Ras arrives, following Rukhnis.

Confessor Tybalt, the one who asks nicely, Confessor Mildred, the one who doesn't ask nicely arrive, following Corrigan.

Confessor Tybalt, the one who asks nicely have been dismissed.

Confessor Mildred, the one who doesn't ask nicely have been dismissed.

Barrett, a raven furred giant schnauzer arrives, following Brigid.

Wonder, the Kitten arrives, following Revell.

Wonder, the Kitten have been dismissed.

The party is just beginning! People are gathering. The food is laid out. Live music is playing. And yes.. there is BOOZE! So much booze! There is even a table off to the side filled with rolled haze cigarettes. Raja is here and even dressed up a little! She has a nice maritime style outfit on and a rubicund blade on her hip that is actually a nice contrast against her black pants. Raja stands up with a glass of whiskey in her hand. "WELCOME! Welcome all you urchins and elites! Come come! Tonight there is no haughty nose in the air party. Tonight is a rowdy, get drunk, make a fool of yourself kind of night! Eat! Drink! Smoke! BE MERRY!"

Rukhnis hobbles into the community hall with the use of Ras as a human crutch, one arm wrapped awkwardly around his waist as she attempts to navigate the perils posed by treacherous winter streets, and apparently just by walking in general. She looks a little appalling, the left side of her face mottled with heavy bruising that is just starting to fade into deep greens and sickly yellows against the unusual pallor of her complexion, and it seems she's injured less obviously but perhaps more seriously as well, given both the way she's walking (or trying to) and the very ginger way in which she's holding her right arm.

All in all, she does not look like a very festive host. She does, however, look grimly determined about this whole party thing.

Sir Floppington the Soulful Hound arrives, following Rowenova.

"What? No, bugger off. I'm off duty. Yes, I know it's red, it's /cold./ Now beat it." Corrigan dismisses his confessor goons as they follow in lockstep behind him into the community hall, the last comment addressed to the larger of the two as she points at his carmine inquisitorial cloak. Huffing, he turns his back on them as they leave, gaze flicking over those assembled. The decorations get a raised eyebrow, and then he spots the reason he came here, and his heart skips a beat.

He heads over to the open bar, starts his usual order of 'whatever's cheap and on tap' - then stops and grins. "Oh wait, it's /free./ Alright - a measure of whatever comes in your most expensive and oddly-shaped bottle, please."

Showing up a bit late are Scout Rowenova and Sir Floppington who speed quick, arriving alive, thank goodness.

Ras stays next to Rukhnis, offering support, and attempts to guide her over towards one of the picnic tables set up in the community hall. He lifts both eyebrows in a vague greeting that goes with a semblance of a nod towards Raja.

With snowflakes being shaken from dark umber waves, bright silvery eyes flicker and roam over the hall with contained curiosity. At her heel, clearly a creature in training, is Barrett the Goodest Girl doing her best to keep from making her large pawed way towards everything delectable. The Dragoon moved with a willowy purpose, not exactly sure who she should be meeting or thanking but a nod of greeting is given politely to those already present, in a swirl of autumnal skirts does Brigid make her way to grab a drink before putting herself in a place where deep pools can quietly reflect on the new sights and faces.

Rowenova gets a crooked fir and holly circlet from a deep wicker basket.

Revell takes a lopsided fir and holly circlet from a deep wicker basket.

Raymesin lurks in the background, propping up a wall while he waits - and then the party is declared open, and he leans away from his wall to go and get something edible. He nods to familiar faces as they arrive - with the exception of Corrigan, who gets ignored - and to Raja as well.

Brigid takes an alluring fir and holly circlet from a deep wicker basket.

Talia Baseborn slips quietly into the hall, alone and dressed in a plain dress of red wool. Red might be festive for her, but there's nothing else that stands out about the dress, nothing like the gowns she makes for others. She looks around the room, a slow gaze, before she moves first towards those crowns in the basket. A smile touches on her lips, and she slowly takes one and starts tucking her messy curls up into a design into the fir.

Talia gets a pretty fir and holly circlet from a deep wicker basket.

Corrigan has joined the a lofty oak counter table with trestle base.

Revell comes hobbling into the Community Hall with an eager grin on her face and a pair of low quality crutches under her arms - the reason is immediately clear, as her left leg has been bandaged up and is sporting a splint. She's not had the time to dress up in anything more fancy than her usual common garb, but she has put in the effort to hide a few bruises and cuts with a light touch of make-up, barely noticeable, really.

She gives the room a quick scan, spots Corrigan at the bar and smiles crookedly. But rather than heading straight over to the Confessor, she offers smiles to those she knows and makes her way, slowly, over to pick up a holly circlet for herself. Then, after a pause, she picks up another.

Revell takes a roguish fir and holly circlet from a deep wicker basket.

Raja lifts her class of whiskey to her lips and steps out and into the thick of things. As Rukhnis makes her way into the room, she pauses and blinks. Her eyes narrow and there is a bit of anger that suddenly clouds the woman's expression. The anger is not directed /at/ Rukhnis, but at whatever mystery caused her state of being. However, she manages to school herself and tame that inner anger beast. This is a party after all! Her gaze turns to the basket of circlets and she beams a grin. "Rukhnis! Those circlets are perfect! You have outdone yourself!"

Korka gets a rakish fir and holly circlet from a deep wicker basket.

Revell has joined the a lofty oak counter table with trestle base.

Rukhnis isn't having any of this gentle-guidance-towards-a-table nonsense, and instead presses back against Ras in an attempt to guide /him/ over to her party co-host. This might or might not work, considering her continued state of upright-ness seems to be very largely dependent upon the street rat as a support, but that doesn't prevent her from trying, or from raising her voice a little to greet Raja as the other woman's stare comes her way (the angry glariness she seems to be ignoring).

"Raja," she says, tilting herself infinitesimally forward as if this were the habitual reflex of a bow that she can't actually manage. "You have my thanks for doing so much to set this up. As for the circlets," she waves one hand dismissively, "there is very little to do when one is forced to sit in bed all day."

Dame Rosario Nevarre of the Oathlands have been dismissed.

Anouk Ardennes have been dismissed.

Anais Ardennes have been dismissed.

Triage, The white dove of Mercy have been dismissed.

3 Valardin Knights have been dismissed.

1 Templar Knight guards have been dismissed.

After picking up a holly circlet, Nova speeds closer to the free food and glances over to Raymesin, "Greetings and congratulations!" says she to the Ulbran man before scooping up her own meat/cheese sandwich. After, she spins away and sandwich totes toward Rukhnis, doing so with obvious concern. Okay, the wolf scout spins back and picks up a second sandwich before finally approaching the battered physician. "Here, Hi!" She offers out the second sandwich to her fellow Northern ducal servant.

Maybe it's a hazard of the job, but as Korka arrives she pauses only to retrieve one of those circlets, then also heads towards the bar where it's been murmured all drinks are free. She takes a seat with her back to the counter as usual, rapping her knuckles on the bar to indicate she wants to order and for now just looking around the crowd to see who has shown up. Albeit with a rakish circlet now on her head.

Talia murmurs something softly to herself as she steps away from the basket, adjusting her circlet as she moves towards the edges of the hall, clinging near the walls until she finds a bench tucked next to a wall. There, she sits.

Talia has joined the yellow bench.

Raymesin inclines his head to Rowenova at the congratulations, offering her a faint smile. "Thank you," he says, then watches her speed away again and retrieves a sandwich for himself before drifting on towards Ras and Rukhnis and Revell. All the Rs together? Dangerous times.

Sitting near the, admittedly rather loud, lady who'd just announced the start of the festivities is Axel. He's holding a glass of whiskey of his own, with a recently opened bottle by his side. "Thank god we're only just starting. If you're still this loud and full of life tomorrow, I'll probably just choose to stay inside the entire day.", he mutters only for her to hear, while mockingly covering his ear. He takes a sip, then another, then gives it a nod of approval. "Its not -too- bad. Could've definitely been worse." He eyes all the people entering the hall; a couple of them familiar to him, which nets them a nod as a greeting.

