Anze exits the ground and moves to the wall of the shop where Julea stands. Like her he leans agains the wall of the shop and then tucks his hands into his pockets. "Is there where tha cool people stand?" He asks Julea as straightfaced as possible.

Aureth has joined the benches under the oak trees.

Aureth is totally here because he expects it to be entertaining. He's claiming some bench space and looking particularly loungey about it, heels balanced in a broad plant against the ground.

Darrow says in an undertone to Dagon, his tone arch, "May as well see which ones break the most legs." His hands fold underneath his stormcloak, as ever dour as he accompanies the Prince in, standing at the the man's side. He stands like a post near where Dagon leans, rawboned and starkly solemn.

The Redrain twins, Deva and Darren, show up right on schedule. Not early. Right on time. The prettier one (Deva) leads her brother by the arm in a not-gentle fashion. "Come on, hurry up!" That's how they emerge onto the grounds. She summons a bright smile for all those already gathered. "Thanks for coming, everyone! We'll get started here shortly. Make sure you grab a bite to eat and something to drink, first."

Aleksei strides in, looking bright and eager, because /wrestling/. His gaze slides about the crowd swiftly as he enters, his hand rumpling his hair, and his attention lands suddenly on Barric. "Hallo!" He bounds right up to him. "Hope your luck is better at wrestling."

    "You know me, I like a back seat to watch." Julea returns to Anze as he approaches and joins her in a lean against the wall. There's a side-glance his way and a wink to accompany it. "Perhaps people might be inclined, after having the shit wrestled out of them, to pick up a blade or two too." She reaches up behind her and raps knuckles to stone. "Have you seen my shop by the way?"

Freja is slipping out of the Stone Grove as the crowd begins to gather. The tall Redrain woman is hard to miss over the crowd, towering over most, but the scout has a way of staying out of the way which makes in her own way unnoticable if she so wishes it. For now, she lingers near the fringe, using her albino bear headdress to shield her eyes from any direct eye contact as she weaves in and out of people.

The King's Own has made a turn out for the wrestling festivities, though at the present moment the lone knight does not seem to be accompanied, or escorting, Lady Regent Dawn. Sir Rymarr moves with a helmet tucked beneath his arm, carrying his armored self through the throngs of people until he reaches a suitable location to plant a shoulder against something stable and watch the events unfolding. Perhaps an advanced scout for the Lady Regent's retinue, perhaps he has gone rogue and wants to see some sport. Regardless of it all, Sir Rymarr is present and accounted for. The gloved and gauntlet-clad left hand of the King's Own grips his helmet, freeing his head of the steel encasement. In turn this permits a view of his head, in all it's helmet-hair glory. The wind attempts to blow through it and send the dark brown strands aflutter...but, no, helmet-hair don't give a damn. It does not move.


The stocky, curvaceous, tattooed, scarred Serafine saunters up to the gathering, grinning from ear to ear as she sees so many here for the event. She looks about for Deva, having promised the woman she'd compete, and nods hello to those she knows as she passes.


    Along with Darren comes the lumbering form of a giant bear, who stays a few paces behnd the Redrain twins as they come onto the Grounds. Darren sweeps his eyes across as Deva makes her announcement, noting those who've gathered. He murmurs something to his sister before he parts ways and heads right for Sophie, the bear following along behind him. "Princess Sophie!" he does declare, "Are you here to wrestle the bear?"

Anze nods to Freja from where he leans against the wall with Julea, inviting her over to his particular fringe if shed like before looking to the smith. "I havent been inside yet, nah. An i'm with yah. Wrestlin ain really my thing. I'll watch tha others, an if at some point someone wants to get a proper spar with steel in then I'll be game for that."

Silent as a whisper, Branan Dominici skirts the outside of the group, trying to find a vantage by which to observe the goings on. There are so many people. So much noise. So much chaos. And yet. Look. A trio of Hay Bales. So stacked to be perfect. He climbs atop them, siting down on them an still having a vantage over other people. Very good. Very good indeed.

Branan drops a well worn but sturdy portable easel.

An invitation to find something to eat is certainly welcome but ultimately unnecessary. Barric was already headed that way to find some big chunk of roasted meat for himself. It doesn't take long before he's gnawing on some rib or some other part of an animal. Who cares? Delicious. "Sir Aleksei, hello. I hope the same. I managed a decent showing the last time I came up here to fight the northerners. Knocked Princess Deva around some and...some other person I can't recall." speaking of Deva, he turns to look where she stands with her brother and lifts a hand to wave in her direction, "Wrestling is an...is that actually a bear? I assumed they were just joking. You know, playing to their shtick. Huh. I wonder if we have a griffon..."



Serafine's eyes widen at the sight of the bear, raises her hand wildly at Darren. "I WILL!"

"Well I'll be gods damned, there is a fucking bear." Dagon says, stearing at the thing. "If someone's going to fight it, I should put some silver on the bear. Watching a mauling? Alright, I'm interested now."

Mildly readjusting her satchel strap, Sophie doesn't miss a beat as she merrily quips to Darren, "You are not /my/ fiancé, Your Grace, so no. You will need to find another challenger to take you on."

    "I just might take you up on that. I know you'll kick my ass all the same, but I could use the practise, you know?" Julea says as an aside to Anze, and it certainly looks like she's been hitting the sparring grounds recently, there's a few new bruises and grazing marring visible skin. She follows Anze's attention over to Freja, and encourages her over with an accompanying wave of her hand. "I don't have too much stock yet, going to take a bit to build up. But already had quite a few orders rolling in."

Aslaug slips in, glancing around curiously and a bit perhaps annoyed. So. Many. People. She inhales deeply, her small breasts swelling in the confines of her leather vest and blouse and then exhales in a hard done by sigh. Her hand falls to her bag, prying free a flask from her pack and she takes a long drink before she looks for an even remotely familiar face.

Finding a table to hop up onto, Deva waves her arms to gather everyone's attention. "Hey! I'm Deva if you didn't know already. Thanks for coming. Here's how tonight will work: I'll pair people off to wrestle quick rounds, and you'll move up the bracket. Winner gets to wrestle... tada!" She gestures demonstratively toward Darren's large, fuzzy companion. "So far I've got Sigurd, Serafine, Aleksei, Morrighan... who else wants to sign up? Come see me! And drink up, everyone else." With that announcement made, she hops back down onto the ground, her boots scattering the dirt.

With a pause in her step, Freja changes her course to come and join Julea and Anze where they lean. "Watching, spectating, taking notes? I've already danced with my bears. I'll sit this one out." She leans forward to glance past her brother and size Julea up with her piercing gaze. "Freja. A pleasure."

Kieran looks sidelong to Dagon, "Huh? Oh, you mean Fuzzy Wuzzy?" The young prince rises and moves to scratch the bear behind his ears, "He wouldn't hurt a fly!"

Valencia enters the Redrain Grounds and smiles to see so many happy faces about. She smiles even brighter to see Sir Rymarr.

"Holy shits!" Aleksei cackles out loud at the sight of the bear. "Are they serious? Do you think someone'll get disemboweled?" He elbows Barric as if they've been best friends for more than a day, sounding surprisingly cheerful about the possibility.


    Darren sizes up Serafine when he hears her calling, frownin thoughtfully. "You might manage. I'm not sure," he eyes her curiously, before looking back to Sophie and just smirking. "If I made my fiance fight the bear, I probably wouldn't be pending marriage," he chuckles deep and low, then looks over to Kieran and narrows his eyes. Fuzzy Wuzzy acceps the scritches, yes, but not before taking a few good whiffs of Kieran. "He only likes Redrains. I wouldn't suggest anyone else touch him," he declares.

The sight of a bear entering the area, accompanied by a Redrain or two, seems to cause Sir Rymarr to perk up. A post has become his place of perch and his right pauldron rests against it, along with the weight of his body. However, the presence of the bear causes the King's Own to stand upright and alert. The intense blue eyes of the knight begin to sweep across the grounds, taking in the other curious details of the Redrain's celebration. It is only when his attention settles onto Princess Valencia that Sir Rymarr seems to show any measure of emotion. He smiles, which is generally not particularly his custom. The smile persists for the span of a few heartbeats before it dissipates again. Then Sir Rymarr's intense stare inexorably shifts aside again, returning to view the bear. Absently his free right hand lifts and a glove hand attempts to smooth back his flattened helmet-hair, perhaps to impress the bear. Perhaps a subconscious gesture of concern.

Anze eyes Barric when he mentions fighting northeners, and he watches the man for a moment before nodding to Julea "aye, I'll spar yah if you like. I ain gonna go easy on yah though if we do, just to warn yah." He looks to Freja "Frey this is JUlea, shes our new smith, you two actually met?" and then to Julea "Frey is my sister. Shes tha happy one outta all of us." He says about the grim looking Freja.

