<div class="floatright">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/thumb/0/0f/Xinshi.jpg/424px-Xinshi.jpg)<br/>Xinshi The Herald (https://www.myth-weavers.com/sheet.html#id=1206793)<br/></div><br/>The entrance of more of the newly inducted members did not escape the bard's notice, even if he did not immediately speak on them.<br/><br/>The nondescript Lil blended with the walls and shadows, watching the others while mapping out her escape routes.  As they matched gazes momentarily, he gave her a small nod of the forehead.<br/><br/>The half-orc.  Now there was an interesting mix of features, both racial and cultural.  Something borrowed, something Tian, something savage, something ...something ...something.  She exuded a sense of<em>'Stay Away!'</em>like a powerful perfume, and the bard smiled to himself, wondering who would be the first unfortunate to not heed the warning.<br/><br/>Gilead's approach and friendly gesture drew a smile of thanks from Xinshi.  Picking a choice cut of meat, he gestured with his hand and floated the moist morsel to his lips while fastidiously biting into the juicy bits, avoiding the dripping and messiness.  Chewing politely before swallowing, he withdrew a napkin from nowhere and dabbed his mouth before speaking.<br/><br/>"Business?  It is as well as can be expected... people will always want entertainment, news, and someone to deliver both across distances.  I count myself fortunate that most entrust me with their intimate secrets and thoughts, to be passed along to their loved ones.  I suppose if business ever dries up, I will know that I have lost the trust of the people."<br/><br/>When Vulra was pointed out by Gilead, he chuckled and shook his head.<br/><br/>"I can't say that I know much...  but if she's here you can be sure she's reasonably dangerous.  You could of course, invite her closer.  If you're lucky, she won't puff up larger in a burst of bright colors..."<br/><br/>He then pointed out Sanosuke.<br/><br/>"Here's another of the wanderers that might be Tian.  I'd wager from Minata, or maybe Shokuro.  He's got the hungry look of a fighter looking for death though...  Probably one of those types who slurs  his words in an effort to seem more low-class and brutish than he actually is, make others underestimate him.  I'd wager he's got a past that makes it hard to sleep."<br/><br/>When Triss sidled up to their table, Xinshi remained equanimous but his eyes flickered over her figure with half-lidded disinterest, even though he wore a welcoming smile.  Since she did not address him, he did not comment or speak up, but merely observed her tete a tete with Sanosuke.<br/><br/>Similarly when Kie approached and engaged Gilead and Triss, the bard remained crouched on his table perch, seemingly unconcerned with being overlooked and ignored.  He listened with a benign smile, picking with an unseen hand at his sanguine roast, popping small morsels into his mouth as the others talked amongst themselves.