The Redrain Grounds are full of life this morning. Servants clad in furs and leathers are at work building bonfires for light and warmth, while others mill around the tables to set up food and drink. There are even a few in the area now quartered off for where the work will be done, sifting through the boxes of seeds and readying the shovels.
    Darren stands amongst all the hub-bub, supervising as any good Highlord is wont to do. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows and he looks ready to get down and dirty, though for the moment he's there to play greeter as guests arrive.

    Making her way in to the area, Isolde is literally rolling up her sleeves. She has forgone the normal inappropriate for the weather scant clothing, and has borrowed something from the Velenosa gardeners - practical, plain pants, a too-large tunic, cinched with a simple rope belt. As always, though, she wears her mirrored mask. "Sorry, sorry, I swear one of these days I'll be punctual."

Natalia arrives in rich, black silks. This might not be the best outfit for getting dirty, but the other options were seasilk. There is a glance around and Natalia looks at the shovels. It could be that she was certain that part was a joke. Instead she moves towards Darren and smiles warmly. "Goodness.." Her deep blue eyes sparkle with a teasing light as she reaches out to attempt to tap his forearms lightly. "I did not know that you were going to be showing off your weapons." That's the Arx version of the gun show, right? "THank you so much for holding such an event. I am sure that I will learn much." She doesn't linger by the man as there are far more people sure to greet him. She does move to study the shovel though.

Ansel rolls up, sporting a Valardin princess on each arm. On the left is the platinum-haired Alis, and on the right is the blonde-haired Sophie, probably beaming about something about healing or tea. Something like that. Though he's taller than either of the two Valardin cousins by over a head-and-a-half, he's certainly outshone by the two women who he escorts into the Grounds. The normally quiet, unassuming Telmar Sword has a pleased little smile on his features, and a little pep in his step as he arrives with the two princesses.

Most might be full of life in the morning, risen and chipper to greet the day - yet others are more akin to the walking dead. At least that's the case with one of Redrain's semi-known servants - the tailor bear. A cloak clad form drowsily meanders out from the villa, bundled in warmth, though her hood is raised to partially veil her eyes from that damned sunlight. Who in their right mind gets up this early, anyway? Morrighan sweeps her somnolent gaze about the grounds, finding the preparations are already in way, and most fairly busy. Once she spies Darren, her booted feet take her over in his direction, and though she moves to linger close by in a protective manner, however the large raven perched on her shoulder doesn't make her approach entirely silent with all it's grumbled and croaky vocalizations.

Lazarus arrives on horse back, dressed down for field work. An outspoken sympathizer with houses that grow their own food and feed their own, Lazarus brings a cart of tools and an extra hand or two from his own farms to assist House Redrain. With a package of olive tree seeds to gift to his Northern neighbors. The merchant hops off his horse and ties it down with the cart. Ordering the men to stay with it as he walks toward Prince Darren. He bows politely to Princess Isolde and says to Darren but in a manner that includes Princess Isolde, "Excuse me." He says, hoping not to interrupt, "I am Lazarus Mercier and wanted to provide help. We are very familiar with working the Arx land." Lazarus clears his throat and offers them the package of seeds, "This are our olives. I am very proud of the cultivar."

Alis went for a subtle (or not) mix today. Clingy black leather pants, calf-high lace up boots, and a button down blue tunic with rolled up sleeves. Somehow it manages not to look terrible alongside pimp-Ansel. "Your Grace, Princess Isolde. We're so glad to be here. It looks like it will be a lively event this evening." Her smile is polite and cheerful as she arrives on the Telmar's arm with Sophie on the opposite side. Is this a strange Valardin family thing? MAYBE. But sinze Lazarus is plying his wares, she doesn't look as if to tarry and take up their valuable time.


    "Ah, there you are," Darren's chuckles are long and deep as Isolde makes her way up the path, and he moves to her first to press a kiss to her cheek and murmur something in her ear. Then, he straightens again, cocking a brow over at the Mirrormask. "You want to say a prayer once everyone's in and settled? Something hopeful, to go along with the theme?" He turns after to Natalia, flashing her a bold grin, seemingly unmindful of the touch to his arms. "You wore the wrong outfit, I'm afraid, your Highness. Pretty silks don't make good clothes to dig in. But it's fairly easy. You stick the shovel part into the ground and dig," he smirks. To the others, he lifts a hand. "Welcome, welcome everyone. Feel free to get food, whiskey, whatever you want." Lazarus earns himself a particular look as olive seeds are produced, the Highlord's brows lifting. "Well, thank you. We'll plant them, too," he smirks.
    And since Morrighan is close by, he reaches over to scritch at the raven, and then rustle the redheaded teen's hair as well.

