Ugarte arrives, following Aureth.

Merek takes a moment to step forward, while he is decked out in his usual attire. Which is all his armor and a glassed visor that covers his face a bit. His cloak is settled about him in full, while he waits for people to arrive. "Welcome one and all, to my first wine tasting event. I am Merek Black, Iron Guardsman, and member of the Crafter's Guild." He motions to a few tables.

The room has been cleared to allow for multiple tables which host black bottles of a red wine upon them. Two windows have been uncurtained, to allow the light to filter in, and the hearth has been lit for warmth in the Autumn cold.

"I welcome all to help themselves to one bottle of wine, which I've been meticulously working on for a while. And if you all find it acceptable, it will be presented to Priests that will see if it is worthy of consecration under Mangata's blessing. That said, it's a pleasure to meet those of you I haven't, and those of you I have, it is good to see you again," Merek states, then he moves off to the side, "So please, feel free to mingle and have at it."

Pawn, the courtier's apprentice, Quiet, the Grayward champion arrive, following Rook.

Entering with pig in tow, Natalia eyes the many bottles and her precious little pet, then promptly sends it home with a handler to be pampered away from so much breakable things. "Mister Merek, it is good to see you again. And so well dressed." she greets him as she is able with the crowd, coming up to sample the first of the bottles and bowing her head in admiration. "I do so love a good event, if if there isn't clothing to obtain."

Princess Porkingham, a tiara-wearing mini potbelly piglet have been dismissed.

Acacia stepped through the front entryway and allowed the finery of most occupants to wash over her more commonplace, even if meticulously groomed, leathers. Standing almost as if she had been employed there, rather than inviting herself to be a guest, she eventually chooses a table across the room from the unveiled windows in order to afford a greater view at a distance. Rather than claim a seat initially, she seems to have no qualms filching one of the wine bottles to inspect the label with a remarkably critical look considering everything else. As her dark eyes eventually catch upon Merek, she bestows him a slight inclination of her torso to profer respect and then sweeps focus back on the other arrivals.

Desiree steps into the shop and takes a look around. She wears a simple blue dress. Once she sees the bottles she stops to take a look at them before reaching for one.

With the tromp of Quiet to announce him, Rook's presence is otherwise soft footed. Doeskin boots lessen the impact of each shoe as they land and his steps take him through the portal and into the shop proper, emerald eyes sweeping. With first a little narrowing of his eyes, then a smoothing of his fair features, he asks promptly only once Merek has moved to the side, almost as if it were a greeting: "Goodman Merek, how do you do. You've come quite far, haven't you, from busking in the Salon for anthropological theories to wine enterprises. Very well done."

Remi steps into the shop as Merek ends his little introduction to the tasting and mentions the bottle /rule/. The man's eyes traveling over the cleared shop with those tables laid out to present the offerings before finally focusing on the man for a few moments studying the guardsman and crafter. His attention doesn't linger for long though Remi's movements guiding him further into the place as he lets his gaze wander over the others in attendance briefly before he is focusing on the reason for the little gathering those bottles of wine and liquid freedom.

Bird the Sparrow, Jackson arrive, following Mailys.

"Yes well, one must have many goals in life," Merek tells Rook, with an incline of his head. He then looks to Natalia and smiles, "It is good to see you once more." Acacia receives a polite nod at her gesture, as do others at any gesture given to him. Those arriving would see things are underway now, and that the bottles are up for grabs, one per person, taste it and try it.

"And if we must drink, to hell with the health, we all wither and sink, drink to our wealth." Blacktongue singsongs some antiquated sailor's tune as she enters, hands clasped behind his back as her piercing eyes flit over the crowd.

There's a science to proper wine tasting, and apparently Natalia has studied with the best. She pours a little into a glass, swirls it, lets it breathe.. all that strange looking ritualistic stuff that so heightens the taste. Perhaps that will change once she's drank a few, but for now, she's the epitome of royalty - tasting only after someone else has because.. well.. poison. "Absolutely delightful. I do so love fruit, most reds are much too dry for me. Puckering causes wrinkles." she muses quietly, holding the glass up to the light and swirling it again. Pretensious posturing, so much fun!

Leta struts into the shop with Serafine at her side, gloved fingers resting lightly on the princess's elbow as she leans in to murmur something close to an ear. Besides her silk, she wears a broad grin as she takes in the venue and the bottles on display with some interest. She first offers Merek a deep nod and a friendly smile, and only a slightly raised eyebrow as she takes in the armor, "Master Merek." she acknowledges the man's presence in a pleasant tone, but keeps quiet as others address the host.

Desiree looks over the bottle she's taken and pours some into a glass. "Strawberry, my favorite!" She gives it a sniff before trying a little. "This isn't bad. I do quite like the flavor."

