There's no respite tonight in the Sleepless Knights, all puns surely intended. A small gathering of captains and crewmen from the Eventide Flotilla have amassed around tables in the rear of the tavern, chatting jovially amongst themselves and any new face that approaches. Katarina sits at an empty table, its surface covered with unfurled maps and ledgers. Taps run steadily with rounds of ale and, unsurprisingly, cool goat's milk for the bumbling journeyman seeking to nourish his strong bones.

Elegance arrives, following Daemon.

Quietly striding into the Sleepless Knights, Cullen arches coppery brows at a larger collection of people than he's used to - especially such seaworthy looking ones. "Well. I suppose I should have expected that, considering..." Beaming a warm smile at Katarina as he approaches the map festooned table, he bows slightly, then takes a seat and a mug of ale. "Something cool, thankfully. This heat is ghastly. Anyways." Setting into a comfortable slump, his grey eyes scan around the room afterwards.

Paige and Jonathan arrive at the same time, both very similar in bearing and even somewhat in features (enough that one could easily guess they are related). Even their clothes are similar! Both wear the green and black of House Keaton on their leathers, and Jonathan peers about with a bit of amusement at all the hustle and bustle. "Well well, looks fun already! Makes me wish I was the nautical sort, right?" He claps Paige on the shoulder and searches for an ale.

Katarina stands up from her table, her smile bright. "Oh, I wasn't expecting so many people to show up!" she confesses with a vibrant laugh, genuinely surprised. Her hand lifts in affable wave at the familar faces surrounding her, motioning for everyone to get comfortable at the map-festooned table she's taken up as residence. "Welcome to, ah, our impromptu Happy Hour!"

Aviana comes walking in looking around, her eyes looking to those who are here. She moves in to find a seat looking to Katarina when she speaks a smile comes to her lips but for now she is quiet.

Merek arrives and finds a place to settle in and listen, cloak on and up as he relaxes as he finds a seat to settle about in.

"You don't have to be a sailor to sail to a destination. Enjoy the journey, savor the new experience," Paige offers a bit of sage wisdom while her cousin moves in search of the ale. She offers a smile to Katarina and dips a nod towards the woman, spotting Cullen nearby, she grins. No, really, she's not stalking him across the city, swear!

The sound of plated armor clanking away is the orchestra to usher Daemon's arrival. The Knight has one hand down to a blade at his side, while the other is currently gently petting along the Greyhound's head which accompanies him. He has a fond smile on for those he sees, though doesn't dare interrupt any who are currently speaking. Instead he finds himself a seat at the bar and settles in.

Daemon has joined the Bar.

"Have you even ever /seen/ the ocean before you came to Arx?" Jonathan asks of his cousin with a little bit of a chuckle. But the search for ale comes first, snagging two and bringing one back for Paige as he drags out a couple chairs for both of them near to the action. He peers over the maps, clearly lost about them, but utterly unconcerned about this fact! The Keaton Guard is easygoing, as he watches all who enter with a smile and a wave.

Listening to Katarina with a smile, Cullen raises his mug of ale in her direction. "A pleasure to be here, Princess." And he definitely is making himself comfortable, all sprawly in the chair and legs stuck out, although his grey eyes occasionally cut down to gaze at the maps with open inquisitiveness. When Paige shows up, he squints. Totally stalking him across the city.

Aviana has joined the Window Table.

Katarina casts a welcoming smile toward Aviana, as well as the plated Daemon settling in at the bar. "Goodwoman Paige is right," she chimes in, raising her voice to be heard clearly across the low din of excited conversation and clanking mugs as last minute rounds of ale and other refreshing beverages are ushered into the hands of newcomers still finding their seats. "This initiative that I'm hoping to start is supposed to be accommodating to all archetypes of adventurers, from the seasoned and rugged to those just starting out and haven't the slightest idea on how to get the right attention to explore some of the questions they have about our lands."

