It's everyone's favorite night! Darts and Drinking! The Murder has been rearranged to facilitate the former and the latter both, with extra dartboards hung and the tables beneath cleared. There's also a tarp put underneath the big, long table in the center of the space. The floor is covered in saw dust, the reason for it surely obviously to the regulars, and Mae moves about, to and fro. She's dressed not in her dark cloak, but in dark wool: a tunic and leggings, and her jingly boots are easily on display. She jingles as she walks.

"Food's on!" she calls, as she sets out a big serving tray. "Chicken wings, fried potato strings, and some apples for people who... eat apples," Mae says. "Everyone help themselves! The beer is over there!" she says. A pause, then her voice gets louder. "Remember! It's a charity event! 1000 silver for nobles, 100 for commoners! Hand it over to me, or put it in the Donation Bin! If you brought a prize to give away for one of the events, please let me know!"

Narses arrives, following Leona.

Lethe steps inside and looks toward Mae with a smile. "Good evening." She looks towards Waldemai with a wave and makes her way toward the food.

Magpie laughs at Sabella's words, "Fine establishment might be a bit of a reach, but there *will* be entertainment tonight." He says cheerfully, then nods, "Yeah, the cider was a good choice. Safe. I'm Magpie Grayhope." He offers then, holding a hand out to the princess. Either he means for her to shake it or expects her to pay up the thousand silver.

Drinks and darts! And nobles invited? Monique strolls in, bright smiles and a small pouch of silver in her hand for the proprietress. "Excited for this!" she tells the other woman, giving a toothy smile to Magpie and the others she recognizes.

Waldemai pays up right away, He nods back at Lady Lethe and posts himself near a barrel of beer, since beer seems to be the order of the day.

A beer, for starters, at least for Felicia, though rather than linger at the bar she elects to make her way over to Mae to pay her due with a raise of her mug by way of acknowledgment before seeking a spot to settle in for now.

Maylis enters quietly, eyes bright and curious as she takes in the room. Louder than she's used to. Definitely...cheerier. The buffet looks delicious, though. She makes her way over to the table.

"Welcome, welcome!" Mae says, as people are coming in. "We'll be starting with darts in about twenty minutes or so! For now, have some food. Have a drink!" Mae says, to all and sundry. She flashes a smile to Felicia and dips her head. "Heya!"

Sabella dips her hand into her cloak and pulls out a small pouch and hands it to Magpie. "Well I'm happy to be here then if I am to be entertained." A slight grin curves her lips and she glances around.

Leona makes her way into the Murder in time for the event, checking out the menu even as the woman - who for once isn't dressed in armor! - also lets her eyes glide over the people at the establishment. She gives a cheery wave to Magpie and to Mae as well, her attention sliding over to see her compatriot Felicia being greeted, and making her way over to pay as well.

Sparte dusts his hands, giving a small huff after helping get tables in position. Forced into work by people asking nicely, he can't escape it. Sparte finds a spot to sit. Unfortunately close to where the darts are, but it'll probably be fine. Surely none here are that bad of an aim.

Thena gets her drink, just your standard glass of ale, and immediately retreats to a side of the room and sets her back against a wall. She lifts a hand in brief greeting to Leona.

Rey takes her cider and her medical bag to an out of the way part of the room to watch. Either someone decided that with alcohol and thrown sharp objects, probably a Mercy should be sent, or she decided to send herself.

The Murder is not wholly unfamiliar to Khanne... she doesn't exactly come here often. but she has been here on a number of occasions. Tonight, she arrives dressed for winter, in leather breeches and boots, a short sleeved top and a simple corseted vest. It's not a Whitehold winter, after all. Her hair is pulled up and secured with a frosty set of hairpins. "I like apples," she calls out, heading towards Mae as she reaches into her pouch for some silver. After handing it to Mae and giving her a one armed hug, she waves to Magpie. "Hey there, my favorite protege!"

Caspian comes in, paying the door cost and wanders his way in, stretching as he looks around the tavern, a small smile on his face. He heads over to the bar to sit himself down, ordering himself some rum from the bartender.

Felicia has joined the Window Table.

Caspian has joined the Crow Bar.

"Oh! Thank you princess! Do enjoy yourself!" Magpie says brightly, then waves to Monique and pushes away from the bar, going to crush Leona in a quick hug. "Heeey! I almost didn't recognize you out of your armor." Oh, and there's Khanne. He presses a quick kiss to Leona's cheek, then bounces on to squeeze the shaman into a hug next. "Patron! You're gonna like what I worked up as a prize, I think." He says.

Lethe gets some food for herself and walks toward Waldemai. "Hello again. Do you plan to join the contests?"

Derovai shrugs off his own words. He unhitches himself from the wall where he'd also been standing, and draws closer to Rey and her cider, murmuring something quickly but not unkindly to her, with a nod towards the bar, and then steps back slightly as if to gauge her reaction. As he does so, he tosses Thena a slight smile too, something knowing in it.

Sparte has joined the Murder Table.

12 Thrax Elite Guards, Crow - Thraxian Steward, Lilybelle - Fluffy Maine Coon arrive, following Victus.

"Of /course/ you like apples," Mae says, flashing a smile to Khanne. "Welcome," she adds, as she takes the money. Mae also steps out of her way to make sure to catch Leona, and deliver a cheek kiss. Then her brows lift and she's walking over to Caspian. "Hey! You forgot your knife," she says.

Rey starts to smile as Derovai comes over, but that smile fades a little bit. "Oh my goodness. Are you alright?" Whatever he said doesn't seem to have registered with her.

There's a pause as Felicia spots Leona, before she offers the dip of her head and raise of her mug by way of acknowledgment for her superior, retreating for the moment to set herself up at the window table comfortably, from the spread of her feet apparently saving at least one seat in expectation of a late arrival.

"Sweet Goddess' tits." Victus espouses as soon as he's in the door of the murder, guardsmen trailing behind at an even pace. From the looks on their faces and the fact that the High Lord had a faint tinge of sweat, they'd all ran over here. Literally at that. "Sorry, sorry I'm late. I couldn't catch a damn break to save my fucking life." He makes a beeline first for Magpie and Mae, bowing his head in greeting. "Hope I didn't miss the fun."

Monique settles in near the dart board, getting a cursory first look at everything... and a drink, of course.

"You forgot to give it to me," Caspian says back to Mae, hand coming out to receive the blade, giving her a little smirk. "Honestly, I thought you were screwing with me a moment." When Victus comes over he looks a bit surpised to see the man, and bows his hear, "Good evening, your grace."

Khanne grins at Magpie and gives him a squeeze. "Probably like it more if I win, hmm?" She is distracted quickly by Victus' entry, as colorful as always. Laughing, she says, "hello Victus."

Rey has joined the Darkened Booth.

Thena takes a sip from her glass and squints at Derovai as he approaches Rey, dark eyebrows lifting a little. She's not moving yet. But she's watching.

Waldemai bobs his head politely to Lady Lethe. "Yes, my lady," he says. "I'd like to try my hand at some darts...and dry my belly at the beer barrel." He looks around and adds, "Do you think Lord Simon will bring that pup of his around? Fine little fellow he is."

Derovai tilts his head at Rey, puzzled. Then he gestures her towards the bar again, murmuring anew, before offering a shrug, as if he couldn't care less about whatever he said. His brows draw together at Victus' rather dramatic entrance, but he keeps his thoughts to himself. "Dame Thena, I thought you trusted me." That, at least, is spoken a bit more loudly. "I'm hurt. Maybe I /do/ need a Mercy."

"You didn't miss anything, High Lord. You're right on time. Just pay up your 1000 silver and you can try to redeem yourself from your defeat last time." Magpie says cheerfully while casually draping an arm over Khanne's shoulder.

Lethe nods to Waldemai. "I do wish you luck. I will be cheering you on." She looks around. "I'm not sure, but I'd be happy to see them both again."

Victus has joined the Crow Bar.

Sparte glances around the room, tapping the table in front of himself while humming some tune or other. He isn't in a rush to play darts, nor is he drinking. Just here for the atmosphere, maybe?

Magpie checked dexterity + woodworking at difficulty 19, rolling 28 higher.

Magpie drops Hearthside Table.

"I'm not sure why you would think that," Thena says dryly to Derovai, watching Rey settle herself. Then turning her head a little, she notes casually, "Knights of Solace are sworn to protect Mercies."

Magpie has joined the Crow Bar.

"S'okay, Prince Victus. You can still play. We always need someone to come in second," Mae says, flashing a sunny smile. She takes the man's coins, then gives a look around. She proceeds to speak /loudly/. "Hello everyone! We are going to be starting DARTS!" Mae yells. "If you want to play and haven't already, please let me know! For prizes tonight, the winner will choose... we have a full suit of leather armor provided by Harall Creations... and we also have a, uh-... A painting. By me. I will paint... whatever you want. You or... or someone else..." And, okay, Mae got a little awkward there. "Our previous winners and high scores can be found on the board!"

Rey gives Derovai a confused look. "I think the bartender would have told me if I hadn't paid enough," she points out to him. And then, a little skeptical. "You -just- said you needed a Mercy." Apparently she's missing the point of whispered conversations the same as she was missing the point with the warm cider at a drinking party.

Leona pays her money and takes her... chances? No, what she takes is a plate of chicken wings and a beer, and a kiss on the cheek from Magpie. Her hair is back in a soft braid for once as she heads over to the table where Felicia sits and slides into a chair. Though she pauses long enough to give Victus a wave of greeting and a smile. "Felicia, this should be an interesting evening. I hear Eleanor is coming later, too?"

Leona has joined the Window Table.

Waldemai tells Lady Lethe, "Thank you very much, my lady. I don't expect to do much against these regular players, but it's for a good cause." He pushes through the crowd toward the hostess. "I'll have a go, if you don't mind."

Agnarr has joined the Crow Bar.

Caspian has left the Crow Bar.

Caspian has joined the Murder Table.

Slipping in - well, as much as Agnarr can, anyhow - he makes his way to a seat at the bar, lightly armored and quite sweaty. He does look relaxed, though.

Khanne has joined the Crow Bar.

Lethe smiles as Waldemai enters and finds a good place to watch.

Lethe has joined the Crow Bar.

Reese arrives at the Murder of Crows while in adorned in crazy amount of pink and toting so many weapons. She glances over the bar, having a smile of greeting.

Khanne stands with magpie's arm over her shoulder. "I'll play, though I know others are better." She looks to the board and says, "I vaguely remember... not winning anything but a seat on the ground, last time I did the drinking contest...."

Food, drink and entertainment? Count Theron in. He steps in with a lopsided smile gracing his lips as he makes his way over to the bar, sliding a couple of coins over to the bartender. "Ale and the potato sticks."

Waldemai sees Princess Reese joining them at the line. "Here, everyone...I'll lay 500 on the Princess to win. I've not gone wrong betting on her even once."

Derovai shrugs at Thena. "And I was trying to help her get her money back, so you're not the only champion here," he points out lightly. He gives the Knight of Solace a bright grin, then turns back to stare at Rey for a second or two. "I really need to take you with me at the next sermon," he remarks, before strolling over to Thena. This time, his quiet words are for her.

