1 Greenmarch Guard arrives, following Margret.

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

Rodrigo, 1 Greenmarch Guard arrive, following Alessandro.

The Traders Tavern has been given over, at least in part, to the first meeting of the Blissciples! Mugs of ale and mead line the bar, reinforced by a rear rank of shot glasses of whiskey. Even those not actively attending the meeting are drawn into the periphery of it, by dent of being more than willing to take up the offer of free food and drink. The wine that is passed around is at least of respectable quality. The shutters stand open against the Spring air, permitting the warmth to invade the tavern and the refreshing breaths of fresh air to whistle softly indoors.

The so-called Chief Blissciple carries in one hand a mug of the aforementioned mead and a shot glass in the other. Hadrian moves among the bodies presently within the tavern and even those filtering in, rubbing elbows and generally having good-natured fun amongst amiable company. For the time being. Harlequin eyes dart one way and then another, taking stock of the tavern and clearly stalling to allow the last bodies to filter in for the meeting before it officially begins.

Hadrian may be the self-styled Chief Blissciple, but Margret is Bliss' Best Friend, so clearly she and Alessandro have to make an appearance. It's the latter that is posing in right now, with the former on his arm, and he's talking to her as they come through the door. "...have to have //another// duel for the title," he's saying, "but I think I will allow him to claim it for now." You're welcome, Hadrian.

Right for the free food and drink Caspian goes, rolling his eyes with a good natured grin as he looks over to Hadrian, "You orginized this? I'm gonna admit I'm a little jealous. I don't have a fan club! Oh well. I guess I'll remain my own number one fan!" He says with a laugh, grabbing himself some ale.

Captain Teemo, a mountain lion cub, Flappinum, a human with many opinions arrive, following Leona.

Scribble, a Delicate Social Butterfly arrives, following Delilah.

"I did," Hadrian confirms to Caspian with a polite dip of his chin before he continues, "for the first meeting? This will suffice. My hope is one day to have these meetings on the Judgment Green... where else would be more fitting? And showcase a sea of our favorite duelist's fans," Hadrian explains with a good cheer and a charcoal-whitened grin. The mug in hand and the shot glass in the other, he offers both out for Caspian. Take one. Take both. Take whatever. The unspoken instructions no doubt were. Hadrian's eyes alight as more filter in to join the gathering, boozing, and feasting. Alessandro and Margret earn a lift of his chin in greeting and a call out to the pair, "Welcome, welcome! Come in, eat, drink, and all the rest! Strike up a conversation about our favorite duelist, tell a tale of her, an experience, this is a night about supporting one of the most scintillating entertainers that the Compact has to offer!"

"I miss the old days where people just decided to be friends or biggest fans without a duel, but such is the world we now live in." Margret says as she walks in on Alessandro's arm. They find some drinks from the bar before finding a place to sit down. "Marquis thank you for arranging this." She says to Hadrian with a soft smile. To Caspian she says, "Don't have a fan club yet, you mean. Maybe champions should start having fan clubs."

Two Nox'alfar walk into a bar. It's not a joke, two Nox'alfar literally walk into a bar, and between them walks Dame Leona of the King's Own. The three of them, plus a less well-known and less recognizable young man, plus a mountain lion cub wearing a black bandana, are not the most usual sight in Arvum. And as they step into the festive setting, Leona switches to Arvani as she apparently lays down the law. "No Follies, no duels to the death, and if Bliss shows up you may -ask- for an autograph but you may not fight humans who got there first." One of them - a man - just nods glumly, while the other, a woman, looks mulish. Until Leona adds, "Or I'll champion whichever human it is." At that, they mutter something unintelligible and concede. Leona pauses then and takes a deep breath, looking around for familiar faces perhaps. And finding none.

A young woman drifting into the Traders Tavern is not a special event. No evening will be made by someone untitled, unelven, unwhispered traipsing by. Delilah, however, has a book! Books can be the source of fascination, however, and she carries that with a certain sort of amused mirth as she flips over a page. It helps she has a stylus and manages not to crash into the door, rotating to her side as the narrowing aperture shutting behind another patron permits her past. Her sidestep becomes a quick thing that delivers her into the crux of it all, excitement and drinks washing over her. The light kick of her slipper notches her hemline up some to avoid planting on her face, and then she raises her chin, taking in her surroundings with relish. Or rather, the people therein. "Ah! Lady Greenmarch, good evening!" she sings in bright regard, and that means somewhere else must be about -- Alessandro, perhaps, another of Greenmarch extraction. She doesn't complain overly so of the Nox'alfar, though her eyes do widen upon finding them, then narrow an instant before the smile is back in place.

"And I'll champion for the two Nox'alfar guests," Caspian says back over to Leona, giving her an amused grin as he lifts his ale in their direction. "I think I can take you." With a wink he drinks the ale, then gives a wave over to Delilah, "Long time no see, Lady Delilah."

"That would hardly be as entertaining, would it?" Alessandro remarks to his wife, though dryly, before he looks back at Hadrian, inclining his head to the Marquis. "Marquis," he says. "Thank you for hosting this. I am ready to hear many exciting tales." His smile widens just slightly as he heads to a seat with Margret -- after getting a drink for himself, of course, and there's a nod to Caspian then, "Grandmaster."

He turns toward the door as Leona and company enter, and there's just a little pause, though nothing overly long, more of surprise than anything else, before he nods to them as well. "Good evening," he says, then lifts a hand to Delilah. "Lady Whitehawk, good to see you as always."

