Firelight flickers all over the garden, illuminating it brightly while also giving a hint of mystique and shadows where that torch light doesn't quite reach. Lys grins at Enyo, glancing to where the other woman has thrown herself onto the ground. A small laugh is given and she says, "The couch is much more comfortable, you know!"

And then her hand lifts to wiggle her fingers toward Iseulet and she says, "Lady Blackshore, a pleasure."

She stands and goes to grab a bottle off of one of the tables and hold it out to Enyo, looking thoughtful. "Mmmm. Fighted pants, and what about... A sheer-- what's the word for those things that go over your head, but don't aren't sewn closed? A sheer one of those, slightly ruched... But held in place by a woven band of gold that keeps everything in place? But gives me a bit of the flowy silk that I like."

"Tabard? Flap in front and back, if that's what you're meaning." Enyo waves off the offer of the bottle, and seems content to sit on the floor, "I've a dress like that, one of my favorites. Which is certainly a fine way of doing it, yeah. I don't know about the ruching though, seems fussy, but it could work."

Gino, a surly sailor, 2 House Velenosa Guards arrive, following Antonio.

Leta just wanders curiously into the garden, looking around with an expression of mild wariness casting a guarded shade over her eyes. But she smiles, an easy and jovial thing as she takes in the sight of the firelight and all. The rather brawny woman takes in her surroundings and adjusts the strap securing the lute that hangs off her shoulder. She hums softly and lets herself stroll over towards one of the tables piled with food. She's in black, head to toe, which would be sober and somber if not for the feathered hat and a taste for somewhat gaudy accessorizing.

"Pleasure's all mine! I've come to see who turns out to fight and how it goes. I've been missing out on some of the tournaments." Iseulet says with a bright smile, "Iseulet Blackshore, nice to meet you all." She offers to those who may not know, making her way over to a table to sit down and make herself comfortable in the wintery air, pulling that shawl closer against her skin.

Gino, a surly sailor, 2 House Velenosa Guards arrive, following Antonio.

"I like the ruching, sometimes. A little ruffle!" A small laugh is given and she says, "Oh, oh. I have a dress I should so you sometimes. You'd probably want to burn it, but it suits its purpose /quite well/." There's a wicked grin there and she rocks on her feet a moment, catching sight of the brawny figure of Leta, lifting her hand up and smiles her way, "Dame Leta! I'm glad you came!" She bounces a little bit and says, "Do you want to fight? I'm sure you'll win." To Iseulet she gives another little grin, full of teeth, "I'm not positive I'd call tonight a tournament, just ... a chance to punch each other in the face, and take bets on who will win and who won't."

There's a wave towards Leta, a bit of a quiet smile offered to her before she raises a brow at Lys, "Why would I want to burn it?" She wonders curiously, then Enyo just shakes her head, dismissing the thought as she leans back on her hands, head tilting just a fraction, watching the others as they sort out the actual fighting portion.

Lys grins and leans toward Enyo, whispering soto vocce, "Ribbons."

A little smirk on his face, Antonio enters the garden. Yeah, thats an entrance pose.

Iseulet has joined the a table nestled among the saplings.

Enyo's brows shift upwards fractionally at the whisper before she shakes her head, "I've a dress with lace and ribbons. I like ribbons fine." She replies thoughtfully before lifting her shoulders in a shrug, an amused smile crossing over her face.

Iseulet makes herself comfortable with a little laugh, "Well that sounds /almost/ like a tournament. Almost." She dips her head in Antonio's direction. "Oh dear, not ribbons."

"M'Ladies," says Leta with a bow of her head to Lys and Enyo right there, adjusting her lute as she fills her free hand with a goblet of wine and smiles, a doubtful expression on her face for a moment. "Not sre I'll fight. Maybe. Fisticuffs ain't rightly my area or nothing. Haven't done much of it, not really. I'm sure there's much better fighters to come," she cracks a brighter grin to go with a self-deprecating half shrug, then takes a long sip of red.

Lys sets the bottle down on the ground and says, "

Lys sets the bottle down on the ground and says, "I'll go get it!" There's a bark of laughter that join it, and then she flashes a wicked smile to Iseulet as well. "Oh, yes." There's a wicked gleam in those eyes. She lift her gaze toward Antonio and says, "Your highness, welcome! Help yourself, I'll be right back!"

Lys adds on her to Leta, "Oh, it'll be fun! Just a little friendly punching."

Enyo pushes to her feet, hands dusting herself off before she holds up a finger, "One second." And then with that she's hurrying out of the garden.

Enyo comes back in carrying more than one dress, a bag of jewelry, and a tiara in one hand, "So the ribbons one I had made for Her Grace's shadow party thing...and it's black, you know, for the party. Not my usual color, but it's pretty anyways. I got this tiara and stuff made to give it some color, though."

