Ryuven drinking traditions

“In Ryuven society, different drinks are used for different occasions.”

“We do that here, too.”

“Not nearly to the same degree. Philios is drunk to seal or renew bonds of friendship, at gatherings like this. Muruka is for business transactions. There are others which are drunk only at births, or only at ascensions, or only to celebrate milestones.”

“Really? Not by taste, but by occasion?”

“There is even a wine made only for the bonding of a former silth bonding to an aru, and other for a former aru bonding to a silth—but to be honest, I think that’s a relic of more extravagant times when minute details of etiquette were a form of ostentation.”

Ariana raised an eyebrow. “Were?”

Tamaryl cast her a petulant rebuke.

Maru was still looking between them. “You mean, you just drink whatever you want, whenever you want? No sense of decorum or propriety?”

“There’s certainly propriety,” Ariana hurried to say. “Being drunk in a street and drunk in a night tavern and drunk at breakfast are all viewed very differently.”

Maru looked unconvinced.

Tamaryl laughed. “Men defending while women stay home, and people drinking beer or wine or ale as it pleases them. Poor Maru must feel quite adrift. Don’t ask about the magic.”

“What about the magic?” Maru promptly asked.