"This is a good view," Tyren concurs as he comes to join Edain up in the high booth, his attention momentary turned to focus on Tesha when she greets him. There's a faint upward twitch of his brows at the familiar face, and he inclines his head towards her. "Lady Tesha. It is nice to see you again," he says warmly before he finds his seat, nodding to the others at the booth as he settles.

"Good!" Cristoph yells back across the field to his sister.

There is a quiet curve of Katarina's mouth, the young Valardin twisting within her seat to issue a soft-wristed wave toward her family in the higher booths of the tournament grounds. "It's a rather hard side to choose, but I have to support my brother, His Grace, above all else. He feels so strongly about this, mi'lady. How could I not? There's nothing worse than receiving a nice gift and not knowing who to thank properly. It breaks so many rules of propriety."

Mal, a devious raccoon arrives, delivering a message to Tyren before departing.

Alis has joined the General Seating.

Ida has joined the General Seating.

Ida enters the arena juuuust on time and makes her way to find a good seat to watch the joust.

Zoey lightly pats Cristoph's arm as she looks around. "Well, it will be rather disappointing if the other jouster fails to appear. And, perhaps, horribly bad manners. Anyway, Cousin, my dear, I'm off to find a seat. Feel free to join me if you'd like." And she wanders off to find Jael. Drawing near, she murmurs something with a twinkle in her eyes.

Katarina beckons Ida and Alis to join her while she's giggling like mad down in the stands with Demura.

Sorrel gets a messenger, and makes some apologies as she is pulled away. "I'll be back," she offers quietly.

Sorrel has left the High Booth.

Teonia Redreef, Marquessa Pudding, a pudgy puppy leave, following Sorrel.

Alis shoves herself into onto a seat at the benches, and slides her way over towards Katarina. At least for as long as she can stay!

Jael looks about ready to yell back at her brother, no matter what distance away he is, but is stayed by Zoey. She tilts her head to listen, then nods enthusiatically.

Ida wiggles her fingers at Katarina and makes her way down along the benches to join the Valardins. Inclining her head politely to both Katarina and Alis, she then smiles "I recently made a lance, though it's been an age since I've seen one actually used. This should prove to be exciting, surely."

"That does sound like our High Prince." Demura says with a solemn nod, looking down at the field as they seem to be about to begin the spectacle, "Well, his commitment is one of the traits I admire the most." The Marquessa adds, turning in time to dip her head and greet both Alis and Ida.

Zoey has joined the Quiet Booth.

Jael has joined the Quiet Booth.

Zoey grins at Jael and leads her off to a quieter place. Where they will presumably yell really loudly.

Zoey gets an elegant bottle of Lady Zoey's almond liqueur from a monogrammed black calfskin satchel with silk lining.

"Has it truly been that long since you've jousted? We ought to recitfy that one day," Katarina proposes toward Ida, slipping her sister the flask with the good whisktea. Still warm. "Did you manage to find a bottle of good wine for later?" she asks Alis, still hard at work on something.

Tesha gives a curtsy to Tyren and a smile, "You as well, your highness." she tells him as she straightens. "We'll have to catch up another time. Enjoy the joust." she offers to him. Then she's heading off to find a seat where she can see things clearly.

Making his way over to where Ida and the Princesses (the hottest new band in Arx), Thorley offers a bow of his head. "May I join you, Your Highnesses?" he asks politely.

A murmur of excitement goes through the crowd as a duelist from the Champions Guild enters the Tournament Grounds.

Teonia Redreef, Marquessa Pudding, a pudgy puppy arrive, following Sorrel.

Mal, a devious raccoon arrives, delivering a message to Tyren before departing.

Lisebet does catch sight of Thorley arriving, and she waves his way briefly from where she's found a seat.

Katarina checked dexterity + sewing at difficulty 9, rolling 6 higher.

Katarina drops a BEES, PLEASE SEND NOTES WITH YOUR BUTT PAINTINGS sign.

"I'd love to tilt too, should that day come." Demura says to Katarina, "That is, if I'm not intruding too much. I believe I also need a new lance, I've only got the pointy stuff that kills."

Thorley sees you up there, Lisebet, hiding away. She receives a bow of his head as well.

