By the time Marquis Fairen arrives in the Banquet Hall of Leary House, the House Staff are already setting up the table with a lavishing array of foods from Lycene bread and goat cheese to mashed potatoes, seasoned lamb chops and Thraxian clams, all arranged around the table in a colorful display. Scattered around the table are a few bottles of wine, with a crystaline glasses set up at each plate. Stepping into place at his seat, he smiles at the staff and moves to settle himself in his seat, watching and waiting to see who all arrives for dinner tonight.

Rowenova shows up in her full leathers and wolf pelt with Sir Floppington who step in side by side. "Hmm, I wonder if Lord Corbit and Lady Cady are here." says she before looking around the rustic domain as well as table setting and the Marquis Fairen to whom she enthusiastically waves her gloved, right hand!

Cora is moving slowly tonight, a little six yr old with her who's hand is in her's and who is asking a miliion questions. Cora is walking stiffly but she seems more intent on speaking to the little girl then whatever is paining her. As they arrive and are show in, Cora's cavelcade, is show to where they go, and the pair continue inside.

Fairen is given a warm smile and as she makes it his direction she angles in for a hug, assuming he stands it is easier. "Cousin, lovely spread as always, this is Avery, my ward. Avery this is Marquis Fairen Leary, my cousin." She waves her free hand half bored by introductions, "Hi." she chirps as her eyes take in the room.

Rosalie comes racing into the Leary House, huffing and puffing and flushed from the rush of trying to make it here on time. She skids to a halt on her wedge-heeled sandals and flashes a grin while straightening up and quickly putting herself to rights. Totally on time! She's not late, you're early! Catlike aplomb in her posture and amusement dancing in her dark eyes as she approaches. "Marquis, thank you again so much for the invitation. I'm.. I'm afraid I'm not sure where my uncle is just now. He said he was coming but..." She lifts a shrug and shakes her head. Looking back past him, she grins and very nearly squeals, "Coraaaaaa!" Dashing past, she goes to hug her friend and kisses her cheek. "Thank you again for that sailing lesson!"

When Rowenova and her dog both arrive, Fairen smiles presently to them both and politely inclines his head at them. "A pleasure to meet you. My apologies, but I don't believe I recall meeting either of you prior to tonight. I am Marquis Fairen Leary." He greets, then turns to smiles over at Coraline and the little girl with her. "A pleasure to meet you, Mistress Avery." He greets, inclining his head at her, and then rises to accept that hug from his cousin. Just in time to witness Rosalie arrive with a wry grin forming on his lips. "I am flattered that my dinner event was significant enough for you to opt to run here, so as to avoid being late." He says, chuckling at her with a slight blush forming on his cheeks. Then he turns to address everyone present. "Please, come in. Have a seat. I hope you will enjoy the evenings meal."

As Cora is about to greet Row, suddenly there is a Rosa hug making a Cora hug sandwich for a moment. "Eek!" she squeaks then laughs and hugs Rosa back, "It was my pleasure, anytime truly any time you like I will take you out again." Avery gives Fairen a gap toothed grin and goes to the seat she is directed to, however her eyes do not stop roaming, Cora clears her throat to get the girl's attention and shakes her head, much to the girls disappointment. Now we have pouts. Cora makes her slow way to a seat but not before hugging Rowenova as well, "So good to see you again Row." the dog gets pats of course.

Rowenova smiles brightly to all those who show up as well as the head honcho. "Wonderful to see you all! You must be Marquis Fairen, yes? Baron Edward has spake many good things about you. I am an acquaintance to Lord Corbit along with Lady Cady, the first who saved my life from the latter, or so they say!" Does she not know?! She lets out a hearty laugh. Then, she suddenly grins her sparkling teeth as she and Sir Floppington bow and stand up, "Scout Rowenova, of the Ranging Wolves, under the direct command of Lord Arik. I am his Messenger, Retainer, and Scribe when in Arx! This is Sir Floppington who is a self appointed guardian to me and those who are sad." She soon hugs Coraline, doing so with back rubs. "How are you? Thank you for helping Lord Mirk!" Indeed, Sir Flop happily accepts those lovely pats with more wags!