Eleyna arrives with her sweet little fox in her arms, dressed warmly in simple but elegant clothing. This isn't really the sort of event where one might expect to find the Velenosa princess in attendance. Her pale hands have likely never seen work more strenuous than lifting a wine glass. Yet, here she is; her cool, remote expression regarding those gathered with detached interest. Eleyna lets the little fox down to scamper at her feet as she moves to approach Isolde and Darren, waiting for the others to finish their greetings before offering one of her own.

Gardening, actually, is what has Sophie so beaming, merrily talking about all the plants she will be happy to see return with springtime. Why, she even brought her own spade. Dressed for both the weather and the work, pristine white tabard of her vocation overlaid, omnipresent leather satchel draped from shoulder to hip. "Your Grace," she intones to Darren with a polite nod, and then to Isolde, "Your Highness," seeming content to let Alis take point. Which leaves her to pleasantly smile at Lazarus. "Greetings, Master Mercier."

Isolde looks to Lazarus and smiles warmly, the expression discordant with a typical mirrormask. She dips her head. "I'm going to be utterly awful at this, so hopefully you'll be able to teach me something so I don't look the fool." She gently lays fingers on the man's arms. "Thank you for being here." She blooms into a bright smile as Alis comes over and she embraces the woman. "Welcome, darling. Don't laugh too much." She grins widely, winking at her. She nods to Eleyna as she approaches as well. "Cousin, darling it's good to see you." She nods then to Sophie, her Velenosa hostess mania seeming to translate to Redrain events as well. "Princess Sophie, a delight to see you as well." She nods to Darren. "I'll do my best not to curse the land so nothing will grow." She grins widely, perhaps teasing, perhaps... not.

Whiskey, he said? Morrighan's eyes alight with the prospect of raiding the whiskey barrels. Or bottles. Whichever was more readily available. While remaining a quiet sentinel, she glances about for the location of aforementioned liquor, although it's hard to miss all the unfamiliar faces that begin to pour into Redrain's Ward. Though the servant appears wary, Brahm at the very least seems to thoroughly enjoy the scritching with squinty eyed glee. Not a care in the world, this bird. It's the hand that ruffles her hair that draws the redhead's attention, and she lightly swats at them with a low chuff. Not that the ruffling would make those curls any worse, riotous as they are.

Lazarus nods his head to Isolde, "That is what we are here for to assist our neighbors." He bows his head and walks back to his group. Catching Sophie, he flashes a smile and polite wave to Princess Sophia when she calls out to him with a greetings, "Your highness, half expected to see you here. The Valardin are always so attentive to the land and welcoming of their neighbors. Prince Edain has afforded me permission to open a tea shop in your ward." He turns away for a moment to give orders to his guys, "Yeah, start unloading and getting squared away. I will join you in a moment." Lazarus turns back to Sophie, "Hoping to work with merchants from the Sanctum to stock their own leaves."

Ansel wanders in towards the others, letting the two Valardins depart whenever they should want to do so. He has a spade tucked into the side of his belt, like an awkward-looking sword, and is dressed to work, sleeved rolled up to just below his elbows. He, like Sophie, lets Alis take point, and follows the princess' lead, offering polite nods to the folks who pass by, looking around at the unfolding scene curiously. "Now she'll ask what you're doing here, and not opening that shop as we speak, friend," says Ansel, as Lazarus relays what's likely been one of Sophie's most hoped-for ideas. He looks sidelong at the princess, waiting for her reaction.

Fergus has dug holes before, he's dug holes in front of battle lines to snap horses legs in a cavalry charge. Fergus has dug holes for burying the dead, he's even dug holes to sleep in, thus when he walks out, despite being in his best clothing, the man looks ready to work. The large champion glances at the crowd, moving to stand off to one side and watch the start of this planting.

Aislin Ashford is, per her usual fashion sense, dressed much as if she half-expects to have to scale a wall, fight mythical creatures, or cut her way through a section of overgrown wilderness. For once, however, her leather traveling outfit is actually somewhat appropriate for the social event she finds herself at! It's a bit like seeing a comet; an event that might happen one or twice in a lifetime. The platinum-haired adventurer makes her way over towards the selection of shovels, offering a respectful nod to Prince Darren as she does so.

"I won't laugh too much, if you don't laugh too much." Alis jokes in return, returning Isolde's embrace. "We still have had little time to meet outside of business. One day, we will correct that." it may be in the far flung future, but so it has been spoken and so it will be done. Princess Natalia in the silks is spotted of course, as she's a bit hard to miss at the moment, and she waves politely, briefly showing the smooth stone in her hand to the other woman before she pockets it again. Like a little secret shared between them. "Did someone say tea shop? Sophie, you didn't tell me you had been asking after that. What a lovely idea."