"That they must, good fellow, that they -must-," Rook agrees in a naturally chipper coo as he accepts the bottle given and looks it over, turning it carefully before he wanders in the direction and search of a cup. "Cup, anyone? Cup?" He collects several for those, like him, who cannot fathom breaking etiquette and guzzling from the neck of a full container.

Not like Jackson is going to turn down the idea of free liqour. Mean, if there's something someone is just giving away, why not partark. And with a particular seaworthy swagger, he enters with a woman on his arm. That would be Mailys. "Darlin, have to admit, it was a good idea dropping by. I mean, I know I'm classy an all but-" he's cut off, because at that moment there's a bottle of win being offer to him. "Well, don't mind if I do. Thank ye kindly." he grins lazily, taking the bottle with the free arm that's not currently escourting the Whisper. "Gonna be a good night, Darlin."

Aureth drifts thoughtfully into the room, trailing the slight shadow of his assistant. He chews thoughtfully on the inside of his cheek, arms folded in a loose cross over his chest. He watches for a moment, tracking the others present with a slight, quizzical lift of his eyebrows.

"Would you care for a glass, Lord Rook?" Acacia caught sight of Rook from her peripheral, but her current state seems to be rallying some sort of glassware monopoly at the table she stands for. "Blacktongue? And you?" Desiree's comment is acknowledged with a small grin, before she follows up, "A glass to whet the palate for your rhymes?" Regardless, there's an odd bit of practiced poise as she seeks to arrange at least two glasses full -- topping off once from a miscalculation -- and then looking about her expectantly.

When the bottle is taken up by Remi as he passes by one of those tables and he is quickly offered a glass the man just blinks, Remi's eyes looking between the glass and the bottle a few times before he just chuckles shaking his head. His voice with that Thraxian accent and made distinct with its rough edge from frequent smoke and drink sounding out moments later, "T'fuck I need that for? I got a glass several o' them." The man hefting the bottle up as if to show what he meant before slipping past to wander through the cleared shop looking over those others in attendance, The man so lost to his thoughts that he doesn't seem to register the smell wafting from the bottle as its uncorked or when its brought to his lips. But that first taste? That first taste is rather telling, that taste of strawberries and sweatness clearly not expected by the man as his face shifts into one that looks like he was just hit by a sea serpent across the face.


Serafine isn't dressed as most know her, removing her coat at the door to expose a lovely volumious dress in midnight-blue silk, baring inked shoulders with images of thistle blossoms, maps, words, animals that go down arms that are exposed as well. Her hair, normally a fall of dark sable, is bound up in an elegant collection of braids. Once her coat is taken, her hand goes back to Leta's arm, the short, thick figure of the Velenosan Shav'Arvani Knight not quite scandalous but definitely rather striking in her dress. She listens to the blonde sellsword and her lips twitch.

"It would simply kill me not to indulge." So drawls Blacktongue, his slow cheshire smile curling to reveal pearly whites before a soft laugh allows the smallest of glimpses of his unsettling namesake. "Mistress Culler, you are too thoughtful. Are you seeking further rhymes, or an excuse to attempt to intoxicate me?"

"Please!" Rook says with the kind of dramatic excitement and plea that would, at any other moment, instill the thought that he'll die without proper glassware. This, to Acacia, who he beams towards with the bright face of someone absolutely delighted to be assisted. A few careful steps, twists and pushes get him through the crowd until he's pouring the bottle he claimed into the glasses provided. "How do you do, Mistress Gull-Sage-Star?"

Merek takes a bottle for himself, and then opens it up after a moment, "These are made from the finest strawberries from Lenosia that could be found. I've nulled the taste just enough that it's not too sweet, so one can enjoy the flavor, and still have the sting of the bitterness that the tannins take to your lips," he offers, with a smile to Natalia and Desiree. He looks to Serafine and Leta, and inclines, while he grins at Blacktongue, then looks to Remi, wondering if his shop is about to be taken to the ground. He then shakes his head, "A very southern comfort, wine is underrated these days, and it would bring me joy to see people speak well of them," he offers. He then drinks straight from the bottle, because he is /that/ kind of person.

"I can't decide if it is a good things I brought my flask too." The tiyn Whisper is settled into Jackson's side in a way that clearly implies that she is not 'on duty' as a Whisper. Rook gets a kiss blown at him in greeting, because that is the kind of thing Mailys does to people she knows. Or sets out to make them blush. At Jackson's calling himself classy Mailys rolls her eyes in amusement, "You're only classy to the point of liking to drink wine, my Captain." Around she peers, likely searching for a spot to sit or stand that is not in the path. Everyone, to note, is flashed a brilliant smile whether they look at her or not.