"Well, just because Uncle Fredrik is -late-, doesn't mean -I- was going to be late!" Rosalie grins brightly towards Fairen before looking around with a frown. "Kes? Kes where did you go! Kes, I swear if you're in the garden before we've had dinner..." A girl of about seven stops dead from trying to creep towards the front door so she could sneak out of the garden, cringing and turning around to offfer quickly, "I was just looking for the garderrobe! Honest!" Kes is a pretty girl, tall for her age, and thin, with a lovely yellow silk dress and white silk roses in her hair. Rosalie tsks and calls her over before smiling at Fairen, "This is Kes. Alex and I had taken her under our care. She's utterly fascinated with flowers, so your garden has her extremely interested." As soon as the greetings are done, she sends Kes to go sit with Avery. The young girl immediately brightens and runs over to go join her friend, leaving Rosalie to grin at Coraline. "We'll have to do it again soon, I have so many questions to ask you about it!" Then she's offering a bright smile to Rowenova and bobbing a nod, "Hello! I'm Lady Rosalie Redtyde, its lovely to meet you!"

Unable to help himself, Fairen smiles deeply at the little one as she grins at him, giving her a soft, intentional wave of his hand. "You should get the chance to meet with my daughter, Valitina. Do you like babies?" He asks towards Avery, then turns to receive the introduction Rowenova gives him, inclining his head at her. "Well it is certainly a pleasure to meet you, Mistress Rowenova. I can't say I am incredibly familiar with Lord Arik, though of course I can say I am familiar with Lord and Lady Corbit and Arcadia." He says, a wry grin forming slowly on his lips. "You are lucky Corbit arrived to save you from Cady. She can be quite the troublemaker." Then he grins over at Rosalie, chuckling softly. "He isn't late if he isn't required to be here. After all, only Cora here is of my blood. Cady, Corbit, Tomwell, Caith, Cat, Iliana... They are all rather late." He says, another chuckle at that. Though he turns to greet Kes as she is introduced to him, inclining his head at her softly. "A pleasure to meet you as well. After you've had some dinner, you are more than welcome to visit my garden, granting Lady Rosalie is alright with it."

Rowenova replies back to Rosalie, "Hi! Great to meet you for real, too, rather than in just passing!" The perceptive scout must recall having crossed paths! Glancing back to Fairen, Rowenova wolfishly grins as a direct response to his wry grin before story telling, "I like what you just did there." says she before carrying on with the silly story, "After winning all the monies of a certain knight and particular princess." She glances sideways to Coraline before quickly looking back to the Marquis, "My liege sang a wonderful song for us!" (Coraline might recall something else besides anything 'wonderful'.) "Drunk off my arse, I started travelling around to the various places to go sing this song to the people. I was kicked out at the salon so headed over to the Traders Tavern that night, and although I did not know at the time until way later on, the sharp markswoman, Lady Cady, had her crossbow ready because she thought I was a monster when I stumbled past the window toward the door." Rowenova cannot help letting out a little laugh! "Lord Corbit convinced her that I was a human bean and opened the door for me. I sang the song of my amazing liege, and they absolutely loved it and told me I was a good singer!"

"He promised -me- he would be here, so he's -late-. Don't you try to let him wigggle out of it!" Rosalie shakes a finger at Fairen even as she giggles and moves to join the girls at the table. She smiles towards Kes as the two young girls drop into frantic whispers, catching up with one another. Looking back to Fairen, she smiles brightly, "I don't mind, as long as its -after- dinner. I don't want her coming to the table with dirty hands and grubby knees." Turning that bright smile towards Rowenova, she nods, "it is! I'm sorry we weren't able to before now, but its a pleasure to finally do so!" Then she's looking back to Fairen with a chuckle, "Yes, you may want to speak with the Lady Arcadia. Corbit had to save me from one of her errant bolts as well. She wounded a book!" A pause, "And perhaps borke a small windown pane."

"Do you?" Fairen asks towards Rowenova with a chuckle, beginning to pile various bits of food onto his plate. Mostly, he focuses on getting some of those lamb chops, along with some green beans. Still, he listens to Rowenova's story with a smile, keeping his attention locked on her keenly. It's genuine interest he shares for her story, nodding his head along with her. "Well, I am certainly glad Lord Corbit was able to convince Lady Cady that you were a bean of the human variety, at least." Then he grins at Rosalie and Kes, nodding his head at them both. Turning to the little girl in question he smiles. "See? Look at that." Then he arches his brow at Rosalie. "Oh? She has been nothing but pure trouble lately."