"Well, I don't get out much, I think is more the issue," Ida replies to Katarina with a faintly sheepish grin. Returning Demura's dip of the head with one of her own, she then lifts a hand to wave at the Sandreef next. "Sir Thorley! Good to see you," she offers cheerfully.

In the midst of all the bonding with her lady friends, Katarina manages to get a sign floating around by way of an unfortunate, barely willing Quiet to toat it about and hoist it toward Cristoph and Jael's line of sight.

Edain clears his throat and and stands up from the High Booth and approaches Sorrel and murmurs to her.

Alis smiles over at Ida, and inclines her head to Thorley. "Of course you may." she agrees, shaking her head at Katarina. "No, better. Sir Thorley here was able to provide me two bottles of a new coffee infused liquor, and Princess Sorrel a bottle of Wyrmguard Scotch. So I've something to hand out to both Champions and the Marquis." Which, she looks pleased with.

Katarina woefully looks toward her sign, murmuring to Alis, "Maybe it wasn't as funny as I thought it would be?" she checks with Ida and Demura, motioning at the sign. "Regardless, I think I would love to see you tilting, Marquessa. Why don't you use Dame Ida's new lance and put it through it's paces on a proper charge... horse... What are they called, Alis?" She looks apologetically at her sister. "A dessetier... dessert?"

"I gave the Dame a pair of the bottles as well, as she is the whole reason Bold Espressions exists in the first place." It may be a slight exaggeration, but Thorley gives a smile in response as he moves to take a seat next to Ida to watch the goings on.

"Okay, so has anyone seen Lord Drake?" Calls out CAspian after waiting a bit at the judges booth, standing up to look over the crowd. He looks over to Edain and Cristoph, wondering, "What shall we do? Shall we see if another Champion wants to joust in Lord Drake's place?"

Mal, a devious raccoon arrives, delivering a message to Tyren before departing.

Cristoph squints at an unusual sign planted on the field and then swings around, "Who put this here? The nerve!" He's outraged! Simply outraged- alright, no, not really. As they wait for things to begin, he returns to rocking on his heels. When Caspian approaches, he gestures to Edain over at the booth speaking with Sorrel. "I believe the High Lord is working on it. Possibly."

Sorrel, who has returned after a brief departure, stands whispering quietly with Edain about the joust. Then she turns and calls, "I will joust in my cousin's place!" she calls, heading down towards Aleksei and sending someone running for her sorrel mare, which she did not bring to the match, not having planned upon fighting. "I will joust for High Lord Edain!"

Alis obviously wasn't paying much attention to anything, because once her attention is drawn to the sigh she smirks and ducks her head so she can clear her throat without laughing. "Isn't that something like poking the bear?" she murmurs. "Marquessa, it's lovely to see you." to Demura.

Katarina checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 20, rolling 13 higher.

Ida makes an 'oh' sound and turns to see the sign, a wide grin on her face before she gives Katarina a bit of a knowing grin. "Ah, that lance is now in the hands of Sir Corban, who commissioned it for use in his new role in the Silver Swords," is then explained. Thorley's remarks make her laugh. "Hardly so, though those bottles you sent me are under lock and key at the shop. There are too tempting to leave unguarded!"

Edain bows to Sorrel in thanks, "Thank you Princess Sorrel, You are truely kind to represent me in this matter."

Lisebet's eyes widen, and then she glances at Victus then back over to Sorrel. Wait now. What? "Now I really hope both jousters do very well and neither gets hurt," she murmurs.

"One Wyrmguard's as good as another?" Aleksei supposes with a crooked grin when Sorrel volunteers her replacement services. "I didn't know you loved /notes/ so much!" he calls over at her in teasing taunt. LOOK AT HER. THE NOTE-LOVER. "All right, buddy," he adds down to Fitz in the saddle in front of him, giving his hair a little ruffle before handing him down to Keso so that they can go watch from the stands. (Probably with Aureth, who is auto-earmarked as family.) Aleksei stretches his shoulders out, neck rolling in a slow circle before he sets the horse trotting off towards one end of the field. "All right, then!"

Aureth picks up Toddler Fitzcarraldo.

Victus quirked his brow up at Lisebet. "What? She can ride a horse, I saw it once."

