Isabelle, who is just so tired of everyone's nonsense, Sam, who is a boy and definitely not a princess in disguise, Roland, the worst bard in Arvum arrive, following Niklas.

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

Isabelle, who is just so tired of everyone's nonsense have been dismissed.

Roland, the worst bard in Arvum have been dismissed.

Sabella has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Sebastian has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Sebastian drops The Deepest of Jungles, a painting.

Nina has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Libera, a white and brown gyrfalcon arrives, following Skaldia.

Captain Curls, an attentive, ebony guard poodle arrives, following Quenia.

Quenia makes her way to the menagerie, with a grim and determined look on her face. She bites her lip a bit as she looks around, looking to see who is here this evening that she missed last time.

Lucita wanders into the area, dogs prudently left outside the menagerie so not to upset the animals within it. A shawl is tossed around her shoulders fending off the cold air. On spotting others, her hand rises in an amicable wave as she smiles.

Swift puts a tapered, crystal decanter of Dreamwine in a velvet gift bag embroided with the leaning coins of Gild.

Swift takes a small bottle of Heaven's Embrace from a velvet gift bag embroided with the leaning coins of Gild.

Swift takes a scandalously cut iolite seasilk gown adorned by silvered empyrean motifs on gossamer skirts from a velvet gift bag embroided with the leaning coins of Gild.

Swift takes heeled gladiator sandals forged from the night sky winding over the calves from a velvet gift bag embroided with the leaning coins of Gild.

Nina has never been to the Menagerie and is immediately enchanted by the place as she walks in. Her eyes flicker everywhere, drawn to every movement of bird and every little twitter of song. She seems completely enraptured, almost not even looking down where she is going.

She nearly, in fact, runs face-first into the green arbor, but then stumbles past it and, smoothing her skirts, steps inside. She looks a little nervous, as the last challenge still has left a blue dye upon her hand.

Niklas has joined the Magpie Exhibit.

Swift puts an ethereal jade seasilk gown graced by the evening stars and a daringly low bodice in a velvet gift bag embroided with the leaning coins of Gild.

Swift puts jade seasilk slippers secured by winding calf-high straps dipped in stardust in a velvet gift bag embroided with the leaning coins of Gild.

Swift can be found setting up at the Magpie Exhibit, settled in at a table with that trio of bowls still out front and center. Each filled with a cloudy liquid, each bearing a thorn of copper within. Swift herself is enjoying a glass of wine while she waits for the festivities to begin, even offering one towards Sebastian when he posts up at the arbor nearby.

Waldemai wanders over to play with ducks. The ducks seem to know him.

Sebastian may be late, but his assistant is not. Briar's there under the arbor, directing the set up of a painting that is very distinctly the Pravus artist's, for anyone that knows his work. A moment later, she sets a bottle of red down on the little bench, and a small number of glasses. Only afterwards does the dark-haired prince stride in, looking at ease despite his lateness, brilliant gaze picking out familiar faces and smiling as he angles for the arbor. "Thank you, Briar. Perfect," he approves, taking a moment to regard his painting. Swift's offer of a glass earns a brief laugh, and he takes it, leaning to murmur: "I hope you like birds," with an upward tick of gaze.

Niklas arrives along with his wife, though after giving Sabella a kiss on the cheek he turns and heads over to join Swift at the Magpie Exhibit. "Ah, speaking of commoner merchants named after birds." He gestures toward the magpies, then says to Swift, "But I like you more than them." He then leans up against the fence, all ready to fail yet another test of his utterly non-existent alchemy knowledge.

Pellinor, 3 Thrax Guards, Maxene, the steadfast ladies maid, 2 Thrax Elite Guards arrive, following Alarissa.

Tyce the gruff and disapproving arrives, delivering a message to Sebastian before departing.

Looking rather out of her element, Skaldia stalks into the Aviary, glancing around somewhat cautiously. Recognizing Sebastian when he enters, she watches and then sidles towards the arbor, lingering nearby.

