Landroval, the Eagle arrives, following Graham.

1 Farshaw trained guards arrives, following Ryhalt.

"Welcome to the Lyceum" Jaenelle tells those who have arrived, whether they live within the ward or another. "Today marks the beginning of this years Taste of Arx, so I hope you enjoy what we have planned and find the beauty that can only be found within the Lyceum as captivating as those who live there. The Houses of the Lyceum have worked quite hard to bring you a single taste of their homes, so relish in the experiences and descend into the tantalizing South." With a look, servants begin moving throughout the grounds with an over abundance of wine, "we will have a game shortly, so please tell me if you wish to participate."


Robyn, an artful archeress, 2 House Velenosa Guards, Sir Harrier, a hunting hawk arrive, following Ophelia.

Most gentlemanly, Rowenova jauntily escorts Zoey at one arm. She slows down, finally stopping in the impressive midst of the tasting fair before then sideways bowing a little bit to Jaenelle then standing back up. "Thank you, Archduchess Jaenelle! Please, sign me up for the fun!"

Valerius finds a comfortable place to lean against an archway as he listens to Jaenelle welcome the guests to the Lyceum, a little smile on his lips as he observes, swift to acquire a glass of wine as it passes, likely to follow it up with something harder later. But for now, he enjoys the wine and the people watching from his vantage point.

"I would love to join in on any games as well," Zoey adds, smiling on Nova's arm. "I've been doing surprisingly well with them lately, and I'd like to see if my luck holds."

From the way Ryhalt grins, circulating the grounds in a confident and exited gait, it is clear he is delighted to be here today. Alone except for his guard, he pauses to listen to what Jaenelle says in welcome and grins all the more. "I would participate, also."

The di Fidante turn out for the opening event for the Taste of Arx, Lora and Dante arm in arm, followed by a tall man carrying an enormous basket full of something, probably meant to be their contribution to the evening's festivities. There's surely to be an obvious place for him to leave those, and to stand guard over them, but that's less interesting to Lora than the Archduchess' opening remarks. She murmurs something to her husband, then drifts in Jaenelle's direction. "I would love to play," she assures.

Anne, a dangerously alluring Seraceni first mate, 2 Seraceni pirates, 2 Seraceni cutthroats arrive, following Dio.

Lora drops a woven willow basket lined in white wool.

Ophelia Velenosa walks onto the grounds as Jaenelle greets all of the guests and is sure to give her cousin a wave and a grand smile. A red-tailed hawk soars overhead and lands upon a nearby tree branch to watch the festivities while the archeress goes to find a glass of wine. As she does, Ophelia smiles at familiar faces and reaches for a glass from a passing server.

Rorik trots in somewhat behind Zoey. His entrance is a bit lagged, but it's more than evident that he's followed her here at least part of the way. "You walk FAST," he mutters to her, before he turns to look at Jaenelle. It seems he doesn't even need to think about his participation, as he's quick to call out: "I'll volunteer for a game."

Finn the large Northern hunting dog with icy blue eyes, Scratchers the red-tailed hawk arrive, following Thea.

Walking in the midst of the crowd is none other than Axel. His eyes wander around the Velenosa Grounds, jumping from one guest to another, looking over the dancers and performers. He'd grabbed a glass of wine from one of the servers earlier - not something he's used to, which is evident by the slight hint of distrust in his expression every time he goes for a sip. Though, the sips eventually become more frequent as he gets used to the taste.

Jaenelle's announcement makes him stop in his tracks and pay attention. By the time it's over, he raises the hand holding the glass, "I'll give it a try!" he says, loud enough for Jaenelle to hear. Once he's noticed, the arm goes back down and to his mouth, for yet another taste.

As the food-and-drink servers move by, Rowenova pulls down a wine flute from one tray, doing so with her mobile hand. She grins brightly, "So much food!" says she in a stage whisper most excited.

1 Silvershields arrives, following Yasmine.

Poppy flies into the room in a flurry of blue wool. Nothing fancy for this lady. Her gaze is pulled in every direction as she oohs and Aaahs at everything in the estate. Clearly she's never been here before. Unfortunately for Marquis Dio, it's him who she eventually runs into as she isn't paying any attention to where she's going.