Katarina manages not to incriminate herself with an outright laugh when Cristoph spots the sign. She drinks deeply of her whisktea, shaking her head furiously at Alis. "No, no. It's helping the show be all the more better!" she assures, peeking up at the Laurent duke. A glance is cast back at Edain, lifting her hand in wave toward Sorrel. "We're cheering for you, PRINCESS SORREL! AND ALEKSEI! YAAAY!"

Lisebet checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Tyren looks curiously over to Sorrel as she's called to represent Edain in the joust, his head tipping in an approving manner to no one in particular. "I think she'll do the High Lord well," he says aloud.

Aureth relieves Keso of his child-burden and hauls up Aleksei's son to give him a vantage from on top of his shoulders! Good thing he's all the way up top and there's no one behind him.

Aureth is overheard praising Sorrel: Ordinarily I think we're supposed to razz non-Champions who do this but coming in in a pinch to demonstrate her prowess, I think, is just general good sportsmanship.

Lisebet's amusement lurks in her eyes, as she glances back over at Victus. "I am certain she can, and I am also certain Master Aleksei can," she replies, playing it straight.

Edain is overheard praising Sorrel: Because she /just/ joined the champions today and has saved his bacon.

"Ride well, Master Morgan!" Cristoph calls out to him before trotting off the sidelines so that he can watch the joust! And not get trampled by horses.

Cristoph is overheard praising Sorrel: Huzzah, spur of the moment Champion!

"You too, Princess, it had been a while since we last met, maybe we should remedy that." Demura says, casting a brief smile to Alis before she turns back at Ida, "Sir Corban is a good man, in my opinion, he was a good friend of my deceased husband and I hope that we can continue the friendship. Maybe I should invite him for some joust sparring."

Tesha has joined the High Booth.

"GO ALEKSEI!" Jael shouts from the quiet booth, not at all quietly. She has a cup of something in her hand.

"Well then, Princess Sorrel verses Champion Aleksei! This is going to be fun!" Caspian calls out to the crowd, turning to them to clap his hands. "And Princess Sorrel is our newest Champion too! So give a round of applause for peer pressure too!"

Aureth is overheard praising Sorrel: NEVER MIND, then, that's even better.

Lisebet is overheard praising Sorrel: for surprise entrances and announcements! Well done!

Ida offers a couple of nods to Demura. "I have no doubt Sir Corban might welcome such, Marquessa. I am unsure how busy his duties keep him, but surely he'd love to hear from friends." That offered, she turns as things seem about to get going!

Eventually, someone shows up with Sorrel's sorrel mare. But she's stuck with a small Thrax prince strapped to her chest, so she pulls out Prince Kyrios and hands him to Victus. "Just treat him like one of your own and it'll be fine," she says reassuringly to the Prince of Maelstrom. Then she heads down through the crowd, blowing kisses as people cry her name, heading towards her horse. Before she mounts, Sorrel blows kisses to Aleksei and calls, "I DO LOVE NOTES!" And then she bows with flourish to the High Lords, all swirls and fancy moves. And then she mounts the horse, swirls around cheerfully, and moves to get ready to go, taking up a lance and lining up.

"You're quite right, Marquessa. We should remedy that. I continue to hope that I will find the time to put together an evening just for us Oathlands - past or present- warrior women. I think it would be quite fun." And sorry Kat, but Alis is definitely not hosting it in the baths.

Now Lisebet looks over at Victus, as he's the one got stuck with the little princeling. Ah well, not her this time. Lisebet's gaze is on Sorrel more than anything, but maybe just looking for pointers.

Katarina turns her head to look over at Alis and Demura. "Oh, that sounds like an absolutely amazing idea! Surely we'll host on a riverboat? You know, ideallyic scenary and the like?"

Aleksei checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 39 higher.

Sorrel checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 48 higher.

What is this? Is this a BABY? Victus looks entirely too shook at suddenly being given a babe he'd seen a handful of times, now pressed into his arms and by proxy his lap too. "Wait what? Wait, come back here! I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS ONE WORKS!" But the Princess is already mounting up, leaving Victus the babysitter. He hoists the small child up, slowly looking it up and down. They hold eye contact for an uncomfortable amount of time. After neither of them throw up, he very carefully lowers and turns it around to watch the joust.