Sabella takes a seat under the roses of course, giving a big, beaming smile to everyone that's already here, "In case anyone needs the Silver thorn that's over here with me!" She calls out brightly, setting a small chest of what probably contains the thorns in her lap.

Svana slinks in, glancing around at the noble and commoner stock alike before she positions herself near a tree and takes in a deep breath, nibbling on her lower lip.

Monique checked dexterity + sewing at difficulty 9, rolling 14 higher.

Monique drops RULES and GAMES - Tournament of Thorns Pre-Games.

Merek makes a way into the place, and looks around a bit, smoothing his dark attire while he notices a table, making his way that way with a smile.

Merek has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Rosalba, a creamy-white raven with strikingly-alert azure eyes, Trini Albricci, an attractive young Lycene woman, Hilja Toivonen, a reticent, delicate young woman arrive, following Dianna.

Swift takes Snowplum, an ice wine from Clearlake Hold from a velvet gift bag embroided with the leaning coins of Gild.

Monique arrives late - it's probably Sebastian's bad influence. But she does arrive, carrying two small trunks of thorns and flanked by Primus and Tertius, her very tall and very short assistants. "Mind the birds, Princess Alarissa! I remember last year..." There's a brief smile of reminiscence before the Greenmarch adds, "I shall be standing in for the Marquis DiFidante this evening, giving challenges for both his brass thorn and my own bronze. I wish everyone luck hunting their thorns!"

Monique has joined the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Quenia has joined the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Niklas checked composure + legerdemain at difficulty 35, rolling 17 lower.

Quenia waits a moment to see who gets settled where, and finally follows Monique over to the Bonespire replica. She settles there fro now.

For a moment, Sebastian lingers near Swift, exchanging low whisperings with her. It's probably why he didn't notice Nina's lingering in the back of the arbor, eyes brightening as he turns back towards her. "Messere Nina. And Messere Skaldia," he adds as he spots the woman lingering nearby, inviting her to join them as he gestures with the hand without the wine in it. "I'm glad to see you made it."

Skaldia has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Alarissa's not long behind Monique, walking in with Dianna, and behind Dianna that gaggle of nobles who are here to do their job. Arm in Arm with the former Mazetti. "Fear not! Pellinor has brought me a parisol!' The Thrax princess all smiles. "Be wary yourself, lest they gift you something unliked, from on high." A smile flashed for everyone and steers for the duck pond. "NO table arrangements this year. People have to convince my own gaggle, that they deserve a thorn" here he voice rises. "And they can't demand it just because they're famous. Right Niklas?"

Alarissa has joined the a small green duck pond.

Svana has joined the a small green duck pond.

Dianna has joined the a small green duck pond.

2 Kennex corsairs, Jane arrive, following Catalana.

Tyce the gruff and disapproving arrives, delivering a message to Sebastian before departing.

Laughing merrily at Alarissa's demeanor, Dianna is, indeed, followed (rather happily, for she may be godsworn, but the gods know of Dianna's vanity...!) by a gaggle of nobles. "Nor that they're beautiful... though I am," the priestess winks, moving with Alarissa to the spot she picks.

Quenia checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 40, rolling 7 higher.

Nina checked wits + riddles at difficulty 30, rolling 12 lower.

Niklas heaves a sigh at Swift's refusal to be bought and pushes away from the fence. "Soon, Mistress Swift, your thorn will be ... yours forever, probably." He looks around, then starts over to where the newly minted prince and Whispering Narwhal of Setarco stands and joins the arbor, looking to Nina and Skaldia.

Svana moves over to Alarissa's table, bowing to the woman in respect, and giving a bow to Dianna also. "A pleasure, Sister - and to you, Princess Alarissa. It is so nice to see you again! This shall be fun, won't it?" She asks, with a gleam of competitiveness in her eye.

Niklas has left the Magpie Exhibit.

Niklas has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Skaldia checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 9 lower.