Desiree takes a look around at some of the others once she has tried her wine. She smiles as she looks at Acacia and watches Remi with amusement. "I suppose this isn't your favorite." She nods to Merek. "It is something I enjoy."

"Perhaps a rekindling of times when we never quite got acquainted, Blacktongue. I did achieve a name though. I'd suggest Lord Rook be so kind to give you an additional nickname, but it'd be hard to beat the name you presently own, hrm?" Acacia's doffs a grin with a bit of a mirthful slant, but the glasses are appraised and appreciated as she concludes, "Long time, love. Strawberries are forever?" One of the other glasses thereafter is lofted towards Rook as she turns to face him, "Always good to see you in one piece. I'm tasting wine like I was-- a very enthusiastic taster stealing more than their share. You're decidedly less golden. Or are you? Will you do diamonds sometime, my Lord?"

Aureth slips away to handle some messenger business.

Ugarte leaves, following Aureth.

Having tasted the wine, Natalia pours herself a glass and goes to stand in the light of the windows, looking out with a pensive expression and otherwise remaining silent for the time.

"Mistress Mailys, bonjour," Rook calls, totally in Eurusi, because it's a thing. As he sips his drink, his eyes go over Blacktongue and Acacia carefully before he speaks mostly to the latter: "Today I'm green, like grass. I even had this new scent made for me," he chirps, looking himself over with a decidedly critical look. He finds what might be lint and pinches it, pulling it an arm's length away before letting it fly... directly onto Acacia. Eep. "Ahem. Diamonds? Perhaps, if I ever empty the treasury of all its coin." A pause, then he adds, for clarity and jest: "That was a joke, I'd never do such a thing."

"Eh, we'll just it when we go to the grotto after, Darlin." Jackson assures of Mailys. "As much as I like that dress, better without it." he winks at her, then feigning some kind of shock and dismay. "I am /completely/ classy, thankyouverymuch. I bathe and everything. And you can't help it if I like a good rum as opposed to wine. Not to say that wine isn't good, aye, but we all have our preferences. But I do have this bottle, so I'm thinking we should get to trying this out, eh? We'd just be the most disrespectful of guests if we didn't try what was on tap." And at that, he'll be on the search to wrangle up some glasses for the two of them before finding some spot to sit down at, clearly in the effort to enjoy said wine. Hey, free wine is never bad wine. Unless you're drinking it out of a boot. Though he does spare a moment lean down to speak into Mailys' ear.

Merek takes a moment to look towards Desiree, "It is one of my favorite flavors," he offers, then he looks back, hearing something about diamonds. "Diamonds, where?" he asks, flicking his gaze about. He looks to Blacktongue, and then to Rook, "Are you two poets, of some sort?" he asks, curiously, while his head is tilted to the side. His gaze catches the pensive Natalia, but then he speaks to Jackson, who he hasn't spoken to yet, "I hope you will enjoy it," then to Mailys, "And you as well, Whisper."

"Acquatined? I do still wear your gift." Blacktongue informs Acacia, black gloved hands gesturing to the necklace of an apple pendant. "Thoughtful, considering it was only the handful of times we had ever met." His eyes shift slowly to Rook. "Would the man dare to attempt another nickname for the man that wears his black stain as his moniker now?"

Blacktongue adds upon hearing Merek, correcting, "No, Master Merek. I am the Blacktongue, Harlequin of House Velenosa."

After the nod of acknowedgment, Leta collects two bottles, gives them a quiet look, then hands one over to Serafine. Leta being fancy, she waits a moment before stepping forward in her fanciest strut, and finally grab a pair of glasses, with a respectful nod or two or three to everyone she squeezes past on her way to pick them up. She fills one glass, which she offers to the shorter princess at her side, and fills one for herself as well. Then, arching an eyebrow, she decides to imitate Natalia and swirls her wine about to create a tiny strawberry maelstrom.

Merek hears Blacktongue, and he blinks a few times. "Oh! It is a pleasure to have you here," he quickly imposes upon the man with, as though reverent of that fact, and a deep incline.

"A poet, gods no," Rook near wails, "I'm just a wandering courtier that happens into the most interesting of situations," insists the gentleman from Bastion. "Don't mind me one bit," is furthered before he turns his eye to Blacktongue, looking a little leery of the strange fellow. A mild step backward, a glance to Quiet. "Ah, no, I wouldn't ever be so rude as to call you names, my southern friend. Not a one bit, not at all. A pleasure, yes," he adds, in mirror of Merek. Diplomatic SUPERSTAR.

