Karie's head lifted as her eyes drifted across the spread on the table. She took her place and quietly sat down within the obvious chair meant for her. Her blood... in food? Galos had mentioned wine, but she did not remember if he'd mentioned this prior. What a weird concept and one that angered her. The napkin was laid across her lap and she settled her hands down to rest upon it. She wanted to glance between the men so very much, but it might draw some attention to her. That was not her goal, for Karie wanted to appear as small as she felt.<br/><br/>She simply sat there, listening to them talking as if she weren't there. It was demoralizing, and yet she was relieved in a way. There was no pressure of performing other than moving through the motions. If neither of them addressed her, she would not be subject to answering in a way that would earn her punishment. She was not about to induce Galos' anger in front of this older man. How old was he? The way they talked, it reminded her of when Galos spoke of her bloodline existing back thousands of years. It really did seem as if they hadn't found one of her<i>kind</i>in some time. What unfortunate luck for her, then. A sarcastic expression flowed across her attractive features before it was wiped clean when food was set before them all.<br/><br/>The appearance of the food was... decadent, extravagant and something like you'd see in a palace of royalty or under the roof of an extremely wealthy person. Karie noticed that they kept her food far from Galos and likewise, his from her. She stared at the small, ornate morsels set before him and nearly glared. It held her blood in it and she could not believe they would consider doing this. Because her blood tasted good? Was that it? Weren't they once human? She interrupted them with a heavy sigh, not realizing it.<br/><br/>Conversation paused and she tried to sink into her chair after feeling the pair of eyes upon her. "Do you have something to say, Tal'ren child?" the sire proposed and it was as if everything in the room stopped. Even Galos had paused to look at her and she knew, if she dared to return his glance, that he would be probing her not to embarrass him or suffer the consequences.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00b3b3">"I... no, forgive the interruption,"</span>Karie began, feeling the disappointment in the room. How could she<i>feel </i>the emotion like that? So many things about this place confused her.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00b3b3">"I wonder... is there any literature concerning my uh... bloodline? I am far more ignorant than Galos and am curious myself, being hardly special for a human."</span><br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00ff00">"Ah, child. That is where you are wrong," </span>the sire began while indicating to a small piece of food that took his mild interest. A servant leaned forward to set it upon a napkin and bring it closer for him to taste. He picked it up and took a small bite, testing to see if Galos' chefs had gotten it right or not. He washed it down with some of the wine.<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#00ff00">"Tal'ren are particularly desired because of the effects your blood have on us. If there is anything written down, I am not familiar with it. No doubt one of the other houses possess such. I do remember when houses waged war, those with Tal'ren subjects easily won. That is, if they could live through the appetites of their masters. Galos. I believe this is what you are referring to. Heightened senses. Strength, agility, perception, etc. Appetites returning, for all things. Though, I've not heard it act so quickly between one of us and one of hers."</span><br/><br/>Karie bit back another sigh. That wasn't what she was talking about. She already knew they valued her blood. They also did not value her. It was so very frustrating to be diminished to simply a blood sack. The anger boiled inside but she remained calm enough to force small bites of food into her mouth and down her throat. She did not like how the conversation was going but drank the contents of her glass readily to simply give her an excuse not to speak again.