While waiting Thalia says not a word and frequently glances over at the subjects of interest. The progress is rather slow, but there seems to be no initially obvious cause for it.
Nearing the tent's entrance, the sluggish pace starts to make sense, as you hear the scribes asking those signing in a large list a question. The scribes themselves are each gnome, adorn with a symbol of House Sivis, and are unceasingly writing. The only pauses you see any of them make is to move a full sheet of paper over or to call the next person forward.
Having finally reached the front of the line, you and Thalia wait for the next scribe to open up. When one does, she calls out, "Next." Both of you head in that direction and the gnome gives you a glare, "One at a time," annoyance is clear in her voice. Thalia being ahead of you continues forward, the gnome gives you a final glare, "Now get back in line," she then starts grilling Thalia.
It takes a few minutes, but eventually another gnome calls for the next person. He has a long, full beard; quite an unusual feature for a gnome. On his left hand you can see the telltale blue and purple of a dragonmark. “Oh ho, a dwarf, with a right nice beard too! Maybe you can give me some tips for mine. Some days I just can’t seem to get it to stop itching, know anything for that? Or perhaps you could teach me how to braid it?” The gnome to his right clears her throat rather loudly. “Shove off you up tight prude.” Not seeming to notice she clears her throat once more. “Fine…” Your gnome then shifts to a very mono-tone voice, “Name?” and then in a whisper, “I swear these gnomes have never had fun in their whole lives. Only reason they tolerate me is ‘cause I’m marked.”