A slow clap could be heard originating from the banquet table.  “Quite a display the Dynasty graces House Itugan with and indeed only matched by their loyalty and friendship.”<br/><br/>Music ceased to play as the words exited the aged lips of the man who now stood.  While he leaned heavily on the cane at his side there was no slur to his speech to indicate an addled mind from age or drink.  Cyrillic Itugan did not stand as straight as he might have at one time nor did his voice command the same weight as when he stood at the front of a carrier group, but no less those here would obey.  Faintly the sound of the choir echoed from the walls perfectly set for acoustics.  The dim laughter of a noble woman was abruptly silenced with a sharp crack of a leather glove, her voice sobering up quickly.  The man stood stall at the dinner table, his wife quietly sipping at her wine as she awaited his words.  Much to her disgust his next words carried forth the shame of her husband’s House.<br/><br/>“I am aware that many of you know of our misdeeds of late and of our disfavor.  Hell, I owe debts to many of those gathered here tonight.”  The last sentence was spoken with a sharp laugh that drew only a nervous ripple from many gathered.  A few of the guards presented twitched their gloved hands over stun batons in case some laughed only a little too hard.  “I make no excuses for the failings of my House, but I do make reprimands.  No man or woman of House Itugan has ever faulted on their debt and this does not start on my watch.  Beneath my roof are gathered the greatest children of my line, the best of my loins.”<br/><br/>At his side the Lady near coughed into her wine glass before setting the liquid aside.  “Already their ships are prepared and their crews ready to set sail.  Not sense the time of my ancestor, Itugan himself, was such an undertaking as this attempted.  Tonight these legends to be born will dine with each of you, grace you with their presence and in centuries time your children will speak of how their ancestors dined with such heroes for the Empire.”  There was a boom of the cane to the floor.  The banquet table was neatly pulled apart by some mechanical device that drew each side apart so the elderly man could step forward.<br/><br/>Gnarled fingers reached up to stroke a whitening beard as the man stood at the edge of the stage.  His wife moved to stand, doing her best to not be caught off guard despite the liquor flowing in her veins.  A beauty at one time she could have stunned an audience with a glance.  Even today her powers of the physical were impressive, enough to keep the hearts of many men willing to dare the wrath of House Itugan for a glimpse of her bedroom.  A long dress of sheer black covered her body, the material thickening and darkening as bits of flesh most desired might come into view.  Jewels of platinum and gold dangled from her body like stars lighting up the night sky.  When she walked there was silk to her body and a soft touch given to her husband’s shoulder.<br/><br/>“Step forward my children, step forward so they might recognize your faces.”<br/><br/>Slowly, from amongst the crowd and from behind the table, came those members of the House Itugan family still remaining.  First to emerge was the hardened body of Child Tayang Itugan.  Scars were etched on the man’s grizzled face as if he had fought in the pits of some forgotten society.  Oiled armor was worn proudly on his hulking frame, but the edges were worn and the leather cracked so that others could tell this armor was more than just for show.  Even at his back did he wear the equipment of his placement with a massive war blade descending.  He stood proud before his grandfather, only growling a little at the slaves closest.<br/><br/>More emerged to follow the lead of the figure.  Men and women of many races and ancestry, though each showed the sharp features and almond eyes of Cyrillic Itugan.  As they gathered a faint whisper of flesh could be felt on Xanatov’s cheek.  Nails painted the deepest shade of red glinted mysteriously as they brushed over and away from him.  Dark eyes moved to touch on the others assembled around him as she continued to move, her body turning so that her long legs paced backward.  Lightly did her fingertips touch her lips and lighter still did she suckle at their edge.  “Come cousin, your patriarch commands and you must obey.”  A playful and scornful whistle was given before she turned around, moving not to the ranks forming of offspring but instead past to the chairs arranged behind the stage.<br/>