"Take me where?" Leona queries Caspian with a blank look in her eyes momentarily, and the understanding dawns. "Oh, oh no. Not that kind of duel," she says. And then she changes the subject entirely and to the group assembled she adds, "This is Norever, and Sallialias. They're definitely fans." She steps to one side to let others come in, and her enterouge follows her. "Delilah," she adds in greeting to the other woman with a thoughtful look in her eyes. "It's good to see you."

"We're the biggest fans," Norever asserts. "Bigger than any of you." His chin comes up as the challenge is laid.

"I can think of a few more things that could be entertaining." Margret retorts with a sip from her drink. Her gaze drifts to the door when Leona's eclectic group walks in. The two Nox get a curious look, but it is the lion cub that draws a "Awwww!" from her. This is soon followed by tugging a little on Alessandro's shoulder while she exclaims, "Look at his little scarf!" Delilah gains her attention and she says, "Good evening, Lady Whitehawk."

The arrival of Dame Leona and the Nox'alfar and, really, the rest of her strange entourage earns high eyebrows from Hadrian. Leona's comments to the Nox'alfar and then Caspian's answer to it results in Hadrian's lips pursing together before he begins to laugh aloud, "Dame Leona is a knight of the King's Own," Hadrian remarks with a glance toward Caspian. His smile only grows wider before the Marquis-Consort shrugs lightly and concludes with a genuinely spoken, "good luck". Then Hadrian's attention bounds around to the other guests in attendance, he tips back the glass of whiskey, and then sets it aside with a hiss through barely parted lips. The Nox'alfar are greeting with a polite bow before Hadrian welcomes them with a gesturing hand, "If it suits you, we would be honored to have... what I assume to be members of the Twilight Court Club, to join us and share some of their own stories and... well then..." he begins to laugh at Norever's assertion. Hadrian seems to consider Norever for a moment before he moves up to his feet and his hands spread out before him, to the sides, and he offers with a cool smile, "Very well, Norever... I wouldn't be a suitable Chief Blissciple if I were to shrink from such a claim. The Blissciples? Are certainly the biggest fans, especially among those present...", Hadrian offers back playfully with a broad grin, "...name your Champion."

"He is a handsome, inquisitive lion, isn't he?" Delilah observes, flipping over another age in her book with the metallic tip of her pen. The sharp nib fails to impress ink on the parchment, all the better, lest she be forced to crumple up a ball to entertain someone other than Teemo with. Perhaps the Nox'alfar. Her smile brightens by intense shades, a small sun unto itself, feeding the intensity of her voice. "A terribly long time, Master Wild! I almost might think you were avoiding me, did I not know better how your schedule must flow with the Champions. You made an excellent Cerdic, though." She practically stands on her toes for a moment, and then smiles at Alessandro and Margret. "It's wonderful to see you both. Lady Delilah, if we must stand on titles, please? Else my mother came to the city." Innocence paints over her features for merely a moment, and she seeks somewhere to sit, settling herself not terribly far from the others. Perchance not far from their further-traveling guests, either.

"He is all of those things," Leona responds to Delilah with a warm smile. As he's addressed, Teemo pads his way over to Delilah and headbumps her book imperiously.

Norever flicks a glance at Leona, who raises one eyebrow as she regards him in turn. And then he sighs and says, "Champion Bliss." He gives Hadrian a slightly triumphant look. "We like her more than you do anyway."

Now Sallialias pipes up. "Didn't think of that before you challenged, did you? Hmph." She folds her arms across her chest. "And she can't fight herself. So even if we lose we win, because it'll be us that she's championing." She sniffs, looking around. "What is it you do at these meetings?"

"That is a pretty cute lion," Caspian notes, though he laughs when Hadrian issues a challenge, and even harder when the Nox play their trump card. "You could always pick the better Champion, Caspian Wild." Bomb thrown. Take cover everyone!

Alessandro looks down at the lion cub when Margret points it out, and there's a little softer smile, though laced with amusement as well, as it tends to be. "A fine addition to our group," he confirms as he reaches to put an arm around Margret's shoulders, nodding to the Nox'alfar pair as they're introduced. "You will have to be content with 'best friend,' Margret," he says. "You will never hope to gain Chief Blissciple in present company." He turns to Delilah then, watching as the cub moves toward her. "Lady Delilah, then."

"Outmaneuevered," Hadrian intones solemnly with a dip of his chin for Norever, "well played... Norever, was it? Well played, indeed. Let us not forget though that your Champion must first choose to represent you. I've no doubt that she make be willing. I am, however, not going to play fair. Luigi? Run!" That, it would seem, sends Luigi dashing from the tavern with Hadrian laughing after him. Then the Marquis' harlequin eyes pass from Norever to Sallialias, "What do we do? This is the first one. It's for the Blissciples to shape and form it, nurture and grow it. The underlying fact is that it's meant to support the phenomenal Champion known as Bliss Whisper, of course! She has personally dueled on my behalf, over and over and over, in recent campaigns with the Abandoned. Every. Single. Victory. Has brought her acclaim, my personal respect, and celebrity status in Ostria - just as I'm told she possesses among the Twilight Court. So, really?" Hadrian offers a quiet chuckle and gestures from the collection of Blissciples to Sallialias, "We're not so different in our adoration of Bliss!"