Sebastian moves up towards the painting underneath the armor, talking to Nina and Skaldia in low tones. While they're looking at the painting, he takes a moment to take a slow sip of the glass of wine he has in hand, looking thoughtful for a moment, before he slips a smile Swift's way.

Monique, from her position reclining on an overlarge pillow laid out by Primus, looking the very picture of indolence with a glass of (untouched) wine in end, calls out to Alarissa, "I forgot mine! Do you think I might convince someone to run and get one?" she looks up, worriedly, touching her hair, before turning back to Quenia.

Catalana slips in. She's not late. Nope. Not at all. Perfectly on time. She sweeps her gaze over the room and gives Niklas a saccharine smile and finger wiggle before she sets to work.

Catalana has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Nina seems to have no idea what to make of the painting, or the riddle, unfortunately, so she takes a step back just as Sebastian is arriving. "Oh! Prince! I must be moving on, but it's so good to see you. We should speak some time when it's not so crowded! The painting is lovely but I know so little about the visual arts."


Svana checked charm + propaganda at difficulty 30, rolling 33 higher.

Nina has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

"I refuse to believe that you cannot find a way to win the thorn, Your Highness!" Swift flashes a grin towards the departing Niklas before sipping from her wine glass. She gives it a considering look even as she smiles over the flavor. Glancing towards Sebastian, she catches his own smile and gives a small nod.

Tyce the gruff and disapproving, 2 Scarlet Phoenix Guard arrive, following Juliana.

Skaldia joins the arbor, listening to the conversation with a cant of her head, as she stares at the painting. Ultimately, she can be seen shaking her head in defeat of the puzzle.

"Shall I send Pellinor over? I'll send Pellinor over!' Alarissa calls out to Monique and a look to the man, he's moving over to tend to making sure that Monique, doesn't gets gifted by the birds.

Catalana looks at Niklas and then to swift, "Mistress Swift, is it the same challenge?" She lifts her still dyed fingers upward, "I still have not managed to wash off my last attempt."

"As you say, your highness. Still! After failing with your recalcitrant gentry I went and got several people to buy me drinks to boost my ego." Niklas waves to Catalana when he sees her. "That's because you don't bathe often enough, Cos. Give it a try!"

Lifting her dark-gloved fingers skyward, Dianna waves to Monique and Sebastian before she settles down with Alarissa on one of the benches, a playful smirk on the priestess' lips.

Lucita has joined the a small green duck pond.

Lucita checked composure + legerdemain at difficulty 35, rolling 19 lower.

Nina has joined the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Quenia has left the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Quenia has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Lucita murmurs to Waldemai. "Did she? Oh, my. Some of these look fun and some.. clearly do not fall within my realm of expertize.

Quenia slips away from the Bonespire replication to join the profusion of rose vines, nodding to Sabella and Merek as she arrives.

Quenia checked wits + performance at difficulty 50, rolling 12 higher.

Juliana steps in, pausing to sweep the room, there are plenty she knows and some even get a nod but her gaze is searching out one. Spotting Sebastian, the Lady's steps start that direction, her cloak fluttering back from an outfit of leathers and bronze stamped waist coat, her dark hair braided down her back.

Swift smiles towards Catalana and calls back, "Yes, though I am offering an alternate means to gain the thorn now as well!"

Sabella gets Tournament of Thorns -a silver thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Niklas checked perception + artwork at difficulty 30, rolling 25 higher.

Catalana checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

Merek checked wits + performance at difficulty 50, rolling 17 lower.

Nina checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 30, rolling 31 higher.

Sebastian gets Tournament of Thorns - a steel thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Sebastian gets Tournament of Thorns - a steel thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Niklas takes the thorn with an appreciative nod for Sebastian, then looks to Catalana, "Still tied. Though that one did appear to take you a bit, dear cousin. A sure sign you'll choke at the end."

Niklas has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Svana has left the a small green duck pond.

Niklas has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Juliana has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Niklas checked wits + performance at difficulty 50, rolling 34 higher.