Mydas laughs. "I would have been insufferable if I'd won another round." he teases Khanne before scanning the room again. His golden eyes turn to the woman greeting Khanne, however and he bows gallantly. "A pleasure, Your Highness. Lord Mydas Nightgold, at your service." he says in greeting. "Eager for the wrestling to begin?" he asks with a grin. He inclines his head to Darren as he approaches. "Your Highness." And the Nightgold noble then eyes the bear. "Should prove to be an interesting challenge. Has there been direwolf wrestling matches before, too?"

Cassius arrives, just a little late, and from the look of displeasure on his face, it might be he thinks the event has started early. Surely, it cannot be that the big Knight of Solace is late! Cassius sports a simple jacket, in grey, edged in silver, bearing the two-coin symbol of Gild. He steps onto the grounds, then takes a low look around to assess all who is here. Hearing Sigurd will be fighting, the man looks around for his cousin.

Kieran grins impishly at Darren, "Awwwww, you had to go ruin my fun. We could have enjoyed watching Prince Dagon flee the ward with Fuzzy on his tail." With a chuckles, he moves to grab a drink and retakes his seat to enjoy the show.

    "Seen you, but not had the opportunity to meet you. I'm the new proprieter of this rather fine establishment behind me." Julea reaches up to touch hands to the stone wall along side of her hip, adding with a dip of a nod towards Darren. "Was lucky to acquire His Highness as my Patron." She explains, before her focus shifts over to Anze. "Don't expect you to. I expect to be outclassed, quite considerably."

Like wildfire comes Brianna, tossing her red tresses about to get them out of the way before binding them in leather - not pins, like the casual lady. The taming of her fiery locks is not this day, it seems. "Only likes Redrains? Do I could as a Redrain?" she calls towards Darren, not approaching the bear in spite of her comment. Instead, she pulls herself up onto the table that Deva stands upon, getting the best look she can get at the proceedings.

In response to Darren's remark, Sophie moves to rest one hand upon his shoulder so that she may draw him down to murmur something to him. When she pulls back, she is smiling and utterly amused.

The Grayson prince doesn't seem to mind. At least, he has the good grace not to seem like he minds. "I'm a little dubious about the possibility of fighting a bear, though I doubt I'm going to have much success in clashing with these giants." he's no wilting flower himself, but these northerners can grow pretty large. "I'm going to go sign up. So are you." he decides for Aleksei as he takes another bite of roasted meat and heads over toward Deva, "Deva! Sign me up!" whether or not Aleksei follows, he's going to volunteer him as well, "And Sir Aleksei here. He'll wrestle as well. Oh wait, you said his name! Anyhow, I'll give it a go." it only registers to Barric that she called out Aleksei's name once he's insisted the knight will join the melee. Or grappling contest.


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

"Hey, Bri. You fighting?" Deva questions the Halfshav, once she's all on the ground again and lightly dusting herself off. "Come see me to get your name on the list! We'll give it ten more minutes," she announces. As Barric approaches to do so, she lifts her hand in a jaunty salute. "Your doom, Barric. Good luck."

Samantha joins the throng, because hey man, she heard there might be bears. Wearing a light jacket over her dress, she meanders in, clearly intending to enjoy the rustic pleasures that her hosts have to offer. In a way, it's like home. Of course, she has no intention of fighting, only seeking out something to drink, some meat, and a place to sit with a good view.

Darrow agrees with Dagon, though his stoic features show not a hint of excitement. "Aye, though I wager most would balk at the bear. Still, if a mauling's the offering, it was at least worth the walk." His watery-blue eyes trail the progress of Sir Rymarr, noting the armor and the distinctive markation, as well as the change in alertness. For his part, he stands as companion or guard near the Heir of Thrax, and those cool blue eyes settle on Kieran at the comment, unamused - though unamused is not much of a change in demeanor at all for the Knight of Sorrow.

Anze grins at Julea "well, you haven't seen me fight before. I could just be all talk eh? For all yah know I'm a terrible swordsman." He scans the crowd again, looking at the swarm of mostly familiar faces, though a few non northerners stick out.

Agilely slips through the crowd. At events like these being slight and dexterous has it's benefits. Clad in silks, the little raven-haired Southern princess sends an impish wink to her cousin and makes her way over to stand by and greet Sir Rymarr. "You are most welcome, my lord. I mean Sir," she smiles as she self corrects. "I was hoping you'd come."

"Me? Fighting?" Brianna shakes out a great, white bear pelt as she speaks, peering into the group. "Sophie! You there!" she hollers out, trying to get the attention of the Mercy she is so fond of.

"I'm...the happy one? That's funny." Freja remarks to Anze with no shift emotionally whatsover in her habitually neutral expression. "Can you work rubicund, Julea? I have a pair of swords I'm looking to have made in a few weeks once I gather the materials and design in mind. Either that or small axes..I still haven't decided. What do you think?" She slips easily into war-talk since she has found someone fluent in the jargon.

Bethany arrives, smiling guileless, as though arriving slightly late was a perfectable acceptable behavior for an onlooker to do. After all: there will be bears. She glances over the area - surveying colors and symbols and faces - both known and unknown, with a keen-eyed interest that is utterly at odds with the sunny expression.

"Oh, I'm going to get totally thrashed," Aleksei agrees with Barric cheerfully, eyeing the giant Northerners. "I feel like you should get a prize if you beat all the humans, though. And /not/ have to wrestle the bear. Who thinks wrestling bears is a prize?"

"It's a prize!" Deva tells Aleksei sharply. "There might be another prize. I haven't decided yet. But isn't talk of your bravery enough?"

Aslaug leans back against a wall, taking a long drink from her flask, one arm slinging loosely around her middle.


    "Brianna, you count as a Halfshav. You can test your luck, but it'll be your funeral if he bites," Darren replies to Brianna after murmuring something to Sophie, before looking over to Mydas and shrugging. "I suppose direwolf wrestling is a thing. But bear wrestling is a -bigger- and more impressive thing," he decides.

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

Anze laughs at his sisters comment and gives her a nudge "aye, look at you, always crackin jokes an smilin. You're just here to brighten tha whole place up." He turns his gaze to Aslaug and nods as the quiet girl where she stands leaning against the wall.

"Excuse me." Mydas murmurs as he catches sight of something. He moves through the crowds, heading for the table filled with drinks, but pauses when he encounters Samantha on his way. "Mm... Pardon me, milady, but would you happen to be Marquessa Samantha Deepwood? I seem to remember my brother speaking of you. But where are my manners!" The golden-eyed man performs a gallant bow. "Lord Mydas Nightgold, brother of Sigurd, at your service."

"I thought you were a master at touching people, Sir Aleksei?" Cassius says, as he heads towards Deva, and where the others are 'signing in'. "Deva," he says to her in a grunt. "Hope it goes well," he adds. Cassius adds a dip of his head to Darren, and then steps back, moving to find someplace to watch. It would seem Lord Cassius is not wrestling.

Barric meanders back toward Aleksei after entering the competition. On the way, he catches sight of Samantha and slows his steps for a moment. Staring a bit, he finally lifts a hand to wave in her direction, "Marquessa!" he calls out, indicating his destination. That jackass guy over there. "Fighting a bear isn't a prize, no." he says more quietly to Aleksei, mostly to avoid having Deva yell at him as she did his good pal and long-time friend. "I don't think either of us will have to worry about it, barring a significant amount of luck. We'll see though." he looks over at the bear and shakes his head, "Notherners..." still, he's grinning.


Luca shows up late, probably. Usually. The Velenosa looks like maybe he just woke up, clothes rumpled from lying about and longish hair disheveled-adjacent. He pauses on the grounds, looking around the scene as if trying to make sense out of it.

    "I can, yes. I am rather fond of it actually. And of course, there would be a discount for Redrain" Julea presses her lips together, eyes on Freja as she considers the suggested axes, eyes sweeping up over her form. "I might be wrong, but I've seen primarily swords in Arx in the hands of the people here. An axe.. well, that'd be quite a sight, would it not?" She lowers her hand down, instinctively feeling the hilt of the kukri sheathed at her thigh. "What do you think, Anze?"

"Cassius! Great, you arrived just on time for me to put you on the list." Deva tells the man, and even writes it officially on her parchment. "Darren! You're on here too," she tells her brother with a sweet and not at all innocent smile. "Last call for sign-ups, I'll announce the bracket in a minute."

Aslaug lifts her flask towards Anze and offers a nod tothe prince across the space, her mouth creasing at the corner in a brief smile before her attention slides back to those participating, curiously. She's shed the bulk of her coat and even her floppy hat and there's a bit of discomfort in her posture for being less covered than normal.

