2 Grayson House Guards, Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, Clark, an exasperated guard arrive, following Sabella.

Isabelle, who is just so tired of everyone's nonsense, Sabella arrive, following Niklas.

The Ambassador Salon is not typically the locale chosen for a meeting of Arvum's most philosophical and inquisitive minds yearning to be amongst their fellow kinship seeking enlightenment. One might think the halls of a prestigious academy or tucked away within a private, lushly appointed study would be the better grounds for such things; it's unorthodox setting is exactly what stirs the mind to broaden its borders - a desired effect for the leaders of the Arvum Philosophical Society for the Empowerment and Enlightenment of Curious Minds.

Tables have been made available to those in need of a safe haven, each made into an oasis fixed with a small buffet of delightful entrees, finger foods and more varieties of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages than the average member of the Peerage might typically know what to do with. Well-dressed waitstaff drift through the sea of tables, armed with silver platters that tout a most curious arrangement of artfully folded pieces of parchment, offering them to those who would dare slake their curiosity and see what's inside.

In the midst of this all, Princess Katarina Valardin stands dressed impeccably at a table swathed in pristine white linens, a vision of cutting edge fashion with a flute of golden, bubbly champagne within her hand as she prepares to greet guests.

Delilah has joined the Private booth.

Appolonia has joined the Private booth.

Niklas has joined the Far rear couches.

Lethe has joined the Far rear couches.

Sabella has joined the Far rear couches.

Nottie arrives, following Cadern.

Waldemai watches the servants circulating with treats fit for toffs. "More ale," he asks the bartender.

Katarina has joined the Large Table.

Cullen has joined the Large Table.

Adjutant General Vincenzo di Malvici, 6 Malvici Guards arrive, following Calypso.

Alessia Mazetti enters the Ambassador Salon, perhaps overdressed for the occasion, a red seasilk dress with matching slippers with a golden torc in the likeness of a Hydra around her neck with diamond eyes. She unfastens the silvered fur cloak around her shoulders, handing them to servant before delving further into the room. She looks around and heads for the far reach couches, spotting the familiar faces. "Your highnesses." She greets the two she's familiar with. "May I join." She offers the rest polite nods.

Alessia has joined the Far rear couches.

Niklas comes sweeping into the Ambassador with Sabella on his arm. "Quite the crowd," he says airily, swinging his brand spankin' new legendary medallion around on his finger before catching it and putting it on. "Where to?" Though he's moving across the room to the couches before she can actually answer. For those who haven't seen her for a bit, Sabella's bandages are off and she has a healing red cut that goes from the corner of her right eye down past her mouth to her jaw. He lets her sit first, then plops down next to her.


The frequently disheveled figure of one Cady Leary has been pampered and tamed; her short-cropped nest of yellow hair tied into a high and tight flower-adorned crown braid, her face powdered and contoured. She glistens from head to toe in shades of yellow and gold, from the golden metal of her serpentine earrings to the sparkling gold glitter on her sunshine-hued gown of clinging seasilk.
Light, free, and unrestrained, Cady flits into the salon with that usual sense of unceasing wonder -- her eyes wide and reflective, drifting about and taking in everything there is to see. Excitement carries her forward, until she's found herself before Katarina: "Sea-faring adventures, extravagant parties... You really have to be careful, Princess, you might become a role model," the Leary girl says with a faux-threatening air, lips twitching at a hidden smile. "This all looks lovely. And those earrings are brilliant and strange," she compliments then in a calmer voice, her energy levelling out just a touch as some wandering tray of snacks catches her attention through her periphery -- she may not, indeed, be here for the advertised philosophical discussions. "Will there be dancing?" she wonders.


Joslyn stands besides Katarina, looking over the crowd and than looking up at the Valardin Princess. "You really know how to draw a crowd!" Joslyn says, smiling in delight. "Is there anything I should be doing, or should I just be idle, as the idle mind should be?" she wonders with a grin. "No but seriously, you'll need to teach me how you do this!"

Alessia Mazetti enters the Ambassador Salon, perhaps overdressed for the occasion, a red seasilk dress with matching slippers with a golden torc in the likeness of a Hydra around her neck with diamond eyes. She unfastens the silvered fur cloak around her shoulders, handing them to servant before delving further into the room. She looks around and heads for the far reach couches, spotting the familiar faces. "Your highnesses." She greets the two she's familiar with, although her gaze lingers on the princess with a concerned frown. "May I join?" She offers the rest polite nods.

Selecting a slender tome from the bookshelf as others begin to arrive, Caius detours for the bar long enough to gain a refill then carries both toward one of the tables that edge the perimeter of the room. En route he passes the table where Katarina is greeting guests and murmurs, "This promises to be an interesting evening. You're looking well," with a slight nod to both ladies gathered there.

Cadern steps his way in with a faint grin. He appears to be chatting with Nottie as he enters and searches for a seat. Finding a large table with a few familiar faces he heads for the large table nodding to the other man sitting there as he drops into a seat. He glances over at Cady's question and he grins, "If you start dancing I imagine."

Such is the nature of things that Delilah puts herself on the line to acquire one of those sheets of parchment not three breaths after casting her light spring-weight cloak upon a chair. The Ambassador Salon she is no stranger to, the climes of fine libations and teas a welcome idyll, the enlightening conversation a frequent spice to enhance a morning. Thus does the attentive wait-staff receive the silver-touched smile and soft-spoken gratitude, a murmur of thanks. Once she has her sheaf of elegant paper, she circumnavigates the room back the long way to her seat, halting along the way to those archipelagoes clothed in peers and spotless linens. For the first, Katarina: the princess receives an upturned expression of blithe delight. "Your Highness, you outdo yourself here." To Joslyn, the same measure of warmth allotted, as she says, "I'm glad both of you set out to provide such a venue for discourse and conversation. We all benefit by it." That said, she offers a warm dip and continues, waving to Niklas and Sabella, her sister Kenna thrown a broad curl of a feline smile. The rest in time she will get to; one can't race around such a venue!

Cadern has joined the Large Table.

Joslyn has joined the Large Table.