"Lovely to see you, Lady Delilah." Margret amends. "Oh darn. Well, I wouldn't want to deprive the Marquis." She says in response to Alessandro, and then she reaches for her wrist to twist the friendship bracelet that is usually there...only to touch her wrist. She lets out a startled little sound, and looks down at her wrist before she looks up at Alessandro with a a furrowed brow, "I must have forgot my bracelet! I need to make sure it's at home..."

"You can't compare your human cities to the Twilight Court!" Norever's response is immediate and offended. "You have no idea the majesty! The magic! The..."

Leona's voice interrupts. "Norever! We're in Arx. We're going to agree to disagree, and you can let them be the finest Blissciples in Arx. Or the finest human Blissciples." She presses the bridge of her nose between thumb and forefinger just as the young man at her side speaks up.

"What is a Blissciple?" Flappinum seems very much like he disapproves.

Leona just groans. Someone is getting a headache, it seems.

The gamboling lion receives a gentle smile out of Delilah, and she lifts her pen. "Finding a title has been outfoxing me," she says quietly to Captain Teemo, though anyone with a reasonably sharp sense of hearing might well pick up the bemusement in her voice. Whatever troubles presumably holds her quieter than might normally be her wont.

The throw of the shuttle between the participants in the game hold her consideration, doubly so given the others joining the fray. She lowers her fingers and dabbles them, should the lion wish to be petted or because she simply enjoys so. "I claim no prospect of rising much higher than I have. Chief Blissciple, best friend. Errant recorder, perchance? Scribe of Blissful Sensations? Ardent observer?"

"It is a nickname that Bliss herself found amusing. So you find it amusing. I find it amusing. We find it amusing," Hadrian answers Flappinum quite seriously and with a firm stare. Then his expression softens and returns to the other guests, back and around to both Margret and Alessandro, "We have someone who has identified herself as Bliss' best friend among us too," Hadrian says with a glance accompanied by a growing smile to both Norever and Sallialias, "right here". Hadrian gestures directly to Margret before his attention shifts around to regard Leona, "Dame Leona speaks truly. I don't for a moment doubt your dedication to such a refined and wonderful Champion. It's not about who likes her more, is the best this or that among her fans. What is important? Is that we support her. I don't care whether you believe yourself her biggest fans or not, or her best friend," Hadrian says with another flick of his eyes toward Margret, "what is important is that her fans, the Blissciples, are always ready to set aside differences and be there to sing her praises!"

Hadrian is overheard praising Bliss: The most scintillating entertainer to grace the Compact in at least like three years, maybe four! Maybe a decade! Who knows, it doesn't matter! The Blissciples have her back, through thick and thin!

iAlessandro looks to Margret again at the mention of the missing bracelet, and he frowns as well, sympathetically. "I am sure it is at home," he says. "You took it off to let Valarienne try it, you must have forgotten to put it back on. Would you like to go home and get it?" He has to nod at Hadrian's words, though, and his expression gets a little rueful, though there's still some amusement there, indicating he's not entirely serious. "I lost a duel to confirm that Margret is, indeed, Bliss' best friend, and not mine," he laments. "So it has been confirmed by Gloria."

5 House Mazetti Guardians, Possum arrive, following Cambria.

Jared, an overworked-looking, nervous Apprentice Whisper, Harlex, Cambria arrive, following Bliss.

Finally, Sallialias looks marginally impressed. "Best friend, hmm?" She looks at Margret but there's a predatory look, and then she confirms it. "If you die, who gets the bracelet? You keep what you kill right?"

"SAL." Leona's clearly regretting her life choices right now.

"What? Then I'd be her best friend! Think of it!" Sallialias gets this dreamy look in her eyes.

"Then we could have a Folly to determine who got to keep the bracelet and be her best friend." Norever, the helper.

"Not helping," Leona says on a sigh. She looks directly at Hadrian. "I swear I regret everything right now, but they were just so insistant, and I couldn't just let them come and not be here too. For, well. Obvious reasons. Whatever you do, don't agree to a Folly."

Jared, an overworked-looking, nervous Apprentice Whisper have been dismissed.

"Dame Leona? Then we are thankful for your presence. Naturally we'd like to keep things light and any resultant duels as less-than-deadly as possible," Hadrian answers with a shallow bow toward the knight. Then Hadrian's hand lifts to take a sip from his mug of mead, but pauses to ask over the rim of it, "I must ask, because I've heard that used before from Bliss herself... what precisely is a Folly? And, full disclaimer, my use of the word is in no way intended to be acceptance of one. A duel to the death, I assume?" Hadrian eyes flit around to regard the others present, then back to Leona. Though he nods toward Norever and Sallialias, then to Margret, "This whole bracelet notion has presented me with a wonderful idea though. So, thank you, all of you," Hadrian says with a suddenly bright, charcoal-whitened grin as he gestures toward the Nox'alfar, "I'd love it if you, accompanied by Dame Leona, were to come to our next meeting. I'd like to extend a gift to the two of you at that time." Hadrian then glances back to Leona, as though silently questioning whether such was an acceptable practice.

"Sing her praise, speak them, write them, chime them in atunal tones. Take your pick. She is worthy of such words," Delilah states as she blows a light breath across her paper and closes the book. She sets her elbows on the table, propping her chin across the bridge drawn by her interlaced fingers.