Ras doesn't resist Rukhnis' intended direction, and helps her over towards Raja instead. He glances around, taking in the positions of others in the location as a sort of casual survey, seeming largely at ease. A nod of greeting is passed towards Raymesin, then Revell, though he squints at Corrigan suspiciously. There's a hint of surprise upon noticing Talia, but he twitches a small smile towards the seamstress nonetheless for some reason. The circlets don't surprise him, but he gives the Eurusi woman's head a fond look when the dreadlock-headed Culler compliments them. When Rowenova approaches, he ducks his head in a hello, but eyes her sandwich and then knits his brow over at the table where food is set out.

Rukhnis grumbles with a glance towards the basket of circlets, "I could have made more, but I wasted too much time in sleeping." She makes this sound like the height of a near-criminal sloth, which she deplores having found herself the perpetrator of. She nods to Nova as the other woman comes over, and looks vaguely touched to have been brought a sandwich at the same time. "Thank you," she says, with the same twitch of a bow. "I am glad to see you here tonight. I hope that you have been well."

Corrigan receives his drink - a shot of brandy from the looks of it, from a peculiarly shaped hourglass bottle as requested. He knocks it back, shrugs and orders another. Looking at Raymesin, he raises it in a brief toast before the shot is sent as reinforcements for the previous one down his throat. "Cheer up, big guy. Might never happen. Or if it's already happened, well - at least you get a discount at the Murder now."

He then notices Revell, and the two circlets she's carrying. "No," he says flatly.

Raja looks Rukhnis over a moment more. "Sometime after the party, we should talk." She gestures to the bruises and wounds on the woman. "For now, just enjoy yourself." She gently places a hand on the woman's shoulder. Her gaze flickers back to Axel and she beams a smile. "I am only this loud when I want to be." She slaps his arm playfully right as he goes to take a sip! Hopefully it splashes a bit of his drink on him! Ha!

As it turns out, putting a circlet on your head is incredibly difficult when you need both your arms to hold yourself upright, but she manages even if it takes significantly longer than needed.

"Oh! It's the scary part of the pair. Hi, Raymesin - I'm sorry I didn't find the time to say congratulations to you. I've been preoccupied." She nods to her leg, but looks entirely too happy about it. She offers both Rukhnis and Ras bright smiles. "I'd stay and chat a bit, but I really wanna sit and no -date- of mine is gonna be walking around without a circlet."

It's with a mischivious smirk that Revell hobbles her way over to Corrigan, stopping right behind him. 'No' or not, she'd attempt to dump the holly on top of his head. "It's the least you can do in exchange for the free drinks, asshole. -Wear it-."

Nova up nods her wolf-framed visage to Ras, doing so with a little grin before turning back and carefully transferring the aforementioned sandwich into the doctor's care. "Welcome. Good to see you, too. I have been doing very well, these days. Glad to see you." Nova does not ask what happened but looks out toward the party people.

Korka raises her newly acquired glass to Raymesin, "Congratulations, I heard Archlector Hamish married you two at the Queen's shrine. Perhaps if he shows up here he can help you out, Corr," she takes a sip, perhaps judging how watered down things will be tonight. Rukhnis and Ras get nods of recognition as she leans an elbow back on the bar, mostly content to people watch.

Raja peels away from the people that mingle and she yanks out a wooden box before hoisting herself up. "First I want to welcome everyone! It's been a rough time for many of us lately. Some for different reasons than others. Tonight is a night to shake off those winter blues! So, tonight, there are TWO competitions! We will have both a drinking competition and a dancing competition!! I had been debating on which to do first. I think for the sheer FUN of it, we will begin with DRINKING!! Then.. dance.." Her brows waggle with mischief!

Raymesin nods to the other Rs, including Revell and Rowenova. "Thanks," he replies to Revell, pointedly ignoring Corrigan. And then to Rukhnis. "Drop me a note with whose legs I'm breakin'," he says, as calm as if he were discussing the weather, before nodding to Raja. "Culler." And then he's being addressed elsewhere, and he nods to Korka as well. It's not a very big nod, but it's a lot more acknowledgement than Corrigan got. And then there's competitions announced, and Raymesin diverts quietly towards the door.

Rukhnis makes a vague sort of grunting noise at Raja at the idea of talking, or specifically the idea of talking about whatever happened to her. Moving on from that, she observes, "I am glad to see that the musicians made it here on time. I was not able to remind them myself, or give them directions, but I see my assistant Ayallah has taken care of everything." With a deeply regretful she look, she mumbles, "She should be here too. She does not need to work all the time, just because I am being lazy and useless." She takes the sandwich from Nova with a nod, and offers additional nods around to Raymesin, Revell, and anyone else she happens to recognize.

Rukhnis adds a rather flat look for Raymesin, for the leg-breaking offer. "That will not be necessary," she grumbles, "though I am sure the thought is well-meant."

Nova gets down on chipping in on the leg breaking, "Yeah!" says she after what Raymesin says before nudging Ras because they would totally team up, too, right?

Looking forth to Raja, Nova pipes up. "Drinking! I am in!" Easily distracted.

Ras smiles a little at Raymesin's offer, but his gaze goes down in an almost sad and guilty way, and then he gives Rowenova an uncertain look. "Good seein you too," he says, belatedly.

Axel, knowing the rowdy Raja relatively well, was prepared for the friendly jab that came from her, leaning away slightly just enough for it to graze him. Having saved his drink, he raises it at her and takes a sip, in an almost challenging way; looks like the overall festive mood is getting to him as well. He stays quiet for a bit, letting the others converse, while he studies the people currently present, his gaze jumping from one to another after he feels his initial curiosity with them has been sated. He lets out a sigh as Raja gets up to do yet another announcement, but that's all she gets out of him this time, as he's seemingly too preoccupied with his own musings.

Ras notes Korka and sends a nod back her way, then lowers his head to mumble something quietly to Rukhnis.

Talia takes out an embroidery project as Raja announces the competitions, her lips quirking into a little smile as she murmurs something. She seems quite content to be that little old maid at any commoner's party, working on sewing as others dance and drink.

When Ras looks sad and guilty, Nova tries to sling an arm around him in a hug.

"I came here because the booze is free, not to /dress up,/ sweetheart," Corrigan replies irritably as Revell rams the circlet lopsidedly onto his head. He doesn't make any attempt to evade her or remove it, however. "..If dressing up all daft were the cost of the booze, they should've put it on the flyer." Continuing to grumble incoherently, he turns in his seat to put his back to the bar, facing Revell and the room in general as he starts on his third shot, albeit slower this time.

Revell is just about to take a seat next to Corrigan when the next announcement comes from Raja. Honestly, the flower girl may as well be a tiny, radiating sun at this point - the excitement at the idea of a drinking contest -and- a dancing content makes her positively buzz, not to mention Corrigan -did not- remove the circlet. Oh happy day!

"We're gonna join, right? The drinking, I mean. I wanna see if I can beat you--" She furrows her eyebrows at the Confessor. "So stop making it easier for me by drinking -now-."

Raja remains on her soap box! (Literally) "Ulbran! Where do you think YOU are going?!" She points at Raymesin, laughing as the man tries to escape. She laughs and changes the topic. "I want to thank Rukhnis. She made sure the musicians and the Eurusi foods happened tonight! Even when she is at death's door! This woman is amazing and a symbol of what the Lowers can be like! We take a beating and keep on ticking!" She lifts her drink towards Rukhnis. "Cheers to Rukhnis!" She hoists her drink a little higher before finishing it off. "Anyways.. drinking! It is simple. You drink till you can't anymore! If you get sick, fall over, pass out, or simply cannot stomach another drink, you are out!"

OOC: Each round will have a roll to be done. The person who has the lowest roll or a fail looses that round! Each round will have a different roll!

1 Culler Boatswain arrives, following Acacia.

Nova shouts aloud, "SHE IS!" to follow up Raja who says Rukhnis is amazing. Northern volume here.

Corrigan mutters, "Oh, it's ... food? ... ... ... ... thought something had died ... here."

Raymesin looks over the crowd at Raja when he gets shouted at, not needing a soapbox with which to do it, and flashes her a handsignal. It does at least come with a smile. He calls back, "Some of us 'ave got work ter do! But 'ere's ter Rukhnis, I'll give yer that." He lofts his sandwich as if in toast, then bites into it.

Corrigan mutters something to himself at the end of Raja's toast, raising his glass a fraction of an inch in what could /charitably/ be called joining in. He then glances at Revell. "Knock yourself out. You sure won't be joining in the /dancing/ competition."

