The winter evening had grown blue, and the threatened snow-squall now wrapped the island in its embrace. Veils of snow caught the faint illumination from the banquet-room as the Saiph patronage, from Martisset the Elder and Tethys down to Naime-Yasmin’s fat little twin brothers who had just learned to walk, seated themselves around the banquet tables, each of the six branches like a snowflake.
The faces, lit in rows of candles, glowed like the figures of the Gate of Hours.
Martisset was still thinking about the Ship’s Trees. Yes, the game was paused (as real life did not) but she was worried about their health. Three times she’d warned Naime-Yasmin about the gas-exchange, and three times been told that the Captain knew best.
One of Yasmin’s little brothers reached across Martisset’s lap to the faceted wine-flute, candlelight glimmering in its depths. She arrested the chubby little hand, and moved the vessel out of his reach, as Yuki-Iskri passed behind her, decanting watered wine from the traditional vase.
***
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E. P. Beaumont 
Your world building is just lovely. Great snippet.
Such a wonderful, solemn moment. I love how it’s broken up a bit by Martisset’s worries about the game and keeping her little brother out of the wine. An adult event through the eyes of a child is something I’m sure resonates with most of us.
Beautiful detail, and world building.
Teaching via a game?
Yes, the game’s called ‘Galactic Flight’ and it’s a toy version of the simulators used to teach starship crews at the Academy. The Ships are self-sufficient ecosystems, given how long they have to be in transit between wormhole jumps.
Lovely, evocative prose as always, with the real life humor of the child reaching for the wine glass. Your excerpts are always wonderful!
You create such rich atmosphere. Wonderful.
So descriptive, I love it. There is one beautiful world living in your mind!