While Sir Rymarr continues to watch events unfold, straighted away from the post which he only recently stopped leaning against. The gaze of Darrow draws Rymarr's own, blue eyes meet blue eyes, and a simple nod of the head is conveyed from one knight to the other. Then Sir Rymarr's attention is drawn away once again, once more to Valencia who stands quite close by. Inevitably Rymarr's attention returns to her and the comment which she casts in his direction. Another nod is given to the princess before Rymarr offers a verbal response, "Of course, Princess. I would not miss it, besides I'm fulfilling a potential duty. Everything else; the sights, sounds, food, company. Only an added benefit of my dedication, I suspect," the King's Own states without a sense of irony or humor. The statement however is quickly followed by a polite and professionally spoken, "How are you, princess? I hope you're well."

"People, yes," Aleksei says to Cassius with a cackling laugh. "Bears, no." He offers Deva a cheerfully skeptical look before leaning over to Barric to mutter something in a lower voice.

Bethany has joined the benches under the oak trees.

Kieran avoids the sign-up sheet. He is a man who knows where his strengths lie and it is not in wrestling. He looks to Darren, "Would it be poor form to bet against you in the contest, brother?"

Dagon taps his foot, eyes roaming around. Kieran's comments draw out a smile, but Barric's volunterring to wrestle drags his attention over to the Grayson. "You know, Lord Darrow, one almost wonders if we should bring shark baiting to Arx. Toss someone overboard covered in blood and fish guts and then see if they can last half an hour swimming away from sharks. I think I've only ever seen two or three men run the gauntlet, but certainly it could provide a bit of sport, yes?"

"Lady Brianna!" Sophie merrily calls out, beaming. "Your presence was missed the other night. How fare you?" And politely nodding to excuse herself from Darren, Khanne, and Mydas, she makes her way towards the Halfshav.

Cassius was retreating. Just saying hi to Deva and Darren and then run. But now, he's on the list? The big man's eyes go up. "What?" he says, to Deva, stopping and turning back. "I never..." he starts, and stops. His jaw tightens. "I'm not exactly... well...-..." he stops again, staring at Deva. Then Aleksei, then everyone else. "Gods," he mutters. "Fine."

There's a roll of Brianna's blue eyes at Darren's statement, and she mutters an almost sour, "I'm still family." The bear pelt is shaken out a bit, making it rest flat where she holds it. "I should fight. I dunno if I will, but I should," she comments, looking to the Mercy once more as she reciprocates interest. "Felt a little sick! But I'm better now -- and I feel terrible I missed it," she supplies, "Because it means I have to give you one of your presents now and the rest at a later time." And then she hefts the bear pelt over Sophie's pretty head. Bear-ghost.

"I prefer a greatsword myself. It's what I've been usin nigh my whole f'an life. Different weight an motion to an axe, different method of goin bout things. To switch now at this point, i'm not sure if it would ever feel right. Tiny changes can feel like big ones already, started wearin a ring recently an that alone took some time to get used to, just that slight pressure on a handle. A whole different style of weapon? I don't think I'd be fond of it. But thats me." He smirks at Julea "I've seen a few wield axes though. Two different Islanders for one."

Branan settles in on the hay bales, overlooking the fighting ring. His charcoal starts to sketch out the basic environment, a guie by which to do further sketches. The crowd, faceless and vast, the ring, distinct and clear, ready to be filled in with details.

Samantha looks as if she might be on the lookout for someone, but her attention is diverted when Mydas starts to speak with her. "Lord Mydas." She inclines her head in greeting, offering him a smile. "Yes, Lord Sigurd very kindly escorted me through the Menagerie, one f my favorite places in the city." Her eyes dart as her title is called by a familiar voice. Her smile brightens for an instant, there's a blink, and it becomes something a little less exuberant, though still pleased. "Prince Barric." she returns the greeting before looking back to Mydas. "I wasn't sure Deva would actually include a bear." She's excited by the idea.

Valencia stands the side of the crowd next to Sir Raymarr, luminescent dark eyes gleaming with excitement. "I am very well, Sir. How could I not be? So many interesting people here, yes? And such excitement building," the princess nods and smiles to a few familiar faces.

Darrow returns the nod of the other knight, Rymarr with cordial, if brief acknowledgement, as their attentions then drift elsewhere. His head inclines to Dagon, a sourness coloring his response, as his reflecting-pool eyes continue travelling the crowd. "There are sharks enough here, my Prince, to try."

"A pleasure to meet you in the flesh, then." Mydas smiles to Samantha, before his eyes are once again turned towards the bear. "We ARE talking about the Redrains, after all. Of course there was going to be a bear." he says with a grin. "Had the Nightgolds held such an event, I imagine it'd be direwolves we'd see being wrestled."

"I was thinking a small pair of them, nothing too big of fancy..just right, perfec for scouting." Freja's lips twitch at the corner, threatning a smile that never quite escapes but it seems genuine enough when directed at Julea. Her eyes shift at tha tand turn to Anze. "I have only ever seen you with the Greatsword. I didn't know you brough those down from Farhaven with you."

"So far we've got an uneven amount. Maybe one of you will get to go twice! Ha!" Deva rests a hand on her hip. "ALRIGHT! First up, we've got Aleksei and Darren. To the ring, gentlemen!"

Luca starts to meander through the people milling about, shuffling along in his scuffed boots. He has no rush, so he doesn't seem to be hurrying to get his name in, but he weaves his way towards Deva nonetheless, to tell her, "Hey."

Freja shouts from nearby, "FUCK YEAH, DARREN!"

Serafine claps and cheers, cupping her hands around her mouth as she hoots at the first set of fighters.

Barric responds quietly and with a laugh to Aleksei and then looks over to check on Samantha, who is engaged in conversation for the time being. Watching for a moment, he soon returns his attention to the bear. Then the pit. "Huh. Well, I guess fighting a bear in front of the whole city wouldn't be awful...except for evisceration and such." when Aleksei is called, the Grayson moves in the direction of the pit for an up close look, "Good luck, then, against the less hairy bear you've drawn."


Freja coughs, clears her throat and goes back to being all quiet scout like.


    "Kieran, if you bet against me, I'm cutting off your allowance for three months," Darren shouts over to Kieran before he wheels about to the wrestling ring, already stripping out of his shirt as he goes in that direction. After all, real wrestlers dont' wear shirts.

Darren has joined the wrestling pit.

Serafine near jumps out of her skin, staring at the silent scout from the delegation with wide eyes. Then grins in approval. YEAH, Freja!

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

Anze offers a smile to Valencia when he spots his cousin and then snorts when Freja calls out for darren "BEST NOT EMBARASS US LITTLE COUSIN" he shouts at Darren as well with a bright grin.

Sophie's summer sky eyes wide to nigh comedic proportions as you lets out an audible gasp when Brianna gifts her the gorgeous pelt. Indeed, the Valardin briefly clasps her hands across her mouth let her delighted grin actually split open her giddy face. "Oh," she sighs, "it is gorgeous," as she takes it in her arms, looking so blissful as she starts to pet it, her lashes lowering.

"The excitement is truly palpable," Sir Rymarr offers in return to Valencia's assessment. The knight passes his gaze away from the princess and turns his focus toward the wrestling pit. He cranes his neck in an effort to peer around an observer or two, but ultimately his attention returns to Valencia. One hand shifts, drawing his helmet across to grip within the opposite hand. After a moment Rymarr begins to speak again as he leans to one side and slightly bends a knee, bringing himself a little closer to private conversation distance from the Redrain princess.

Aureth is overheard praising Aleksei for: Gonna kick his royal ass, right?

"Hi! Drink up," Deva gives Luca a quick side-hug after he finds her in the crowds, smiling brightly. "Come watch this guy beat the crap out of my brother." Pause. "Just kidding! Darren! I think."

Freja winks at Serafine and fishes a flask out of her boot, drinking deeply from it before offering it to Julea and Anze beside her. "Whiskey from back home. Not of that weak shit they have down here."

Kieran shrugs to Darren and rebuts, "With how poorly you're going to do, I will make it up in the bets." He steps back from the ring and watches them ready.

Having arrived on Mydas' arm, though she herself looks rather tired this evening, Khanne now stands off to the side to watch the wrestling about to begin. The comments from her fellow Redrain have her chuckling softly as she reaches up to rub a tired eye.

"I've only ever seen Nadia's." Samantha admits, "And not up close. Do they let people who are not of your family touch them? It must be a very fine thing, to have such a companion." She is a little distracted, but then there's so much stimuli, it can't be helped.