    "Ah, Princess Sophie. leave it to you to bring your own spade," Darren smirks at the Mercy, "I should apologize ahead of time, as I couldn't find any tea seeds, although I swear I looked for them for your sake alone," He is likely teasing, given his warm laughter. And then, he dips his head to Alis, before focusing on Ansel. "I don't think we've met yet," he says to the man, extending a hand for a shake. "Prince Darren, of Redrain. Welcome, welcome." And once any shaking that's done is done, he'll go back over to the shovels to grab himself two, hoisting them both over his shoulders as he heads back to Isolde. "If you curse the lands, I'll be very mad at you," he grins to the Mirrormask, handing her one of the shovels, and keeping the other one for himself, which he promptly points in Fergus' direction. "Fergus! There you are, maybe you can teach Princess Natalia how to dig."

Eleyna gives her cousin a cool nod, her icy blue eyes fixing on the Mirrormask for a moment before drifting away. She glides away from the crowd around the hosts and moves a little further off to, at the very least, observe whatever was to take place.


The Grayson princess is more interested in studying how this all going to happen and then looking at her silks. There is a lift of her head as she hears her name from Darren and looks towards Fergus. A smile and shrug of her shoulders. Natalia walks over towards Fergus and drops her voice low to his ear as she attempts to snake her hand through his arm. It's more of a formal escort gesture than one of flirting.

"What wonderful news, Master Lazarus!" Not so much loudly exclaimed as emphatic with emotion. For the nonce, Sophie remains escorted upon Ansel's arm, which might make it a bit comedic when she tries to companionably reach for Lazarus' forearm -- remembering just in time that she is holding her spade. Oops. Laughing a little, she merrily tells the merchant, "I have no doubt that they will be most pleased to oblige, and I will be more than happy to make introductions. Speaking of... are you acquainted with Lord Ansel Telmar?" That said, she relays to Alis, amused, "Blessed Lagoma heard my prayers and outsourced to the Merciers." Then to Darren, "It is quite all right, Your Grace. Considering your track record with tea, it likely would be more of a funerary burial."

With half of his arms now freed, Ansel offers a hand in return to Darren, taking the man's hand in a friendly clasp. "Your Grace," he greets, politely. "Ansel Telmar," is his introduction-reply. Hearing his name from the Valardin at his arm, he turns back to Lazarus once more, dipping his head politely. "Good to meet you, Master Lazarus," he offers, in greeting.

Fergus leans in to speak quietly in return to Natalia, grunting at her words and then leading her over toward a shovel. "This... is a shovel." Fergus starts his training, and then points to the metal end. "And this end goes into the ground, put your weight behind it like this..." He unlinks his arm from Natalia and shoves teh shovel hard down into the earth. "YOu can also use your foot to shove it in deeper, everyone knows deeper is better."

Lazarus chuckles towards Lord Ansel and Lady Aislin, a noble he was very familiar with, and nods his head, "Yes, a great honor. House Valardin is a top producer of the best teas that being able to introduce my very own variety to a market that is very strict in quality only elevates the Mercier name." He bows his head respectfully to Lord Ansel once Princess Sophia introduces him and he says to her, "No I have not had the pleasure. Lord Ansel, I am Lazarus Mericer. Humble servant of House Grayson, House Mercier and Assistant Guildmaster to the Crafter's Guild." Lazarus introduces himself offering the lord a respectful bow.

Alis lets her smile warm a bit from polite to amused at the way the Redrain Highlord teases her cousin. And if Sophie is happy then so is she. So she will briefly unhook her arm from Ansel's and walk over to the shovels to pick out what they'll need. One for each Valardin that didn't bring their own spade, and she drags them over all at the same time. No, she doesn't carry them. But she's short, so shut up. That's when she's just in time for the exclamation of joy from the vivacious of their group.. and the total insult to Darren's tea growing prowess. To her credit, she doesn't bat an eyelash. Instead, just stands there with the shovel. Waiting. Will this be good or bad.

Natalia smiles a bit as she continues a quiet conversation with Fergus. When she looks towards the dirt there is a sigh. It's not one of those sighs of worrying about getting dirty. It's the sigh of the fashionable realizing that she's going to have to make herself less fashionable. So Natalia reaches down to grab the hem of her black dress and loops it up to her waist. A few tucks, a few ties and the skirt is safe as her legs from the knee down is exposed. "Well then... let us make holes. Just please don't go too far in case I manage to maim myself."