"Oh I let her try on everything!" Margret says fretfully as she reaches for her hand to check that her wedding ring is there. She lets out a sigh of relief when she feels it on her hand. She gives Hadrian a distracted smile before she reaches into her pocket to look for her bracelet. Only to stop and stare at Sallialias when the Nox asks that question. "That's not how best friends works." She says with a furrowing brow, "You can't kill someone's friend and then be friends with them, generally." She then turns her head to look at Alessandro in a quizzical manner before she says, "We should go in a few minutes to find it."

Something passes by the the window leading outside the tavern. A brunette woman speaking animatedly, one hand holding a wineskin, the other arm wrapped around Cambria's, with Harlex beside her. Could it be? The question is answered immediately as the door opens, and in strides Bliss Whisper herself, the wineskin to her mouth and preventing any communication just at this moment as her eyes swoop over the gathered crowd. She pulls it away, swallows, and then bursts into a bright grin, a soft laugh behind it. "Oh, my! If it isn't a group of many of my favorite people!" she says warmly, taking a moment to greet each one as she looks them over. "Lady Delilah, a charm. Dame Leona - ah, it's been too long, we really should have a drink sometime! Marquis Hadrian, Marquis Hadrian, my Chief /Arvani/ Blissciple," she says, stressing that word for some reason. The look in her eyes?

Oh, she knows. She has some idea.

Bliss then wiggles her fingers at Alessandro and Margret both. "The Greenmarchers, my Gloria-defined best friend, how are you both?" she asks, and then her eyes land on the Nox and her smile turns purely delighted. "And Norever and Sallallias. Are you two causing enough trouble yet? Or do I need to help?" she wonders, waving a parchment alongside her wineskin for a moment. "What's this about me being called as a Champion?"

Harlex moves in behind them and then b-lines for the familiar bar as Bliss makes her exquisite entrance. He sets down his bestial helmet and wraps his gauntlet-clad knuckles on the surface. "Whiskey. No fuss. Leave the bottle," are his instructions. Succinct and befitting the man. He shifts after a portent of movement from his coarse fur long cloak and rests a clawed hand casually on the pommel of a sword, observing the spectacle.

Hadrian is overheard praising Bliss: OH! EM! GOODNESS! IT'S HER!!!

Alessandro's eyebrows raise as his gaze moves between the two Nox'alfar while they discuss how best to obtain Margret's friendship bracelet. He doesn't say anything yet, though his eyes do narrow just a touch. Instead of offering his own opinion, though, he nods at what Margret says, agreeing, "It is not how it is usually done." He turns to Delilah then instead as she speaks, and there's a nod from him as he continues, "Indeed. Though I cannot hope to do any of those very well, and so I will only add my applause to those who are more talented than I." But then, the woman of the hour herself arrives! "Bliss Whisper," he says, "we are quite well, as I hope you are, too."

Cambria strolls in with Bliss and Harlex, the Mazetti Marquessa looking only too pleased about something. Her blue eyes pass over the room, noting the guests, in particular Leona and the two Nox'alfar. She leans in to murmur something to Bliss, then straightens, smiling anew.

"Dame Leona, I must say that I am having a lucky night. I have had the pleasure of attending the same social affair as you twice this day." Finally she looks to Hadrian, up and down and up and down - vaguely judgmental.

Sallialias fans herself as Bliss appears, and looks a little awestruck.

Norever lets out a shout. "I TOLD YOU SHE'D BE HERE," he says to Sallialias. It's unusual for him to be this animated - at least, those who know him know this - but then it's unusual for him to be around Bliss too. Though he looks accusingly at Leona. "You could have invited her over for drinks /at any time/?"

"She's busy, Norever. So am I." Leona is attempting not to look pained. "It's good to see you Bliss. Since I have /OUTLAWED FOLLIES/," she says with loud and firm emphasis on those two words, "they were challenged for who are your best fans." She sighs heavily. "I am simply escorting this evening, and trying to keep this from deteriorating into death and follies. I know they're wonderfully fun and all, but there are rules here and I don't want to have to explain to the King why two Nox'alfar went on a killing spree for funsies. You understand yes? We'll - catch up later this week, if you'd like?"

And then Leona looks at Cambria and smiles. "Marquessa Cambria. It's a pleasure to see you for a second time, but of course you see why I had to leave that other affair early."

Delilah's not much in a talkative mood, but she allows for a quiet smile when Bliss comes fully into the tavern. "Enchanted, as ever." The pen capped she stabs into her hair, the thick woven ropes of her plaited hair serving as a flower at her nape. Twisting and fiddling with the instrument plunges the cap into the petalled heart. Two nudges and she has a new hairstick to match her modest coiffure. The book hugged to her chest, she pushes the seat back. An easy movement disengages her from it, and she nods to the Greenmarch couple. "Best of luck with it. I think I'll try to sleep a few days in a go."

Delilah slips for the door, on that note.

Scribble, a Delicate Social Butterfly leaves, following Delilah.

"Yes, of course. Chief *Arvani* Blissciple. My apologies, Bliss," Hadrian echoes with a shallow dip of his chin in answer. It would seem that Hadrian was attempting to keep himself from rushing the arriving celebrity. Though the continued talk of Follies results in Hadrian moving to his wife, which in turn brings him closer to Bliss. Hadrian lifts a hand and attempts to press the pad of a lone finger to Cambria's lips as he hushes at her, "Ssshhh, don't judge me". Then he murmurs quietly toward both Bliss and Cambria.

