[Aesha]

Timestamp: Evening, Thera, 6th Brightening of Optia, Summer in Era III of the Celestine Mandate, Era XII Post Fractum.

It was evening, at a time when most people where knocking off work and heading towards the local tavern for a refreshing and well earned drink after a hard day's graft. The tavern was full of people looking for refreshment and merriment for a few quick moments before going home to a hot meal and family. Though not exactly full to the brim, there was only a few empty tables left in the common room and extra waitstaff were on duty in order to cope with the rush.

A resounding din could be heard all through the tavern from the merry-makers, and it was impossible to heard any one conversation unless you were directly seated opposite the person in question. Even then, people generally had to speak up to be heard over the crowd. It was busy - but the tavern had been busier, and even then, was about to get so.

There was of course, one main topic of conversation on the lips of people that cared about such things. Everyone who was anyone knew that the Kattarian ships had been spotted that morning entered the immense harbour of Prime, and that earlier in the day the ships had actually docked. Speculation rolled off the tongues of many, wondering if the ambassadors had come to Alleria to make war or peace, or for some other reason entirely.

Suddenly, a hush decended over the assembled patrons. It happened in a wave, the people towards the front of the room fell silent, then the absence of noise gradually spread out amongst the other assembled people, as they tried to work out what was going on. It was certainly a sight to behold.

A gaggle of Katta that were obviously not Alleria had entered the doorway and conversation had ceased because people had stopped to stare at them. The were mainly cheetari but a couple of domestikatta could be seen in the group. They were all dressed in nothing but loincloths, with the exceptions of a few beaded or feathered pieces of jewellry here or there. They didn't need to even stand side by side with an Allerian Katta for people to know they weren't from the Empire. They spoke the Katta language, and apparently, took no notice of the faces that were staring up at them.

Arguing amongst themselves about something that could not be deciphered, the foreign Katta weaved through the throng to the couple of empty tables that the room provided and threw themselves into the chairs, much like anyone else after a hard days work. Eventually, the conversation in the room started up again, rising gradually from a low buzz to its previous din, though glances still involuntarily managed to stare in the direction of the Katta.

By now however, the tavern was more or less full, and anyone desiring a seat with their ale would most likely find themselves sitting next to the Kattarian natives, if they dared.