From the looks of it Remi actually looks like he thinks he has been poisoned until the mention of the strawberries in the wine has the Thraxian finally giving a sigh of relief as the bottle is lowered. The man looking to the bottle for a few moments as it had bitten him before he offers up mostly to himself, "Ah shit tha's what it was.. Thought I was getting poisoned." His head shaking as the man lets loose a soft chuckle, Moments later he is wandering through the room taking another more tenative sip of the wine. The man not looking near so dreadful at the second taste of the wine.

Acacia's composure had held through the elaborate tri-nicknamed state and the pouring of the wine, but the lint fluttering towards her face questions her etiquette when she scrunches up her features and sway to the side enough to quietly chime a few glasses when her hip brushes against the glass-laden table. "Perhaps strawberries then? Inspired by the wine? What do you think of it anyhow? You're a blunt, well-versed sort of fellow," she supposes to Rook, rather than Blacktongue, though it forces a secondary grin as a result. Leaning fractionally towards Blacktongue, she adds, "I'm rather proud of your gift, you know. Even if it was bestowed only with familial advice. Besides-- I had reason to at the time. You seemed like someone to know." She allows for a small pause for her to sip the wine, before concluding, "You still do. That said, I'd kind of love to see you drunk, truth be told. Is it a fun thing to watch? Up until that certain point when it wouldn't be, of course."


Serafine eyes Leta and her generous mouth quirks, the darker, shorter woman amused. She in turn takes her glass and inhales the scent, her nose tucked down, eyes closing. After a moment, she sips the vintage, rolls her tongue against her teeth, savors it, then swallows. She looks up at Leta and nods. "Yes. This will get a person drunk."

"And what? You're outfitting people in diamonds, Master Merek?" Acacia tacks this on towards the end, adding a bit of volume to her words to pair with a decidedly innocent expression despite the choice word being hers.

"Bathing entirely makes you classy, my Captain." in her voice a note of amused sarcasm. "We should, yes." she agrees then her attention drifts to Rook again whe he greets her, "Hello, Lord Rook. Have you missed me terribly? I have missed you quite terribly." The grin she flashes makes the words clearly teasing. Random declaration of love done. Her figners slide along JAckson's arm when Merek comments to them, "Have you met him yet, Jackson?" she wonders, likely to see whether she needs to introduce him to Merek. And to MErek she grins, "I am sure I will. I always enjoy alcohol." She is careful not to saw 'wine' because that /might/ lead to her having to fake attempting to assess the taste and quality and all those things.

After standing alone a rather uncomfortable length of time, Natalia reaches up to fix her brightly plumed hair comb and just drifts to the doorway, leaving her mostly untouched glass of wine on the windowsill. She murmurs her farewells in a quiet tone, bracing herself for the chilly autumn air and leaving before a gust of wind does more than scatter a few dead leaves upon the entryway.

Leta lifts the glass and sniffs at it. With a shrug and a look to Serafine, she then takes a small sip, immediately followed by a heartier gulp. Spotting Remi, she gives the man a look of slight surprise, grins, then raises her glass in greeting. Then she looks to Blacktongue, and at his introduction the swordswoman's brow furrows, and she leans in closer to Serafine to ask in a whisper, "What's a - what he said -" she nods sort of not really discreetly to Blacktongue, "- a Harlequin?"

"A pleasure?" Blacktongue echoes Merek, a curious tilt of his head. "I'm off duty today." he reiterates to the man before laughing at Rook's misfortune of being mislabeled. "Oh, but it would be rude of me -not- to call others names." He turns the argument on its head against Rook before a sly look is given to Acacia. "It is always useful to know those that know. As for my imbibing; intoxication is practically impossible."

"... Am I? I mean, I could if I weren't so broke, I'll keep it in mind though," Merek mentions, while he shifts his cloak and looks to Natalia as she leaves. He frowns, but then nods to Rook and Blacktongue, while he allows his gaze to move towards Leta and Serafine, "Enjoy," he offers. Then to Mailys, "Wonderful to see you again, and yes. Alcohol is a refined thing," he mentions. Then he adds, "But I usually but whiskey into my coffee on a cold night. There's something exotic about it." He does a dramatic cloak swish at that.

Merek checked charm + performance against difficulty 15, resulting in 28, 13 higher than the difficulty.


Serafine chuckles and stands on her toes to whisper at Leta, and then looks to the Harlequin in question. "Blacktongue? When you've a moment, I have questions about an incident with Eleyna and apples," she calls to him.