    There's a bit of a grin at Feja's outburst and Julea seems to more than approve. She lets out a loud and sharp whistle, for the moment the discussion about axes and swords put aside as she eyes up Darren from the sidelines with Anze and Freja.

Cassius holds his head high and cuts off all further whinig. He steps off, to the side, over towards where he's spotted Anze and Julea. He just grunts at Anze, before he looks to Julea. "Hello, miss," he says. Then its back to Anze. "I got volunteered..."

Brianna lets out a shrill whistle as Darren is called up. Or perhaps it's because someone might just beat him into the ground. Hard to tell, since she lets out no other sentiment of who it is she's backing. When Luca joins she and Deva, she lifts two fingers and reveals her palm to greet him, allowing a brilliant smile to spread across her lips.

Aleksei snorfles at something Barric says to him and offers a quick flash of a grin for Samantha as she approaches. No time to introduce himself, though; he's up first! He strides over to the wrestling bit, unbuckling his swordbelt and shedding his duster to leave on the edge. He strips off his shirt last, perhaps in mirror to Darren, leaving him in just his boots and leather breeches. He stretches his arms out over his head, rather purposefully showing off a leanly-muscled torso that has the look of honest, practical work. And then he rolls his shoulders, stretches his neck, and turns to Darren. "Hello," he greets him cheerfully.

Aleksei has joined the wrestling pit.

Luca chuckles a little. Deva gets a squeeze, and then he obligingly looks around for a drink. "Oh, you're..doing this. Organizing it." Yikes. He stands still for a moment, peering around for the refreshments.

    "Hey. I remember you." Julea says to Cassius, clearly delighted at finding another familiar face among the crowd of people on Redrain grounds. She lifts her hand up in a wave, and taps the stone wall behind her that makes up the front of Sanguine Arms. "I got a shop." She adds, her broad grin stretching to set dimples in her cheeks.

Anze reachs over to Cassius and slaps him on the arm "i'm sure you'll only be a little terrible at it Nightgold" he says with a laugh to the knight before leaning back against the wall again. He takes the offered flask from Freja and a deep pull before offering it to someone else who might wint it "you always know how to make a man feel like he's home Frey."

Khanne smiles over at Brianna when the woman whistles. She lifts a hand to wave at her, then turns back to the competitors.


    Darren throws up a middle finger salute to his loving family there in the stands, offering them a broad grin before he cracks his neck and puts his attention onto Aleksei. "Ready to rumble?" he remarks to the man, before he leans into his fighting stance.

Mydas shrugs. "Depends on the direwolf. Those we possess allow themselves to be petted, if their master allows it. Most wouldn't dare, however. At least when they're adults." he explains to Samantha. "Mm... Strange, my brother said he would be there." He frowns. "Oh well, I'm sure he was delayed due to his duties." He shakes his head slightly. "Never could get used to the noise of so many people in one place. Are the events of House Grayson as loud as the Redrains, in your experience?"

Serafine looks for a place to plant her butt

Lydia is a little late to the event, but that's fashionable, right? It's probably because it took her so long to get ready, she's dressed in a gown that's almost entirely pure, white soft leather, wound tight with bright purple ribbons that match some flowers that she's stuck in her hair. It's not long before she spots her brother, and moves in his direction, with fast little steps that might almost be a run, "Cassius! Did I miss it? Have you fought???" She's all excitement that doesn't get muted at all as she beams at Anze and Julea as well. "Highness! Miss! This is wonderful!"

Serafine has joined the benches under the oak trees.

Aslaug has joined the shaded garden grotto.

Brianna taps Deva's arm, murmuring, "Still time to sign up?"

Julea has joined the courtyard benches.

Anze has joined the courtyard benches.

Valencia stands on her tiptoes so she can see better. A terrible thing about being petite at a Redrain event is that most of the family and nearly all their guests are MUCH taller than you and therefore seeing can be troublesome at times. She beams at her favourite cousin-in-law Anze and takes a moment to send a little smile Dogon and Barric's way, having just met them this morning. Finally she gives up and sighs. She stands as tall as she can so that Sir Rymarr does not have so stoop so much for them to converse.

Lydia has joined the courtyard benches.

Khanne has joined the nook between the garden trellises.

"Alright!" Deva leans against the railing of the pit, clapping her hands together and whistling loudly to draw the crowd's attention. "Everybody, are you ready?" There's a look to Brianna. "Yes, you even it out! Perfect!" Then's it back to the pit. "Aleksei. Darren. On my count-- 3, 2.... 1!" GO!

Cassius has joined the courtyard benches.

Darren checked strength + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 41, 26 higher than the difficulty.

Darren checked dexterity + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 56, 41 higher than the difficulty.

"It won't feel like home until I punch you, Anze. Don't tempt me." Freja teases her older brother with a rare ripple of laughter, her eyes turning to the wrestling about to commence.

Darren checked stamina + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 30, 15 higher than the difficulty.

Aleksei checked strength + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 30, 15 higher than the difficulty.

Aleksei checked dexterity + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 35, 20 higher than the difficulty.

Aleksei checked stamina + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 19, 4 higher than the difficulty.

Freja has joined the courtyard benches.

Brianna's cheeks dimple as Deva speaks into her ear, the full-figured woman working her boots from her feet. Though she's clad in silks, and a dress no less, she seems ready to tumble.

"Well, I'm sure if he shows up, I'll undoubtedly say hello to him." Samantha assures Mysas with a grin. "Will you excuse me, though? I need to say hello to a friend." With a salute of her mug, she slides away, watching the fight with half an eye and murmuring something quietly once next to Barric.

Mydas has joined the nook between the garden trellises.

As the match begins, Barric finishes the rest of his food and tosses the remaining bone and gristle away to...wherever it goes. Then he's slamming his hands together, clapping loudly and cheering on the fight between the two men. "Aleksei!" he shouts since it's less of a mouthful than the man's title and full name, "Show that bear what for!" yes, jolly good cheering! It almost immediately does not seem to be going well for the knight. Overwhelmed by the Redrain prince, Barric nonetheless continues cheering until Samantha comes along beside him. Then he's simmering down a little to see what she has to say, "Hello." he greets her with a smile before she can speak, keeping his voice lower. When she does say something, he laughs and murmurs quietly in response.


Aleksei makes a decent showing of himself, mostly trying to dance around too much to get grabbed. (You can't lose if they can't catch you!) That doesn't really work in a wrestling match, though, and it can't even work that /long/. (Plus, it kind of seems like Darren's even quicker than he is.) So it is that eventually Aleksei ends up the one on his back, squawking a little undignified and having his efforts at wriggling out totally squashed. Possibly literally. He slaps rather emphatically on the ground to yield, but his eyes are still bright and his grin still wide when it ends.

Freja muses aloud, "If Darren wins and has to wrestle his own bear, I call it rigged. He tamed the damn thing."


    It's natural that Darren would be faster, stronger and ... stamina-er? Than his opponent, or so Darren himself is likely to believe. He rushes into the fight prepared to be a showman, and poor Aleksei taken down almost immediately. Except, of course, Darren does everything with style; so there was the initial rush, with Darren throwing Aleksei over his shoulder and then flinging him to the ground with a dignified roar, and then proceeding to lock Aleksei's arms over his head with a flourish. "HA!" he releases Aleksei after a second, jumping to his feet and then thrusting out a hand for Aleksei, grinning. "Good try, sir. What's your name again? Aleksei?"

For those paying attention to her, Sophie may or may not be dreamily nuzzling with her cheek the massive cloak of snowy white bear fur that she is holding. Which means she's not paying attention to the wrestling match. Which means she misses Darren's manly display of manliness -- but she'll politely pretend to believe him when he later boasts of his exploits. Maybe she'll even actually believe him. The cheers snap her out of her reverie, and she beams at the Prince of Farhaven, enthusiastically clapping even as she hugs her new precioussss pelt.

Samantha elbows Barric familiarly in the ribs (about as effective as a butterfly trying to kick a rhino) remarking frankly, "It doesn't matter how he was born, all that matters is how he handles himself." Her gaze slides sidelong to the Prince. "Are you going to try your luck?"

"Good show, Aleksei! Let's give a good cheer, everyone. I think you'd have him in another round. Please, if you ever want the opportunity to try again, let me know. I have connections," Deva taps a finger against her chest, and then waves it in Aleksei's direction. "I guess Darren wins," she sighs dramatically, holding her bracket up. "Next up, we've got Serafine and Cassius. Ready? Get over here!"

Serafine jumps up from her seat under the oaks.

Serafine has left the benches under the oak trees.

Serafine has joined the wrestling pit.

Branan continues to sketch, his eyes falling on Serafine for a moment, watching her, the way she moves and gestures. Her exotic looks will go well on paper.

