>>5827978"I had no idea that there is a restaurant that serves food from Calimshan this far north," says Amaranth. "I take it that this is the first time you've been here as well?" You nod, placing your hands at your sides. Swallowing spit, you try to strike up a conversation, failing to settle on a meaningful topic. Why now, of all times, must you be struck dumb?
"Selamün aleyküm!" Cheers an unfit human male, who steps forward to greet the two of you. Though he dresses as the local surfacers do, his tawny skin and the bizarre cylindrical scarlet hat featuring a prominent black tassel resting upon his head betray him as a foreigner. "I can help you two?" He asks, extending his hand toward Amaranth, who then shakes it vigorously. Initially, you believe that you will be expected to do so as well, though the foreigner merely inclines his head in your direction in acknowledgement.
Amaranth speaks, and the two carry on a conversation in a soft, melodic language distinct from the more syllabic tongue that you have grown accustomed to. Reading their body language, the mage seems to be introducing himself - and you - while making dining arrangements. The foreigner brings the fingertips of his left hand together and rotates his hand toward his heart thrice, bowing toward the mage apologetically. Amaranth performs a similar gesture, though does so only once.
Excluded from all of this, you are left to look on in puzzlement.