When her sister walks in, Sabella perks up and then someone lays down money on her to win. She covers her mouth to keep the giggle from slipping out and takes a sip of cider. "Oh now things are interesting." She murmurs to the person next to her, even if she has no clue who they are.

Reese glances toward Waldemai, giving him a smile that touches her blue eyes. "I can pay someone's way if they are short on funds and want to join?" Seh says. She seems all excited about the constest.

Brady walks in, looking around at the crowd gathered. He cracks his fingers, looking eager, and finds a table to sit at.

Victus meets Magpie and Mae's replies with an equal amount of eye-rolling. So it's Leona that catches his attention next. On the way to the bar he ensures to give her a proper (read: almost overly violent) slap on the back. As greeting. Between family. Warlike family. "Audric ain't here to cheat so I like my odds." He comments aside to Mae.

Brady has joined the Murder Table.

Leona gets slapped on the shoulder hard, and her hand is moving of its own volition to slug Victus right in the stomach. With love. Like family does. Warlike family. She winks at him.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Monique before departing.

Eleanor has joined the Window Table.

Torian steps into the room and gets a few steps in before he stops an looks up from the paper he's scraching on with a charcoal. He looks around, confused and out of place, and then turns to leave. He stops again, definitely recognizing the exit, he turns back around for another look. It IS the Murder, it's just full of people that might not normally all be here at the same time. He carries on then, making for the bar with his paper and charcoal getting tucked away.

Maylis has joined the Hearthside Table.

Reese seems to have this almost canine like excitement about the content to come. She smiles over to her sister, seemingly happy to see her hear.

Percephon - weedy, unfinished Telmar with the floof of nearly untidy auburn hair and spectacles pauses at the threshold of the Murder, eyes agog. "Popular event." He isn't sure exactly why he is here because he does not drink. Nor does he dart. He would likely stick himself while drinking himself ill. Furniture would be in mortal danger. So, the Magister orders something decidedly nonalcoholic and slides into a seat at the nearest table.

"Princess Reese," Theron greets, with a flash of a smile to the magenta menace. "How are you doing?"

Mae does some more hustling around, then she makes for the front of the place again. "Alright, everyone! Round one will be... Lady Monique vs Caspian; Derovai vs High Lord Victus; Magpie vs Prince General Reese; Waldemai vs Dame Felicia; Dame Thena vs Lord Theron; and then Brady vs Dame Eleanor! Monique and Caspian please step up!"

Thena peers into the crowd for a moment and then points at Caspian, who is conveniently called up. "Pretty sure that's the only Champion here." This is followed with an exaggerated pun-dog look for her cleverness, then, "Maybe you should have tried looking less shady." One hand lifts briefly in a wave to Reese, and then whatever Derovai murmurs makes her huff a little laugh.

Monique checked dexterity + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Monique checked dexterity + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Monique checked dexterity + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

Eleanor enters at a trot, running late as she is. Running a hand through her hair, she glances around the venue and spots her fellow Silver SWords at the table by the window. She drops into a seat, greeting them both with a grin. "I made it!"

Percephon has joined the Crow Bar.

Reese smiles over to Theron. "Oh, I am doing well, thank you and you?" She says in his direction." She then peeks toward Magpie as the line up is announced, giving him this grin that is a little cocky and a little playful. She waves toward Thena a moment later. "Dame Thena." She says gently, but her voice carries.

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 78 higher.

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 51 higher.

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 66 higher.

Briefly annoyed by Thena's claim, apparently overheard, Agnarr waves a hand her way, too.

Monique steps up to the bat and gathers up her darts, drink still in hand. Whomp, whomp, whomp. They all hit, though none too spectacular.

"I'm against Reese? Well I'm fucked..." Magpie mutters, chuckling.

Derovai mimes clutching his heart in mock pain at Thena. "But I like black," he points out, giving Thena a bright grin. "And I'm no good at darts, so we'll need a miracle here. Don't bet on me." He moves to slide in line.

Torian has joined the Crow Bar.

"AND AGNARR," Thena adds, "is also a Champion. Princess Reese."

Once Monique is done her throws Caspian walks up to the board, grabbing a dart. Each dart he throws he twirls it in his fingers before tossing it at the board, and each throw is a double bulls eye, landing with a pin point accuracy. Once the third dart is throw he retrieves it from the board and calls to the group, "If you wish to quit now, I would not blame you."

Sparte glances over as Caspian gives his tosses, a low appreciative whistle for the display. "Glad you like me. You do like me, right? That wasn't you imagining my face up there?" Sparte calls over to the bar. "Drink for the ringer on me, to keep it sporting!"

Mae watches, smiling encouragingly as Monique comes up. She tosses, she hits, and Mae gives a clap. "Woo! Go Monique!" And then Caspian approaches, and throws some darts. Mae blinks a few times, and then her mouth opens. "Oh, geez..." she whispers. Then sucks in a breath. "Uh... Winner... Caspian! By a bunch!" she calls. "Next up, Derovai and High Lord Victus!|"

Derovai checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Derovai checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Derovai has rolled a critical success!
Derovai checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Victus checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Victus checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Victus checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Reese looks over to Magpie, nodding in agreement with his words. Maybe she can be arrogant. "Oh, you are Master Magpie." She says. She watches the contest with interest.

At Derovai's chest-clutching, "You do need a Mercy." But she waves him off, tilting her head at Caspian's throws.

Thena did that

Torian slides into a seat at the bar, looking to get the bartender's attention, but assuming he's got a bit of a wait ahead of him. He looks down the length of the bar as he waits, head shaking a little. "This is why I drink at home." He finally getsteh service he is looking for, ordering himself whiskey.

Rey watches Derovai with a concerned eye from where she sits.

True to his claim, Derovai misses his first two throws. At least they don't hit Sparte in the head! But they don't hit the board either. The last throw, though, is focused, and it hits, even if it's nowhere near a bullseye. He lets out a surprised little laugh, but doesn't seem terribly upset that he's no born dart-thrower.

Monique laughs, eyes widening as Caspian follows up with such incredible throws. "Gloria still favors you, it seems," she teases, bowing her fiery head to the Champion.

Victus is apparently mostly unphased by Leona's sock to the gut. Mostly. After all, he's all hard and probably plenty of scar tissue under his armor. Hearing his name called he scoots right off the bar and up to pitch. Or throw. He's not sure which, but he does well enough. One shot, two shot, three shot. All hit with decent success. "I'm not drunk yet, gotta get this shit in /now/."

"Fairly well," Theron replies, grabbing his mug of beer from the counter and settling somewhere next to the Princess. "I quite enjoy bars like this. They're alive, you know? Full of people, none of the stuffiness of the Salon. Spontaneous" He grins at Reese and drinks from his beer.

From her table, Eleanor's blond head swivels around, looking for someone. Spotting Magpie at the bar she waves over at him with enthusiasm. "Hey, Magpie! I made it!" She gestures at herself, her chair, indicating her clear presence.

Magpie just snickers when Reese agrees with him. "Maybe I'll get lucky, your highness. You never know." He says, but sounds entirely unconvinced of it. He hears Eleanor and grins, "Hey!" He waves.

Mae watches with a keen eye as Derovai gets up to toss. She scrunches her nose as the first one thunks into the wood. Then the second. "Oh, Derovai..." she says, with a soft laugh. Then one lands, and Mae lets out a whoop. "Woo!" And then Victus, and Mae gives a polite applause as the man throws. "Well done, guys!" she says. "Up next, Magpie and Reese! Rumor is Princess General Reese can barely walk straight, so... let's see if we can manage darts..." Mae says, aiming for 'non-chalant' but unable to hide her grin.

Magpie checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Magpie checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Magpie checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

"I think she does." Reese says, seeming to agree with Monique's words regarding Caspian. She then turns to Theron. "Yeah, its fun down here, I don't come here often." Reese then looks toward Magpie. "Anything is possible..." She says teasingly and over confidently. She the hears her name and has a smile for Mae. She drops a bow in the direction of her lovely sister. "None Greater!" She says, but Reese sounds more playful about the statement than serious.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Looking over to Monique form his table, he offers the lady a friendly smile given her way. "I suppose she does. Though I've always been good at darts. You did good though, my lady. You were just unfortunate enough to come up against me in the first round."

Magpie hears his name and hurries to throw ahead of Reese, lacking entirely in chivalry. Or maybe he just knew she was going to take him straight out of the competition. At least he's hitting the dart board this time around. Some improvement for the sailor. As Reese soundly defeats him, Magpie just laughs. "Well done, princess. Well done." He wanders back to the bar and just waits, amusement on his face.

Sabella gazes between Magpie and Reese and her slender hands clap happily. "Get him Reese!" She calls out, shoving aside her ladylike manners for a moment to cheer for her sister. She takes another drink of cider and watches as she throws the darts, laughing aloud when she sees her sister best Magpie.

"I /told/ you, Mae," Derovai replies. "Not a strong point. We should have had the drinking first to even the odds." A little conspiratorial smirk for her about something, but he gives his opponent Victus a quick look as if to gauge him, a slight nod following. Then he's ambling back towards Thena, his hands spread in helplessness.

Khanne looks up and grins at Magpie's and Reese's game. "You beat him well, Reese! Good job!"

Reese watches as Magpie's throws with a moment of thoughtful attention that would suggest to the more empathic she wasn't as confident she would win as she behaved. When it is her turn, she is all smiles once again. The smile fades as Reese starts to throw and she seems quite focused, like she is trying very hard to win. When it is over, she looks over to Magpie. "Good throws, Master Magpie." She says and for whatever reason, her tone seems to gentle.

As Magpie walks up, Mae darts out to give her husband a 'good luck' kiss. She then steps back to watch the man throw, and she claps enthusiastically. "Yes! Go Mags!" she calls. When it's Reese's turn, well, she just gets a cheek kiss. And then darts are thrown! "Alright, Reese!" she calls. "Next up, Waldemai and Dame Felicia! C'mon up!"

Waldemai checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Theron applauds the princess and Magpie both, apparently approving of the show of skill on display.

Waldemai checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Waldemai checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Felicia checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Felicia checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Felicia checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

"My misfortune," Monique replies to Caspian with a low chuckle. "But you can't be lucky all the time. And at least now I've time to drink my sorrows away," the Minx teases lightly.

"Woo! C'mon, Felicia!" Eleanor cheers loudly for her fellow knight, stamping her feet.

Waldemai tosses with a great deal of enthusiasm and very little skill, but at least me manages to hit the board and avoids putting anyone's eye out.

"Well, you hit the board. Once." Thena says to Derovai and his helpless mien with a flash of a grin. "And my former colleague Officer Fatchforth doesn't have any darts sticking out of his forehead so I don't have to make an unpleasant scene yet."

Sparte waves at Thena, maybe he heard his name. He seems oblivious to the context, amicably chatting with the others at his table.

"There's my cue." Felicia offers to her table, setting aside her beer and pushing herself to her feet with a flip of her braid back over her shoulder, waiting patiently for Waldemai to take his turn while she smirks over at the table of Silver Swords by the window. Maybe she's already drunk too much beer, or she's just... well, too cocky for her own good. Nudging Waldemai to offer a,"Good show." before taking her own attempt at the board with a cavalier attitude.