Raymesin is overheard praising Raja: A proper Lowers party!

Raymesin is overheard praising Rukhnis: A proper Lowers party!

Ras stumbles a little at the unexpected arm-slinging from Rowenova, but he can't quite cringe away or do anything about it, because he's still trying to hold up Rukhnis - so mostly, he stays right there. "I don't need a hug," he complains to the wolf scout, though, and some of his contrition appears to fade as people around the room raise cheers for the Eurusi woman at Raja's toast.

Rukhnis speaks quietly back to Ras for a short moment, and then looks very much surprised at the (literal) shout-out that she gets first from Raja, and then from Rowenova, which is followed up by Raymesin's joining in the toast. Her complexion loses some of its greyness as her cheeks take on a faint flush instead, and she shifts her weight looking extremely embarrassed and suddenly as if she'd rather like to be elsewhere, or, failing that, invisible.

"I swear you get worse the happier other people are," Revell says with an eyeroll, then finally takes a seat next to the Confessor and rests her crutches against the counter. She ponders for a moment, then gets herself a proper tankard of mead which is promptly raised in toast to Rukhnis, although a little belated.

Nova makes sure to let go right away when such hugs warrant complaint before apologetically smiling to Ras. She soon shifts her cobalt-blue gaze to Ruk, doing so with a lift up of her own sandwich before she meanders off to the drinking competition. She does eat some of her food.

If you wish to partake in the drinking contest +line/getinline

Rowenova has joined the line.

Revell has joined the line.

Axel has joined the line.

It is with long confidant strides the curvy Culler arrives, her slight smile curling just at the corners of her mouth. The leather-clad redhead stands in doorway and grins at the revellers, her large honey brown eyes sparking a deeper smile as she watches the merriment ensue. "Well, well, is this where all the best people are about today?" Acacia grins slowly and winks as she steals a fresh drink from a passing reveller and lifts the glass in salute before shooting it back with a toss of her head.

Amantha enters the hall, dressed in a dress for a change. She looks arround and a raised eyebrow, a smile then a laugh cross her face in that order. clearly a bit taken aback by the commotion, not that she didn't expect it but still. Before heading over to the bar, as good a place as any to start. Takes a mug of mead and heads towards the rest where they are seemingly going to hold a drinking contest?

"Culler," Raymesin nods to Acacia, then, "'Arrow," to Amantha, before ducking out of the door and away, with half a sandwich still in hand. Free food. Can't beat it.

Axel breaks his gaze from everyone else and focuses it on the matters at hand. Drinking. While Raja is proclaiming the rules of the game and thanking Rukhnis, he takes his time to refill his glass and raises it, waiting for the signal. He downs his shot shortly after Raja finishes hers and goes for a refill yet again, though, he doesn't immediately drink it this time just leaving it near him and going back to what he was doing - quite literally staring at people. Upon the entrance of a familiar redhead, he breaks his gaze and lifts his glass towards her in a greeting.

Korka does not move over to join the drinking competition, she just keeps nursing the drink in her hand, although she's clearly taking note of who is volunteering for what.

Ras tilts his head to see Rukhnis' response, and the fant flush in her cheeks makes him smile. Then he attempts, once more, to steer the Eurusi woman and her sandwich over to a picnic table.

Ras has joined the a sturdy redwood picnic table with bench seats.

Raja hops down from her box and moves over to the table where she has some special drinks. She looks towards the people willing to participate. "Only THREE?!" She takes out a glass for each of the contestants and pours a generous portion of whiskey. "Did I mention there is a twenty thousand silver cash reward for the winner?"

Acacia offers a slight smile and upnod to the departing Raymesin then turns her attention back to the party again. "I'll get in on that contest," she winks with more than a little confidence Raja's way and then grins brightly as Axel is spied. "Well, look who the cat dragged in!" she laughs and grins all the more. "When did you get in?"

Acacia has joined the line.

Rukhnis is a little more cooperative to Ras's steering this time, possibly just because she's glad to get out of the middle of the room where everyone can /look/ at her. Judging from the tightness around her eyes and mouth and the very stiff and ginger way in which she settles herself down onto a bench at one of the tables, it seems to give her at least as much pain to sit down as it did to stand, but at least once she's gotten there she appears very slightly more comfortable.

Corrigan sighs as Revell joins the line. "Ugh, alright." Getting to his feet with a slow, very much 'too cool for school' air, he walks over and joins the line himself, holding out a hand for a glass. "You'll probably sulk for days if I don't join in."

Corrigan has joined the line.

Acacia gets a delicate fir and holly circlet from a deep wicker basket.

Rukhnis has joined the a sturdy redwood picnic table with bench seats.

A wide grin spreads acros Raja's features as Acacia joins the table. Another glass is poured for her.. AND for Corrigan. She eyes Corrigan a little, smirking. Then the bottle tips a /little/ more for his glass. "Oops."

First Roll: Stamina + Survival

Once Rukhnis is settled, Ras releases her and hovers next to the table for a moment, speaking in a low tone.

Rowenova checked stamina + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 60 higher.

Revell checked stamina + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Axel checked stamina + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Corrigan checked stamina + survival at difficulty 17, rolling 5 lower.

Acacia checked stamina + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Amantha takes a whimsical fir and holly circlet from a deep wicker basket.

After chewing up a sandwich bite, Nova lifts up her first shot before then knocking back said shot to help wash all that on down.

Corrigan is OUT.. please pose accordingly!

Ras leaves Rukhnis' side, goes to the basket of circlets, and roots around thoughtfully for a moment or two before coming up with something that he clearly thinks would fit her well, judging by the fleeting expression of triumph upon his features. He brings it back over and presents it to her with a flourish and a grin before turning to head out of the hall.

Ras gets a dignified fir and holly circlet from a deep wicker basket.

Talia's needle moves deftly through fabric, producing a golden rose blooming on velvet even as she watches the drinking contest. Her gaze catches briefly on Ras, watching him for a moment with the basket and then studying Rukhnis with a thoughtful frown, considering, before she looks back to the contest.

Acacia's remark drawns that all-familiar smirk on Axel's face, as he invitingly nods at a seat near him. "Came 'ere with the loud one. Don't think I really had a choice in the matter, but I would've probably came regardless.", he chuckles and takes a shot as signaled by Raja, taking it relatively well, or... it'd seem so, if not for the gentle flush of his cheeks. The man is young and relatively inexperienced with drinking, so it's no surprise that the amount of drinks it takes him to get considerably drunk is probably in single digits.

Corrigan raises his glass with a beleaguered sigh, rolling his eyes as Raja overfills his glass. He knocks it back - pauses - and knocks back the second mouthful. He then smacks his lips and does his best to look unaffected, but quickly, the impact of knocking back a whiskey immediately after three brandies starts to show. First, there are a series of gasping coughs. Then a few tears in the corner of his eyes. Finally, those eyes go wide and he brings a hand to cover his mouth urgently. Those standing near him would hear a rather unpleasant retching sound as he convulses for a few moments. "..'m out," he mutters through his fingers as he urgently walks, head held high, to go find a bucket and some water.

Rukhnis shakes her head slightly as Ras goes over to fetch a circlet for her, though she nevertheless looks pleased to have one her handicrafts come back to her. Settling it on her head with an air of great dignity, as if she were a queen being offered her crown, she inclines her head towards Ras in thanks, and perhaps farewell too as the street rat turns to depart.

Ras has left the a sturdy redwood picnic table with bench seats.

Acacia steps up to the bar a big grin for all the contestants offered along with a bump of the hip to Rowenova. "Long time not see, Rowenova of the Wolves. Shall we show these buggers how it's done?" she clearly teases with playful smirk as she tosses the drink back in a fluid motion. A bigger grin finds her face at Axel's remark, "Smart man. Knows whento say yes," she laughs and nods with approval as he takes his medicine only to wince as Corrigan goes down on one toss.

Nova hip bumps Acadia, doing so as a reciprocating action. "Right? Let's!" Then, she offers forth her empty glass to the pouring people. "How you been?"

"Sure, I'll 'sulk for days', because that is a thing I am known to do," Revell huffs at Corrigan, but nevertheless looks happy that he joins her for the competition. She picks up the drink Raja offers her and after taking a deep breath, knocks it back as quickly as she can.

