1 Grayson House Guards arrives, following Liara.

It is a beautiful evening in the city of Arx. The leaves are just beginning to

Emerging from near the main building, Liara steps lightly down towards the stone pools, swaddled in an aeterna bathrobe. She brightens with a smile as she sees those already present, proceeding towards the largest of the pools herself. "Good morning! A splendid day for it, is it not?"

Though recently arrived, Dante had enough time to not only hear of the pool party being held at the Golden Hart, but be ready for it! Which is to say, he arrives into the stone pools clad in nothing more than his swim wear, a piece of black silk boxers. The Sword of Tor has apparently chosen to leave his weaponry home for this event. "The perfect day for a swim. Inside." he agrees to Liara's greeting, smiling as he not only heads to the deepest pool he can find, but dives right in. It is, after all, a pool party.

It is a beautiful evening in the city of Arx. The leaves are just beginning to change colour. A golden moon hangs heavy in the sky and the scent of early autumn mixes lightly with the smoky fragrance of a crackling sweet wood fire.

The stone pools in the secreted heart of the Hart is aglow. Members of staff drift here and there making things ready for all that will be attending. Valencia, dessed in a long light dress slips down the small granite stone pathway with a bright smile. Arriving at the pools, the little dark haired vixen smiles with satifaction and nods to Liara. "It is," she nods warmly, giving the lovely princess a gently hug and kiss upon the cheek, "Thank you for doing this with us," she says once more before calling out to her busy staff, "Perfect! Thank you, everyone. Thank you so much."

Martinoppl ,e

Liara has joined the large stone pools.

Dante has joined the large stone pools.

Coming from the changing area at the hart, Lucita pads down the path toward the stone pools, flat sole sandals with narrow straps criss-cross her feet letting toes peek out. Bare lower legs disappear under a large towel wound around her torso, another few towels are in her hands and are set aside in an area that is fairly close to reach yet still where less likely to become sodden from splashes. She gives a warm smile to any others she sees in the area. "The only way would be more splended would be if it were summer approaching. I'm not very fond of the thoughts of approaching winter.

Merek makes his way to a place at the pool to settle in and relax, his vest on his black dress attire while he finds a seat and something to drink also as he relaxes on it.

Gawain could have a robe, but that wouldn't let him show off how amazing he is. Just ask him. Gawain will be sure to inform everyone about how great he looks in a suit. Of course, it would only reach those in earshot, but he'll tell the tale nonetheless. And so rather than a robe, he enters with a towel about his waist and (hopefully) a suit on underneath. He rubs his hands together excitedly. "Good evening Lords, Ladies, Nobles...and everyone else!" He is at the least in good spirits and he slides on over towards the pools. Let there be pooling and relaxing! The towel comes off! (And yes, suit was on.)

Landroval, the Eagle have been dismissed.

Gawain has joined the large stone pools.

Emerging, also, from one of the changing areas within the Hart the Lord Martino steps along the path towards the stone pools. His hips and waist wrapped in the silk-wool blended bathing wrap that has been embroidered so impeccably as he bows his torso low to the two hosts, "Princess Valenica, Princess Liara. My thanks for hosting this party." He treads easy into the pool of water, a curl of his lips follows to Lucita as he greets her, "And Baroness Lucita. A good morning to you."

A bright smile is offered to Dante along with warm incline of head. "My lord, it has been some time. It is lovely to see you again," the little vixen nods happily before turning to greet Lucita with a gently hug and kiss upon the cheek. "My beautiful baroness, another happy face I'm happy to see. Please be welcome, my friend. I'm glad you are here. Another smile is offered to Merek as well as to Gawain, her dark eyes dancing with delight as everyone begins to arrive. "Please be very welcome."

Liara perches herself on the edge of a pool, lowering her feet into the warm water for a moment, although she retains her bathrobe, at least for the time being. "Who is, my lady?" she wonders of Lucita. Then she goes on ahead to greet Gawain with a flash of a smile. "How do you do? I don't think we've met."

Martino has joined the large stone pools.

Rosalie, a lady in waiting arrives, following Reese.

Kalivan wanders on in, taking a meandering path through the gardens with his hands tucked into his pockets. He's clad in his typical tunic and trousers, tongue pressed into his cheek as he has a glance at the other partygoers and patrons. "Well, don't I feel overdressed." He approaches the edge of the pool, a quick nod and bow Liara's way, "Good morning, your highness! Interesting choice of date for a pool party, but I'm not complaining."

"Ah, most obliged for your presence." Dante tells Liara. "Now no matter what happens in this party of ours, the only thing people will be talking about is your magnificent bathing suit." he remarks, amused. He watches and greets the others that come in, with either a wave or a nod. "It has, and I could not allow more time to pass by without another visit. I must say, it seems you and your home far away from home have thrived in my absence. Well done!" he congratulates.

Lygeia, a calligrapher and alchemist arrives, following Rysen.

Lucita returns Valencia's hug and cheek kisses with a bright smile. "Oh, it is good to see you. You've had some remodeling done to the heart, expanding it and setting it up so very nicely." As she speaks she removes the enveloping toweland slips into the water. "Oh,nicely warm. The air is rathercrisp in contrast."

Lucita has joined the large stone pools.

Peri is not her most exuberant self, but she looks happy to be here. Her work leathers have been replaced with a simple draped outfit suitable for lounging in a pool and not the rugged outfit she uses for climbing up cliffs to jump from. She made that mistake the first time she came to this pools. She pats where the pockets in that other outfit would be and looks distrought. "Oh no, Eina! I forgot the..." She looks at Valencia and Liara and blushes. Eina leans down and Peri whispers something. Eina, shrugs. "I don't know? Maybe?"

Eina, the Pearl's Own have been dismissed.

Soot, a frenetic ferret have been dismissed.

and once she has sent her retainers on their errands, she walks over to the hosts. Princess Valencia, Princess Liara. I am absolutely pleased to be here. This is so great!" She could be more suave, but she has yet to learn that manner.

Reese arrives in the Hart while adorned in her rosy tunic and ivory leggings. She has a bag with her though. The girl looks over the area, having a smile of greeting for those gathered here.

With a flash of a grin for Kalivan, Liara replies, "Princess Valencia and I had been scheming for it for a while, and decided to just throw it rather than brood on the date. The water, besides, is always hot." Dante's comment just elicits a light laugh from the Grayson. Then she gives a flutter of her fingers to greet Peri. "How do you do, Lady Peri? You certainly seem to have an affinity for pools."

"It is one of the most magical things about these waters. The temperature always seems to be just perfect no matter the weather. You should come at winter," Valencia grins impishly at Lucita and winks. Turning as Kalivan approachs another smile finds her lips and she nods, "Welcome to you as well. Please enjoy!"

Gawain looks about, "Lord Gawain Blanchard," he intones. "And I belive you're correct. I can guarantee I would have remembered meeting you," he says with what is meant to be playful charm. How it comes out however, who can say. Still, he settles back, seeming pleased to be around so many people and for the chance to relax in a pool. "I've just come back recently. So much stuff it seems has to be done away from here that it is nice to finally be back. I can't tell you how much I've missed this," he says, settling back, arms on either side of the ledge behind him. Yes...Gawain is probably taking up three spaces doing that and doesn't seem immediately concerned.

Martino unfastens the iron clasps along his bathing wrap before folding to settle it by the edge of the pool, "Ah good morning Lady Peri. Good to see you as well." He glimpses to the pathway, wondering if those he urged earlier to come along made it. With a warm exhale, he settles down into the pool of warm water, shuffling back into edge of the pool, "Mm... Princess Valenca. Coming here in winter sounds like that may be a recipe for disaster for one's work."

Rysen arrives with Lygeia, coming in behind Reese. Rysen looks around with wonder in his eyes, and makes his way over to Liara. He bows deeply, and smiles. "It is good to see you, Your Highness. Thank you as always for hosting - and in such a fine location. I've never been to the Golden Hart before, nor could have ever guessed it contained pools such as these," he says, looking toward the stone pools.

Lucita says, "Oh, I do, Princess. I'm the one who used to sit by the fire with the dripping hair till it dried out. Having it freeze on the way home back to the ward was no fun, No matter how I bundled it up, strands would escape before reaching home." She gives a soft laugh and then turns to see those who are in that pool with her. "Hello, all." She listens to Gawain and provides her name in return. "Baroness Lucita Saik.""

"A pleasure to meet you, my lord," Liara replies to Gawain with a flash of a smile. "I'm Liara Grayson," she introduces herself, then goes on to wonder, "Are you in need of general introductions?" Then there's an easy smile for Rysen, and she gently indicates Valencia. "Princess Valencia is to thank for the magnificent venue, my lord. These gardens are entirely splendid."

Merek looks to the pool in hought, then up towards the skies while the morning dawns, shifting his desert scarf while he takes a cigarillo from a pack and lights that up, letting out a sigh, while he offers a smile and a bow to Valencia from the seat, "Your Highness."

"Fair enough, your highness. Better now than before it gets any colder - not that it's all that bad out." Kalivan replies breezily to Liara, squatting down to dip his fingertips into the waters, "Ooh, a hot spring right in the middle of town. Mm, good mineral content too, haven't seen one like it in a long time." He says, grinning up at Valencia before standing back up to full height, "Thank you for hosting us all, I must say this place is spectacular. I'm Kalivan, pleased to meet you."

Martino inclines his head as his shoulders began to submerge into the warm folds of water to Gawain, "Mm well met. Lord Martino Malvici." His sharp green eyes glance across to Lucita as he creases the very corners of them, "And good morning Baroness."

"I am well, thank you!" Peri nods earnestly back at Princess Liara. "It is so lovely in here." Hearing her name from somewhere, Peri turns to Martino, "Lord Martino, your wrap is amazing. I love the embroidery." She turns to people in the room. So many people. She doesn't even know where to begin to say hello. She'll go relax in the pool until things are quieter. With that thought, she dives right in!

