Book One, Chapter One, Post Eight

As he does his best to engage in the small talk that utterly bores him, Flynn tries to keep an eye on the door as more guests arrive. While he finds most of them unremarkable, the Pale Elf is far enough from normal to catch his eye. He shifts to watch the stiff figure for a moment, and Flynn’s hand goes to his thick, salted beard at a thought. Almost on a whim, he excuses himself from his current conversation, grabs a flute of champagne, and makes his way over to the elf who seems to be trying so hard not to be seen.

"You look a long way from home, friend," Flynn says as he approaches. He offers the alcohol in an extend hand. "I think you are here same reason as the rest of us. Might do you well to unwind a bit. Too many sticks in the mud as it is."

Sabal accepts the flute but does not drink. "Thank you.” He pauses, staring out over the crowd. Then, “I doubt very much that the circumstances that brought me here are similar to yours. Regardless, I would not dwell on the past. The only path is forward." Sabal twirls the champagne flute in his fingers before falling completely still again.

"Different circumstances, yes. But similar reasons. Look around you." Flynn begins to point to the various groups that had started to form. "Skittish. Scared. Boisterous. Hungry. Indifferent. It matters not what we are, I think. More, where we are. Why would someone go through the trouble of gathering us all here without a good reason?" He locks eyes with the elf just long enough to make things uncomfortable.

In an attempt to change the subject, Sabal says, "You seem unusually comfortable approaching one if my kind. My experience with surface dwellers has generally been less... welcoming."

"If we do wind up venturing out, it helps to know who was your back. As the only one alone, it wouldn't do to have you run off scared before the fun even begins. So here I am. Flynn Alexandros. Flynn."

"My name is Sabal. I admit that I don't know much about why I or anyone is here... except that necessity brought me here." Sabal looks at his feet. "If I can be of use to someone, then that is good."

"Then let necessity feed you, too.”