This results in an unpleasant wheezing sound forcing its way out through her lips, and she bends over, eyes watering a little as the drink burns ever so fiercely on the way down. But, she's still 'standing', and she's not about to puke. So, she's still in.

"I already regret this--" The young woman trails off as Corrigan is immediately out, and there's an oddly triumphant smirk playing on her lips as she holds out her glass for the next round.

Lamora arrives, following Auda.

Rukhnis sniffs carefully at her sandwich before taking an equally careful bite of it, her gaze shifting from the door to the hall and over to where the drinking contest is taking place. She gives another small headshake at those shenanigans, but even so she simply looks pleased, beneath the weariness and the bruises, that everyone seems to be happy and having fun.

"I swear if I can find a way to conjure a win from this lass I'll be donating my winnings to Torian school," Acacia declares good naturedly. "But I have a feeling she might have me, in which case I approve," the redhead laughs with another wink the woman's way. Turning aside she offers the Wolfscout a warm nod. "I'm good. All the better for a party. I'm glad to see ye. Been a while. Shall we show these lads how it's done?" she teases a little more looking to the others bellied up to the bar.

There is an amused look in Raja's eyes as Corrigan is out. It is a wicked look, but she seems to be doing her best not to smile. "Better luck next time!" A new bottle of some moonshine is taken out and she pours for the remaining 4 people. "And.. drink!"

Roll: Willpower + Survival. It's a harsh harsh beverage.

Amantha having seen Ras go off to take a circlet, she's a bit curious herself. She ends up taking a circlet and plops it on her head before moving over to Talia "Quite the party this has become hasn't it?" in an attempt to make some basic smalltalk as she watches the contest from a bit away.

Rowenova checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

Revell checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

Acacia checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Axel checked willpower + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Nova does not particularly like much moonshine, but she can eat sandwich and drink moonshine at the same time. She again washes down another food bite, doing so with the harsh swill and a slight face after doing so. Still up, though!

Revell.. is OUT! So sad,

Talia is murmuring something to herself, a "Well, I did not expect him to--". But, when Amantha joins her at the bench, she stops immediately. She flushes, smiling softly to the woman as she nods. "Quite, yes. I haven't been to many, as I am usually so busy, but I am glad I came out," she offers the woman.

Corrigan checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

It's about when the words 'and.. drink!' are spoken that Auda steps into the Hall! There's an easy grace to her, a lazy and relaxed air. It looks like she brought her own bottle of some cheap red wine, the bottle practically dangling from her fingertips as she glances about for a familiar face. There aren't many of those, these days.

Corrigan flips Raja off wearily with his free hand as he stomps over to a corner of the room. Unable to find a bucket, he instead surreptitiously spits out what his stomach rejected into a potted plant. He then trudges back over to the bar, giving anyone who looks at him a 'not a word' glare and thuds back in his seat. "This is why I don't drink spirits. /Knew/ that fancy brandy was a dumb idea. Ale. Something cheap that isn't going to make my throat try to kill itself."

"I don't think I would be given much a choice to say anything but a 'yes'." Axel mutters with a mockingly defeated sigh, refilling his glass and Acacia's for that matter, finally finishing the entire bottle and nodding at the attendant to fetch him another one. He glances at the proud drunkard redhead near him and shakes his head, downing his own drink. A dry cough escapes him - it's fairly obvious that the medicine (it tastes the part) is getting to him. "Oof... That hits, something. Not sure if it's -the- spot."

Acacia seems unfussed by the drink, but then again she's a true blue Lower's lass and the takes the drink down like a champ, slamming the glass on the table with a grin. "Again," she offers with a roguish grin as another falls and the others somehow remain standing. "Pfft. You're a Culler and Cullers always find away. Good toss, lad," she shoots Axel's way with an encouraging wink and a pat on the back to ease that cough.

1 Templar Knight guards, Sir Daniel the Beardless, a somewhat hapless Templar arrive, following Hamish.

Revell has never /had/ moonshine in her life, but the bottle is shiny and the name of the drink is lovely, so how /bad/ could it possibly be? Oh, sweet summer child, she did not expect this. Cheery as the glass comes to her lips, and by the time it is drained, big fat tears are rolling down her cheeks, and she's turned about as green as the leaves in her hair. One hand is pressed to her mouth, while the other smacks down on the table, indicating that she is most certainly out. Preferably before her insides start to melt.

It is a very undignified trip for her back to the bar, not only is she stumbling along with a pair of crutches, but she has to stop several times as her knees give in under her for a brief second.

"Do you think it will be the redheaded Culler or the scout?" Talia questions in quiet, light conversation to Amantha as she nods to the competition. "They both seem to be doing quite well."

Aida, an old woman arrives, following Christine.

Raja pulls out a black bottle. It is wrapped in twine with little skull charms dangling from it. Raja looks to the three remaining contestants and grins a devil's grin. "This is Dark Wine. Rumored to be the essence of evil bottles up! It is rumored to be made of Dark Water itself!" This is clearly just hype! She pops off the top with a resounding pop! A thick, nearly black wine is poured into each cup. "If you listen closely.. you can hear the screams of the spirits." She busts out laughing. "GET IT?! Spirits?!"
%fRoll Luck + Survival

Rowenova checked luck + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 227 higher. Rowenova rolled a critical!

Acacia checked luck + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Axel checked luck + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

As the drinking contest goes on, the musicians seem to have very gotten into the spirit of things even if they don't get to indulge in spirits themselves. The music is an odd and exotic blend of instruments and chord sequences that don't normally go together, some of them recognizably Arvani, some of them very foreign sounding. And yet, as musicians so often do, the players seem to have found common ground in their shared passion, and somehow the notes and chords manage to blend seamlessly together into a jaunty, joyful melody that speaks of good times and good friends no matter what side of the sea you're on.

Amantha takes a gulp of her mead "My bets are on the scout, she is the only one I know more than a bit. and she can hold her alcohol I'm fairly sure. Who do you think?"

Axel.. is Out! Maybe next time!

Christine entwrs quietly and looks around stepping into a corner

Korka's lips quirk just a bit as people start dropping out of the contest. She has a small sip of what she's drinking, content to not be someone throwing up in a corner. When Christine steps in both dark brows go up in a silent question.

Corrigan receives his ale and quickly quaffs a mouthful of it to wash down the stinging aftertaste of the whiskey. "..Bleargh. You happy now, sweetheart?" He asks with an eye-roll as Revell staggers back over to join him.

"I will bet on the Culler, just to make it interesting. I do not know either, I must admit," Talia answers, offering a shy smile to Amantha. "1,000 silver, then? And a dress, for you, if you win!" The last is called out towards Acacia.

Nova curiously accepts the Dark Wine. "Thank you. I think." says she. Then, peering down into the dark brew, Nova momentarily meditates a brief time before tilting back the dark drink until it all goes down. She sets aside the empty cup for the next fill. "I did not hear any screams. Actually, I think that I heard they were pretty happy with the brew."

The cork is popped from her wine, and Auda takes a swig straight from the bottle-- classy as ever. Currently, she's weaving and wandering her way in Corrigan's general direction, though her gaze is more focused on the drinking contest! "Gonna be okay, Revell?" It's lightly teasing, but there's also a hint of concern. That was going to be a -horrible- hangover.

Amantha says, "sure, I'll bet a 1000 silver, do you know her well or just instinct?"

Rukhnis has finished up her sandwich, though it took her rather a while to do so, and now she's simply sitting watching the room and listening to the music, an odd look on her face that is both wistful and almost a little nostalgic at the same time. Every now and then she starts to tap one foot in time with the musicians' beat, and just as suddenly stops with a faint wince. She also keeps looking back at the drinking contest, a marvelling expression replacing the wistful one as she notes that Rowenova is still going like she could keep this up all night.

A grin is tossed Tailia's way as Acacia glance to Rowenova and back. "The lass is a northerner, so you never know. But I intend to make a stand for the Lowers lasses," the redhead smiles back and readies herself for another round. Her brows lift and she chuckles softly, "Raja, you minx. Are ye trying to kill with that joke?" she grins and shakes her head. "Bring it, lass," she nods firmly.

The redhead turns to Talia with a look of dread. "A dress? Seven hells, I'll not be wearing that thing. It's leathers for me. But you can make one for the likes of Raja and Rowenova, if I manage to best this Northern shewolf," Acaia grins.