Enyo gets a daring tabard belted by a thin gold chain dripping with glass droplets from Pink Jewelry.

Antonio seems.. well, rather confused- all these dresses. "Uh..." the prince says, looking around at the assembled ladies, and the various articles of clothing that Lys and Enyo are displaying, "This is where the brawl is happening? I'm in the right spot, yes?"

"Maybe." Iseulet says to Antonio, "Fashion forward, Your Highness. It comes first." She says with a coquettish tilt of the head, restraining her smile as much as possible.

Lys is just slipping back in as well, carrying with her just a pile of ribbons? Now it shakes out to be a dress and she shows it off to the other ladies. As well as a fascinator. A grin is given and then she turns toward Antonio and she says, "Yes! Of course. We were just discussing good and /bad/ fashion choices." She grins, lying her dress off to the side. She ooohs over Enyo's dress and she says, "That is gorgeous, I love it." She runs her fingers over the umbra, before tipping her head upward.

"It's nice, but not sure I'll ever have any reason to wear it again." Enyo holds the dress up beneath her chin, "Very somber color." She then drops all her collected items onto the couch before flopping down next to it, smiling brightly at the group, "Sorry. Don't mind me, I'm here for the fights, too. Swear."

Leta props her lute up against one of the benches, and stands there, goblet in hand, taking a sip of wine as she studies the impromptu fashion show. "Oh that's pretty. Do love a bit of color myself," says the woman in black. Turning her head, she inclines it in Antonio's direction. "Your Highness," she says with an easy smile, then shrugs. "I ain't dressed for a brawl myself, but that's easy enough to remedy."

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

Iseulet reaches for something to drink, selecting a brandy from the table and pours herself a measure to sip on as everyone begins to gather. "Hmm. Sad the Baron de Lire couldn't be here, I am interested to know how he'd fare here..."

"I'm not sure Audric punches things..." Enyo observes thoughtfully, tilting her head, "I think he's more of a whack it with a sword type like me and Dame Leta. But you know...who knows?" She shrugs her shoulders, that amused smile seeming to come back, "I don't actually know any good brawlers in the city...there's gotta be some though, right?"

A message comes for Antonio- odd how they always know where to find him. He reads it, frowns. "Ladies. Some other time." And with that, he leaves.

Gino, a surly sailor, 2 House Velenosa Guards leave, following Antonio.

Lys flashes a toothy grin at Iseulet and she says, "Unfortunately, he's out breaking the jaw of someone who tried to pick my pockets while I was at the market." She dusts herself off, running her hands over pants and glances between Iseulet and Leta, then to Antonio, "Ah! Please be safe, your highness!" Then to the other ladies she asks, "Well, will one of you fight me?"

"There's a few decent brawlers about," Leta says with a soft smack of her lips, setting her wine goblet down again on the nearest table. She touches a hand to her face, scratching lightly at the scar across her cheek for a moment while her brow furrows in thought. "There's Dame Ida and - well, there's others I can't rightly recall right now," she admits after a lengthy pause, wracking her brain for more names. "Me, I don't really, but slamming an elbow or a gauntlet in someone's face is always good to get their attention, sword or not."

Iseulet looks to the other far more capable women in the garden with a little sigh, "I'm so sorry, my Lady. If I had any skill in a fight..." She sips at her brandy, "If anything it's a good reason to have a drink."

"I probably know only enough to hold my fists right...and there ends my skill." Enyo replies thoughtfully, but then she pushes herself up off the couch, sighing, "However, I'd hate for there to be no fight, so I'll volunteer myself for this." She lifts a hand, the back of her wrist resting briefly against her forehead as she poses dramatically, then grins, "Come on. You can beat me up, it'll be fun."

A small, silver flask in hand, Theo Velenosa strides into the gardens, lingering near the entryway to take a quick drink. He blows a stream of air through his teeth afterwards, tucking the flask away into a fold in his cloak. "I was told I should come if I'm looking to get drunk and watch people hit each other?" he asks, looking over the assembled guests.

Lys drops a peach and silver dress adorned with too many ribbons.

Lys drops a jaunty fascinator dripping ribbons and feathers.

Princess Sally Acorn, an acorn toting red squirrel, 3 Iron Guard Trainees arrive, following Kenna.

Enyo puts a daring tabard belted by a thin gold chain dripping with glass droplets in Pink Jewelry.

Iseulet glances to Theo, "Might not be in luck just yet. Still looking for a challenger - have you any skill with your fists Your Highness? Maybe you are the person we are looking for."

Lys gives a little shake of her head, padding over on barefeet to the sands. A glance is given in Theo's direction and she flashes her toothy grin at him, "Well hello, your highness. Have yourself a seat and help yourself to the food and drink." She waves a hand, and then says, "Don't sit on my or Enyo's dresses!" Then to Iseulet she says, "Oh, no. Prince Theo is far too princely to get into the ring with me."