"My name is Katarina Valardin, admiral of exploration and Captain of the Unsullied. I gathered captains and seasoned sailors under my banners some months ago, calling our small group the Eventide Flotilla. Our purpose has always been to help our main naval forces in the Western Seas protect trade routes and defend against Shav'Arvani attacks, but we've now an opportunity to expand and help others pursue new scholarly goals and uncover new information. That's what this hour is for - an interest check and open ourselves up to hear you all."

Marius wanders in and looks around, rubbing his face as he mutters to himself quietly, "Spirits, I forget they can take the joy out of a /bar/." before he gives a lackluster wave in acknowledgement to the room and goes to find himself himself a seat while listening to Katarina.

Marius has joined the Window Table.

Cullen has joined the Window Table.

Spotting his cousin enter, Cullen drops down at the table with him and nods in sympathy at Marius. "I know. The ale's not bad, but I'll drink flaming pitch before I put a glass of milk to my lips," he murmurs with a snort, then looks up at Katarina. "So, pretty much any initiatives we want to take for exploration in the Oathlands whatsoever, then? It doesn't necessarily have to be nautically based? Not that I'd mind helping with the latter, of course."

Daemon has a returned smile for Katarina, listening to her with quite a bit of interest. "Secrets are buried in history everywhere you go. Both in the sea and not." He muses, rubbing at his bearded chin in thought for but a moment. "Though beyond the Eventide, that's an even fonder mystery to be solved."

"I think my brother, His Grace, would be the first to argue the benefits of a cool glass of goat's milk over ale," Katarina quips sidelong to Cullen in good humor. "But yes, this initiative encompasses expeditions in the Oathlands. From the mountains to the flatlands, to the coastlines. If there's an area that needs exploring, we'd like to help enable others do it. Information uncovered, after all, benefits us all."

3 Thrax Guards, Veronica arrive, following Coraline.

Marius flashes a quick smile at Cullen from his words, nodding simply in agreement. "So," He starts over towards Katarina. "You're offering people, what, an escort? Equipment? Transportation? All of the above? Do you have leads for places people can go, or are you simply looking for information to point your ships towards with them along?" He gives a pause and adds a second later, "Mind, I'm not the exploring type exactly, but I could maybe lend some aid in other ways. Just trying to pinpoint the purpose here."

Cora and Veronica are looking for booze, and chatting, and more booze. As such they wander in talking amicably cause this is where the booze is!

Veronica actually looks just a tad surprised at finding a bit of a crowd at the Knights, but hey, it's a tavern. Random drunkards come in here all the time! After a momentary hesitation, she continues on towards the bar, while continuing her conversation with Cora. "Anyway, so I told him the rules: if he refuses to answer my question, I'll punch him in the mouth. If he lies, I'll punch him twice. If he insults me, I'll punch him three times. He was quite cooperative after the first punch."

Enroute to the bar, Veronica seems to have caught sight of something. Or someone. She stops momentarily and makes a complicated hand gesture at Cullen.

Cora laughs at the story and nods in perfect agreement, "Well yes, I can see that as being entirely effective!" she notes the hand thingy and the intended target but decides to observe rather than ask for now.

Katarina considers Marius' words. "That's the goal, yes. We're offering transporation, equipment, and escorts - as well as pre-existing leads from information we've come across in previous expeditions as a starting place to potentially go out and uncover a wealth of new information, maybe even artifacts. It just depends on what people are willing to put in it that they want to get out? I thought this is a good idea for nobility and commoners alike who may not have other chances to do these things in other avenues have that opportunity given to them from their own fealty, rather than having to look outward for it."

Daemon gave a brisk wave over to Coraline and her companion when she came in! The man was seated by himself at the bar, his gaze intent on Katarina with a fond smile. Ahh, the pursuit of knowledge!

Aviana gets a messenger and blinks look at it nodding to those she is sitting with, "Please excuess me." she moves to slip out of the bar.

Aviana has left the Window Table.

Sir Rhys, a Valardin Knight, Laurene, a military adjutant arrive, following Alis.

Vern arrives, delivering a message to Adriana before departing.

