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

Waldemai does not look like he dressed for a swimming match. He can be seen following his nose toward the clambake. "Haven't seen one of these since I left Southport," he says, sounding hungry.

Spotting Waldemai, who is not dressed like he's ready for a swimming match, Kalani grins as she waves to the armor smith and carries around a drink in one hand and a handful of the flower garlands in the other. The drink, mostly, is for herself and the flower garlands are for everyone she comes across as people begin to arrive. The musicians already at work have their own cups of rum punch to sample, and as result the music is pretty lively if not downright cheerful. For those with a yen for seafood and drink, tonight's menu is all about fresh seafood, drink and entertainment.

Col arrives into the hot springs area looking for all the world like a man who has no intention of swimming at all, which rather defeats the purpose of coming to this particular event possibly! Much like Waldemai Col wanders over towards the food and drink. The garlands catch his eye, or perhaps it is the one bearing them, in either case there is a polite nod and a faint but warm smile that reaches his eyes: "Thank you." He offers when a Garland is offered. Taking it he loops it over his neck to wear: "This is quite, different, than what I am used to." Col's tone is as warm as his eyes take in everything: "You said these are a southern based buffet?" He asks Waldemai curiously.

Col gets a garland of sandalwood scented red silk flowers from a white wooden chest containing sandalwood-scented garlands.

Calypso arrives wearing a simple blouse and skirt. As always, her sword on the sash at her left hip, but she seems more ready to partake in the events rather than watch with a sniffled glare. Looking around, she smiles at seeing the decorations and food spread. And drink! She heads directly for the food and drink first, only a single of her guards staying to the corner. Seeing Waldemai, she waves with a small smile.

Alaric is here, obviously since he lives here and all. He's wearing a garland and enjoying the benefits of hosting an event without doing any of the actual work of anything at all! Mostly this looks like sitting in the wheel-shaped submerged bench in the pool with a floating tray of Seliki catering bobbing around next to him having a drink and tossing a cheerfully relaxed hello to anyone who happens by.

Alaric has joined the The Wheel.

Col has joined the The Terrace.

Waldemai bows to his Lady Patron, of course. "Try the crawfish, my lady," he says, expertly tearing one apart and squeezing to assist its guts into his gut.

Calandra Whisper arrives, and one might assume her bathing gown is under the slinky umbra because she stares at the pools with a great deal of excitement. "There's a *waterfall*!" the Whisper breathes, and manages to make the sound musical while still clinging to vast notes of awe and amazement. Her dark eyes widen, making the flecks of gold in them stand out all the more. "I've never seen such a thing." Her nose tilts to the air, sniffing appreciatively. "Blessed Gild, this is beyond my wildest dreams!"

4 Redoubt Buccaneers, Luna, the sweet, studious assistant arrive, following Carita.

Gianna saunters onto the terrace in a swirl of seasilk, silver, and turquoise. She also does not look like she dressed for swimming. Just for lounging elegantly. She collects herself a garland of flowers and a cup of rum to arm herself for this task.

Gianna gets a garland of gardenia scented orange silk flowers from a white wooden chest containing gardenia-scented garlands.

Calandra gets a garland of gardenia scented red silk flowers from a white wooden chest containing gardenia-scented garlands.

Kaldur is in his element. The Seliki lord is beaming about, arms full of silk flower garlands, welcoming those arriving at the Terrace Pools. "Welcome, everyone! Find food, enjoy yourselves, events will begin shortly!" Here, you have a garland! And you have a garland! And you have a garland! Everyone have a garland!

Carita appears dressed less severely as she normally is, while the Darkwater woman tends to favor umbra, tonight she's chosen something lighter. Her pale blonde hair tied up, looking for all the world as if she'd been plucked from a bouquet of violets, she pauses just inside the entrance to allow blue eyes to scan for familiar faces.

Desiree gets a garland of peach scented red silk flowers from a white wooden chest containing peach-scented garlands.

Wearing a grin that is equal parts amused and slightly impish at the same time, Kalani aims a nod at Col as he takes one of the flower garlands. "It's summer and the best way to have a party is by the pool with lots of good food and drink," this said as she moves around the pool and pauses to say hello along the way. Calypso is waved to next, "Wonderful to see you again," and a grin is sent toward the King where he is lounging in the wheel-shaped bench with a tray of food bobbing nearby. Calandra's expression just says it all and the Seliki healer shares another smile before she climbs up on one of the stools and lifts one hand (the one not holding the glass of rum punch) to wave to everyone that's arrived so far.

"Thank you all for coming and welcome to the Summer Splashfest! There's plenty of food and drink to go around and we'll be having some contests as well to keep things interesting. Our thanks to his Majesty for allowing us to invade the terrace pools. I promise that we won't break anything and that there's rather a lot of booze to go around. Enjoy!"

Gianna gives Kaldur a tiny, guarded smile; she inclines her head to Calandra, and then Carita. Kalani is also favoured with an inclination of her head before she makes her way to the Wheel.

Waldemai suggests, "Having plenty to drink might not go so well with promising not to break anything!" He's still working on the crayfish. Each of them is like only a coupel tablespoons of meat.

Gianna has joined the The Wheel.

Col gathers up a few pieces of odds and ends, looking at it curiously as he gets a little bit of everything to try. A drink is acquired last and Col smiles at Kalani for a moment with a nod: "Indeed. It looks rather festive. Well done." Taking food and drink he finds a seat to relax and try all these wonderful new edibles.

Desiree takes one of the garlands. "Thank you." She looks around with a confident smile and goes to try the punch.

The Duchess Malvici takes her time looking over the food. Taking the recommendation from Waldemai, she opens up a crawfish and does so with practiced precision. Anyone from the coastal cities would know how, so no surprise that she seems to enjoy it. A few more shrimp and then she takes up a glass of the rum before waving to Kalani. "Thank you for organizing this," is given happily, moving towards one of the small fires. Her eyes move over the pool and the view beyond before looking back to the fire. Mm rum.