Late late late! Kenna looks very sheepish as she rushes in late. Finger wiggles to Lys, hiii.

"I'll - what the Abyss, I'll do it, just give me a few, m'Lady. Can't fight in this," Leta gestures down at herself and moves over to the bench where she's resting her lute, then starts to unbuckle her sword belt, letting it rest, sword and dagger and all, next to the musical instrument. Someone calls Theo 'your highness' so Leta bows her head politely in that direction, before starting to undo the silk ties that fasten her doublet.

Theo returns Lys' smile in kind, stepping over to one of the tables and taking the offered seat. "I'm afraid Lady Lys has the right of it," he says, pulling from behind his ear a neatly rolled cigarello of haze. "I'm a lover, not a fighter." He places the haze between his lips, patting at various pockets until he finds a small box of matches, striking one and lighting the cigarello.

"Aha!" says Lys with a grin, "If it is my favorite Grayson lady!" A little wiggle of her fingers is given and she says, "Lady Kenna. Have you come to fight or just watch?"

Kenna claps her hands together and bounces slightly in place, "So long as none of you assume the other Guard members have my particular... lack of skills, then I'm more than willing to do whatever is fun."

Iseulet perks up, smiling brightly at Leta. "Excellent!" And then, to Kenna, she dips her head politely as she pops in, followed by a wave. Her cerulean gaze flickers to Prince Theo, a dark brow quirking at Theo's comment. And maybe the cigarillo. "And apparently terrible at sharing, Your Highness." Her tone playful. Extremely removed from serious.

There's a quick whew when others speak up, and Enyo flops back down onto the couch, "Well." She stretches her legs out in front of her, crossing them at the ankles before offering a smile to Theo and Kenna before she glances at Iseulet, "Are you wanting one of those? I might know where to aquire a few very quickly." And to show how quickly she reaches into the neckline of her breastplate to pull out a small pouch.

Leta carefully removes her doublet, unfastening a small multitude of ties and a button. Then, gingerly, with the utmost care, she lays the black silk brocade garment on the bench, straightening it out and folding the arms ot of the way. This leaves the burly knight in a white linen undershirt, black silk hose and boots. The undershirt is long and long-sleeved, but she starts rolling up her sleeves as she stands there, glancing curiously between the others.

"Terrible at sharing, my lady? You wound me." He places a hand on his chest, cheefing on the haze to himself with smoke billowing up around. "I wished only to make sure it was good and lit, you see," he continues, taking another deep drag. Then, finally satisfied with the status of the cigarello, or with his own buzz, he reaches over to pass the haze along to Iseulet.

"I have to admit, I'm not //entirely// sure what I just agreed to but- really, that's never quite stopped me before." Kenna's already shedding her iron guard cloak, crest, and flask to one side before looking about for some measure of clarification.

Lys grins at Kenna and says, "You'll fight whoever wins this sparring match! Me or Leta!" She wiggles her fingers at the other woman, and then hops down into the training ring. A glance is given between Theo and Iseulet and she says, "Oh no, he's quite good at sharing, my lady. But you do have to remind him to take sips instead of gulps, otherwise his share is just a little larger than yours."

Iseulet raises her eyebrows in surprise, "That /is/ very quickly indeed. I was mostly playful, but thank you for offering. You're too kind." She dips her head, smile growing a bit more broadly. She leans forward, onto the table just as Theo offers and she shakes her head, laughing, "I was teasing, Your Highness. But--" Money where the mouth is! She accepts the cigarillo and takes a small hit or two before passing it back. "Who am I to thumb my nose at Lycene hospitality? Lady Iseulet Blackshore, at your service, Your Highness." And with that, she sits her elbows on the table and props her chin up with her hands, watching Leta get ready for the fight now.

Once she's done rolling up her sleeves, Leta tosses her feathered beret on the bench on top of her weaponry and rakes her fingers through her hair as she strolls over to the training ring, stretching. She does look a little apprehensive, "Alright, I haven't sparred in ages, not even with a sword, much less fisticuffs. Had a little quarrel a tavern going on a couple months now, but I was well in my cups, can't say I learned anything! But let's see if we can make this fun for folk and all," she flashes Lys an easy smile before glancing around one more time.

"Perfect!" Kenna chirps as she gives her small pile of things a pat and settles herself on the edge of the group. Her gaze skips across those she hasn't quite met yet, a smile tugging on her lips for the play of words between them.

"It's helpful to keep some around." Enyo replies with a quick grin, pulling one out to tuck into her mouth before she tosses the pouch down for anyone to share, "So who do you think is going to win?" She wonders, letting her eyes shift towards those that are planning to fight, "I'll put a thousand on the de Lire."

Theo draws a leg up, resting it atop his knee as he sinks back into his chair under the effects of the haze. "Charmed, Lady Blackshore. I am Theo Velenosa." Taking the haze back, he draws it up to his lips for another deep drag, his lidded gaze shifting between Iseult and the prospective fighters.

