A Guide to Social Grace for the Dual-Souled

Etiquette

CHAPTER IV: THE DINNER PARTY It is a truth universally acknowledged that the presence of a parasitic soul is a burden upon the host. While the condition is hereditary in certain lineages, it does not excuse a lapse in decorum. A gentleman or lady of standing must ensure their Shadow-Self remains a silent accessory rather than a disruptive participant. I. On Introductions The Shadow-Self should never be permitted to manifest fully until the primary host has been properly greeted. Upon entering the drawing room, the primary soul shall maintain a firm mental tether. When the moment for introductions arrives, one should gesture vaguely toward the shimmering void beside them and state: "May I present my Companion, the Unspoken." It is considered a grave faux pas to allow the Shadow-Self to speak its own name, as such names are frequently dissonant and may cause guests to suffer temporary vertigo. II. On the Management of Verbal Indiscretions Shadow-Selves are notoriously lacking in tact. They possess an innate tendency to whisper the most private shames of the guests aloud or to comment upon the fragility of the host's mortality. Should the entity venture a particularly cruel observation regarding a guest's ancestry or physical ailments, the primary soul must intervene with immediate precision. A sharp cough or a tactical diversion regarding the weather is usually sufficient. If the Shadow-Self persists in its insults, the primary soul should apologize with a slight bow and remark: "Please forgive my Companion; it is experiencing a bout of melancholia." Under no circumstances should one engage in a public argument with one's own parasite. Such a display is uncouth and suggests a lack of internal discipline. III. On the Necessity of Sustenance While the appetite of the second soul is a private matter, it must not interfere with the service of the meal. It is the height of vulgarity to allow a Shadow-Self to salivate upon the linen or to attempt to consume the aura of a neighboring guest during the soup course. When the hunger becomes acute, the primary soul must employ a discreet signal to alert the staff. The placement of a black lace handkerchief over the left wrist is the accepted code. This indicates to the butler that a "supplement" is required in the library. The primary soul should then excuse themselves briefly, ensuring the entity is led away with dignity. To allow a parasite to starve during a seven course dinner is not only cruel, but it risks a violent manifestation that could ruin the carpets.