Calandra's smile for Kalani is wide and dimpled, speaking of deep approval for this event. "A wonderful idea, Lady Kalani. Will you make sure I don't drown?" she asks with a half-teasing, half-I'm-very-serious-please-don't-let-me-die smile. She reaches out to accept a garland of gardenia-scented flowers from Kaldur. "If there's enough, I'd love to wear one of each by night's end," the Whisper muses to the co-host, casting a wave to Gianna's arrival. Properly garlanded, the Whisper steps aside to rid herself of her umbra and reveal the ivory bathing gown beneath, stark against her rich bronze skin and the tumble of ebon hair.

Alaric raises his glass of rum punch to Kalani with a buoyant grin. "A promise is a promise. No taking it back, now!" he calls back to her merrily before pitching his voice up to public speaking volume. "Indeed, feel free to have a swim, admire the view, or simply partake of food and drink. You're welcome to climb up the falls if you're feeling daring, but be careful!" he announces before taking a drink.

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

Carita gets a garland of gardenia scented purple silk flowers from a white wooden chest containing gardenia-scented garlands.

Laughing, Kalani aims a nod at Waldemai, "You do have a good point," she agrees before sharing a nod with Gianna before taking a sip from the cup she's holding. "Thank you," she replies with another nod, this to Col before she grins at Calypso. "This was really quite fun, and we thought it'd be a change of pace from a lot of traditional parties," she admits before joining Calandra and nodding. "I promise I won't let you drown," a solemn promise indeed from the Seliki healer even as she lets out a laugh. "I think there will be enough to go around," is murmured before Alaric's words make Kalani exhale a laugh.

"That's two promises, Sire," her words paired with a broad grin. "Who's up for the challenge of the log rolling contest?" is wondered, her words pitched to carry. "This may be new to some of you, but it's all about balance and dexterity. This is a challenge for teams of two," Kalani explains and fetches a conch shell, "we'll use this to sound the start and the end of the match. The first person to lose contact with the log - with both feet - and fall off the log loses the match. The last person standing on the log wins the contest. You may roll, kick, or anything else but the goal is to keep your footing and stay on the log until the shell sounds again."

Waldemai puts his plate aside, although he can't stop himself from sucking his fingers. "I've seen some log rolling and wouldn't mind trying it," he says. He's short and stock, with a low center of gravity, so maybe he'd be good at it.

Did someone say pool party? Caspian is there, already in his swimming trunks, big grin on his lips and ready to paaaartaaaay! As he walks in he hears Kalani describe a game, giving her a wide grin as he says, "Oh, are we playing a game? I'm up for this. So we just gotta stay on a log? Sounds easy enough!"

Desiree looks to Kalani with a grin. "While that does sound fun I doubt I could even stand on the log. I think I'll just cheer from here."

Carita's eyes light with amusement at the garland, and is happy to duck in to one, lifting it to smell the gardenia scent as she makes her way to the pool's edge with a mug of punch as she eyes the log and listenst to the game rules. "I might be convinced."

Calypso seems to be enjoying this enough on her own. Conversation partners be damned! She sips her drink and nods to the Guard she kept aside. The woman helps her undress, then folding the clothes before she steps down into the water. "Challenges from the King must be met!" she says to any who might hear her. Holding her drink above the water, she steps deeper in and sems to relax in the warm water.

Kaldur lifts his voice to bellow out over the crowd, "Okay, anyone wanting to attempt the log rolling, take a place!" He jumps into the deep end with a splash and pops up near one of the logs, clambering up to sit atop it, to help competitors and, if needed participate himself. "Don't be shy, you can't win a prize if you don't compete!" He carefully gets to his feet, arms spread and beckons folks over.

Kaldur has joined the a heavy wooden log.

Calandra eyes Kalani like this is probably the worst idea in the world, but she's already in her bathing dress and so the Whisper gamely makes her way over to a log.

Caspian has joined the a heavy wooden log.

Waldemai has joined the a heavier wooden log.

Calandra has joined the the heaviest wooden log.

Col watches the people get prepared to do this log rolling with a curious expression. Picking up a piece of smoked fish he takes a bite and his expression brightens, pleased with the flavor: "This is very good." He says to nobody in particular from where he sits comfortably. Watching is the name of the game with food this good on a plate! A small drink follows to wash it down.

Did someone say prizes? Caspian is on that, jumping into the water cannon ball style and wades his way over to Kaldur, climbing up on top of the log after her. "Good luck everyone. Try not to bag your head as you go down!" He says as he stands up on the log, rolling his neck idly.

Kaldur teetering as Caspian joins him, Kaldur grins as folk begin to jump in and choose logs. "That's the spirit! Two more!" He holds a hand out to Caspian... totally not a trick. "May the best roller win."

Waldemai climbs out onto a log. It's not the steadiest footing. "Glad I stuck to the food and hadn't gotten to the drink yet," he says. Yes, he is smiling.

Desiree has joined the The Terrace.

Calypso has joined the the heaviest wooden log.

Caspian "We haven't started yet, so don't even try to pull me down," Caspian says, reaching out to grab Kaldur's hand to shake. "Grandmaster Caspian Wild, soon to be log rolling Champion. A pleasure to meet you."

Gianna sits at the edge of one of the pools, skirt gathered up so she can dangle her feet in the water. She is making no move toward joining the log content, though she does gesture King Alaric that way.

Alaric has left the The Wheel.

Zelda, the royal messenger have been dismissed.

13 King's Own Guardsmen have been dismissed.

Oh well this is lovely. The large form of Jeffeth Bayweather approaches the party, brows arched high at the waterfall and those present. The large man's shoulders are slumped and his head hanging slightly, most likely from weariness due to the look of him. His shirt is slightly undone as he approaches slowly. Until someone is urging him enthusiastically to JOIN THE LOG ROLLING COMPETITION, slightly bewildered, the big man goes as bid with arched brows towards where he is directed, still deeply confused about what is even happening.

Jeffeth has joined the a heavier wooden log.

"It'll be fun," Kalani promises with a nod to Carita, "and at the very least, you get to jump in the pool," said in a tone of encouragement. Calypso's words make the Seliki healer laugh again, "Indeed." She waits while Caspian and Caly take their places as well, holding the large conch shell between her hands for a few moments longer. She shares a nod with Kaldur before she blows air through the shell sounding the beginning of the contest.