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

Lys rolls her neck a moment, and then her shoulders, before bringing up her fists. There's a flashing smirk at the other woman and she says, "I'll warn you, Leta, I fight dirty. And sometimes I bite." There's a little snap of her teeth at the other woman. And then she's launching herself at the other woman.

"Knowing the reputation of this family?" Kenna leans over to Enyo to whisper - "I don't think you could lay down a price I would be willing to take, no offense to Dame Leta, of course."

Enyo grins at Kenna, nodding, "Probably true, yeah. I mean, someone might be sporting and be willing to take a loss....It could happen! I'd take a loss, 'cause you never know. Something might happen...like a random dog runs through and trips her, allowing Dame Leta to win." She pauses a moment, glancing around, "Anyone have a trained dog?"

Leta gives her shoulders a brief shake and shimmy as she squares off with Lys, arching an eyebrow. "Fighting's fighting, I suppose. No eye gouging, then? If you bite, you bite, I've had worse I'm sure," she replies with a little cocky smile, and steps back immediately from the attack, sidestepping and jabbing her fist at Lys in passing. That's how it starts out, with Leta keeping her distance, ducking and weaving a little, sometimes stomping forward to slam her fists or a shoulder into the other woman. There's not a lot of finesse to it, largely trusting her sturdy solid form to take the hits when she can't get out of the way, other times moving to bind Lys's arms with her own.

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

"Alas, I have a puppy who just learned not to wee on the rug..." Iseulet offers apologetically to Enyo. "That's a different kind of contest I suppose..."

Lys is a full contact brawler it seems. She rushes at Leta with all of the fire and strategy of a berserker. Laughter escaping her, loud and velvety when she gets that first hit. She all but singsongs, "Harder, Broadbent! I'm not--" A sharp jab is given to Leta's stomach, punch not pulled at "--made of paper!" Then she's attempting to duck and weave, but more often than not she's getting punched back. She catches a punch to her shoulder but spins around with it, and brings her leg up to kick Leta in the hip, before rounding back around and punching out at Leta's jaw from the opposite from the kick.

Theo watches he pair as they brawl, nursing every now and again from his silver flask, the haze burning away, unsmoked, in his fingers. He holds the cigarello until it's burning his fingers, then seems to remember it, tossing it onto the ground and drawing his thumb up between his lips.

"Totally different, yeah." Enyo agrees with a nod, lighting her cigarillo before she slouches down in her seat, attention shifting very briefly towards the fight when it starts. After a moment she glances at Theo, then Kenna, "Sorry, wasn't meaning to forget all this, but I'm Enyo. Nice to meet you both, you come here often? The service here is amazing." She waves her hands around a little in front of herself, purposefully being silly. "Best chocolate cake in the entire city."

"Oh, see, wow. Sorry!" Kenna apologizes as Enyo introduces herself. "Kenna Whitehawk - and no, not really. This will be a first in may ways!" Her attention is split between the introductions and the fighters, Kenna's head tilted JUST a touch in thought.

Barbara, the stalwart Stormward secretary arrives, delivering a message to Iseulet before departing.

Theo turns his attention away from the fight for a moment, looking to Enyo with a smile. "Worry not, Lady Enyo. It's a pleasure to meet you," he says, leaning back into his seat. "It's my first time, actually," he explains, glancing around at the garden surrounding him. "It is quite the beautiful estate, however." He smiles pleasantly enough, then looks back to the ongoing brawl.

Leta may lack in skill, but she doesn't really make up for it with ferocity, just plodding determination and a grin. Her arms come up to block, as often as not keeping the blows from being solid hits anywhere serious. It'll bruise, but at least she's keeping the hits off her pretty face. Her jaw doesn't count. "Patience now, m'Lady! It's a civilized thing, fisticuffs, that's what I hear!" After a couple of glancing jabs, where her knuckles all but slide off Lys, she decides to step in and simply shove the other woman backwards instead. It's one way of giving herself some room for a breather before launching into a flurry of blows whenever they come close to each other.

Iseulet receives a couple of messengers and sighs heavily, rising from the table. "Oh dear. Well. If you will all pardon my sudden departure." She gives everyone a little bow, "Duty calls. It was nice seeing you all, meeting some of you for a bit. Have a wonderful time, everyone!" And she slinks out quietly.

Iseulet has left the a table nestled among the saplings.

Alsandair, Crom leave, following Iseulet.

Enyo lifts a hand to wave towards the departing Iseulet, "Bye!" She calls, then she flashes a quick grin at the pair, "Well, it is...if this is what you like. I think this is the first time I've ever been in the garden, if you want the truth of the matter." She takes a long draw off the cigarillo, then she blows the smoke out slowly, "It's wonderful."