Another solid round passes, and Mae claps again. "Well done, Waldemai! And you too, Felicia! If anyone can't see the board, Felicia just squeaked past by 4 points!" Mae says. "Next up, we have Dame Thena Grayhope, the most beautiful Knight of Solace in all of Arvum, against Lord Theron!"

Theron drinks the last of his beer as he stands, picking up his darts to play. He flashes his opponent a grin, and states, "Best of luck, Dame Grayhope. I think you'll kick my ass at this contest, but, you know. There's always the beer tournament."

Derovai raises his brows at Mae's introduction, looking sidelong at Thena for a /long/ time to see if she's suitable for the name. But his gaze swings over to the bar after a second, a bit pensive.

Reese cheers as the contest continues. "Wow, so close." She says when Mae announces the results. Reese then looks between Thena and Theron, looking torn. "Go Dame Thena! Lord Theron!" She cheers, apparently deciding on them both.

Theron checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Theron checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Theron checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Thena sets her glass down on the edge of a table en route to the dartboard. "And to you, Lord Theron." She cracks her neck and checks the weight of a dart before throwing.

Thena has rolled a critical success!
Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Waldemai nods back to Felicia. "Thanks," he says. He settles back with a beer while she throws and counts the points carefully. "You got me," he said. "More beer for me."

Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 42 higher.

"YEAH! Thena!" Magpie calls out abruptly, cheering for his cousin.

Leona cheers as Thena throws exceptionally well. "Nicely done, Thena!" She grins. "It's like she's done this before," quips to the women sitting with her.

Having tossed the darts, and enjoying his loss, Theron flashes Thena a grin on his way back to his table. He's laughing at the results, in the meantime, ordering more beer for himself.

Reese cheers once again. "Wow!" She says, sounding impressed.

Sabella gets to her feet and makes her way towards Reese, bumping shoulders gently with her little sister. "You did very well, have youbeen practicing?" She asks, settling into a new seat and setting down her cider.

Thena crinkles her nose a bit at the final tally, but grins and yanks the darts free before clearing out for the next go 'round, with cheerful waves for her loyal fans (and fambly members)

"Don't get yourself too far ahead before the drinking rounds start!" Felicia recommends to Waldemai with a grin before she makes her way back to drop back into her seat and collect her own beer.

"Oof!" says Mae, aloud, as Theron misses that first one. But then the other two end up on the board, and Mae smiles brightly. "Great job!" she says. When Thena comes up, Mae beams a smile at her cousin, all bright and sunny and ridiculous. "Yay Thena!" Mae cheers. One might question if the organizer here has a bias! "Okay, next up... Brady versus Dame Eleanor!"

Reese looks over to Sabella, giving her a nod. "Actually, I was. I set up a dart board in our hall way and practiced." She says and Reese sounds quite serious. She gently bumps shoulders back. "It is nice to see you. It always cheers me up to see you, actually." She adds. "Woot!" She says cheering when the next match is called.

Brady has rolled a critical success!
Brady checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 51 higher.

Brady checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Brady checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Eleanor checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

Eleanor checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Eleanor checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Margerie has joined the Crow Bar.

Brady does a mad little dance and seems to murmur a prayer to himself before ritualistically kissing each of his darts. Loosening his shoulders, and then his wrists, he takes aim, and flings out his first dart towards the board. His first throw is a double bullseye, and he whoops out loud, yelling back at his table, "Did you SEE that, Caspian?" he then proceeds to make two very mediocre thows, and returns to his table, giving Dame Eleanor a friendly smile.

Reese seems impressed by Brady's throws and her blue eyes widen for a moment. "Damn...I should have practiced more!"

Eleanor gives her fellow Silver Swords a last grin, before standing and making her way to the darts. She waits to the side for Brady to take his turn, whistling in approval at his first toss. "Well done!" Rolling the darts between her fingers for a moment, she takes her own aim. Only one misses the board; surely a success of its own! Undaunted, she returns Brady's smile with a sunny one. "Congratulations!"

Theron applauds at Brady's hits, the claps sustaining all the way to Eleanor's, if a bit muted afterwards.

Caspian lets out a little laugh towards Brady, beaming brightly as he lifts up his rum glass, "That was a good first throw! You got a double bullseye. Good job."

"Woah! Double bullseye! Nice throw, Brady!" calls Mae, as the man lands that first shot. She gives a clap as his other darts land true. When Eleanor comes up, she, too, gets a cheer and a clap. "Great job!" she says. "Okay, so... our last round is... Lady Khanne! Who I didn't see waving at me when I asked for entrants, so... Khanne gets a bye and will move on to the next round!" Mae calls. "Now give me a few moments while I tally this all up and move us forward..."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Reese before departing.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Theron before departing.

"I'll be damned, it's Cousin Brady." Thena whistles loudly when the man puts up a very respectable round.

Leona claps for Brady but she cheers for Eleanor. "Nice showing, Eleanor. Don't worry, there's still the drinking part. And I'll drag you both home if you're too drunk to find the Tower after." She seems determined to be in a good mood tonight.

As Thena goes to throw, Derovai makes his way towards the bar, reaching out for a drink (free? Not? Who knows!). But as he reaches for the glass, his hand slips slightly, sending a little dark liquid onto the bar, onto the floor, and dangerously close to the redheaded teetotaler Percephon. "Oh, Gods. Sorry!" A pained little grimace. "I didn't get you, did I?" He takes a step away.

Justice, an elegant hunting falcon arrives, delivering a message to Theron before departing.

Theron stands up after a moment, nodding once towards Reese as he has some spectator send a note along. "I'm out, right?" He asks, of Mae.

Reese's overworked falcon flies across the bar and delivers a message to Theron.

Margerie is one of those folks hoping for this to be one of those 'okay to be fashionably late' sort of affairs. But fashionable or not, there's a bar, there's probably some variety of ale there, and that's the most immediate priority. At least until the highest priority becomes dodging Derovai's sloshing booze as she approaches.

Eleanor's undampened smile brightens at Leona's cheer. "Thank you, Lord Commander. She returns to the table, shrugging with a laugh as she drops back into her seat. "What can you do, I suppose. I'll have to train before the next competition."

Reese looks over to Leona, having a smile for her that is devoid of Grayson arrogance and pregnant with a respectful somberness.

Said teetotaler jerks back with a scoff, a coughed out laugh, and a ready grin. "Hardly, sir. Umbra hides all amount of stains. From the alchemical to the mundane," Percephon answers smoothly in reply to Derovai's grimace and apology. Dark eyes flick over the rims of his glasses, quizzically, and he shrugs to himself. "Mm. I heard what you said, Lady Khanne. I am glad you agree with my objective assessment."

"I'm pretty sure Wrecking Ball knows the way, even if I don't." Felicia calls to Leona, perhaps a little loudly for sitting at the same table, and salutes the commander with her beer,"But that's appreciaed, Lord Commander." she offers with a chuckle and reaches out to clasp Eleanor's shoulder,"You and me both, apparently. Pride of the company and all that."

"You are out, my lord," Mae says, to Theron. "Next round we have... Caspian vs Victus; Reese vs Felicia; Thena vs Brady... And since brackets are hard and my math is bad... Lady Khanne vs me!" Mae calls out. "Caspian and High Lord Victus, please come throw some darts!"

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 44 higher.

Theron nods once. "The money will be delivered shortly," he promises her, before he's departing.

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Victus checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Victus checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Victus checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

Wilhelm wanders over from the Murder table to go say something to Mae before wandering back to sit down. Sparte parts his hands to the man and gets a simmer down sort of gesture in response. So Sparte simmers.

Reese seems drawn by Percephon's words. She looks upon him with this thoughtful expression. "I keep wondering if getting Umbra would help with being sneaky. Although probably nothing would help me with that." She adds. She then looks over to the contest, seemingly quite curious.

Waldemai whistles. "That's some good dart throwing there." He's more in his element with the beer, himself.

Apaprently Caspian's first round was a fluke, because when he strolls on up and throws again, he has some bad luck, only scoring a bullseye. He snaps his fingers, looking a bit frustrated as he heads back towards his seat. "Well damn, that was a horrible follow up."

Derovai turns towards Margerie, and his embarrassment grows a little, offering her an apologetic look. But he controls his glass after a moment, setting it down. "My mistake. Can I buy you a drink?" he asks Percephon. "You'll have to pick it up from the bar. I don't trust myself."

Khanne looks up at Mae and grins. "You are so going to beat me."

Accompanied by the clatter of armour, Aerandir strides in with a lopsided grin, greeting any and all that might glance in his way with a lifted hand, "Good evening, one and all!"

Victus steps up to the plate again. If there was a plate, but more likely it was just the open space. One hit, two hit, three hit. One on bulls-eye even, though his other throws fall short of hitting their marks. He clicks his tongue once. "Damn." And turns back to hop onto his bar stool. Slapping Magpie on the back as he did.

Reese looks over to Aerandir, having a smile of greeting for the warrior. "Oh, Master Aerandir, nice to see you again." Shes ays in his direction.

Brady calls out to Aerandir, "Good to see ya, Aerandir! We've got a seat for you here!", slamming his table loudly.

Aerandir takes a long few moments to gaze about, soaking in the many familiar and unfamiliar faces alike, at Brady's invitation grinning even broader and making his way over to seat himself.

"Good evening, Aerandir." Theron grins at the man on his way out.

Mae flashes big smiles as the two men come to the front. She then turns to watch as the darts fly. More bullseyes, of course! Her brows lift, and she steps forward to count Caspian's darts, then steps back. Next comes Victus, and she steps forward. "Okay, so... that's... 108 for Caspian, 90 for Victus!" Mae calls. "Caspian will move on. Next up, Reese and Felicia!"

Aerandir has joined the Murder Table.

Between one round and the next, Thena notes the spillage on Percephon and pinches the bridge of her nose wearily before padding over in the direction and tilting her head to mutter something to Derovai.

oward Reese, Percephon responds: "It's too dark against natural shadows. Although, if you could get something like seasilk dyed in irregular shades of black - to better blend in, that might help. Although, not with all of the pink. Unfortunately." He seems very apologetic. Glancing back to Khanne, he leans in to speak quietly into her ear. Leaning away to nod in the positive, watching Derovai carefully. "Certainly. Although the chances that I will be able to partake of your generosity are slim. Grant me a moment, sir."

Derovai nods distractedly at Percephon, his gaze drifting towards the door, his face still drawn in apology. He offers Aerandir a little familiar nod as he enters, but his focus turns to Thena as she leans to whisper something to him. He laughs quietly at whatever she says, turning back to speak to her privately.

Margerie wrings out a bit of sleeve and smirks at Derovai. "Are you sure the two of you aren't working together to drum up a clever new business in stain removal?"

"Alright, Felicia!" Eleanor shouts over the crowd. "Give it your best shot!"

Reese smiles as her name is announced and she has a smile for Felicia in particular. "Dame Felicia, I am honored to compete against a knight of the King's Own." She says. Reese then turns to Percephon. "Yeah, I don't know if losing the pink will ever happen." She confesses. Reese then steps up, getting ready to throw.