Calandra smiles to Calypso as she joins her log, looking entirely uncertain about this particular endeavor. The Whisper is having enough trouble staying still on the heaviest log. "Be gentle?" she asks the other woman with a dimpled grin.

Carita slips her shoes off and slides in next to Gianna to slide her legs in to the warm water. "You know," she begins to the Whisper, "I had a ring made for you but I'm so forgetful, I should really ask Luna to carry it on her. You're always so complimentary of my jewelry, I thought I'd give you something." She shrugs lightly, "Next time I see you."

Gianna blinks at Carita, and immediately looks pleased. That involves smiling, which is always a little guarded, but still... pleased. "That's so kind of you," she tells the other woman. "I love jewelry. Gifted jewelry is even better!" She then takes a moment to lean to one side to peer behind Carita, quite intently. "I don't see them," she comments.

Kaldur grins at Caspian, clasping his arm and bracing, both a slight contest of strength, but also against any shenanigans Caspian might pull. He laughs, "I know who you are, Grandmaster of the Champions! Lord Kaldur Seliki, well met." He bounces on the log, sending ripples at the other logs. As the last log fills up, Kaldur lifts his voice again, "Welcome! Someone get this man a garland!" Kaldur gestures at Jeffeth, "Alright! On three, bounce, spin and otherwise try to knock your opponent off the log - no grappling!" He points at the competitors, looking mock-stern, "One, two..." he pauses, "Three!"

Caspian checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 25, rolling 35 higher.

Calandra checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 25, rolling 17 lower.

Calandra checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

Kaldur checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 25, rolling 23 higher.

Waldemai checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 25, rolling 8 higher.

Calypso moves over to the edge of the water, climbing out. She then steps out carefully to the log with Calandra. Still holding her glass of rum! Looking over to her partner, she nods and lifts the drink before sipping at it. "To those who dare mightility." She grins and looks back to the others.

Jeffeth checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 25, rolling 17 higher.

"A pleasure, my lord," Caspian says, gripping the man's hand firmly and gives it a shake before letting go. And once the conch is blown he kneels down and springs back up, attempting to rock the log up and down that his opponnet is on. "You're going down, my lord, literally! I hope you like swimming!"

Calypso checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 25, rolling 22 higher.

Calandra clear dares far too mightily. Even as Calypso steps onto the log and it bobs under the other woman's weight, the Whisper is crying out, arms flailing frantically, searching for something to grab on to. But there's nothing. Nothing but the air and the warm water to break her fall as the sun-bronzed Nightingale tumbles backwards into it.

Kaldur checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Carita girlish laughter lifts, "I'll have it sent the moment I return to Darkwater Reach. I didn't know I'd run in to you or I would have brought it along, or asked Luna to." She motions to her assistant with a smile before her attention returns to Gianna. "Gifted jewelry is really the best sort, I agree."

Waldemai checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Carita has joined the The Wheel.

Calandra has left the the heaviest wooden log.

Calandra has joined the The Deep End.

Jeffeth looks down at the log wearily then up to Waldemai as he speaks to him softly. "Okay. I understand. Good luck Waldemai." The big man gives a little nod. He stomps on his log one time to try and shake Waldemai off. It's not a very effective gesture. He wobbles and moves his feet to stay on the log. A familiar voice catches his ear and the large oaf is looking across the pool mid log-stomp, a broad smile curling up his lips and a wave is sent over in Carita's direction. Before he quickly looks back to Waldemai.

Caspian checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 40, rolling 12 higher.

Waldemai can stay up, but it's a close one, and then the action gets harder!

Waldemai checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 40, rolling 3 lower.

Jeffeth checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 40, rolling 36 higher.

Kaldur runs, skids, teeters, but manages to stay upright. He grins fiercely at Caspian arms pinwheeling, "Sneaky devil!"

Kaldur checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 40, rolling 5 lower.

Kaldur checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 2 lower.

Waldemai checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 27 higher.

Laughing as the contest begins, Kalani steps back from the edge of the pool and watches as the log rolling, walking, arm windmilling begins.

Caspian And then, to make things harder for Kaldur, Caspian begins to roll the log upon the water, adding a spin as well as a bounce to the log. He is in it to win it!

Col has a quiet conversation with Desiree, offering her some morsels from the selection he picked up from the buffet tables while they watch the log rolling contest. A faint smile flickers across his face for a moment, answering a question and it wasn't when people hit the water. Nope.

Now sort of figuring out how this whole thing works, Jeffeth's feet start moving to turn the log as he looks down. "Oh, alright." The big man rumbles, understanding dawning on him. Then he looks over at Waldemai and how he's doing with the log. He may seem tired but realization has arrived and Jeffeth starts to increase his pace, massive arms pumping lightly as he starts a little jog on the log. He does a little hop to slam back down on the log to make it a bit more difficult for Waldemai. "You're doing great, Waldemai!" The big man bellows even as his pace increases.

Waldemai sure doesn't feel like he's doing great. He's quick on his feet, but as quick as Jeffeth? "I've got it...I've...AH! I don't got it!" *splash*

Carita glances up from her conversation with Gianna to wave Jeffeth's way, her smile warm. "Good luck, Sir Jeffeth!"

Gianna also holds her hand up and gives a gentle wave Jeffeth's way before continuing to speak with Carita.

Caspian checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Jeffeth checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Desiree has left the The Terrace.

Kaldur teeters, recovers, spins, running and seems to be doing so well, recovering against the cat-quick reflexes of the first Champion... until he isn't doing so well! "Oh n-" SPLASH! He pops up laughing, "Well run, Grandmaster!" he side strokes to the edge of the pool and hoists himself out, shaking himself mightily and scattering spray EVERYWHERE. He grins, "Heavy log and Heaviest log, together! He beams at likewise waterlogged Calandra.

Calandra is treading water, her dark hair even darker now that it is soaked through and sticking to her skin. But the Whisper doesn't look unhappy. In fact, she returns Kaldur's smile with a big grin. "Welcome to the wet," the Nightingale teases. "It wouldn't have been fair for you to win at your own party, anyway." Does she splash Kaldur? She sure does!