"They are indeed," replies Rysen to Liara. Turning to Valencia, Rysen says, "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness. I hope you don't mind if I take advantage of the pools." He laughs softly, and says, "All summer I complained that it should get colder as soon as possible, and now it seems there's nothing more inviting than warm water."

Reese is welcomed with the offer of a gentle hug and light kiss on the cheek. Kalivan is offered another smile and Merek a gently nod and offer of a delicat hand in greeting. "I'm glad we are doing this together, my dearest Princess Liara. That way I know our guests will have the best of care here," she nods to her co-host. The little vixen turns to Martino and Peri then nods again, another smile dancing on her lips, "My Lord Martino, coming here in winter is sure to bring a smile to your lips and a warmth to your heart like no other," she teases lighlty. "I hope we will see you often in all seasons, however."

Gawain inclines his head. Even not being about, it's not like the name 'Liara Grayson' isn't known even if you haven't been to one of her parties yet. "Princess," he intones slightly less frat boy and slightly more respectfully. I'd like to say it's a lot less frat boy but...that's likely going to take quite some doing. "Well met," he offers to those making introduction, Martino, and of coruse The Baroness. Valencia too is looked to, as host. "Assuming it is not glass, I trust that in addition to the warmth of the pool, a litlte refreshment is allowed if we wish to partake?"

Martino brings his left hand to his chest and touches it against his heart as he smiles to Peri as she compliments him, "Oh Lady Peri. You are kind to say, and thank you for noticing. I - adore - embroidery, it truly can make a simple wrap something much more." He curls his lips breezy, easy, to the Princess Valencia as he concurs low, "Oh quite true, the refinement here is simply too appealing to not bask upon. Although, one might not wish to leave the warmth when those winds truly howl."

Ender, a Silver Gyrfalcon, Ursa, 2 Redrain Guards arrive, following Marian.

"Is Lady Kaia coming along?" Liara wonders of Martino. "I am so used to seeing you in each other's company that I rather expected to look up and see her all of a step or two behind." Then she brightens with a smile for Gawain. "But of course, my lord. The Hart's staff shall bring you something if you fancy; you need only ask. Although I dare say we would all appreciate not having cake fall into the water."

"My dear Lord Gawain, have you ever attened my Hart where taking care of your needs and desires were not top of mind?" she smiles to the man. "Speak on and it is yours, sir. You know this," she smiles as a bevy of ladies arrive as if on cue carrying trays of savories and sweets to be enjoyed poolside along with libations to inspire. "Please! Enjoy, my friends. We will have sports and contests in a little for all who wish to play."

Valencia claims this

Merek offers up a hand to Val, then he looks to the others that are about, waving to Reese as he keeps to him self for the most part in relaxing while he does that.

Martino chuckles a moment to Liara as he dips his chin to her low, "Your Highness, her Ladyship Kaia should be by shortly. I reminded her earlier over tea that the pool party was happening and that, truly, she - could not - miss it." Anew, he lifts his chin to glimpse to the pathway, wondering if she did forget after all.

Peri tells Princess Liara, "Oh I do hope she's coming. I enjoy her company." Upon hearing Lord Martino report the good news, she smiles.

Marian steps into the pools, her armor stripped bare. Instead she wears a simple sleeveless silk dress with matching slippers that hides a bathing suit underneath. Although the indentation of the white leather suit can be hinted at underneath the silk dress. She has left her hair hanging upon her shoulders. No weapons except for a white leather sheath that is strapped to her leg, carrying a simple blade that is peace-tied. Her piercing green eyes survey the crowd and when she spies the hostess, she starts to make her way over there, giving polite nods to any that greet her.

Glancing towards the pools, Rysen grins to see Peri already in the water. He makes his way over, and steps into the pool, submerging his body slowly, until he is completely under water. Coming up after a moment, he bushes his wet hair from his face, and leans against the damp stones, letting out a slow relaxed breath. Noticing Marian arrive, he smiles and holds up a dripping hand in greeting.

Rysen has joined the large stone pools.

With his introductions to the hosts out of the way, Kalivan finds one of the waitstaff and has a quiet word with them. He gives the servant an appreciative nod and briskly steps back down the path he came in from. A minute or so later he's back, clad in swim shorts with a white towel draped over his shoulder. Returning to the pool's edge, he gingerly lowers himself into the warm waters.

Kalivan has joined the large stone pools.

"Welcome, Princess Marian," Valencia smiles brightly as the Redrain Princess is seen. "You look so very well. A pretty bathing shift, yes?" she nods with high approval. "Thank you for coming. Catching Rysen's wave to the princess, the little vixen smiles. "I will let you get comfortable. If you need anything, please, my Hart is yours," she offers with a warm incline of head as she slips off to ensure one and all are comfortable and happy.

Gawain inclines his head in acquiesence of sorts. "Fair enough. Tending to my nearly every need then," he says delightedly and asks for a bit of juice with some sort of liquor in it, likely a nice vodka. A good way to start the day right? "Thank you," he tells the servant, simply, and settles back. He does slide out to sit on the edge, not minding the water running down or the chill just yet, but with his feet and legs in, upper body out, it'll be curious to see how long that lasts now that he's gotten wet. "So many keep coming. It's going to be a busy morning."

Martino bows his head low to the Princess Marian as she steps into the pool of water, the name picked up from Valencia's voice before he trails her a moment with his gaze. Waiting for her to settle he says, "Ah Princess Marian, a pleasure to put a name to a face. My Duchess Calypso did make mention of you earlier in regarding to training my sister Thea."

Shedding her bathrobe - aeterna, the stain-resistant, okay to leave on the floor option where silk fabrics are concerned - and then, a moment after, the circlet she has on too, Liara eases herself fully down into the water. Noticing Marian's arrival, she flashes the Redrain a smile.

Marian murmurs her thanks to her hostess and then answers Rysen's wave with one of her own. She takes a moment to retrieve a glass of whiskey before heading over to the pools where the Crovane lord is bathing. She nods to Martino, as she removes the bathing shift and slips into the pool, "Ahh yes, you shall have to introduce me to your sister if she is here. I did promise the duchess, my dear sister that I would teach your sister." She greets Liara with return smile.

Marian has joined the large stone pools.

Merek notes Marian is about and inclines a bow to her from his seat, while he takes a sip from some drink he has found. He takes a light drag from the cigarillo as he takes a book to read from while he relaxes.

Large braizes burn happily about the pools offering a warm flickering glow and chasing away any of the chill in the air. The scents of excellent food, early autumn blossoms and light sweet smoke mingle and mix creating a heady scent.

As guests take to the pool, Valencia beams, pausing to seen one of he barmaids to see that not a cup goes below half full. Lifting her large dark eyes to Liara, she smiles, "It is lovely to see so many beautiful. I am so glad we decided to do this, highness. Thank you for suggesting it."

2 Bisland pride guards, Colin Laurent, a quiet and serene companion, Luella Sedna, an influent and renowned pearl trader arrive, following Kaia.

Peri shouts from nearby, "Kaia!"

"It's a pleasant change of pace," Liara replies to Valencia. "One imagines that some could use the break from dancing, besides." She grins, and turns her gaze back across the garden as a whole for a moment from where she lounges in the water.

Martino glimpses, once again, to the path as he replies to Marian, "Of course, your Highness. The Lady Thea should be along soon as I did remind her as well over tea last night." He dips his chin as he adds, "She is - truly - very excited at the prospect of joining the academy." He exhales as he slides further into the pool, the warmth wrapping over his shoulders.

Peri shouts greetings at people she is very fond of.

Marian nods to Merek, greeting the crafter with a raise of her glass. She introduces herself to those that may not have met her yet, "Princess Marian Redrain, Warchief and Voice." For those looking closer at the warrior princess, she has many scars, not all of them from a blade. Her worst ones are canine bites that are on her arms and stomach. She also has two tattoos, a tribal dragon and roaring momma bear protecting her three cubs. She looks to Martino, "Well then, I look forward to training Lady Thea." She takes a sip of her drink and tells Valencia, if she's nearby, "This is abolutely lovely. I definitely needed this."

Submerged to the shoulders in stone pool, Rysen smiles at Marian. "I am glad you made it, and it is good to see you while I'm relatively sober, Your Highness," he says. "Did you by chance make it to the finale of the Taste of Arx?"

Gracefully clad in a long, ravishing red southern silk swimming shift, Valencia steps to the side of the pool. With a gracious incline of her head she offers radiant smile to those gathered for the celebration.

"My lords and ladies, misseres and madams, dearest friends, on behalf of Princess Liara and myself, please be welcome to my Hart," she begins warmly. "As ever, today we gather to raise spirits, relax and enjoy excellent company with wonderful entertainment, excellent food and a strong drink or two"

"Thank you for joining us and thank you so much to my co-host, the Princess Liara. Without her keen talents this event would not be half so lovely," she continues.

Tonight, we celebrate the return of autumn, a season of harvest and richness, a time of hope and opportunities. It means so much to us that you would join us here. I hope that you will fill our Hart for many, many seasons to come," she smiles lifting her glass to one and all. "Wishing you and yours a beautiful and prosperous autumn filled with light, life, luck and love. Thank you so much."

A moment after, Kaia sways her way in garbed in a fancy silk and lace bathing suit with a semi-translucent overlay gown over it. Her head gathered in an elaborate half-up and half-down updo. Locked by one of the arms she's basically dragging Thea along with her after having sort of kidnapped her from the training center. "Oh wow! This looks amazing!~" she chimes excitedly, before pretty much pulling the Malvici lady further in to where the rest of the crowd was at by the stone pools, "Princess Liara! Princess Reese! Peri! Martino!~" the lady would be cheerily issuing greetings as she closed in, quite typical of her when in a good mood.