Sabella starts to cheer, loudly, for her sister. "Go Reese! You can do this!" She calls out, taking another sip of her cider before she settles into her seat.

Brady grins at Aerandir when he joins their table, saying, "Late for darts, but not for the drinking."

Felicia checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Felicia has rolled a critical success!
Felicia checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 52 higher.

Felicia checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Leona chuckles. "Come on, Felicia. You got this!" She cheers as Felicia makes an excellent shot. "Double bullseye! WOO!"

Reese has rolled a critical success!
Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 117 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 59 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Lethe has left the Crow Bar.

Waldemai cluches his chest and pretends to fall over!

Aerandir hums in amusement, nodding, as he looks over to the dart throwing, "Aye, so I see, but fortunately 'tis never too late for drinking, mmh," he waves to a few familiar figures that had greeted him in his entry.

Sparte stands up, throwing his hands in the air in a cheer for Reese. "Yes! Yes! Way to go, Princess Sir!" He grins at Caspian. "Now we've got a match."

Sabella pushes to her feet, cheering loudly and waving her hands in the air. She might even bounce up and down on her toes a few times. When Reese moves away from the darboard she gives her an impulsive hug and pats her on the shoulder. "I think your practicing paid off, dear sister."

Percephon orders another cup of watered-down cider - although at this point it's probably straight water. With a cup in each hand, he slides off his stool, leaving the bar entirely and manuvering through the crowd with a shrewd eye on Derovai the generous stranger. "Lord Percephon Telmar, goodman. Well met. Considering the first meeting is due to a spill."

"WOO!" Eleanor fully rises from her seat to cheer, hollering at her double bullseye. But she stops, eyes wide at Reese's first throw. "Shit." Shaking her head, she feels compelled to applaud that effort, even against her compatriot.

Reese seems impressed when Felicia gets the the double bulleyes, impressed and maybe even a little nervous. She cheers for such. "Wow, woot." Reese then steps up to the plate, tossing the darts with all this athletic grace. It seems likely she really did set up a dart board in her hallway to practice!

Mae watches Felicia throw, and she gives a cheer. "Bullseye!" she calls, and then claps. Then Reese steps up and, of course, three bullseyes in a row. Mae's eyes go big and wide. "Wow! Okay..." she says. "So, Princess Reese moves on! Next up, Thena vs Brady!"

"Your highness." Felicia offers as she rises from her seat, sketching a bow with the best of her trained manners, at least,"I believe the honor mine." not that, seeing Reese's throws, she's likely got much of a chance, but still she puts forward her best effort to at least be in the running. Only to laugh at her own expense afterwards,"Looks like the round is yours."

Magpie just gapes when Reese buries a dart into the cork so hard it just embeds into the wall behind the board. "Fuck... Well, now I'm glad I was out in the first round. Shit."

"Well shit," Caspian says as Reese hits a perfect bullseye, dead center on the board. "Here I thought first place would be easy. Now I know who I gotta beat at the top of the hill." He gives a challenging stare down of Reese, though a playful smile is on his lips.

Thena glances over at the dartboard, the noise of some kind of minor explosion in that direction catching her attention from whatever she's saying under her breath to Derovai. Then she's called up, perhaps to the benefit of a certain suspicious-looking information specialist, and heads over to the throwing area. "Cousin Brady. I heard you were in town."

"Lady Keaton, nothing of the sort. My clothes prevent stains from showing; why would I need to bother to remove them?" Derovai remarks, making a little gesture towards his dark-clad self. "But if I've ruined something of yours, my sincere apologies. Send me the ledger from the tailor's and I'll pay it promptly." But he's already stepping away for introductions. "Master Voss," he offers. "Don't tell me you're offering cider. Not only will I lose at darts, I'll lose at drinking too." But even he, flustered as he is, notices Reese's first shot. "... wow," slips out of him unbidden.

Victus chuckles broadly. "What? You thought you had a chance against Ribbons to start with?" He asks of Magpie, shaking his head. "Deadliest shit in pink there ever was."

Torian is just getting into his first refill when he catches up to the throw Reese's made. "Oi!" He shouts out, "Put that Princess on a ship with some darts and she'll save us all, by gods!" He laughs then, half-draining his glass as he tries to quiet himself.

Brady gets up from his seat and walks up to the throwing area. He grins bashfully at Thena, nodding his head. "Go easy on me," he begs her.

Maylis has left the Hearthside Table.

"Oh, no, I knew I didn't, but now I realize she was just sandbagging it for me to be nice and only beating me by a little bit." Magpie replies, laughing. "Reese is my best customer at the shop."

Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 50 higher.

Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 57 higher.

Reese looks toward Felicia, having a gentle smile for her. She then has a playful grin for Caspian. "I really do like Magpie's work." She says, when he speaks of her shopping.

Brady checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Brady checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

Brady checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Margerie accepts the hard cider, not so watered down, and whistles at the latest round. "It only looks like one of them is split down the middle now, right?" Derovai's response gives her a moment's pause before she suggests, "You might be cautious of how you phrase that, Goodman. Kind, but I imagine it will be fine with a bit of scrubbing."

Percephon tenses with the rather well-timed /thunk/ of a dart into board and into the wall. If there is a minor explosion of splinters, he doesn't notice it. "Oh, well. I did not realize that you were going to truly partake of the proper festivities. No matter, simply, ah -- " shrugging narrow shoulders "-- ask for what the house is serving this evening and I will gladly cover the cost of it." With a pause, Percephon offers a respectful bow of his head to Margerie, "Lady Keaton. See? An evening where I have met you without offering insult nor injury. Care for a cup of cider? My newly made acquaintance requires stronger spirits to guard him."

"Well, I tried," Thena tells Brady with a cant of a smile. "Good throws though. All in the board."

"Alright Thena!" Mae calls out, and claps. She's so pleased to see the Knight up there throwing. Mae pauses to take a sip of her own beer, then watches Brady's throw. "Good job, Brady!... Okay, Thena moves on to the next round. Our last match of this round... We have a late arrival! Lady Khanne will take on Lord Percephon! Come on up, you two! And if it looks like Percy is dragging his feet, someone /carry/ him up here, please!"

Brady shakes his head, grinning to himself as Thena makes some spectacular shots. He doesn't take nearly as much time this round, probably knowing that he's already defeated. He makes his three throws and turns to Thena, telling her, "Good to see you again, cousin Thena. Good throws!"

Khanne starts to walk to the line and pauses and looks over at Percephon. "You entered? Well... bring it, Lord Percephon..."

"Pardon -- what, precisely, am I bringing? I didn't --" The Telmar Scholar-Lord squints, hard. "Fine." He drains one cup of watered cider, sets the other down with a mutter, rises and walks over to join Khanne. "Yes, quite the level playing field. Pitting the archer against," Percephon gestures toward himself, "all of this. A fine example of the human physique." Very self-mocking.

"No, this is -- cider is fine. As long as it's in a cup and not a glass." Derovai nods to the two ciders, glancing between Margerie and Percephon. "Lord Telmar," he remarks, before the announcement draws his attention. He waves the other man on silently, turning his attention to Margerie. "Then send me the servants' wages' worth as a bill for the scrubbing," he decides.

"All of... that," Mae agrees, with an ever so sweet smile. "Go ahead, Khanne!"

Khanne grins and chides, "aww, but, I have to use darts, not arrows.. they are a bit different!"

Khanne checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Khanne checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Khanne checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Margerie chuckles at Percephon's recollection and finally squeezes into a space at the bar. "Had I tasked you with coming up with some creative, impressive jibes? I might have. As for tonight, the evening is young. You still have time. And another cider would be welcome." When Khanne is announced? She blinks and gives the young woman a rousing cheer that ends with Percepthon's taunting of ... himself. "I didn't see her there!"

Percephon checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Percephon checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Percephon checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Thena retrieves her previously-abandoned and hopefully not drunk out of by a stranger ale glass and smiles at Brady with an ease mostly present only with her family. "Thank you, but the Princess will be wiping the floor with us all shortly. Are you working with Mags?"

Aerandir has left the Murder Table.

Khanne takes her turn with the darts, doing, rather okay, not great, considering Reese destroyed everything... but then Percephon steps up. She smiles as she watches him. Pursing her lips together a moment, she says, "very fine example of human physique, Lord percephon.. Very fine." She winks at him then smiles to Margerie. "Lady Keaton, I did not see you either!"

"Woo! Nice work, Patron! Nice work." Magpie calls cheerfully as Khanne defeats Percephon at the darts.

The gaunt Lycene slowly rises, though his eyes are on those competing. Aerandir gently and slowly makes his way through the crowds, accidentally elbowing and brushing against people here and there, until he finds himself next to Derovai, who he pats amiably on his nearest shoulder. A lopsided grin follows, "Good evening, friend, I see you are taking advantage of the festivities, hm?" he glances to those he had just introduced himself to, "My lords, ladies, well met, I am Sir Aerandir Elensar of Southport, Knight-Errant of the Crown," he offers toward any and all strangers that may take the opportunity to introduce themselves, whether or not they are in Derovai's company.

Percephon isn't a very fine example of darts form. That first dart goes wide - very wide - so very wide that it clips Sparte in the shoulder with a very subdued sound of a dart plinking off of a woolen tunic before dropping to the floor. The other two darts. Well, who knows where those two darts even went. One just fell from his hand to the ground. The other just gets stuck to his tunic when he tries to throw it. He spends the next moment attempting to unsnag it from his clothes.

"Wow! Khanne! You've gotten way better," Mae says, with a bright smile. "That one was /almost/ a bullseye!" And then goes Percephon. "Oh!" Mae squeaks, as a dart makes its way towards Sparte. "Sparte! Duck!" Mae calls, way, way late. She then sucks in a breath, and looks back to Percephon. Seems she's not /too/ worried about Sparte. "Lord Percephon... Sorry, did we not explain the game...?" Mae asks, and her smile, how sweet it is! She clears her throat. "Khanne advances! Next round is Caspian vs Reese; Thena vs Khanne. Come on up Caspian and Reese!"

Percephon has left the Crow Bar.

Sparte is distracted by Aerandir leaving the table, looking off after them when he feels an odd sensation in his shoulder. He glances over and has to double take. Oh, so that wasn't there before. Sparte looks from the dart to the person who threw it. Up Sparte's hand goes to check his tunic, finger poking at the new hole that mercifully didn't strike flesh. Et tu, Percy? He doesn't actually say anything, just sort of stares at Percephon like he can't quite understand how that happened.

Reese has playful grin for the champion when their names are announced. She steps up to the board, getting ready to throw.

Bianca stepped inside, brows lifting as she took in the surroundings upon her entry. She began making her way to the bar area noting a few familiars gathered there. Otherwise she stayed fairly low-profile aside from you know... being an albino garbed in pretty much all white. Stealth isn't exactly her forte. Her hand lifted to Mae though she didn't interrupt beyond a soft, "Congratulations." to Khanne as she approached.

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 57 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

"Bianca!" Mae calls, and then blows a kiss, and then refocuses on darts.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 50 higher.

Bianca has joined the Crow Bar.