Heading into the Salon with a dip of his head in the way of a greeting to everyone there, Cullen drops into a seat at the table that dominates most of the room, within easy chatting distance of Katarina. "Princess, I hope the day finds you in good health." Stretching out legs and arms afterwards, he makes a gesture to a nearby server to murmur a request before settling in, an elbow placed upon the surface of the piece of furniture. Slate grey eyes cast about the room, taking note of who all is in attendance behind a blandly pleasant facial expression.

Duchess Calypso Malvici steps through the door with only one guard escorting her. The rest are left outside for the evening. Like any Lycean, she isn't afraid to put a little effort into her style or dress. The subtly shifting colors are less subtle under actual light. It becomes more obvious when the light cloak is removed. The guard takes it, holding it over his arm and stepping back. The Duchess steps further in and wanders for just a moment, looking over the decorations and effort with a pleased smile. Katarina has done well!

Sabella smiles up at Alessia, "Please, have a seat!" She grabs a glass of something bubbly that comes by with a server, "I am really looking forward to this! I used to like the Salon debates that happened so I'm interested to see how they're going to move forward." She smiles at Caius and nods in his direction. Then gives a wave to Delilah Kenna, Lethe, and--well, everyone! Everyone gets a wave!

When Arcadia manages to wind her way into Katarina's line of sight, the Eurusian Valardin cannot help the wry smile she adopts. Stretching out a hand to collect a slip of paper cleverly folded into what could be taken as an eagle, she pops it lightly toward the Crownsland noble lady to catch in an airborne arc. "Careful now, mi'lady. You blaspheme against me already and the night's only just begun," she teases with a well-humored smile. "There will not be any discussions tonight. At least, not officially. So, if the mood strikes you, dance away," she encourages. Her attention drifts sidelong briefly toward Joslyn, her cheeks pinkening with a humbled smile, "I honestly wasn't expecting such a large turn out to be honest. I believe it's the allure of what we have to offer that draws people in. It helps that we know a few prestigous members of the Peerage as well.

The hostess returns effortlessly to her duties of greeting those that seek her out, reaching to clasp hold of Caius by the arm in gentle, familial affection. "Cousin, how good to see you. I'm glad you could make it. Please, go and find yourself a place to settle in. I hope you'll be glad you came by the night's end." Golden eyes touch upon Delilah with pleasure, bowing her head to the Whitehawk noble and then Cullen and Calypso when they ensnare her attention next. "Lord Cullen, I'm very pleased you could make it. I trust you've brought an open mind with you as well?"

A darkling shadow is the slight form of Appolonia as she enters the Ambassador trailed by the paler forms of the attending handmaids that follow her in her slow, purposeful wake. Gray eyes rove freely as she pauses and then easily starts to slip deeper into the venue, carefully avoiding patrons and servers alike. As she makes her slow, unhurried path near Katarina's table she dips into a stiff and perhaps overly formal curtsy but there it is nonetheless. "Highness." And then off her gaze goes as if seeking something else out as she adds to the royal, "A lovely setup for such discussions. Thank you for holding it." Gray eyes spy Delilah and then she's murmuring almost apologetically, "Excuse me." And then that darkling form heads toward the familiar Whitehawk. Any other familiar faces get nods, when she's actually looking but it seems Delilah is her target for now.

The Mazetti takes a seat on the couch beside the royals. "Thank you." She looks around the seating area with a kind smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. I can't tell you how anxious I've been for these meetings to get started again." Her lips part as she turns to Sabella, although she doesn't seem to know what to say, eyes flickering to her wound. Instead she looks between her and her husband. "How have you both been?"

Resting one hand gently on Katarina's shoulder in return, Caius shares a nod with Katarina before he continues on his way to reclaim his seat at the far rear couches where Niklas and many others are seated. "Prince and Princess Grayson, well met," his words are spoken in return as glances from face to face, taking in the names and introductions. "Ladies," offers in general with a glimpse of a smile before lifting the glass he's holding to taste the contents. The glass he's holding pauses a few inches away from the target as the arrival of Duchess Malvici arrives.

Octavia takes a final sip of her mug and rises, heading towards the center table when she spots those origami animals. The Kennex lady picks up some sort of cat and holds it up to the light, as if trying to figure out the way it was folded. Yes, origami is more interesting than people, at least sometimes.


Arcadia watches the paper eagle fly with childlike awe, before Cadern's comment pulls her easily-stolen attention away. "I suppose if I dance, there -will- be dancing. Manifested into reality by my actions! Or. Something." She crinkles her nose at her own words and then sighs, "Did that sound philosophical...?"
She looks back just to time to catch the fluttering papercraft with a duo of quick, nimble fingertips, arm darting out like the tongue of a frog. She twirls the origami bird around and ogles it close. "What is this?"

The apologetic look received by Delilah with abundant calm would imply the boundless serenity contained beneath cornflower eyes. Her head inclines a degree, throwing dappled shadows slanting in a tawny veil over the dramatic slant of cheekbone and jaw. A faint smile celebrates the pinch of paper caught in slim fingers, manicured nails pinching the slightest half-moon crescents onto the surface. Undulant drifts of her twilit gown break upon her boots, a sanguine note to punctuate an amethystine sea. "Quite," she replies to Appolonia, a single syllable covering a quantity of words fit to fill a slender chapbook. With a light curve of her hand, she indicates the seat behind her.

Katarina checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 21 higher.

At Cadern's side Nottie seems to be complaining about one thing or another and the tatters she wears undoubtedly looks completely out of place in Ambassador's Salon. When Cadern sits she plunks into a spot beside him. She likely looks completely out of place.

Nottie has joined the Large Table.

2 Grayson House Guards have been dismissed.

Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting have been dismissed.

Kenna raises a hand to wave to those who have come in, especially her sister Delilah and Sabella when the princess calls out. She heads for a quieter place though and gives Octavia a smile as she slips into that shadowed table.

After a glass of Ostrian cherry brandy is brought to him, Cullen inclines his head at Katarina. "I always have an open mind, Princess. I find it rather beneficial to do so. Plus, I couldn't really miss this, after all." Plucking a piece of folded paper from one of the waitstaff that flits by, he opens it with a curious expression upon his fair face. Regarding Arcadia with a bright grin, his attention is then pulled to Caius with a look without recognition, then a smile is beamed quickly over to Rosalie at the couches. The arrival of the Duchess elicits another dip of his face in a respectful greeting. "Duchess Malvici, a pleasure to see you."

Arcadia has joined the Large Table.