Lys checked dexterity + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Leta checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Lys is pushed backward by Leta and she gives that velvety laugh, "That's the spirit!" And then she's taking several more steps back from Leta, circling around to get some space between them... Before she suddenly rushes at the other woman, leaping upward at the same time and attempting to tackle her. Unfortunately for Lys the other woman is just a touch faster, and Lys hits the ground instead. The redhead springs up, taking a few hits in the process, but kicks out at Leta on the way up.

"ooohhh - I wonder if that hurt... Kenna leans forward when Lys goes down. "It's an interesting place," that says distractedly to the pair spectating along side her.

Leta twists her body out of the way of the tackle with a cocked eyebrow and a big laugh, one she immediately regrets as it turns into a greunt, her hip absorbing that kick before she can get out of the way. "Not rightly sure what you were tryin' to do there. Hug me?" She taunts playfully, though some of those hits are making her a little sore and stiffer in response. So for the next few rounds, she keeps doing her thing. Turn in Lys's direction, trying to keep up with the other woman's faster circling style, then barrel forward for a quick punch or a shove. In all this, trying to ram an elbow into Lys's side, she lowers and guard and finds herself taking a blow hard enough to leave her reeling a second, and a trail of blood from her lip to her chin. "Well I'll be," she grunts, and pulls back a couple of steps to keep the other fighter away at jabbing distance.

Lys checked dexterity + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Leta checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

"I'll show you a hug..." says Lys and then she's running ... /past/? Leta, up the side of the ring to get herself some height and in a display of athleticism she leaps up into the air, and comes down onto the other woman. Sending the two of them down to the ground. Where they'll no doubt end up rolling around in the dirt. The redhead attempting to stay on top so she can pommel her fists at Leta's chest and shoulders (she's being nice and avoiding the face, mostly). "How's this, baby?" Lys asks with that velvety laughter escaping her once more. Seeming /very happy/ to be brawling.

Lys checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 5, rolling 51 higher.

Lys remains capable of fighting.

Lys checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 29 higher.

Lys remains capable of fighting.

Lys checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 44, rolling 29 higher.

Lys remains capable of fighting.

Lys checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 46, rolling 2 higher.

Lys remains capable of fighting.

Lys checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 54, rolling 9 lower.

Lys checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 23, rolling 39 higher.

Lys remains alive, but close to death.

Lys is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

When Lys decides to show her a hug again, Leta's eyebrows shoot up, and she looks briefly amused, twisting in an attempt to keep up with Lys as she runs up the side of the ring. "What the -" she starts in with a sound of disbelief before the other woman leaps and lands on her. Leta twists, but not quite out of the way, placing her off-balance enough that she lands heavily in the dirt. Timber, one might cry. "That's awful close," she replies, hands up to block a blow or two, trying to jab into Lys's side until she realizes the futility of it all. Instead, she rolls over, suddenly planting herself on top of the other woman to return the bare-knuckled affection. She takes a hit or two, but for the most part, it seems, she ends up solidly on top, legs tangling up with the other woman's to keep them locked together. Then she does likewise with an arm, leaving her a free right hand to hammer into Lys's sides as they struggle to and fro for control.

Enyo puts out her cigarillo before she starts to get to her feet, "Should have taken the bet." She observes cheerfully, moving to pick up her dresses and things, "I should be wandering on my way. It was totally nice to meet the both of you."

Lys' laughter continues to float and dance up from the ring, even as she is suddenly rolled over onto her back, and pinned underneath the bulkier woman. You would think she was beginning tickled rather than being punched repeatedly in the side and chest. Eventually, however, Leta manages to get a sore spot in her ribs and she gives a small noise of pain, and says, "Oof! I yield! I yield stop punching me now."

Kenna laughs when the fight ends, coming to her feet and clapping for the end of the bout, even as she grins at Enyo. "See, I //should// have taken your bet now. That's what I get for not taking the chance."

Theo grins, watching the fight with an amused look on his face as the women scrabble about in the dirt. When Lys yields, he stands from his seat, bringing his hands together in light appleause in appreciation for a well-fought bout. "I'd thought you might kill each other," he said, looking between the two sweaty, unkempt fighters. "Good afternoo, Lady. It was a pleasure," he says, turning his attention briefly to Enyo as she makes ready to leave.

As soon as Lys yields, Leta grunts and flops over, freeing the other woman from the grapple and the tangle of limbs. She lands on her ass on the dirt and flops back onto her elbows, panting for breath. "Fine, fine, fuck -" she sighs and reaches up to touch a thumb to her bloody lip. She grins, which makes her wince, smile turning lopsided as she strokes that corner of her mouth. Her jaw at least is likely to bruise something fierce later in the day. "That'll smart a bit later," she mutters, then turns to the sound of applause, dipping her head in a small nod and a half smile. Then, slowly, she rolls over again, getting on her knees and starting the long grunting journey to her feet.