Nodding slowly, confidently, at Veronica upon spotting the hand signal, an equally complex one is returned. Looking satisfied, Cullen leans back into his seat with a sip of ale, listening to Katarina. "Do you have a current list of places you're waiting to look into before starting something new, or is it pretty much just allocating what can be done when on basis of interest and supplies?"

Merek seems to have fallen asleep with some milk, and perhaps he is attentive, who knows. His secretary is at least, for the time being, attentive to all that is said, as he is basically rolled up on the booth he's at.

Veronica grins a lopsided grin. "The man had hard teeth. Punching him actually hurt my knuckles." She tells Coraline wryly, then gestures towards the... bar? Wait. "Oh, let me introduce you to a friend." She leads the way towards the table by the windows, nodding to everyone in the vicinity. "Lord Cullen. Princess Katarina." Even those she doesn't know receives nods of acknowledgement. "Have you all met Princess Coraline Thrax?"

Alis can never quite manage to actually be sneaky. But, she -can- be relatively quiet when she arrives with her usual small entourage in tow. If she's noticed, there's a wave. And if not, she will just waddle on over to a seat and look curious.

Princess Sally Acorn, an acorn toting red squirrel arrives, following Kenna.

Daemon gets a salute and a grin though she follows Veronica watching the complex hand gestury goodness. "Thats why I never punch anyone in the teeth or cheek without a gauntlet. Floating ribs and knees are my favorite if I really want to mess someone up." As they arrive Cora waves, "Good to meet'cha."

Adriana comes out of the kitchen with a tray of freshly baked bread and a jam and butter service to enjoy with it. The barmaid sets it down at a central table and then draws a pitcher of ale so she can go around refilling mugs. "Such a crowd! Goodness, welcome everyone!" She curtsies politely to the room as a whole.

Beaming a smile at Veronica, "I have not met Princess Coraline before, thank you for the introduction. How are you today, Veronica? Going to sit and drink with us while making plans to explore strange places? And regale us of more tales of punching people? I like those, frankly." Downing his mug of ale, he sticks his hand out to the side for Adriana to refill it with a thanks and a grin.

"No, I don't think I have," Katarina confesses, her smile amicable when Coraline is brought to her attention with Veronica's introduction. "It's a pleasure, Your Highness. Help yourself to any drinks, all on me," she offers graciously.

"We have several locations, though not all are necessarily adventures. Some run more along the line of reconnassaince and patrols, more in line with traditional naval duties. A few are venturing out to retrieve artifacts we put on the back burner during the Gyre war, and perhaps more as we get around to speaking with the houses and seeing what we can help initiate on their behalves."

"Are you looking for any specific artifacts? How about weapons? Are any of them weapons?" There's Alis, because there's not much she loves more then a pretty weapon to add to the collection! "Because you can count me in if there are any of those. Of course." A dimpled smile is flashed out towards the crowd then.

Marius nods along with Katarina's explanation. "That does sound like a good idea, and a good opportunity. Not everybody has the ability to go, or fund, the adventures they want. I applaud the initiative." There's a small smile and he nods sideways with a glance at Cullen, "And, while as I said, I'm not much for running about the wilds like the dashing Lord Cullen, I have dealt with the Oathland's Abandoned extensively. I know them, some of them know me, and if you're going into their land I may be able to help spare some bloodshed."

The little Whitehawk heard there might be a thing in this area today, and so her cat's curiosity has brought her to poke her head in, and then her whole body just as a look-see. Not popping into the conversation, just skirting around the others and listening with bright blue eys looking about everywhere.

Veronica bobs her head at Cullen. "We were planning to spar at the training grounds at the Thraxian Ward, then come to drink, but we couldn't find the place so we decided to get drunk first." A smile comes later. She can do a deadpan, see? Daemon's comment on the punching draws her attention his way, along with a nod. "I agree. But the goal of that particular exercise was not just to mess someone up, it was for information. I was aiming for the quickest way to obtain a response...." And there's an Alis! "Princess Alis!" Veronica actually moves to intercept the woman. "Surely you are not here to drink!" She looks around and spots Adriana. "Adriana! Bring milk for Princess Alis, please."