Rowenova pulls out a chair, steps before it, scoots closer to the table, and sits down. Sir Floppington sits beside her and chin plants her nearby thigh. "Lady Rosalie, I am so glad you were saved, too! That poor book, though! Perhaps, you and I will be forever linked by these strangely similar events, much like how Lord Mirk and I were shot in the back with arrows, both, during the same outing!" She does not seem bothered about the window pane or the factual matter that they were shot in the back, shot in the back! Over toward Marquis Fairen, though, she grins big, "Yes, I do!" says she, filling up her own plate. "There was also these other funny stories about how Lord Corbit walked me home when I was drunk and made sure to not let some stranger do so which probably saved me. There was also this other time I saw Lady Cady and Mistress Nico do an experiental kiss. Oh, so many memorable times!" says the wolf scout with a great laugh!

"Oh, this was months ago, Fairen. While Corbit and I were still.. seeing each other. He was quite gallant. And Lady Arcadia was very apologetic." Rosalie is quick to reassure Fairen with a small chuckle before she's looking to Rowenova. That smile brightens another notch and she gives a quick nod, "I bet we could find others, too! We could form a group. The Near Misses." Giggling softly, she turns back to Fairen and smiles, "And how -is- the most adorable baby in all Arx, hm? I haven't seen Valintina since you brought her out a few weeks back!" Falling silent, she watches Rowenova recount more and more memories, giggling over some and grinning at others.

Cora apparently got a little side tracked keeping Avery from eating with her hands, however soon enough she is back into the conversation, "I am sorry I heard my name but I lost track of the conversation." She looks sheepish, "What were we saying? Oh that night at the tavern when Carita had the brilliant idea that to get me to sleep she should get me drunk." Cora says dryly, "That was a rather rough next morning."

"Oh? I don't believe I know Mistress Nico." Fairen admits to Rowenova with a soft grin, listening to the details of everything that she tells him. Eating his food, he takes soft, small bites. Turning to Rosalie he grins and nods his head at her. "Well, no one was injured, so that's good, at least. Still, someone will need to teach Cady to be better about where she fires her crossbow." He says, then smiles deeply at the mention of Valitina. "She is doing wonderfully. You will need to come visit more frequently so you may see her. Right now, she is with her mother."

Rowenova grins over to Rosalie, "The Near Misses... I like it!" She cuts up a couple bits from the mutton chop but does not yet eat them, too excited with the current conversations. Rowenova next smiles to Coraline, "Did you recall Lord Arik's song?" Why does she have to remind her?! She then looks over to Fairen with a softer smile than she has recently shown as they talk children. Then, she also smiles at the other kids here before she finally takes bites, doing so cleanly and without any mess with chewing manners. That may be it, though, since she probably uses the wrong fork for the meat eating, and the nearby napkin is still on the table beside her.

As Rowenova laughs around, Sir Floppington wags, and there is the whap whap of his tail against the nearby chair.

"Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww!" This complaint comes from Kes, finally rejoining the 'grownup' conversation with a pout towards Fairen, "I wanted to see baby Valitina! Mommy has promised me she'll try to have a baby sister for me but she said that I could meet baby Valitina til then!" Rosalie has the good grace to blush lightly as she shushes Kes and murmurs softly to her before looking to Fairen. "She was hoping she would get to meet Valitina tonight. But its okay, I'm sure we can arrange something for another time!" Looking towards Rowenova, she flashes a grin and gives a nod, "It holds particular meaning to me. That incident with the crossbolt is the third time I've escaped death narrowly. The first two were... worse. Well, not for me, but... kind of for me?" She shrugs and looks to her plate, pushing things around a bit.

Cora winces at Rowenova's words and laughs, "Yes I recall the song. I doubt I will forget it." She grins at Kes, "Another time, how about you come visit Avery and you can see all of the Thrax hidey holes that I can't get to?" She offers with a grin, and a wink to Rosa because clearly she knows them all. A messenger shows and whispers to Cora who nods but doesn't move immediately, "I was hoping to hold Valitina again as well." She adds with a warm smile.