Lys is a little bit slower to stand up, but she does it eventually. A shining eyed look is given toward Leta and she says, "That's how you know it was a good sparring match, Leta." She rubs a hand over her own busted lower lip. A glance is given up toward Enyo and Kenna and she says, "Are you off? Thanks you for coming out." She starts to climb up from the sands saying, "Now I need a smoke." She holds a hand out toward Theo.

Kenna leans toward Theo - "I feel it is perhaps a bit callous rather glad Dame Leta is moving so slowly. I might manage to dodge a single one of her blows." Her smile is dancing as she waits for the new. "If Lys attempts to get you to bet, I highly suggest you bet on her." Inside betting anyone. When Lys rejoins Kenna adds to her, "I think the last time I saw something like that was during a bar fight."

"I'm afraid I am...people to annoy, clothes to buy...I've been putting off getting something new, but I think the time is right." Enyo replies cheerfully, nodding to the group before she breezes on out of the garden.

Theo smiles at Kenna, retaking his seat at the table as Lys walks over. Dipping a hand into his pocket, he produces a slim case which, when flipped open, reveals a neat row of thin cigarettes. He offers one such unlit cigarette to Lys, tucking the case back away, and coming back with a box of matches. "I'll keep that in mind, Lady Whitehawk. I'll be rooting for you, though, mmm?" He grins, striking a match, and offering the flame to Lys.

"I'll feel this later, that's for sure," Leta groans as she straightens up and combs back her messy hair. It doesn't really help. "At least my usual sparring I got armor on. Even with big sticks, I'll definitely take those and armor versus bare hands and none." She cringes as she wanders off the ring, dusting off her undershirt and her black silk hose, giving the latter a look to make sure they're still intact. First things first, she grabs her goblet of wine and takes a long draught, draining it to the last drop.

Lys places the cigarillo between her lips, and leans forward to light it with the offered flame. She holds it between thumb and forefinger to give Theo a toothy smile, "So what was it I should see in the Velenosa Gardens?" A cock of her head to the side, and then toward Kenna she grins a little bit, "I have faith you in Kenna! You can do it." There's a sparkle in her emerald eyes. "You'll be my champion and avenge my dignity. I'm /counting/ on you, Sweet Kenna."

Kenna winks at Theo for his compliment and then grins at Lys. "I DO try to be positive, so I'm //positive// I know the outcome of this." Politely she'll wait for Leta to feel ready, "I'll admit that I always just feel... clank-y when I put on my own armor. One day I'll actually get some leathers made and perhaps it'll be better."

"Oh, and ruin the surprise? Not likely, Lys de Lire." He blows out the match, tossing it down into the grass. Languidly, he leans back into his chair, and with all the manners and grace of a Prince of House Velenosa, props one of his feet up on the edge of the table.

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

Lys has joined the a plush black couch with red pillows.

3 Iron Guard Trainees have been dismissed.

Lys nudges Theo's legs right back down from the table, so she can hop up onto the edge of it. She then reaches down to draw his leg back up so they're across her knees. A sniff is given in his direction and she says, "But I hate surprises!" The redhead grins at Kenna and she says, "Leather is what I have. You can borrow it sometime if you want. You're only /a little/ smaller than me."

Theo shrugs his shoulders lightly, unscrewing his flask once more for another swig. "I'm afraid my hands are tied. I've promised a surprise, and I can't very well go back on it now, can I?" He holds his hands together, feining binding.

Kenna is distracted from starting a new fight by Lys' offer - Leta might have to poke her for her attention. "That would be //fantastic//! I'm looking to have some made, but honestly, I haven't the best idea what would make for a solid design."

Lys gives Theo a rather querulous look and asks, "Is this pay back because I didn't want to get sand in my silk?" She huffs a moment but hops off of the table and says to Kenna, "Yeah, I'll go get it." She snatches up her /ribbon dresses/ on her way.

Lys picks up a peach and silver dress adorned with too many ribbons.

Lys picks up a jaunty fascinator dripping ribbons and feathers.

Lys has left the a plush black couch with red pillows.

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

Lys drops a leather cuirass with silk accents.

Lys drops supple leather gloves.

Lys drops supple leather boots.

Lys drops a deep leather hood.

Lys drops a sweeping leather cloak.

Lys drops sleek full leg greaves.

"Payback? Whatever do you mean, Lady Lys?" He bats his eyelashes, the very picture of Lycene innocence.

After her wine, Leta has a cup of something stronger, a swig of rum and a gasp and a sigh. She wipes the sweat off her brow and turns her attention to the others with that crooked smile. That lip will be bothering her a while still. "Alright, that's a bit better," she comments, prodding herself here and there to inspect her sore spots.

A bit concerned, Kenna steps forward. "Are you sure you're okay - because we don't need to if..." The woman trails off, SERIOUSLY CONCERNED OKAY.