Marian shakes her head, getting a rueful look on her face at the question on whether or not she attended the Taste of Arx, "Oh no, I'm afraid I didn't Lord Rysen. My duties kept me elsewhere." She sinks deeper into the pool so now only the top of her torso is showing as she leans against one of the pool walls. She lightly claps her hands, setting her glass aside for a moment when Valencia gives everyone greeting, "Thank you! Both you and Princess Liara." She hears someone call Reese's name and then looks around for her friend after she retrieves her glass.

Liara offers a flutter of a wave to Kaia and offers over, "You look very well, my lady. Good to see you here, and I see that Lady Thea is thoroughly eager for a swim." The latter with a wink for Thea, who she then smiles at. "Welcome, Lady Thea. The water is warm and there is splendid company. I fancy we'll be starting a game or two in a moment, too."

Martino smiles distantly with a broad, pleased, look as the Lady Kaia arrives, "Ah Lady Kaia. I was being asked if you were coming along..." His eyes go across to his sister Thea, a nod of his head, "Sister. Good morning." Back to smiling he shifts along the edge of the pool, "And it is such a pleasure to see you again so soon."

Thea winces briefly, wiping a bit of dirt from her face,"Oh hi! Sorry..Lady Kaia literally dragged me from well--training.."

The mention of games brings a sparkle of mischief to the little raven haired vixen's eye. "I think that would be a well wise thing. Shall we begin before we drink far too well," she jests playfully, offering a smile to Kaia and Thea as they both arrive.

Valencia claims this

Dante laughs for Gawain's comment. "Well said, my Lord. Though it seems we'll be tested with games soon, if your host is to be believed." He swims to the edge of the pool and gets out. "Liquid courage." he explains to his pool companions. Or just an excuse to enjoy a good drink before the games begin.

Eina comes back and talks to Peri a moment. "I don't know, maybe try the other room?" Peri gets up and stands to the side and discusses the problem with Eina.

Peri has left the large stone pools.

Kaia chuckles at Thea's remark, and nods. "I did." Then, she smiles to Liara, "Thank you, your highness. You look lovely yourself." she then gestures around, "Everything looks so wonderfully whimsical and enchanting! Both princess Valencia and you have done magnifiscent work with the place." she states, returning the smile to Valencia, before her attention shifts towards Martino with a chuckle. "Well, I did promise you I'd meet you here. Did I not?" she chimes, before shooting him a wink. "Shall I join you?" she teases.

Marian looks curious at the mention of games, taking a sip of her whiskey and listening to others talk around her. She does warn the group, "I should probably mention that I'm rather competitive." She gives a greeting to Kaia and Thea at their arrival to the pool.

Martino leans a moment across to the Princess Marian as he says, "Oh I shall make the introductions when she gets into the pool your Highness." Straightening anew, he smiles broad to the Lady Kaia as she winks and teases him a moment, "Well, I have suffered enough without your sweet presence my Lady Kaia. Surely you must."

Thea groans at Martino,"I will drown you, soon as I can move again." Thea's tone at this moment is hard to tell if she is joking or not. Inching closer to the pool, Thea comfortably sits

"Good, winning is utterly worthless if there isn't someone who wanted it just as much." Dante calls back to Marian, getting himself a glass of white wine. It doesn't take him long to return to the pool, though he takes the time to get a nice sip of wine before turning his attention to Valencia, awaiting indications for the forthcoming games.

Hearing that games will soon begin, Rysen pulls himself out of the pool to search for a drink, and, finding some whiskey begins to return - but noticing Reese, he pauses a moment and asks, "Will you be joining those in the pools, Princess?"

"You might all want a partner for a contest," Liara puts out there by way of mild suggestion. "Not, however, that I fancy we should tell you all what the contest is until partners are mostly chosen." She leans in against the edge of the pool, then.

Kalivan lounges lazily in the pool, eyes shut and arms draped across the rim to hold him in place. One of his eyes does open at the mention of contests, though, looking up Valencia's way.

Kaia beams back at Martino, and without thinking it twice sways her way over towards the pool, reaching out for his hand to help her as she gently means to get in.

A little playful smile finds Valencia's lips once more as Liara speaks and she nods in agreement, allowing everyone to find a partner for the first game.

Martino laughs a moment to Thea as he beckons her to himself and the Princess Marian, "Sister, let me introduce you here to Princess Marian... our Duchess' friend and who may take you into the academy." Turning his head to Marian he returns back, "And, Princess Marian. This is Lady Thea Malvici, my youngest sister." He lifts his hand to support the Lady Kaia into the pool and the warm waters, leaning to her he murmurs hushed, "Oh you look truly beautiful as always my sweet Kaia."

Kaia smiles at Martino, "Thank you, my lord." she says, before glancing back to Thea, "Want to be my parter for this other type of fight, Malvici?" she says at Thea with a grin.

Lucita remains in the water, quietly soaking and admiring the various views and listening to the others. She casts a speculative glance around the pool area wavering between Dante and Gawain. She waits a moment to see if anyone up and nabs one of them for a partner immediately before asking. "Would one of you two like to have a soggy Baroness for a partner?" She gestures toward the wet tunic as she speaks of it with amusement. "Which ever speaks up first!"

Thea steps toward her brother. The water feels nice on her skin. Turning toward Marian, Thea bows her head politely,"Nice to meet you." Casting a smile at Kaia also, she nods,"sure."

Thea has joined the large stone pools.

Near the large pool, Dante raises his glass to Gawain and Lucita. "What better way to get to know a person than to pair up for a game? The Baroness and I already know one another, why don't you make a team? I shall remain on the sidelines, should one who wishes to participate lacks a partner." he grins.

Kaia has joined the large stone pools.

Gawain cants his head to the side at Dante's offer and he inclines his head respectfully. "That's most chivalrous," he intones before sliding back into the water then and silding over to Lucita. "For better or worse then, Baroness," he says with a smile and he tips his glass (without spilling its contents) towards Lord Fidante. Still, having just arrived, there is a hint of relief at not having to fish too far for a partner.

Marian gives a nod to Thea as Martino introduces her, but does make a point of correcting her relation to Calypso, "Actually, the relation is more than just friends. We were sister-in-laws after I married Prince Fergus Redrain and she married Prince Anze Redrain." She takes a sip of her drink and then looks about to see who still has not partnered up. She of course doesn't seem to be in a hurry, just making herself available.

Martino exhales to the Lady Kaia as he says to her, "Oh good choice... you know she is - very - competitive as well so a win is almost guaranteed." He lifts himself a moment from the water, propped on the edge to reach and bring his bathing wrap back to his hips, "Oh this is true, Princess Marian. Then we are so very fortunate to be able to call upon such reaches of our family." Afar, he dips his chin to Dante as he comments, "You and I shall have to wager from the edges then."

Rysen returns to the stone pool with a glass of whiskey in hand. Overhearing Dante, Rysen says, "I will join you for the games if you are willing, My Lord, though, if you wish to win, you may wish to join Princess Marian."

Kalivan has left the large stone pools.

Thea murmurs to Martino,"Kaia had me shooting a bow today..." Hearing Princess Marian, she nods,"I thought she mentioned sister to me."

"Her Highness spoke of being competitive. While it may be fun to be on her team, I rather prefer the notion of seeing how competitive she can truly be from the opposing side." Dante grins. "Let's pair up, My Lord, and we'll see where our luck take us!" he tells Rysen.

"I fear I thus cannot wager with you, My Lord, but I have suggestions as to who you should bet on." Dante adds in Martino's direction.

Kaia proudly smiles back at Martino, "Oh, I always choose my partners with care." she afirms him, and then grins when Thea tells him about the archery training. "Oh, she did pretty good! She's a natural at it! I'm genuinely looking forward to training more with her." she admits. Her eyes then surveying the room for the others who would likely make her and Thea's rivals on whatver competition they had just blindly signed up to.

Martino flicks a broad smirk to the Lord Dante as he dips his chin, "The Lady Kaia, of course. Never loses, quick to capture my heart so... will likely capture whatever it is needed to win." He lifts his wrap to pat against his face, drying off, as his legs remain within the water, "Oh and there is Thea on the team." A cheeky glimpse in her direction after.

Merek takes another clean drag, and sighs while he stands up, then he bows to Valencia, "I should be on my way, do be well," he says.

Rysen laughs and nods in agreement with Dante. "Indeed, let us see where our luck takes us. It's good to meet you, My Lord. My name is Rysen Crovane - and even a Crovane cannot have bad luck all the time."

Marian gives a laugh as she watches others pair up and admits to her host, "I may be sitting this out since I do not have a partner yet." She doesn't seem too heartbroken on the matter. She lets Valencia and Liara, "I'm happy to just observe if I'm the odd competitor out."

"I fancy Lady Peri there will be all for it," Liara opines to Marian, on the Seliki lady who's currently preoccupied by the poolside.

Whatever it is that Peri needed handling is all down. She jumps back in the pool. "What did I miss?" She asks, and then sees taht there will be contents. ooooh. "Are you sure, Lady Marian? I would play"

Martino cheers and applauds the words of Lady Peri, "Oh good, well done Lady Peri."

Marian raises her glass to Peri, "I shall endeavour to see the winner's circlet on your brow." Clearly agreeing to the pairing since both ladies are without partners. She gives a curious glance to her hosts, "Now...just to figure out what the game is."

"Likewise, My Lord. I am Dante Fidante, and it is a pleasure. Fear not, if ever we run out of luck, we'll simply make our own. And with that, we shall be unstoppable." Dante replies to Rysen, losing none of his grin. He takes the time to finish his glass of wine before echoing Marian's statement. "Aye, let's hear it!"

Peri has joined the large stone pools.

Thea cockily winks at Martino, smiling at Kaia meanwhile. Thea looks at the people surrounding her, considering.

Teams are selected and Valencia nods to Liara. "This next game is a game of wits and agility. You will use both body and mind to seek out some of the items hidden within and about the pools. But we will not make this too easy. You area all far too formidable," she smiles to Liara and back.