"Can't say I have, but I've never met I winemaker I didn't like." Jackson smiles down at Mailys before looking forward to Merek. "Captain Jackson Brooks, sworn man to Marquis Salazar Argento. Trader, sailor, ruffian, swordsman, and whatever other adjectives that I can't really think of at the moment. How ya doin'." The wine is not poured right away, he knows enough to let it breath a moment before doing so, one is offered to Mailys. "Oh, and the lucky bastard who somehow got Mai here to come along with me. But!" he sniffs the wine a moment, getting a smell for its boquet. "What's the occasion, Master Merek. Just feelin' generous today or is there something special about it?"

"She eats those of her own free will knowing full and well what may occur." Blacktongue is quick to defend to Serafine, holding up both of his hands in mock surrender.

Something in the room seems to draw Remi's attention, The man's scarred right brow lifting as he looks over the room until his gaze focuses intently on Jackson. The Thrax man dressed like he had just come down off some ship and a good bit of time at sea starting to make his way towards Jackson as his rough voice sounds out more loudly. "Oy ya forgot tha' ya also are someone who runs off when ya owe money to smiths." Amusement dancing in Remi's eyes as he watches Jackson before turning his focus to the woman on the man's arm, The bottle of wine raised up slowly for one more sip as he looks over the pair before giving a quick glance towards Merek.

"To be honest, I felt like bringing a little trade in to the wine traders, and showing people a little southern comfort in these dark times," Merek states, while he inclines, "Merek Black. Iron Guardsman. I'd also like to dedicate this event to the recently fallen," he adds in, while he lifts a drink in a silent toast to those there, and even lets a small amount trickle upon the table aside. Pour one out as they say, and even if it's fine wine, it will do. He then drains the rest as if numbing his thoughts, "Once the Priests have admitted it in and consecrated it for sale, it'll be a regular sold here, at a reasonable price," he offers up, with an incline of his head.

"Terribly much, Mistress Mailys," Rook allows easily for the Whisper with a finger waggle that's performed around his clutch of the glass he holds. Sipping, he looks to Blacktongue over the lip, who he chooses to strategically step away from. "Names are best suited to those who deserve them, don't you think? Lovely to meet you," he insists, too much, before advancing in the direction of another part of the room lest he be forced to consume an apple or something.

Acacia's brows arch slightly at the dribble of wine upon the table, from a distance, and then she slides a look towards Blacktongue to gauge his expression afterward. "To the recently fallen," she echoes, though she raps her index thrice against the edge of her slightly tilted glass. Pausing significantly, she queries as she draws the glass a bit closer towards Rook rather than herself, "... Truly? You're recommending that everyone just pour out some of their wine directly on the table? No qualms at the messes? No issues if someone slips?"

Serafine laughs at Blacktongue's reaction, crooking a finger at him. "Please, come here. Do you know Messere Leta Broadbent?" she says by way of introduction. "Skilled sellsword of the Valorous Few, a Prince of the Lower Boroughs."

Desiree takes her wine to a spot by herself and just watches the others. She does lift her glass during the toast, but she continues to keep to herself.

"IT is a pleasure to see you again as well. I hope you been well?" Mailys might be 'off duty' but, it doesn't stop her from being properly polite an all Whisper like. A light tug is given to JAckson's arm as she lifts up to murmur something in his ear, proably telling him certain behaviors or something. When the wine is poured for her she accepts it, mimicking the actions of JAckson with it. It's new for her, the whole not pickign at randm and just drinking so she is pretending well, like she knows what she is doing. A little nudge is given t Jackson to draw his attention to Remi, "Someone seems interested in you." she says to him, it's not a whisper but it is a quieter spoken set of words.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Serafine before departing.

Rook's consumption of the wine is short enough to see it enjoyed before he settles on purchase, it seems. Meandering toward Merek, he passes a pouch of silver and extends a few polite words before beaming. "With that," he breathes louder, a wave for Acacia and Mailys following, more words, "I'll bid you all a good night. I'm positively famished!"

"Most men deserve the names given to them, though they would never admit it." Blacktongue advises Rook as he makes his retreat away from the Jester. With a respectful nod of his head, he raises his wine to miror Acacia's toast. "To the Fallen and those that fought and still yet draw breath." Serafina's gesture catches his attention soon thereafter and with a respectful bow, he is obligated to indulge the Velenosa and approaches her. "I cannot say that I do know her, your Highness. Should I?"

Rook is overheard praising Merek for: Wine, seriously, it's a good a reason as any to drink. Sensibly.

Pawn, the courtier's apprentice, Quiet, the Grayward champion leave, following Rook.

