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Feyrahl, SoFurry Edition

Not Without Recourse, Ch 2.3

Mac hadn't been made aware that Khosk's implied council meeting would be the very day after he brought it up but, early that morning the Human found himself standing on a step stool facing his bodyguard as the Lion attempted to help him with tying off with an ascot tie. Even as he gazed into Khosk's eyes, basically the same height as his body guard for once, he felt compelled to ask what he perceived as one of the least important questions of the morning, but definitely the most pertinent to that moment. "Why are you helping me dress, exactly?"

He'd felt Khosk's iron grip and the force with which the rather insistent Lion was capable of exerting when he wanted his way, but it was a surprising change of pace to experience how meticulous, careful, and gentle he could be as tawny-gold paws gingerly made his clothing 'just so'. While getting the cravat 'just right', Khosk's lips were twisted slightly to the side, nose crinkled and tongue threatening to stick out of the side of his muzzle, and he spoke out of the corner of his mouth. "You are presenting yourself before a council of scholars. Being summoned to a meeting like that is a high honor. Your manner of dress is important and I do not want you to embarrass yourself."

Mac blinked, questioning just how altruistic his bodyguard could be, and he gave voice to the thought in his head. "Because that would reflect poorly on you?"

Khosk offered a succinct nod as he apparently got the neck cloth how he wanted it, then locked gazes with him and nodded a second time. "Yes, Millman. I am glad you understand what is at stake."

Waiting until the Lion turned away before rolling his eyes, Mac glanced down at the outfit his bodyguard had selected for him. It definitely felt 'courtly'; it was silken and felt incredibly smooth (and expensive), there were many layers to it, and the variety of colors and patterns were definitely 'excessive' compared to the generally muted, single-color earth tones he preferred when he was at the university. That realisation brought another question to mind. "Khosk... if this is a council of scholars, are you sure I should be dressed like some kind of court-attendant-person?

The Lion began gathering up some the clothes that had been discarded on the floor during the impromptu fashion exploration. "The word you are looking for is 'courtier', Millman-- and, yes. You are going to be in the Emperor's presence within the court so you should be dressed for it."

With no further guide available, Mac realized that he couldn't get a second opinion, and so, seeing that Khosk didn't seem to have any objection to him stepping off the stool, the Human did so, wriggling his bare feet against the short, soft throw rug. "So... is it normal to go into court without anything on your feet?"

The Lion placed the extra clothes haphazardly into a large wooden chest then turned to regard him. "For me? Sometimes. For you? No. I had an attendant bring shoes. They will be waiting out in the hall."

True to form, the moment Khosk opened the door Mac noticed a small, nondescript box. The Lion reached down and collected it, turning back to close the door before extending the container to the Human. "I trust you can put your own slippers on."

It was almost a question, but definitely came across as more of a statement. Accepting the box, Mac went to take a seat on his bed and opened the box, pausing at what he saw. The footwear within looked to be intricately stitched and sewn slippers with silver and golden thread filigree. While they were obviously of exquisite make, the Human couldn't feel that they came across as something he might expect a mature woman to wear, rather than a male college graduate. Not exactly sure how the gender differentiation worked among the Feyrahlians, he hoped a vague question would help clear that up. "Uh... Khosk? Do you think these are appropriate?"

The Lion came over, peering down into the box. "Yes. Species who are expected to wear footwear put on slippers in the council halls. These were made with you in mind. Try them on to ensure they fit. I do not want you to stumble and fall when you are presented before the council of scholars."

It was as much of an answer as Mac could have expected. Delaying no longer, he set the slippers down onto the floor and slid in first his right foot then his left, wiggling his toes before standing up; he was surprised at how comfortable they were, and they fit perfectly. "Wow... these are great."

Khosk offered a succinct nod. "Good. Then we may leave. Come... I will take you to the council. They will be gathering soon."

Mac followed the Lion out, shaking his arms to get a feel for the light cloth that served as the sleeves of the long shirt he wore beneath a slightly thicker, much heavier vest. He also turned his body, rolling his shoulders several times to get a feel for the cloak he had on; Mac had never worn a cloak before. Out of his entire ensemble, the trousers were probably the most comfortable: light and breathable material that allowed a full range of motion of his legs, without pulling or chafing-- the trousers, or perhaps the slippers. He had to admit that, despite how 'young grandma' they looked, they really were well fitted.

He hadn't noticed that Khosk had stopped ahead of him until he ran into the Lion. That got an indignant response. "What are you doing, Millman?"

The Human suddenly became very aware of how the random movements of his body must have looked while testing the fit of his new clothing. His face immediately flushed, feeling sheepish and self-conscious after being called out. "I was just seeing how the... um... how my... uh... nothing."

His bodyguard scowled. "Well stop it. You are supposed to make a good impression, and you will not do it by... 'dancing'."

