Fire-lit lanterns twinkle like the stars themselves within the wide-reaching boughs of resilient evergreen trees nestled within a corner of the fence-lined perimeter of the brewery property, their flickering flames within disturbed intermittently by the coiling columns of smoke that waft up in the brisk autumn evening air from a fire being stoked in a makeshift firepit below.

Halved oak logs have been strategically slung around the fire, providing ample seating while warm blankets and plush, over-stuffed pillows deliver a bed upon which to bundle together in close clusters. It's upon a pillow where Katarina sits, a woolen Valardin blue blanket draped around her shoulders with a mug of spiced cider within her hands. Her golden eyes reflect the flames dancing in the fire, lined artfully in kohl to lend them a bewitching affect for the fun she has in store. She is quiet, but an ever accomomdating hostess, waiting to greet her guests as they arrive onto the scene.

Diligent workers of the Raconteur Brewing Company serve as attendants for the event upon the company's grounds, providing guests with all manner of Master Venturo's famed drinks upon request. (OOC: Refer back to the blackboard, as it will be important during the scene.) A large black couldron burbles with a hearty broth, filling the air with a delectable scent of spiced meats and vegetables a good distance away, waiting to be served to hungry listeners at their discretion.

Waldemai tugs on the sleeve of the nearest waiter. "Quick," he whispers, jerking a thumb toward the blackboard. "What's that say?"

Emerging from the side door that leads to the office, it is the proprietor of the place itself that peeks his head out, Venturo taking a few long moments to survey the scene. He remains standing to the side for now, watching as people filter in and mingle. For Waldemai? The fellow is in luck, for discretion is key, and one of those servers leans over to whisper in hushed tones to the fellow, explaining every option of just what is available to drink tonight.

Finding some split logs to take a seat on, the formidable, crimson clad figure of Valarian takes a seat and lounges a bit, a smirk on his lips and a curious glint in his eye as he murmurs an order to a nearby server.

Alarissa has joined the Bonfire logs 1.

Kenna has joined the Bonfire logs 1.

Alarissa's made her way in, and settled beside Katarina. THe red cloak heavy on her shoulders, but she's under those valardin blue blankets as well, toes peeking out so she can keep her feet warm.

Waldemai furrows his brow and nods as the menu is explained to him. "Smoldering Sweetness," he says. "Ale for drinking, but something heavier for listening."

Katarina sets down her mug of spiced cider, opening her blanket to Alarissa as her sister deigns to come and sit beside her. "Welcome to Story Night at the Raconteur," she extends in warm-hearted salutations toward each of her guests, raising a brightly colored stick wrapped in bands of textured leather in arching wave. "Many thanks first to Master Thayne for allowing me to use his establishment to do what I love, and that is to entertain and bring excitement to friends and new acquaintances."

"Take a seat wherever you like and find yourself a good drink of the stock offered to us. Don't tarry too long on which you'll pick, as it makes it all the more exciting to just go with your instinct. Trust me, it'll be fun for the game we're about to play."

"Oh, how lovely!" Sabella can't help but enthuse as she heads in, shooing off Elizabetta as she tries to take her cloak, "I think I shall keep it with me since this is an outdoor event." She looks around, beaming bright smiles at everyone she knows--which is pretty much everyone really--and then makes her way over to where Venturo is standing, "Master Thayne, look at you, from story teller to grand event host. It's almost like you had a master plan this whole time. Have I mentioned how much I like Stolen Seconds? Although Golden Sun is a close second."

Paige is here, lurking around in the shadows of the eaves and bowers. When people start to gather, however, she makes her way to one of the sets of logs, taking a seat and motioning for one of the attendants. Murmuring her choice to them quietly, she gives a nod and faint smile to those she recognizes, glancing around as if looking for someone.

Kenna sweeps in but is going to be VERY VERY quick about settling herself at Katarina's words about doing just that. "Cider has been recommended, I'll have that please?" Now, logs. Sitting as she smooths her dress down into place.

Up Venturo's hands lift in mock surrender towards Sabella, the brewer offering the princess a warm smile towards her, "You'll have to give the credit to princess Katarina for the event, though I'll be hosting my own stories on occassion, for those who like to hear me prattle on. Tonight? I'm just poking my head out. How are you, princess?" A hand lifts, giving a flutter of hello towards Paige in quite greeting, and then Kenna as well, though it is still off to the side that the man remains.

After perusing the board for a moment, Valarian's brows lift in amusement while placing his order. When the server quickly returns with a pint of a pale ale with a bit of orange to it, then takes a long sip, a smile upon his face and bit of foam in the moustache.