That first throw of Caspian's is nothing special, but then he hits a bullseye and a double bullseye. He smiles though, shrugging as he says, "I guess that first throw was really a fluke. But still, I'm doing okay, I'd say," he says, stroking at his chin as he heads back for his seat.

Derovai rocks back on his heels to stabilize himself just slightly at the pat. "Drinking later," he remarks to Aerandir, offering him a friendly nod and nothing further, apparently willing to let Aerandir make new acquaintances. But the display from Percephon earns a sharp little bark of laughter, and he calls out, "At least I know I'm not the worst! I threw all three of mine." They didn't actually hit the board two of the times, but...

Brady gets up from his table to stand next to Thena, exchanging a some quiet (relative to the noisy bar) words with her.

Reese looks impressed with Caspian's throws. She steps up to the board and really tries to win, but the warrior princess falls short of the champion. She gives him a smile. "Champion Caspian, you have bested me, I am impressed and humbled." She says in his direction. Her tone is gentle.

Brady has left the Murder Table.

Throwing out his arms to either side of him, shoulders hunched up high in a shrug, Percephon offers Sparte a level, deadpan look of what is probably an apology. He offers a commiserative huff, exhaling, as he lowers his gaze to examine the newly discovered hole in his own tunic. See --? They're the same. At least it didn't wound the Iron Guard, right? After that round is over, Percephon starts back toward Margerie and Derovai. "You did. Now, that I have a subject --" with a lift of his chin toward Goodman Voss, "--on which to focus my snide remarks, Lady Keaton, you may grade me."

Caspian offers a smile back to Reese, looking to her throws and counting it up, "Wow, that was close! Closest round of the game, I think. You did good, your highness, I was afraid you would knock me out."

Mae watches with wide-eyed anticipation. That Caspian's first is /not/ a bullseye has her brows lifting. And then the other two land true. "Alright!" she calls, and gives a small clap. Then goes Reese, and not a bullseye. And not a bullseye. And then a bullseye! Mae claps and smiles, and then takes a moment to do the math. "Ah, that's... One Twenty Six for Caspian, One Twenty Two for Reese! ... Caspian moves on! Next up, Dame Thena and Lady Khanne! ... And as a reminder, Sparte is worth /no/ points."

Waldemai applauds the competitors. "Good thing no one took that bet," he says. "But I wouldn't have minded paying up after that go-round."

"Listen to Mae! I'm entirely pointless!" Pipes up Sparte.

Sabella takes another drink of her cider and she holds her breath to see the outcome of the round. When Caspian bests her sister her face falls briefly but she manages a smile as she speaks to Reese. "You got very far and did very well, I'm quite proud of you."

"Not in my heart, Sparte --" Percephon sing-songs, tunelessly.

Lord Percephon's round is hard to miss; Thena drags her hands down her face in a mild show of astonishment but then lowers them and claps. "You have to admire that kind of effort." Then, because Bianca is also hard to miss (scholar thing?), she lifts a hand and calls, "Evening, Blessed Bianca." Oops, she's up. "Lady Khanne," she tells her opponent with a smile, reaching for her darts.

Reese peeks back to Caspian. "I remember your skills, should I ever get into more duels." She says and it sounds like she might just do that! She then smile over to Sabella. "Thank you."

Margerie curves a hand over her mouth to hide her amusement at the poor man's failed efforts. She leans towards Khanne when the Lady returns to the bar. "It does not feel like a complete week not having you over to visit the Hall. I'm sorry if I've missed you." For Derovai? She belatedly replies, "Why not donate it to the charity we're here to support instead? That would most please me." Percephon? She just shakes her head. "I am sorely tempted to tell you that it happens to everyone in a consoling tone, but ahhh, please. Feel free to exercise your verbal barbs since the physical ones failed you. But be gentle with the newly arrived Sir Elensar." A nod to Aerandir after his kind introduction.

Leona cheers. "Well fought Reese," she comments. "Come on over here and sit if you're looking for friends."

Khanne smiles at Mae and says, "thank you. Thank you... I practiced." She grins then presses her lips together again, lifting her hand up to her lips. She smiles at Bianca and says, "thank you. It is good to see you!" She blinks and says, "me again? So fast?" She looks at Thena and says, "oh... uh... this is not going to end well for me." She laughs and says to Thena, "after you." While waiting for Thena, she smiles to Margerie. "Yes, it's been a busy week... but it is not over. I shall be there tomorrow, I am sure."

Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 62 higher.

Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

Khanne checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Khanne checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Khanne checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

Reese starts to move over to Leona, but she tries to giver sister's hand a gentle touch as if silently inviting her along. "Have you meant the King's Own Commander?" She say to Sabella.

The Magister - that's Percephon, again - raises a hand in greeting to the Archlector of Vellichor, "Blessed Bianca, good evening."

Bianca's smile grew a tick, her hand lifting in response to Thena her greeting, but staving shouting back for fear of buggering up either of the ladies' throws. She nodded to Aerandir as well as he made his introductions, but otherwise she reached for a not-so-frothy beer. Though when Percephon lifted his hand as well to great her she edged toward him and away from dart throwers. "Lord-Magister." She dipped her head after her approach stilled.

Derovai laughs again at Margerie's turn of phrase, a little approving nod. But he looks back to Percephon, brows raising. "You didn't see that hole there before? But -- cider." Wherever the cups have been set, he picks them up, handing one to Percephon. "Might be good to stick to cider if I'm drinking later. That way I don't have a penalty at the start. Should we...?" Bianca's approach stops him, and he offers a little apologetic look to Percephon.

Bianca has left the Crow Bar.

Sabella follows along with Reese, her cloak in hand as she shakes her head at her sister. "I have not met him." She responds, and she smiles, pushing her hair away frmo her face. "Well met." She says to the folks that Reese approaches.

Aerandir whistles at the sight, slowly prying his gaze from the further dart throwing back to Derovai, then Margerie, head inclined courteously, "Oh, fret not, my lady, I am very much immune to verbal barbs - courtesy of less refined company over the years," the gaunt Lycene smiles wryly, humming as his gaze drifts to the others, "'Tis a pleasure, regardless, your ladyship, Lord-Magister, and Archlector," once the pleasantries are over with, he reaches for a waterskin on his girdle, delving deeply and generously in its contents.

Perhaps a little overwhelmed in the crowded room, Rey watches and waits for someone to chuck a dart into Sparte's eye. Or get alcohol poisoning. Or get alcohol poisoning and then chuck a dart into Sparte's eye.

Reese looks over to Saballa, giving her a nod. She draws close to Leona and Eleanor as well, joining their table. "Dame Leona and I believe Dame Eleanor? This is my sister Princess Sabella." She murmurs while taking a seat.

Reese has joined the Window Table.

"You did well!" Thena says to Khanne with a flash of a smile before yanking her darts from the board and stepping back over near Brady to pick up their chat in the brief interval before she's called up again.

Leona looks over at Sabella. "Nice to meet you. Join us if you'd like. I'm Leona, this is Eleanor, this is Felicia, and you're welcome to sit with us also." With one booted foot she kicks out a chair for the princess. "We're not standing on too much ceremony tonight."

Sabella sweeps a curtsy to the folks that are introduced and she manages a soft chuckle as she settles into the seat. "Thank you for the invitation." She responds as she folds her cloak over her lap.

Sabella has joined the Window Table.

Khanne chuckles and places her darts back with the others. "You are too kind, Thena. You are amazing at this game." She heads back over to the bar herself, resting in a chair and watching the crowd.

"No, that hole was caused from the last dart that I dropped from my hand instead of throwing toward the board. I certainly understood the nature of the game, yet, I am not inclined toward physical pursuits --" Percephon responds in low tones, accepting a cup from Derovai, "I will always settle with watered cider when in a bar, although, do not believe the rumors. The door started it. It deserved it. However, my glasses did not. I do not quite recall the rest of that inebriated evening."

This time, it's harder to tell who Mae's /clear favorite/ is. Surely, she has affection for both women. She cheers for Thena. She cheers for Khanne. And in the end, she says, "Dame Thena takes the round! Thank you, Lady Khanne! ... We're on to our /final/. As a reminder, our prizes are a suit of leather armor or a painting done by some mediocre artist," Mae declares. "And without further adieu... Caspian, please come up! Dame Thena, please remain where you are! ... Caspian, whenever you're ready!"

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 47 higher.

Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Caspian has rolled a critical success!
Caspian checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 72 higher.

Reese cheers when the next part of the contest is announced. She seems quite into watching.

"THENA! I'm with you!" Magpie calls out!

Mae lets out a cheer. "Woo! Alright, Thena! Show him what you got!"

Caspian rises from his table and heads over to the darts, grabbing them and throws each one to the dart board. Bullseye, no bulleye, and then a solid double bullesye, to which the man pumps his fist. "Finally," He turns back to Thena, pointing her way, then points to the ground, grinning in a playful challenge.

Brady puts his fingers in his mouth, whistling loudly.

Victus leans pretty far forward as the finals are on, watching with great interest. Eyes flick between Thena and Caspian both, though notably a bit more towards Thena. "This is the slowest I've ever gotten smashed out of my fucking mind."

"Well, when you grow up in bars..." Thena says with a grin at Khanne, then does a fingergun gesture /clearly/ absorbed from Aleksei at Brady before watching Caspian take his shots. There's a low whistle and she then she takes the spot.

Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 50 higher.

Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 58 higher.

Thena checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Margerie inclines her head to Khanne's answer. "I will look forward to it. And Reigna's having some special treat or another to welcome you. Ah, but one moment." Before Percephon can wander too far off, she reaches out to tap his arm. "Lord Telmar, do stop by Keaton Hall some time soon as well. I've been meanting to chat with you. If for no other reason than to hear your side of the story about the door, because I've been told you were looking at it funny since the moment you walked in. There may have been comments about its mother and forest of origin. All very risque." For those that have known her, it should come as awfully little surprise that there's more than a little glint of mischief as she speaks. A response to Aerandir is forestalled during the main event of the throwing, whistles and cheers as it all comes down to the last shot...

Sparte grins at Caspian after Thena takes the win. "Second best sounds more impressive anyway. Really."

Reese is overheard praising Thena for: She has amazing aim and skill, sharp like a dart!

Reese is overheard praising Caspian for: The champion has spirit and skill.

Rey has left the Darkened Booth.

Aerandir takes one final sip of the waterskin's contents, which reeks of anything but water, attaching it back to his girdle before his bulky arms cross before an expansive chest. His grey gaze becomes affixed on the pair of dart throwers and their efforts, a grin - as lopsided an affair as all of his facial expressions - tugging at the corners of his lips in his focused observation.

Derovai has joined the Darkened Booth.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Caspian before departing.

Brady gets on his tiptoes, trying to get a better look at the darts. He looks around confusedly. He seems to be counting something on his fingers, eyebrows furrowed.

Percephon has joined the Darkened Booth.

Reese cheers as the two through darts and she looks very impressed. "Wow...the Knight of the Solace commander has such amazing skill and precise aim!" She can be heard calling out. She also has words about Caspian. "And Caspian has the spirit of a true champion."

A cloaked figure slips into the interior of the Murder, just in time to watch the ending of the darts competition. Ashe doesn't press into the crowd proper, taking up a stance not far from the table by the window to watch the last round, pausing to applaud for Thena when the woman seemingly takes the victory. For some reason, the woman smiles when she hears Sparte's comment about 'second best' sounding better.

