He laughed softly and helped the child off his lap before tucking his chair into the table to confront his meal.  He didn't start serving himself until he was sure either of them were going to eat also...it was rude to break bread before company, after all.  "I am curious, Ladies, as to the nature of these tests I would face?  Feats of mean strength, or are they of guile and will?"<br/><br/>He sat straight backed, looking from Shera to Maki in turn curiously, wondering if it were against 'the rules' to tell him anything of the tests in advance, and unless they were to start bombarding him with questions he wasn't sure where else to carry the conversation.  Social niceties were all well and good, but his somewhat brunt nature (or so particularly soft-skinned and pompous Nobility were concerned) had been a fine excuse to avoid many courtly intrigues.