Cambria: suitably shushed.

"Bliss hi!" Margret says, and she waves her hand to the Whisper Champion before admitting, "I forgot my bracelet at home so we're going to search for it! Have fun with your fans!" She looks rather pointedly at the two Nox who have gone from strategizing friendship via murder to fangirling over Bliss. She and Alessandro both begin standing up from their spot, and start towards the door. "Have a lovely night." She says cheerfully as she passes everyone on the way out.

How much cheap whiskey can a man drink in a day--Harlex doesn't ask, but seeks to find out. He tips the bottle over the cup and pours it stiffly, snatched then in the slow grasp of his hand. The first drink gets a little sight from him and he turns to listen, half-leaning on the bar. He stays on his feet though, even after the mention of a /lack/ of trouble. He tongues his right canine, eyes aside, with some mild disappointment that registers on his features.

With a tilt of her head at Cambria's whisper, Bliss turns her own back and just waggles her brows at the woman, saying, "Welcome to my life," with a lift of her hand to squeeze the woman's shoulder briefly before she turns her head to Norever and rolls her eyes in good natured humor. "Oh, Norever," she tells the Nox, "I do hope you know I took time /specifically/ out of my schedule when I'd heard that those who had been my fans the longest had shown up." She blows him a soft kiss, wiggling her fingers after, before turning to Leona and saying, "Aw, you're holding them back? I suppose that's fine, that's fine, I mean, I didn't want to have a good time tonight anyway," she bemoans, putting on dramatic airs as her forearm lifts to her forehead, the wineskin going up a little slower - held in her right arm, that scar bared on her shoulder in her strapless gown. She pauses a moment, opening one eye to look right at Leona, and gives her a nod. "I would /love/ to, Dame Leona. But as you said - we are both busy women. We will make it work!" With that, she's once again being whispered to, and snorts. "I'll tell the full story of my Folly soon, Marquis Hadrian. It is the sort of thing that requires a stage to do properly. And even then, it's only a tenth as fun - if that - as the real thing. No chance of death!" She tuts, and tuts again.

And then, belatedly, she is just walking right over to Margret and Alessandro, wrapping an arm around each in a quick hug. "Soon!" she tells them, giving each a pointed look. Then wandering somewhere. Drinks? Drinks.

Rodrigo, 1 Greenmarch Guard leave, following Alessandro.

1 Greenmarch Guard, Alessandro leave, following Margret.

Hadrian lifts a hand to brush a strand of hair from his forehead as he glances from Bliss to Cambria, then he shrugs lightly. The confused expression that briefly flashes across his features is soon replaced by wide, starry-eyed enthusiasm and a bright smile, "I can't think of something that I'm looking forward to more, right now! When the time comes that you'd like that stage to present your tale? Please, let me know! I'd love to help make arrangements for it," Hadrian says, clearly hopeful. Then his attention shifts back aside to Cambria, whom he finally withdraws his finger from the mouth of with a quiet, "Mm, sorry. Got distracted. Look, it's Bliss." Hadrian gestures to Bliss, for Cambria's benefit. Who cares if they're standing next to one another. Or arrived in the company of one another.

As others prepare to leave, Cambria bids them farewell before moving deeper into the room. "I have been walking all across this city," she bemoans, dropping herself into a nearby booth, arms and legs akimbo, much like a puppet with its strings cut. "It /is/ Bliss. We walked /together/ here," she says to Hadrian And then, "Pull yourself together. You are the host." She sniffs, nose in the air, haughty as you please.

"I enjoy a good story as much as the next, and some times there is a new life in the retelling of a thing. Maybe you aren't the one experiencing it all over again, but the listener is living it for the first time, and that is its own magic." A server is waved over, and the Marquessa orders a glass of wine.

Leona is perhaps too staid for this sort of thing. Perhaps. Or maybe she's just a little too serious, this woman of the King's Own. "I appreciate," she says firmly, "that you are willing to risk life and limb in a Folly. But I am not going to allow An Incident by holding a Folly in the middle of Arx without rigorous vetting, warning, and clearing the innocent bystanders out of the way. Perhaps you might not mean to, but there are treaty terms and w... when the Nox'alfar agree to something, then they stick to something. Correct?"

This produces a conference, where Norever and Sallialias pull Leona over and start talking to her. It sounds a lot like negotiating, or perhaps complaining - but then Leona takes a deep breath and lets it out very slowly. "As you see, I am quite determined on all counts," she says. "But remember you'll be able to tell everyone else at the Embassy that you spent the evening with Champion Bliss." She looks at Bliss curiously. "I would like to hear your perspective of the Folly. I am always curious about what the human perception is of these sorts of things." Leona is definitely sticking out like a sore thumb here.

Harlex has the stomach now--or courage--to indulge in socializing. He steps forward and in a very low, clear voice says, "What's a Folly?" He takes a steady drink of whiskey and looks between the fan club.

"Thank you!" Hadrian says with hands that thrust in the direction of Harlex. Though he does spare an aside to Cambria, "Yes, yes, I am pulled together. Why are you here? Gosh!"