Lys heads into the house and then comes back with arm fulls of leather. It's tossed onto the couch and then she returns to the table, pulling a chair around, and sitting in it backward. Her arms crossed over the back. Her chin rests on her arms, and she says to Theo, "You're terrible, Theo Velenosa, and I like it."

Leta claps her hands together as she struts onto the ring, turning to face Kenna with a smile. "I've had worse. Not even bleeding, nothing broken, it's all good," she twists from side to side, hands on her hips, then takes a step forward and raises her hands to give Kenna a small shove. It's playful, really. Then she dances back onto the middle of the ring. "Whenever you like," she readies herself for it.

Theo waggles his brows suggestively at Lys, a bright grin on his lips. "I know," he says tersely, before turning his attention to the ongoing combat, wincing faintly each time Leta lands another blow on her opponent.

That first exchange of blows leaves Kenna surprised as she parries that first hit. "Miracle of ALL miracles right there!" She exclaims, and then takes some solid blows. Each actually makes Kenna laugh, even though one of those blows is ABSOLUTELY going to leave more than a mark. Then another parry! what?!

Lys rolls her eyes at Theo and says, "So humble is my prince. His humility is legendary across the land." She twists about grabbing a bottle from the table and turns her attention toward Leta and Kenna's match. Her lips quirk upward and she asks, "I've got a thousand silver on Sweet Kenna there. Watch say you, my prince?" a quirk of her eyebrow at Theo.

Leta is even more cautious this time around. She's already sore enough that she doesn't particularly want to risk any further hits, so she keeps her arms up to block off any hits that come her way, managing to step aside and deflect most hits. Whatever gets through just glances off her harmlessly. In between, she manages to take advantage of an opening here and there to score quick jabs and a forceful hip bump meant to throw off her opponent's balance.

"And handsome. Don't forget the handsome bit. That's my *favorite* bit, you know?" He can't help but arch his brows at Lys' offer of a bet, a look that suggests Lys, perhaps, might have taken a blow too many to the head in her bout. "If you're so eager to part with your money, my Lady, I will gladly take that bet." He grabs a pouch full of coins from inside his cloak, tossing it onto the table.

"I HIT YOU." Kenna is absolutely surprised when she doesn't miss every single time. The fact that there's basically zero damage from her light hits is absolutely immaterial to the Whitehawk, even if Leta's return attacks are much different. That last touch puts the woman completely off her balance and she windmills slightly to try to get it back.

Lys laughs at Theo's words, and glances the man's direction. Her lips quirk upward and she says, "Mmn, well I am not sure I'd say that my prince is legendary in his handsome, but he's easy enough on the eyes." There's a flash of her toothy smile to him, the young woman brash and sharp. Her emerald eyes turns back to the match when Kenna shouts her momentary victory, and she calls out, "Go Kenna! You can do it! Put'er in the dirt!"

"Aye," Leta confirms Kenna's assertion with a broad grin. She regrets the grin a moment later, but at least her cut lip doesn't reopen. "That you did, m'Lady!" Leta continues the same defensive, careful game, scoring light hits every now and then, just enough to keep the other woman on her toes and keep their distance. Then, as the other woman windmills away, Leta blinks and advances with a couple of quick steps to close the distance, going on the offensive, an arm pulled back for a big swing. It's obvious, but that doesn't seem to matter.

3 Iron Guardsmen arrives, following Calaudrin.

3 Iron Guardsmen leaves, following Calaudrin.

That obvious hit isn't TOO obvious, because it absolutely knocks Kenna on her ass and she's just going to not move there for a solid moment. "Oh //damn//," from the woman, but to her credit, she's rolling herself back to her feet and kicking out at Leta to try to get some space to get all the way back up.

Leta blocks the kick with a scarred forearm and shakes her head, an eyebrow raised. She gives Kenna a moment, then continues to press her advantage. No light footwork there, just straight steps forward to bring her into punching and shoving range. A straightforward fighter, Leta, even if this time the fight's going very differently than the first one. Not that Leta's doing much different, maybe Kenna's just taking fewer risks than Lys did, because the hits are rarer and lighter.

Theo crosses his arms over his chest, nostrils flaring with a bright grin. "Don't think you can flatter me into ruining the surprise, Lys de Lire. It won't work!" His tone, though, suggests he might not mind if she keep trying.

Kenna's dancing around and dragging it on by trying to keep Leta's solid punches from landing as much as possible, even if it ALSO means that again, she basically doesn't hit the other woman. She doesn't quite get out of the way quick enough though, and reels back after a hit lands right in her face.

Lys takes a swig of brandy directly from the bottle in her hand. A soft laugh is given and a little shake of her head. She glances Theo's way once more and says, "I believe Kenna's doing better than I did! I must have softened Dame Leta up for her." She eaches forward, a hand reaching out as if to take the bag of silver from the table. "I think this will be mine.." A glance is given back to the fight and she winces, "Ouch! How terrible."