Jaenelle dips her head towards Rowenova, a grin touching her lips as she spots the woman, "if it is not my favorite scout." To her escort, a finger wiggle is given in Zoey's direction, "Lady Zoey, I need to reply to your missive, do not think I have forgotten. This has just taken much of my time in the last few days." It is Valerius though that causes the largest reaction, "if it is not my favorite baby brother." She can't gush over him right now though, hosting. "Duke Farshaw, I have all the faith that you will do beautifully in bringing murdered to justice." Lora is noted and name written down as she also wishes to participated, Jaenelle peeking inside the basket to view the di Fidante offers. The Archduchess points towards Rorik, "I do not know who you are, it is a shame. I expect a full report on every aspect of your life before this is over, but till then you have been added to the list." Ophelia is blows a kiss as her cousin walks from the estate, and a thankful look is shared for her presense. "I do not know you either," She informs Axel, "but you should do well too!"

Valerius's lips twitch a little bit and his smile grows when Jaenelle notices him there. But of course, she's hosting and so he merely lifts his glass to her in salute from where he stands. There will be time to bother her later when not quite so busy. "I'll play your game, big sister," he says, though, apparently game to give it a try. "In the spirit of celebration and all." He gives her a flash of a smile and then takes another long draught of his wine.

Rowenova gets Roseward Goldenwood Renewal - 1013 from a woven willow basket lined in white wool.

It may be freezing, but Alessia wasn't about to miss such an anticipated event. She's wrapped in a fur cloak by the drink's table, a glass of whiskey in hand as she watches the game unfold.

Dio Seraceni moves in from the east flanked by a mob of piratical looking sailors. On his right, Anne Lucennia, with a glowing cigarillo in her lips, laughs as one of her fellow pirates rudely grabs a whole tray of wine from a nearby servant and starts handing glasses to crew. Accepting a glass, Dio strides up to Jaenelle, and removes his hat with his free hand. "Pleasure, Archduchess," he says, bowing his head.

A bump from Poppy causes Dio to spill his newly acquired wine all over his seatouched wool longcoat. The dark eyes of the pirate lord turn slowly to the Stahlben lady with cold intensity. "And who might you be, Lass?"

Dio checked command + intimidation at difficulty 15, rolling 61 higher.

Thea steps inside, dressed as a proper Lycene. She grabs a flute of wine and exhales, bracing herself. It's liking she's bracing herself to face--something. Shoulders back, she smile's a bit and spies a certain scout,"Rowenova. Hello." She spies Dio and Poppy as well, an amused look on her face. Thea sees others she knows as well, so she goes in to mingle. Or whatever.

Zoey smiles and bows her head to Jaenelle. "I understand. You may need an assistant to help you find an assistant," she says with a grin. To Rorik she replies, "Well, that's how we stay warm trekking through the snow! Though had I known you were coming we could have waited for you."

Zoey gets Roseward Goldenwood Renewal - 1013 from a woven willow basket lined in white wool.

Rorik is pointed at! He turns his own pointing finger in on himself, hiking brows up towards his hairline before he bends in a flourishing bow towards Jaenelle. "Lord Rorik Kennex, your Grace," he calls back, his voice booming if only to be sure he's heard above the crowd. The grin he flashes towards Jaenelle after he straightens back up is a brilliant one. "And if you don't know me now, you will soon enough." Then he tips his head to Zoey and chuckles. "I didn't know I was coming until I saw you going."

Oh no! Oh no! Poppy is caught well into that glare. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking. Everything is just so amazing, isn't it?" Not having a handkerchief to mop up the mess, she uses the next best thing. Her hands. She pats down the man's coat where really all she does is beat more wine into the fabric while profusely apologizing.

As crowds swirl in to gather around and partake in the delights offered by the opulently appointed event, a lone figure breaks free from the crowd with a rasping cry of anguish. Dark sanguine stains her silks as she staggers forward across cobblestone before her knees suddenly give out, sending her crashing onto the ground in a crumpled heap with a the gleam of an ornate dagger plain in the lighting from its place buried deep within her back.

Alessia gets Roseward Goldenwood Renewal - 1013 from a woven willow basket lined in white wool.

Thea takes Roseward Goldenwood Renewal - 1013 from a woven willow basket lined in white wool.

Carissa, a Malvici bodyguard, Planchet the Lycene maggiordome, Mihaly arrive, following Eirene.

Valerius takes Roseward Goldenwood Renewal - 1013 from a woven willow basket lined in white wool.

There is a body on the floor, prone with her face half pressed against the ground. She seems unmoving, is she breathing? It is hard to tell beneath the blood covering her. Perhaps if you focus on the dagger sticking from her back you'll be able to see the lift and fall of her chest. Jaenelle is moving around her, a soft sigh from her bright colored lips as she glances briefly towards the ground if only to avoid the blood as she steps delicately over.

