Lhurriel laughed aloud, sounding more like the carefree, tomboyish mage she had been for most of the day. She fairly sparkled in the dress, with her hair done rather carelessly (it fell loosely, lightly waved because it had been tied back for most of the day) and a fresh, unadorned face free of paints and makeup. Her mere simplicity only served to outline her freshness and a naturally pretty face, and even if her physique wasn't as developed as some men might prefer, the silken gown she had on did much to exaggerate what she had and make the most of her petite and lithe form.<br/><br/>"Thank you so very much. And if your faces were any indication of how I looked, I'd say I rather succeeded in my attempt to shock and surprise you boys," she teased, winking at the diners seated around the table. Lhurriel wasn't vain, as far as women went; in reality, she didn't care much about her appearance at all. But there were times when it was simply relaxing and wonderful to be complimented on her looks - to be described as<em>ravishing</em>and<em>stunning</em>instead of as<em>competent</em>and<em>reliable</em>,<em>powerful</em>and<em>skilled</em>. And while being complimented on her skills as a mage and efficiency as a worker was wonderful, Lhurriel often enjoyed (in a rather sadistic fashion) surprising, shocking, and stunning everyone she knew by wearing a flattering dress that made her look like a female instead of a mage.<br/><br/>Or at least, it made her look like more than just some sexless mage, which she knew was how some at the Palace viewed her.<br/><br/>Knowing that some of the men were quite uncomfortable, Ree began chattering about current news and some national events, as well as troop movements in the South and some current. Corsair was very surprised, even though he always knew that the lady-mage was a very formidable young woman indeed, both as a mage, as a person, as a royal advisor, and as a woman. He watched silently (while eating the courses servants brought promptly to the table) as Ree engaged in coversation with two of the guards at once, bringing up discussion and debating with them about national policy regarding the environment, magic regulation, business, the economy, and other topics including religion, the nomadic Border Clans, possibility of invasion, and recent discoveries of magical artifacts and scholarly tomes. Soon, Rowhik and William were debating the merits of faster magicycles versus longer crystal life, while Ghestin, Tolan, and Ree were discussing in a rather spirited fashion the current national politics, and the next few candidates who were considering nomination into the Advisory Council.<br/><br/>From time to time, Ree glanced over at Kaeden, wondering why he remained silent for much of the time. However, she quickly lowered her eyes and took a healthy bite out of her slice of meat before Kae could catch her watching him, and turned back her several conversations. After ensuring that Ghestin and Tolan were arguing quite merrily away, she turned to William and exclaimed in outrage when she saw that he had received the delicate, wonderfully delicious strawberry souffle that Corsair's chef had made a masterpiece of.<br/><br/>"Corsair! You never told me that your cook made strawberry souffle!" She accused. "And I only get a bowl of fruit?" She said, put out.<br/><br/>Corsair tried not to laugh. He'd expected this reaction. "Whenever you begin eating sweets, you get so incredibly energetic. And you need your sleep tonight," he said severely, his tone suddenly becoming like that of a disapproving elder sibling's. Lhurriel pouted, quite unhappy with the answer... but had to hide her smirk when a mischevious idea came into her head. William did have the dessert, after all... and she had always loved flirting. She didn't get<em>nearly</em>enough opportunity to do so.<br/><br/>She finagled her way over to the other side of the table, with servants cheerfully doing her bidding and dragging a chair over next to William. "William, can't I please have a bite of your dessert? I'm really sorry for not listening to you earlier," she apologized, looking properly chastised. Blushing and brushing her hair behind one ear with one hand, she glanced up at him.<br/><br/>"I know it's rather rude of me to ask, but I just LOVE eating desserts, and this is my favorite." She smiled winningly, the picture of feminine perfection in the lush gown, rosy blush, and sparkling, lively eyes.