Valencia lets out a bit of an unlady-like cheer as her sweet cousine Serafine takes to the pit.

Pipes up, idly, with one hand curled beneath her chin:

Cassius looks up, as his name is called. Then blinks. Then grunts. Then gives Anze a shove, and his little sister (Lydia) a kiss on the cheek. "Wish me luck," he says. Then heads for the ring!

Cassius has left the courtyard benches.

Cassius has joined the wrestling pit.

Serafine laughs and waves to Valencia, before eyeing her opponent and giving him a grin as well.

Serafine checked strength + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 37, 22 higher than the difficulty.

Serafine checked dexterity + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 40, 25 higher than the difficulty.

Serafine checked stamina + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 34, 19 higher than the difficulty.

Luca finds himself a cup and gets it full of something strong enough to convince him it's worthwhile to stay somewhere so loud and violent. He ambles back to climb onto a bale behind Deva and sit with his legs dangling. The Lycene prince claps lazily for Darren, inaudible since one of his hands is full of cup.

"Sir Aleksei Morgan," he introduces himself to Darren with expansive showmanship. "A pleasure to be trapped under you." Aleksei shakes Darren's hand energetically before turning to stride back out of the pit -- but not before slapping a hand cheerfully across Darren's rear in farewell.

Lydia calls after Cassius, "Luck!"

Aleksei has left the wrestling pit.


    Darren will exit the ring after helping Aleksei to his feet, making sure to high-five Cassius on the way in. He jumps out, heading over to the stands to settle himself around the people.

Darren has left the wrestling pit.

Cassius checked strength + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 18, 3 higher than the difficulty.

Darren has joined the courtyard benches.

Cassius checked dexterity + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 44, 29 higher than the difficulty.

Mydas roars. "For the Nightgold, cousin!"

Cassius checked stamina + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 40, 25 higher than the difficulty.

Bethany has left the benches under the oak trees.

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

A whisper aside to Deva and Brianna is looking back at Luca, expression rather wry.

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

Sophie has joined the courtyard benches.

The elbow to his side does about that much damage as well. He laughs and tries to evade the attack but didn't see it coming in time. "It doesn't!? Why not?" the deep and booming laugh continues and he rubs at his side, nodding at the Marquessa, "I am. Whenever my name is called. I'm glad I didn't have to face off against Prince Darren first. That wouldn't have gone well for me. Hopefully better than he did, at least." he gestures at the defeated but not downtrodden Aleksei. "I suppose it could have gone worse, Sir Aleksei." this assuming the man comes back over.


Valencia stands on her toes, holding on tight to Sir Rymarr's arm so she might balance and see the pit better. She glances over at Mydas and grins, giving him a playful glare and calling, "Give them fire, Serafine!"

Lydia is overheard praising Cassius for: You did great! Really! So proud!

Mydas can be heard laughing before giving Valencia a teasing wink.

As the round begins, Deva turns to look at Luca, and then his cup. She stares at it for a long beat, as if considering something. Then, with a smile, she shrugs and decides to procure her own glass from a handy Redrain attendant. "Are you sure you don't want to fight the bear?" She has to ask, anyway.

"You should fight the bear. The northern women love a man who can fight a bear," Brianna comments over her shoulder, watching the rounds continue. "Just as Valencia. Her husband did it and he won her."

Kieran downs his glass and sets it aside once empty. Deciding that the event seems well in hand, he turns and heads inside.

"It could have!" Aleksei agrees with Barric with a grin. "He could have taken my hand off for slapping his ass." But Aleksei still has both his hands, so clearly it was a success. "Come on, let's get some shade." He grabs Barric's arm and tries to lead him to the shadier of the benches.

Aleksei has joined the benches under the oak trees.

Samantha watches Aleksei slap Darren's butt, her brows hitting her hairline. "Interesting, I..." She blinks as Aleksei starts tugging Barric away.

Luca wonders, "Is the bear a fencer? If not I fear he won't be much challenge for me."

Luca drinks his whiskey, and returns Brianna's look placidly. After a moment, he smiles a greeting.

Brianna starts to chuckle, making a gesture back to Luca. "I like him, Deva; let's keep this one."

Deva rolls her eyes at Brianna, and chases it down with a chug of her whiskey.


     The Shav'arvani Knight is fast and stronger than she looks, her curves mostly muscle densely packed onto her short frame. With a man as tall as Cassius for her opponent, Serafine decides to got for his legs, yanking him off balance using her lower center of gravity to her advantage, doing it with enough force and power slam him to his back. After that, she does her best to keep him on his back for as long as it takes for him to tap out, using her weight and strength and sheer force of will to her advantage. She's efficient, not florid or flourished; practical, and she takes great joy in the effort it takes to bring Cassius down.

His arms folded beneath his sea-grey storm cloak, Darrow watches the first two matches with placid interest, though no cheer is offered for any of the initial rounds.

Luca aims a smirk Deva's way. Or at least, half of one. "Who is up next?" he wonders, as some lady pins some lord in a dirty ring. Not a wrestler, Luca.

Lingering near the back of the onlookers, Sir Rymarr remains at the side of Princess Valencia. Quietly the pair appear to converse throughout the matches, with Rymarr's attention appearing to drift between the matches and Valencia.

Cassius slaps Darren's hand as he enters. "Good work, good not letting him grab you anywhere too important," he says, with a slight smirk sent Aleksei's way. A butt-slap isn't the worst Aleksei can dish out, or so goes the barber-shop rumor. Then he's into the pit! The man sheds his outer jacket, the one showing him a Knight of Solace, then is left in just a plain off-white shirt beneath. Done with that, he's now ready! And so, he faces off with Serafine, and tries to go low. Only, short as she is, she gets lower. After some grappling, one legs go out, and he's off balance. He lands with a hard crash half on his side, and Cassius lets out a yelp that's not entirely becoming of knight. A moment later, he's tapping. "By the Gods," he coughs off, soon as Serafine releases him.

"Good try, Cass! Damn good try. Serafine could rip a house apart, I think -- everyone give them a round of applause!" the Redrain voice muses aloud. "How convenient of you to ask!" Deva laughs a little at Luca's question, and holds out her bracket for further reading. "The final, -first- fight of the night is-- Brianna and Barric! Get ready," she gestures for them to approach the pit.

From her place beside Deva comes Brianna, easing herself down to the earth once more. Clad in a silk dress, rather than clothing meant for sparring, it seems this was a very last-minute choice. Still, the skirt boasts slits enough to reveal her legs each time she steps, allowing her the movement required to take Barric down. Booyah.

She steps into the ring, giving the Sword of Bastion a blue-eyed wink of encouragement. "Been a while since I last grappled with a fellow for control of something," she quips, "Hope you're ready."

Brianna has joined the wrestling pit.

Barric has joined the wrestling pit.

Serafine offers Cassius a hand up and a clap on the shoulder, grinning at him. "Well done!" she proclaims. She's dirty and sweaty and pleased as shit to be out doing this kind of fun. She skips out of the pit with a wink at Barric.

This time, Barric doesn't go with Alesksei, "I think I'm up next." he protests. Because he is. Up next. In preparation, he remains by the wrestling pit and takes his shirt off. A precedent was set and he's not going to disparage time-honored traditions. He balls the silk up carelessly and offers the shirt to Samantha, "Go keep him company until I get back. He's like a little lost puppy, I think. Just...with ass slapping? I don't know. Just me him, remember. Here you go." shirt in good hands, he descends into the pit and squares off against the rather tall woman. A brow arches at her attire but he shrugs and gets into a ready position, "I think you're wearing a dress to throw me off. Psychological warfare. To lure me into a false sense of security. Well, let's have it then!"


Serafine has left the wrestling pit.

Serafine has joined the benches under the oak trees.

Khanne applauds as the next match is called. "Counting on you, Brianna, cousin dear!"

Brianna checked strength + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 33, 18 higher than the difficulty.

"Annnnnnd-- GO!" Deva calls out.

Barric checked stamina + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 20, 5 higher than the difficulty.

Barric checked strength + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 30, 15 higher than the difficulty.

Brianna checked dexterity + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 37, 22 higher than the difficulty.

Brianna checked stamina + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 47, 32 higher than the difficulty.

Barric checked dexterity + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 31, 16 higher than the difficulty.

Lydia is clearly distracted from the conversation at her benches as she watches the match take place, her gaze filled with worry and when Cassius taps out, she hops up to go meet him. "That was great! Really!" Lydia calls as she approaches, trying to sound all enthusiastic and such.

Samantha accepts Barric's shirt with a roll of her eyes. "I'll try to keep him out of trouble." Backing away, the prince's shirt in hand, she moves away, but not without keeping her eye on the pit.