Katarina hazards a humored glance across toward Sabella when she hears the Grayson give Venturo praise for the event. "Your Highness, I can assure you that you're in yet another one of my spurred creations for you to enjoy," she affirms to his clarification with a tinkling laugh. Her head turns to look upon Kenna and Paige, favoring them both with familiar smiles while a curious study is afforded to Valarian. "Lady Kenna, Goodwoman Paige. I'm glad you both could make it. I don't, however, think I've met you before," she says of the Harrow, a similar sentiment extended to Waldemai after a long moment. "Nor you either, sir."

Wiggling his fingers in a greeting to Katarina, "Sorry Princess. I didn't think of it, I just sat down and got a pint, which seemed like a swell idea. Valarian Harrow, and thank you for putting this on today. I always enjoy a good story or two."

:totally actually ordered Stolen Seconds, but forgot to put the proper name in the pose.

Waldemai lifts his stout politely. "Mast Smith Waldemai Isenhu, your highness. My shop's just down in Southport Square." He waves the mug fairly southwesterly. "I think we did meet once, something to do with horses and horse racing." Of course a commoner remembers meeting a princess more than a princess remembers meeting a commoner.

Sabella grins at Venturo, "I usually use that line as well. Prattling on. I don't think anyone who has ever heard one of your stories would think of them as anything other than transfixing." She places her order for her choice and receives a warm mug. "But I am well. Busy with wedding planning! But you must tell me when you plan one of these and I will be sure to come." She gives him another smile before moving over to find a place to sit.

Sabella has joined the a dyad of halved oak logs around a bonfire.

"A stolen seconds for me, since there's no tea." Cider, all the way. Fingers wriggle in Sabella's direction and she wriggles those toes in her slippers, fingers laced over the rise of her belly. No husband or Astrid as Alarissa settles in for story telling.

"Next week, we shall make a point of it. Even if it's only you there to listen, princess." Venturo offers Sabella a broad if crooked smile, his dimples offset just enough to make it lopsided upon his features. Up a hand lifts, raking through his hair as those pale eyes drift around, taking careful note not just of which drinks people take. Alarissa gets a small dip of his head in silent greeting as well, along with a playful look for the tea comment.

Katarina takes notice of the drinks first ordered by each of the guests, especially with the helpful aid of Pawn, her ever present assistant, at her side to keep track. "The pleasure is mine," she lends in soft-spoken return to Waldemai and Valarian aside. A few moments ensue while she waits for everyone to settle, making small talk with Kenna and Alarissa briefly under the warmth of their shared Valardin blue blanket.

Eventually, the princess is taking a graceful pull from her mug for liquid courage before she speaks:

"Beyond the Mourning Isles, where the Mourning Sea churns into another called the Sea of Leviathan, there exists a number of kingdoms collectively called Eurus. Each kingdom is unique and independent, different and as stark of a contrast to any place here in Arvum that you can imagine."

Acacia has joined the Bonfire logs 2.

Waldemai settles back with a swallow of stout. "That's good," he says.

"This is going to be really good," Sabella asides to Waldemai when he says that, completely mistaking what he means as her focus is all on Katarina. She has all of Sabella's rapt, beaming attention!

Kenna isn't about to interrupt the storyteller, Katarina had her at Eurus!

The door opens and in with the night air pours a tall curvy redhead with a sparking in her eye and a confident stride. Pausing at the door, Acacia notes the event seems well on its way. Scanning the room, she gives a little grin and drifts over to join Valarian with a wink, smoothly taking a seat and settling in to listen.

Alarissa dips her head to Venturo, a smile to him and eventual lift of her cider to him as she then pays heed to Katarina.

Valarian slides his arm around Acacia's waist when she takes a seat next to him, a grin on his face before murmuring to Venturo, "Harrowed Fields, of course. I couldn't pass it up...given the name." Taking a long sip of the ale, his brows lift in an expression of amusement.

1 Crimson Blades Sergeant, 4 Crimson Blades Private arrive, following Fredrik.

"And of all the cities, from a kingdom of water to a city so secretive and silent that not even the own Eurusi know what goes on within its walls, there is a place so strange and utterly abstract that it would put even the most accomplished of Lycene courtiers to utter /shame/," Katarina weaves her tale with a gentle build, her kohl-lined eyes drifting from face to face, gauging their reactions as she goes. "It is called the Dune Kingdom of Suj'Abbat, where the art of deception is not just a past time - it is a -way- of life. A virtue, above all else, some would be so inclined to say."

"Every face is shrouded behind a veil or hidden with the most beautiful of masks, meant only to keep those around them guessing of what really lies beneath the surface. Are you a princess? A pauper? A King? The lowliest of men? You are whoever you wish to be; your story whatever you can make them believe."

"The truth is only exciting if it is the /least/ one would expect."