Katarina secures a flute for herself and reaches to loop her arm through Joslyn's own, guiding her co-hostess out into the middle of the scene. Golden eyes drift over the many faces around her briefly before it's with innate ease she seeks to sway the attention of the room upon herself with a politician's efficiency. "A mind unprovoked is a terrible sin. A curiosity starved is the greatest pain any mortal could bear. Knowledge unexplored a terrible travesty. But even more greater things of all, living in the shackles of complacency."

2 Leary House Guards, Lite, a little blue canary arrive, following Corbit.

Waldemai's eyes start to glaze over as he listens to the speech with all the five silver words in it. There is only one sensible solution. "More ale," he orders.

Calypso catches the movement from Sabella and returns the smile and wave. Turning that direction, she has a slower than normal gait. Not seductive or intentionally sluggish. She just seems comfortable and intent upon taking in the scenery and effort put forth as she moves towards other people. But her eyes catch on Prince Caius and she tilts her head. Her eyes peer at him as if asking if he had done this on purpose. Changing her direction towards him, she shakes her head with a low smile. "Whom is following whom, Prince? Mm?" Seeing Cullen, she dips her head to him. "A pleasure. This is a wonderful venue, Lord..?" She needs an introduction to him.

"Always lovely to see you Lady Whitehawk," Appolonia is saying to Delilah as she makes to settle herself into a seat needing no further instruction to do so, or perhaps none at all as the Seraceni woman was making her way toward it regardless. Once she is settled a nod is given to her handmaids who return the gesture and filter off into the room for whatever purpose. Then those gray eyes return to Delilah as she seems ready to say /something/ but then she pauses and tips her head to look back toward Katarina and Joslyn. Her lips form a faint echo of a smile at something. "Well said."

2 Leary House Guards, Lite, a little blue canary leave, following Corbit.

an elegant snowy owl have been dismissed.

Lystra have been dismissed.

Morigan have been dismissed.

Fayre have been dismissed.

Atramentous, The Highhill War Puppy arrives, following Tesha.

Tesha arrives, following Tyren.

Atramentous, The Highhill War Puppy have been dismissed.

Rising to his feet as the Duchess nears the table, Caius shares a nod with Calypso in return and rests one hand on the slender volume he'd selected from the book shelf. "I confess, I am cheating on your library already, my lady," a faint grin forms as he confesses to this. He sweeps that same hand in a gesture to indicate all those already seated, "I would wager that indroductions may not be necessary?"


Tyren escorts Tesha into the Ambassador Salon, holding the door open for her and allowing her to walk in first before he enters himself. He wears dark blues and silver silks, his hands gloved and his right hand prone at his side. "This should be an interesting evening," he says to Tesha in a quiet and even voice as he looks about the Salon, "Where do you feel like sitting? I suppose we could join Princess Katarina's table."

From over at the couches, Rosalie looks up from her conversation in time to catch Cullen's smile, returning it with a wave before looking back towards her companions.

Tesha gives a warm smile to Tyren as he holds the door open and she steps in with a dip of her head to the man, "Thank you." she tells him in a soft tone. She herself is dressed in a spring time aeterna gown. There's a look about and then a smile to Tyren, "We could sit at Princess Katarina's table or with Prince Caius. Have you had a chance to catch up with him?" she asks him in a quiet tone. She figures they are related somehow!

"My name is Princess Katarina Valardin and this is Lady Joslyn Stonewood, Knight of Pridehall," Katarina introduces herself and Joslyn to the room at large, lifting her flute of champagne in welcoming motion to the scattered tables around her. "Welcome to our not so little soiree for the unorthodox intelligent thinkers. For some time now, the Salon had fallen idle but we're here to reawaken it and bring it forward into a new phase of enlightenment. Debates and discussions are the bread and butter of philosophers everywhere, but it only sustains. Not nourishes a mind starving for more."

An artful pause, half-turning to signal out Arcadia Leary sat at the table behind her with a rueful smile. "As it was told to me the other day, one can sit around and theorize about the world all day, or they can go out and experience it. But one cannot really call themselves enlightened if they're just going out, blindly wandering the world and unsure of what they're seeing. Just like we can't sit on our couches, drinking wine and musing over the problems of the world, hoping to solve them when we haven't /seen/ what's really out there. Right? No one likes a drunken rambler, anyway."

Adjutant General Vincenzo di Malvici, 6 Malvici Guards leave, following Calypso.

Isidora has joined the Large Table.

Isidora slips in and joins a table. She nods to those present as she listens to what is being said and what is being discussed.

Luna, the sweet, studious assistant arrives, following Carita.

There's a new arrival to the Salon - and honestly - the city as a whole. Xinum's arrival is marked by the passing of the tanned man through the doorway as he steps through, to make sure noone behind him runs him over. Not that he'd be easy to knock over. Taking in the room and the decor, "This ain't for me.." he starts to rumble, considering the idea to turn tail and flee while he can.

"No, I've not had the opprotunity yet," Tyren says to Tesha, "Though it seems his table's gotten a bit crowded." He looks away as Katarina rises to speak, watching the woman with respectful quiet. Though his attention drifts after to the bar, and he inclines his head that way, touching Tesha gingerly on the elbow to guide her that-a-way. "Far less crowded here," he says to her, before speaking in a low tone to her alone.

Tyren has joined the Bar.

Tesha has joined the Bar.

While Katarina talks, Niklas spies Octavia and waves excitedly to her. He pulls the medallion from around his neck and holds it up. Then he points to it, just in case holding it up wasn't enough. Then he enthusiastically points to it several more times, gives a big nod and puts it back on. Then he gives her the biggest thumbs up he can.

Caius has left the Far rear couches.

Arcadia, caught off guard by Katarina's attention, perks up in her seat with a mouthful of cheese. She swallows, lips politely closed as she does so, an awkward smile sharing itself with any wandering eyes that may have been drawn by the Princess's gesture toward her. As usual, Katarina's words seem to hit right at home, and the young Leary gives a faint slump of her shoulders and thoughtful crease of her brow.

Slipping away from the table, Caius carries his empty glass back to the bar and slides it, and a few coins, onto the bar and pauses to say hello to Tesha before slipping out of the lively, crowded, room.