Aleksei checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 48, rolling 21 lower.

Sorrel checked dexterity + ride at difficulty 39, rolling 2 higher.

"Spring has come, now even the weather is conspiring for it." Demura suggests, shrugging at Katarina's idea as she suggests a riverboat, "I don't mind spending a bit of time on the river, but we could do well and stop by the margin to hunt too." The sound of horses is enough to make sure the Marquessa shifts back her attention to the joust for now.

Bayberry, an Oakhaven juvenile bloodhound arrives, following Norwood.

Aleksei looks professional enough in a saddle, definitely comfortable and experienced enough to suggest he wasn't a terrible choice for it. But when he takes his lance and sets off, he doesn't look /quite/ as brilliantly comfortable and expert as he does when he's on the ground with a sword in hand; there's a bit of ease and flourish that's missing. He sets the lance carefully in his arm, waiting for the signal while his horse paws at the ground, and then he's off at a brisk clip down the line. His lance touches...! Both of them do, in fact, but Sorrel is the one that who manages to keep her seat, while Aleksei -- goes flying. Sorrel's hit was too perfectly-aimed, and he drops in a brilliant arc from his horse to the ground with a loud THUMP of impact. And then a groan. Ow.

Ashe, the studious Stormward paralegal arrives, delivering a message to Zoey before departing.

Mal, a devious raccoon arrives, delivering a message to Tyren before departing.

Edain is overheard praising Sorrel: An amazing first official outing as a champion.

Thump. 21 inflicted and Aleksei is unharmed.

Sorrel's patient little mare flicks her ears as her mistress asks her to ride down the lanes. Sorrel is grinning broadly at Aleksei as she finds the perfect place to hit him to send him flying, and she struggles a little with her seating as he hits her in response, but she maintains her seat. When she comes to the end of the lane, she turns about to see her handiwork, which is to say: Aleksei's horse milling about guiltily with no rider and Aleksei on his back on the ground. She carefully picks her way over, the mare taking dainty little steps guided by the princess, who dismounts dextrously to help Aleksei to his feet, offering him a hand to pull him up. Then she turns to the crowd and focuses on the box with the High Lords, raises her hands in the air, and bows in a most ceremonious fashion.

Late but present, Amanda Whisper enters the Tournament Grounds and quietly makes her way to to the general seating. She is, as ever, looking perfectly put together, perfectly pleasant, perfectly poised. She quickly finds a seat for herself.

Amanda has joined the General Seating.

Norwood has joined the General Seating.

Caspian rises from his seat, cupping his hands as he turns to the crowd, calling out in a booming voice, "In her debut as a Champion, Sorrel dehorses Aleksei cleanly in the first round. The joust is hers! Lets hear it for both Champions!"

Alis is overheard praising Sorrel.

Alis is overheard praising Aleksei.

Aureth has left the High Booth.

Cristoph is leaning against a pole, watching as the riders square up against each other. When they crash together on that first pass and Aleksei is unhorsed, he winces and closes his eyes briefly. They're fluttered open quickly and then he moves across the field to meet his champion and to make sure Aleksei isn't horribly injured from hitting the ground. Because, ouch! "You're okay, Master Morgan?" He asks, concerned!

Tyren is overheard praising Sorrel.

Tyren is overheard praising Aleksei.

Tesha is overheard praising Sorrel: For her first day as a champion and winning!

Cristoph is overheard praising Aleksei: For representing the interests of House Laurent in this very important duel about notes!

Aureth lopes down from the stands, serving as steed for Fitzcarraldo, who rides him all the way down. He says, "Come on, Fitz, let's go see if your dad's butt still works," on the way, and when he comes to the field, he gives the horse a wide berth -- what the hell is a horse, anyway -- to amble after Cristoph en route to checking Aleksei out.

Cristoph is overheard praising Aleksei.

Tesha is overheard praising Aleksei: For representing House Laurent!

Edain smiles and slides down from the high booth to greet, Sorrel and cheer for you, "Masterfully done Princess Sorrel! I think you have made a fine choice to join the Champion's Guild."