The Culler fellow slams the - regrettably - empty glass after downing it - again, regrettably - in one go. His hand follows shortly after, slamming against the wood of the bar in a similar manner. He shakes his head, coughing while his other hand performs the all-familiar waving motion at his neck, attempting to communicate that he's out. Afterwards, he just lowers his head against the wood he'd just assaulted, and closes his tear-filled eyes, trying to fix his breathing and avoid hurling out his insides - or whatever is left of them.

Christine Looks back at Korka and shrugs giving a small smile then returns to observing

Revell clambers onto the chair next to Corrigan and wraps both her hands around the mead she got herself earlier. Nice, safe and predictable mead. Mead, the reliable rock of liquor. She glances at the Confessor, her lips curling into a teasing smirk though it does little to put a damper on her own nausea. "You smell awful. Who's gonna want to--" The rest is lost, as she hears her name be called in a familiar voice. She attempts to sit a little straighter and raises a hand to wave at Auda. "Takes more than a roof and a little moonshine to kill -this- weed."

With a sandwich gesture, Nova ultimately indicates Acacia, "If I am to lose, then I am glad it will be you who wins." She chomps down a sandwich bite.

"Of course, then. A dress for Rowenova, if you win," Talia promises, smiling to the women, before she focuses on Amantha again. She shakes her head. "I am afraid not. Just instinct."

Corrigan looks at Revell, then breathes directly into her face, his breath a delightful bouquet of cheap tobacco, haze, whiskey and partially digested lunch. He then follows her gaze and raises his tankard in a brief greeting to Auda. "She'll be alright. Her mouth just makes wagers her fortitude can't keep, is all."

You know who you want to show up to a big fun wintertime jamboree? The Archlector of Death, of course. Blessed Hamish Farmer pushes his way into the community hall, followed by a pair of snow-dusted Templars, and pauses to look over the drinking and the, well, more drinking, before he makes his way over to the benches to find himself a seat. Cranky old big man knees and winter don't go well together. As he walks he offersthe occasional nod. "Mistress Rukhnis. Scout Rowenova. Iron Amantha." He pauses to look at Amantha, then offers a second nod. "I hope to see you around the shrine soon. It would be nice to have a guard and Harlequin about now and again, given the times."

Raja is so amused at what is going on. Though, with Nova, she is exceptionally impressed. Like, complete respect. There is a moment that Raja stands there with her hand over her heart, bowing her head towards the woman. "When I grow up, I want to be like you." Then, the moment is gone. "Now! For the FINAL ROUND! Who will WIN?! Will it be the Culler, Acacia, representing the Lowers? Or the vicious Wolf Scout, Rowenova, representing the Northlands!" A new bottle is pulled out. This one is bright rest. When it is popped open, those near the table can immediately smell the spice. "This liquor is created with the oils of the hottest spices and peppers! This is FIRE WINE!" She holds up the bottle of red liquid. Then, she pours a helping into Acacia's and Rowenova's glasses. "Be careful.."

Check stamina + survival at 25

Rowenova checked stamina + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 28 higher.

Acacia nods and makes a flourishing bow to Talia for her generous offer and then turns to lean lightly towards Rowenova. "Best to ye. Gods looking out for both of us," she grins as she takes the drink A look to Raja and she shakes her head with amusement. "Woman, you will be the death of me yet," she grins and throws it back.

Acacia checked stamina + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 35 higher.

"No one wants to hear about your sex life, Corrigan," Korka drawls, raising a hand to wave to Hamish from where she sits at the bar. "I'm rather sure the wolf girl is going to take the day," she clicks her tongue, "Should've made a bet."

Amantha offers a nod towards Archlector Hamish "I'll try to spend more time in the shrine than I do but well, it's busy work at the Guard given the times sadly." she let's out a sigh "I'm glad I'm making everything work to begin with."

To Raja, Nova smiles. Then, after the pour, she lifts her cup in a salute before bringing it to sniff. She hmms softly about the spicy scents before swigging down the oily brew. She surely makes an odd face then sets aside the empty cup. "I think that upset my stomach." Northerners are not known for super spicy food time. "I can only do curry. I should not have drank that." Then, she waves off any further booze and just focuses on sandwich eating, doing so with a little waver in her posture which might slump off her stool any time now.

Auda leans on the bar-table near Corrighan and Revell, nodding to them. "Ah yes, I've been there. I'm pretty good at knowing what I can handle these days, but there were -definitely- times." She casts a glance to Christine, eyeing the wallflower for a moment before watching the end of the contest.

Rukhnis gives Hamish a return nod from her spot at an otherwise empty picnic table, looking significantly more battered and bruised and generally beat to hell than the last time she saw him. Despite that, she tells him with exactly her usual courtesy, "Archlector Hamish. It is very nice that you were able to come."

"Send me, when you have a chance, what type of dress you would like," Talia offers towards Rowenova, as Acacia wins.

Raja applauds for them both! "Good job! Hey, you are at least not under the table! Good job!" She praises the scout. To Acacia, she beams a smile and tosses the small coin purse. "THREE CHEERS FOR THE WINNER! ACACIA CULLER!"

HIP HIP... HUZZAH!

The line has been dismissed by Raja.

Axel just continues to sit there, looking fairly defeated - quite the sorry sight. Though, somehow, he manages to distract himself from his woes upon hearing that Acacia had won and even gives her the celebratory cheers required, albeit they get weaker one after another; the last cheer ends up being directed at the wood of the bar, as he rests his face upon it yet again. Perhaps, it's just an apology for slamming it so hard earlier.

Revell tries to take Corrigan's horrendous breath to her face with her chin held high and her jaw set in stubborn defiance. ... But then, her stomach makes a terrible noise, she gags a few times and ends up bending over the table, desperately trying to hold in her own lunch. Lottie's pastries deserve better than this! "I--.. I beat you-- Did.. didn't I? So, ob-obviously, I won."

She did not sound much like a winner, but her lunch remains where it should be. She Auda, she says; "Still so-- so many things I haven't tried yet. And what you can handle changes-" she -burps-. How dignified. "- changes with time. You'know?"

Her cheeks flush mildly at Korka's comment, but she does not respond.

Nova turns to Talia then almost slips from her stool but reaches out and then slams her hand on the bar to stay steady at the last moment there before grinning drunkenly before telling Acadia, Raja, and Talia. "Thank you!" Then, she slowly lets herself down to the floor for safety purposes. Maybe she is actually under the table now.

Amantha fumbles around her pouch between the silver knights and some gold counts for a platinum duke, before handing it over to Talia "Here you go, since the Culler won"

Rukhnis makes a quiet tsking noise when it turns out that Rowenova is not in fact the winner of the drinking contest, but she still slaps the palm of one hand against the table in congratulations to Acacia. It's about the best she can do, clapping and stomping evidently being equally unlikely in her present circumstances.

Korka glances over at Axel with his head on the bar, "You know what they say about having too much to drink, right?" she gestures to whoever is playing bartender who slides a mug of ale his way, "No such thing."

The redhead's eyes water and her long agile fingers press hard into the wood as the drink burns it's way down hard and fast. There is a tight press of her lips and a vigorous shake of her head and then a triumphant grin as she raises her glass in salute before turning to smile at Rowenova, "You are a lass that makes me smile. Enjoy that dress," she winks as she gently squeezes the wolfscout's shoulder. "I'll drink with you anytime,' she nods warmly a she turns to give Raja a grin. "Like there was any doubt," she says with a swaggering grin that makes her big brown eyes dance, the look in her eye telling that this is all in fun.

"I'll send that silver to Torian," Acacia nods as she takes the silver and tucks it away. "The wee lads and lasses could use that support, aye? Thanks for the contest, lass. You make me proud."

On seeing Korka at the bar Hamish makes his way over and gets a mug of mulled wine, then leans back and looks to the party. "I missed the drinking contest, then? Probably for the best. Vomit and beards don't mix." He sips his wine, then adds, "Well, they do, but not well." He looks past Korka down to the defeated Axel before nodding. "I'm sure he'll feel better by Thursday."

Acacia is overheard praising Raja: The best hostess a girl could ask for!