"More's the pity. I drink plenty, but I remember my evenings." Derovai replies. He settles at a table, cider in hand, kicking his boots up, taking a sip of the drink. "Sounds like a good story. Tell me about it," he calls over to Percephon.

People watching and smiling, Khanne picks up just a tiny bit of a conversation. She looks to Margerie, then Percephon and starts to laugh. "Door? Is it... -that- door?"

Who does one pray to for winning a bar game? Whoever it is must be listening, as Thena's darts strike well, and it takes a moment for the victory to register. Then there's a brief but bright flash of a grin, and she turns to offer Caspian her hand. "Well thrown, sir!"

Mae sucks in a breath. So intense! She watches bullseye after bullseye land, and her eyes are big and wide. When she finally stops to count up the points, she gestures. "Caspian has scored 149..." And then another gesture. "And Dame Thena has scored 153!" she calls. "Dame Thena is our Champion! Congratulations Thena!" she calls. "Now, Thena... you can choose between a painting of the subject of your choice and a suit of armor. Just let me know which you want... I'm going to roll on to our next event."

"Alright, everyone! Darts are finished, which means it's time to move on to-... A small speech by me!" Mae calls out. "Everyone who has come tonight has contributed to the Crow Soup Kitchen. If anyone hasn't seen it, it's right next door. The soup kitchen is funded to provide a bowl of soup to /every/ person in Arx that's in need. We work all year round, a bowl of soup a day, and a /promise/ that no one needs to starve in this city," Mae says, with a soft smile. "To know that-... that one fewer child is crying as they lay in bed... because the hunger pains are so bad..." Mae's eyes go glassy, and she quickly clears her throat.

"Right! Thank you all! So-... Now we move on to the /Drinking/! The way this works is everyone taking part will line up a shot, you all swig it down, and then whoever is still upright and not... spewing... moves to the next round! We have buckets!" Mae says, and she points. "And here to present tonight's /special liquor/... My lovely husband, Magpie." She gestures to the man.

Settling into a seat, Percephon chortles a laugh, grumbles: "Maybe it was that door. It certainly wasn't that chair or that chest of drawers." Although he flushes, he still smiles at Khanne, taking a sip of his drink. "I can tell you what I can recollect of the evening, Goodman Voss ..." he drops his voice low, quietly conversational, and continues.

Caspian takes Thena's hand with a smile given her way, shaking it as he tells the woman, "You did well. It was a good game. Next time though, I will beat you." He doesn't seem all that upset about losing, beaming brightly to Thena before releasing her hand and sits back down.

Magpie just grins now that it's time for him to actually do something. "JUST A MOMENT, EVERYONE!" He calls out loudly, ducking into the back of the Murder. He's not gone more than half a minute before he's sweeping back out, carrying something wrapped in a kitchen towel. He goes to the central table, stepping right up onto it's surface. "OKAY LISTEN UP!! Last time we did this we brought in a unique flavor that was dark and meaty. To change things up, however, we have something quite different. I present to you all, Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze. This one-hundred proof liquor is sweet, friendly, and holds all the familiar joy of eating a small cake slathered in frosting." He shares, then pulls free the towel from the bottle. "Oh! And it's pink." He holds up the bottle, showing everyone the colorful label with a unicorn on it and the swirling, milky pink liquid inside. "Come drink if you dare!" The man sets the bottle on the table and hops down to claim his seat.

Magpie checked dexterity + all at difficulty 9, rolling 2 higher.

Magpie drops Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze.

Leona cheers at Caspian and Thena. "Well done, Thena!" She's sitting with Reese and Sabella, Eleanor and Felicia at the window table, though her head turns as the unknown figure takes up a position near their table. "There's a chair left if you want to sit," she offers the unknown person, saying something quieter to the table at large.

Waldemai steps up. "I'll...gulp...drink that."

Khanne hmms. look cupcake

Victus claps his hand on the bar as this brand new liquor shows itself. "I will drink the everlovin' shit out of that. Tell me when. Just tell me when."

Monique perks up. "I will absolutely drink to that. Or drink that."

Nope. Sparte just shakes his head, waving it off with one hand. He is just going to watch other people drink alcoholic icing today.

Reese's blue eyes widen at the talk of a new pink drink that tastes like cake and then her cheeks warm with a rosy hue that suggests excitement. "That sounds like the best drink every made."

There's no response for Caspian's challenge but a perk of dark brows and a quick quirk of a smile, then with the booze hitting the table...and what booze it is...Thena withdraws once more to the sidelines.

Khanne looks over to Mae at the speech, smiling softly before turning to Magpie. When he comes back with the bottle she blinks. "Wait... sweet? It's sweet? How do I get my own bottle?"

Ashe glances over at Leona, offering her a smile. "Thank you," she replies, taking the offered seat, tucking her cloak off to one side. "I'm not sure whether that drink sounds absolutely amazing, or absolutely appalling. Maybe both."

Ashe has joined the Window Table.

Monique checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 5 higher.

Felicia checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 12 higher.

"Again, there's buckets!" Mae calls. She walks over to a crate and grabs a few of the bottles, and then starts walking around and pouring out shots. "Raise your hand if you want to drink!" ... A pause, then Mae adds. "Everyone who partakes gets their own bottle!"

Reese checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 4 higher.

Magpie checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 15 higher.

Waldemai checked willpower at difficulty 10, rolling 5 higher.

Caspian checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 5 higher.

Eleanor checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 20 higher.

Bianca checked willpower at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Sabella has left the Window Table.

Victus checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 15 higher.

Derovai checked willpower at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Margerie leans forward on her stool, the better to stare at the bottle in fascinated horror. "Come now, it can't taste like it looks. Can it?" But if they're getting bottles. "This is going to hurt.

There's no way she's doing fingerguns twice in a day, but when Thena murmurs something to Mae and hears her response, there's a cheerful nose-crinkle at the woman before she settles back in with her ale and some string potatos, a healthy portion of which go to the mastiff.

Leona checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 4 higher.

Torian has left the Crow Bar.

Margerie checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 22 higher.

Magpie just throws back the first three shots, grimacing a bit at the sweetness with the first one, but he gets used to it by the third. "Love, you forgot to announce last content's reigning champion!" He calls out with a smirk.

Monique takes her three shots in quick succession, and then looks like she wishes she hadn't. "Oh, that's sweet. That's very, very... sweet. And strong. Corban is going to be so mad at me in the morning."

Reese takes a shot of the pink cake drink. "Oh, Magnanta praised this is the best drink ever."

Leona takes the shot, because why wouldn't she? She's staring at the bottle as she does though. "This is so not my thing," she mutters.

"...cake frosting?" Caspian looks suspiciously at the drink, brows raised, looking around himself a moment as he says, "Arx is a weird god damn city. Could have just had done rum." And with that, he takes his shot glass and downs it, shaking his head, "Liquor should not be pink. This is an abomination of a drink. This should never had been made."

Bianca shifted her beer to her right hand, reaching to take the offered pink gooey alcoholic mess of a shot glass. At least she assumes it's gooey. It was knocked back and she didn't even make it through one. "Ope. Nope nope nope. I'm out. Nope."

Khanne hmms. "Is it too late for me to join?"

Three shots? Yeah, three shots. That's child's play to Victus as he immediately raises to grab his own couple of glasses. Then just as they go, one two and three. "Oof. OOF." He puts a hand to his mouth and coughs. "Holy shit it's bitter but also feels like my teeth are gonna fall out. Gods have mercy for this cupcake shit has none." He sets the glasses down. "It's a two pronged attack."

Bianca nudged her remaining two to Khanne. "It is /very/ sweet."

"Drink up, sweets," Mae says, to Khanne, as she pours the woman a shot or three. "So, /last/ time... We had Prince Creston's Black Rum. Dyed black with squid ink... With a squid inside. Magpie beat Victus..."

Eleanor throws back her shots in quick success, and immediately makes a face. "Eaugh. Gross." She brightens though when she sees Leoan's drinking, and raises her (now empty) glass toward Leona. "Cheers, Commander!"

"Nasty," grouses Agnarr. He does not even make the attempt - busy watching those who do.

As the shots make their way over to the table where he's seated, Derovai downs them quickly, grimacing. He mutters something to Percephon, more than a little sour-sounding, as he makes his way through the shots.

Khanne checked willpower at difficulty 10, rolling 2 lower.

Ashe checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Waldemai holds his nose, closes his eyes, and forces the cupcake liquor down. "Gah. Ugh. I'll need some whiskey to wash the taste of that out of my mouth."

Margerie has enough energy after the shot to make several funny faces and stick her tongue out as if it might have grown unicorn cupcake fuzz on it. "Oh, bloody ... this means I'm going to have to drink it again."

Aerandir checked stamina at difficulty 10, rolling 13 higher.

Khanne doesn't waste time after mae gives her permission. Three shots are lined up for her and she lifts one up, tossing it back. She grimaces as she swallows, then coughs. Her face scrunches up, nose wrinkling, lips puckering. She looks absolutely -pained- by the attack of sweetness and looks at the remaining two shots. Shaking her head, she holds her hand out to them, fingers closed, palm blocking the glasses from view. "Nope..... Not tonight."

"Down the hatch!" calls Mae, who seems very happy. Probably becuase she's not drinking. "Next round is coming!" she calls, as she starts to move around and pour again. For everyone that's not quitting, at least.

Monique checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Caspian checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Magpie checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Reese checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Margerie checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Victus checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Aerandir checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Waldemai checked willpower at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Derovai checked willpower at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Eleanor checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Ashe checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Leona checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Bianca was in the midst of downing the remainder of her beer in hopes of warding off that dastardly sweetness that lingered in a coat over her mouth, nose still squinched up. She moved to Mae as she darted about offering a small pouch. The remainder of her exchange was had in subdued volume though tail-ended with a smile and withdraw toward the door after her cup had been set back at the bar.

Sparte is grinning at the people going through the drinking contest from his safe (ha) spot at the Murder table.

Reese eager takes the next shot, seeming to be a super fan of the pink cake drink.

Felicia checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Leona shudders as she drinks the next one. "Alcohol should not be this sweet," she comments with a frown.

Thena watches the drinking for some time, clearly amused, but finally finishe her ale and makes her way torwards the exit, though not before stopping to whisper something to Sparte.

Again Caspian downs his shots, grimacing, letting out a small gasp as he turns his eyes upon Magpie. He speaks in a mellowdramatic tone, telling the man. "This should never have been made. You committed a violence upon Arx, no, all of mankind with this drink. This should not be drunk, it should be set afire and thrown at the enemy ships." He sticks out his tongue, as if that would get rid of the sweet taste.

Aerandir eagerly enough reaches for a shot of his own when the drink is passed around, then another once the second round arrives, head thrown back swiftly as he mercilessly pours both down his gullet. A grimace follows as he lowers the glass, that expression of his lingering. The gaunt man breaks into a brief fit of coughing, a lump bobbing in his neck as he swallows several times, "Gods, that... that is /something./"

Second time is not the charm. The fuzz apparently takes over and the former Countess Margerie ends up slumping at Khanne's side. "I think Im seeing rainbows. Are there rainbows? And why is the *hiccough* bar mauve?" Down goes Keaton!