"What an inconvenience," Jaenelle says as she looks up at those who have come to enjoy the hospitality of the Lyceum Ward. "I might need your help" she then says, brows furrowed in concern before her voice lowers to a stage whisper, "I think this person is dead." Poor Yasmine.

"In any good investigation, I have been told, there are a few questions one must ask themselves. The Five Ws: why, where, when, what, and who. Since I already know who, we'll exchange that for how, and since we know the where that can go as well. As an experienced investigator I am able to ignore what I don't like" Jaenelle assures them, because that's how science works, ignore what you don't like. "So we must first come up with the reasons for how this person has died. Ladies and Gentlemen, the scene is in your good hands."


How did the Yasmine die?:
If you'd like to use your medical knowledge:
check intellect + medicine/alchemy at 15

Or

If you'd like to look around the body to see if it was something besides the obvious knife:
check wits + riddles at 15

Explain your observations.

Zoey checked intellect + medicine at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

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

Ryhalt checked intellect + medicine at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Eirene checked intellect + medicine at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Lora checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Rowenova checked intellect + alchemy at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Rorik checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Axel checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Poppy checked intellect + medicine at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Mihaly checked wits + riddles at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Eirene enters in black silks with her long black and silver hair unbound for a change, on the arm of Mihaly Riven. Seems she's JUST IN TIME to play. A game she's quite familiar with too. How did this poor soul perish. She mutters, "I promised no poison," to her date before disentangling herself from his arm to inspect the corpse.

Calypso strolls onto the grounds with a long, but unhurried stride. She's buttoning her shaggy fur coat while she walks, and turning up the collar. And possibly regretting not bringing a scarf.

Spotting Thea shortly after she ventured into the grounds, Alessia swoops in to join her friend, looping an arm around hers. "Where have you been? I feel as though I haven't seen you in weeks. Oh wait... I haven't." She says with a wry smile. "Rowenova." She dips her head to the scout.

Anne flicks her cigarillo, narrowly missing Thea, and drops her wine glass with a crash. She draws her knives from the backsheathes on her belt and moves menacingly toward Poppy. A shark-like grin spreads over Dio's face and he sets his tricornered hat back on his head and holds up a hand to Anne. "No worries, Love," he says to Poppy, resting his calloused sailor's hand over hers, and then taking a step back. "Hardly the first time I've been covered in wine. Didn't get your name. I'm Marquis Dio Seraceni, and this is Anne Lucennia, my first mate."

As people begin to poke Yasmine, Jaenelle looks towards Dio, "Marquis Seraceni, how good to see you. I hope you are well?" she wonders casually, peeking back every so often just to make sure the participants in the game are not cheating. "Lord Rorik Kennex" she then grins towards the man, "I will hold you to that, you do not wish to disappoint me."

Zoey takes a moment to examine the body. "Oh dear," she says in an overly dramatic fashion. "This is quite a mess! I suppose the knife in her back is the most obvious answer, and I find it highly unlikely that she put it there herself."

"That... is a bit of an inconvenience," Lora agrees. There's a slight falter slightly through this, as if she's more attempting to gauge Jaenelle's reaction to the clearly dramatic death than she is the death itself. Still, it merits a slow blink before she drifts in that direction, though she's briefly distracted, "Lady Zoey! And... a Lord Kennex that isn't Ian? I cannot remember the last time I spotted one of those on land." There's a little curve of smile in Rorik's direction before she drifts closer to look generally around the body, searching the milling crowd that she stumbled out of.

Ophelia has joined the benches by the fountain.

Valerius takes a look around, but he doesn't seem to find anything other than the obvious -- the knife in poor Yasmine's back. "I'm afraid that I can only concur with the lady on this one, the knife does seem the most obvious answer, and lest she fell onto it and then rolled about, it would seem the most plausible answer." He nods in Zoey's direction, gesturing toward her with his glass of wine.

Loitering about with a glass of wine in one hand, arm around Lora's, Dante watches as people file in. A smile and a wave is given to those he knows with a bow for Jaenelle, Ophelia and Valerius. Then someone is dramatically and theatrically slain for the party, his eyes widening in shock. "Oh, it's a good thing others are here since I have no idea about such things." Poppy's wine-abusing clumsiness is given a sound of disapproval, then he remarks to Zoey, "Are you sure, Lady Zoey? Perhaps she has very long arms that bend just so."