With the crowd starting to disperse, there's a little disappointed pout from Bliss, before she finds the wineskin in her hand and takes a drink from it. As she does so, her eyes flick to Hadrian, Leona. Norever, Sallialias, Cambria, Harlex. She pulls the skin away with a slow motion, then the Whisper, that woman who is obviously supposed to be the epitome of grace and dignity, lifts up a leg and takes a step up onto a chair in front of her. Then onto the table. It seems she has found a stage. "What's a Folly?!" she asks, arms extending to the side in performative exasperation. "My Folly," she says, and she looks at Leona as she answers this question (and is that open honesty in her eyes as she speaks) "was the most fun I have ever had in my life. It is the second most intense thing you can experience, I believe, just barely behind trying to fit into an Oathlands corset with these," she states, bringing a hand up to lightly slap at her chest.

"A Folly is, well -" she looks at Norever and Sallialias. "It's sort of a combination of a game, a hunt, and a show. When done right. Isn't it?" She smiles at them, then looks at Harlex. "They still are allowed to do them if you get too close to the Twilight Court. You saw." Then to Hadrian and Cambria. "It started when I was coming back from Whitehold, after I drowned my sorrows in a trip on the dueling circuit. I had spent the night in a remote tavern deep in the Gray Forest, and /someone/ seemed rather impressed by the duel and song I had done, and got all their friends together to find me the next day, as far as I understand it."

The talk of Bliss' most intense experience earns a laugh from Hadrian before he reaches over to nudge some random tavern-goer and speaks loudly toward him. After that, Hadrian's attention turns back to Bliss to watch on with eyes widened in anticipation after Bliss steps from chair to table. As she begins to describe her Folly, Hadrian looks away for only a moment. It would seem he's torn between pulling up a chair to enjoy the show or to remain standing. Finally he seems to opt for the former as he moves to claim a chair nearby Cambria so that he may watch and listen with a bright grin etched into his sharp features. A fresh glass of wine delivered before him by a recently returned Luigi, Hadrian takes it up by the stem and lifts it in silent toast toward Bliss. When it lowers again, he drinks!

Hadrian is overheard praising Bliss: She's hilarious, too!

"They're always different," Leona says. "The good ones are anyway. Unique. You have to understand the Nox to understand the point of it all." It's a murmured sort of explanation, and Norever and Sallialias both wave hands at her to shush her, even as they lean forward, paying rapt attention.

"It's different from a human perspective," Sallialias says breathlessly. "Tell us more, Bliss!"

Norever joins her at this and the two of them start a chant, inviting every one of the Blissciples to join in. "Bliss! Bliss! Bliss!" Leona just watches them, sighing a little. It's hard to be the straight (wo)man in the middle of all of this.

Harlex pulls at his beard. Recollection in his cold, bright eyes. "Ah," he says and takes another drink. "That’s what all that was," the sellsword replies and then nods. He listens to the story, standing a little from the bar. His free hand resting on the pommel of his sword, idly scratching at it. "Impressive, make it through somethin' like that."

Hadrian's eyes flicker from Bliss and toward both Norever and Sallialias. A grin sudden blossoms onto his features as they begin their chant and Hadrian easily takes up the chant!

Hadrian is overheard praising Bliss: Bliss! Bliss! Bliss! Bliss! Bliss!

Ender, a Silver Gyrfalcon, Ursa arrive, following Marian.

Cambria considers the tale told by Bliss with a contemplative expression. She frowns faintly when Leona interjects, only to be shushed by her two Nox compatriots. She spared Hadrian a glance when he takes a seat close by. Rather than chant, she lifts her wine glass to the Whisper in a toast. "So it is entirely possible one may not /know/ they are participating in a Folly?"

Bliss seems to be standing on a table in the middle of the tavern, her arms out, at a small lull in a story as the crowd around her begins to comment on it, turning in slow circles as she speaks, her feet moving with the nimbleness of a Champion and a dancer both, the performer's grace clear in each of her movements. "Oh, you haven't even heard it really start yet," she tells Harlex with a laugh at his comment, then nods at Leona. "Each one is different. Most of them end in the same way." A pause, as she brings her hand up to slide a finger across the beige skin of her throat, from left to right in a long line. "At least one dead human, and the Nox wishing they had picked a better one."

The Whisper then shifts right back into her story, then lifts her brow at Cambria. "... Each one is different. I knew. You see - I woke up, still a little drunk, to two dozen Nox'alfar in full arms and armor surrounding my campsite, their wicked, hooked blades pointed right at me." She emphasizes the danger of the words by turning her hand into a claw, swiping out with a small snarl - and winking at the Nox. "They told me that I was in a Folly - and that from sunset to sunrise, it was up to me to survive. Then they scattered, and before I knew it, the arrows were coming - and I was being herded into the forest. And do you know what my reaction to all this was, dear listeners?" she wonders, her eyes sweeping the crowd.

The door opens to admit the hulking figure of Jeffeth Bayweather. It is clear to see that the man is wounded. Faded red marks on his neck that look like teeth, favoring one leg. From under his sleeves there are the fading red of what look like long slashed scratches nearing the backs of his hand. The big man's eyes widen as he enters the building, going to Bliss. Then Leona. Then Norever. Jeffeth takes a few steps back and leans against the wall, going silent, and folding his arms over his chest, for now.

Marian steps into the tavern, giving a pause for a moment when there is no loud joking, drinking and revelry. She realizes there is someone drawing all the patrons attention and looks to see Bliss Whisper there at the front, telling some story. She looks uncertain, as if she's not sure to stay or go. Then she sees Jeffeth against the wall and moves to join the other late comer. She gives a once over, notices the obvious wounds and gives a look of concern for the champion.