Octavia is regaling Kenna with some sort of story when she notices Niklas gesturing to his medallion. She offers a gesture of applause in return, returning to her wistful story, though her expression shifts to regret as she finishes it.

Isidora has left the Large Table.

an elegant snowy owl, Lystra, Morigan, Fayre leave, following Isidora.

"Something strong." that's Ximun's request to the server, grabbing a slug of whatever is offered to him and ends up with a sheet of paper in the process. The man's brow furrows as he tries to find anything that looks familiar in the crowd as he hears the applause from the table and passes towards Octavia and Kenna to give a curt bow of his head.

Tesha gives an apologetic look to Katarina for arriving late. Or close to late. Then she gives a look to Tyren, "He's a very interesting man from what I've seen. I think you'll get along very well." she tells him quietly. Then she watches Katarina speak and she quiets herself. When Tyren moves, she gives a dip of her head and follows after him to the bar and takes a seat. Then she gives an 'oh!' when Caius is saying Hello and then leaving. Then she speaks to Tyren in a whisper.

Delilah steeples her fingertips at the quietest, least centrally placed of the tables engaged in the event. Indeed, given its placement she might as well be sitting in some fabled, far off nation -- Cardia is probably two seats over, in case anyone feels up to engaging in foreign trade. Her response, tendered far too softly to be heard, follows a brief glance back at Kenna and Octavia. Seeing all is well, her smile softens but a fraction. The elder sister keeps a sharp eye on the younger, for all there's not much need.

Ximun has joined the Shadowy Table.

Seeming quite done with oration, Katarina tips her glass up to her lips and signals one of the waitstaff with a platter of craftily folded paper. She trades him her flute for it, tucking it gracefully upon the flat of her palm. "Some of you have already taken pieces of paper from the attendants already, I imagine. Inside were burning questions meant to challenge the way you think, or ponder about a piece of yourself. I want you to tell someone you've never spoken to that answer. And if you haven't taken one, please come and do so now."

Niklas leans forward and steps just far away from the couch enough that he can grab two slips of paper before he flops back into his seat and passes one to Sabella.

Carita slides in, her assistant following closely behind as the pair speak rather amiably. Rich feminine laughter bubbles up from the Darkwater Voice, and admonishing tsk given as the pair part and Carita pauses to take in those here, and the difference in the decor with appreciation.

Joslyn listens quietly to Katarina, content to just allow her to run the show while she drinks deeply from a glass of red wine, the bottle never far from her reach.

Katarina moves gracefully through the room, offering out prettily folded pieces of paper to those who would like them from her personal platter. Attendants cover where she cannot go with vicious efficiency that suggests some of them might aspire to join the ranks of the Queensrest some day, though without the discrimination of clientele those snooty people are known for. And when she's out, the hostess temporarily retires to her table to tend to her group. "When you've all completed your task, hold onto your sheet of paper and claim a glass of wine when you've done so!"

Carita has joined the Bar.

a tiny man with a BIG unpronounceable name arrives, delivering a message to Niklas before departing.

Arcadia rises from her seat at the large table, slippered feet gliding away from it with an aimless and dancing gait. She pauses alone in the center of the grand room, gaze drifting about as she hunts for a stranger. "Mn." Moments later, she's by the bar, apparently having chose Tyren for the event: "Hello," she chirps out with a blind and breezy confidence, perching up right beside him.

Arcadia has left the Large Table.

Arcadia has joined the Bar.

Niklas has left the Far rear couches.

Niklas pushes himself to his feet and quickly crosses the room toward the shadowy table before he throws himself into the one remaining seat. "Hello, Lady Kenna! Hello, Princess Sally Acorn!"

Niklas has joined the Shadowy Table.

Lethe has left the Far rear couches.

Lethe has joined the Large Table.

Alessia finishes the rum in her cup before glancing around the room and slowly rising. Her eyes land on the bar, which she approaches, paper still in hand.

Alessia has left the Far rear couches.

Alessia has joined the Bar.

Katarina checked dexterity + sewing at difficulty 9, rolling 23 higher.

Kenna checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Katarina drops Philosopher's Roulette- Join If you Dare.

Octavia has joined the line.

Rosalie has joined the line.

While everyone is mixing up their social palette with making new acquaintances, Katarina has wandered aside to speak hushedly with a few bartenders onsite. It isn't long before at least ten bottles of assorted liquors, from spirits to lush wine, are mixed masterfully into drinks and arranged neatly upon the tiered platters in the middle of the room. Afterwards, she is sweeping across the room toward Delilah and Appolonia's table.

Kenna checked composure at difficulty 20, rolling 1 higher.

Katarina has left the Large Table.

Rosalie has left the Far rear couches.

Ximun checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Nottie slips off to go do her thing.

Nottie has left the Large Table.

Appolonia reaches a pause in her conversation with Delilah when her wandering gray gaze lands upon Katarina's approaching form. Her lips form a ghostly smile as she dips her head in acknowledgement. "Highness. This has been quite the interesting event," she murmurs when the royal has made her way close enough for such words to reach her ears. A glass of wine remains aloft in Appolonia's own hand, content for the moment to not drink.

Kenna checked composure at difficulty 25, rolling 13 lower.

Octavia checked composure + intimidation at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

There appears to be quite an argument going on at the shadowy table between Lord Ximun and Lady Kenna, with Lady Octavia doing her best to keep order as a Magistrate should. It might or might not be working.

"I'm glad you're finding the event to be engaging thus far," Katarina seems genuinely pleased for Appolonia's words, her shoulders slanted forward just-so with palpable relief. "Did either of you manage to challenge yourselves with answering the questions, if you participated?" she wonders, a glance cast over her shoulder toward her shoulder when the sound of disagreement arises from a nearby table where a certain protege of hers lingers. "Lady Kenna," she calls upon her friend. "Won't you come help me herald in the next game? I think you might quite like it."

Waldemai cheers for Lady Kenna

The conversation punctuated by a bottle of wine and the sparing sip of the gem-rich alcohol traverses a sanctified terrain cloaked in companionable silence and the misty heights of playing intense audience. Turning her head to the approaching golden-eyed princess, Delilah's smile ignites from the smouldering remnants to something more tangible than Appolonia's, but nonetheless a lunar crescent to the imminent sunshine. "Nothing quite like taking a topic and cutting it just so to allow inner fire to shine through." Her head dips, the dying fire swept over her features. "Though my showing thus far leaves somewhat to be desired. Not for lack of fine tools." She tips her head to determine Kenna and Ximun's particular disposition, the argument not about to raise her eyebrows... much. She glances back thoughtfully to Appolonia. "Or that. Should we be at one another's throats?"