Mac wasn't about to clarify that he wasn't dancing, but he figured it really didn't matter at that point. Eager to change the topic, the Human asked "So... this council... they're going to decide if they'll let me continue to learn from Asha?"

Khosk continued walking again, his pace as quick as usual. "That, or perhaps decide your skills would be better served elsewhere."

The response was something that shouldn't have made Mac feel so warm on the inside, but, even if it was in a round-about way, he was fairly sure he just got a compliment from Khosk. Still, the way the Lion put that statement called a very big question to the forefront of his mind. "So... I don't get a say in what I do with my knowledge?"

The Lion grunted, his voice quiet, and accompanied by what sounded like a frustrated growl. "If the Emperor decides otherwise? No."

Mumbling to himself, Mac was doubly careful to make sure his "Hooray for despotic monarchies." was not heard by his bodyguard.

Khosk stopped outside the intricately carved double-doors Mac had only seen on the day of his arrival. In his usual blunt fashion, the Lion stated "Shut up, Millman. We're here."

With no further announcement, and maintaining minimal pomp and circumstance, Khosk parted the doors, then stepped in, moving to the side before nodding to an immaculately dressed Lemur (at least, it looked like a Lemur), who immediately announced at a shout "Sir Mackenzie Millman, of the Independent Nation of Kallay For'Enyah."

Mac was stunned by yet another mangling of the pronunciation of his home state, but not long enough to get more than a stink-eye from his bodyguard. Stepping forward quickly, the Human began his trek down the long, thin carpet toward the raised dais where the Emperor sat on his large pillow. The Elephant was flanked on one side by the strange two-headed Rottweiler who had been introduced as Feyrahl's Mystic, a gruff-looking Badger man, Rolin, and Asha. He wasn't sure whether he was more surprised to see the mixed-breed Ranger or the Impala woman, but he resolved to avoid showing any emotions and keep things professional.

The Emperor wasted little time, gesturing to Mac. "Let it be known that Honorable Mister Millman has responded to summons before the Council of Scholars in order to present himself and provide references for his knowledge."

The two heads of the Rottweiler Mystic spoke in unison. "Noted."

Continuing, the Elephant began speaking in a near monotone regarding the various activities that Mac had undertaken and the discussions he'd had with Asha during his time observing her in her shop. Once he concluded the list, he then turned to her. "Is this a fair assessment of your experience with Good Mister Millman?"

The Impala bowed her head. "It is, your Imperial Majesty."

There was a lengthy span of silence from the several individuals on the raised dais until the Mystic's right head spoke up. "Tell me, Initiate... do you know much about brewing or distillation?"

The left head, who had, up until that moment, seemed only vaguely interested in the proceedings shot the right head a glance. "This council was not called to find you an outlet for learning new techniques for alcohol consumption, Lor."

The right head countered without so much as batting an eye. "Both techniques require attention to detail and a keen intellect, Lehig. It is a valid question."

Despite the Mystic arguing with himself, the eyes on him made it evident that he was supposed to answer the question. "I know the basics of both distillation and brewing, but, depending on the alcohol content desired the techniques will differ. If I had the right equipment I'm confident I could create ethanol, methanol, and isopropyl alcohol depending on the need. As far as brewing goes, with the right starter I--" his words slowed as he trailed off as many confused eyes stared at him.

The Emperor was the first to speak, his tone neutral with a hint of tempered interest. "You had said 'ethanol', and 'methanol' and 'isopropyl'. Please define these words for us, Gentle Mister Millman."

Mac tried to keep it simple, spending a few minutes explaining the difference between alcohols, and how one was to drink, another was for fuel, and a third was for medicinal purposes. While Lehig seemed to follow everything he was saying, Lor was obviously paying the most attention to the drinking variety while the Human gained the Badger's attention with the word 'fuel', while Asha and Rolin seemed to be the most interested with his reference of medicine. If that had been the end of the meeting Mac would have considered it a fine meet-and-greet, but the Emperor was not done with his questions.

An hour later, Mac felt as though he'd had to given an oral report on a chemistry thesis, but, for the most part he was quite confident in his answers. Apparently he made a good impression because, rather than wait for an answer to whether or not he'd be able to 'practice science', the Emperor wasted no time in making his decision. "Let it be known that, henceforth, Good Mister Millman will be permitted to work with the great Feyrahlian minds for the betterment of the Empire. He will be given a two moon stipend, and will be acknowledged as am official retainer of this court."

Mac honestly didn't know what all of that meant, but, based on the smiles from those gathered, he was willing to presume it was something good. Khosk's paw came to rest on his shoulder, and gave it a gentle pat; the Human was honestly surprised at how good it felt to get the dour lion's approval... even if it was as simple as it was. Things did not end there, however, as the Emperor dictated that Mac would also receive the patronage and mentorship of one of the great scholars... he had only to choose which one.