It was a happy occasion and one Handy did not wish to spoil with his presence, but life as the servant of a king rarely deferred to one's wishes. As a non-communicant of the religion of the All-Maker, Handy felt it prudent to stand at the back of the temple, as out of sight as possible without being rude, yet still ultimately present. He felt awkward and out of place at most public gatherings like this even in the best of circumstances, say, where everyone else happened to be the same species as him. He felt worse about it now and for once cursed his own reputation for making him feel even more awkward. Still, he couldn't leave or excuse himself.