"We ask that each team nominate one of you a Seeker and the other a Finder. Would you declare when you have decided adn we'll explain the rest."

Rysen's grey eyes shift to Lucita as he hears her mention her skills, and chuckles softly, but turns to listen to Valencia as she outlines the game.

Peri seems starstruck by Princess Marian. "I would wear it gladly, Your Highness!" She resolves to win. "It was only recently that I learned of war from you. I admire your tutoring so much!" She tries not to gush too much over the Princess, but fails. hero worship.

Rysen glances at Dante. "Any preference for finding or seeking, Lord Dante?" he asks, as he takes another sip of whiskey.

"Frankly, not really. Both could mean anything and nothing. But for the sake of choice, I shall pick Seeker, and you can be the Finder, yes?" Dante answers, giving a shrug.

Grinning, Liara gathers herself up out of the water to a perch on the pool's edge. She offers by way of general suggestion, "The Finder might ideally be somebody who can swim."

Marian look to her companion, Peri, and tells her softly, "Well, then...I am honored you feel that way." She motions her hand to Valencia, "So tell me, with the choice of finding or seeking, which do you prefer?" Marian gives Peri the choice to pick.

With Liara's clarification, Dante arches a brow. "Well, I suppose I can be the Finder after all." he offers Rysen.

"I am much more at ease with wits than with athletics, though I am no slouch. Seeker?" Peri says.

Martino situates himself on the edge, cheering every time that Kaia takes part with a broad smile and clap of his hands, "Go Kaia. Go Kaia. If you can't win... then they probably cheated." Martino attempts something of a song for the Lady Bisland from the pool's edge.

Martino has left the large stone pools.

Rysen nods to Dante. "Sounds good to me," he replies, sounding less than confident, but showing a competitive gleam in his eye.

Gawain nods to Lucita and he laughs, "Alright, then. I shall do the swimming, and you shall be our muse? So like most good relationships in history, you will tell me what to do and as the strapping young male, I will do a directed by the lovely woman giving directions. That seems to work out for the best from what I've seen," he says, stepping a bit further into the pools and looking to Lucita then, as he 'stretches' as it were, even submercing to the nose so that he may take a deep breath and hold it, getting his lungs ready in case he's going to be down there a while. "In theory this isn't to save the whole of the Kingdom so..."

Kaia seems to be discussing with Thea what their roles with be, and at last they are sure, "I'll be the Seeker and Lady Thea, here, will be the Finder." she afirms to the hostesses.

Marian does admit to Peri, "I do prefer swimming to seeking so I shall be your Finder."

Thea nods to Kaia,"That seems to make more sense.."

Valencia nods as the roles of each team is declared and she smiles to the competitors. "Thank you so much. As I said, this is a game of wit and atheltics. Each of you will have a key role to play. We will start each round with a riddle you must solve. Discover the item we are speaking of and then your Seeker will try to find it. All the items are hidden about or in the pools."

"Once you have spied it, let your Finder know and it is up to them to retrive it and put it in your basket. Any questions so far?" the little vixen explains with a bright smile.

Liara's gaze flits around the various pairings, quietly keeping track of them, with a lingering smile, from her perch on the edge of the pool.

Peri shouts from nearby, "Kaldur"

Peri whispers something to Princess Marian but when she sees her brother she shouts his name very warmly, "KALDUR!"

Lucita gives a laugh in return, reaching out to pat his shoulder. "Smart man. I'll do my best but ...we'll see!" She looks over toward the others and waits for further instructions. OH, I have to go around and try to spot something... hmmm. This could be... harder than it seems.

Kaldur arrives looking both charmed and bewildered, "Who knew all this was here?" He isn't quite sure what he has ambled up into and peers around, smiling broadly when he hears Peri's bellow. Befuddled, he makes his way to Peri, "What's all this?" He could be talking about any of it.

Leaning back a little where she sits, staying propped up on her hands, Liara gives a light nod to something said by Rysen, then goes on to enunciate, clear and easy:

"A walking in the garden as quick as you can,
And who should you meet, but a little red-man!
A stick in his head, a pit in his tum,
If you'll solve this riddle, you might find some."

Reese has been behind the changing screen all this time. The girl emerges while adorned in her linen bathing smock. She has pink ribbons in her hair and feet are bare. The girl pads over to the pool, having a smile for all gathered here.

"Brother mine, do you want to spot for me? I am the worst at riddles. I bet you would be great at this." Never doubt that Peri loves her family very much. They are the best at everything.

Gawain leans over and whispers something to Lucita after the riddle comes out and he whispers to her briefly, before giving a little shrug.

Rysen confers with Dante for a moment, nodding to him.

Lucita whispers to Gawain in return and then hesitantly renders her answer.

Kaia checked luck + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Peri checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Marian thinks deeply for a moment and then whispers something to Peri when it looks like she might be struggling.

Thea grins at kaia subtly

Peri gesticulates wildy. Questions wash over her face. She tips a fake drink. Maybe there's a hat? She flutters in the manner of a bird. After some consultation with Highness Marian, Peri blurts out her answer!

2 Ashford House Guard, Bethany, 1 Ashford veteran guards arrive, following Olivia.

Kaia seems to ponder deeply for a moment, whispering to Thea her plausible options, "So, the first one?" she asks the Malvici, before waiting for the hostesses to let them know when they can answer.

Olivia makes her way in a bit late. She has her usually happy go lucky smile on her face and offers an excited wave to everyone. "Swim party! Is there a prize for biggest splash?" She says to everyone. Her guards go wander off. Livy is probably safe here.

Thea nods subtly to kaia

Rysen laughs to hear Olivia's voice. He waves to her from the stone pool.

Olivia has joined the large stone pools.

"We have some answers!" Liara speaks up. Then with a broad grin, she goes on to invite people, "Dive on in, if you fancy. The water is clear enough."

Olivia runs over and jumps in trying to make the biggest splash she can! It was not very big. She doesn't have a whole lot of surface area.

After a few exchanges of whispes with with Gawain she gives a final nod. "I might not be good at riddles but I know gardens fairly well. I toured dozens and dozens of them when in Saikland checking on the infrastructure and farms and vinyards and rocards. Good Luck Lord Gawain in finding whatever is there.

Rysen checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 2 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 43 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 24 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 56 higher.

Rysen checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 7 higher.

Rysen checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 4 higher.

Thea dives into pool, kicking swiftly

Kaia smiles widely and states, "Thea and I call it's a plum!" Then she proceeds to seek around for the thing.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 2 higher.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 11 higher.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 6 higher.

Kaia checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 11 higher.

Kaia checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 17 higher.

Kaia checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 31 higher.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 22 higher.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 13 higher.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 14 higher.

Peri checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 9 lower.

Rysen's grey eyes scan the pools, and he quickly whispers to Dante as he spots something of interest.

Peri checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Laughing again as people start to dive into the water, Liara pulls her feet up to sit cross-legged on the edge. "Good luck! Try not to eat anything on your way back to the side!"

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 19 higher.

Dante doesn't waste much time. He dives at once, easily moving into the pool to grab the highly-sought holy grail of this little game.

Peri checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Marian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 18 higher.

Marian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 46 higher.

Marian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 28 higher.

Olivia isn't the strongest swimmer and also wants to stay out of the way of all the furious action. So she stays near the edge where it is a little more shallow.

Reese goes to sit at the edge of the pool even as she watches the contest taking place. She dips her feet in the water.

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 23 higher.

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 14 higher.

Marian dives into the water after Peri gives her some ideas on what to retrieve. She moves swiftly through the water, her lean body moving quickly through the water like she was born to it.

Gawain is quick to take Lucita's direction. He dives in to start searching for the cherries even though now it's a whirlwind of kickign legs and arms and bubbles and the water is getting churned all about. Though it's not hard to see that some folks are just swimming ridiculously more quickly than he is. IN jest he even grabs one of Dante's legs at one point, which was meant to playfully slow the man down, and all it did was actually help point him in the right direction. See, cheaters never prosper! He comes up though after finding the three cherries, shaking his hair out and he looks over to see how they did before seeing that he was the last one up. And so he eats a cherry...offering one to Lucita. "Well then..." he says with a hapless shrug. "So that happened." He settles in next to the baroness.

"Has anyone found anything nice?" Liara wonders of the swimmers - if she can be heard while people are underwater. "Try not to squash them too terribly much!" She is still perched cross-legged over on the pool's edge, watching on intently.

Thea Thea kicks, her body smoothly moving in the water. She searches for the plum, reaching carefully.

Peri offices her advice to Princess Marian. She fidgets with anticipation for what the princess will bring back. Are there potbellied ovens down there?

Marian isn't moving as fast as Dante and Thea, having been distracted by searching for the wrong things at first. However, when it becomes clear it's cherries, she rushes to get the small fruits and manages to bring them to the edge before Gawain that took time out of his finding to horseplay with his friend.

"Or perhaps a kiln?" Peri speculates to her guard, Eina.

Lucita says, "What happened? Why you didn't drown, thank you kindly, I'd rather not have a drowned partner for the next round and we got a lovely snack." She eats the cherry given her, smiles and adds. " And it was fun.""

Despite vile attempts at slowing him down, Gawain, and the pool soon becoming quite busy with the other contestants, Dante does manage to find the cherries, and with a powerful kick, send himself shooting up. His hand is the first to appear, grabbing the edge of the pool and lifting himself out, the other hand keeping the cherries safe. "There they are!" he announces with a grin.

Unforgivably late, Armani strolls out into the hidden garden, breathing i the fragrance of the stone pools (and then coughing a little - not a sea smell, this!) "What are they all doing down there?" She settles on the edge of the pool, peering in at the mass of bubbles and swimming, kicking people. "Looks like fun!"

