[center][u][b]Dinner: Opening Feast within Twilight College Dining Hall[/b][/u][/center]

In the passing hours into evening, students and staff had been busy readying for the event that had finally reached fruition at last: the Opening Feast. A time old ceremony that had begun since the College’s move from Aerta to present estate and one that suited to shed away the school’s unsavory history. It designed make new and old students feel comfortable, a casual but still elegant event within the hallowed castle walls. Likely it would fill the aged hallways with sounds of laughter and merriment from a rather pleasant time though not all students were required to be present, Khan had tried to encourage as many as he could to precipitate. Even if it was just for the magical demonstration each teacher had prepared. 

In the Twilight College kitchen, bodies moved and busied themselves within the almost Inferno like atmosphere. The mouthwatering smells that permeated into the Dining Hall, creating causal and relaxing sense, came from the many dishes being prepared close by. While Tyrael aimed to provide most of the exotic meats, the staff had thoughtfully prepared complimentary sides. Less filling for full meals were a wide selections of soups, stews, fruits, vegetables and even bread variety to be served during the wait for the demonomacer’s main course. Each side dish’s origins ranged from the Ghannos to the Yarsomere, and even the Scorch Lands, to hopefully have something everyone would enjoy. No shortcuts or half efforts were accepted as this event was Twilight’s pride and joy. Several hours of hard work and endless activity later had produced the best, the final details now fussed over by the Head Chef’s bellowing reminders. His own hands busied with knife in hand and smoked eel being cut up into smaller chucks before distributed upon the waiting plate then shoved to a large table near the exit. Each finished dish was proudly displayed, ready and quickly snatched up by demon or golem to deposit it on a main area table in a fashion they chose best. 

Just across from the Dining Hall entrance, the wall behind the table containing the Twilight’s current teachers was a rack system that held all the drinks for the evening. So many choices, it filled the wall behind the teacher’s table and promise everyone would’ve found a favorite. There was a variety of wines, ale, liquors, and even nonalcoholic cordials. Key favorites imported from Ghannos like strong Wood Elf Rose Wine to Yarsomere’s Dragon Spite Liquor, even a Scorch Land favorite called Ember served piping hot and burned on the way down with a sharp butter scotch taste. All these gathered to satisfy those of different tastes and pleasures, all thanks to Lucilia’s skill. 

At the head table, Khan sat in his chair waiting for the students to begin to pour in. The first thing they would notice would be the room’s vast size, both in height and width, like some grand ballroom. Banners baring the College’s sigil were draped to cover walls made from tightly sealed stone akin to the rest of the Castle foundation. Already some of the first had started to arrive, faces ranged in excited to timid but all absorbed the sights and smells. Scattered throughout the room were numerous rounded tables that were elegantly carved and stood on claw ball footing, customized by Val to situation most the student body’s many races. From the tall Esyires to the smaller statured Snow Elves, there was rarely a race uncounted for that didn’t regularly cross Twilight College’s threshold. On closer inspection, most tables still remained in decent condition yet to the craftsman’s eye, it was clear many had been repaired countless times over the years. 

Khan’s body leaned back, his eyes drifted to his goblet filled with rather powerful Dwarven ale. One that even after a few glasses would’ve knocked even a Dwarf on his ass. The strong scent had a heavy peppermint smell. It wafted and roughly demanded his attention; odd colored eyes lingered over the three vials lying next to the base. At some point he would have to pour one in as directed by Samuel, repeating the process with the next two in refills, throughout the night. However he couldn’t drink more than one glass of the Dwarven ale, even if it was best to eliminate the bitter and pungent taste the anti-venom had. Ember was his next choice and second best. The vail contents would ease and lessen the paralyzing effects that came from it. Personally Khan would’ve ridden it out rather than down the nasty stuff but he didn’t sense Sam would allow that. Not to forget the older man might’ve notified a few of the other teachers, including Uicle and Lucilia, to makes sure the Headmaster drank them. Not just stored them away to forget. 

The thought made his eyes wondered over those seated next to him. He was in the center, his figure surrounded on either side by the attending teacher from each mageblood school. Save for one. Joseph Windsor had become ill thanks to a sickness that had plagued him for several days and instead of asking for the Noxomancer’s aid, he decided to allow Uicle to do a demo in his stead. The Snow elf had preferred to heal naturally rather to allow his body to grow immunity for the next time. It was pity but in the end Khan respected the Snow Elf’s decision. Again his attention returned to the three innocent looking vials, mentally debating on what to do. Consciously he flipped the napkin over them and hid them from sight, a faint hope he could get away with forgetting them during the Feast. Even if the numbness and tingling had reached his elbow by now.