Leta continues to block off most hits, and the ones that land on the knight don't seem to do much in the way of damage. Her bruises were all there already. She ducks out of the way of one, raises a hand to catch Kenna's fist for another, then unleashes a punch with the left that actually manages to hit the other woman in the face. Leta cringes. "Pardon me, m'Lady," she apologizes, arms dropping for just a moment as she takes a couple of backwards steps, giving Kenna room again.

"I look forward to buying something nice with your money, my Lady," Theo replies quickly, watching the unfolding fight with an expression that is some mixture between interest and pain.

"nonono," Kenna waves off the partod from the woman, managing to laugh-paintfully despite what is already booming to be a SPECTACULAR black eye. She launches herself back into it. Even though she probably shouldn't take a single bit of attention from her opponent she calls out, "Lys, it's not too late to take back that wager!" A few more hits in and Kenna's standing... mostly! For sure she's slowed down quite a bit.

Lys licks her tongue along her upper gums and tells Theo, "As long as you're buying something nice for me, my prince." A small dip of her chin is given and she looks back to the fight and calls out, "Stop your belly aching, Whitehawk! You get out there and make me some money!" Encouragement didn't work so maybe tough love will!

Leta's still looking relatively fresh. She's sore and a little stiff from the fight before, and a little sore from blocking all these blows with her forearms and hands, but she's still going. Like a - something that just moves slow and steadily and relentlessly - some kind of siege tower, possibly, or a badger dragging a tiny wagon full of squirrels. Either way, that's Leta. She ducks behind her hands, shoves Kenna back, and keeps going forward.

Kenna checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 6, rolling 44 higher.

Kenna remains capable of fighting.

Kenna checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 56, rolling 9 lower.

Kenna checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 18 higher.

Kenna remains alive, but close to death.

Kenna is incapacitated and falls unconscious.

Lys adds as an after thought, "Shall we go to the Velenosa dinner together, my prince?"

"Even I'm not that lucky!" KEnna calls out - but Leta's moving forward so there isn't much room for the Whitehawk to banter outside of the fight. A few more grazing blows and then very abruptly - where did that blow even come from?! - Kenna's on the ground and staring upwards dazed. It's customary to yield here but Kenna manages, "what?" instead.

Theo taps his chin thoughtfully. "Sounds dreadfully boring. I'd love to." He grins, looking over just in time to watch Kenna catch the last, powerful blow, a pained expression on his features as she hits the ground with a loud *thud*. "That's going to hurt tomorrow."

Lys drops coins worth 1000.0 silver.

"I hit you, m'Lady," Leta answers Kenna's question, helpfully. Then she shakes her hand and rubs at her shins, fresh from sweeping her opponent's leg like some dastardly villain might. She lets her hands down, rubbing at her hips a moment, then takes a step closer and holds out a bruised and scuffed hand in case Kenna wants to take it to help herself up. "Hard to hit, though, just - maybe work on hitting back?" That's her advice.

Lys checked composure at difficulty 20, rolling 4 higher.

Lys digs a small coin purse from her pocket and then drops it onto the table. Her eyes widen when Kenna takes that blow and then... A small snort is given when Kenna just shouts 'what', but then she's laughing fully at Leta's response. A shake of her head is given but she doesn't completely lose herself to the laughter, "Well done! Well done!"

Excuse Kenna for a solid moment, she's dazed. "That's //very// blue." An off the wall comment about the sky before she refocuses enough to manage to see Leta offering that hand out to her. Taking it the woman leavers herself to her feet and is just going to keep leaning on the knight until the world stops spinning. "Lys - when did you get another head?"

Theo is quick to scoop both pouches up, tucking them both away into his cloak as he stands. "Well fought, both of you," he says with a friendly smile. "All of you," he adds, looking over to Lys. He plucks up a grape from one of the tables, tossing into his mouth and biting down with a crunch. "I believe my Lady could use a drink," he says, reaching out to offer Kenna a drink of brandy from his flask.

Theo picks up 1000.0 silver.

At least Leta's just as solid as a support for Kenna as she is while actually fighting in the ring. "Thank you," she raises a hand lowers her head in a nod towards the compliments from the audience, cracking another small smile as her fingers move to protect her split lip. "Though I feel like I oughta go and change clothes, really," the knight comments with a quick look downwards.

Lys starts laughing /again/ this time losing control of herself when Kenna asks when she got a second head. She drops her face against her arms, and then lifts it to grin at Kenna saying, "Just now. It happens sometimes, I grow a second head so I can hold two conversations at once." She stretches out a moment and asks, "You alright, Kenna?" A dip of her chin is given and she says, "It's going to be time for the fealty dinner soon."