"I'll save you the trouble, my Lady." There's a bow of his head as Ximun gives a curt nod, and rising from the table, turns to head off, leaving behind a very redfaced Whitehawk in his wake. Not quite redblood, is it?

Ximun has left the Shadowy Table.

"Yes, I would steal for a child who was hungry, just as I would give the shirt from my back if necessary." Kenna has stood up from her table with her face flushed with clear anger despite Octavia's attempts to referee. When Ximun leaves she takes a deep breath and bows to Octavia. "My apologies for my bad manners. My patrol was in the lowers today and I'm afraid the question cut me quite close. I should go see what Princess Katarina is saying." With that poor Niklas and Octavia get abandoned by another of their table mates.

Kenna has left the Shadowy Table.

Niklas pushes himself to his feet and leans over to kiss the top of Octavia's head, then heads back over to his seat. He holds out a hand to Sabella, "Would you like to head out, my love? I have an appointment to keep."

Octavia narrows her eyes at Niklas's gesture, then rises to her feet to go see to Katarina's game. Drunken philosophy sounds like fun.

Kenna has joined the line.

"You shouldn't have to, isn't that what the point of being a highborn is?" Ximun snipes at Kenna back. Apparently once up from the table, a run and gun is in order as he heads for the bar for something harder to drink.

"There are plenty of ways to cut one's self if the desire is there," Appolonia says thoughtfully to Delilah, not that she is ignoring Katarina and her obvious relief. "A tongue can cut and rend just as easily as any blade." Amusement toys at the edges of her gaze then as she takes a sip of her wine. "Perhaps we can be at each other's throats later, Lady Whitehawk." And then to Katarina she finally says, "We've been chewing over the state of the city, it's need to have its starvation truly ended, satisfaction given instead." A flick of her glance given back to Delilah as her smile returns briefly. "It has been delightful discourse."

"No, that isn't at ALL. Being noble puts //more// of a responsibility on us than I //ever// had as a Mercier!" Kenna throws back before forcing herself to walk to Katarina's side and put her back to Ximun.

"No one should ever be at their throats," Katarina answers absently toward Appolonia and Delilah, the corners of her mouth turning down just-so in a perturbed frown as she watches the disagreement taper off as soon as her attention is called toward it. "It was a philosophical question," she intervenes toward Ximun. "Meant to explore her morality and the sacrifices she might make, despite of position, rank, or birth, Master..." A pointed pause, waiting for his name while she moves to hook her arm through Kenna's own, pulling the Whitehawk lady into a quiet aside while preparing for the next game.

Wilhelm the Iron Messenger arrives, following Sparte.

"Lord Ximun Redreef, Your Highness. And philosophy can take on all forms. But perhaps, I am not the scholar others claim to be." the older man responds, a glance to Kenna's back, before he turns to head off and order a double.

Ravana the tawny eagle arrives, delivering a message to Tesha before departing.

Octavia sighs at the continuing argument and looks over at Ximun, finally lifting her voice above conversational tone. "That's /enough/ I said! Call for champions and be done with it, or let it drop!" Turning towards Katarina and the new game, she says, "Let us begin, your highness, the room needs distraction from the previous event."

Delilah raises her glass anew, the burgundy sea lapping against the glassy shore and the perch of her lower lip. Drifting strands haloing her face help to reinforce that dreamy, untuned air about her, a mistake easy to make. Her gaze tracks Kenna through the salon, a bead upon the golden waif attained with the unerring intensity of a falconer watching the peregrine preparing to stoop. Poor Ximun. Somewhere, there's a line. She adds in that languorous tone, "Most would prefer the blade to the tongue for wounds self-inflicted. One sort heals with alacrity and earns the assistance of the Mercies; for the other, there can be no companion but cold-limbed time." She touches her neck, and then murmurs, "Remind me to remove my necklace to make things even before we go at it. We must keep things fair, after all."

Niklas grins to Katarina as he passes, "Well, you spurred discussion, your highness!" He offers her a salute, then turns to wave to everyone he knows, calling out to his sister, "That was a genuine gesture, Tavi! Peace!" Then he leaves with his wife on his arm.

Niklas has left the Shadowy Table.

Sabella has left the Far rear couches.

Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, 2 Grayson House Guards leave, following Sabella.

Isabelle, who is just so tired of everyone's nonsense, Sabella leave, following Niklas.

Arcadia has joined the line.

"Lycene," is all Appolonia says to Katarina's absently spoken remark but that smile is there, a true and fully in-bloom one that lightens darker features for its brief lifespan before it fades to twilight once more.

Sparte is a late arrival, making his way towards the bar. He looks over at the gathering in a strafing of curiousity as he passes.

Sparte has joined the Far rear couches.

"The pleasure is all mine, Lord Ximun. I'm Princess Katarina Valardin, just another curious soul as yourself. I would like to think that I've done my job well to have provoked discussion with the last game, but perhaps we might do well to keep our personal feelings from getting too involved. Feelings, after all, can often cloud us from truly hearing what our fellow kindred souls are saying and thus, a missed opportunity of enlightenment."

Kenna is dragged into the middle of the salon with Katarina, the two briefly engaged in a quiet discussion before she's addressing the room as a whole. "The next game is hopefully much more lighter, and fun. It's called Philosopher's Roulette. If you're interested, please queue yourself up and prepare to test your orating, debating mettle!"

Lethe has joined the line.

Arcadia pops away from the bar for a moment to sign herself up for the Philosopher's Roulette, before prancing back to her lazy leaned perch.

Alessia has joined the line.

Kenna bites her tongue against trying to call back to Ximun. It's probably Katarina's arm upon her that does it. "I reserve the right to call that pompous ass out later." It's said darkly before she //firmly// tries to take herself in hand and focus on the game about to begin. She's not smiling though, and doesn't look at Delilah. It's safer that way.

Dash the Guard Corgi arrives, delivering a message to Kenna before departing.

Waldemai is down for any game that involves drinking. He carries his mug of ale with him as he goes to join in the reindeer games.