"I wont bury my spade too deep, can't be having you maimed." Fergus responds to Natalia and then hands the spade over toward her so that she can have a go at trying to dig a hole. "Just imagine there's gold buried under the ground."

Once Darren meanders off, the servant remains put for a time, allowing some distance to form before she trails along. Morrighan keeps him in sight and allows the Ruling Prince his space without her becoming a pest. A hand snaked out from her cloak to give the raven a light rub beneath his beak, and she eventually drifts off towards the other guardsmen. She does well to keep a guarding eye on the noble family, despite that it only consists of Darren and Fergus at the moment.


    "Ah, well. I did warn you that we don't drink a lot of tea in these parts. Had you asked for a whiskey party instead of a tea one, you wouldn't have left disappointed," Darren remarks to Sophie with a laugh, before he nods to something that Isolde murmurs to him. Before long, he's going over to one of the nearest tables, laying his shovel against it so that he can jump onto the bench, putting himself above all the others. He puts his fingers in his mouth to give a little whistle, in order to direct all eyes upward.
    "Just really quickly, I wanted to say that you are all very much welcomed here by me and mine, and Princess Isolde as well," he gives a nod to the Velenosa, and a grin as well. "I'm gonna invite her up here to say a prayer, and then you guys can grab a shovel and whatever seeds suit your fancy and get to work. There are parchment strips, too, so you can write whatever hope or dream you want to grow along with your plant, 'cause that's the point of all of this. We're only growing the good stuff here." And with that, he hops off and motions to Isolde to do her stuff.

    Isolde climbs up on something once the signal is given, and the mirrormask holds out her hands. "In the North, the spirits of the land are revered, and, I ask their permission to honor them. To find home and care in these seeds, in the plants that will grow, and help them to flourish, as well as the people that they will nourish."
    She motions to the non-Redrain. "And in the lands of the south... the rest of us to the Northerns, we invoke Petrichor, god of the land around us, that with his blessing, we may sow and harvest a great bounty. We bless Lagoma, mistress of Change, for letting the winter ease away, and a far more -proper- season be upon us, with the warm winds of spring." While lighthearted, she clearly keeps a reverence about her. "And we offer our toil and hardship, the pain we endure to work the land, the suffering of our minds and bodies as we tend to the gifts, in reverence to the Thirteenth, that we may be strong, and use the gifts from all wisely."
    Isolde holds out her hands once more. "And to all, I ask for blessings from whereever your faith may find its inspiration, welcome you in the name of spirits and gods, and exalt in the community and company of the Compact. Let our hopes and dreams grow as fruitful as our work here, today." With that, she climbs down, moving to figure out this... digging thing.

Aislin can't help but be amused by Fergus' instruction to Natalia; the adventurer's more mischievous sense of humor seems sparked by the explanation. Quietly enough not to interrupt Isolde, she observes, "I feel like someone should teach a course at the Athenaeum, something like 'Practical Familiarity with Agricultural Tools, and the Social Uses Thereof'. It might turn out to be very popular." She offers Natalia a nod in greeting as well, with a "Your highness." for the Grayson, before turning to select one of the shovels herself.

Fergus is of course trying to use as many sexual innuendos as possible in the spade conversation, to keep gardening entertaining. He turns his hard gaze on Aislin and grunts. "That's a long name for a simple course."

Natalia looks over at Fergus for a long moment. "Gold?" A sigh to that. "Do you really think I am motivated by gold? Fergus, you shatter my heart into tiny little bits. It hurts truly." Her deep blue eyes are flashing with humor as she watches him. Their conversation kept to low tones. "Yes, I would be quite put out if I got maimed. Then you would have to carry me for help, because you are truly a gentleman and all." There's a wink to that as she does try this digging thing.

Lazarus turns to Darren and then excuses himself from Lord Ansel and Princess Sophie. He walks over to the prayer and listens quietly with his workers, all eager to get to work. After the prayer, Lazarus grabs a shovel from his own tools and walks over to Morrighan, "Master Morrighan, hello. I wanted to introduce myself. I am Lazarus Mercier. If there is anything I can do for you or you got any questions, feel free to ask."

Alis decides it's better for her mental health for a moment, to look around for a moment rather then listen to Sophie say things that will give her a heart attack before the evening ends. She spots Morrighan over there, and smiles that way. And then bobs her head politely at Aislin. Whilst pretending she understands nothing of the innuendo happening during the gardening lesson. Lalalalalalala. Her willpower not to join in and ruin the Valardin reputation for all time is crumbling... annnnnd yay! Isolde is invoking a prayer and she can focus on that. Does the Mirrormask see the gratitude in the pocket knight's expression? Surely she does. It also provides the handy excuse to bow her head and murmur her own prayer, before it's time to shovel and plant.