Jael is overheard praising Aleksei: We like our Champions how we like everything...COVERED IN BEES

Aleksei checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Aleksei reaches to clasp Sorrel's hand and accepts her help back onto his feet with a laugh. "Good show, your highness," he says. "I probably should have let the Duke hire another -- oh, no, I'm fine." He's flapping his hand at poor worried Cristoph. "I'm fine! Leathers are great. Just knocked the wind out of me for a second there." He turns to the crowd, offering a brilliant smile and then the charming sweep of a bow, sunny and gracious even in defeat.

Cristoph is overheard praising Caspian: For hosting this duel very well!

Norwood is late to the party and it's finished. Oops. Timing is everything folks. He'll just edge around the crowds and keep an eye on the endings of things.

Cristoph is overheard praising Edain: Congratulations on your win. Fine. FINE. People need to leave notes!

Zoey and Jael are drinking and chatting until the horses (and their riders) take off in the first pass. The conversation dies immediately, of couse, once the cantering begins. When Sorrel sends Aleksei flying, the Kennex lady's eyebrows arch high and she's standing, leaning over the edge of the booth to watch as he lands. "Huh." She grins and drains her booze before clapping loudly.

Alis has left the General Seating.

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

"Rats, we lost. WALK IT OFF ALEKSEI!" Jael shouts down, follows it up with a piercing whistle, and then shrugs and grins at her booth buddy. "He looks all right, right?"

Victus says, "I believe he is dead. We just can't tell yet."

Lisebet eyes Victus. "I do hope you don't mean the baby," she says straight faced.

Tesha checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

"Good show, Master Aleksei. I'm glad you had armor on. I think I knocked the wind out of you," Sorrel says with a broad grin. "I better go get my baby back from High Lord Victus, who was so kind as to babysit for me."

Edain has left the High Booth.

Ida lets out a bit of a relieved sigh, maybe, and then dips her head to those along the benches. "Back to the anvil," is noted as she stands to depart.

Ida has left the General Seating.

Cristoph is assured that he didn't just break Aleksei by having him involved in this duel, phew! He makes a show of wiping some sweat from his brow before he turns to Edain. He gives the High Lord a nod of his head and then raises his voice, loud enough for the entire tournament grounds to hear: "The terms of this duel were that I would agree all gifts must accompany a note. Even anonymous ones. And since I lost, I now agree: all gifts MUST have a note. EVEN the anonymous ones."

Zoey leans against the booth's support and grins back at Jael. "Aleksei? Oh, he's fine," she says, waving a hand about slightly. "If he doesn't move, just poke him with a stick a few times until he either gets tired of it and rises or he gives up the ghost." She points at Sorell, however, and makes a show of clapping primly. Golf clap. Well done.

Tyren rises from the booth now that the jousting is done. "A good showing," he comments, nodding to those in his booth before he heads off.

Aureth helps Fitzcarraldo down off his shoulders and urges him forward in a return to his father. "I'm glad you survived," he says cheerfully to Aleksei.

Katarina has left the General Seating.

Quiet, a Valardin champion, Pawn, the courtier's apprentice leave, following Katarina.

Thorley has left the General Seating.

Tesha manages not to crack up laughing when Victus and Lisebet exchange words. There's a bit of a moment taken to look around after the joust is over though, "Well, guess it's over." she states. "I should get back to the Tower and see about finishing some paperwork." she states. There's a nod to Tyren, "Be well, your highness." she smiles.

"The baby is fine!" Victus barked. "I got drool on my sleeve to prove it!" Nonetheless, horses charged and now somebody had eaten the dust. Thankfully not literally! He holds the baby out like a beacon for Sorrel to take when she is ready.

Tyren has left the High Booth.

"I'M NOT DEAD," Aleksei says in a loud voice, since there seems to be CONFUSION. Fitz kind of pats at him a bit to make sure that his father is still in one piece. "Thanks," he says in a less LOUD voice to Aureth, grin a bit crooked. "Not exactly my specialty, but I really thought I'd last more than /one/ pass."

Tesha is overheard praising Caspian: For being a good ref!

Jael makes wide eyes at Zoey and then looks like she catches on to something, and lets out a loud whistle for Sorrel as well. "Excellent work, congratulations Princess Sorrel!"