Waldemai has joined the line.

After a few moments of waiting for last minute sign-ups, Katarina clears her throat and perches herself upon the edge of a stool provided for her, an arm linked through Kenna's own to keep her protege close. "Alright, let's get this game started," she smiles brightly, reaching aside to collect the first shot glass off the tiered platter sat to her right. "First up, Lady Octavia!"

Alessia joins the line after finishing her cup of red wine.

The line has been dismissed by Katarina.

Cadern has left the Large Table.

Octavia has joined the line.

Lethe has joined the line.

Waldemai has joined the line.

Turn in line: Octavia

Kenna has joined the line.

Alessia has joined the line.

Katarina passes Octavia a shot glass of what appears to be Kennex mango-flavored vodka, serving up the magistrate's own house-branded alcohol. "Lady Octavia, here is your question: If someone you loved was killed in front of you, but someone created a copy of them that was perfect right down to the atomic level, would they be the same person and would you love them just as much?"

Octavia checked intellect + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 57 higher.

Appolonia has joined the line.

Octavia watches the Redtyde depart, then turns to Katarina and scoops up a drink as she steps into the circle. The question draws a smirk, and she downs her drink, swishing it around in her mouth before she replies, "A perfect copy of any one person would cease to be a perfect copy in that moment. They'd be forever altered by their death and reconstruction. As to whether I'd love them as much... that remains to be seen."

Delilah has joined the line.

Dash the Guard Corgi arrives, delivering a message to Kenna before departing.

Katarina regards Octavia thoughtfully for her response. "What an interesting point," she remarks, seriously floored for a moment.

Turn in line: Lethe

Waldemai wakes his hand toward Dash, the Guard Corgi, but the pup has run off too quickly.

Kenna kneels when the Guard Corgi enters, taking a moment to hug her cousin's dog beofre letting him go and laughing at what the creature has delivered. "Delilah," called out to her sister, "You're an angel, and Silas has responded with some mead." A bottle is held up.

Katarina shakes her head as though to clear it before motioning Lethe forward with a wave of a hand. "Lady Lethe, it looks as though you're next," she declares, a glass of brandy ready for the lady. "Is it more important to help yourself, help your family, help your society, or help the world?"

Lethe checked composure + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Alessia has left the Bar.

"If you ever doubt I love you, remember tonight!" Delilah calls across the salon in a singularly modulated tone, not too loud, but loving. "He is the very best of cousins."

Lethe steps into the middle and looks around at everyone while she waits for the question. She drinks the brandy. "I think it's important to help people as a healer and not just myself and my family. I need to be willing to help anyone who needs it."

Turn in line: Waldemai

Katarina bows her head to Lethe, her response provoking a quiet smile from the princess. "If we become too caught up in our own self-serving whims, we tend to miss out on the beauty of the world, indeed. Thank you for your answer." She reaches aside to collect a glass of rum, mixed with bits of fruit, lifting it to Waldemai as he's called forward. "Ah, now this is a face I haven't seen in a while. Ready?"

The large form of Jeffeth Bayweather lumbers into the Salon. His head is down, fussing with a glove as he crosses the threshhold. It isn't until he is several paces in that he looks up to realize there are people /everywhere/. The big man blinks and slowly looks back to the door he just came in, lips thinning somewhat as his eyes slightly widen. He takes a slight step backwards, back toward the door.

Waldemai says, "Sure, your highness." He looks dubiously at the fruit floating in the rum. "That ain't healthy, is it?"

Stepping over to Rosalie and pointing at something in a leather journal, Cullen leans over to murmur something to her, eyebrows raised with a questioning, surprised look before nodding afterwards. Dipping his head to all assembled, "Thank you for hosting the event, Princess Katarina and Lady Joslyn. I look forward to the next one." And with that, he slips out the door.

Cullen has left the Large Table.

Rosalie leaves, following Cullen.

Kenna beams when JEffeth enters, "I'll be RIGHT BACK!" that is to Katarina, because she needs to slip off and go hug Jeffeth if the big knight will let her do it.

Octavia has joined the line.

"Depends on your definition of healthy," Katarina surmises toward Waldemai with a challenging curl of the mouth, passing it into his hands. "What price is too high to pay for the sake of knowledge?"

Waldemai checked composure at difficulty 20, rolling 8 lower.

Carita, sat at the bar, notices the large champion enter and then begin to slowly back out. "Sir Jeffeth, come have a drink!" She lifts her glass of rum as if to encourage him.

Waldemai starts to drink the rum but the fruit is just too much for him. He starts coughing. "*cough*cough*Sorry, got no idea, *cough* your highness." He pounds on his breastbone. "Must have gone down the wrong pipe. Sorry."

Turn in line: Kenna

When Kenna rushes over for a hug, the large man's eyes widen and she is suddenly colliding against a wall of muscle. Jeffeth slowly brings his arms up to encapsulate her for a brief moment. She's given a light squeeze, and a small smile. He bows his greeting before heading to the bar smiling warmly to Carita and her greeting.

"I am SO GLAD you came!" Kenna chirps to Jeffeth, "I swear someday our duel will ACTUALLY HAPPEN..." She'd say more but Waldemai's answering and so she can't do anything but turn brightly back around and run back like she never left.

Arcadia has joined the line.

Tyren has joined the line.

Tesha has joined the line.

Katarina bursts out laughing at Waldemai, quickly handing him a handkerchief. "Well, I suppose that's one point for the Salon!" she chirps, looking past him after Kenna. Oh, she never left after all. "You're asked to take an oath of secrecy before you embark on an adventure. On the adventure, you uncover information that may very well safe the lives of the at least a few thousand people. Do you break the oath to save their lives or maintain your vow of silence?"

The golden-haired and golden-gowned Leary girl perks up as Carita's speaks Jeffeth's name, her pale blues swishing on over to the large Knight. Cady smiles with a lingering familiarity. "Oh! Yes! He was one of the first people I met in Arx, actually."

Kenna checked intellect + empathy at difficulty 20, rolling 3 higher.

Jeffeth has joined the Bar.

"That depends oh so much on who else will be hurt by their information. Regardless, I tell Silas." Bam, Kenna answers oh-so-quickly.

