Lord Horst was seated comfortably at his desk in the study, going over yet more papers about imports and exports. His entire staff was abuzz with preparations for dinner, they were to have company and the company must always be impressed. Guests, both higher and lower in standing than himself received the utmost care and attention. Word spread and he liked all words to be positive when regarding his estate. However, he was much too busy managing businesses to worry about the preparations himself. That was why he had servants and slaves, after all.
The sprawling manor was like a stirred up hornet's nest for all the frenzy. At least, that was the best way that Ashlar could think to describe it. He wandered the halls aimlessly for a time, simply watching servants and slaves alike running to a fro as they cleaned. The dining hall would be made to shine, how pretty all the sparkling silverware would be! Most of the others ignored him, simply running past him or stepping around him. He was odd and they avoided him. It was preferable in most instances.
Skipping merely down towards the dining hall he found himself suddenly caught by the ear rather harshly. A soft yowl of pain was given before he sank down and wrapped his arms over his head defensively. The headmistress of the servants was glaring at him and shook him by the ear. "Now see here, you little mongrel, this dinner is important and I'm not gonna be having any trouble out of you. Everyone else is working and you're just a prancing about like a ninny. Go get cleaned up and dressed for dinner proper-like. The Master says there's important people a-coming and you're gonna be on a short leash, ya hear? Now get."
Ashlar rubbed his ear resentfully as he was let go, but sulking as he was, he swiftly retreated. As one of the very few non-humans in the employ/possession of the Lord, he found most of the other staff distrusted him. Silly humans, they would not be so insolent if he did not have his collar. There was nothing to be done about it for now, so he soon forgot all about the unpleasant encounter; although he did go bathe and dress for dinner.
He looked a sight, in black silk pants, finely woven with a red silk tunic embroidered with golden suns; his silk slippers matched his tunic perfectly. His ears twitched as he smoothed the tailored garments. It must be jealousy, he decided, that made the others hate him so. A gold silk sash around his waist completed the ensemble, and into that, he tucked Wallaby, with only his head and front paws poking out at his side. There was extra commotion now, so he assumed the important people were coming.
Scuttling through the halls to the main entrance he bounded energetically outside to greet the guests. Lord Horst was already there, standing tall, proud, and handsomely as the carriage halted in front of the steps leading up to the grand hall. Moving to stand behind his master and to the side, he did his best to stand up straight, hands tucked neatly behind his back and invisible inside the billowing sleeves of his tunic. His ears were perked forward, eagerly taking in all the sounds and his hair fell across his face, hiding his silver eye, so that only the dark crimson one was visible.
Horst ignored the slave behind him, not particularly worried about him. Of all his slaves and servants, it was Ashlar's loyalty and obedience he could be most sure of, though that had little to do with the demon himself. He put on a warm, welcoming smile as his guests stepped out of their carriage. "Welcome! It is so good that you could join us. Although, a great shame the weather could not be more agreeable. I do hope your trip went well?"