"Oh dear," Hadrian responds with a gasp as Bliss' tale begins in earnest. He spares only a brief glance back toward Norever and Sallialias, then back to Bliss and the question that she asks. That question earns an answer, guesses no doubt, from Hadrian, "Laughter?! Did you antagonize them!? Challenge them further?!"

Harlex is listening carefully but his eyes dart to the door, the huge frame that limps through it and then the next, familiar blood-haired woman. The black-steeled mercenary moves aside and joins them, a brief appraisal of Jeffeth before he gives them both a nod. "Evenin." He says, naturally quiet. But also, maybe, not trying to interrupt the narrative.

Cambria spares a glance towards Jeffeth and Marian, her brows lifting at the state of the burly Champion. Even so, she soon looks back to Bliss, not interrupting the tale - leaving it to Hadrian to supply an answer to her question. Every so often, she spares Leona and the two Nox'alfar a look as well, attempting to gauge their reactions to the story as it unfolds.

"It's better when she tells it," Norever says to Sallialias, and the two of them lean forward, rapt. Leona leans back instead, still listening but her eyes go to the big knight who enters and they narrow at the sight of his wounds. She gestures to the seat next to her, under which Teemo is lounging, one eyebrow raised as she waits for Bliss to continue the tale.

Another long drink from her wineskin refreshes the voice of the Champion, and Bliss smiles and lifts it in a silent salute to the two new entrants to her impromptu performance. With that out of the way, she takes a breath and continues. "Laughter," she confirms for Hadrian. "... A little bit of mocking," she adds with a wink. "It's part of why I think they had so much fun. You see - that's the whole point of them. Have fun. Because what is life if we don't live it, even on the brink of death? I was exhilarated - even in my fiercest duels, I'd never felt a rush like this. And as the arrows came, they guided me to my first challenge - something they thought I wouldn't see, wouldn't notice. A field of deadly traps, laid in tree branches, trip wires strung across the forest, hidden pits - even better pits hidden right beside the hidden pits to try to catch you off guard. And all the time, I hear elven voices calling to me, and we start trading jokes back and forth. I make sure to make a big show of everything - I act like I'm going to not notice that swinging log, and just happen to duck at the right time. Pure luck! I dance among the crossbow bolts. I start to whip out bits of song over things that I find that are particularly inspired!"

Pushing up off the wall the big man slowly goes into a bow to Marian after having a quiet conversation with her. He is then limping his way deeper into the room. Going to sit next to Leona, at the chair she directs him to. With a quiet grunt, Jeffeth places himself down and reaches out with one fist to bump into Teemo's skull once, in greeting. Leaning over the big man murmurs quietly to Leona before sitting up straight to listen to the tale.

Hadrian soon finds himself leaning forward, elbows planting into the surface of the table before himself, and his jaw resting within his awaiting palms. He watches on in fascinated silence, eyes slightly widened and his grin ever present. There are, at times, a surprised gasp! In other moments a sudden inhalation of breath as the tale unfolds. In other moments there are brief chuckles and nods, but all the while the Chief *Arvani* Blissciple seems to be enthralled by the tale of Folly.

Harlex moves to lean on the wall, sipping from his stiff pour of whiskey. He offers the cup to Marian, speaking quietly with her for a moment.

Bliss checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 53 higher.

Marian gives a polite nod to Jeffeth after the bow and then folds her arms in front of her leaning on the wall. She quietly listens as the story is told by Bliss. Her expression holds a bit of a surprise as if concepts like 'Folly' are new. When Harlex offers her a drink, she turns her attention and shakes her head, giving a quiet murmurs of thanks.

Bliss wields a red bladed rapier with a stark white basket hilt.

Where the Nox'alfar are enthralled, Leona looks more and more stonefaced the longer this story goes on. Oh, there's a smile on her face but it doesn't reach her eyes which are - so, so sad. Norever and Sallialias are silent as they are enthralled with the story, but Leona is lost in her thoughts, though she says something to Jeffeth under her breath.

Cambria, meanwhile, takes it all in the way a thoughtful scholar might. Leaning back within her seat, she crosses one leg over the other.

Continuing on with her story, Bliss draws her rubicund rapier suddenly, shifting into that classic fencer's pose with practiced ease as she begins to duel an invisible enemy while she speaks, her blade flashing into the air in rapid motion as she shifts her body, remembering some battle long past and staying true to form for each motion. "When I worked my way through the fields, that's when things started getting really interesting. The riddlemasters and duelists came out," she says as her feet move easily across the table. "What is the one thing which, once give away, you must keep? Your word. Things along these lines - things to keep my mind busy while my body was as well, each part of me being drawn out to its fullest height and potential. When one duelist took a steel kiss from Bliss, the next followed, and I didn't even realize how deep in I had gotten. How far into the forest I was, how long ago I had left the road, how deep the night was - the full moon hanging bright in the sky." She shakes her head, tossing the rapier in the air, and catching it by the hilt as it falls back down. "Hour after hour," she says, her movements stop. "The tests came harder, faster, each one more and more - until the first light of dawn started coming up in those twisted trees, the world itself looking like it had been cursed around me, and their captain came up to me, bowed, and told me I had won." She slips her rapier back into its sheathe. "That was my Folly," she says after a moment, stepping off the table, her umbra skirt billowing up as she lands nimbly on her feet, knee bending slightly to absorb the shock. "The night I caught the attention of the Nox'alfar, when I finally found the one thing in the world that truly made sense to me."