Turn in line: Appolonia

"So you break an oath, and take the name of oathbreaker," Katarina lifts her brows at Kenna, perhaps not unsurprised. "Then you must believe that sometimes you must wrong others to sometimes to what is fundamentally right for the greater good at the end of the day?" she challenges, sending her off with a little more food of thought before looking past for Appolonia, and smiling like a shark who just found their meal. "Laaaaaady Appolonia, just the person I was hoping to see who was next."

Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting have been dismissed.

Clark, an exasperated guard have been dismissed.

A pause in the conversation comes at the booth as Appolonia hears her name called out. She gives a little look to Delilah that may be somewhat apologetic before the Seraceni is slipping from that seat to her feet. She takes her time to get to the proper place, a hand rising to shift dark hair from her eyes. "Highness." And then she waits to see what is posed to her, expectant as ever.

Lethe has left the Large Table.

Katarina plucks a glass of spiced rum to pass to Appolonia, bestowing upon her a most interesting question. "Does absolute power corrupt absolutely?"

Octavia tilts her head, speaking out of turn to note, "The Sentinel and the Thirteenth teach that sometimes the most just action is to accept the title of Oathbreaker. Some oaths cannot be kept in the face of injustice." She nods to Kenna as the Whitehawk passes, motioning to one of the staff for more to drink.

Appolonia checked wits + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 52 higher.

"Depends. Are they me?" Appolonia murmurs.

Kenna's smile is lopsided when she looks towards Octavia. "My duty as Iron Guard is to protect. If it means to break an oath... then so be it. That duty comes first and always will."

"No one likes a backseat philosopher, Lady Octavia. But all the same, your point is most excellent. The world often continues to turn because of the sacrifices of those we, the public, often villify." Katarina scolds and praises Octavia in the same breath, needing to chug her own glass of wine for that. To Appolonia, she squints. "That's not -- Well, I mean -- What."

Turn in line: Delilah

Delilah gives no complaint when her companion is summoned to the fore, required to drink whatever libation is drawn up from the mysterious cellars known only to the Eurusi princess of Valardin. Lacing fingers together into an arch, Delilah rests her chin atop that formed bridge, her eyes wide and curious. Inquiry and answer come, warranting some degree of observation. "You see why," she murmurs.

A smile is all Katarina gets from the Seraceni before she simply turns back to head to the booth. "Your turn I believe, Lady Whitehawk," she murmurs as she sits back down, amused and with a new drink in her hand.

"Do you see what she did there," Katarina turns her head to look upon Octavia as though to double-check Appolonia really did what she did. She sucks in a breath, cheeks warming with an alcoholic flush as she raises her glass to her lips and drinks deep. "Oh, Lady Deliiiiilah," she sing-songs. "I believe you're next."

Katarina is overheard praising Appolonia: ... Some sort of magical debater, I swear.

Cady casts a faint look of apprehension towards the circle where the game of Philsopher's Roulette is behind played, anticipating her turn with a twitching energy.

Octavia smirks slightly at Katarina and replies, "I think I'll need some time to deconstruct that one. It was quite succinct."

Delilah slides out from her seat, the slim cut of her skirt flowing in a silken wave around her. "I have no hope of matching a Lycene in matters of wit, you do realize," she replies, all languour and blithe delight. "But I shall endeavour, Princess Katarina, to make this well. Do as you will."

Katarina holds a sort of awe-struck wonder in her look of askance upon Appolonia, slowly shaking her head to rouse herself before turning her attention back upon Delilah. "After that, I would hope to win future debates as succintly as she did. I feel like that's the definition of a true 'wine-dropping' moment, if I do say so myself." She's handed a glass of Lenosian white, its vintage unknown, but the concoction delightfully sweet and smooth. "Does jealously have value in driving humans to improve themselves or is it a purely negative emotion?"

Delilah checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 20, rolling 24 higher.

Some come to their answers instantly, others ponderously. Delilah lifts the Lenosian white in a salute, a toast that she dips into sparingly. Hence the pause. "That depends. Why do I have cause to be jealous?" Her glittering eyes turn up to Katarina.

Waldemai finishes his ale, which manages to wash the taste of fruit out of his mouth. "Thanks, your highness," he says, and heads out into the night.

Waldemai has left the Bar.

"Because your sister is prettier!" Kenna calls out to Delilah, a smile now firmly on her face despite the rocky start to the evening. "I mean Evonleigh, of course!"

"The twilight does not contend with the day its appointed hours, or the night its lengthy rule. She is perfectly content to be as she is." Delilah ripostes that with a light edge.

"What is with all these 'why' rebuttals," Katarina pitches in mild complaint toward Octavia aside, drinking deep of her wine. She gives a delicate sniff before smiling wryly at Delilah. "... Touche."

Octavia nods for a moment at Delilah's reply, then smirks and teases, "You read that in a book, Lady Whitehawk. I've heard those words before. Profound, nonetheless."

Turn in line: Octavia

Turn in line: Arcadia

"Oh, Laaaa-deee Arcaaaaaadiiiia Leeeeaarrry," Katarina feels the need to SING for Arcadia's turn. She's well within her fourth glass of the night, spinning on her stool to search the crowd for her victi-- next philosophical mind. "I have a great driiiiink for you."

Cady's name is called, and her face squishes up, dainty features scrunching towards her nose in an expression that simply radiates uncertainty and apprehension, "Nnnn... Alright." She peels herself off the edge of the bar, flitting towards the center of the room, bedecked in sparkled gold. "I skipped a lot of schooling as a girl, so pardon me if I say something stupid." Her smile bubbles up regardless, hands swinging casually by her sides as she stands there, waiting.

Katarina brightens with utterly infectious delight when Cadia presents herself for the philosophical chopping board. "Is the concept of “you” continuous or does past “you” continually fade into present and future “you”? In other words, what part of “you” sticks around over time considering that the atoms that make up your body are constantly being replaced and your memories are always changing?" She pulls out the most befuddling question on a whim, clearly having been saving it up all night, as the Leary adventuress is passed a glass of Stone Mountain whisky.

Arcadia checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Cady's eyes glaze over mere seconds after Katarina's rambling question comes to an end. There's a long, pregnant beat of a pause, and then eventually, the Leary's quaint falsetto comes out: "... What?"