Natalia totally greets Aislin with a smile too.

Princess Sabella Grayson enters the grounds just in time to hear then speech. She smiles and offers her greetings to the hosts before making her way toward her cousin and Prince Fergus. She smiles warmly to Natalia and kisses her cheek, "Well to see you, cousin." She looks at the shovel and the dirt. "Hmm....perhaps I could support others by watching..." Her lips curve up slightly.

Ansel glances over in the direction of Aislin, a brief smirk crossing the Telmar's features at the Ashford's suggestion. Meanwhile, he bends to pick up one of the spades brought effortlessly over in such grace by Alis, and hefts the tool over his shoulder, though carefully, so as not to bonk Sophie with it. "Shall we?" he offers, to the two Valardins, giving Sophie's hand a light tap against his arm.

"Are you so certain the disappointment had anything to do with the tea you served, Your Grace?" Sophie might not ever let Darren live down his abrupt departure the one time they attempted a tea party. Even so, it is a good natured ribbing. Politely, she listens to Isolde's invocation, bowing her head and murmuring her own silent prayer. Then, to Ansel, "Shall we see what manner of seeds Prince Darren has managed to not ravage?"

"Well, so are a great many other references I've seen," Aislin remarks to Fergus, punctuating it with an amused shrug. "I'm sure there's a treatise out there in the Archives labeled something like 'Effective Strategies for Resolving Dangerous Encounters with Rare and Hostile Wildlife', when 'look, really, just don't fight direwolves' would be far faster to say." But then, shovel in hand, she moves to join those digging.


    Darren seems serenly unaware of anything untoward going on with the shovel lesson. Instead, he focuses on Isolde's prayer, bowing his head and murmuring something in kind before helping her down from her perch. "That was really nice," he beams a smile at Isolde, handing her one of the shovels as he takes up his own, and offering her his free arm to walk her over to the place where the digging can commence. "I'll have you know, I found a very large assortment of unravaged seeds, Princess Sophie. Herbs and vegetables. I think there's aloe here somewhere, maybe. That's what my seed-pickers said anyway," he smirks at the Mercy, before looking over to Ansel, "Does she tease you as readily as she does me? I think she's made it her mission in life to wound me. Which is very opposite of her vocation," he feigns a glare at Sophie.

A sidelong glance is sent towards the Mirrormask when the speech is made, half listening while half observing the actions of many. And how very many there are. Morrighan eventually pushes back her hood, tired eyes now accustomed to the sunlight, and she exhales a quiet yawn before Lazarus makes his approach. Like the majority, the man proves to be unfamiliar - at least in his physical sense, though his name seems to be another matter. "Ah..tha' would make you tha' lad Jos had selected an' tha' had Sassy in a fuss," the redhead recollects. With no filter. "Nice tae meet you, an' th' gesture is appreciated. I'm sure if'n anything comes up tha' I get inquisitive about, I'll be sure tae give you a prod," she says, looking aside afterward to return Alis' smile with a polite dip of her head.

Fergus turns his gaze toward Sabella as she approaches her cousin and him. "Sabella, beautiful as always." He greets the Princess with a wink and then motions at the shovel. "I was just informing Princess Natalia that you take the shaft in your hand and you shove the head in hard." He moves a few steps away, grabbing a new shovel and moving back toward the two women. "Like this." Fergus then shows how it is done, giving a 'grunt' in return as he shoves the head of the shovel into the ground. His gaze moves back to Natalia. "You don't like gold? By the gods we found a rare one here..." He points a finger toward Natalia with a wink.

Ansel casts a knowing smile sidelong to Sophie, before looking over to Darren. "It's somewhat of a specialty of hers, Your Grace," replies the Telmar, politely, though there's a friendly glint to the smile that he offers afterward. "Though, if I were you, I'd find a bigger shovel in the event that there's fewer un-ravaged seeds than the Princess is expecting.."

    "I give it 50-50 odds I've offended some spiritual being. Hopefully they like you better than me." Isolde winks at Darren and takes her shovel. She spends a moment writing something on one of the pieces of parchment, folding it up. She watches some of the other people, especially Lazarus, trying to figure out if there really is anything more to it than dig hole, drop seed, push dirt in hole. She focuses and gets to it, dropping her parchment in one of her plants.

