue rope belt so that tassels dangle from her left hip. She bows, arms held out from her sides.
"Nightshade, I bring greetings from my uncle. He apologizes for the delay. He is ready to meet with you now."
Arienne leads you through a series of corridors - all of them empty. You and she (and your weapon-bearer) are the only sentients you see. There are not even any droids to be seen. The entire sprawling estate could be emplty, for all you know. The corridors form something of a maze - even you would have difficulty finding your way around in this place without a guide.
At last you come to a large, ornate gilded door.
Arienne stops and turns to you.
"It is custom among my people to bow when meeting the head of a household. Palms together indicates supplication. Arms wide indicates friendship. I do not know your purpose full purpose, but it would be best to frame it in the manner of your bow. Cali will offer you food and drink. It would be rude to refuse, but wait until Cali eats before you take anything. It would also be respectful to wait to bring up your business until Cali asks. We will enter, and wait to be recognized. You should wait for me to present you."
Without waiting for a response, she opens the door and the two of you enter the room.
This is a huge chamber, probably 100 meters on a side. The room is dark, except for a central platform where a very corpulent man with dark hair sits on a pile of cushions. A younger, lithe man sits on cushions to Cali's right hand. Two other men sit on cushions in front of Cali, engaged in what appears to be a tense conversation. The two men are wearing rougher clothing, but in the same general style.
Four elevated walkways lead from other doors to the central platform. The darkness beside the walkways is impenetrable.
The landing on which you stand is brightly lit, and though the men on the dais are only 45 meters from you, you cannot hear a word that is being said.
Arienne stands there attentively, hands clasped before her waist.
After about a minute, the two men speaking with whome you presume to be Cali rise, give a supplicant bow, and leave via a different raised walkway. Another servant is waiting for them at the door, and they depart. You hear nothing when the great doors close.
Cali then looks at Arienne. "Arienne, my dear! What have you brought me?"
Arienne bows, her palms pressed together. "My undying love and affected, Uncle, and my life to your service."
You sense something then - a ripple? and the mood on the dias seems to change slightly. You note the lithe young man shift position on the cushions, putting a leg beneath him, likely so as to be able to more readily rise.
Cali, without missing a beat, responds. "And who is with you, my dear?"
Still in the bow, she adds, "Nigthshade of the Shinobi Clan of the Nekami people. He comes bearing news of Trax, a friend of your house."
He claps his hands together, his jowls shakking as he laughs. "Yes! Come down, please come down. Join us Arienne, for you know Trax as well. Welcome, Nightshade, to my humble home. Come, both of you, and join me."
[Presuming you bowed with Arienne, what sort of bow did you give?]