Dianna has left the a small green duck pond.

Dianna has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Lucita checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 30, rolling 31 higher.

Svana has joined the Magpie Exhibit.

Catalana chuckles at Niklas's remark "Oh darling Nikky, don't you remember the story about the tortoise and the hare? You are clearly the hare here my darling cousin."

Niklas gestures toward Sabella. "My wife is looking for stories with a twist ending, so you can bring your tortoise and the hare nonsense over here. I've seen a tortoise race a hare. The tortoise is still running."

Dianna checked wits + performance at difficulty 50, rolling 4 lower.

Sabella gets Tournament of Thorns -a silver thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Catalana has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Svana checked composure + legerdemain at difficulty 35, rolling 13 lower.

Catalana has joined the Magpie Exhibit.

Quenia has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Quenia departs from the profusion of rose vines and heads over to the lovely arbor, nodding her head and offering a smile to both Sebastian and Juliana.

Quenia has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Lucita has left the a small green duck pond.

Lucita has joined the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Nina checked charm + empathy at difficulty 30, rolling 44 higher.

Svana has left the Magpie Exhibit.

Niklas has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Niklas has joined the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Quenia checked wits + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 25 higher.

Svana has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Svana makes her way from Swift's game, with a freshly (temporarily) discolored hand and joins Sabella's table.

Niklas wanders over to the accurate replica of the Bonespire and stands there for several seconds, expression going increasingly uncertain. "Is this ours, or are Bonespire statues meant to be sat on a thing?" He looks over to Sabella and gestures at the seating, then shakes his head and sits down.

Juliana checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 1 higher.

Merek has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Monique gets Tournament of Thorns - a bronze thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Sebastian gets Tournament of Thorns - a steel thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Esme is most curious as she walks into the event to see who's one and what is going on. Her eyes sweep the area.

Sebastian gets Tournament of Thorns - a steel thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Svana checked wits + performance at difficulty 50, rolling 11 lower.

Nina has left the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Nina has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Lucita checked luck + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Juliana gets a jug of crisp autumn hard apple cider from a simple velvet bag.

Merek has joined the Magpie Exhibit.

Quenia glances over at Juliana who is just leaving the arbor area. "I should show you the magnificent painting that he gifted me sometime. It's not creepy at all, but brilliant and wonderful."

Juliana has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Juliana has joined the Magpie Exhibit.

Nina checked wits + performance at difficulty 50, rolling 13 lower.

Niklas checked charm + empathy at difficulty 40, rolling 14 higher.

Lucita checked charm + diplomacy at difficulty 30, rolling 28 higher.

Dianna has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Dianna has joined the Magpie Exhibit.

Catalana waits and murmurs something to Swift, her eyes on the three bowls again. She chews her lower lip for a moment before making a choice on what to do.

Lucita checked charm + diplomacy at difficulty 40, rolling 2 higher.

Nina is a little flustered, but she gets distracted by Dianna leaving as she sits down to tell a tale. For a moment she pauses, but she waves farewell to Dianna first.

Alarissa has left the a small green duck pond.

Svana has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Alarissa has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Svana has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Waldemai has left the a small green duck pond.

Monique gets Tournament of Thorns - a bronze thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Esme tips her head as she looks at the people moving from seat to seat. There is a clear look of confusion in her features, but she watches as one person leaves and then anotehr seems tto take their place.

Svana checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 1 lower.

Juliana checked intellect + alchemy at difficulty 45, rolling 24 higher.

Dianna checked intellect + alchemy at difficulty 45, rolling 4 lower.

Merek checked intellect + alchemy at difficulty 45, rolling 15 lower.

Alarissa wanders by the roses, shaking her head at what's happening. 'I came to try my hand for the joy of it." She declares.

Quenia has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Quenia has joined the Magpie Exhibit.

Quenia finally makes her way over to the Magpie exhibit, approaching Swift once more. "So, I hear I might be able to give this another try?" she asks.