"One of the benefits to this that I'm really hoping for us our Valardins feeling comfortable with coming forward and sharing any tips or leads that might lead to adding new artifacts, weapons or otherwise," Katarina slants a wink toward Alis, nodding toward Marius and Cullen. "to the list of things to possibly go and find. This really is, fundamentally, about fostering connections between our own houses and strengthening ourselves from within with knowledge we find, as much as it is about anything else."

A grateful smile to Katriana, "Thank you." She asks for rum and it is quickly supplied. "So am I hearing of some adventure in the making? It sounds fun whatever it is."

Katarina checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 22 higher.

Katarina casually wads several parchments together to toss at Merek's sleeping head.

"Lady Veronica." Alis grins at the Keaton woman, and shakes her head. "Goodness no. Can you imagine me trying to walk back to the manor while tipsy right now? I'd fall right over? Milk sounds grand." she agrees easily, dipping her head in thanks to Adiana and Veronica both. "I'm here to meet others who would like some adventure. /After/ I deliver of course. Which should not be too long now, don't worry. I will not be adventuring until then." she promises, with a thread of amusement.

Adriana curtsies for Veronica?s request and leaves the pitcher behind to fetch some chilled milk from the kitchens. She curtsies for Alis as well she presents the offering. Kat's toss makes her grin. "I could go wake him if you prefer?"

"Oh, well, I applaud the decision, Veronica, and shall have to drink with you and the Princess and do some sparring as well," Cullen replies to Veronica with a grin, then glances over at Alis' weapon acquisition eagerness with a laugh. Nodding at Marius, "I do like to run around the wilds, and I am rather dashing, this is quite true. And while I do not have the extensive connections with the Abandoned that my cousin has, I have some and obviously can speak with them as well. But it does sound like an excellent initiative, and one I would be pleased to take part in," he finishes up to Katarina with a flourish of a pale hand.

"No, I'm quite content to keep polishing my aim on Sir Black until he's more wakeful," Katarina dissuades Veronica from going and stirring Merek. "I'm glad that there seems to be such interest in this initiative," she says of the interested faces still sticking around, even if it may be just for the drinks. "I know Master Derovai Voss had wanted to be here to represent the Explorers as well, given he holds status of Seeker in the Society. If anyone has any specific questions they want to ask me about any of my future plans for this initiative, I'll happily answer them as well."

She looks around, waiting for takers. "Otherwise, drink up and mingle! I came to meet people just as much as spread the word!"

Katarina has joined the Back Table.

Kenna spies a familiar face among the crowd and edges her way over to Merek's side. "Did someone say adventure?" Much too perky and not caring in the least.

Veronica is /almost/ wagging a finger at Alis, that nope she's not to drink anything but milk! That sternness disappears a bit when Adriana goes fetch said milk, thus allowing Veronica to usher Alis towards Coraline as well. "Have you met Princess Coraline Thrax, Princess Alis?" She introduces the pair of princesses, sparing a backward glance at Cullen as well. "I'm sure we can get to it later this evening!"

Merek checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Merek lifts up his hand to catch some of the parchments thrown his way, and then speaks, "Don't presume that because a man looks asleep, he is, Your Highness," he offers up quietly, as he stretches a bit and then places his milk on the table.

"Fiachra taught me all the pertinent swear words and epithets, but somehow I don't think that will help much." Alis quips towards Cullen and Marius. "And Lord Cullen, it's a pleasure to meet you. I promise we will find time to speak soon. It's been rather busy of late." But she hasn't forgotten! "Actually no, I do not believe I have." Her eyes seek out the infamiliar faces now, and settle on Coraline. "It's lovely to meet you as well."

Cora watches Veronica start mothering Alis and grins, then she is being herded over to Cora. "A pleasure to meet you Princess Alis." Cullen gets a grin of his own, "A spar would be wonderful, i am up for that."

Merek looks over towards Kenna and considers a moment, "Hello."