"Two points to The Salon!" Katarina squeals with pleasure, encouraging Cady to drink away her shot of whisky and delicately shooing her off. "Don't worry, mi'lady. I quite adore you for your other redeeming qualities. Deconstructing my drunken philosophical questions is certainly not for the faint of heeaart." A hiccup, and then she is squinting at the line. "Lady Octavia, can rational thought exist without language?" she throws Octavia a fast one on the sly, then waves up the next person.

Turn in line: Tyren

Octavia checked intellect + empathy at difficulty 25, rolling 23 higher.

"Nyeh--" Cady downs the shot of whisky, washing away the pretty taste of her sparkling wine with the sugar-y, dark liqour. "My -other- ones? So my mundane brain is a redeeming quality after all, huzzah," she says with liqoured sarcasm, hazy smiles all around. "Someone tell Fairen!" Seconds later, she's back at the bar, replacing the whiskey flavor with the light carbonation of her set-aside rose.

Octavia snatches up a drink, quaffs it, and then replies, "No more than language can exist without rational thought, but what is a language? Is it Arvani or Eurusi? Are words required, or can pictures or intents form a language?"

Katarina just stares at Octavia for a moment, seeming to deliberate over that. "Language can be whatever that conveys meaning universally between parties, perhaps? Like the language of flowers, or the language of stoats, or the language of tea reading..." She trails off, searching for Tyren in the crowd. "Has anyone seen my cousin? I thought he was next?"

"Or Sarcasm." Kenna tosses that out there and drinks again, even if it isn't her turn. Drinking is fun. "JEffeth!" Calling out to the large knight that is somewhere, "Is fighting a language?"


Tyren clears his throat there at the bar, parting away from his companions as Katarina goes searching for him. "I'm right here, cousin," he calls in an even voice towards Katarina, his right arm kept prone at his side while he lifts the left to catch her attention. "I hope you saved an interesting question for me. All of the others have been very thought provoking," he remarks to her.

Katarina bows her head toward Tyren. "I saved one that I would think all of us would have had to ask ourselves, especially those of us who are servants of the public justice and defense. Be they magistrates, knights, priests, it's had to have come up once," she leads with that, handing her cousin a glass of a salt-rimmed concoction of mixed alcohols. "Are intentions or outcomes more important when judging whether actions are moral?"

Tyren checked composure + manipulation at difficulty 20, rolling 28 higher.

Blinking over to Kenna, Jeffeth arches his brows. "No, fighting is fighting." He explains masterfully. "Arvani is a language." He clearly was distracted.

Kenna sighs dramatically. "If you weren't so handsome Jeffeth, I would think you were impossible." Another drink. She's not trying to stay sober.

Octavia smirks slightly at Jeffeth's response as she finds herself a seat and a glass of something warm. "All men are impossible, Lady Kenna," Octavia notes. "It is their nature."


Tyren takes the glass offered to him with his left hand, squinting at the concoction and lifting it to his nose to sniff. His expression remains largely neutral, making it difficult to deduce what he thinks of the drink - or the question - though the former goes down the hatch in a single swallow. "I think the answer depends on your own personal ethics," he says in a measured tone of voice. "But to me personally? It isn't about what you do, but who you are when you are doing it, that matters." It is a simple answer, and he sets his empty glass back down before he dips his head to Katarina, "This was intriguing." And then he goes back to the bar, rather quick to retrieve the glass of whiskey he left behind and take a long swallow of it.

Turn in line: Tesha

Giving a dull look around the room, Jeffeth looks back to Kenna. "Did I answer wrong?"

Katarina considers Tyren at length, absorbing his choice of words before merely offering him a soft smile. "Well said, my dear cousin," she commends, then turns to seek out their last contestant. "Lady Tesha, you are last but certainly not least. Ready?"

"Not //all// men. I mean. There are ways to make them make sense." That is said with wide grin before she rolls her eyes at JEffeth. "No Sir Jeffeth. You answered perfectly. Keep drinking, it's all good."

Tesha gives a look to Tyren as he speaks and there's a smile. Then she realizes it's her turn. And Katarina confirms it. She gives a wave to her, "Yes, your highness. I'm ready. Hopefully." the Telmar woman states with a nod of her head to that.


"Good luck," Tyren offers to Tesha as she's called to the front, lifting his glass of whiskey to her in salute. He leans back against the bar afterward, watching with tempered interest.

Sparte has been quietly watching, listening, squinting, and tilting his head at the various things said in various quantities. That comes to an end as a messenger comes to him, eyes glancing over the missive only briefly before he is at his feet and off towards the door.

Sparte has left the Far rear couches.

Katarina offers Tesha a delicate smile. "I've been hoping for an opportunity to probe your mind on this one personally," she says, golden eyes briefly shifting toward Sparte when she notices him, at last, as he is preparing to depart. "Do you believe that the birth-given responsibility of the nobility to rule over the common born is a conflict of their freedom of choice?"

Wilhelm the Iron Messenger leaves, following Sparte.

Tesha checked intellect + diplomacy at difficulty 20, rolling 28 higher.

The line has been dismissed by Katarina.

Tesha gives a bit of a dip of her head to that question from Katarina, "That is a very good question, your highness." she tells her. "Being born into anything and saying that you have to do something means that you don't really have a choice to most people. Some get around this by becoming Godsworn or by other means. Some embrace it." she states.

Tyren considers Tesha's answer with a slow sip of his whiskey, though after a moment, he nods approvingly. "Well said, Lady Tesha," he says to her.

Katarina considers Tesha at length, passing her shot of crisp white liquor. "You chose an answer steeped in diplomacy, rather than actually giving insight on your personal thoughts. I will not begrudge you that, but you most certainly will be one drink deeper into the cups for it." Hers is a warm smile for the Telmar lady, stepping down off her stool to address the remnants of the party. "Plying others with drinks while they answer questions like these are often a great way to shed some insight on how they truly think when their inhibitions are lowered. Many of you weren't really quite deep in the drink as I'd like, but you're all bright and wonderful minds that I loved exploring and would readily do so again. The Salon is accepting new members to fill a variety of roles as we gear up to take a more aggressive and proactive role in achieving our goals of approaching dilemmas from new angles and uncovering more information. If the prospect of true adventure, enlightenment, and discovery entices you and you, too, want to play an active part in it? Join us."

Katarina is overheard praising Joslyn.

Octavia is overheard praising Katarina: Philosophy pairs well with whisky!