"If it makes you feel any better, Prince Darren, I assure you she gives Edain just as hard a time." Alis shares, lips quirking slightly. Not that anyone gives her brother a more difficult time then she does. The sibling fine print makes that her duty. Also pardon her a moment while she rests her forehead on the shovel handle trying not to laugh at the byplay going on behind her.

"I do not doubt those seeds were in perfect health before they passed through your hands, Your Grace," Sophie quips with a smile, "nor does it surprise me that you have aloe in supply." To treat the sick burns she seems so keen to convivially lay on the Redrain Prince. She does not speak on Ansel's behalf, but most mirthfully -- and unrepentantly -- points out to Darren, "You are hale and hearty and surely will recover. Besides, your garden will not grow without my beloved bees, and as you are impervious to them, I take up their cause." That relayed, she leads the Telmar and her cousin elsewhere.

Lazarus chuckle softly towards Morrighan, "A misunderstanding, assistant guildmaster Ida serves alongside me and while I can assure you, that I would not close my door on anyone, she is specially experience in dealing with crafters while my expertise lends itself towards the merchants of the guild. We hope in this fashion to serve as a voice for the whole demography." He bows his head and walks away, respecting her space after having introducing himself. With the crew and horse, Lazarus lends his skills to work the land. Using his very own hands and shovel.

Sophie has joined the shaded garden grotto.

Ansel has joined the shaded garden grotto.

Natalia smiles towards Sabella and gives her a kiss upon the cheek in return. "Dearest you look lovely." Nat's own skirts are tucked up so she can dig. Her eyes slide over towards Fergus. "Yes, Fergus here is not just a man that knows how to handle a sword. He seems able to be hands on with the shovel too." There is a curve or her lips before she gets a serious expression again. "Now Prince Fergus, I would think you have spent many a night with your hands around the shaft to instruct so well. It does seem like a rather one person skill set. Do you ever grab another's shovel shaft to instruct them or to show them how to use it properly. And shoving the head...tsk... that seems almost barbaric. Perhaps you could ease it in to break the soil?"

Alis has joined the shaded garden grotto.

"Hello, Your Highness. Looking handsome as ever. You seem to know your way around a tool," Sabella says. She grins as she hears the inuendos. She beams at Natalia, "Thank you, the gown was a gift from a special...admirerer..." Her gaze looks at Fergus, and then down at the dirt in a casual manner. She giggles softly at Natalia's remark. And she nods, "Indeed."


    "Worry not. The spirits love me," Darren reassures Isolde with a wry grin, before he too reaches into the basket for a parchment with which to write. Though, before he begins, he merely smirks over at Sophie and shakes his head. "I told you before. The bees and I have formed a truce. There is no cause to be had." Then, he picks up his quill and squints over at Isolde, before scribbling something down on his paper and folding it up. "Are the two ofy ou actually going to dig anything or just talk about it all day?" Darren smirks over to Natalia and Fergus as he sticks his own shovel in the ground to dig his hole, dropping parchment and seeds into it with ease.

Ansel follows Sophie as the Princess turns, walking on over to the shaded grotto alongside the Valardin. He stops briefly to set his spade down, leaning it against a support post. The Telmar catches a few sentences of one of the nearby conversations as he passes by, and chuckles to himself, shaking his head a moment. "I was expecting a digging demonstration, Princess," says the Telmar, looking aside as he arrives in the shaded area with Sophie. "I had such high expectations."

Isolde laughs quietly, shaking her head to Darren. She plants a couple seeds here and there, amusing herself with it. She glances about looking at the others, a quiet reverence in her thoughtful, if masked, expression.

Alis somehow snuck in that writing on parchment while others were mocking each other, or innuendo was flying around. She's //focused//. And quietly content to head over to the shaded area to dig that hole, drop that parchment, plant that seed. "What kind of digging demonstration were you after, Lord Ansel?" she wonders, wry. "I sincerely hope.. no, no. I have obviously spent too much time with the military minded. I shall stop right there."

"You asked me to instruct, Darren." Fergus responds to his cousin, and likely trying to delay finding a response to Natalia's war of words that he started. "I've spent a lot of time at war, Princess, I've had one on one shaft time... with my shovel." He clears his throat. "YOu know, digging traps and such." She manages to get a smirk from Fergus, quite the accomplishment. "You never touch another man's shovel shaft, it's like putting your sword in another man's sheathe, just would not be right." Fergus looks back to Sabella. "Princess, why don't you write out some wishes on parchment scraps to put them in the ground with the seed from all the holes Natalia will dig."