Calypso continues rolling her log, watching Calandra go in! "Save yourselves!" she laughs, still trying to hold her glass high. She's doing well but...

Seeing that Calypso is all by her lonesome, Caspian dives off of his log and swims over to Calypso's log, climbing up upon it. "Greetings, my lady, may the best balanced win!" And once the two are ready, he kicks the log to start it spinning.

Caspian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 35, rolling 13 higher.

Calypso checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 35, rolling 18 lower.

Calypso checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Run run run on the rolling log. Caspian keeps his eyes on Calypso, an amused grin on his lips as he holds his arms out to help keep balanced. He's quite surpised when the woman keeps up with him, letting out a laugh, "You're good at this! I could possibly lose this if you keep being this good!"

Desiree has joined the The Terrace.

Calypso nearly slips off the log as it starts rolling more and more. But she still holds her glass. Thankfully she's got plenty of experience -running- so her legs manage to keep up, for the moment! "All glory to the heaviest log!!!" she bellows out with a laugh. To Caspian, she laughs, "I haven't done this in ten years! Loser buys the winner a bottle!"

Caspian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 45, rolling 13 higher.

Calypso checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 45, rolling 22 lower.

Calypso checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 12 lower.

Kaldur circulates through the gathering finding Kalani and slinging an arm around her shoulders, "Hey, this is fun!" He helps himself to any food she's gathered. "You did good." He gives her a squeeze and heads back to the pool's edge to watch the match, he hoots when Caspian bests Calypso! "Well done! Well done!"

Waldemai sits back to watch. He moves up from crayfish to lobster. "Haven't had food like this since I left Southport," He says, and looks around. "Any drawn butter?"

Kalani angles the plate she's holding so that Kaldur can help himself and lets out a laugh as Caspian and Calypso are the last ones still up. Seeing the end in nigh she blows through the shell again to call the end of the round, the clear - and unusual - sound echoes across the water.

Caspian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 45, rolling 25 higher.

Calypso tries to hold eye contact and look aggressive, but the log wins. And it wins hard. She loses her footing and falls backwards. She lands on her back and goes under the water... But the glass stays above! The Duchess resurfaces, still holding her glass as she comes back up! There is triumph in that! "Didn't spill!!" Because young Malvici soldiers and oficers grow up around the drink, frat points are important!!

Kaldur cheers mightily for the saved glass! "Valiant effort, Duchess!"

Jeffeth checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 45, rolling 70 higher.

Caspian lets out a laugh as she keeps her drink from spilling, clapping his hands as he calls out to her, "Good job! Good job!!" And with that, he hops into the water and swims over to Jeffeth and climbgs on his log, grinning at him. "Shit, you're gonna be a tough one to beat." And once Jeffet is ready, he begins to run, causing the log to roll.

Caspian checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Caspian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 55, rolling 7 higher.

Jeffeth checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 55, rolling 8 higher.

Caspian checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 6 higher.

Caspian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 65, rolling 13 lower.

Jeffeth checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 65, rolling 1 higher.

Caspian checked dexterity at difficulty 25, rolling 5 lower.

Calandra has since made her way from the pool and settled in a chair with a towel and some seafood and drink, watching the contest with avid, appreciative eyes.

Kaldur's eyes grow wide as the duel between Caspian and Jeffeth plays out, the log spinning faster, stopping, spinning again. A real contest! The young Seliki bounces, elbowing the person next to him excited.

As the log rolling contest goes on and more people hit the water until there is only two, Col's attention seems rather rapt on the contest! He speaks quietly to Desiree throughout though. The food and drink on his plate and in his glass are completely forgotten.

Kalani links one arm with Kaldur, standing side by side with her favorite cousin as Jeffeth and Caspian end up as the last ones standing. "She didn't spill her drink!" she says in a delighted aside to Kaldur, a big grin on her face as she lifts the shell she's holding in a toast to Calypso.

Calypso moves off from the Log War, having lost her battle with some effort of integrity. SIGH!!!!!! She swims off to the side and relaxes there to watch. "Win it, Caspian!!!" she calls out. The toast from Kalani gets a grin and a lift of her glass before she drinks more from it.

As the big man heads over to the log with Caspian, the big man just gives a light smile. "Have a good swim, Caspian." Jeffeth rumbles as he starts to run along the log in time with Caspian. The big man runs and runs and runs. He glances over to Caspian then back to the log, his feet pound across the log to increase the pace evermore. Towards the end it starts to get dicey, the big man is barely able to keep up with the momentum the pair of them have set. But those huge arms continue to swing and his feet continue to pound against the log.

Caspian tried his best, he really did, but as the log spins and bounces, faster and faster, he struggles to keep up, arms flailing foward as he tries to keep himself from fallng. He keeps on keeping on, letting out a "Woah!" a few times as he nearly loses his balance. But then finally, he slips, falling backwards into the water with a mighty splash! He comes up with a laugh, looking up to Jeffeth, "Good job. Congradulations! Next summer I want a rematch," he says with a grin.

Gianna is speaking quietly with Carita over at one of the pools, sipping rum with her feet (and only her feet) in the water.

With another of those delighted laughs, Kalani waits until all of the log rolling duelists are out of the pool before she moves to Calypso, Jeffeth and Caspian and hugs each before she steps back and nods to Kaldur (the master of prizes!) "The winners," said with a smile, "and thank you all for being such good sports."

Jeffeth has left the a heavier wooden log.

Jeffeth has joined the The Wheel.

Stepping off the log, Jeffeth just gives a laugh down to Caspian and a shrug of his shoulders. "Sure, sure." He lets out in a non commital fashion before Kalani is coming over with hugs! Returning the hug, the large man then saunters his way over to Gianna and Carita, bowing to both with a broad smile before going to sit with them.

Carita's quietly talking with Gianna at the pool edge, her skirts lifted to let her legs in the water at least up to her knees as they speak. She's clearly amused at whatever the Whisper is talking her to about, and occasionally laughs. That laughter richly feminine. As Jeffeth makes his way over she dips her head his way as he bows, smile sweet, before her attention returns to Gianna.