Lisebet is overheard praising Aleksei: for not being dead

Tesha has left the High Booth.

Oh, it's over! Amanda rises back up, just as quick as she's settled. She gives a look left, right, then starts to slip right back out. No, she's not running away to avoid embarrassment! Never!

Amanda has left the General Seating.

Lisebet is overheard praising Victus: for knowing how to use a baby

Atramentous, The Highhill War Puppy leaves, following Tesha.

Lisebet is overheard praising Edain: for notes coming politely with gifts

Lisebet is overheard praising Cristoph: for being a good sport


Yessica enters the event discretely....and apparently late!! Curses!!! By the looks of it, she missed one hell of a show, too. She mutters something to herself with a slightly disappointed expression but then notices that Sorrel seems to be one of the competitors beeing congratulated and she raises a hand in the air and decides for a little after-the-fact-cheering.. "Wooo! Sorrel!" but keeps in the background for now.

Zoey grins brightly at Jael and hops out of the booth. Sorrel gets a kiss blown her way. "Nice job standing in," she calls out. "See you maybe at the next duel!" She waits on Jael, waving cheerfully to Cristoph, and then exits.

Lisebet is overheard praising Caspian: for hosting well!

"I just assume it's because your horse was a jerk," Aureth says, "I heard them saying up in the booth that if your horse is a jerk it doesn't matter how good you are." He gives Aleksei a clap on the shoulder and then says, "Anyway, I hear the next duel tonight is going to involve Luca and Bliss getting drunk and speaking verse, so I'm to the judgment green."

Sorrel beams at Jael as she heads towards Victus to retrieve her own baby. "Thank you, thank you. This is why they asked me to join the Champions," she says brightly. "I'm glad I listened to Prince Galen for once." She collects the drooler and wipes his mouth with the sleeve of her tunic, then puts him in her baby carrier and heads down towards her sorrel mare once more. She is not the picture of war horse, but she apparently gets the job done.

Zoey has left the Quiet Booth.

Jael has left the Quiet Booth.

Octavian, a silken spaniel, Jael leave, following Zoey.

Norwood has left the General Seating.

Bayberry, an Oakhaven juvenile bloodhound leaves, following Norwood.

"Aw, I think he was a nice horse," Aleksei says, because a good horse deserves /support/. He considers Aureth's suggestion, and then he says, "Yeah that sounds pretty awesome. C'mon, Fitz, let's go watch Uncle Luca get drunk." He scoops up his son to plop him on his shoulders.

"Your husband can be smart at times," Caspian says back to Sorrel, approaching the woman with a wide grin on his lips. "Thank you for taking up my offer. I knew I made the right choice when I recruited you," he says with a couple nods her way. "If you have any questions, let me know!" Turning to Aleksei and Fitz, he gives the two a wave, "Later you two."

Aleksei has left the Field.

Keso, a totally legit assistant, Peanut, an oversized mastiff leave, following Aleksei.

Binky, an asshole crow, Gregory, an unassuming disciple, Aleksei leave, following Aureth.

"Well done, Princess Sorrel," Lisebet calls. She gets to her feet, glancing at Edain and everyone else. "I think relocating to the judgement green is in my near future. I hope to see you there, if you are heading that way," she says.

Lisebet has left the High Booth.

Now babyless, Victus can get up without burden. "Now, quickly. To the alcohol contest." At last, something which he possesses a cursory knowledge of.

Victus has left the High Booth.

12 Thrax Elite Guards, Crow - Thraxian Steward, Lilybelle - Maimed Maine Coon, Matilda - Shaggy Wolfhound leave, following Victus.

Ramona - A Farshaw House Guard leaves, following Lisebet.

Teonia Redreef, Marquessa Pudding, a pudgy puppy leave, following Sorrel.

Caspian has left the Judges Booth.

Anya, the cool as an ice cube Champion apprentice, Renn, the mousy, scholarly brunette, Morgan, a roguish looking gentleman leave, following Caspian.

Demura has left the General Seating.

2 House Lyonesse Adept Guards, 1 Lyonesse Trained Guards, Maverick, the hawk leave, following Demura.