Leta is no more enlightened than she was when she asked the question, giving Serafine a nonplussed look. But she shrugs subtly, nods, and takes another long swig from her glass. It's almost empty, which means she's given it a proper tasting, lips coming together to produce a soft smacking sound. "It'll get you drunk, that's for sure, but I'd say it'll taste good on the way too." she says, Boroughs accent and all, to the princess at her side, and shifts to offer Merek her approval with a smile, a nod, and a raised glass. She stops herself, hearing Serafine, and pivots about with a little added red to her face. "Right. Not the last part, mind you - m'Lord." she tells Blacktongue, grimacing slightly at the last word. She has no idea if there's a mode of address for Harlequins.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Leta before departing.

Niccolo steps into the shop, he walks without his guards today. Maybe they're outside, most likely really. He walks with hands clasped behind his back. His features show very little, his expression serious. He slows down at the door, taking a moment to study the surroundings and the people already in the shop. He inclines his head to Rook as the other man walks by, and walks further into the establishment.

There's a lift of the brow from the Captain to Mailys before saysing something quietly back to her, then getting that nudge, stormy blue eyes seeking out. "Oy! Who said I owed someone coin?" Jackson asks over at Remi. "I mean, not gonna lie, I owe plenty of people money, but as far as I can recall, they're all in Nilanza. You know Old Yancy? Asshole still says I owe him a couple hundred from the netting I got for him. He'll get it when he sends me a net worth using, aye." Then he considers. "However, if there's somebody in Arx I haven't been made square with, I'm happy to pay up. Fair's fair an all." That all said, he glances back at Merek nodding. "Ah, then that /would/ explain it, aye. Fancy you should mention that, but I do happen to be in the trade business. Helping out some folks pull in supplies towards the city. Figure it's in all our best interests right now." It's only then that he actually tastes the wine, rolling his eyes a bit in contemplation, then smacking his lips slightly. "Not a bad wine you got here. Thinking I'll be more than happy to see what else you got in stock at some point."

Merek blinks when he is paid for the wine, but then inclines, and watches Rook take off. He chuckles a bit in amusement, then he looks to Acacia, "I can clean it up myself, no issue," he states casually, with a wave of his hand, "Just because I know etiquette, doesn't mean I'm prissy about my tables." His hip leans on one, and he smiles to Leta's approval of the wine. Then to Serafine, "What do you thi---nk," he notices Niccolo, and offers a deep incline, having a wine delivered to him. To Jackson, "Pleasure," he holds out a hand.

A Prince of the Lower Boroughs. That title recalls Acacia's attention quite swiftly over between Serafine and Leta, with an idle toast of presently unspilled wine lofted to the one introduced -- even if it wasn't done specifically to her. She somewhat lazily had waved back to Rook, before clearing her throat enough to induce a more appropriate bow towards the man and rising again. "Master Merek, just for the sake of questioning you more about this strikingly fashionable wine you're presenting -- what would you say pairs best with this as far as appetizers and desserts go?" Even as she speaks, she's already casually readying a glass from the previously opened bottle and seeking to step to Niccolo to pass it off from near his left shoulder.

"Blacktongue. That is all you need call me, no 'Master' before it either." the Harlequin clarifies for Leta's sake.


Looking up, a smile that looks like it's not been used in a while on her face, Serafine spots Niccolo. "It's delicious," she tells Merek absently, looking at her uncle. "Uncle Niccolo," the dark-skinned woman greets him, her husky voice a twin to her sister Eleyna's. "It's good to see you," she says as she gives a small bow to the man.

Remi looks between Jackson and Mailys before the words from the man have Remi smirking, "Oh tha' a fact now? Well then ya must be drinking a bit too fucking much if you don't remember what was owed to tha' smith here in town." A brief pause given as the man takes a deep pull from his bottle, when the bottle is lowered. "Lass named Julea, smith.. Seems she made ya a cutlass and ya ne'er did pay her for it. So, Ya got the cutlass to give back o'er to her? Or the coin ya owe her?" The man's scarred right brow lifting in question as he levels his gaze on Jackson before shifting his gaze to Mailys, "Evening lass. Don't mean to ruin yer date with this one." The bottle motioned briefly to Jackson.

In much better spirits, Natalia comes back through the doorway, only to lose her smile and stride right back out again without a single word spoken.

Merek looks to Acacia, "Salads, fish, roasted chicken, rice pilaf, and for desserts I think that perhaps it would go well with a more 'spicy' blend, something to balance out the slight amount of sugar and dry texture," while he then considers for a moment.

"Is it? Blacktongue then." Leta nods and offers Blacktongue a big smile, "Don't mind that bit with the Prince and all - Ser- her Highness exaggerates." she says, and then, for some reason, she goes very very still. Coincidentally, it happens at about the same time as Serafine says 'uncle Niccolo'. There's a trace of wine in her glass, so she gulps that down, before pivoting stiffly on her heels. She stares at Niccolo for a second, then decides to stare at her boots instead, which goes with the bowing of her head.