Corrigan glances at Korka, then back at Revell, smirking. "I'll have to remember that," he says at her last comment. "You beat me, sure, but you came off worse overall. Whereas /I/ feel much better." He glances up as the victor is determined, but he doesn't join in with the cheering and instead leans away from the source of the noise with a small frown.

Raja is pleased with how the contest turns out and decides to make her way over to the buffet table. She glances about and grabs a bit of Eurusi style fish and some bread to go with it. She is going to give it a few minutes before the dancing competition begins. She squishes a bit of the fish into a folded bit of bread before stuffing it in her mouth and just watching the drunkeness and revelry unfold.

Christine wanders over to the bar and finds an empty spot at the end to wait for a drink.

Nova looks up to Acadia with a grin and dialation in her eyes. "You, too!" Similar sentiments before finally finishing her quarter sandwich into a not-really-there-anymore sandwich.

Acacia is overheard praising Rukhnis: Another fair and fantastic hostess!

"There is a dancing competition next. You should participate," Talia offers Amantha before gathering up her things and packing them away. She rises, offering a murmur to Acacia, before heading out.

"You did," Korka confirms for Hamish with a nod, reaching out her mug to clonk against his in a mock toast, "But I'm not sure by the look of the people that partook you haven't missed the vomiting part."

Talia has left the yellow bench.

With the first contest over and the dancing still to come, some of the gladness at seeing everyone else having fun seems to seep out of Rukhnis a little, and after a moment of drumming her fingertips restlessly against the table she seems to arrive at some decision. She levers herself up from the table with a faint wince, and somehow manages to hobble herself over to and out the door without falling on her face.

Rukhnis has left the a sturdy redwood picnic table with bench seats.

Amantha chuckles at that "Maybe but I doubt I would be any good." she says as she nods and heads back to the bar, getting another drink.

Acacia smirks and winks to something Talia said and then turns to give Axel a warm wink. "I think I'm going to grab a seat. You going to get up and ask one of these fine ladies for a dance,?" she grins slyly as she presses past. "Don't break too many heart, lad. You just got back," the curvy redhead grins a little more as she heads off to find a seat to watch the next contest unfold.

After quiet meditation over the mixed booze in her churning stomach, the Northern Nova finally rises, doing so a bit unsteadily, and with much help from the nearby stool and bar edge. Then, she dusts off her fur cloak, too.

Axel raises his head and turns it towards Acacia, letting out a deathly sigh that could probably get someone drunk. All of a sudden, he feels a strong need to discuss just exactly what level of respect she holds for him, but holds back, leaving her with only a hiccup instead. "I think... I think I'm good now. Whew... That was something else." he mutters with a nod, "Remind me to never drink... whatever that was, ever again." Her remark makes him laugh, but it's stifled by a short cough. "A dance, eh? Good one." he murmurs, watching her up and leave the bar.

Aida, an old woman leaves, following Christine.

Raja finishes stuffing her face and then dusts off her rather nice maritime style coat. She pulls a leather strip from her pocket and uses it to tie back the long dreads from her face. "Alright. Time to dance." She smiles to herself and makes her way towards the soap box.

"I just-- I just need a moment, that's all. You're never gonna live down puking in a potted plant, though. Disgusting." Revell retorts and brings the mead up to her lip, gingerly sipping it. Because what better way to counter alcohol but to drink /more/ alcohol? Brilliant.

At the mention of the dance competition starting, Revell attention returns to Raja, though there is significantly less excitement to be found in her features this time. Likely something to do with her broken leg. I mean, it's a fair guess.

Hamish watches Talia go with a frown, then looks back to Korka. "Watching the vomiting is rarely that much better than doing the vomiting, but it's certainly one of those things that becomes rapidly worse due to proximity." Looking back to the future living headache that is Axel, he says idly to Korka, "When I was a boy we'd make spirits, if you want to call them that, out of some berries that grew near the old trees. We called it regret, for what I feel were obvious reasons."

Acacia give a grin to Axel. "I would but you'd never fucking listen," the read head laughs and takes a breath as she steadies herself. "This is what I get for drinking with nothernerns. But when Lower's honor is on the line," she nods and grins again. "I'll fight to the bitter end. But make no mistake, that woman," she nods to Rowenova as she slides into her seat with a sigh. "She's gold in the hand."

Raja hoists herself up onto the box and she gestures to the merry little band to cease. The room quiets for a moment as the musicians pause in their music. "I have one final competition for the evening. This one involves dance! Let us get out and show off our moves! Shake a booty!" She laughs. "Rules are similar to the first, but instead of drinking.. of course we are dancing! If you fall down, get too tired, or simply just don't want to dance anymore, you are out of the competition! Now, with Acacia already taking all my money, I have a different reward! Fifty.." She pauses and sighs. "Eh, feck it.. One HUNDRED economic writs for you! Sell them. Use them. Sit on them like a hoarder. But, that is the prize for the dance winner!"

+line/getinline to participate

Nova smiles back after Acacia's compliment, doing so with a little bow before standing up then meandering closer to the dance floor.

Rowenova has joined the line.

Axel has joined the line.

Corrigan shrugs indifferently at Revell's comment about the poor plant he assaulted, and he follows her gaze. "Not up for it? I'm not dancing, but now the Eurusi's hobbled out, you're the most fucked up person in the room. I'm sure you'll get all the pity points."

Acacia has joined the line.

"When you were a boy? Did they even have trees back then?" Korka drawls, giving Hamish a look up and down as if she can see each and every bit of him decaying right there since he's so damn old, "Are you going to try your hand at dancing? Or I guess your feet? Careful, they break legs if you fail," she not so subtly thumbs Revell's way.

Auda has joined the line.

Raja glances to Rowenova and Acacia on the dance floor. She calls out, "A lot of us don't know how to dance, but tonight is about letting go and just having fun! Come one and shake your booty! Corrigan! Revell! Come on down!!"

"Well, we can't have you dancing on your own," Acacia grins as she pushes up from her chair. "Gods, the trouble this woman is going to get me in," the leather-clad seafarer smirks sa she joins Rowenova and Axel on the dance floor. "Aye! Don't be shy," she calls out to the others lingering.

"I thought you told me to rest and get better as soon as possible?" Revell shoots right back at Corrigan, but her comment lacks her usual bite, if one could even say that her retorts /had/ bite. She places a hand on the knee of her left leg, her injured leg and pouts. The pout then turns into a full on, pathetically sad frown when Raja attempts to /encourage/ her and Corrigan.

Axel, somehow manages to gather himself and get up from the seat. He takes a moment to straighten out his back and close his eyes, feeling his body and stretching out his limbs. "Alright, good...", he mutters, turning around to head towards the center and standing near Rowenova, looking over the other fearsome drinker with a hint of respect mixed with curiosity in his eyes. His expression returns to a more casually friendly one, upon seeing that Acacia is joining them. "Oh, good. I won't be suffering alone."

Corrigan checked willpower at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

Amantha takes a gulp from her newly gotten drink, she offers a glance towards Revell making sure someone is near her but then notices it's Corrigan.. she debates whetever she should go help out but shrugs figuring they seem fine, so she just moves towards the sidelines content with watching

Revell has joined the line.

Nova wolfishly grins as she meets up in a dance triangle with Acacia and Axel, which could soon turn into a dance square, pentagon, or hexagon!

Corrigan watches Revell /limp/ over to the line. "You are /insane./ And if you break something again I am going to laugh at you. Oh, for crying out loud, /fine./" With yet another put-upon sigh, he gets to his feet, rolls his shoulders and trudges back to the line with the grace of a delinquent teenager reluctantly tidying his room.

Corrigan has joined the line.

Auda slides on up to the dance floor, taking up a place near the other three! There's an amused little grin curving her lips, and she's brought her wine with her. It's offered out to the other dancers, of course! "I'm Auda. I don't think I've met anyone up here but Nova?" A pause, as Corrigan and Revell join in. "...and these two."

Auda takes a jaunty fir and holly circlet from a deep wicker basket.

OOC: This one is a bit different. Basically, the person with the most positive points at the end of five rounds wins! Hopefully Rowenova doesn't do her god mode critical success again LOL!

Nova merrily welcomes the newest arrivals, "Good to see you, Goodwoman Auda! Some time it has been!"