Nina has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Esme tries to figure out the basics and then sees Sabella and Alarissa, so she moves over to the rose vines.

Esme has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Skaldia has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Dianna has left the Magpie Exhibit.

Quenia checked composure + legerdemain at difficulty 35, rolling 23 lower.

Dianna has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Alarissa checked wits + performance at difficulty 50, rolling 3 higher.

Skaldia moves away from the arbor, laughing to something Sebastian has said, before looking around for a long moment. She eventually moves towards the Bonespire replica.

Skaldia has joined the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Catalana checked composure + legerdemain at difficulty 35, rolling 16 lower.

Merek has left the Magpie Exhibit.

Merek has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Dianna checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 2 lower.

Quenia has her hand outstretched to Swift, like she's mid-attempt at swiping something, and she just bursts into laughter midway, like the very thought just amuses her entirely. "Who am I kidding!" she calls out.

Swift takes Tournament of Thorns - a copper thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Catalana has left the Magpie Exhibit.

Catalana has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Juliana has left the Magpie Exhibit.

Esme checked wits + performance at difficulty 50, rolling 15 lower.

Nina steps out and watches people taking Swift's challenge again, but there's still some dye on her hand from her last try. She thinks that it's PROBABLY not her game, but...

Maybe just one more try will work.

Juliana has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Nina has joined the Magpie Exhibit.

Lucita gives a soft laugh and grasps the thorns handed her. After a moment of examining them she rises from her seat and murmurs. "Good luck to you all. This was fun, and I wish you the very best of luck."

Lucita has left the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Lucita has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Merek checked intellect + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 9 higher.

Juliana has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Quenia has left the Magpie Exhibit.

Niklas has left the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Juliana has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Sebastian gets Tournament of Thorns - a steel thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Quenia departs from the final place who has someone new to her, or to retry, then looks around the aviary. She lets out a soft sigh, then turns toward the exit, having finished all the games.

Nina checked composure + legerdemain at difficulty 35, rolling 27 higher. Nina rolled a critical!

Catalana slides into a seat beside her favorite extended family member, Sabella. She smiles and straightens her shoulder. She must get this Thorn.

Skaldia checked charm + diplomacy at difficulty 40, rolling 27 lower.

Captain Curls, an attentive, ebony guard poodle leaves, following Quenia.

Merek puts Tournament of Thorns - a steel thorn in a backpack, made of black leather.

Swift takes Tournament of Thorns - a copper thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Esme has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Dianna has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Niklas steps away from Monique's area and starts his way back over to where Sabella stands at the arbor.

Svana has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Niklas has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Lucita checked wits + performance at difficulty 50, rolling 5 higher.

Catalana checked wits + performance at difficulty 50, rolling 16 lower.

Esme studies the other areas and then drops onto Sebastian's area.

Esme has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Dianna steps away from the arbor and moves back to Alarissa

Dianna has joined the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Merek eventually makes a way from the place with a wave!

Alarissa has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Merek has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Alarissa has joined the a small green duck pond.

Svana decides to quietly take her leave, bowing to Alarissa and the others before she departs.

Nina has left the Magpie Exhibit.

Sabella gets Tournament of Thorns -a silver thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Esme checked wits + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 5 lower.

Skaldia checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 4 lower.

Juliana checked wits + performance at difficulty 50, rolling 2 higher.

Lucita chuckles softly and murmurs. "Thank you. it was fun. I best go see about the painting. I can't stay much longer and ought to stop by there too."

Dianna has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Laughing and shaking her head in defeat, Skaldia moves away from the Bonespire replica.

Skaldia has left the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Nina leaves the Magpie exhibit, with the thorn in hand. She looks so incredibly relieved that she did not end up dying her hand blue this time, again. Though she hasn't passed all challenges today, getting this one gave her a sense of satisfaction and she feels motivated.

Lucita has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Lucita has joined the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Monique cocks her head from her lazy recline, lifting her untouched wine glass in salute to first Alarissa, and then Swift. "No birds droppings yet!"