With that, Fairen can't help but smile at little Kes as she complains, inclining his head at the little one. "Perhaps you two can stay after the dinner and meet Valitina then." He offers, smiling softly at her. "I promise you, I will ensure you have the opportunity to meet her as soon as it can be managed." Saying that, he gestures to the plate in front of Kes. "You should eat first though. Growing little girls take a lot out of you, and you will need your strength." Then he turns to Cora and chuckles, waving a hand at her. "Alright, alright. You've all twisted my arm." He teasingly laments, waving over a servant who, in a very trained way, leans in to receive the whispered words he has for them. Then the servant takes off, to preform some unknown task.

With concern, Rowenova looks over to Rosalie but is soon distracted by those wonderful laughs from Coraline, to whom Nova shifts her gaze. "Never forget! Best singing you ever heard this side of Mistress Gianna, right?" Is she actually serious? Yes! She perks up as the liege whispers to the servant, incredibly familiar with the same dynamic in another setting, but then the wolfy scout just eats for the time being, her blue eyes taking in everyone.

Kes continues to pout until Fairen offers them the opportunity to meet the baby after dinner. Once again wreathed in smiles, the young girl goes back to her meal while Rosalie chuckles and shakes her head. "I swear, she's like someone took part of me and part of Alex and made her. She has his compassion and quiet resolve, but all that playacting is all me." Then she's looking to Coraline and winking as their combined calls for the baby have Fairen making a request of the servant. Looking back to Rowenova, the young Redtyde lady offers a soft smile, "Its okay, Scout Rowenova. I've just lead a very.. interesting life. I've lost a lot of people in my short time on Arvum, but I've gained just as much as I've lost. Every blade must be tempered with fire before it can be as strong as it needs to be."

That messenger starts dancing, yes dancing! And Cora winces again, "I am terribly sorry I am about to be late for something, and I am not running like I usually do. Rosa can you see Avery home? Or perhaps a sleep over? Fairen, I am so sorry to leave so quickly, Rowenova, of course it is er memorable Lord Arik's voice ah is something that will hau er stay with me forever. Good night everyone." She smiles and begins heading out, "Avery be good and listen to Rosalie if you are good you can visit Kas more often."

3 Thrax Guards, Freja the long suffering, Dame Cupcake, the most elegant, Behemo, a towering man with humble eyes leave, following Coraline.

"Fear not, Cora, we can have a guest room made up for Avery." Fairen says with a soft smile for his cousin, then he chuckles and looks back at Rosalie, listening to her tell him about Kes. "Well then the little devil is sure to be quite the brilliant mind, and charming little troublemaker." He says, giving her a wink. It isn't long, with Fairen eating most of his food save for any mashed potatoes before the servant returns with little Valitina, only four months old, in their arms. When they arrive, the servant hands her off to Fairen and he smiles at her happily, carefully supporting her head as he takes her. "There you are!"

"Of course Avery can stay the night with us! Kes would -love- to have a sleepover. Besides... Avery hasn't gotten to see the throne yet." Rosalie tells Coraline with a grin before the Princess is heading out the door. With the girls now completely taken over by talk of Rosalie'

Rowenova waves goodbye with her 'wrong fork' which currently has a meaty bite upon the stabby prongs. After Cora's leave, Sir Floppington moves over toward where the dining kiddos are. He is child friendly and does not beg more than the soulful look in those brown eyes. Rowenova looks back to the adults here, "Hilariously, I have started dancing around Lord Arik just like that guy did right there." she motions back to where the antsy messenger just left before also noting, "Lady Redtyde, I am sorry for your losses, but I agree on your world view, very much so." She dips her wolf-framed noggin to Rosalie before looking up to smile softly toward Fairen and Valitina. "Well, hello!"