Raja is quite pleased as more people come onto the floor. "Fantastic! Let us start with a simple tune."
@check dexterity + performance

"Never alone. You're a Culler lad," Acacia grins to Axel and then upnods to Rowenova. "Keep this up and I'll adopt you as a cousin, wolfscout. I'm starting to like you," she winks and turns to welcome Auda to the floor with a grin. "Good to meet ou Auda. I'm Acacia and this fine man her goes by Axel. Shall we?"

Axel checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Auda checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Revell checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 25, rolling 25 higher.

Corrigan checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Acacia checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Rowenova checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher. Rowenova rolled a critical!

Amantha notices Revell moving up onto the dance floor and shakes her head a little, but doesn't go and boulder over there. she does stare in her direction, though not at her directly, most of the time.

Corrigan inclines his head to the others, evidently reluctant to be here. "Corrigan." As the music starts up, he... shuffles. It's quite sad, really. He's light on his feet, but he has no sense of rhythm and he moves stiffly, evidently not 'letting himself go.'

With a wink back to Acacia, Nova gets her grove on. She happy dances at the very start before spinning around with her direwolf cloak fanning out before the soulful hound Sir Floppington dashes up and jumps up with his front paws. Nabbing those, Nova merrily dances with the good boy!

Auda's appearance near them gets a smile out of Axel, along with the trademark studious gaze. "Might've seen you about the Lowers before." He nods as he's being introduced to her by Acacia, before turning his head to the Culler-turned-announcer in the middle of the room. As the song plays, he performs your usual commoners dance, the kind you'd see at a local tavern in the Lowers. Nothing fancy, it does the job and warms him up for the upcoming harder tunes.

Auda has the grace of a dancer, but apparently needed to warm up a bit? She does grin at Axel, though. "You most definitely have. I'm yet another Tragedy, just one that didn't join up with any of the families."

"Revell's 'performance' is an odd, fascinating thing to watch. The girl clearly knows how to move her body when she sets her mind to it, but then there's the matter of her broken leg... She's set the crutches aside and is balancing with surprising ease on a single leg - knowing her own weakness, she decides to own it and make it a part of the show. There's a certain joy and energy to her one-legged swirls as she makes the absolute most out of her upper body, proving just how 'low she can go' without losing balance. It doesn't take long before she's laughing merrily.

The music picks up with the next song, the tempo rising and falling in a slightly more complicated, but festive song. There is a good amount of drums to this beat which helps pick up the feet and catch a rhythm.
check

As sultry and swaggering as she may be, tonight it would seem that Acacia is not much of a dancer. The redhead moves aside allowing the better dancer more room to strut their stuff and go wild. As Rowenova, Axel, Revell and Audua show the room how it's done the curvy culler grins and cheers them on.

Corrigan checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

The music picks up with the next song, the tempo rising and falling in a slightly more complicated, but festive song. There is a good amount of drums to this beat which helps pick up the feet and catch a rhythm.
check stamina + athletics

Rowenova checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Hamish watches the dancing, then looks back to Korka. "Didn't feel like dancing?"

Auda checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

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

Revell checked stamina + athletics at difficulty 25, rolling 7 lower.

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

Hamish watches the dancing, then looks back to Korka. "Didn't feel like dancing?"

After another swirl and during one of her 'how low can you go' moves, the alcohol mixed with her bruised body makes enough of a protest to stop the flower girl from straightening back up. To prevent herself from falling over /and/ from putting any sort of weight on her injured leg, she braces herself against the floor with her hands in an excellent rendition of the 'Three Legged Dog'. Her laughter turns into a nervous chuckle.

Picking up Sir Floppington the soulful hound, Scout Rowenova spins around in merry circles, doing so with a little grin as she ultimately dizzies him! After, she carefully rests him on the ground below before cartwheeling away before cartwheeling back then hopping up to help settle her pocketed items!

"I'm wearing one of the circlets they were handing out so I'm already in a merry mood," Korka drawls, reaching up to flick one of the holly leaves, "Why ruin it with dancing?"

As the song picks up in difficulty, Axel manages to stay on beat, though his clouded mind does prevent him from doing so immediately - there's a momentary pause from him during the switch. He tries his best to keep steady and focus on his moves, some of which end up being quite fancy and quick; the man showing off his dexterity and a fair amount of dancing skills.

Auda dances, and the more she dances, the more she seems to get into it. Her style is a little bit theatrical, meant to be seen from a distance, perhaps? It's definitely learned on a stage!

Corrigan glances over his shoulder at Korka for a moment, frowning. As the second song picks up, he appears to actually get into it a little more, the fast beat loosening him up. It's still far from good dancing, but at least he's putting some effort in now.

As Revell goes down, he does snicker, but at an appropriate lull in the music he dips down to hook an arm under hers and try to pull her back to her feet. Her foot, anyway. "This is going to end in tears. You know that, right?"

The song ends with a trill and pauses. The next song is slower now. Even.. romantic.
check charm + performance

Auda checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Revell checked charm + performance at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Corrigan checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Axel checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

Acacia checked stamina + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Acacia checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Rowenova checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 12 lower.

There's a glance to Revell and Corrigan, as the latter bends to help the former-- and a smug little smile as the music shifts. Her steps carry her close enough to give Corrigan's hip a bump once both he and Revell are standing up again. It's not forceful, but hopefully it's enough to push him into the florist a little more, so they can slow dance together? Either way, she's quickly swaying away.

The next song is so romantic. Her man is not here. Nova cannot quite get into the right mood for the slow dance. It is a sad dance! Not very charming!

Revell giggles like a bloody child when Corrigan comes to her rescue and pulls her back onto her right foot. "You'know, with how much you talk about me /crying/, I'm starting to think you might have a thing for tears. Am I not crying enough for you?"

Revell seems to have had sort-of the same idea as Auda, as she does not let the Confessor go when the slow music starts. Instead, she makes a point to wrap an arm around his waist to pull him close-- it may very /well/ end in tears with Auda's meddling, though!

The redhead is no performer that is clear, but she does love to dance. Moving to the music that flows through the room, Acacia gives Axel and Auda an admiring smile as the woman moves with effortless grace and the man shows off his talents in true Culler style.

Corrigan had gone to let go of Revell's arm - and then gets bumped closer to her by a meddling Auda. As he bumps into Revell, he almost knocks her over and so has /no choice/ but to put his arm around her waist. I mean, if she fell over, he'd probably get thrown out or shouted at. So really, the fact that he's supporting her as they rock gently to the music is just self preservation. Shut up.

Axel continues to dance, his movements follow the song almost perfectly, save from a couple hiccups here and there, most likely due to the drinking contest he'd just gone through. As the song gets slower, so do his movement, using fairly charming, even sensual motions. Noticing Auda's mischief he lets out a chuckle and gives her a nod, though it's unclear if it's a nod of approval or an invite to do the same with him.

Onlookers for the competition seem quite impressed with Auda's performance! They oooo and ahhh at the woman. Axel is also appreciated with his last moves, some girls possibly even swooning in the audience! Raja spots what Auda has done to get the pair to dance a little closer and she cannot help but to smile! Once more the music changes. This time, it is a much more formal dance. It is a dance that requires a lot of endurance!
check stamina + survival

Amantha finishes her mead, bringing back her mug to the bar and offers the floor a last glance before heading out.

Corrigan checked stamina + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Axel checked stamina + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Auda checked stamina + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Rowenova checked stamina + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 42 higher.

Revell checked stamina + survival at difficulty 25, rolling 16 lower.

Acacia checked stamina + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Auda is far less familiar with more formal dancing, it seems! She manages to stay with the music, but there's more focus on the steps, and less fluidity. She does, at least, drift in Axel's direction as she dances.

And then the music changes, right as she was getting into the slow-dance too! Nevertheless, the flower girl has not forgotten that this is a competition, and she is in it to win it-- well, earn a solid consolation price at least. So, taking what she knows about formal dances, she attempts to put them into practice and lead Corrigan along.

Only to abruptly realize that one cannot lead a dance partner with a single leg, and then there's a panicked yelp as it finally happens. She slips, and falls, but not before attempting to latch onto the Confessor.

He'll keep her upright, /surely/.

Corrigan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

A wincing look is offered Revell's way. "You okay, lass?" Acacia asks with more than a little concern, her own dancing drifting off as she turns to see if the woman might need help. Eyes widen as the woman falls and Acacia breaks off her dancing and begins to head over to offer her a hand.