THe arrival of Niccolo definitely draws Mailys' eyes. Even fro a man his age he can make the heart of a lady flutter. The silver in his hair just makes him more distinguished. To the Archduke she dips into a curtsy, she actualy knows his societial position without having to think about it. "Archeduke." she greets, though, maybe heard maybe not. Depends on his proximities to her. A laugh is given at the whisper to her from JAckson as she murmurs back to him. Remi gets a brilliant smile to him, "Nothing ruins anything I do." she assures. She offers a spot to join hr and Jackson, "Why not sit with us and talk about matters with JAckson on a more personal level. I would hate for people to think you wish to ruin such a lovely affair. It would break my little heart for anyone to ook upo you with shock." Even off duty Mailys kind of accidently slips into 'Whisper mode.' She is also a super flirt and flatter so that is a thing.

Blacktongue makes a show of lowering his gaze to stare at Leta's shoes as well. "Is the wine truly that strong, or did I get the wrong vintage?"

The second entrance and departure of the Princess has Acacia's brows lofting and provides a partial distraction from Merek's informative words. "Thank you, Master Black. I was kind of wondering if you'd throw out some rather delicious ideas for those present. So, will you be selling this wine more often to the populace or where might they fetch it later on? From your personal stocks or so?" With the delivered glass relieved, she pries within the interior of her leather cloak in order to withdraw a small scrollcase of writing supplies and casually scripts against whatever isn't presently stained with driblets of wine.

Desiree gives a curious glance to Natalia as she comes and goes. She sighs and walks over toward Merek. "I should really be going, but thank you for the nice time."

Niccolo dips his head to Merek. "Master Merek," he greets the man. "I had hoped to arrive a little earlier, but I was detained by a meeting," he shares before accepting the wine from the man. Then Acacia comes by, and passes him a glass which he deftly and immediately takes without hesitation. He brings that glass to his lips, and allows a touch of a smile for the redheaded Culler. His gaze drags back to Serafine and there his eyes linger. "Serafine," he uses the familiar form of address to greet his niece, dipping his head. "It's good to see you as well," he points out. "We've managed to run into each other less often than before," he notes and then glances at Leta. "You, must be Leta." His voice is deep, gravelly and there is a tinge of curiosity in it. Maily's curtsy is noted, along with a dip of his head. But those eyes are still on Leta. "Old Friend," that is aimed at Blacktongue, just such, but the yes. Yes, still on Leta.

Merek looks over to Desiree, and then tips his head as well as his drink, "Gods light your steps," he offers, then to Acacia, "It will be sold here in stock, eventually. I've not settled on a price, but I like affordability for those less fortunate, so I do take recommendations." When he hears Niccolo, he inclines, "It is fine, please avail yourself of whatever I have to offer, Archduke," he offers kindly. He then sinks a bit back into the small crowd, to take a seat, obviously a bit tired it seems.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Niccolo before departing.

Jackson waves a hand at Remi, then considers, scratching his chin idly. "Huh. Well considering I've been away from the city up until recently and she never actually asked for payment, I guess it was just something that hadn't crossed my mind." he offers rather unbothered and nonchalant. But that doesn't seem like he's going to do nothing about it. "But, you're absolutely right, boyo." And whistles a messenger that had been waiting in the door over. Writing something out on a slip, he drops a hefty bag of coin to be taken as well. "There. Issue taken care of, I'd say, no hair off my ass. Indeed, like the lady, feel free to join us. No reason not to." Hey then sends the messenger on his way. "Should be thanking you, really. Probably would've never thought about again and have to admit, Julea ain't one I run into all that often." Whether or not the other man does, he's still going to drink.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Niccolo before departing.

2 House Wyrmguard Guards leaves, following Desiree.

Jiacomo arrives, following Eleyna.


"I've joined up with the Iron Guard when I'm not scouting for the Compact," Serafine nods to her uncle, looking up at him. She's in a dress, a dress! Comfortable in the voluminous midnight silk in a way she never was as a youth, as he might remember her before she left. Her skin is etched in ink and scars, dark blue but in the illustrative intricacy of Velenosan design. Her upswept hair is done in tiny little braids. A bangle glints mutely on her wrist as she stands aside a little, gestures to Leta.

"Yes. Messere Leta Broadbent, an brave member of Messere Audric's Valorous Few." She opens her mouth to say something else, but... pauses, closes her lips thoughtfully. She watches her uncle but says nothing else.

Perhaps the third time will be the charm for Natalia, for she enters again, this time in the shadows of Eleyna's wake, and makes her way over to the tables once again. "Master Merek, perhaps one glass was not enough. I shall take another bottle." she orders, painting on a brilliant smile that doesn't quite reach her eyes. She searches the crowd soon after, settling her gaze on each unfamiliar face while twisting a missive around in her free hand, worrying the edges.