"Of course Avery can stay the night with us! Kes would -love- to have a sleepover. Besides... Avery hasn't gotten to see the throne yet." Rosalie tells Coraline with a grin before the Princess is heading out the door. With the girls now completely taken over by talk of Rosalie's throne, she turns her attention back to her food, applying herself to finishing it up. When Valitina arrives, her face lights up, and Kes' head pops up like a deer scenting a predator, only she looks excited about it! Rosalie pushes away from her chair, moving around so she can bend over to tickle little Valitina's chin as she coos, "Oh my Gods, you just get more adorable every time that I see you! Kes, wipe your hands and face and you can come see Valitina. But no holding her yet. We'll hold off on that until she's old enough to support her own head." Kes quickly wipes herself off and runs around the end of the table to crowd in, reaching to poke a finger towards the baby's hand. Rosalie looks up with a soft smile for Rowenova, "I try not to let things keep me down. I've survived the complete loss of my family twice in my life, but here I am. My uncle Fredrik is alive too, so I have family again. We rebuilt our House. Redtyde stands. I'm getting married in a few weeks to a wonderful man. We have Kes as our daughter by heart if not by blood. I am blessed, no matter what fires I had to walk through to get here."

Both hands are used to support Valitina as she 'stands' up in Fairen's lap, his smile for her wide and very sincere. Which of course, might mean he is finished eating for the night. The little girl coos up at her Daddy, grabbing for his lips. "You asked for it ladies, my lovely daughter here." He says, peeking up at the rest of the table, with his lower lip being pulled down by that tiny hand. When both Kes and Rosalie coming to greet her, Valitina giggles and lets go of Fairen's lip, now trying to grab at Rosalie's fingers. If successful, the teething little girl will try to pull those fingers to her mouth, to nibble on.

Rowenova stands up and deftly circles the table to the side where Rosalie is. Nova firmly pats her on the back (unless apparently unwanted), "You are an amazing woman, Lady Redtyed. Thank you for being a true light in this world, staying strong and living on despite those entities which tried crushing you, and so I absolutely admire you." Then, the wolf scout glances around toward Valitina but does not try to touch her. She smiles softly, almost wanting to maybe say more but is momentarily stuck on how adorable Daughter and Dad are.

Meanwhile, Sir Floppington comes up to Fairen and Valitina on the side which is least occupied until he gets there. He looks up at them both and happily wags but does not really do much else, just seems incredibly attentive. For now!

Rosalie lets her fingers get pulled in to be gummed by the tiny heiress as she giggle softly, "Oh I do so love children. I can't wait to have a dozen of them! Its going to be so wonderful." She smiles at Kes and murmurs, "But you will always have a special place, sweetheart. You are the daughter we -chose-." Looking up at Rowenova's praise, she blushes but smile smiles all the same. "Thank you, Scout Rowenova. I just try to make sure people have a reason to smile. Gods know I have plenty of reasons, least I can do is share that with others!" Looking back to Fairen, she sighs, "I envy you so much your adorable little girl. Soon... soon I'll have a playmate for her that will be closer to her own age."

Apparently, Valitina absolutely loves all the attention she is getting and giggles happily, until her mouth is filled with fingers to munch on. There is at least a couple of teeth that have begun sprouting, one that is enough to be felt when she bites at those fingers. All the while, Fairen smiles at his daughter, then looks up at Rosalie and Rowenova. "Would either of you like to hold her?" He asks, giving a sympathetic smile down to poor Kes, who has already been told she can't hold Valitina.

Rowenova's eyes glaze over when Rosalie pipes up about a dozen children, but then the young scout blinks away her momentary lapse. She smiles back, "Well, you are succeeding at doling out the reasons!" [to smile]. Nova glances back toward Fairen now and looks torn but finally shakes her head. "Thank you, but not sure I would do all the things the right way, and I want her to be well."

Sir Floppington must agree because he glances up toward the scout and wags more.

Rosalie giggles at Fairen, "You know I would. But I really -should- get the girls back to the Villa. I have to prepare the room for Alex's return tomorrow, and Kes is planning a surprise for him, and I have a surprise for him myself. I also need to check and see if Uncle Fredrik is home. I hope nothing happened to him..." She sighs softly and smiles at Valitina, "But you are the most adorable baby in all Arx, yes you are!" Straightening, she sighs and bids the girls to get ready, smiling towards Rowenova, then towards Fairen, "Thank you both for a wonderful evening. This has truly been just what I needed." Gathering up the girls and offering goodbyes and waves, the trio head off.

Fairen is overheard praising Leary.