A knock sounded from the door and it then opened up. A tired, grey-skinned man walked in and closed the door behind him.
"Palpo, you're late."
"Sorry… I've just been busy is all…" Eedaj took his time crossing the courtyard to find his seat beside Daliea. He took a moment to breathe before grabbing a few small portions for his plate.
"Palpo, what's wrong?"
"Nothing… don't mind me."
"What's 'palpo' mean again?" Lina asked.
Daliea looked across the table and answered, "It means father. And when he calls me 'dhendi', that means daughter."
"So I'm a dhendi too?" Lina glanced at her mom, who was eating slowly and too distracted to hear the current conversation.
"Yes, yes you are, Lina," Eliza stated. "Too bad my parents can't make it…"
"Yeah, and mine are busy drinking or running their tavern," added Maura. "Where's--"
Another knock sounded at the door, getting Eliza to shout, "Hurry up, Mother!"