"Collecting delectable fruit, my lady," Liara replies to Armani, with a flash of a grin, from her own cross-legged perch by the edge of the pool in which various people are swimming - or emerging, with said fruit.

Thea Thea pops her head up, next to Kaia. She presents the not wrong fruit finally, quite proud of herself.

Rysen slowly makes his way through the water to Olivia, smiling. "Glad you made it, Lady Olivia," he says, remaining crouched low in the water in an attempt to hide his scars from her vision. "We're solving riddles and diving for their answers. So far so good - but all credit goes to Lord Dante," he says, gesturing to the man who just rose from the pool with cherries in hand.

Kaia's eyes scan the water for possible places where the coveted plum could be and at last she spots it. "Over there Thea! Go! Go! Go!" she shouts to her Malvici partner. Laughter emanating from her as quick as the whole thing begins.

By the time Thea returns with the right object she beams excitedly, "Whooo!~ We've got it!"

Olivia smiles at all the others playing the game. Her spot in the shallows nice and out of the way. She smiles at Rysen as he approaches. "Lord Rysen it is good to see you. But you seem a fair bit shorter than I remember from last time."

The little vixen looks positively enamoured with everyone as the so very cleverly figure out the riddle and head off to hunt their prey. She smiles to Amani as she arrives, nodding to Liara's explaination. "They are very good at this, I think," she beams, gently covering her smile with a delicate hand. "I do adore them so much I could burst."

"I can hardly get all the credit." Dante counters, joining Rysen and Olivia. "This man has the eyes of an eagle to have found our precious treasure." Cherries, it is revealed as he shows the fruits. "We've good competition, it would seem." he remarks as he looks at the other teams, smiling.

Armani grins back, first at Liara, then Valencia. She jingles with jewelry at neck, wrists, fingers, and doesn't look quite dressed for swimming, but seems more than content to dangle her feet in the water and watch all the madness. "They make quite a sight down there! You half expect a whirlpool out of all that froth and bubbles. Not that that would happen at one of your parties, Princesses." She bows to the pair of them.

Rysen blushes, and laughs a little at Olivia's remark. "Just a bit cold, having been in the water a while, My Lady," he lies. He takes a drink of whiskey and nods to Dante, as he glances back the other finders and seekers. "My Lord, have you met Lady Olivia Ashford?" he asks, gesturing to Olivia, as he moves very slowly back into deeper water.

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

Olivia smiles and extends a hand to Dante. "A pleasure." She looks over to Rysen, "What are you doing after the party Lord Rysen?"

"I have not, but it is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Olivia." He bows, as much as one can given their current state, and kisses the offered hand gallantly. He does, however, leave Rysen and Olivia to their talk, his attention straying to the hostesses as the second challenge awaits.

Reese is still perched at the edge of the pool. She has a warm smile for Rysen. "I love you book." and then one for Olivia. The princess seems to be processing things slowly or some reason. "I just decided to join the Tournament or Roses it was a very hard choice and distracted for me a moment." She shyly confesses.

Gathering herself to her feet from her cross-legged perch at the pool's edge, Liara then goes on to offer up the second riddle, her enunciation clear and easy: "Are you all ready for the second go? I'm sure you are. Here we are.

I wave in the wind,
I wave off the water,
I will soon join the earth,
Fire is my slaughter."

Fashionably late is still a thing, right? That will be Sabella's excuse anyways the brilliantly smiling princess comes into the room already changed and heads right for Liara, "Can you believe I nearly slept the whole day away?!"

Sabella has joined the large stone pools.

Peri checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

Peri checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Peri checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 12 lower.

Armani has joined the large stone pools.

Reese looks up to Sabella, having a smile for her that reaches her blue eyes. "Hi Sabella. And Princess Liara too." She is apparently slow processing today, because she just seems to have noticed Liara. "I wanted to ask you a huge favor Sabella, well maybe not huge huge huge, but just big."

Reese has joined the large stone pools.

Olivia squints her eyes and grins mischievously and like a flash of lightning she reaches up and tries to pull Reese in to the pool with her!

After having given out the riddle, Liara just breaks into light laughter at Sabella's greeting. "My goodness. That last ball was just splendid, though."

Reese acks and doesn't struggle much as she is plled into the pool. It helps that she is in her bathing smock.

Sabella checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Kaia checked luck + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it!" Sabella beams at Liara, settling down beside her at the edge of the pool then looking to her sister, "Of course, Reesey! What do you need?"

Rysen beams at Reese, and says sincerely, "Thank you, Your Highness." He smiles at Olivia, and says "I'm not certain, did you have -" he begins, and laughs to see her try and grab Reese and pull her into the water.

Reese's cheeks are a bit pink. "I tend to spend my money right away. I just decided to join the Tournament or Roses. If I win I won't use the favor on myself, because there is nothing that I need or want as I am very blessed. I don't think I will win anyways, its more for the spirit of it all if that makes sense. But despite that, I would really like to refine my steel armor and well I spent most of money on stuff. Like booze and books and jewelery." She says, sounding like a spoiled princess there.

Reese is in the water now! She seems happy to be there though.

Reese checked luck + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Olivia blushes a little

Dangling her feet isn't enough! So Armani pops off to have a quiet word with the Hart's staff, and returns shortly clad for actual swimming and even sans jewelry. Wading into the water, she joins the group in the shallows near Olivia, bowing. "Room for another?" she asks. "This looks like great fun to watch."

Rysen checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Rysen checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Rysen checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Peri checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Kaia seems to be discussing the second riddle with Thea, a beaming smile on her face as they seem to have come up with an answer.

Peri checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Peri checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

"Do feel free to dive in whenever you fancy," Liara offers to the sundry people about. "And Princesses Reese and Sabella might go for something of a late entry there, if they fancy." Then to Armani, "Interested, my lady? I see Lady Olivia there, too. That is if you want to go for a swim."

Kaia checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Kaia checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Kaia checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 28 higher.

Reese looks over to Sabella. "Oh, I would be honored to team with my sister." She says softly. She is in the water now, having a smile for both Olivia and Rysen.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Dante checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 59 higher.

Dante checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Olivia shakes her head and smiles to Liara. "I am not very good at riddles Princess. Who ever is on my team is likely to not have a good time with it."

Marian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 46 higher.

Marian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 56 higher.

Marian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 10, rolling 30 higher.

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

"Go for the leaf Thea! Quickly, it's over there!" she shouts, pointing in the right direction. "Go Thea, go! Splash their faces! Don't let them grab it first!" she'd shout among laughter, probably a little bit too excited!

Rysen's eyes shift to Olivia, and he smiles, coming to her side and saying something to her quietly.

Peri claps for Princess Marian. "Over there!" and "There too. maybe!"

Thea hurriedly dives into the water, not as fast as however.

"They're already swimming, my lady," Liara calls lightly over towards Kaia. "Is splashing going to be quite so dire a distraction?" She chuckles then, stepping lightly on about the edge of the pool, out of the way of the various swimmers.

Marian moves in the direction her Seeker points, diving deeper and moving fast to get the item that's been figured out. She looks more confident this time as she swims.

Rysen looks around the pool desperately for the right object, doesn't seem to ultimately be of much help to Dante.

Peri splashes Kaia playfully.

Armani smiles up at Liara. "I think I'll watch," she says. "Maybe next time I'll test my swimming though." This said, she leans back against one of the walls of the pool and claps, whistling over the noise of splashing and calls. Who is she cheering for? Whoever seems to be closest. She doesn't seem bothered about exactly /who/ it is.

Dante improvises. And by that, he simply hears Kaia's indications, and goes for it, diving into the pool and swimming in what is hopefully the right direction! These Lycene, do they ever play fair?

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 63 higher.

Reese has rolled a critical success!
Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 117 higher.

Lucita peers into the pool waving one arm here and pointing the other there, trying to call out directions though they get lost in the various splashing and spluttering and sounds. a little laugh is given. "Over there at that rock, no not that rock, the other rock." Her directions are so very helpful in a whole big pool lined in various rocks and boulders.

Thea continues toward the leaf, grateful for Domonico's swimming lessons. She listens to Kaia, glad she gives decent directions. She kicks her legs harder..

With a little laugh, Liara replies to Armani, "And your capacity to see rather small things in a large space." Then she breaks out into further laughter at Lucita, and strolls on around that way. "Enjoying yourself, my lady?" The answer might very well be 'rock', but still.

Gawain goes swimming again, a bit faster this time before he comes back out, and he has a couple of leaves and a leafy branch. Shaking his head he can't help but laugh, "Am I the only one who thinks it's funny I went diving in the water for a twig and cherries?" He just shakes hsi head, laughing, before handing Lucita a rock. "Here..." he says. "You seem to like them so much," he says with a smirk. "By the way I think I saw an actual fish down there. A pink fis--Oh, Princess Reese is here. That explains it."

Peri takes a curious twig from her hair.

Gilroy gets here and /finally/ the party can start! He surveys the crowd, squinting at the shark attack going on in the pool before making his way over to the ubiquitous snack bar. Once loaded up he heads over to drop into the pool. Over a chicken leg he says to Olivia, "What'd I miss? Catch me up, but try to keep it under six words. I have a short attention span."

Sabella checked wits at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Sabella checked wits at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Sabella checked wits at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Peri shows Gawain her twig.

Reese is adorned in her white bathing smock. She joins the swimming. She swins really really good. There is a sleek grace and a powerful about her form.

Kaia chuckles at the Princess's reaction and she shrugs, "Maybe it will help?" she says in between laughter, and then splashes Peri back as well. All the while cheering for Thea, until Resees big splash and dive has her widen her eyes with worry. "Well...we are in trouble now." she states with a bit of shock that right after shifts into a grin and some more laughter.

Olivia counts on her fingers and says to Gilroy, "Solving riddles Swimming to get stuff."