Lydia has left the courtyard benches.

Samantha has joined the benches under the oak trees.

Aleksei lifts a hand from the benches under the oaks to wave over at Samantha when he realizes she got left on her lonesome. "Sorry!" Look how friendly he is. And then when Barric is moving into the pit, he cups his hands to shout, "Don't embarrass yourself a second time today!"

"Aliterative," Luca says, his tone complimentary. He watches this match, and wonders, "Is there a school you ladies go to, that teaches you how to use that lower center of gravity to outwrestle men? And possibly bears though really - they have low balances, too."


    From the benches, Darren cups his hands over his mouth to amplify his voice (as if he needed that). "Kick his ass, Brianna!"

Cassius pulls himself up with Serafine's help. There's another groan as he does. The Knight is definitely not looking his best. "Thank you," he tells her. "You're... very good at this," he says, to Serafine. Then, after grabbing his jacket, he heads back towards his sister.

Cassius has left the wrestling pit.

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

Calypso steps in to the area and glances around. Thats a lot of people! She finds those she is most familuar with at the courtyard benches and makes her way in that direction to observe.

Calypso has joined the courtyard benches.

Valencia has joined the benches under the oak trees.

"It's the Northern Lady's School of 'Take No Fucking Shit From Anyone'," Deva advises Luca, solemnly.


    Darren looks out over the Grounds as the wrestling continues, his eyes landing on Rymarr. He points to the man, calling out to him. "Hey, you there. Aren't you one of the ones that guards the Lady Regent?" he waves Rymarr over. "Come sit with us."

Rymarr has joined the benches under the oak trees.

Khanne cheers for Brianna loudly, jumping up from her seat to applaud mightily and... rather unladylike of her, whistles with a loud shrill sound. She laughs, overhearing Deva, nodding with complete agreement.

     Is she wearing a dress to distract Barric? Possibly. Does it work? That is a very good question. He can at least use the display of her shapely legs as an excuse when he speaks about this later. Brianna, tall and thick of frame, is just as wild as the Northern men it seems. She's quick to charge the Prince, feinting to the left to slip behind him before performing some sort of modified suplex that seeks to land him on the ground beneath her. Like Serafine, she uses her weight to her advantage, wearing Barric down to yielding.

Sophie has left the courtyard benches.

Lydia has joined the shaded garden grotto.

Luca nods approval at Deva. "I like it. Can I enroll Phil?"

Rymarr appears to be led by Valencia toward the benches beneath the oak trees. Though the shout from Darren receives a brief glance. The instruction from Darren receives a heavy blink from the stern knight, though a hand lifts to motion with the helmet in his grip toward Valencia and the benches beneath the trees. As though that silent gesture conveyed his meaning in return to Darren.

Cassius has joined the shaded garden grotto.

Deva laughs to Luca. "Of course! Phil would be most welcome. I'm not sure she needs the training, but absolutely. Phil's the best."

Serafine applauds Brianna, cupping her hands around her mouth and howling with encouragement.

Reluctantly, Sophie parts from the precioussss pelt she has been petting and makes her way over to, "Lord Cassius." To whom she amiably smiles. "Was it only your pride that was bruised?" Depsite the humor there is genuine concern.

While he didn't take for granted that the redhead across from him would have skill and strength, he's really just not that great without a weapon in his hand. He is out-wrestled and outlasted by Brianna and finds himself taken down by the northern woman in her fancy dress. It's all in good fun, he tells himself! Still, there's some hidden annoyance but just for a moment. It's the feint that gets him in the end, just a simple misdirection the sends him for a loop and ends with him crashing down to the ground. She clearly has superior technical skills and outdoes him physically as well. As he rises from the grappling beauty's throw he inclines his head graciously to her, "Well-crushed, my lady. I will retreat to warmer and less hostile climes." another nod that's accompanied by a broad grin and he's climbing out of the pit to rejoin his comrades by the oak trees.


Barric has left the wrestling pit.

Cassius gives a wave, over towards where he had been standing, towards Anze, Freja, Julea and all that have joined them. It's a small thing, the man not seeming to want to lift his arm much. Then, the other arm is wrapped around Lydia, and starts to move. He spots stops, as Sophie approaches. "Ah... Sister," he says. There's an awkward moment, then he coughs. "I... may have entered the ring wounded," he says to Sophie. "Hadn't... gotten the chance to find you yet..." he mummbles.

Aleksei cups his hands again from the benches to yell encouragingly (??) to his new best friend Barric. "Shameful! Total embarrassment! You should give up and just give me your sword!"

Brianna has left the wrestling pit.

Valencia approaches the benches with the gallant Lord Rymarr at her side. She smiles brightly at Serafine, and hugs her. "You were perfect, sweet Sera. I'm so proud of you." She stand back and nods to her escort, "Serafine, may I introduce Sir Rymarr to you."

"Good show, Barric! We Northern women are a handful, hmm?" Deva grins cheekily. "Cheer them on-- congrats! Our first round candidates are Darren, Serafine, and Brianna. I might make my brother fight twice, because I can. Darren, Serafine? You're up." Then she coughs into her hand a bit. "Darren, you're not actually supposed to win, it's not very hospitable!"

Serafine stands from her seat and sighs with a grin. "Coming, coming..."

Serafine has left the benches under the oak trees.

Serafine has joined the wrestling pit.

Brianna flexes her arm, displaying sleek muscle; while she's tough, it seems much of her is built for speed over strength, not that it helped Barric in the end. She ambles away from the pit as Darren and Serafine are called back, traipsing barefoot over the ground. "This is fun."


    Darren -stares- at Barric when Deva makes her cheeky comment, certainly conveying something in that look. But he does rise and head straight over to the wrestling pit, jumping in with a flourish. "I'm allowed to win in my own damn house if I want to," he barks to Deva, before grinning over to Serafine. "This'll be fun.

"*

Darren has left the courtyard benches.

Darren has joined the wrestling pit.

Brianna is overheard praising Barric for: I have to admit that I love having a nice-looking fellow beneath me.

Lydia nods to Sophie, slipping away from Cassius as he begins to deal with the healer to slip her feet into the grotto.

Really, Cassius? Really? Or so conveys the lofted golden brows not not quite smirking lips of Sophie. And then she sighs, as it to say 'men'. With wry humor, and a kind but amused tone, she instructs, "All right, then. Is it just your arm that requires my attention?"

Serafine checked strength + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 30, 15 higher than the difficulty.

Serafine checked dexterity + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 39, 24 higher than the difficulty.

Serafine checked stamina + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 17, 2 higher than the difficulty.

Darren checked strength + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 27, 12 higher than the difficulty.

Darren checked dexterity + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 48, 33 higher than the difficulty.

Darren checked stamina + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 44, 29 higher than the difficulty.

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

Barric has joined the benches under the oak trees.

Cassius' eyes drag off Sophie, up and away. He's totally just looking at the clouds, and not avoiding her gaze. Totally not intimidated by the princess healer! "It's... it's nothing," he grunts. Then huffs. "Just... do you want to step..." he gestures away from the center of the grounds, off to where Lydia went.

Valencia smiles up at Sir Rymarr, "It is hard to pin a Southern Princess down sometimes." She turns to watch the fight. Torn between combatants, the Princesss is a little quieter this for this bout.

Uh huh. "Nothing but an aching arm." Dry, that, but Sophie graciously complies, with a smile, as heads towards Lydia.

Sophie has joined the shaded garden grotto.

Luca grins suddenly and leans forward, looking somewhat precarious on his stacked bales, to murmur to Deva. His control is good, and with a gripping heel dug in he maintains control.


    Darren haunches down into his stance, legs spread and muscles flexed, eyeing up Serafine as if she were a piece of meat and he was judging if she'd be good enough to eat. And then Deva calls the signal and Darren's off, dancing around her attempts at trying to pin him before he dives for her legs. He flies into her with a fury, knocking her down into the pit and then wrestling her right into submission, until she flags for the yield.

A sound comes from beneath the trees, near the benches. Sir Rymarr laughs. Things have apparently gotten real.

Serafine is cracking up at the look on Darren's face, and that's not -why- she falls to him, but it probably didn't help. Her attempts to regroup after worming away amount to naught, and eventually, she has to tap out. Gasping for air, on her back in the pit, she is -still- laughing.

"You... looked... constipated..." she wheezes out, the image of him hunched over and eyeing her reducing her to laughter a second time.

Luca snorts, but he puts his hands together for Darren, again.

Darren won, again? How wonderful! Surely Sophie will be happy for him when she hears the news. Alas, like last time, she entirely misses the match. Not because of her gorgeous gift, but because she is busy tending to Cassius' arm, for that is what a Mercy does.