Marius gets up from the table, clasping his hand on Cullen's shoulder, "Yes. Dashing, handsome AND humble. The complete package." He remarks with a grin at his cousin before nodding over to Katarina, "Like I said, if you need anything from me to aid you, or House Greenmarch, let me know." He points over his shoulder, vaguely towards Cullen. "Him, him you can have whenever. I wish you well on the initative though, and hopefully it will work as you hope for. I should be off, however."

Daemon lifts a glass of some cool milk to Katarina's direction when she finishes explaining. "As great an idea to uncovering mysteries as I've ever heard, Princess. I wish you luck in all of your endeavors." He whirls back around to face the bar, a glance down to his hound Elegance for a moment. She has her head held up high and pleasantly snooty, provoking a giggle from the man.

Marius has left the Window Table.

"Good duck there." Kenna winks at Merek before pushing off again to head keeper into the bar itself. The unfamiliar faces ALL get finger wiggles from the Whitehawk till she ends up at the back table and bounces on her toes for a moment asking Katarina - "Mind if I join?"

Kenna has joined the Back Table.

It seems that the figure of Terese has appears just in time for the ending of her cousins speech as she slips into the bar with a clip of heel. She snaps a pair of leather gloves in hand before tucking them into the belt of leather that holds the sheathes of her swords at each hip and moves further inside. Her azure gaze sweeps across the room and the faces gathered even as she moves towards Katarina, "It seems I missed the speech and here you once told me you'd rather melt into a puddle and die first," she muses with a soft dip once near. She eyes the bar and the drinks being served around.

Pointing a finger at Veronica, then Cora, "Sounds excellent. I'm sure I'll be beat into the ground, but who hasn't wanted that?" Waving at Alis, "And a pleasure to meet you as well, Your Highness! And I can believe it has been busy, no rush. I'm around, just let me know when you're free." Marius' words bring a humble bow, even if the Marquis just explicitly said he wasn't humble. What a juxtaposition

Pointing a finger at Veronica, then Cora, "Sounds excellent. I'm sure I'll be beat into the ground, but who hasn't wanted that?" Waving at Alis, "And a pleasure to meet you as well, Your Highness! And I can believe it has been busy, no rush. I'm around, just let me know when you're free." Marius' words bring a humble bow, even if the Marquis just explicitly said he wasn't humble. What a juxtaposition! And then his cousin volunteers him for...whatever, whenever. Rolling his grey eyes good-naturedly, he starts in on a fresh ale.

"Thank you for taking the time to hear me out," Katarina says to Marius and Daemon, genuinely humbled. "I'm hoping in the next few days here, we'll be taking volunteers for our first expeditions," she announces. Her lips curve into a humored smile at Merek, raising a glass of whisky in apologetic toast. "A mistake I will not make twice, Sir Black. I was afraid I'd bored you to sleep." When Kenna comes to join her, she pushes out a chair in quick welcoming. "Not at all, my lady. Please, join me." A soft scoff toward Terese, lips already splaying with familial warmth for her cousin, "Well, more metaphorically than literal. I don't think Alis would be very happy if her baby sister melted on her somewhere right before she was due."

Adriana makes rounds with the pitcher of milk now, as it IS a Valardin bar. She finds enough takers on her offer.

Kenna raises a hand to wave at Adriana, "May I have some wine please?" Because she isn't Valardin and so that a legitimate thing to say. She'll sit as she does so, lowering her tone to a more reasonable talking-one.

Alis waves to Terese when she spots her, and inclines her head politely towards Marius as he takes his leave. "I am only sorry I came after any speeches. You know I've found that I quite enjoy honey in with my milk lately. I think the Laurents have corrupted me since their arrival in Arx." she decides, glancing over at the bar and Katarina upon hearing the voice. "No sibling melting allowed!!"

Adriana switches. From milk to wine, a nice heady red that likely was brought in for guests just like this. She smiles back at Kenna as she pours a goblet full. "Do enjoy. It's a lovely vintage, from what I understand," she says politely.

Finising her rum Cora stands, "I loved meeting all of you I have met tonight, I look forward to knowing you all better. And of course sparring those who wish it." Alis gets a smile, "Congratulations, and I certainly would love to join into future adventures." She nods to everyone and salutes Daemon again before waving on her way out.