Sabella grins at Armani, "You're braver than I to swim. Perhaps when I am a bit more awake." she holds her hands up with a squeal against some splashing and laughs, "Though that might not take long! My sister is part fish!"

Lucita's color rises and she says. "No, I meant the twig with the leaf was stuck under the rock!" The blush deepens as she accepts the rock. "Sorry, Lord Gawain. I'm having fun but certainly am not at my best at this game.

Leporis, the silent handmaiden arrives, following Joslyn.

Gawain wraps a warm arm around Lucita for a moment, hugging the Baroness before letting go again, laughing. "No need to blush." He looks to the twig Peri holds up and says, unabashedly, "I have one of my own, thank you," letting that hang there before he holds up one of those from in the water and he laughs to Lucita. "Like I said, I'm fairly certain no one is going to die in the making of this game so, it is all in good fun." He is competitive, but it's about having the competition.

Marian retrieved the leaf quickly but is blown away by how well that Reese is able to dive and retrieve her prize. She looks to Peri with a grin, "Well at least we had a better go of it this time." She glances to see if there is more things to be found.

"Nearly there," Liara observes as she watches the general flurry of swimming calm down a little. "My goodness. What does Princess Reese usually eat for breakfast?" Liara wonders about her cousin, breaking into a chuckle. "I dare say we could all use a bit of whatever it was." Then she comments to Lucita, "I dare say one need not worry about capacity for a game involving the procurement of unlikely items from a pool of hot water."

Thea grabs the leaf, but holy there comes Reese. Thea is shocked! She makes her way back to Kaia,"Well..."

"Are you sure?" Sabella laughs to Gawain, "Have you met my sister? She seems sweet but then she's...well, still sweet but everything she tries her hand at she wins!"

"Excellent job, Lady Olivia! Never let it be said that you aren't game." Gilroy sits back and turns to look toward the people swimmin' and a-solvin'. As an aside to Olivia he says, "My swim trunks are fireweave too."

Dante has left the large stone pools.

Reese is really focused on swimming and so it is hard for her to talk all that much. She does peek over to Sabella at her words, having a brief smile.

"Here is number three!" calls out Liara, introducing the next riddle along. Then, voice carrying clearly, she enunciates:

"I can be eaten, I can be grown,
I'm often found on the ground but rarely alone.
I'm hardened for winter, yet heat makes me crack
But if you leave me too long, I will char and turn black."

Olivia grins at Gilroy, "Do they not get heavy when wet? So Master Gilroy, When were you getting me that Steelsilk I had asked for for my birthday?"

Peri checked wits at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Sabella checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Peri checked wits at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Sabella checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Peri checked wits at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Sabella checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Olivia checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Olivia checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Olivia checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Joslyn checked wits at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Rysen mutters under his breath, "Gods she's fast in the water. I think I've seen sharks swim with less alacrity," staring at Reese. He moves to the side of the stone pool and says to those nearby, "I'm afraid I must be going, but I've had a great time. Take care till we meet again." When he hears the riddle, he leans over to Olivia and whispers his best guess at the answer, smiles and pulls himself out of the water.

Joslyn checked wits at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Joslyn checked wits at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Kaia checked luck + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

Kaia checked luck + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

Kaia checked luck + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Rysen has left the large stone pools.

Joslyn comes in, she hears the riddle and tries her hand at it before she has much of a chance to do anything, her handmaid following her in and moving ahead of her to see to it that she has drinks. Joslyn as always requires much wine. She waves to the group and smiles, eyeing Reese as she swims rather assuredly. "What is the game exactly?" she wonders.

Reese peeks over to Joslyn even ast he girl keeps swimming.

Sabella looks thoughtful when the riddle is asked and after a moment offers a hesitant, "Chestnuts?" Then gives a bright wave to Joslyn, "It's riddles and swimming! Though the Grayson sisters are competing, so fair warning!"

Olivia looks around for a free swimmer and smiles when she sees Armani, "I have no partner. You have no partner. We should be friends! Want to swim for me?

Offering Joslyn a little wave, Liara goes on to reply, "One solves a riddle, and their partner then hops in the water and goes to find the thing identified in said riddle. I believe that Lady Olivia's partner just had to step out - there is also Lady Armani there, and perhaps Master Gilroy?"

Lucita leans into the hug a little, relief her partner is a good sport about this all and tilts her head to listen to the next riddle. After a few whispered exchanges she renders her guess.

"I don't buy steelsilk, Lady Olivia. It's overrated. Though I do have a steelsilk hat I eventually intend to sell, since I have no need for it." Gilroy waves to Rysen as the bardic lord takes his leave. "Anyway, being a wealthy lady of a wealthy house surely you must just be swimming in steelsilk. Well, not literally. Literally /I/ am swimming in fireweave. But gentlemen suitors must bring you steelsilk blankets and the like." He holds up a hand to Liara. "I can swim. Riddles are for, you know, thoughty types."

Gilroy takes a totally badass wizard hat from a simple velvet bag.

Armani bows rather theatrically to Olivia. "I think you're right! Just point me at what you want and I'll do my best to bring it back for you. Lady Armani Gilden by the way."

"The Grayson sisters? They don't frighten me!" Joslyn boasts. "Though I'm afraid I don't have a partner and I'm coming into this all rather late, but... could be fun!" Joslyn grins.

Thea sinks into the water a bit

Olivia smirks at Gilroy, "I am not exactly swimming in suitors Master Gilroy. I have been holding out for you obviously."

Reese peeks to Joslyn and says. "Everyone should be frightened of the Grayson sisters." She gently teases back, but she gives her a warm smile that reaches her blue eyes.

Kaia and Thea discuss the riddle for a while and finally conclude it's some sort of nut. An acorn to be precise (or at least so they decide) and they begin the search for the tiny thing. "Go Thea go! We can do this! Don't forget to splash the Grayson princess! Perhaps that will help distract her!" she shouts in between laughter, as she sees her Malvici friend dive into the pool in search of the tiny treasure.

With a little clap of her hands, standing over by one side of the pool, Liara urges the contestants, "Feel free to go looking! It's nuts, of course. Dive right in."

Peri checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 1 lower.

Kaia checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 10 lower.

Peri checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 5 lower.

Peri checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 5 lower.

Peri checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Marian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 26 higher.

Marian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 42 higher.

Marian checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Kaia checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Kaia checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Kaia has rolled a critical success!
Kaia checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 27 higher.

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 25 higher.

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 8 higher.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 20, rolling 3 lower.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 20, rolling 24 higher.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 14 higher.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 11 higher.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 6 higher.

Armani checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 8 lower.

Armani checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 0 higher.

Armani checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 13 lower.

Thea loudly splashes into the water, making waves as she goes. Hopefully this distracts just enough. She searches for the tiny nut, looking where her Seeker pointed.

Aftre some consulting with Princess Marian bout the riddle along with the hint fro Princess Liara, Peri searches for a nut for her partner. But everythng is so distracting. That whatever that just plashed out on the rock looks has the same shape as Arvum on a map. How far away wough Cardia be at this scale? Oh wait,nuts yet. Peri maybe sees something, "Over there!"

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 41 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 39 higher.

Joslyn checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 8 lower.

Joslyn checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 11 lower.

Joslyn checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 16 lower.

Marian is patient as Peri looks for their nut. When she points, the warrior princess dives for it. Of course, being one who spends more time on land, she's no match for Reese in the water. However, she does a respectable job of getting to the nut.

Gilroy checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 39 higher.

Gilroy checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 35 higher.

Gilroy checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 23 higher.

Sabella checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 7 higher.

Sabella checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 8 higher.

Sabella checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Armani takes a deep breath and arrows off into the pool. It's not really an arrow, more of a wallow, because she is at the back of the pack and gets a full face of water as she tries to make it into the clear. When she looks over her shoulder for Olivia's instructions, she inhales a mouthful of mineral water, and the rest is pretty much her coughing, treading water, and swearing colourfully while other people ring treasures back to their seekers. "This stuff is disgusting! Why does it feel so good and taste like something you scrape off the underside of a rat's tail?" She turns a circle in the water. "What the hell was I after again?" Overall, a marvelous show from Gilden's very own Admiral.

Thea pushing back to Kaia, she presents the tiny nut. Grinning at Kaia, breathless, Thea is nonetheless happy,"Still fun."

Olivia checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 1 higher.

Olivia checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 1 higher.

Olivia checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 3 higher.

Lucita wanders around the perimeter of the pool staring at the shadows and pebbles, squinting and planting her hands on her hips, the wet swimming tunic leaving a drippy trail behind her and long runs of water beads on her legs and arms. Finally she gives a big grin and calls out to Gawain. "OHHH, I see one, over here, over here! Quick before someone else grabs it." Even as she calls out she shivers, Autumn, crisp air temperatures, wet tunic all add up to cold Baroness, at least till she gets back into the warm water.

Gawain decides to go looking and seeing Reese and Sabella getting ready again, he has an idea. Because, you know, grabbing Dante's leg totally helped earlier. He goes to splash towards them. Though it's entirely equally possible that rather than splash them he splashes Joslyn. I mean come on, something has to be the cause of those distractions. It may as well be the foolish noble tossing out a splashing of water that instead of hitting its intended targets (who clearly are blessed), it could totally instead and up dousing the unsuspecting Lady of Stonewood. Still, he tries to get into the water and has to swim around Admiral Treads-right-there-in-the-middle and makes his way to where Lucita says he should get to. ANd that's when he deliberately comes up out of the water and shakes his head to try to get her all wet once more since she was standing there drip-freezing.

Georgette arrives, delivering a message to Marian before departing.

Peri is enjoying the game, but her dueties catch to her. She receives a messenger and opens the letter. She looks disturbed, and excues herself. "I am so sorry everyong. I beg your pardon. I must go. She gives the necessary goodbyes then leaves.