"Gods dammit, Daren," Deva smacks her forehead with her palm. "Sorry, Serafine. I was kind of hoping you'd win." With a long-suffering sigh, she turns to Brianna. "Your turn! You and Darren. I think I missed the last time you fought, so this should be great."


    Darren starts cracking up as he hops himself off Serafine, grinning broadly. "It's my secret power," he wags his brow, before thrusting out a hand to help Serafine to her feet. Then, he flashes a beaming grin up at Deva. "If I win, does that mean I get to pick who fights my bear?"

Serafine huffs and stands, still laughing, clapping the man on the arm and heading over to her spot under the trees.

Serafine has left the wrestling pit.

Valencia chuckles at the declaration and shakes her head. Sir Rymarr's laugh catches her attention and she looks up and gives him a devastatingly sweet smile. She seems very pleased that he is having a good time.

Brianna approaches Darren and the fighting pit, shaking herself loose. She doesn't get all constipated like her cousin does, though; no, Brianna is a graceful thing before wrestling, it seems.

Brianna has joined the wrestling pit.

"Fine, fine. Since no one will believe you're not cheating," Deva scoffs at Darren with a flick of her hand.

Brianna checked strength + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 53, 38 higher than the difficulty.

Brianna checked dexterity + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 37, 22 higher than the difficulty.

Brianna checked stamina + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 30, 15 higher than the difficulty.

Darren checked strength + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 39, 24 higher than the difficulty.

Darren checked dexterity + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 48, 33 higher than the difficulty.

Darren checked stamina + brawl against difficulty 15, resulting in 29, 14 higher than the difficulty.

It's not for not Sophie misses Darren wrestle. The big knight is, at present, it would seem, pulling off his shirt. Yes, getting naked with Sophie and Aslaug and his own little sister! Or, wait, maybe not. Anyone with a keen eye will find what looks like bandages wrapping the big man's midsection. That must be why he's stripping.

Serafine is overheard praising Darren for: CONSTIPATION!

Aslaug is rather uninterested in Cassius' strip tease. Instead she drinks (and knows things) and watches the fighting.

Luca does not have a keen eye at all. He is quite convinced there is something filthy going on over there at the place with the thing and thd shirts.

Alis was absolutely determined to see someone wrestle a bear. And so, she appears. Not quite out of breath, but definitely having scurried from somewhere to then sneak along through the crowds and find somewhere to sit.

Luca actually hasn't noticed a thing with a place exists.

Serafine has joined the courtyard benches.


    Darren flashes a broad grin at Brianna. "Welcome to the bear cave," he intones to Brianna, before bending over ... and hiking up the legs of his pants. Because if Brianna can show leg? So can he! He hunkers down into his stance again, waiting for Deva to make her announce before he starts in for Brianna. It'll be a close match. He lunges, she dodges, she lunges, he dodges! And then Darren goes to grab her arm and makes a fatal turn that will wind up with her getting the advantage, knocking him onto his back. But Darren doesn't give up! He fights on, but after a long, hard tussle, he'll end up smacking the ground to yield, groaning in frustration.

Alis is overheard praising Darren for: Prince of Calves!

     Halfshav against Redrain. North against north. Brianna winks across the pit at her cousin as she stretches, rolling her eyes at the comment about the bear cave. She laughs. "You're so foolish!" claims the redhead, before the match begins. Indeed, it is a close affair. She lunges. He dodges. He lunges. She dodges. And then he's on his back with his buxom cousin straddling his chest, trying to force him to tap out. It eventually happens, and Lady Halfshav lets out a cry of triumph and slams a hand against her chest.

Most serenely, Sophie politely requests, "Lady Lydia, would you be so kind at to lovingly smack your brother upside his head?" Sophie is preoccupied with unwrapping the bandages to assess the damage. The sound of her cousin Alis' voice draws her attention, though, as does the word 'prince', and so it is that the Mercy turns her attention to the wrestling pit just long enough to witness Darren on his backside. Groaning. "I do hope that wasn't your only shot, Your Grace. Perhaps you require more time."

"Ha!" Deva seems so pleased, maybe too pleased, to see Brianna throw her brother in the dirt. She lets out an appreciative whistle, and claps so very enthusiastically. "Winner goes to Brianna by a hair! Woohoo! You Halfshavs are the most determined people I've ever known," she observes. "Thanks to everyone for going a round! We'll have more food and drink brought out." Then, to Brianna: "You need a drink before you go for the bear?"

Khanne watches Prince Darren and her cousin, her attention torn from her conversational companion for the moment. She jumps up again, cheering as loudly and raucously as she can. "Yeah! Go Brianna!!!" She claps, woops and whistles, on occasion moving as if she were dodging and lunging right along with them, but much more subtly.


    "Ugh... your ass...so fat.." Darren utters, out of breath, as he tries to push Brianna off his chest. And once she gets off of him, he'll flop over and get to his feet, wiping the dirt off his pants. "I lasted three gods' damn rounds!" he remarks in a shout to Sophie, as he jumps out of the pit and ambles over to his bear. He doesn't unmuzzle the creature, but he does bend over to whisper sweet-nothings to him, giving him a few encouraging pats on the side.

Mydas laughs and claps. "I admit, I didn't suspect that outcome. Bravo indeed!"

Valencia's smile is positively effervescent as she watches the spectacle hosted by her beloved family. Suddenly, she looks down and appears to be taking a moment to catch her breath, yes now studiously fixed on the fighting pit.

Dagon's watched most of the matches with muted silence, but when it's mentioned that it was time for Briana to fight the bear, he perks up, eyes alight with interest. "Time for the bear?"

Calypso grins as she watches from her seat at the bench. "Well done Brianna!" She applauds. Spotting Alis she waves the Valardin down. "You're not too late for the bear. Come sit with us."

"Hey! Where's Ava?" Deva asks suddenly of a Redrain guard, who gives her the most baffled look. "Ugh. Go get her! She's inside," she points a finger insistently toward the Redrain villa interior.

"Men like my fat ass," Brianna quips to Darren, her hand coming down in a quasi-lewd manner against her padded backside. Satisfied with herself, she prowls around the fighting pit. Deva's offer of a drink comes with a great shake of the Halfshav's head, a dismissive thing. "Bring on the bear, then."

Lydia happiy obliges Sophie by stttrrreeeeeetttchhhiiiing up and bopping Cassius on the back of her head.

Cassius was in the middle of laughing at Darren, and wincing, when he's struck by his sister. "Dammit, girl!" Then a glower sent to Sophie. "Do not encourage her."

Alis does finally spot Sophie, and blows her a kiss; her eyes darting towards her to see if there are spots available near her. When Calypso calls her over. "I was so worried I would miss it!!!" she exclaims, all but skipping over and then flopping right down on the courtyard benches. Her eyes DO narrow however as someone yells, so near to her beloved healer cousin. And she stares that way a moment longer.

Alis has joined the courtyard benches.

Valencia nods and smiles proudly. "I do believe she is, my lord."

Luca tsks, and tells Deva, "Alas. Now I shall tell the entirety of the Lyceum what Redrain hospitality is: invitations to be pinned down and sweat upon by the Lord of the house."

With blithe merriment, Sophie calls out to Darren, "So it is a sign or inadequacy or a lack of fortitude that has resulted in Lady Brianna being the one to prove to the Voice of Valardin that all your boats are not, in fact, bearshit?" Then to Cassius, sweetly smiles and not at all apologetic, "Then cease doing things that encourage me to encourage her." And then it's back to the examination.


    "This won't be as amusing if it had been me," Darren remarks to the crowd, before sharply whistling to the bear and pointing down into the ring. The bear, trained as it is, follows direction and ambles down into the wrestling ring, to face off with Brianna. Even muzzled, he looks like a giant mean son-of-a-bitch. "I actually blame her big fat ass, Princess Sophie," he remarks with a shrug, "But if the Voice of Valardin would like to see that I'm adequate and full of fortitude, she can join me in the wrestling ring later," he grins over to Alis as he ambles over to the benches, prepared to watch the fun.

Deva sighs loudly at Luca and musses his hair in response. "Very well, Brianna! You're the winner no matter what. At least he can't eat you," she points a finger toward the muzzle, nodding to Darren as the bear is brought into the ring. "Ready? Good luuuuuck," she sing songs, and then waves for the match to begin.

Valencia , now silent, turns to watch the bear pit. The raven-haired princess' expression has lost much of the joy it once had. She takes a deep breath and whisper "Please be careful, Brianna. Dearest gods, please be careful.


Serafine still seems to be laughing, settled under the courtyard benches, dark skin glowing as she chortles with glee.

Brianna checked strength + brawl against difficulty 35, resulting in 35, 0 higher than the difficulty.