Waldemai cheers for the winners, while carefully not wandering far from the buffet.

Kaldur claps and roars for the competitors, putting fingers to his lips to whistle for Jeffeth. "Well run! Well run!" He jostles his cousin. He goes to the chest and selects three small parcels, and moves between the victors. "Next up!" He points to the top of the waterfall, "We're putting the splash in Splashfest! Climb up, jump down, and make the biggest splash possible!"

"Sir Jeffeth, it's been a while. Did you get one of the garlands?" Gianna leans when the man sits down to say something more quietly.

Desiree has left the The Terrace.

Calandra has joined the line.

Waldemai has joined the line.

Kaldur gets a silk pouch sewn like a seashell from a white wooden chest engraved with oysters.

Kaldur gets a silk pouch sewn like a seashell from a white wooden chest engraved with oysters.

Caspian accepts the hug from Kalani and dishes out his own hug, saying, "Thanks for the hug. Long time no see." And with that, he climbs out of the pool, shaking out his long hair of the water that got in it. But then he hears of the neck contest, so he without even turning back to face the pool strikes a pose, pointing up to the sky, then kneels down, jumps up, and does a rolling cannon ball before he unrolls and lands with an elegant dive.

Caspian checked composure + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 50 higher.

Kalani has joined the line.

Kaldur gets a silk pouch sewn like a seashell from a white wooden chest engraved with oysters.

Late for the party, at least a certain not-clad-in-diamondplate-knight seems happy enough. Or distracted-happy, it's hard to know. Jordan approaches the hosts, bowing to them before spotting Carita and offering a wave, with an amiable smile.

Caspian has joined the line.

Calypso has joined the line.

Alaric has joined the line.

Kaldur laughs ducks the spray from Caspian's grand splash, calling to him, "Hahaha, we haven't started yet! But way to show how it's done!" He points at the line forming.

Caspian pops out of the water, calling back to Kaldur, "I knew that!" And then climbs out of the water and gets in line like a good little Champion.

Handing the shell over to Kaldur before he hands out the prizes, Kalani joins the line of those heading for the waterfall and begins to climb. Absolutely devoid of any sort of fear of heights, the Seliki healer has all the climbing agility of a squirrel.

Calypso climbs out of the pool for the next contest. Even with her drink upright. She goes for a refill first, which puts her later in line. But she gets it first, then approaches around the side. Finding assists, she grins and moves up a practiced path and waits at the top.

Turn in line: Calandra

Calandra checked composure + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 64 higher.

Kaldur sounds the conch! "Let the splash off begin!"

Calandra has bounded towards the line, excitement vivid in her dark eyes at the prospect of climbing the waterfall, though there's some trepidation about jumping from it. But she's been knocked off the docks too many times in her youth to back down now. The Whisper climbs up and executes a /singing/ swan dive! There are no lyrics, but a series of rapidly plummeting notes that mirror the Nightingale's descent.

Turn in line: Waldemai

Alaric was schmoozing about with NPCs as one does but now he's back doing a more on-camera bit of interaction. He climbs up the rope ladder (probably a good idea not to have party guests fail at rock climbing and fall and break something, really) and mills about at the top with the others. "Duchess-General, always good to see you. I had no idea log rolling was something people did before today," he observes to Calypso with a bit of an envious glance at her drink. He should have thought have bringing one along, alas.

Waldemai checked composure + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Gianna inclines her head in Jordan's direction. She's seated with Carita and Jeffeth at one of the pools, a cup of rum in hand.

Waldemai goes for a giant tsunami but all he gets is a wavelet and a case of pink belly.

Carita lifts her hand as she smiles Jordan's way, her fingers waving in his direction before she goes back to the quiet conversation she's having with Gianna and Jeffeth. Is she glaring at the Champion? Surely not. Must be the sun in her eyes.

Turn in line: Kalani

Kalani checked composure + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Reaching the top of the waterfall, Kalani swipes one hand over her hair before she eyes the pool below. Another of those fierce grins forms on her face before she leaps off, tucking her arms in and her knees up before she hits the water to try for a good splash.

Jeffeth checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 0 higher.

Turn in line: Caspian

Caspian checked composure + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Calypso looks on from the top as people jump. She may or may not have done this before. When Alaric climbs up behind her, she looks over to him with her drink. "You need to get out more. Get a costume, my King." She sips her glass and offers it over to him before she looks to the jumpers. "Part of growing up in Malvici is learning to fight with sticks on a log. ...But not usually in water," she laughs.

Jordan offers a nod towards Gianna, followed by a smile and a brief wave as well as he takes a glass of punch for himself from the bar. He has a sip on his way to the hosts again. "Lord Kaldur, you've hosted quite a delightful party here, my Lord. I don't know I can make it through the party without being sogged by all the splashing going on but this is enjoyable, nevertheless. Congratulations."

While waiting, Caspian went off to get something you don't often see with Caspian, a cigar. Once he's back in line he holds it as he awaits his turn, and once it's up, he takes a deep drag, blows a large smoke ring, and once it's a few feet away from him does a spinning dive right through the loop of smoke.

Kaldur is silent a moment after Calandra's plunge and then erupts into applause, she's not above water for some of it, but he's still cheering when she emerges. He likewise hoots for Waldemai's bellyflop, a cheerful wince, "If I had a silver..." he whistles for Kalani's fierce display and decent splash!!

Turn in line: Calypso

Alaric takes Calypso up on her offer quite readily. "Costume? What's the point of getting out if nobody knows who I am?" he replies impishly before grinning and taking a drink, handing it back with an appreciative incline of his chin. "I presume that's for the balance training, and not because you lot fight on logs often enough to need to practice it," he quips. "And drink that all before you dive!"

Calypso checked composure + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

To Jordan, Kaldur laughs, "Oh, me? No, it's mostly my cousin, Lady Kalani who is responsible for this. I wrangled some things, but I'll tell her. Or," he points where his cousin is emerging from the pool, "You can tell her yourself!" Kalani, meet Jordan, Jordan, Kalani.

