The journey into the Memorian governor's domain proved fascinating to all parties, including John. The decadent and large elevator with the symbolled control panel; The see-through doors; the elevator passing through a vast, rotating brass contraption made of rotating rings and spheres within an immeasurable space; the brief images they witnessed manifest from the glowing symbols far away, of a planet not unalike the world that the skeletal brothers left behind, seemingly shattered by its own device. The image was considerably strange to the Chosen Few, and only John could guess at its significance - perhaps a brief history lesson on this world's sundering? Nevertheless, the words of Abdown made John smile slightly; so the Memorians knew of the Imagiverse outside. He doubted they liked the view they got, this deep into the Edge.
Then the doors opened to a similarly decadent room furnished with an ivory dining table and accompanying chairs that seemed to have been grown rather than carved, populated by an assortment of teapots, cups and plates, the latter of which were already laden with crumpets and marmalades. The crew stared in awe of the luxurious sight, which would have fitted only the finest cream of Victorian society, and were only snapped out of their reverie as Basalah leapt onto the table and devoured the crumpets like a starved rodent. On the Memorian governor's invitation, they took their seats, the skeletal brothers sat next to each other while the others were more spread out across the table, but not so much that they would have to yell to talk amongst themselves.
Rubbing his hands together enthusiastically, John procured a cup and pot and began to pour himself and Adam the Briton's beverage. "Aah," sighed John, "Nothing like a cuppa to unwind from the journey." When the plates were restocked with fresh crumpets, he reached out and placed one on his plate, as well as taking a jar of jam and applying a spread to his confectionery. "I must say, Abdown, you keep a fine abode. I don't think even my house is as glamorous as yours, although I must say it's been a while since we've dusted our home."
Directly to his right, Adam was grasping at the cup with an expression of sheer concentration as he tried to remember the customs of drinking tea. Which finger was it that you had to stick out? At a whim, he stuck out a finger at random and was about to take a sip when he saw Grimms on the other side of the table with his pinky out. Adam looked down at his cup, where he had unfortunately stuck out his middle finger, and quickly corrected himself before anyone saw. Looking around the table, he saw Max on the opposite side to his left, who didn't even bother with the handle and was holding the entire cup as if it were a mug of coffee. To his right, Jack was having difficulty getting his gloved fingers through the handle before deciding to just pinch the handle between four fingers exempting the pinky. A similar situation was occurring with Fancy, sitting opposite to Jack, except that his hand was just one slab of fingerless white with a thumb on the side, so he slotted that through the handle as he gripped the cup to drink.
John had also noted the mishaps of his fellow men, despairing at their lack of table etiquette, and elected to ignore them as he continued to talk to Abdown, wherever he was situated. "You mentioned that you had seen what was outside your world, or at least became aware of what was outside. What was your method of seeing "through the veil", if you don't mind me asking? Was it a typical telescope, or something similar?"

As he saw what he had to assume was the occupant of this clock tower, John dusted off his jacket in an attempt to make himself more presentable while the rest of his crew emerged. The amount of space on top of the vessel allowed the group to spread around behind John, the Chosen Few taking the front as they watched the bird-like man approach them. Their expressions showed a considerable lack of fear or surprise from the figure's acutely avian appearance, seemingly so used to oddity that it has become mundane to them.
The man, introducing himself as Abdown, then formally welcomed the outsiders (with help from a piece of paper, likely, thought John with suspicion, a speech he had rehearsed for this very occasion) to his land. As he gestured to the cityscape, John clearly approved of an erratic architectural design that nevertheless brought him comfort for its temporal familiarity, although his smile soon faded as he took in the destruction that spoke to him of a terrorist attack. He then listened to Abdown's answers to Basalah's interrogation, eventually staring at the man for having accurately described the vessel's power source when he had only just seen it. He willingly accepted that the "Memorians" were familiar with the fantastical, because there was simply no other reason he could have gotten it so accurately.
John would bow in thanks for Abdown's brief congratulation on 'piercing the veil', and would have stated his thanks in word had the man not then continued on, break adventuring customs by refusing to ask for assistance from the outsiders since it would be rude, which was understandable. The aristocratic skeleton would lighten up at the sound of tea and crumpets. "That would certainly be appreciated, at least from my part," he said, glancing at his comrades, who weren't at home with tea but found the opportunity to unwind after the perilous journey inviting enough. With silent agreement, the Chosen Few would follow the Memorian governor down the red carpet.
As he descended, John would hear a whispered conversation behind him, unheard by Abdown;
"I may have theen too much thymbolic imagery during our time in the Thentre," whispered Jack, "but I can't help but notice that that guy'th a bird and he liveth in a cuckoo clock tower. You know what I mean, right?"
"Certainly," muttered Max. "To be honest, I'm surprised he didn't come out attached to a spring."
"This place sure is odd," whispered Fancy. "But it sure beats floating around in the Edge."
"Just you wait till those monsters come crawling out of the shadows," murmured Max darkly.
"Can't wait ter have some of them crumpets, at any rate," said Adam, effectively ending the secretive chatter.
"You had much tea back where you were from, Adam?" said Jack.
"Yeah," said Adam bluntly. "We was posh, remember?"
"Forget I athked, then," shrugged Jack.