A murder! Rorik claps both hands over his eyes to gasp dramatically, or perhaps to stifle a chuckle, blue eyes growing exaggeratingly wide. He takes one step over to the 'corpse' and squints at it, before he turns around to Jaenelle. "I never disappoint," he says boldly, before he decides: "And I'm pretty sure the knife did it." Then he gives a nudge-nudge to Zoey with his elbow, grinning broadly. "This is easy." To Lora, he tips into a bow. "I am most certainly not Ian. Rorik Kennex."

"My Favorite Archduchess." says Rowenova with a grin to Jaenelle. "Greetings, Lady Thea! Lady Alessia! Lady Poppy! Always good to see all of you!" Then, "Marquis Dio! I will send you some alchemy I use to wash blood from my furs!" After such greetings, Rowenova takes note of the commotion and soon adopts a concerned look upon her wolf-framed visage. Moving closer to the murder scene which is laid out before them, Rowenova crouches down and softy sniffs the immediate scents that she might notice.

Medicine isn't Ryhalt's strength, but he waits for his turn to inspect the cause of death. While the dagger is the most obvious answer, he says, "Murdering someone in broad daylight in a festive crowd like this speaks of desperation and necessity. Anyone bold enough to do this now would ensure that even a graze succeeded. I say it was poison on the blade more than the wound itself."

Calypso gives the murder investigation a wide berth and goes in search of something to drink. If possible, something warm to drink.

The man on Eirene's arm is Mihaly Riven, Knight Commander and Sword of Twainfort. And while he blinks at the display, he glances back at Eirene. "Well, you did promise no poison. So you're not wrong." Still, he looks around, curious. "Is this a ruse, or is that person actually dead? Otherwise, I wouldn't think people would treat death so casually." So maybe he's hoping this is just a Lycene thing and not an actual thing.

Thea smiles over at Alessia and greets her friend,"Mazetti. Ho-"but jumps back as well---she almost has wine dropped on her gown and Anne flicks her cigarillo. Her gold-flecked green eyes narrow her eyes briefly, but she instead smiles,"Why Anne. How good to see you,"looking over to Dio.

Drake arrives to the Lycene Ward exactly when he means to. As usual, he's mostly here for the food. It's literally a food event, though. Isn't that why anyone would be here? Food here is apparently only bite size, so it's going to take him some time to fill up a plate. But at least he gets a glass of wine right away. Then he realizes, with grace, that he's got to eat wine and eat off a plate at the same time... and that isn't happening, so he finishes off the plate first and then sticks to the wine.

Rowenova says, "I agree with Duke Farshaw, indeed."

"The dagger is only a red herring," Eirene pronounces with authority. She is, after all, known for her medical skill and ability to discern the truth from a corpse. Autopsies being such fun after all. "The real cause of death is the snake bite on her neck. Visible just behind the ears. The dagger was in an attempt to fend the snake off but she fell and pressed it further into her back. Alas." She winds her arm around Mihaky's waist and reassures him, "It's just for fun. I swear."

Yasmine the corpse remains where she lies on the ground, woefully perished by a dagger in the back. Woe is her. As contestants step in to examine the state of her demise, she remains motionless as her role demands. Half-shut eyes stare unseeingly ahead as blood continues to spill out around her, puddling. Who bleeds that much? The cleverly hidden bladder of fake blood that burst in her back does, apparently.

"Yes! This is one of his cousins, Lord Rorik Kennex. He just arrived in Arx very recently. Rorik, this is Marquessa Lora DiFidante." Zoey makes the introduction before nodding in return to Valerius. At Dante's suggestion, Zoey bends down and gingerly picks up the corpses wrist, measuring with her eyes. "No, Marquis, I'm not inclined to think so. This is most definitely..." Dramatic pause! "A murder!"

"No complaints, other than a soaked coat, Your Grace," replies Dio to Jaenelle flashing a smile. Gesturing toward Anne who is still holding two daggers, and holding a look of pure wrath for Poppy, Dio says, "This is my first mate, Anne. It was she whom I bailed out of prison with the funds you'd lent me when I first arrived." Anne glances to Janelle, with a slight bit of red rising to her cheeks. She slips her knives away and bows, forgetting to take of her hat, which plops down in the spilled wine. "Thank you, yer Grace," she says to Jaenelle, stooping again to pick up her hat, and glaring her unpatched eye at Poppy.

"It'd be most appreciated Scout Rowenova," replies Dio at her offer. At Thea's words, Anne says, "Hello, m'lady," mutters Anne, while Dio touches his hat in a pirate's salute.