Caypso takes the drink back and looks to Alaric with a long-suffering gaze. "One day. And fine.." She takes the whole glass in a quick sup back, then hands it to him. She steps forward and takes a misstep on the launch and tumbles down in a glorious wreck. Did she curse as she hit the water? Probably. The splash is lame and she rises back up, swimming away, sputtering.

Calandra is overheard praising Kalani: Wonderful event!

Calandra is overheard praising Kaldur: Wonderful event!

Turn in line: Alaric

Kaldur starts with alarm when Calypso slips and breathes a sigh of relief when she emerges spluttering. "Whew!" There's only one competitor left now... The King!

Col is overheard praising Kalani: Quite festive!

Col is overheard praising Kaldur: Log rolling for fun and profit!

Alaric checked composure + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 46 higher.

Alaric gestures to one of his King's Own with good manual dexterity, and gives Calypso's empty glass a little toss off the edge to be caught. That done, hstarts off towards the end of the falls, turning in stride nonchalantly and walking backwards towards the edge with a cheerful wave to the gallery below. While some might be worried that the King might be about to plunge blindly to his doom, this -is- his pool after all, and evidently he's taken the dive from the top of the falls so many times he knows the end of the rocky outcrop just by its distance to the wall of the Palace itself. Indeed, where one more step would take him off over the edge he instead shortsteps to line it up with his other foot and with a quick squat he launches himself into a backwards-spinning cannonball tuck.

Col is overheard praising Calandra: A singing swan splash!

Hauling herself out of the pool, Kalani drips her way over to Kaldur, slicking her hands up over her hair as she turns to watch the rest of the contest. "THIS is fun," she says with a laugh, using one hand to squeeze the water out of her hair.

Caspian climbs out of the pool once he is done, stretching as he gives a grin over to Calandra, waving to the woman, "She clearly won with that dive of hers. That was a great dive," he says." Though he lets out a whistle at Alaric's dive as he splashes down, saying, "Who knew The King had such great form? He might have did better then I did."

Calandra watches Alaric from the waters with a narrowing of dark eyes. Is she judging the King and his jump particularly territorially? Yes. Yes, she is. But for her efforts, the Whisper gets splashback from such an expert cannonball.

Kaldur gets a silk pouch sewn like a seashell from a white wooden chest engraved with oysters.

Kaldur gets a silk pouch sewn like a seashell from a white wooden chest engraved with oysters.

Kaldur gets a silk pouch sewn like a seashell from a white wooden chest engraved with oysters.

Calandra is overheard praising Alaric: Begrudging praise.

"Hello there. I'm Jordan. You've got quite the something going on here," Jordan smiles brightly to Kalani, though he nods to Kaldur. "No problem, my Lord. Telling her myself sounds fun, too!" Stepping back just a couple paces so as to not get splashed, he looks up to watch Alaric do his best impression of a cannonball, trying to hold onto his drink when he just slides back in a misstep. Bringing himself about the pool, he watches the contest from a safer distance, now, as he sips his drink.

Letting out a piercing whistle followed by a laugh, Kalani eyes the splash marks and the way the waves had lapped she calls out the winners. "Calandra, King Alaric and Caspian!"

Kaldur curls away from the King's splash, "Oh, well done, Your Majesty!"

Kaldur is overheard praising Waldemai: Good log rolling sport!

Alaric unrolls himself below the surface and lets his momentum carry him down to the bottom of the deep end, from where he pushes off and adds a little dolphin kick to make a vaguely orca-like breach, complete with another secondary splash. He transitions to a lazy float on his back and turns a grin Calandra's way (and a congratulatory splash). "Very nicely dove, Mistress Calandra. If I have to be upstaged in my own pool, I can't be disappointed by your performance," he teases.

"Hi Jordan, I'm Kalani," the Seliki healer moves back from the edge of the pool and shares a - belated - greeting with Jordan. "Will you be joining the last event? We're doing a swim race as the final event," she says as tosses her braid over her left shoulder, waiting as Kaldur passes out the next round of prizes before she lifts her voice again. "Final event, ladies and gentlemen, will be a swim race in the lap pool."

Calandra smiles aside to Caspian, dipping her dark, soaked head gratefully at the compliment. "My thanks, Grandmaster Wild." To Alaric, the Whisper smiles beatifically. "If you were, I'd be forced to do it over again until it pleased you. And then you'd have to sit there as long as it took, Your Majesty. Your cannonball was beyond what I expected. Maybe you'll see fit to teach me?"

Caspian stretches, readying himself for the swim race, giving a wide grin as he leans to the side, arms out, "Now here is something I know I can win. May the fastest person in the water win!" He says back to the group, giving them a challenging grin.

Alaric idly backstrokes himself out of the way of the impending swim race. "Best that you got it in one, then. I'd feel a little sorry for you having to climb up to the top of the falls over and over and over," he notes teasingly to Calandra. "And if you'd like to learn the mysterious ways of the big-splashing dive, I'm sure I could make you an expert in no time. First lesson; don't knee yourself in the teeth," he quips.

Calypso has left the the heaviest wooden log.

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

The line has been dismissed by Kaldur.

Kaldur weaves through the milling and cheerful throng, elbowing another Seliki cousin into the water as he passes near on his way to the side. He's keeping things moving, and tosses the conch to Calandra. "Blow this - you'll know when." Beaming he moves off, bouncing and limbering up. "Cousin Kalani... Your Majesty, this event is the reason we're here. An idle conversation, turned into this! Thank you all for coming out and with no further ado: the Race!" He lifts his voice again, "Swimmers! To the edge of the pool!" He looks at Calandra and gives his head a bit of a shake, not yet.

"I'll take part." Jordan agrees, removing his boots and his shirt -- trousers can get swamped, right? And it's best not to swim around naked, for purposes of common decency and all. "Pleasure to meet you, Kalani. I like the event. Let's see how well I do!"

Kaldur has joined the line.

Kalani has joined the line.

Jeffeth has joined the line.

Jordan has joined the line.

"I do like my teeth in my mouth," Calandra agrees with Alaric, a dimpled grin claiming her lips and cheeks. She catches the conch and waits for Kaldur's signal, flourishing the shell at the King.