"It's certainly a favorite. Some time," It's a promise for an explanation, but it's all that one will get out of the brewer, Venturo's attention flickering back to Katarina for a long moment. She's flashed a warm smile of approval

Zane, a tall and silent servant, Hops, a bubbly pygmy goat kid leave, following Venturo.

Waldemai has already forgotten his mug. He appears rapt.

Fredrik enters quietly, bidding his bodyguard to make themselves scarce as he makes his way in near silence over to the campfire area where Katarina is holding court, his expression curious as he seats himself off to one side, cradling a drink he has procured along the way somehow and nursing it as he watches in silence.

"It is here in a city of utter chaos, where no one ever knows what is going on, that we set the stage of our tale tonight," Katarina unravels from beneath her blanket, tucking it warmly around Alarissa and Kenna before she stands. It's behind Sabella she ventures first, unraveling her long swath of silk to wind playfully around the fair beauty's eyes to shroud her vision. "Where we're going to question what we know, what we think; but never what we believe, for that makes us who we are. Isn't it, Princess Sabella?"

She doesn't tarry long, observant golden eyes floating from face to face before slanting a kohl-lined wink toward Acacia, her new arrival never unnoticed.

"If you've Stolen Seconds in your hands, perhaps you're of a lifestyle that is utterly madness like the City of Suj'Abbat. Something is always churning, going, happening; dizzyingly so. Every sip is like a moment of clarity stolen for yourself, to clear the mind and bring peace and tranquility back with every ginger and citrus compliment to the smooth apple base."

A weighted pause, looking to Sabella then Alarissa and Kenna. "And when you drink, what comes to your mind's eye? What story in you yearns to be told?"

Acacia offers a small slow grin as Valarian wraps a strong arm about her and shamelessly liberates the man's ale with a flash of a beautiful smile and quick, agile hands. A deep drink is taken and she nods her approval before surrendering the cup to him once more. Large honey-brown eyes then turn to watch Katarina weave her tale with an artist's grace, her words almost painting pictures in the air, and the curvy redhead offers a bold and smiling wink in return.

Kenna looks at her drink when Katarina mentions it, and the look turns speculative. "I am not sure if this reflects well on my spot in the guard, but I think I would wish to be a thief. To steal in and out of situations would be a delight."

"Of time lost, sacrificed for the greater good." Alarissa replies to her former sister by marriage.

Sabella gives a slightly nervous laugh as the silk blocks her vision, then blinks against the light of the fire with a grin as it is removed. She has a sip of her drink and closes her eyes briefly, "I've had cause to question what I know, but never what I believe," she confirms for Katarina. "This drink makes me think of the story of Lianhan, which is both terribly sad and hopeful. A woman who believed so strongly in herself and defeating the darkness that she sacrificed herself in doing so--but she did do so, in the end. Gave her life to defeat the Abyss using the very force of her spirit itself. I think it makes me think on that because besides my title and the greatness of my family, I am utterly and completely normal. And all I have to myself is the force of my personality, which I do hope is helpful to those that need, for I will never be a great hero or the heroine of a story retold."

Neb arrives at the ground of Raconteur with a thick 'walking' staff banded in iron and steel tapping along with each step and a coat of Inquisitorial scarlet being just about the only thing of note with the man aside from nondescript leathers and a mustache.

Neb has joined the Bonfire logs 2.

Fredrik has joined the a dyad of halved oak logs around a bonfire.

"The Ballad of Lianhan is a story to be told again and again, relished for all those who are blessed with the opportunity to know her tale of bravery and the greatest of sacrifices," Katarina voices in agreement with Sabella, content to listen to the princess when she deigns to speak and bowing her head in appreciation for Kenna and Alarissa's words in turn. "Stolen Seconds, praying for reclamation of what was given in sacrifice or simply wistfully envisioning what it would be like to know the thrill of a life opposite your own, are often the very emotions that drives the most battiest of tales. Like the tale of Mati'anka, a young girl who was possessed with such a great lust for a life she'd never know in the walking dream."

"She was naught but a tavern owner's daughter, living a life of serving the wealthiest of patrons who would come from all over the Kingdom to partake in their special wines made of crushed dates and smoke the most potent of haze. She herself was never allowed to partake in either ritual, cursed to watch as she served. But one night, a young man with a voice as decadent as the smoothest of burbons and eyes brighter than sapphires came to her and asked her to indulge him a small request: drink of the wine of dates, and smoke his haze. She hesitated, unsure of the consequences that would befall her if she did so."

"But in the end, she did. They smoked and smoked, drank until their bellies were full of wine and her vision swam. The shadows rippled around them, watching, laughing, dancing."

"And what do the shadows do, Mistress Acacia, while her vision swims and tilts before her very eyes?" Katarina challenges Acacia to add onto the uncompleted tale, reaching to deliver to her a mug of ale. Night Terrors.

