Samandriel is kind and sweet. Caught up in a system he can neither fully believe, nor live up to. Oh, he tries. Tries to posture, to be the alpha his knot makes him. But both he and Castiel, when talking privately in the garden, found that he's just... not. Which Castiel has assured him is a good thing. Samandriel is sweet and kind, and will one day make someone very happy. In the mean time, Castiel regards him as a little brother, and hopes that one day Samandriel will find someone who needs his sweetness more than they need the typical macho posturing. Sam is an exception, but in a different way. He's an alpha - and he doesn't need to posture. He's gentle and warm, but strong. Castiel knows Zachariah seated them together to show how much he disapproves of both as potential options - though Samandriel, at least, comes from a rich family. Instead, Castiel is glad it happened, because he knew they'd get along. He'd have liked to sit with them, too.

"I'm not in good spirits tonight, though the feast was certainly lovely."

It's a very diplomatic kind of answer. Truth be told, Castiel was bored. The food is fancy, and that often means small portions and a lack of heart. Perfection, Castiel finds, is overrated. He'd never say it - it would be exceptionally rude, after all.

Once more he dabs at his forehead, feeling too hot, feeling sweaty. Did he catch something, is he running a fever? Something smells nice, and unlike the food it doesn't make his stomach twist. At least... not unpleasantly so.