Col has left the The Terrace.

Grail, a Steelhart War Mastiff leaves, following Col.

Speaking quietly with Gianna and Carita, the large knight slowly gets up. His shirt is peeled off and cast to the side. The bare chested behemoth goes to roll up his breeches and make his weary way towards the edge of the pool, giving Carita and Gianna a little smile as he marches over to the pool. "I'll be right back." Jeffeth rumbles.

Waldemai has to find something to wash down all that good seafood, and pool water is not the stuff. He grabs a pot of ale and goes to cheer the racers on. "Swim fast!"

"Good luck!" Gianna calls out to Jeffeth.

Idly elbowing Kaldur as she takes her place at the side of the pool, "And I absolutely wouldn't have kept my sanity without you," Kalani confides in a quieter aside before aiming a grin at Jordan. "Lets see," she agrees before she turns toward Alaric and beams a smile at him. "Thank you for letting us have this party here. I think people had fun," she wiggles her toes then and faces forward. "Lets do this!"

Caspian heads over to the pool, standing at it's edge, ready to dive as he awaits for the signal to swim. "Good luck everyone," he says back to the other races as he stretches his arms overhead, loosening himself up.

Caspian has joined the line.

Alaric has joined the line.

Kaldur loosens his shoulders, hops a bit and settles. "Okay, swimmers! When you hear the conch, go. Take your marks," he looks at Calandra and nods!

Calandra brings the conch shell to her lips and allows a long, triumphant echo to sound at Kaldur's signal.

Kaldur checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Caspian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

Alaric gives the assemblage a bit of a smirk as he approaches the line. "Well, can't let a race go off in my own pool with representing the home team," he declares as he takes the line.

Jordan checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Alaric checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Kalani has rolled a critical success!
Kalani checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Jeffeth checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 49 higher.

Peri is up and about by one of the tables setup with crab legs, having a tiny vestigial leg fight one of the last big daddy legs in her other hand...well only for a moment or two and then she shuttles them onto her plate before anyone notices. She then moves to the side to watch while standing. "Go Kaldur!" she shouts before plopping a de-tailed shrimp into her mouth.

Peri checked command at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Calandra checked command at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Waldemai waves his pot of ale. "Yay! Who's that...is that Sir Jeffeth in the lead? Go! Go!"

Puma, The Stonewood Forest Cat arrives, following Gailin.

Caspian dives into the water and cuts through the water like a hot knife through butter. Each stroke through the pool, each kick of his feet creates a splash as they strike against the surface of the pool. But there are others ahead of him, and he doesn't seem to be closing the distance!

In the first leg, Jeffeth pulls ahead, with Kaldur and Jordan neck and neck behind him. Alaric and Caspian and in a dead heat with Kalani, swimming the race of her life, trailing valiantly as the swimmers round back.

Kalani checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Breathing in sharply, Jordan snaps into a dive when the signal is given, head to head with Kaldur in a way that speaks favorably of his athletic prowess, one supposes. He's in second place at present, but trying to put strength in the backstrokes to surge ahead.

Calandra checked command at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

The Knight of Solace has a big push off that sends him in the lead. Then it's all big arms and legs pumping hard to maintain it. He swims like a boy from the Lowers. That is, someone who's desperate to swim as fast as he can to get out of the water or get away from whatever is chasing him. Jeffeth's head bobs out of the water every now and then as he pushes through the pool.

Jeffeth checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 41 higher.

Swimming at the back of the shark pack, Kalani cuts through the water at a brisk pace, but she falls behind almost immediately as the race kicks off.

Jordan checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 44 higher.

Caspian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 54 higher.

Puma, The Stonewood Forest Cat leaves, following Gailin.

Alaric swims with a little more purpose than his usual pool exercise laps, but is nonetheless losing ground (or, well, water) to a pool full of extensively trained athletes, strangely enough.

Alaric checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Kaldur checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Carita cheers from her spot at the side with Gianna, "Go, Your Majesty!"

Calandra has been cheering, but it's not until the final lap that she really starts getting excited, shouting alongside the swimmers, most particularly the hostess. Female solidarity, it seems!

Carita checked command at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

In the next leg, Caspian pulls into the lead, trailed by Jeffeth and Jordan, with Alaric, Kaldur and Kalani, trailing. Cheers erupt for the King and urge Kalani to greater efforts, the Seliki that Could!

Calandra checked command at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Kalani checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Caspian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 76 higher.

Jordan checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Jeffeth checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Alaric checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Kaldur checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

What's this? Capsian is pulling ahead! The man finds his second wind and pushes himself to his limits, passing by the others ahead of him as he furiously cuts across the surface of the water with big splashes, hungry for that W.

Waldemai woots. "Wow, look at Caspian go! No offense, your majesty," he adds quickly.

"That man is a dolphin," Peri declares to herself as she traces Caspian's trajectory with a prawn while squinting.

Jordan probably can't even keep up with Caspian doing his best impression of a bottle-nose Dolphin and just torpedoing through the swimming pool. He slows down considerably, in fact.

Gianna isn't cheering. She's just watching, with her chin tilted up a bit to indicate some interest in the proceedings.

Carita checked command at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Alaric keeps swimming, if only to give his fans a good show than any reasonable expectation of victory.

Carita lifts her glass of punch as she kicks her feet in the water, cheering loudly for the King. At the end, she puts two fingers in her mouth for a shrill whistley addition.

Kalani is far enough back in the field that she is almost in another race entirely. But! she keeps at it, she may be slow but by golly she still gets there. Turtles still finish the race.

The large man doesn't give up, even as Caspian pulls ahead, Jeffeth keeps flowing through the water. Pushing off when reaching the other end and pumping his arms away, looking over with an arched brow as Caspian surpasses him. His huge arms continue to slap at the water and he continues to race until they reach the very end.

The swimmers head into the final stretch, fatigue is setting in (save one notable exception) and cheers rise... fingers stretch! Caspian! Jeffeth! Kaldur! Jordan! and the real contest... the whole reason for Splashfest here... ... ... Kalani, boosted by the cheers of the crowd, edges out Alaric!