Leona checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

"This sounds like an orgy I took part in once," Hadrian says as an aside to Cambria with a stoic nod of his head. Then he's back to being silent and attentive to the tale told by Bliss. He watches her rapier slash and stab, parry and riposte. When Bliss dismounts from the table, the tale of her Folly ended, only then does Hadrian surge to his feet and begin to clap loudly for her, "Bliss! Bliss! Bliss! Bliss!", he chants out renewing the cheer began by the Nox'alfar a short time ago.

Cambria checked composure at difficulty 25, rolling 7 higher.

Cambria checked willpower at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Marian checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Harlex checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Hadrian is overheard praising Bliss: The telling of her Folly is a thing I will never forget!

Leona stands abruptly as Bliss' story ends, and there's a shimmer in her eyes, a shine that is not the candles and the flickering lights in the tavern.

At her side Norever and Sallialias leap up clapping. "Bliss! Bliss! Bliss!" Their chants are loud once more, even as Leona's other companions - fallen silent for the story - stand as well.

And then Leona is bowing to Bliss. "There is no greater exemplification of the joy of humanity than your story," she says feelingly. "Thank you for sharing." Now she turns her attention to Hadrian. "And thank you for hosting, but it is time we made our way home." And so saying she steps out of the tavern, with her enterouge following her, though Norever and Sallialias look briefly reluctant - and then briefly concerned as they hurry after Leona.

Captain Teemo, a mountain lion cub, Flappinum, a human with many opinions leave, following Leona.

When Bliss concludes her story of her Folly, Cambria brings her hands together in an appreciative applause. "An amazing success," she says. It appears as if the Marquessa is about to say more when Hadrian casually interjects about past...parties. Her mouth opens, then closes. Her expression remains composed, neutral, even. There is a faint clearing of her throat before she carries on with what one must assume was her previous thought. "Too few people understand the world around them, or their place in it. So whether or not others share your sentiments? I think it is..." She gestures to Leona when she speaks. "I believe Dame Leona says it best."

Jeffeth aims a sad smile up at Leona as she stands and makes her way out. Leaning against his chair, he tips his head in to what she murmurs to him then watches her go. The big man frowns once she's gone, but it warms back to a smile when he looks back to Bliss. His hands slap together in resounding applause.

Bliss checked composure at difficulty 30, rolling 17 lower.

Marian listens quietly to the story and claps politely at the end, letting the storyteller know, "Excellent ending." Since she can not comment on the whole story. She gives a polite nod to Leona as she leaves.

And after all of that? What Leona says to Bliss seems to have hit the woman like the log that she claimed to miss in the story, her face holding until the Knight is out the door and then her jaw just - dropping. She turns and looks at Jeffeth. She looks at the door again. She even seems to miss Hadrian's comment about orgies for a moment until her brain catches up with her and her jaw snaps closed. With a clearing of her throat, she sweeps her arm in front of her in a quick bow, then stands again slowly after. "... I think that is enough crashing of a party that's technically about me," she says after a moment, a - is that a blush?! - a blush on her face. "Marquessa," she says, lifting her chin to Cambria. "Would you care to walk me back to Whisper House?"

Harlex claps firmly but slowly. He studies the storyteller carefully. But Marian draws his attention and he nods to her, sipping from his cup.

The big man tilts his head down towards Bliss. Then goes to place his hand on the back of the chair and slowly pushes himself back up to his full height. Jeffeth then starts to limp quietly and wordlessly back to the door.

Standing to her feet, Cambria offers Bliss her arm, the other held behind her back in a knightly manner. "It would be my pleasure, friend," she says to Bliss. She spares a glance over her shoulder towards Hadrian, then says snootily, "Don't be jealous. You shall just have to ride in your palanquin alone."

Jared, an overworked-looking, nervous Apprentice Whisper have been dismissed.

It takes Bliss a moment to fully shake that off, then her warm smile is back, and as Jeffeth is walking by, she reaches up to touch the man on the shoulder. "You owe me a letter," she reminds the Knight of Solace, even as she closes the distance to Cambria and slips an arm around the other woman's, winking to Hadrian. "You should have someone get you grapes for the palanquin. They are required."

Leona's comment earns a deep bow of the head from Hadrian. As the knight makes her departure, Hadrian watches after her for only a brief time. The departure of her own entourage eventually results in Hadrian's focus snapping fully back to Bliss. Hadrian remains standing at Bliss' announcement of her imminent departure, "It was an unplanned surprise and we are thankful for it, Bliss," he begins before he gestures to the tavern, then back to Bliss, "Thank you for sharing your story with us and revealing to us, even more than was already apparent, why you are a Champion to be truly celebrated. On that note? I do think with the tale of your Folly told? There is no better way to bring this first meeting of the Blissciples to a close. Thank you," Hadrian then turns to the tavern as a whole, "for joining us in celebration of this amazing entertainer!"

Cambria's comments though draw Hadrian silent and a glance cast her way before he lifts his hands out to his sides in a shrug, "I was going to ride in it alone anyway. You weren't invited. I was going to ask Bliss to ride with me, which she would more than likely have declined. So that way I could sit in solitude and cry tears of bliss. So...", Hadrian's hand flicks out a few times, as if attempting to shoo away his wife.