Acacia's large brown eyes gleam in the candle light, a ghost of a smile finding those full lips. "Aye, what they always do I would think," the redhead shrugs. "Depends on the shadows you're speaking to and the dreamer of the dream, I'm told," she winks brazenly back and eases into her seat, long lean legs crossing languidly as she listens for more of the tale to unfold.

Alarissa keeps nursing that ale of hers, glance going to Acacia as if waiting for the answer and then back to Katarina when one is provided.

Katarina checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Katarina's eyes alight with Acacia's answer, bowing her head. "The Shadows do as they have always done, when the writhe with unnatural life," she agrees, pausing to drink deeply of her own ale before leaning forward to gesture broadly toward the crackling fire in front of her. A small vial of powder is chucked toward the flames, sending it into the flames. It reacts rather violently, turning warm orange shades of the fire to an insidious, smoldering black before brightening to blue. Apparently that wasn't what Katarina was expecting, because her expression is one of clear surprise. "O-Oh!"

Waldemai chokes on his stout. "Gack! What was that?"

Sabella jumps when the vial turns the fire different colors, actually paling when it turns blue and getting to her feet quickly. She takes in a quick breath and then looks around like suddenly the shadows are a lot more menacing. "...apologies, I have to go!" She rushes the words out, shoving her mug on the nearest surface before turning to leave. She doesn't run, but she's not just walking!

Valarian has left the Bonfire logs 2.

Valarian has joined the a dyad of halved oak logs around a bonfire.

Kenna jumps when the fire DOES ITS THING, but then she sets her drink to one side and claps furiously! Just assuming that was planned there.

Fredrik leans back a bit as the smoke shudders to black and then to a sputtering blue, sipping at his drink as he declares, "The Shadows didn't appreciate the commentary on their activities, it seems, hmm?" He maybe has a bit of a smirk, but it's hidden by the glass, really.

Sabella jumps when the vial turns the fire different colors, actually paling when it turns blue and getting to her feet quickly. She takes in a quick breath and then looks around like suddenly the shadows are a lot more menacing. "...apologies, I have to go!" She rushes the words out, shoving her mug on the nearest surface before turning to leave. She doesn't run, but she's not just walking!

Brows furrowing at Katarina's unexpected reaction to her own surprise, as it were, Valarian chuckles and takes a sip of his ale before grinning at Acacia. "Always check your props is the lesson there, I suppose."

Alarissa's even moving back from the fire, the cider put down with a look of alarm. Especially since Katarina's not expecting that. "Gods." She whispers, makign sure to whisk her skirts away.

Sabella is overheard praising Katarina for: Storytelling so good the world ends!

Acacia's eyebrow lifts a touch as she watches the smoke, taking a moment to glance aside to Valarian with a smirk and back. There is a little look Sabella's way as the she suddenly decides now it's time to leave rather quickly.

Waldemai has left the a dyad of halved oak logs around a bonfire.

Waldemai has joined the a dyad of halved oak logs around a bonfire.

Fredrik has left the a dyad of halved oak logs around a bonfire.

Fredrik has joined the a dyad of halved oak logs around a bonfire.

Acacia has left the Bonfire logs 2.

Acacia has joined the Bonfire logs 2.

"Impressive." Neb echoes from behind Valarian, Paige, and Acacia while leaning on his staff and listening to the stories. He even watches Sabella make a hasty but dignified retreat.

Katarina checked composure + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 19 higher.

Paige has left the Bonfire logs 2.

Katarina loses a bright laugh in the wake of everyone's harried reactions, seeming to have known what she was doing all along. Utterly unruffled, this one. She smooths her skirts, making sure to check on Alarissa especially before turning her eyes back to the group at large. "And that is what happened, the most insidious and unspeakable of things in the night they drank. The Shadows came upon them, while the young girl was out of her mind with haze and wine, and they tore her unnamed companion apart. His screams echoed throughout the tavern, masked by the melodic music downstairs as revelry ensued. Mati'aka was allowed to keep her life however, but only if she gave a promise: Drink of the date wine, be whom you wish to be - but know the cost of the company you keep. Seconds Stolen are never replacable, for the wrong choice could bring your life forfeit."

Sabella has left the a dyad of halved oak logs around a bonfire.

Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting, Valor, a small brown and white corgi puppy, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, Clark, an exasperated guard leave, following Sabella.

Alarissa's fine, she's just making sure that her skirts don't catch. Though the story that Katarina tells has her raising her brows just a little. Just a little.

Alarissa has left the Bonfire logs 1.

Pellinor, 4 Thrax Guards, Honey Snuggle, a Velenosian Angora cat leave, following Alarissa.

Kenna slowly lowers her hands and clears her throat. PROBABLY shouldn't have cheered. Her drink is also going to get a careful look.