The water is thrashing in the pool from the swimmers' efforts and a roar goes up for a race well swum!

Kaldur pulls himself out of the pool and collapses in a heap, grinning like an idiot. "That's the most fun I've had in a long time." His head lolls on the pavers and he curls to touch his brow to the King, "Thank you, Your Magesty," before flopping back, chest heaving. He scratches idly at the swirling blue tattoo on his shoulder and upper arm, grinning up at the sky and the clouds, soaking warmth from the stones and a moment of happiness in the furor of days.

Kaldur gets a silk pouch sewn like a seashell from a white wooden chest engraved with oysters.

Once Caspian reaches the end, he thrust his hands into the air in a V for victory! "Ha! My grandfather must have been a sea elf, because I keep winning these swimming races!" He laughs, leaning back so he now floats upon the water, panting heavily, "Well, I'm all tuckered out."

Kaldur gets a silk pouch sewn like a seashell from a white wooden chest engraved with oysters.

Kaldur gets a silk pouch sewn like a seashell from a white wooden chest engraved with oysters.

Calandra cheers all the winners, but mostly? She's cheering Kalani. Her voice is a musical triumph and cuts above the splash and din to attempt to spur the woman on. "Wonderful racing!"

Jordan pulls up for fourth, and just lingers there at the border, before climbing out of it slowly, laughing out his exhaustion. "Well done, Caspian! Trust a Thraxian to win swimming contests!" Suppressing a shiver with a faintly amused smile, he carefully moves on over to where Carita and Gianna are sitting, to exchange some words.

Kaldur curls onto his side and pushes up, moving over to get the last round of prizes and generally beaming about and feeling sunny. A swimming Seliki is a happy Seliki.

Once out of the water, Jeffeth gives a thunderous clap to Caspian, smiling brightly. "Good work Caspian." Jeffeth bellows out as he lumbers back to regain his perch. Once he collapses in his seat he takes a few moments to just breathe.

Climbing out of the pool after slapping one hand on the edge of the pool, Kalani sits on the edge of the pool and waves to Calandra, her voice having carried over the splashing to help encourage her on. "Wow, you guys don't need boats, you guys are all part fish!" She can't help the grin she aims at Alaric, "Barely, Sire. Just -barely- but one more lap and I would've been left in the dust."

Alaric pulls himself up out of the water, giving Kalani a smile. "Tenaciously swam, Lady Kalani. What can I say? You were best on the day," he congratulates her with a wink.

Kaldur has left the a heavy wooden log.

The line has been dismissed by Kalani.

Waldemai claps his hands. "Great race, everyone!"

Caspian gets a large white pearl, a handful of white seed pearls from a silk pouch sewn like a seashell.

Caspian gets a large white pearl, a handful of white seed pearls from a silk pouch sewn like a seashell.

Caspian gets a large white pearl, a handful of white seed pearls from a silk pouch sewn like a seashell.

Jordan has joined the The Wheel.

Kaldur gets a garland of sandalwood scented purple silk flowers from a white wooden chest containing sandalwood-scented garlands.

Calandra tries very hard to hide her smile when Kalani just ekes past Alaric in the laps. "Well done," she says as the other woman leaves the pool. "You were just brilliant. If I could swim like that, I doubt I'd ever leave the water. Your Majesty," she dips her dark, wet head low to Alaric. Very impressive. I was not expecting such athleticism!"

Eventually Caspian climbs out of the pool, looking at the three pouches he has gotten now, taking the pearls out of them and looks them over curiously. Then he holds them up, asking, "Does anyone want these seashell pouches? I got two I can give away."

Calandra gets a garland of peach scented orange silk flowers from a white wooden chest containing peach-scented garlands.

Calandra gets a garland of sandalwood scented red silk flowers from a white wooden chest containing sandalwood-scented garlands.

Caspian gets a garland of sandalwood scented purple silk flowers from a white wooden chest containing sandalwood-scented garlands.

"Only but barely, Sire," Kalani gives a wry laugh as she says this and shakes her head slightly at Alaric. "That back flip leap you did off of the waterfall? That was fantastic."

Caspian gets a garland of peach scented red silk flowers from a white wooden chest containing peach-scented garlands.

Carita's laughter, richly feminine, lifts from her spot at The Wheel with Gianna, Jeffeth, and Jordan over something said.

Caspian has left the a heavy wooden log.

Caspian has joined the The Deep End.

"Why, thank you," Alaric declares to the incoming compliments from Calandra and Kalani as he glances up to the top of the falls. "I've been leaping off the top of the falls practically since I've been big enough to climb up the side of the rocks, you know. Any skill I still have at diving is thanks to many a day of idle goofing around as a child, back when I had the kind of time to do things like that. But, it's nice to know I haven't -completely- forgotten all my tricks."

Caspian shrugs when no one takes up his offer for free pouches, and hands the three over to Renn as he says, "Give one to Bashira, Reese, and Karina, it's not my style, maybe they'll like it." And with that, he heads over to the deep end to jump in with a cannon ball, making a big splash!

Kaldur settles himself on a warm perch with a plate of food, he waves over at Jordan, gesturing with a crab leg, "You and I are well-matched, Sir Jordan!" CRACK! Sweet, sweet, leg meat. Mmmm. He takes a deep breath around the morsel and sighs, chewing contentedly. Any sign of melancholy and worry has ebbed for certain.

With all the contests completed and the prizes given out, and the sun setting, what's left is to enjoy the pools, the food and drink and the company of those at the party. The large drums of the fruit and rum mix are quite popular, and small handheld mallets are passed out for those who want to crack their way into the crablegs and make a merry mess. As the sun sets more than one bit of crabmeat goes flying and lobsters are boiled in big pots.

"To know I can swim as well as a Seliki is a high compliment, considering your main activities involve deep sea pearl fishing and recovering things that would be otherwise left to the ocean, my Lord. Thank you," Jordan bows his head to the Seliki. "I look forward to hearing about your road, by the way. I'm afraid I couldn't get around to helping with those efforts and cannot just yet -- not with some duties pulling me a few different directions. But soon!"

Caspian has left the The Deep End.

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