Alis waves almost cheerfully at Darren when Sophie mentions 'Voice of Valardin'. She decides not to respond to that challange though. As if she didn't even hear it at all.

Luca lifts a hand to bat Deva's away, slow. Far too slow. He doesn't bother to fix his hair with it, just dropping it back into his lap when its time has clearly passed.

Brianna checked strength + brawl against difficulty 35, resulting in 22, 13 lower than the difficulty.

Darren checked strength + brawl against difficulty 35, resulting in 20, 15 lower than the difficulty.

Casually, Sophie calls out to Alis, even as she starts to disinfect Cassius wound so she might give him some stitches for a re-opened wound, "Did you hear that, dearest Alis? Poor Edain will be so disappointed that His Grace, Darren Redrain, Prince of Farhaven, and Boaster of Bullshit Bear Brawling will not give proper demonstration." Tsk.

Sophie is overheard condemning Darren for: Poor Prince Edain will be so disappointed.

It takes a few minutes later, but Deva's request is finally responded to. A Redrain attendant brings out a white bear cub, probably a few months old at most. She holds her arms out expectantly. "GO BRIANNA!"

     This is a bear. Yes, it's a bear that Brianna Halfshav stands against now, and for a moment, she truly looks concerned. Of course, the fact that it's muzzled allows her to relax. A bit. It's still a bear. The wrestling is a sight to behold, with the leanly muscled warrior working to best the animal -- but in the end, she's pinned down and forced to tap her hand against the ground before her spine is crushed by the incredibly heavy animal.

Alis clucks her tongue. "I can hardly believe it, Sophie. And with both of us here as witness." the princess gives a dramatic sigh. "He did start stripping though; he definitely showed some leg. We can always tell Edain that."


    "Prince Edain is welcome over any time he wants, Princes Sophie. I'll even let him fight the bear himself," Darren winks at Sophie, before shouting over at the wrestling pit, "Kick her ass, Fuzzy Wuzzy!"

Dagon is overheard praising Brianna for: At least she tried to fight the bear.

Valencia presses her lips together, her eyes on the bear and then on Brianna. "She will be fine. I have faith in her," the princess asserts, though she looks a little worried.

"Damn, Brianna! That was amazing," Deva whistles from the sidelines, thrilled and vocal in her approval. "You get all the whiskey tonight. Not sure anyone else would have done any better. Unless they'd like to try?" She looks out, expectantly, at the crowd with lifted brows.


    A sharp whistle calls the bear off Brianna, before Darren heads down to the wrestling pit and jumps into the ring. He beams up at Deva. "I'm going to fight the bear. I can't disappoint the lovely Valardins, after all," he winks to Alis and Sophie, before purposefully flexing, to show off a bit.

"It's your own bear, Darren!" Deva sighs in exasperation at her twin. "No one gives a damn!"

"Such language, Princess," Cassius says, to Sophie, as the woman takes to swearing loudly. Of course, he can't but smile as Brianna... fights a bear. There's a slight grin on his face, turning to a wince as the bear takes her down. "You might need to tend to her," Cassius says, to Sophie. And then Deva is calling for volunteers. Cassius looks away. Nope.

Brianna pulls herself from the ring with the help of a Halfshav guard, spitting to the side and letting her nose give a little wrinkle. "Dammit," she complains; she's put off by the fact that she lost, it seems! "I almost had it, too!"

Luca laughs, a low chuckling tenor. "He's having fun, at least."

Alis cannot help but laugh, and claps loudly first for Brianna, before whistling at Darren. What fun is it to be at a Redrain event if one cannot taunt their leader a little? "Be careful, lest we swoon." she quips, obviosuly amused.

Darren checked strength + brawl against difficulty 35, resulting in 52, 17 higher than the difficulty.

"My brother is so frustrating," Deva sighs at the bear cub on her hip, holding it like she might carry a small child. A finger lifts to boop it on the nose. "Fine, go, go," she sighs, flicking a hand dismissively in her brother' and the ring's direction. There's even a stifled yawn.

Darrow leans forward, watching the bear pin the woman Brianna after a bout, and then to view Darren stepping down into the pit, an eye brow arching.

Aslaug has left the shaded garden grotto.

One corner of Sophie mouth quirks with amusement when Cassius tried to admonish her. "Are you in need of aid, Lady Brianna?" She's not yet taken needle to the Knight of Solace, waiting for the local anesthetic to kick in. Fondly, she smiles to Alis, either overlooking or not hearing what is being said by the Nightgolds.

"Naw." Brianna waves off Sophie kindly. "Just need to stretch or something." Of course, she's probably going to be sore tomorrow. So very, very sore.


    "-Everybody- wants to see me want to fight the bear," Darren beams over at Deva, before he turns to look at Fuzzy Wuzzy, eyeing the bear cautiously. The bear is VERY OBVIOUSLY still in fight mode, he even paws at the ground and growls! Grr! Scary bear! Darren circles around the grizzly a few times before he points to the bear. "Don't play nice, Fuzzy Wuzzy," he instructs the bear, before lunging at the Grizzly. They collide in a glorious ball of fur and skin, man against beast, one on one. They twist, they turn! Fuzzy Wuzzy even bats at Darren's face! But it is that which is the bear's fatal flaw. Darren grapples the grizzly by the paw as it comes for the whacking and rolls his body into the bear, knocking it down onto its side with Darren ontop. The bear struggles, it puts up a fight, but in the end it submits, with Darren shouting in triumph. He jumps off after and holds his hands up, beaming a grin at Deva. "HA!"

Lydia is overheard praising Darren for: That's how a true northern lord does it!

"Anyone else want a go while you're here?" Deva asks, raising her voice for the crowd. "Thanks again for coming, everyone. Our doors are open to you for the rest of the evening. We've got plenty of drink and fires going inside as well, so make yourself comfortable and be merry and all that." There's an almost polite bow of her head for the group at large, accompanied by a wide grin. It falters only a little as Darren finishes his display. "Mmhmm," she claps, but slowly so.

Darren checked luck against difficulty 7, resulting in 9, 2 higher than the difficulty.

Serafine watches Darren wrestle the bear, then leans over to Calypso to 'whisper' loudly, "That is the unsexiest thing I have ever seen." Said flatly.

Cassius is overheard praising Darren for: He's better at bears than women!

Calypso leans over to Serafine and 'whispers' back. "You should get out more. There is a world of disappointment waiting for you. That wasn't half bad.'


    "Ah, Serafine. It's a good thing I don't strive to impress you," Darren smiles sweetly at Serafine, winking at her as he passes by. He grabs his shirt as he comes back over to his bench, pulling it on over his head. "Thank you all for coming and witnessing that miracle."

Anze snorts at the comments between Serfaine and Calypso.

Serafine shakes her head violently at Calypso. "I believe you. I'll stick with my little bubble of joy, thank you."

"Let their be no doubt." Alis intones. "Darren enjoys grappling with bears." It may not exactly be what was intended, but she will definitely stick to that story/

As Darren hops back into the pit, with the bear, Cassius lets out a whoop. When Darren goes on to best said bear, Cassius lets out a roar, and lifts his hands to applaud. "For the Gods, For Glory!" and as soon as that explosion of praise is over, the big man is just grimacing. Cause that hurt to do.

Deva sticks her tongue out a little and punches Darren in the shoulder. "Right, right. Alright, I guess no one else wants to try. Congratulations, Brianna!" she beams so sunnily at the Halfshav.

Alis is overheard praising Brianna.

Rymarr has left the benches under the oak trees.

Darren is overheard praising Brianna for: Bold and beautiful.

Lydia is overheard praising Brianna.

Serafine starts to tell Calypso about her joyous, sheltered world of good, sexy experiences, demonstrating animatedly with her hands with measured lengths, circumferences, and clocked times.

Lydia has left the shaded garden grotto.

Calypso is overheard praising Brianna.

Freja pushes up from her seat at the benches and gives Calypso one last hug along with Anze too. "Spirits keep ya all. I'm done for the evening. I have some drinkin' and thinkin' to do." She removes her albino bear headdress and waves them all a fond farewell and heads for inside of the villa.

There's a roll of Brianna's blue eyes, slinging her arm around Deva's shoulders. "He acts as if he's the first man to wrestle a bear -- he didn't kill it like Angus did." She uses one hand to loose her fire-red hair from its tangled tie. "At least you didn't die," is added on, for Darren's benefit; after all, she does love her little second cousin.

Freja has left the courtyard benches.

Cassius is overheard praising Brianna for: For surviving the less hairy bear!

Anze returns that huge from Freja "I'll see you soon sis"

Brianna is overheard praising Darren for: He beat the bear! Couldn't beat Brianna, but he certainly beat the bear.