Peri has left the large stone pools.

"Nuts, my lady," Liara furnishes Armani with a little help from the side - it's unlikely to be a deciding factor in any case. "I understand that one is generally well-advised not to swallow it, but I am a dreadful swimmer and really do sympathise." Then Liara goes and steps back down into the warm water herself, though she sticks to the edge of the pool.

"That's a sad story, Lady Olivia. There are /so/ many lovely ladies in the peerage who are also waiting for me." But then Joslyn is pointing out where Gilroy should swim and he jumps in like a damn seal. Now and again he pops up to call out to her, "There's nothing there!" and "Are you sure?" and "Are you just guessing?!"

Marian manages to find the nut after much splashing around. When her partner gets pulled away because of her duty, she lets Valenciaknow, "Well then...that's my sign to be heading out." She doesn't seem to concerned about abandoning the party, "But thank you." She then looks to Liara, "Thank you for holding the party."

Valencia smiles warmly to Marina, offering her a gently hug. "As aways a pleasure. Come join me for wine another time, yes?" she invites the departing princess.

"ACK!" Joslyn shakes herself off she she gets splashed, she's trying to figure out where she should be pointing and she shrugs her shoulders at Gilroy. "I don't know, that's the best guess I have! Just keep... keep looking! It has to be in there somewhere!"

Kaia beams back at Thea, taking the nut in her hand and nodding. "We did great! Your brother must be sou proud of us. Listen to those chants." she tells Thea with a chuckle. (Re-pose of Martino's former chanting: Martino situates himself on the edge, cheering every time that Kaia takes part with a broad smile and clap of his hands, "Go Kaia. Go Kaia. If you can't win... then they probably cheated." Martino attempts something of a song for the Lady Bisland from the pool's edge.)

Marian has left the large stone pools.

Ender, a Silver Gyrfalcon, Ursa, 2 Redrain Guards leave, following Marian.

Reese is still swimming well although not as amazing well as in the first round. She peeks over to Gawain seemingly amused by the Lord.

Sabella shrieks when she gets splashes again, "Okay, okay! I'll just get in!" she laughs before pushing off to stay by the wall, floating in the water.

Gawain holds his hand up to offer the nuts to Lucita, the acorns in his palm and he waits for her to reach for them, before he tries to grab her wrist and pull her back into the pool. That's it, clearly no mischief at all happening in this corner.

Armani waves a thank-you to Liara, getting rid of the last of the surprise-swallowed water and paddles off on the search again. After a long, long while she brings back ... half a nut. Cracked. "You might want to change partners," she says to Olivia, in good spirits despite her depressingly terrible show. "If so, you're out of luck. Since we're friends now." And she grins toothily.

Kaia is overheard praising Liara: What a fun party! And lots of interesting riddles!

Gawain is overheard praising Valencia: The most swimmiest of swim parties!

Kaia is overheard praising Valencia: What a fun party! Such a great hostess!

Gawain is overheard praising Liara: Lovely hostess

Gawain is overheard praising Lucita: A very fine contest partner indeed.

Lucita finds she is pulled into the pool suddenly and dunked instead of receiving the acorns gathered and extended her direction. She comes up, long dark hair covering her face with just her nose sticking out, and a coughing sputter coming from under it. She manages to get her feet pointed down and oriented in the water, largely by grabbing for the nearest things at hand. Gawain's arm and shoulder (nothing below the waist) She flips the hair back out of her face and laughs when she catches her breath. "Princess? If there's a prize for the biggest nut in this contest, I think I have it here." She points to Gawain as she clearly is teasing him.

Lucita is overheard praising Valencia: fun event and contest.

Lucita is overheard praising Gawain: A good sport for a game partner, that makes even losing fun!

Liara's in the pool by now, though over at its edge, and it's from that warm spot that she speaks up, "Last one!" Not the very best of places to deliver the riddle from, but she goes ahead and offers it up clear enough all the same, brief as it is:

"What grows when it eats, but dies when it drinks?"

While the riddle is given, Joslyn is having her handmaid help remove her soaked steelsilk dress, and instead of finding a change of clothes, Joslyn sinks herself into the pool with a little sigh of relief as she leans up against the edge, sinking up to her chest, a glass of wine placed in her hand while she thinks of the proper answer.

Sabella pulls herself up out of the water, clearly thinking hard about this one. "Oh!" she says suddenly, beaming as she leans over to whisper the answer to Liara. "I think I got that one, Reesey!"

Kaia checked luck + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Kaia checked luck + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

Kaia checked luck + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Armani kneels on the bottom of the pool beside Olivia, head just above watr as she waits for her word on what to seek.

It takes a second but than Joslyn perks up, almost exclaiming her guess before she wades over in the pool to murmur the answer to Liara.

Thea converses with Kaia, nodding in agreement.

Sabella checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 3 higher.

Sabella checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Sabella checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 5 lower.

Gilroy checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 23 higher.

Gilroy checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 31 higher.

Gilroy checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Gilroy checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Joslyn checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 6 lower.

Joslyn checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 7 lower.

Joslyn checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 9 lower.

Sabella checked wits + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Joslyn checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 17 higher.

Lucita says, "You were right, it is a fire outside the pool. Be careful!""

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 20, rolling 3 lower.

Lucita checked luck at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 0 higher.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 6 lower.

Gawain checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Armani checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 3 lower.

Armani checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Armani checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 4 higher.

Lucita checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Liara exclaims brightly from her spot at the edge of the pool, urging people to hop on in, "In you go. Happy swimming! Try not to burn anything."

Thea checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Armani checked wits + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 34 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 19 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 52 higher.

And in addendum, Liara adds, "And if you think you're going to, try using the conveniently nearby water!"

Kaia checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Kaia checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 8 higher.

Kaia checked perception at difficulty 20, rolling 10 lower.

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Kaia checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Gamely giving it another try ... doesn't go as well as the last time, somehow. Armani swims over to the torches all right, but she is not used to swimming with a fire in one hand. On her way to the next brazier, she ges about two pulls into the water, loses her precarious boyancy, and automatically brings her left hand down to keep her afloat. The torch sputters and dies immediately in its bath, and Armani can be seen in the middle of the pool raising it above her head in a parody of victory, water dripping from the wood, down her arm, from her hair into her eyes. She just shakes her head.

Landroval, the Eagle leaves, following Graham.

Thea hops into the pool again, excited about fire. Her body however is stiffer than it was previously. Stubbornly, Thea continues on. She reaches for the torch, holding it above her head.

Sabella isn't really a bad swimmer, she's just not nearly as good as Reese and a few others in the pool! She gamely tries anyways though, laughing as she tries to keep up to help get that torch lit.

"The very first to extinguish it, my lady!" Liara calls over to Armani, light-hearted and easy. "I can't imagine how anyone else is making it across."

Reese is still swimming well, seeming to be very comfortable win the water. She has on her bathing smock for modesty and she swims away, kicking gently and working at the water with strokes of her long arms.

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

Joslyn already made her way into the pool, so it's a bit of a stretch for her to locate and find a torch that she can take for the swim to the center. Yeah it's a bit of an issue, she tries to pass it along to Gilroy. "Come on!" she cries out. "We can still do this!" she lies.

Gawain is nothing if not chivalrous. He sees Armani and herdunking of her torch and he'll stop, offering to help out. It'll take a bit for the heat of his to dry out hers but it is likely, they can get it lit again if she wishes. They're well past the point of having a chance at winning, especially with the Grayson Princess Athletic Team having made its visit. And so he'll do his best to make sure that no one gets a 'did not finish.' Of course, if she passes he'll make his way on to the brazier either way.

Kaia following right behind Thea manages to decently keep up with her as they swim across the pool, torch lit above their heads, in their attempt to reach the end goal --to light up that massive braizer at the other end. "Come on Thea! We can do this! Eeep! Watch the hair, watch the hair!"

Laughing, Armani tries to bow from a treading-water position towards Princess Liara. "I'm can't imagine how myself!" she agrees. Gawain gets an equally bright smile and she holds the torch out to him, tilting it to light it from his own if it will agree. "Chivalry isn't dead eh?" she says to him over the sound of splashing and merriment.

Lucita is content to be in the water, it is warm there where the air is cold! She watches her partner, waiting at the edge of the pool for him to return with the torch they are both to swim back with to the other end. She patiently waits for him to assist Armani. "Isn't he a nice one?" She murmurs aside to her. Only when he is done does she swim at his side and try to keep others from splashing their torch out.

Olivia checked wits + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Olivia checked wits + riddles at difficulty 20, rolling 29 higher.

Olivia has rolled a critical success!
Olivia checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 11 higher.

Olivia checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 4 higher.

Olivia checked wits at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Thea suggests, almost serious,"could extinguish it in the water?" She keeps kicking her legs, making sure Kaia is still with her. They are totally almost there!

"Most gallant, my lord!" Liara calls over to Gawain, with a quiet chuckle. She settles herself into a lean against the pool's edge, watching to see who makes it across the pool first, to the brazier at the far end.

Joslyn checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Olivia checked wits + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Gilroy has rolled a critical success!
Gilroy checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 77 higher.

"A very nice one," ARmani says of Gawain, as her torch is relit and she endeavours to hold it above her hand. "Nice-looking too. My Lord," she nods at him with a wink as she paddles on.

Kaia's eyes widen at Thea's suggestion and she gasps, "NEVER!" she exclaims, evidently refusing to extinguish the torch, not when they were /so/ close to the goal. "We /must/ do this!" she insists laughing, "Bisland's and Malvici's do /not/ give up!" she says, psuhing herself harder to keep up with Thea on their way to light up that torch.