"Folks, if you can't handle the sweet, don't feel bad about backing out. We'll only mock you a little bit." Magpie says with a laugh, then tosses back the next shot. "Wooooooo... oh, I can feel the sugar and the alcohol competing in my blood. I may have to go jogging through the graveyard when this is done."

Waldemai drinks down and makes a face. "It'll take a lot to get the taste of that out of my mouth. I suggest fire, and lots of it."

Eleanor gathers up her two shots - somewhat wobbly, already - and stands. "Ladies, I'll be back. I've got to drink with Magpie, I promised." She turns to the room. "MAGPIE." She scnas the crowd blearily. "We're drinking again!" Where is he? Ah-ha! She hears him, and wanders that way, shots held close to her chest. One splashes a bit.

Second round! Derovai is ready, but he blinks a few times as the round goes down, shaking his head. He calls over to Aerandir, "Don't tell me you're tapping out!" His gaze darts towards Caspian, and he offers a grin.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Derovai before departing.

Victus makes a face when he downs his next couple of shots. "Haaaa." He's raising a hand to his mouth again. If it wouldn't be the alcohol churning in his stomach, it would probably be the taste. "It's like fruit paste and sugar." He adds on his second tasting of it.

Aerandir snorts, wafting a hand dismissively at Derovai as he calls back, "Oh, never! Not so early!"

Mae flashes a smile to Bianca, and kisses the woman's cheek. Then she starts around again. "Next round coming! If you're out, cover your glass! Or have the decency to puke in a bucket!"

Felicia caught just enough of Caspian's words from her spot by the window to point an empty shotglass in his direction. Agreed on the behalf of the redheaded Sword, it seems. She's still making faces as if somehow this will get rid of the taste when the second round comes around. And she's apparently merciless to her own gullet with the way she elects to torture herself with the second round. Close the eyes, down the hatch. It doesn't stop the sweet, but, well, it's working so far at least.

"Fruit paste, sugar, and a lot of alcohol," Ashe proclaims. "This is the most flammable cupcake I've ever tasted."

Victus checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Reese checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Ashe checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

Aerandir checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Margerie does not so much cover her glass as flail at it in an attempt to make it go to a galaxy far, far away.

Leona checked stamina at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Ashe checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 0 higher.

Magpie checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 2 higher.

Aerandir checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 13 lower.

Sparte waves over Wilhelm, saying something to the man before turning his attention back to the contest. Wilhelm gives a suffering sort of look, going to say something to Mae before returning to Sparte's table.

Waldemai checked willpower at difficulty 20, rolling 0 higher.

Leona checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 1 higher.

Caspian checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Reese checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 1 higher.

Felicia checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Monique checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 9 lower.

Victus checked stamina at difficulty 20, rolling 7 higher.

"Oh dear!" Khanne tries to catch Margerie, to at least help her into a chair if she can. "Rainbows.. rainbows.. I am afraid you may still be seeing them tomorrow, in unpleasant ways. Here... just um... can I get you some water or tea?" Then she leans over and whispers, "there most certainly was a door."

Reese eagerly takes the third shot, seemingly all pleased by the drink. Her cheeks stay rosy and her blue eyes stay bright. "Best drinking contest ever." She says.

Monique manages six. It's still a miracle. Then she pushes back from the bar. "I'm done. I'm going to go... attempt the Gauntlet." Or pass out in an alleyway on the way back to Telmar.

Magpie reaches for a napkin and wipes at his eyes, then makes a brief, ill-looking face and leaning over a bit towards Victus, "Oh.. ooooh... I think I might... No, wait, I'm fine." He teases with a nudge at the High Lord with an elbow before he snags up the next shot of pink poison and drinks it down.

Reese is overheard praising Magpie for: Best booze ever made!

Reese is overheard praising Mae for: Great hostest and raising money for a good cause.

Leona coughs. She opens her mouth and sticks her tongue out like she's either making a yuck face or doing her best impression of Lilybelle, but she has been drinking it. "This is... strangely growing on me?" She pauses. Frowns. "No, I lied. Definitely not."

Aerandir reels back as if he was struck from the third shot, not even nearly close to finishing it, as he slams the glass back on the table and covers his mouth with a hand. Now pale, he falls utterly silent, seemingly doing his very best not to vomit... or worse.

Victus pushes Magpie back with a near shoulder-bash of his own while the alcohol is coursing through him. "I am not going down easily, even if this tastes like shit." And speaking of it, Victus' cat was doing her own best impression of being utterly appalled at what went on around her. She was crouched beneath the High Lord's seat, ears flattened while the rowdiness went on around her.

Margerie managegs not to actually lean /on/ Khanne, just very close to it. It's the rosy cheeked boon companionship borne of acquaintances suddenly and vastly too deep in their cups. "Oh, you should meet the Prince. He keeps talking about .. fires tomorrow in un-peasant ways." It's a little more stumbling than that, but close. Her eyes widen with wonder. "And was it a very special door?"

Caspian drinks his next shot and coughs afterwards, shaking his head. "Oh god...no more. I can't take another sip. I might hurt," he says. "I rather drink whale oil then this shit." Looking over to Reese, Caspian stares at her as she praises the liquor, then calls out, "Reese, go home, you're drunk."

Mae stops her making rounds to listen to Wilhelm as the man approaches. She listens. Her eyes narrow. She turns and starts over to Derovai.

"MAGPIE," Eleanor shouts again. She stumbles on something - oh look, it's Magpie, being pushed into her somehow. "Magpie," she beams at him, still holding her last two shots. "I'm here to drink with you, like I promised." She holds up the first shot, as though looking for cheers. It sloshes towards him.

Reese might be a little tipsy, but she doesn't seem drunk drunk. She looks over to Caspian, giving him a playful smile. "Pink with triumph!" she says, sounding silly, but she is somber enough to still move gracefully and she still seems in the game.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Reese before departing.

Derovai looks over at Mae. "What? Oh. Sorry." He offers an apologetic smile from where he sits, easing his way out of the darkened table. "My turn?"

Ashe tries another round, though the cloaked woman is starting to look a bit like a child who's had too much sugar and is starting to really feel it. Though she seems to be willing to try to win the pink sugary booze-like substance, she can't help but grunt a sort of pained "Hrugh."

Mae flashes Derovai a smile, then leans in, getting close to the man. She whispers out a few words, then draws back, to stare for a moment, to make sure she was heard. Then a sweet smile follows.

Khanne tilts her head and waves over to whoever is tending the bar while Magpie drinks. "Water, for Lady Keaton please?" Looking back to Margerie, she nods. "A very special door indeed. Which Prince? What fire? Does he know Dame Morrighan?"

Reese checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 1 lower.

Magpie checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 4 lower.

Waldemai checked willpower at difficulty 25, rolling 11 higher.

Leona checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 6 lower.

Ashe checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 3 lower.

Victus checked stamina at difficulty 25, rolling 12 lower.

Reese takes a drink of the next shot and then she stumbles falling against her table and bumping into the Lord Commander of all people or at least she does if the woman doesn't move quickly enough. "Sorry..." She says and burps. Its an undignified burp. Reese then giggles. She is so drunk.

Aerandir stares a long few moments at the ceiling in his utterly focused state, hellbent on not letting the alcohol get the best of him. At long last he swallows a final time, shaking his head firmly; the man barges outside with a pale pallour and a grimace to go with it.

"Hey Dame Eleanor." Magpie greets with a warm, charming, pink-lipped grin. "You did promise. So who was that friend you were going to bring?" He asks, giggling a bit as the sugar and alcohol make him quite giddy. He grabs up the next shot and tosses it back, then jumps to his feet. "Here Eleanor, bring it in for a hug." The man says, except when he reaches to grab for the young knight for that hug, me misses completely and lurches a couple of steps, then wheels to catch himself on a chair and grimaces before dropping to his knees and just barfing up the pink stuff all over the floor. Delightful, really.

Derovai murmurs something low to Mae, giving her a direct, frank look. He even raises his hands a little, in the obvious 'search me' gesture. He looks visibly surprised by something, before breathing a sigh of relief.

Mae turns away from Derovai and starts to pour some more drinks. Drinks that are, apparently, too much!

Kit, the grey fox, a tiny man with a BIG unpronounceable name leave, following Monique.

Leona stares at the next round. She stares at it hard, and then... she doesn't. "No," she decides. "I'm out. So out." She just pushes the drink away instead. Then Reese is bumping into her and burping and giggling and Leona just laughs.

Victus shakily raises the glass up to his mouth. He takes one sip. Just one. Then he puts the glass back down, shakes his head, and spits it into the bucket. "This is not worth it." He comments aloud. "Magpie you made a fucking biological weapon without poisoning a soul. You mad fucker."

Waldemai stares into the fatal glass. He raises it to his lips...no. He pinches his nose closed, throws it back so hard the booze bounces off his tonsils, and then clamps his mouth closed and grits his teeth. "Ah. Ugh. No...no...*urk*." He clamps his jaw shut until his stomach gives up the fight against gravity.

Percephon has left the Darkened Booth.

Magpie is busy throwing up on the tarp at Victus's feet.

Reese looks over to Waldemai, seemingly so very impressed with him. "Wow...he likes pink more than me." She says and giggles again.

Ashe takes a sip, and then blanches. The woman's clearly reached her sugary limit. "Nope." She pushes away the rest of her drink, clearly just as done as Leona. "I'll buy a bottle later; no victory is worth this."

Eleanor watches Magpie with a flat expression, tossing back her two shots from three rounds ago. After a pause to make another face, she steps around the pink barf to pat Magpie's shoulder sympathetically. "Ya'okay?" She glances up, just noticing Victus nearby. "Oh High Lord Prince, hello." She blinks at him. "Your mouth is pink."

Reese is overheard praising Waldemai for: He likes pink more than me! Also has lots of stamina, can drink alot.

Khanne turns and lifts her hand to the side of her face, very obviously ignoring the grossness that Magpie is up to.

"Oh, Mags!" Mae calls out. She frowns as the man starts to spew. "Oh, Gods, Scourge no!" she scrambles to grab her dog before it makes it to Magpie's sick. "Gross!" she exclaims. She rises back up, holding Scourge, then looks around. "Ooookay! Looks like Waldemai is the only one of you that has the /grit/ to continue! Which means... Waldemai! You're our winner! Magpie, stop praying to Mangata and go get the prize!"

Reese has managed to slide to the floor now. She might not be want to reminded of sitting on the floor of the Murder in a pile of pile of pink while totally wasted land, but right now she is smiling, flushed and giggly. She burps again. She is not a graceful drunk!

Percephon finishes relating what he can recall of the tale involving whiskey and the door, sliding out of the booth with a long-sufffering expression on his face, "So. That's what I can remember of it. There were just /so/ many splinters. And it took a solid week and a half for the black eye to heal, Goodman Voss. I appreciate the drink and the apology and the time. Now, I need to see if anyone is in need of a sober escort back to their residences. Pardon." He bows smartly at the waist and crosses the floor, headed toward Khanne and Margerie. "Ladies...?"

