There was a drawn-out moment of silence over dinner. Introductions had been made, and the weather had been discussed, and re-discussed, and it seemed that the two elves, who had only just met, had run out of conversation. Then Belephras examined the Lord Ambassador's plain robe with a cool and impertinent eye.
"Is it a special custom of the Greenwood Elves to wear linen garments after noontide? How very different."
"What do you mean?" said Parnard, and began to regard his serviceable cloth robe, which was in fact made of flax, finely woven into a stiff, almost board-like weave, and styled in a shapeless and unflattering cut - all the better to hide his skinny limbs, so he thought. "I do not understand you, sir."
"Oh, well," answered Belephras, arranging his costume so that the light would catch and glimmer on the silver and gold threads shot through the fabric. Little puffs of lavender scented air arose from some sachets cleverly concealed inside the satin lining of his sleeves. "I suppose if it is good enough for the Greenwood, it is good enough for the Lord Ambassador of Bar-en-Vanimar." He dabbed delicately at his mouth with his napkin. Diamond rings glittered on every finger.
Parnard's eyes darkened and he cast his fellow diner a melancholy look. "I confess, I did not give much thought to my raiment. I have had many matters to consider of late. I might look into purchasing a new robe."
"Tassels, sir," said Belephras cryptically.
"Tassels?"
"Yes: it is all the fashion now. What is old is new again, as they say! He he he!"
"Oh. Well, how much would a few tassels cost?"
"I daresay a few gold coins," drawled the spendthrift.
Parnard almost choked. "Oh!" he cried, and threw himself back in his chair. "But I can make tassels myself! You take a loop of thread and then you wrap it around your finger -"
"My good sir, you are the Lord Ambassador! You do not have time for tassel-making."
Parnard was reminded of the heap of paperwork on his desk. "How many tassels do you think I need?" he ventured.
"Oh they should be very small. Tiny, even. And you know what they say - the tinier the tassel the greater the hassle! Ah ah ah!"
Parnard joined in with raucous laughter. He had had a lot of wine.
"Many many golden tassels are needed, my lord," continued Belephras. "The more you have, the more fashionable I think! One for every day of the year! And, one thing is certain - they will not go out of style for at least a month."
"You don't say so!"
"Yes, indeed."
"Tassels are the thing, eh? Well, I must thank you for a most valuable lesson, Belephras."
"Yes. Of course you must. But you may thank me better by not wearing that robe the next time we meet. Now, if you would excuse me, Lord Ambassador," said Belephras, rising elegantly, "I must retire, and see to the arrangement of my scent bottles." Without once turning his head, he walked out the Hall.
Parnard sat in a state of bewilderment, not certain if he had been insulted or not.
