"Sabrina Periwig," said the woman next to Wicket. "I'm here with my fiancé."
"Miss Periwig, it's good to meet you," said Halliwell. "When's the blessed occasion?"
"Summer," said Periwig with a little sigh. "We're nearly done with colours, but I've had a devil of a time finding just the right dress."
"Julian and I went with bespoke for our suits," Alex sympathised, as he'd hated every moment of wedding planning, "but I suppose with a gown it's different."
"Yes, Vincent has it easy, he just has to sign off on everything and wear a tux," said Periwig. "Is your... Julian here?"
"Yes, my husband's just there, behind you," said Alex fondly. The cats had chosen to hide under the floor-length tablecloths at first, but now one poked her head up to explore what was on the table, instead. "And this is Nightshade, one of our three magical cats."
As if on cue, Cinnamon peeked around Julian to blink at Alex, and Sage jumped from the floor up to perch on Alex's shoulder. "Aaand this is Sage," he said, recovering his balance.
"They're adorable!" squeaked Adelina, putting her hand out to let Nightshade sniff. "Magic, really?"
"Really," assured Alex. "Julian and I are Guardians of the Charmer's Way, and the cats help us with some of our duties." He figured that was about all he needed to say about that, really. When Nightshade put a single paw up, Alex sent her a firm 'No,' which she chose to honour by leaving it at just the one paw.
Servants began moving around the room, bringing pots of tea to tables already stocked with cups and saucers, plates and silver, milk and sugar. They poured for everyone at the table and took the rest away, as apparently this was too formal of an event for them to leave the pot. The cats took that as their cue to vanish again, and Alex hoped it wasn't off to cause trouble.
Alex sighed and began to fix his tea, passing the sugar and cream onto the next person once his was perfect and stirring with old, remembered habits he'd had to revive for their teas with the Queen. The spoon didn't touch the sides of the cup once, but with a little hum he also distributed the sugar and milk evenly through the beverage. He took a sip and sighed, as it was a good-quality brew done to perfection by Chudleigh's excellent staff, and the perfect pick-me-up for what was likely to be a rather boring meal.
The first wave of servers retreated, but soon returned in a second wave with towers of treats to settle at each table, two per table so that there would be plenty for everyone, which Alex rather thought was his fault in some ways. The tables without magicusers would likely have a lot of leftovers, but he and Julian would put away every bite they could get and possibly ask for more.
"Now that's a generous spread!" said Wicket, chortling to himself as though he'd been terribly clever.
"Chuds never skimps on parties," said Halliwell cheerfully, reaching out to serve herself a few small items from the tray closest to her.
"Ladies first," said Alex, gesturing, and the other two women also took their choices, leaving plenty for the men.
Alex took a very full plate and reflected that it was annoying the plates were so small, as he'd have to go back several times to get even half of what he really needed. At least Alys had promised to pack them snacks.
"Everything looks delicious," said Alex, biting into a small cheese quiche. It was perfectly good, still warm and full of excellent gruyere, but somehow it lacked the delicate balance he was used to in Alys' cooking. He sent Julian a little burst of amused-spoiled that he trusted his husband would at least be entertained by, if not understand.
"Chudleigh's cook is a wonder," said Margot, looking happier now that she had food and tea, which Alex could understand.
That started them talking about the various food they'd had at the house parties they'd been to over the summer, which let Alex mostly sit and eat in peace, though he put in a few examples of things he'd had at Emmeline's or the Queen's, not that he name-dropped Her Majesty.
He had no interest in this group knowing he regularly met with such a personage.
Halliwell was there when conversation flagged to ask about Periwig's wedding plans more, and that discussion of colours and decorations and flowers, while boring to Alex, seemed to make not just the women but also Wicket happy enough. Alex was just happy to be able to stuff himself while no one was paying him one whit of attention.
"So, Alex," said Margot, breaking Alex out of his reverie. He was on his fourth little plate of food and almost feeling satisfied, at least. "How are you enjoying being back amongst your peers?"
Alex shrugged as eloquently as he could. "I've never really worried about social standing when making friends," he said, hoping that was politic enough.
It made Halliwell happy for some reason, but Wicket flashed annoyance before his face smoothed into a genial smile, and Margot huffed. "You don't belong with the plebes. You were born for this!"
"And yet I gave it all up on purpose once," said Alex, "and it was the work that brought me back, not the promise of tiny cakes and awkward conversations."
"Well, it's up to the hosts to make sure conversation's not too awkward," said Halliwell cheerily. "Anyway, you outrank everyone at the party, so it's not like you need to make nice if you don't want to."
"I'm a bit terrible at it," admitted Alex, leaning to her as if telling a secret without lowering his voice at all. "Julian's been trying to train me, but we both agree I'm still a bit feral."
Halliwell laughed delightedly at that, as did Periwig, if less enthusiastically, while Wicket gave a polite chuckle and Margot looked like she'd bitten a lemon.
"Who do you normally socialise with, if not your peers?" asked Periwig curiously.
"The plebes, of course," said Alex. "My former coworkers, my former Guardians, and the like. Well, and we visit Julian's sister regularly, where I am required to use proper manners."