Leta has relatively new boots, well-cared for and neatly polished, and their owner seems really interested in them. Bottle in one hand, glass in the other, she tucks these things behind her back, just to keep her hands out of sight. She tilts one boot slightly. Look, a spot of mud, she'll have to clean that. Then she forces herself to look up to face Niccolo as he speaks to Serafine, just in time to be addressed, and by name. "Ah. Well - ah - aye. That is, yes, your - Grace. That'll be me. Leta Broadbent, not that it's sayin' much, that, I mean, the Broadbent part." she squares her shoulders, stands straighter, and just babbles, trying to suppress the Lowers accent somewhat. It doesn't work. Her voice fades and she bows her head again, "Your Grace, honored to meet you."

Departing from Niccolo's side without a word other than a practiced, and slightly flourished bow to dedicated to his presence, Acacia casts a look towards the entrance when it cracks open thrice. Upon that third time, she furnishes a partial smile. A single look is spared towards the glass upon the windowsill, before it is retrieved and summarily discarded. A fresher one is poured as she slyly revolves through the crowds to present herself to the side of the doorway with the offering to Natalia's appearance. "A fresher glass, your Highness? With your business, you missed Master Merek speaking of taking his recommendations for selling this wine and thoughts on the pairing."

The invitation to join the table first by Mailys and then by Jackson in the end has Remi giving a subtle nod, "Suppose I could sit for a minute or two." The man making his way closer to the table before he grins looking to the woman at the table. "Lass, My family spent the better part of 10 years thinking I was dead. If I wanted to avoid shock I woulda stayed away and left 'em thinking me dead." His shoulders giveway to a shrug as he moves to take hold of a chair pulling it back only to moments later sink down into the seat. His focus turning towards Jackson, "Thanks lad, Appreciate ya handling that. Julea is a good smith, she deserves her money for her work is all. Tha' and she did a right good job for the masquerade so told her I would see the payment settled." His words spoken almost casually in that rough edged voice of his before he is remembering, "Oy fuck sake, Forgot to introduce m'self didn't I?"

"Older friend." Blacktongue greets Niccolo with their old ways, giving the man a friendly and genuine smile - lacking that habitual caricature cheshire he is always seen with. "I'll leave you to it." he remarks to Niccolo and Mailys, but offering to the latter, "I promise that he is at least easier on the eyes than your toes."

Eleyna arrives late, which is unusual for a woman with such a reputation for loving wine and all things involved with it. She walks in on the arm of Jiacomo, her bright blond hair leaned in to his as they exchange whispers. Something the servant says makes her laugh and Eleyna gives the man's arm a light squeeze before he releases her and moves towards the back of the room while his mistress scans the room with unsettlingly pale blue eyes. She takes note of the familiar faces and slowly makes her way in that direction, the sapphire silk and chiffon of her gown's skirt swaying as she meanders.

Merek looks to Acacia, but either way he takes a moment to reach for another bottle, and hands it to Natalia, "Of course," he states, not needing another word, and letting her have the whole bottle it seems. Whatever is unspoken, he does not ask, and offers the woman a kind gaze, while he shifts his gaze to the new entry, and motions to have a wine delivered to her, as he inclines in her direction.

"Yes, thank you. Mistress Culler, was it?" Natalia says to Acacia with a regal cant to her shoulders, straightening their slumped posture and putting on her best courtly smile, the tilt of her head cocking her peacock plume rakishly to the side. "I'm quite certain Illusions could dare to stock a few bottles cases of wine for our customers, as well as my own private stock." she muses, cleching the offered bottle from Merek in her tight fist. She positions herself in a way that allows her to not have to see Niccolo in her peripheal, the tension in her gaze still not lessening. "You are a very beautiful woman, Mistress Culler. Tell me, what is it that you do?"

A chuckle is given by Mailys to Temi, "Ah but would you truly want to break the heart of a little Whisper who wants to see the wine drinking event a friend of hers scceed beautifully? IT wounds me terribly would would want to do that." She can't help it, the Whisper in her keeps kicking in. "I am Mailys Corsetina of the Whisper house. This is Captain Jack." Yup, she's decided, on the spot, to call JAckson Jack now.

Merek looks back after a moment, and Meeka, his personal champion, takes a moment to speak with him. "I am going to rest now," the man announces, while he finishes his bottle. He then takes his time to incline to all and sundy, "Please enjoy the rest of your evening, and finish up the wine if none others come in wishing for it. It will soon be stocked for sale once I've been to the Shrine of Mangata. Gods light your paths," he offers.