    "You need a digging demonstration there, Lord Ansel? I should send you over to Fergus' school of digging, he'll teach you a thing or two, I'm certain," Darren quips to Ansel with a smirk, then rolls his eyes over at Fergus. "She better be the best digger known to man after this," he chuckles to Fergus, shaking his head as he returns to Isolde's side, laying a hand on her arm as he murmurs something to her and then starts to laugh again.

Lazarus keeps mostly to himself, bowing his head politely towards Princess Natalia but not bothering her as he returns to helping the people work the familiar land. While there was a delicateness to Lazarus he manages to tackle the work like a natural, a farmer and merchant all his life. He does not dig a lot, working with the earth and not disturbing it. He sets down some boxes of deepwood and creates box beds for some of the other plants. With the help of the men he brought, he is able to keep record and organize the site that was given for them to work.

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

Was Darren heard? Is he being ignored? Is it possible that she's trading him in for a another Redrain to rib? Whatever the case may be, Sophie calls out to the Sword of Farhaven, "Prince Fergus, there are plenty of men who are honored to polish the swords of their brethren. Isn't that right, dear Alis? And you are failing to inform Princess Natalia about the importance of the land's fertility. Some seed, no matter how abundant, will never be fecund when planted somewhere inhospitable."

Ansel walks Sophie over so that the Valardin can find a seat, if she likes, or remain standing, if she likes. First, he hears Darren call over in the direction of the trio. "I have no aspirations to reach quite that level of expertise, Your Grace," he calls over in the direction of the Redrain, as proper as ever, even in innuendo-themed banter. As Alis arrives, he turns in the direction of the Valardin princess. "I...ah," starts the Telmar, pausing a moment, then clearing his throat abruptly. "Any good ideas for wishes, Princess Alis?" he asks, trying. There you go, Ansel. Slick as ever.

Fergus glances to Sophie and grunts at her words. "I am a firm believer that if one wishes to spread their seed wide and far and hope for the best, they are free and willing to do so."

Sabella giggles softly and she takes the parchment. She writes down a wish, "It's important that you place an ample supply of seed. This appears to be fertile soil, but it is a strong seed that grows a strong plant." She smiles at Fergus. She waits until there is a hole before placing her parchment into the soil. "I wish for love to grow as far as pollen spreads over all the earth."

Natalia considers Fergus words with the patience and intensity of a scholar trying to learn. "Wait.. but you put your shovel shaft in my hand and directed me how to use it. How you wanted me to put the head in the ground and.. well should I not touch your shovel? I mean I don't want to be rude and have you just explode at me because I did something too fast." She offers the shovel back. "Should we ease into it before it's in my hands. Or.. should I put something on my hands to help it?" There is a thoughtful expession. "Do I want the shaft with more grip or should it slide easily across my palm when I dig?"

"I've heard many stories." Alis agrees, raising her voice enough to be heard over the sound of shovels and innuendo. "Some men apparently prefer it." Her shoulders lift as if she doesn't quite understand it, but to each their own you know? Poor Ansel though, earns a vaguely sly smile from her. "My hope was for justice for our family, safety for our people, and the courage to face what's coming. Hopefully that doesn't jinx it. Is there something you're hopeful for in the coming year? Whatever it is, it matters not. It's the hope behind it that matters I think."

"And some of us prefer those who know how to properly work the earth so that something may blossom and thrive," Sophie merrily calls back to Fergus, before she quietly asides to her cousin, "I quite enjoy those stories." As her personal library attests.


    "Those are all very good hopes, Princess," Darren remarks to Alis, seemingly great at ignoring the innuendo all around him. Mostly, anyway. He slides over to the Valardins, looking at Alis and Ansl both. "Courage to face what is to come. Hope for knowledge, hope for safety," he shrugs. "Or be selfish and hope for something for yourself," he grin to Ansel. "There's no wrong answer. Except for whatever Prince Fergus and Princess Natalia are going to start wishing for after all this. That's probably the wrong direction to go," he wags his brows playfully, before heading over to Lazarus, to admire the boxbeds he and his men were putting together. "This is very well organized," he compliments.

Ansel offers one of those polite smiles, and nods his head to Alis, agreeably. "I'm sure we all have things to be hopeful for," he replies. He turns, regarding Darren as the man nears, and gives a thoughtful sort of nod to his reply, before a faint smirk tugs at the Telmar's features. "I suppose there might be a wrong answer then, Your Grace," he replies.

A mutter seems to escape Fergus following Natalia's latest words, the mutter more or less sounded like 'i need a drink'. "I have my own shovel, Princess." Fergus tells Natalia and motions to it in his hands. "Keep your hands firm on the shaft, Princess, but you do not want to try and choke the shaft, Do not get a sliver in the palm of your hand." Fergus motions to the ground. "The head of the shovel would go into the soil easier were it moist." His gaze moves back to Sabella. "Write on one piece of parchment that you wished for a whiskey tree."