Corrigan steps back as soon as the slow dance ends, and though he knows about as much about formal dancing as a fish does about mountaineering, he tries halfheartedly. As Revell collapses and grabs at him, he's far too slow to get out of the way as she grabs hold of his cloak, twisting it so it covers his face and pulls at the back of his neck. With a muffled yelp, he goes down as well.

Nova curiously asks Flop, "May I have this dance?" She offers out an open hand toward the soulful hound, doing so in a gentlemanly way. He hops up which ultimately lands his big paw in her open hand. She then takes his other paw within her other hand and then slow dances him about the dance floor. It is a funny sight but they endure well, probably strengthened by winter weather.

Hamish snorts at Korka's comment. "Why ruin it by dancing with me, you mean? I'll have you know that when I was younger I was quite the rake on the dance floor. Though that was a while ago. I might break an ankle or two if I tried now." He leans over to look down at Korka's ankles, then adds, "And I do not necessarily mean my own."

Ayallah, a physician's assistant arrives, following Rukhnis.

Axel's ability to dance formally seems to leave something to be desired, but he's surely still trying his best. Noticing Auda dancing and maneuvering his way towards him, he does the same, finally meeting up somewhere in the middle with a joking bow targeted at her, that he manages to incorporate into his dance.

There is much laughter from the audience as half the dancing competitors stumble, fall, trip or whatnot! This is quite the difficult dance indeed! However, Rowenova show off exactly what people from the Northlands are made of! The crowds cheer for her! Then, the final song plays. It is a difficult song with a fast paced music.
@check willpower + performance to make it through to the end!

Axel checked willpower + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Rowenova checked willpower + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

"And lose my spot watching the most predictable love story of all time?" Korka asks Hamish, shaking her head and crossing her legs so he can have a better look at those delicate ankle bones, "Actually, that sounds ideal. Except for the dancing part. Want to go fuck in the back?"

Acacia checked willpower + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

After the formal dance, Nova sets down Sir Flop by his front paws before then backing up and deeply bowing in a courtly manner to him. Standing up to her full height once more (plus the wolf ears on her pelt headdress), then the wolfy scout gently pets his long ears before gliding away to pick up the faster pace of this new song. It is too fast for the old dog, though, who is tuckered out: he heads off the dance floor to lay down by Hamish and Korka.

Auda checked willpower + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

Rukhnis has managed to limp-hobble-wobble her way back to the community hall from wherever it is she went off to -- and has returned with a different human crutch than before, in the form of a young Eurusi woman who looks like she might be Rukhnis's assistant. She arrives just in time to catch Rowenova dancing with Sir Flop, a sight she stares at in some bemusement for a time.

Auda dips into a courtsy for Axel, though she isn't wearing a skirt. With a crooked grin, she offers the Culler her hand and steps in to dance the final dance with him-- provided he takes her hand, of course! She's light on her feet, and it looks like all that grace is back!

Acacia's attention seems drawn to the catastrophic dance moves of Revell and Corrigan as she heads over to help the pair get up again.

Axel checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

Revell is out for the count, and not at all in a position to participate in the dance any longer. She's landed on her rear, and her coat fortunately took most of the hit for her, and her injured leg is sticking awkwardly up into the air. It's unclear if it actually touched the ground at all.

She takes the hand Acacia offers her and with the woman's help, manages to get back on her feet - well, foot. "Th--thank you. In hindsight, the dance was a bad idea." Despite her words, she chuckles light-heartedly and begins awkwardly hobbling back to her crutches. Only once she's got them safely under her arms does she glance back at Corrigan to check if the poor man is alright too - she /had/ just dragged him onto the floor. "Wanna save face and get out of here? I don't think I hurt anything that is already hurt but I'm gonna head back to the clinic to make sure."

As the music picks up it's pace, so does Axel, seemingly putting what's left of his stamina and dancing skills into the last dance, obviously trying to make it as flashy as possible - especially now that he's got a dance partner to show off to! He takes Auda's hand without much of a pause, suddenly tugging her in and sending her for a bit of a spin that ends her up in his arms, but only for a moment, not enough to make her uncomfortable. He continues the dance, now working with similarly skilled Auda to make it as fun as possible for them and the onlookers, letting the spirit of dance take over him.

Corrigan gags at the cloak pulled against his throat, but he manages to get it the right way round once Revell /lets go./ "It was a pants-on-head moronic idea," he replies dryly, getting to his feet. "I think it's a bit late to save any face whatsoever, but sure." He heads over to the counter to down the last of his ale, then walks toward the exit. He's avoiding eye contact with everyone, but specifically Korka as he goes past, jaw tight and head held high.

As the song finishes, there is applause from the audience for the competitors! Raja steps up and laughs, "Glad it was you guys out there and not me! I would have likely broken someone's foot. Let's give it up for Revell! In spite of only having ONE leg to dance on, she still gave it a try!" Raja lifts her glass towards the woman, "Huzzah!" Laughter comes from her and then she quiets the crowd, "But, there was one person here who took the cake so to speak." She gestures towards Auda. "You had the MOST spectacular performance of all!"

RAuda: 126
Rowenova: 111
Axel 94
Acacia 32

From watching dancing wolves and dogs, Rukhnis's attention is now caught by a single splinted leg sticking very visibly up into the air out where everyone has been dancing. Her eyes narrow a little, and as the owner of the leg is righted by Acacia she turns a very flat look indeed upon Revell, before giving a quiet eloquent snort and shaking her head. With Ayallah's assistance, she then manages to make her way over to a bench to listen to the music as she watches the party wind down.

"Was bravely done, but let's get you seated and with a drink for any pain, aye?" the redhead offers kindly as she helps Revell to a seat and sees that she's comfortable before heading to make sure Corrigan is alright as well. The man seems to be no worse for wear so she turns back to Revell with a grin. "I must say, I admire your spirit. Well done. The both of you," Acacia offers with a wink as she sends a bottle their way.

Rukhnis has joined the blue bench.

Nova calms down her shimmy shaking and then reaches up and merrily claps for the announced winner and calls out with Northern volume, "Good job, Auda!"

"I could probably find a way to break your ankes doing that as well," says Hamish before finishing off his drink. He sets down the mug and gives the server a grateful look, then turns back to Korka. "I am expected to maintain a certain degree of decorum as a man of faith, so let's go fuck somewhere people never go and are less likely to stumble in on us." He pushes himself to his feet and offers Korka his arm. "Have you ever seen the shrine of the Sentinel?"

Auda is just a bit breathless after spinning and twirling with Axel! She's still got her bottle of wine, so she lifts it to Raja as she calls out her name. A healthy drink is taken before she's offering it to Axel. "It was a pleasure! I haven't danced like this in a while, and I had a pretty good partner." She's grinning ear to ear!

Revell's cheeks turn a lovely bright red when her name is shouted out by Raja, and she lets out a series of nervous and incredibly embarrassed giggles. Despite the fall, she's evidently had a decent time.

On her way to the exit, she stops a handful of times. First, to congratulate Auda on her win, then to offer Rukhnis a fleeting smile and a thumbs up (who knows why?) and lastly, at Acacia, who gets a bashful 'thank you', and 'I try', along with a 'you're pretty great honestly'.

And then, she is gone! But the sound of wooden crutches hitting the ground can likely be heard from a mile away.

"Isn't that where all the lawyers go with their paperwork?" Korka asks, pushing up from her seat and taking Hamish's offered arm, "Sounds perfect."

Corrigan does snag the bottle Acacia sent their way before leaving. Never turn down free drinks.

Revell has left the a lofty oak counter table with trestle base.

Corrigan has left the a lofty oak counter table with trestle base.

Raja smiles and hops off her box again. She goes up to the bar to refill her glass. It would see the party is winding down and people are beginning to filter out. All in all, Raja is smiling and satisfied with how it turned out.

Axel is also quite out of breath after the whole ordeal, but he's still wearing a similar grin on his face, even as he hears the announcement that he'd lost. "Congratulations, Auda. And, the pleasure's mine.", he murmurs taking a healthy swig from the bottle offered to him, before handing it back. "I haven't had a partner like you, ever. I'm more of a hobbyist.", he chuckles. "You'll have to teach me a move or two."