Dianna waves and blows kisses to the gaggle and Alarissa, "Next time, my dears, I shall regale you again. But... perhaps with a story that has a /twist/ at the end!"

Rosalba, a creamy-white raven with strikingly-alert azure eyes, Trini Albricci, an attractive young Lycene woman, Hilja Toivonen, a reticent, delicate young woman leave, following Dianna.

Sebastian is overheard praising Swift.

Swift lifts her own glass towards Monique and grins, "The magpies would never do that to a Grayhope!" Sipping from her wine, she glances towards Sebastian, chuckling lightly over seeing him at his own table. Looking back towards the crowds, she takes the moment to just enjoy watching others at their challenges.

Lucita checked perception + investigation at difficulty 30, rolling 10 higher.

Esme has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Alarissa's lifting her hand to Monique, the gaggle rising as she does. "I'm going to escort the Sister Dianna home." Alarissa calls out. "Another day for the green thorns."

Alarissa has left the a small green duck pond.

Maxene, the steadfast ladies maid, Pellinor, 3 Thrax Guards, 2 Thrax Elite Guards leave, following Alarissa.

Esme has joined the Magpie Exhibit.

Sabella gets Tournament of Thorns -a silver thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Niklas has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Niklas steps away from the arbor and makes a beeline to the exit, giving Monique a tight nod as he goes. It's hard to hide that he has tears streaming down his cheeks and that his expression is one of someone just this side of completely falling apart.

Sam, who is a boy and definitely not a princess in disguise leaves, following Niklas.

Monique's laughter fills the aviary at Swift's quip and she shakes her flame-bright head. "Or would they /especially/ at the request of a certain someone?" she counters, and when no one is looking, pours a little of the red wine from her glass to make it look as if she'd drunk it. Her eyes catch on Niklas as he departs, a brow lofting in Sabella's direction.

Catalana frowns and excuses herself quietly from Sabella. She nods to Monique and heads out too.

Catalana has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

2 Kennex corsairs, Jane leave, following Catalana.

Juliana has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Nina looks at Swift and seems to beam just a little at her. "You know I appreciate the opportunity that I've had here today." She curtseys. "Thank you, and to Lady Monique as well for the second chances!"

Juliana has joined the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Monique winks to Nina, a single bright green eye. "/I/ am /all/ about second chances."

"Thank you all for the lovely time," Skaldia bids to the organizers. "I shall be going now, but I enjoyed it very much, even if I'm leaving empty-handed." She spreads her hands as if to indicate the utter lack of thorns, and then laughs, before heading towards the exit.

Esme checked composure + legerdemain at difficulty 35, rolling 6 lower.

Libera, a white and brown gyrfalcon leaves, following Skaldia.

Nina looks at Monique again, and her eyes sparkle. There's something in that wink. She says, with a little catch of breath, "It sounds like there's a story to be told there. But... I won't bother you with that now when you're so busy!"

Esme has left the Magpie Exhibit.

Esme has joined the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.

Lucita spends a few moments talking with Sebastian then shakes her head. "I best slip out and head back home. It is good to have seen you again."

Lucita has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

1 Saik Guard, Micana leave, following Lucita.

Sebastian takes The Deepest of Jungles, a painting.

Esme rises after not at all stealing anything, at all. She also announced it. Then she saunters over to Monique's seats and drops onto them.

Sebastian has left the a lovely arbor wreathed in greenery.

Sebastian has joined the Magpie Exhibit.

After a moment, Sebastian abandons his post and slips over towards Swift's area, tempting the birds, no doubt.

Esme checked charm + etiquette at difficulty 30, rolling 46 higher. Esme rolled a critical!

Monique props herself up on an elbow after greeting Juliana and Esme, and calls out to Nina. "I'd happily tell you all about it, come find me after the games? Your skill is a worthy trade for the story!"

Nina smiles brightly at Monique. "Sounds great! Thank you for putting together these games. So far it's been a lot of fun to try the challenges and some are deviously hard."