Lazarus nods to Prince Darren, "Thank you, your highness. We have learn that disrupting too much of the soil kills allot of the ecosystem that exist in our fertile earth. You are best to avoid too much digging and dig a hole for the seed and cover it. No tilling. Arx has very silting soil that we can work with our hands. The boxes are for when the earth decides to go against us." He chuckles, "The olives are going to be a great challenge that I hope your people are able to overcome."

Alis glances sideways at Sophie. "You have some of those stories on your shelves at home? I may stop by later to borrow a few." she asides back, glancing up at Darren when he briefly walks their way. "Quite right." she murmurs at first, "Though, depending on the nature of Sophie's books..." Where was she again? Oh right. Cover up those seed holes with dirt. Whatever she hears, in whispered tones beside her apparently makes her nearly choke on a cough though. "Sorry. Dust!" Yep, that's it.

It might be coincidental that Sophie smiles a small, amused smile around the time Lazarus says something about a challenge.

Sabella grins, and she nods to Fergus' wish. She writes the wish onto the parchment. She looks at her cousin, "You might want to wear gloves to protect your hands. The shaft can get hard, and you could roughen your delicate hands."


    "I suppose you're right, Lord Ansel, I suppose you're right," Darren smirks over to the Telmar, before his focus returns to Lazarus, listening intently as he explains the soil and boxes. He nods his head, offering the man a broad grin. "My people are always up for a challenge. Olives will be something new. Far tamer than wrestling bears. But I'm sure we'll learn something new," he chuckles. "Any advice?"

Alis perks up. "Bears? Do you wrestle the bears right here? Someone mentioned the Redrain wrestle bears and I absolutely must see that sometime. Please tell me outsiders are welcome to watch such an event." Is this a different Valardin Princess? Is Alis a pod person? She is entirely serious though.

Natalia smiles towards Sabella. "It seems you are quite aware of the shoveling too. I feel like I am the only one not informed." A sigh leaves her lips and she looks at Fergus. Those big blue eyes are sooooo innocent. "Do you want to spit on the soil to moisten it? I don't want to make it harder than hit has be." Her eyes look around the area. "Princess Sophie! Princess Alis! Am I the only one here that needs to know how best to handle the shovel? Do you both know the ins and outs of seed planting?"

Lazarus grins to the prince with a nod, "I have faith in your farmers, your highness. To be able to grow food in a land that sometimes is very cruel requires allot of knowledge and skill. I am learning from your people as much as I am teaching them." He clears his throat, "The olive tree is a very... celestial specimen. It has roots very ancient in our culture. A culture that we all share. Respect is the only advice I can give. Respect and good ear."

"Perhaps we can put up some pot of Oathlands honey as a prize for the victor," Sophie consults with Alis, either utterly serious or utterly trolling a certain Prince in a most serious manner. "And you are welcome to borrow whatever you like from my library," she warmly smiles to her cousin before telling Ansel, her expression musing, before a smile of subtle humor forms and she is back to digging with her spade LIKE A BOSS. "Indeed, Princess Natalia," the Mercy calls out, with utter aplomb, "I am most skilled in tending gardens, making sure everything grows strong and lush and beautifully fragrant." It's literally true. Figuratively? Can anyone truly say one way or another?

A sharp, sudden bark of laughter and Fergus shakes his head. "Spit in front of a Princess? I could not imagine the scandal that would cause in this city." Fergus tells Natalia and winks at her before looking back toward Sabella. "You wear gloves when doing it?" Fergus inquires with an arched brow. "interesting..." Fergus manages to dig one more hole, waiting on Sabella to drop a seed and the parchment promise into the hole before covering it over, leaning in to speak quietly to Natalia before offering to take her shovel.

Nooooooooooooo, Natalia. Whhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Alis considers her answer as carefully as possible. "What I didn't know before, surely I at least know in theory now." There. Let them all guess what she does or doesn't know of... gardening. "And I'm sure there are several people willing to provide hands on lessons if such were desired." Okay, that one she's proud of. "Ohhh, Sophie. You have such incredible ideas.


    Darren tips his head to Lazarus, momentarily studying the man, before he nods with a firm purse of his lips. "That's very good advice," he says to the man in a rather sober sort of voice, before adding with a smirk, "I've been told I have the best ears." With a laugh, he tips his head to Lazarus before making his way back to where everyone's gathered around, rising his voice again, "Make sure you all have some drink and food before you leave. I brought out the good whiskey."