Gawain grins to Armani, a playful smile given back. He makes his way back with Lucita towards the big ball of fire to be lit as they swim along, lighting their sector before he swims ove rot the side of the pool, dousing his flaming stick, "Drink, ya vile beast," he says, shoving it in the water for the moemnt before laying it on the side of the pool, very clearly not the winner of this contest but he seems to not be too torn up. It has assuredly been a fun time so far.

Thea gasps at Kaia,"I meant your hair!" obviously dead seeious

Pulling herself up onto a perch at the pool's edge, with Reese having reached the brazier first, Liara calls out, "Congratulations, Princess Reese! A marvellous demonstration from all - I cannot fathom how you can swim while carrying a lit torch. Well done." Then, brighter still, "And I believe that Princess Valencia has a prize for some few people."

Armani is overheard praising Gawain: Gallant and good-looking!

Armani is overheard praising Liara: A fine bit of fun in the Golden Hart.

Armani is overheard praising Valencia: A fine bit of fun in the Golden Hart.

Valencia nods to Liar and stpes forward to present Sebella and Reese with their prizes. "Congratulations! Well, done," she smiles brightly with a warm nod.

Valencia gets a cloakpin decorated with a golden stag's head, its antlers curled into a stylized heart shape around an amethyst from a small ornately-carved chest.

Valencia gets a cloakpin decorated with a golden stag's head, its antlers curled into a stylized heart shape around an amethyst from a small ornately-carved chest.

Reese swims to the end and reaches the brazier. The princess pulls herself from the pool and is very soaking wet. She smiles brightly at Liara's words. "Thank you Princess Liara and I am honored you let me into the contest and wow this was so much fun and thank you Princess Valencia."

Armani swims back to Olivia, whereupon she scrambles out of the pool and shivers. "Well," she says. "That was fun! It went bad but it was fun! Good to have you for my partner, My Lady."

Gilroy hmphs as the final results are tallied. "I'd feel worse, except someone told me that Princess Reese has had her arms and legs replaced with artifice made by Brass. Don't know how one is meant to beat that!"

Sabella pulls herself out of the pool and goes running over to hug Reese, so it's a good thing they're both wet! "You were amazing!" she shouts, hopping up and down, "Not that I ever doubted! And I think you're thinking of Lord Ian," she laughs to Gilroy's comment, "Reese has just trained and trained!"

Joslyn shrugs a bit and chuckles. "Might've done better if I weren't an hour late. I think we made quite the team... except when I was trying to locate things. I probably should've been the swimmer."

Kaia chuckles at Thea's remark. Having finally lit the thing at the other end, just a bit later than the half-fish princess of Grayson. "Well, we had no chance against her." she tells Thea with a chuckle, "Still, that was fun!"

Reese looks over to Gilroy with a sheepish smile. "Well...I haven't met Brass before and I think my arms and legs are normal." She says toward him. She then smiles over to Armani and Olivia. Before peeking to her sister "I do train alot."

Valencia smiles at the cheering crowds and moves towards Kaia and Thea. "Ladies, your show of skill was so remarkable. Would you accept these as being our most formidable runners up to our competition. You were both wonderful," she nods with a smile Liara's way and back. "It was wonderful to see how quick and formidable everyone was."

Valencia gets a cloakpin decorated with a golden stag's head, its antlers curled into a stylized heart shape around an amethyst from a small ornately-carved chest.

Valencia gets a cloakpin decorated with a golden stag's head, its antlers curled into a stylized heart shape around an amethyst from a small ornately-carved chest.

Gawain gives a pleasant salute over to the winners and then does the most iportant thing, which is to go and get a drink. There has been battle and combat...ish. Afterwards, there must be imbibement to celebrate all the best of things.

Olivia drops Unicorn Farts - A Feminine Perfume -Sample Vial-.

"Well," says Gilroy cheerfully, "I'd say they look a little better than normal, but I suppose I'm just thinking of aesthetics here." He watches as the prizes are given out and tries not to look TOO rapaciously jealous.

Liara lifts her hands to offer some brisk applause for Kaia and Thea too. Then she speaks up, "Congratulations and thank you, all. We're here for a while yet! Although I fancy we shall defer having more games to another time, lest we exhaust everyone."

"I," Armani says with feeling, "need a drink." She claps Olivia on the shoulder and heads off for the nearest available alcohol, still dripping wet and shivering in the brisk air.

Valencia nods and takes up a glass of wine. "Thank you all! Now, please, drinks for everyone! Cheers!," she calls out raising her glass to Liara and their guests. "To you all!"

Armani has left the large stone pools.

Gawain has left the large stone pools.

Amidst all the cheering following the aftermath of the contest, Jasher enters. He isn't even being fashionable about his lateness in more than one way; the man wears the trappings of armour rather than umbra, and there isn't the fuss of retinue or an escort to announce his presence. It's just him as he approaches with long strides, weapons peacebound, looking more suited for war than whimsy. He offers a nod towards those departing, then moves to mingle as if unbothered by the fact it's the wrong time for it.

"Congratulations Princesses Reese and Sabella!" Joslyn grins, waving to them both. "Well now that that's over..." she grins and resumes her sipping of the wine glass that Leporis had been holding for her.

Olivia has left the large stone pools.

Kaia smiles at the Graysons and claps, "Whoo congratulations Reese and Sabella!" she cheers, then is taken by surprise when she and Thea are approached and also congratulated, and even gifted with lovely cloakpins. "Oh, thank you Princess Valencia.~" she chimes, her smile so wide almost couldn't fit her face as she glanced back at Thea pointing at the little golden thing. "Eee!~"

Thea sincerely,"Congratulations Reese and Sabella!. Surprised at her own gifts in her hands,"Oh! thank you Princess Valencia." Thea grins at Kaia"Well then.."

"They're rather splendid, aren't they?" Liara remarks to Kaia, grinning at the reaction to the cloakpins. Then she turns her gaze out across the garden, musing, "We really must do more such things. It's a wonderful venue."

"Oh! It's absolutely lovely," Sabella tells Valencia with a bright smile, "But I feel a bit badly since Reesey and I are such a practiced team. Lord Gawai--oh, he's leaving." she hurriedly gets her things together or at least has her servants do so as she says, "Thank you for the fun time!" And then she's out the door.

Kaia nods to Liara, "They are gorgeous! I love it!" she exclaims, immediatelt pinning it to her clothes and wearing it quite proudly.

Kaia takes Unicorn Farts - A Feminine Perfume -Sample Vial-.

Sabella has left the large stone pools.

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

Thea attaches her cloakpin to herself too,"It really is beautiful."

The pools humming with laughter and happy conversations, Valencia finally slips into to the warm waters of the larger of the stone pools. A quiet smile touches her featurs as she takes it all in, the smile growing as her gaze falls upon Liara. "I do believe this is a great success. Thank you, highness. I hope this will be the first of many such collaborations," she grins impishly.

Then, noting the interesting colorful vial of cheap perfume offered by Olivia as a secondary prize she grins and glances back at Thea with a mischievious look. "Should we take it and take our little revenge?" she muses.

Lucita:looks up at her partner Gawain as the contest ends. "Don't know if to stay in in the pool where it is warm and get all wrinkled from being in the water too long or climb out and suffer the cool air. Do you see that toweling robe around anywhere?" She has apparently made the decision as she gets out and stands there with the swimming tunic dripping and water running down her legs and arms.

"Most certainly," Liara answers Valencia, with a quick and easy smile. "The pools are fantastic. I shall have to avail of them more often, myself."

Reese sits on the edge of the pool and she seems very happy right now. The girl does like to win!

Thea unusually let's her gown down, relaxing a bit. Nodding to Kaia, she answers,"Absolutely." Turning to Reese wonderingly"How did you learn to swim like that?"

Joslyn slides on up to where Reese is sitting, still letting the water cover herself, having discarded her clothes a long while back, looking up at her with a grin. "Now I wonder if you could truly take me on in a proper swimming contest," Joslyn teases.

"I hope you will," grins the little southern princess. "Perhaps we might have a masquerade next?" she muses considering the next event already.

Valencia claims this

"Masquerades are certainly popular, though in my case, they are the one form of ball that I do not much like," Liara admits to Valencia.

"Well, then. We shall find others that do please you," Valencia offers with another smile. "Thank you again."

Similarly, Kaia makes her way over close to Thea and Reese, by the edge of the stone pool. "By the gods, yes Reese, that performance of yours was outstanding! You were amazing! Truly, what is the secret?~" she teases at then end with a bit of a chuckle.

Kaia is overheard praising Reese: An outstanding swimmer! I swear she must be half-fish!

Kaia is overheard praising Sabella: So witty and clever! I look forward to learning from her!

Kaia is overheard praising Domonico: A most honorable and capable man! He did outstandingly well in that rowing competition!

Kaia is overheard praising Calypso: She did quite well in that rowing competition! She remained classy even during defeat! Very admirable.

Another sip is taken and Valencia looks up to the sky with a little smile. Large dark eyes lower and drift across the pools and she smiles a little more. "We are so blessed in so many ways I think," she says quietly. "Here's to more beautiful times."

Reese rises to he slippered feet and she has a smile for all gathered here. "I should be going, I found a trainer." The girl softly says.

Reese has left the large stone pools.

Rosalie, a lady in waiting leaves, following Reese.

Lucita finds her robe and towels and after wrapping in them moves over through some of the people remaining. "It has been fun as usual. Thank you for doing this for us. Princess Reese, that was a remarkable showing, very impressive.

Easing up out of the water, Liara goes to collect her robe, swaddling herself as quick as she can in its relative warmth. Then, again, with a ready smile, "Thank you all for coming."

Kaia waves to Reese and then to Thea, "We should probably head home as well, my lady."

Joslyn blows a kiss to Reese as she departs and settles on the edge of the pool, keeping herself modestly covered despite her current state of undress. "Thank you all for hosting," she says to Valencia and Liara. "It was a lot of fun, I didn't expect to win coming into it so late!"

The little vixen simply smiles