Juliana checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 40, rolling 0 higher.

When the line finally peters out, Sabella hands her little chest to Elizabetta and stands, heading over to Monique, "I think that's it for me tonight! But how fun it was to hear all the different stories! Thank you for allowing me to participate in handing them out."

Monique lifts her head from Esme and Juliana to wave to the departure of Sabella. "Thank you, Your Highness! I do hope Prince Niklas is all right!"

Sabella has left the a small alcove with a profusion of rose vines.

Jules man Tyce stands looking gruff and stone faced, he arms folded in front of him, as if maybe he isn't approving of something.

Juliana checked charm + diplomacy at difficulty 30, rolling 26 higher.

Monique gets Tournament of Thorns - a bronze thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Esme checked charm + diplomacy at difficulty 40, rolling 6 lower.

Juliana looks at Primus, then around the Aviary, then back to Primus. "You know, it looks like I am the last one, if you just get it for me, we can be done and everyone can get out of here and let Prince Sebastian buy everyone drinks."

Sebastian very definitely didn't hear that, nope!

Nina looks back to Sebastian to see if that's really the plan. It sounds great to her, apparently, but she's in a better mood now than after the last thorn challenge.

Monique gets Tournament of Thorns - a bronze thorn from Tournament of Thorns - a chest of thorns.

Esme looks up at Sebastian and holds up her /lone/ thorn. She gives him a vibrant smile. "Hey, Sebastian.. look." Yep, totally stoic this one. Then she then studies Juliana and her bribery. There is a cant of her head. "I should be taking notes." Then she brightens at Monique. "Thank you for the event."

Then Monique calls out, "Prince Pravus, I hear that drinks are on you this evening! I can't wait to order a barrel of whisky and get thoroughly drunk."

Juliana crosses towards Sebastian and drops five thorns into his hand. "I promised your purse out again." then kisses his cheek.

The look Sebastian gives Juliana is part resignation, part affection. "Fine. But this is going on your sweet tab," he warns her without too much seriousness. "Drinks then," he allows. "But /real/ drinks -- not that whiskey stuff," he clarifies, with a look to Monique.

Monique lifts her wine glass insolently to Sebastian, and then proceeds to uppend it's red, rich contents all over the grass. A single eyebrow arches. Shots fired.

"Oh yes.. my tab." Juliana finger quotes and smiles. "Oh real drinks, this mean none of that grape juice you drink?" teases and looks to Monique. "When was the last time you had Setarco Fire?"

Esme watches the wine hit the ground and then looks at Monique. For a moment, she looks sad. Then she cuts a look towards Sebastian for a moment. "I should be off, thank all of you for the wonderful games. Even if I am not so good at them, it is sometimes far more fun to lose than to win."

"I don't believe I've /ever/ had Setarco Fire," The Minx answers Juliana with a wicked grin, highly approving of her quip. "But if it's whisky, I'd love to try it. Is it whisky?" And there's a wave for Esme. "I hope you'll come to the next one and try again. Fun is what life is all about."

Juliana looks to Esme, her smile softening. "It was nice to meet you. Don't worry about being good, that comes in time."

There's a narrowing of Sebastian's eyes as Monique desecrates the wine, and he reaches for his waist, where a leather-covered knife sits in place of his usual Thorn. "No. Setarco Fire is brandy. Which I think we agreed was a good compromise?"

Jules looks to Monique. "It is.." Jules nods to Sebastian's correction. "...that has had hot Setarco chilies soaking in it. Hence the name."

Monique watches Sebastian's hand and there's a smirk that trails her crimson-stained lips. "Don't make me add another to your collection, Your Highness. But if Setarco Fire is on offer, I'd be a fool to turn it down. I suppose I can stomach brandy." She hands off her glass to Primus, who accepts it with resignation and begins to pack up. "Where might we find such a thing?"

Esme has left the a supposedly accurate replica of The Bonespire.