"I'm praying to the Queen of Endings for the sweet release of death," Caspian quips back to Mae, sticking out his tongue. "Shit will taste like sugar for a whole week. I don't think I can live like this."

There's something akin to a shrill scream. It's not from a person, no. It's from Lilybelle, the cat of Victus and the self-proclaimed Queen of the Maelstrom. She scrambles away from the pink spew of Magpie, dashing between legs and eventually scrambling up the wall. Literally, as her claws dig in deep. Victus seems non-phased by this. "Gods Magpie, your guts are gonna turn pink at that rate. Keep them in there, nobody wants to see that." And then his eyes turn to Eleanor. "King's Guard. You look fucking wasted."

Waldemai looks around. "I won?" He winces and burps. "I'm not sure I can call this winning..."

"She's off duty," Leona helpfully calls out to Victus.

Margerie windmills her arm to wave some of the newest losers over towards the bar. "We're getting water," she says a bit more loudly than she likely intended to. It was, apparently, important to announce it though. But then it's back to Khanne listening. And some nodding, and some energetic finger wagging of assent. And some quieter words at the table before she gasps. "That's a /very/ forward door."

Magpie is a little out of it, but eventually Mae's words sink in. He wipes at his mouth with his sleeve and carefully gets back to his feet, leaving that mess right where it is, yep. Then he gets that towel from earlier and better wipes his hands and mouth and staggers off to the back room. When he returns it's with Waldemai's prize. He sets it down before the man, "Congrash... " Then the sailor just sits down in the lap of the nearest person in a chair, groaning.

Magpie drops carved unicorn figurine.

Derovai rolls his shoulders, offering Percephon a little wave as he leaves the table. But he's back over just in time to see Aerandir leave, and everyone start to tap out, with vomiting. He grimaces, looking away, and then calls out to Percephon. "Mind the door if you escort them out! Lady Keaton, watch yourself. Hit twice in one night would be terrible."

Derovai has left the Darkened Booth.

Reese looks up toward Waldemai as if all impressed. She then looks to the unicorn figure with longing. "Wow.." She says dreamily.

"Waldemai!" Mae says, loudly, as Magpie presents the prize. "You are the proud over of a super special, extra limited release, double plus rare /genuine/ highway robbery figurine!" Mae exclaims. "Only five have been made. So please, cherish it! Or, you know, give it to a little kid who likes rainbows," Mae says, with a grin.

Khanne quickly rises from her seat, trying to help Margerie up as well if she elects to leave with she and Percephon. She seems to be having a weak stomach reaction to all that is going on around her, and seems quite grateful to be leaving. She links her arm through Perce's and asks Margerie, "shall we? Or are you prefering to stay?"

"S'fine," Eleanor answers Victus with a shrug. It unbalances her, and she has to steady herself. "M'Lord Commander told me to." At Leona's call, she points towards her. Her finger wobbles. "See?" She licks her lips, making a face. "I feel like a dog rolled in sugar and then died in my mouth."

Waldemai is a crafter and can appreciate the workmanship of the statue. "That's a beauty, all right..." He sees Reese, and adds, "Would you like it, Princess? The gods know I've won thousands betting on you in the fights, so it's only fair..."

Mae drops Large Red Wooden Crate.

Mae drops A cheap wooden chest.

Percephon gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Ashe gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Felicia gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Eleanor gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Victus gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Derovai gets Murder of Crows throwing dart from A cheap wooden chest.

Eleanor gets Murder of Crows throwing dart from A cheap wooden chest.

Khanne gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Caspian gets Murder of Crows throwing dart from A cheap wooden chest.

Victus gets Murder of Crows throwing dart from A cheap wooden chest.

Felicia gets Murder of Crows throwing dart from A cheap wooden chest.

Percephon puts Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze in Large Red Wooden Crate.

Khanne gets Murder of Crows throwing dart from A cheap wooden chest.

Derovai gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Reese is still sitting on the floor in all her pink. She looks up toward Waldemai. "Oh, I do!" She says, jumping up and stumbling into the table with the King's Own again. She starts toward Waldemai, all eager, like clumsy and overgrown puppy. "Thank you!" She says, sounding very excited and very drunk.

Margerie nods, pointing and waggling at the whiskey name. "It was very good! And one of the newer ones in the city, Jacque I believe. There are so maOoooooo!" The sentence cuts off in favor of accepting the apple with an ever so grateful look for this fine treasure. "You will have to introduce us sometime. Not that I know fires terribly well, but people!" As if that were a complete sentiment. But! THen up on her feet! She drinks the water with her free hand and then nods to Khanne. "Let us be off. We can console him about the doorward."

Margerie gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from A cheap wooden chest.

Leona gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Agnarr gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Khanne has left the Crow Bar.

Drysi, a young shaman apprentice leaves, following Khanne.

Margerie has left the Crow Bar.

Khanne, Margerie leave, following Percephon.

Sparte gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Waldemai picks up carved unicorn figurine.

Reese gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Reese gets Murder of Crows throwing dart from A cheap wooden chest.

Ashe looks like she's trying to scrape her tongue clean with her teeth, in hopes of removing the sugary pink alcoholic crust that's formed there. It doesn't appear to be working. The cloaked woman looks a bit like she regrets every life choice she's made recently, though this doesn't stop her from getting up from her seat at the table to claim a bottle of the milky pink alcoholic substance.

Magpie is overheard praising Mae for: Another fine Darts/Drinking Night!!

Derovai watches, wavering a little from his two rounds before he tapped out. He plants a hand on the table, though, and then heads out the door. If he's moving a little uncertainly, at least few people in the Murder are sober enough to make light of it!

Nevertheless, Agnarr feels the need to retrieve a bottle of the thing. He doesn't open it, but it gets stuffed in a sack. He sits back down, looking among those that linger, and kicks a foot at the nearest stool.

Sparte gets up, grabbing a bottle since he paid the fee, even if he didn't drink. He gestures to the other guardsmen, rounding them up. "Everyone pick someone sloshed and get them home safe." He heads over towards Reese, apparently the person he has picked as his charge. Waldemai is given a polite smile before he looks to Reese, offering her his hand. "Princess Sir, may I see you home?"

Caspian moves to grab a dart from the chest, but he doesn't bother getting any of that nasty, nasty liquor, shaking his head at the chest like it's something to be shamed. Though, after a moment, he does eventually grab it. "I suppose I can trick someone into drinking this for laughs."

Caspian gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Brady gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Large Red Wooden Crate.

Derovai adds over his shoulder to Caspian, "Give it to Lord Mazetti. Tell him it's liquid courage for the sparring match!" But he's heading out.

Felicia's content to stay where she is. And when her bottle is set before her there's a look of abject horror that crosses her face. Oh gods, no. She dropped out! This isn't a sho... oh, yeh. Still, the bottles eyed with a kind of wary respect,"Ahme... gonna put this away... f'in case of emergencies. Like... if I ever lose all will to live." she proclaims, mostly for herself.

Brady gets Murder of Crows throwing dart from A cheap wooden chest.

Mae smiles brightly as Waldemai offers the unicorn to Reese. She gives a laugh, then turns and starts back over towards her husband. "You alive?" she asks Magpie. She leans forward to poke his shoulder.

Magpie has ended up back on the floor with his head resting on the seat of a chair. "Nooo... I can't move." Me mutters at the poking.

Derovai checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Reese looks over to Sparte, taking his hand and giving him a drunk goofy smile. "Thanks Sparte." She slurs out. She is holding the unicorn figure and seems to be cherishing it.

Agnarr gets Murder of Crows throwing dart from A cheap wooden chest.

Brady picks up 100.0 silver from A rugged leather pouch.

Caspian lets out a chuckle at Derovai, shrugging his shoulder as he admits to the man, "I'm not sure who that is, but I will do it anyway!" He rolls his shoulders, heading over to Mae as he asks the woman, "Can I have my knife back now?" He ask the woman, holding out the bottle of pink liquor. "We'll trade."

Reese has left the Window Table.

Sparte has left the Murder Table.

Wilhelm the Iron Messenger, 3 Iron Guardsmen leave, following Sparte.

Sparte leaves, following Reese.

Mae carefully lowers herself to her knees, though keeps Scourge in her arms. She stares at Magpie for a long moment, then huffs. "Six shots? You're not the young man I married," she says, with a mock frown. THen a giggle, and she leans forward to kiss Magpie's temple. She looks back over, to see Reese and Sparte together. She grins. Then she looks to Caspian. "What? I already gave it to you!"

Brady snickers from the back of the room, watching the drinking contest. Once it's over, he takes one of the drinks for himself, and slips it into his pouch with a mischievous look. He remembers to put some silver in the donation bin, as well.

Caspian pats himself down, feeling it, then says to Mae, "Oh, you did. Sorry, I must be a bit tipsy." He gives a smirk over to the woman. "Good event. You did good. I had fun. I hope you do it again soon." And with that, he waves, heading for the door.

Eleanor wanders back toward the King's Own table and sits - falls into - a chair. "Is my mouth pink?" she asks the table, opening it wide for inspection, showing Felicia, Leona, and Ashe - hello new friend! - in turn.

"No... not.. uhhgh.. .. " Magpie responds to Mae's kiss on the forehead and just stays put right where he is, his body probably in some mild form of shock from this torture. At least he doesn't have to go far to go home.

Caspian has left the Murder Table.

Mae just rolls her eyes at Caspian as he goes. Rolls them right back to Magpie. She reaches out to pet his hair gently. "Poor thing," she murmurs out, ever so sweetly. "Let me go check in on your girlfriend..." she says. Then she turns and heads over to the women of the King's Own. "You all still alive?"

Waldemai staggers out the door. He's got a long walk back to Southport Square.

Leona chuckles. "Of course," she says to Mae. "But I think Eleanor forgot that even without the drink the inside of her mouth is pink. I'm guessing she's very drunk." She seems amused, not upset.

Eleanor either considers Ashe's response, or stares into space for a moment. Sort of hard to tell the difference just at the moment. But she seems unconvinced, if she was considering, as she immediately turns to Mae and repeats the question. "Is my mouth pink?" She starts to open it for inspect, then clamps it shut. "Oh, yer Magpie's wife who doesn't like me."

"Does she need a place to stay, or are you dragging her back?" Victus calls back to the table of the King's Own, a brow raised as he carefully steps over Magpie. Giving him a pat on the back as well. "Chin up, you'll drown in your own gunk if you fuck about."

Felicia gives a nod in agreement,"What she said." she echoes Ashe blearily to Eleanor, offering Mae the broadest and... least steady smile she can,"The Queen hasn't come to claim me yet, but that thing..." she points at her bottle,"might count as a weapon of massh dessstruction." she opines, content to sprawl where she is presently, now that her stomach is not endeavoring to rebel. She perks, at least a little, at Eleanor's blurt, eyeing Mae curiously.

Leona says, "You don't like Eleanor, Mae?" She looks over at Victus. "No, they're coming back with me, I'm not nearly as drunk as they are.""

Brady puts Murder of Crows throwing dart in A rugged leather pouch.

Brady puts Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze in A rugged leather pouch.