Samuel and Jim come in together, laughing and looking relatively jovial, given the hour (see, Jim does have more than one emotion!). Jim grabs himself a plate, while Samuel reaches over Katherine to get to the hashed potatoes she's currently frying up. She scolds him halfheartedly, threatening to beat his knuckles, and the older man laughs, kissing the crown of her head as he runs a gentle hand across her back.

"You get to your lessons early today, you hear?" he murmurs lowly, peering down at his small daughter. "You do a fine job with the house and the stables, but they'll survive without you."

She murmurs a submissive "okay," smiling up at him, but she is dedicated to not letting the potatoes burn, so he doesn't hold her attention long.

(He steals another pinch, and this time she does thwack him, both laughing as he backs further into the kitchen.)

He grabs some bacon and a slice of bread, finishing off his cup of coffee and leaving it in the sink, then he turns to the dining hall and motions to Jay and John.

It's time to go.