"A pleasure," Inara says, curtseying gracefully.

Dal-Varja is pleased by the curtsy, Dal-Karand appears mildly amused.

"Likewise," Dal-Karand replies smiling charmingly. "Lovely dress, maybe you can teach Dal-Yora's grandsons a thing or two about fashion. I asked if the family is going to the South Reef next season and do you know what they said? This one asked what sort of disaster relief we could expect there and the other asked about the beaches. I could hear my ancestors gasp."

"Oops," Feliaris said apologetically, but smiling.

"To be fair," Dal-Varja adds, "the beaches are lovely if you ward yourself heavily against bugs and there are some exquisite fashion disasters."

"Which led to the discussion of the negative influence of the MET gala in Elan fashion."

"I'm not sure I'd call it negative," Inara comments. "After all, if we didn't have the MET gala as a standard, how would we know who was truly exquisitely dressed? Comparing good fashion to good fashion can sometimes be a chore. And very occasionally something good comes from it."

"Nothing against innovation, my dear. But too many designers compromise," Dal-Karand says the word like it's a terrible sin, "and try to be the next big thing by adding LEDs light at everything and suddenly I am having flashbacks of a hundred and seventy years ago, when everyone was using glowing glass on everything. I would leave the atelier with a tan."

"Hey, if it means you don't have to deal with the bugs at the beach."

Dal-Varja turns her gaze down at Dal-Ambre. "Forgive my memory, but I can't recall where I know you from." Which is a very meaningfully veiled way to say that she doesn't know.

Dal-Ambre smiles and politely explains who herself and her husband are. "We hadn't had the pleasure or honour of making your acquaintance before now."

"Oh, I heard of your investments," Dal-Varja comments, "I have a distant cousin that's interested in that sort of thing."

"Aw, don't sell your friendship with Dal-Tiron so short." Dal-Yora comments. "Specially, because it's so great to surround yourself with business-minded people." She smiles at Dal-Ambre.

"Indeed."

"Well," Inara says, "If you're going to be talking business, if you don't mind, I'm going to steal Teronmas and Feliaris?"

Dal-Yora laughts jovially. "Please do, far from me to impose boring business talk on the young."

Teronmas and Feliaris will take the hint.

And Inara will lead the way away from the group, back towards the table she left the others at. "Apologies if you wanted to remain."

Teronmas shrugs.

"It wasn't so bad, though before the conversation about fashion they might have been fishing for information or something." When they reach the table he says. "Hello, guys."

'Chelle waves. "I trust you weren't too bored?"

"Honestly, I just needed a bit of a break from Mother."

"As it happens, but I am glad for the chance to talk to you guys." He waves at the table. "Hey, didn't we work together at some point?"

"Yes! At the trip to reinforce that old fort's walls?"

"That was me. But it's always fun having mistaken twin identities stories with people that have not interacted with us for more than ten minutes."

"How are you two doing?" Feliaris asks Parafi and Ima.

"I- uh. Alright?" He's a little overwhelmed, but it could be worse.

"People have been behaving both more and less like characters in a drama, but things are good."

"Oh, gosh, I hope I didn't-"

"Oh don't lie, Ina, you'd love to be in a telenovela."

Ima giggles. "You absolutely did and you would."

Inara laughs. "I suppose I can't deny either of those points. I suppose it is something of a...result of my upbringing."