You have to start somewhere, and Jaenelle seems to nod in approval of all those who come to the conclusion they have, whether it's correct or not. Does it really matter in the end who assumed Yasmine was run over by a herd of wild water buffalo? "Wonderful" Jaenelle claps her hands together with a grin, "now that we have the how down and out of the way, we must come to terms with the why. Why did this beautiful creature die? You certainly can work alone if that is your preference and find clues to back your hypothesis, or you can convince any witnesses to speak. The choice is yours."

Why did the Yasmine die:
If you'd like to search the scene:
check Perception + investigation at 15

OR

If you'd like to question others:
check charm + manipulation at 15 OR command + intimidation at 25


Explain what you've learned.


"Gods... what's gotten her startled, marquis?" Alessia's brows shoot up, her eyes following Anne. "I thought this would be just your thing..." She turns her attention to the murder mystery unfolding. "You've had experience studying wounds in dead bodies." She offers Thea a faint smile.

With a glass of wine in hand, Ophelia is sure to wave to Dante and Lora when she spots them and then makes her way over to a bench by the water fountain to watch the game being played. The archeress sits down on a vacant bench, crosses one leg over the other, and siiips her drink as more as more people enter the grounds.

A smirk forms on Axel's face as he's addressed by the princess, though it isn't at all smug or cocky. Instead, his expression is rather amiable and soft. "The pleasure is mine." he says, slightly raising the glass towards Jaenelle once again. Finally, the game is announced, and he walks closer to the 'crime scene', looking over the body, the murder weapon and the surroundings. His head is tilted ever so slightly, the eyes pick up on a rather obvious glint of curiosity, as he squints and takes a couple steps closer. He slowly circles around the body - first, further away, then once more, a little closer. His gaze moves rapidly, but the movements are far from random; instead, it feels like all his attention is going to the scene, while the rest of the world has disappeared.

Rowenova checked perception + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 62 higher.

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

Zoey checked perception + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Eirene checked perception + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 44 higher.

Lora checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 28 higher.

Rorik checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Axel checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Poppy stares with a touch of fear at Dio and his first mate as a knife is banished at her. She barely is able to get her name out as she seems to be trembling a little in fear. "Poppy. Lady Poppy Stahlben." Thankfully for her there is a fake murder and she quickly disengages from Dio to deal with that. "Oh look. A knife." She quickly goes about checking for signs of life and such "Nope. Dead. So very very dead. Dead."

Mihaly checked perception + investigation at difficulty 15, rolling 51 higher. Mihaly rolled a critical!

Valerius checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Ryhalt checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 81 higher. Ryhalt rolled a critical!

Poppy checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Drake walks over toward Alessia, seeing her among the people he recognizes in the crowd. He just has his wine at this point, his hand in the pocket of his coat as he quaffs the glass with one hand wrapped around its bell. "What's all this about a murder?" he asks her, but quite casually, as he assumes there is not actually, really, a murder. That would hit a little different. He's watching the scene of the crime looking amused.

Thea chuckles at Alessia,"It is. But I'm trying to give others a chance,"taking a sip from her glass. Which listening, seems that's not the case.

Rowenova stands up and prowls around the crime scene in a circle before then stopping short to look down at those shoes. "These shoes. They are so fine. Fine enough an envious noble might hire the Smiling Shadows to do her in."

Introductions given, Lora dons the faintest curve of a smile. "A pleasure, Lord Rorik. And no, clearly not at all like Lord Ian; you do not have one of those marvelous scarves." She seems so very, very serious. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to see if someone that wasn't me saw something before she staggered down to the ground." She spots Ophelia and lifts a hand to curl her fingers in a wave, then catches a bit of what Eirene said. "A snake, Lady Eirene? It's a little bit early for serpent season, but maybe."

Dio gets Roseward Goldenwood Renewal - 1013 from a woven willow basket lined in white wool.

Valerius clearly has spent far, far too much time away from, well, everyone and everything, as his charm seems to win him no answers from the witnesses nearby whom he implores for what they might have seen or might have known about the lady Yasmine's most tragic demise. This seems to entertain him, more than anything else, and calls for another glass of wine, instead, "I shall wager that it was her beauty, and that the crime was fueled by jealousy." Because that seems as plausible a reason as any.

Sabella has been here the whole time, it's a big party, you just didn't see her before! She's got a glass in one hand and some treats in the other and is watching the whole scenario unfold with a brilliant smile on her face, "Oh, goodness, who will solve this delightfully horrific crime?!"

Eirene raises a hand to greet Thea and Calypso as she goes to investigate the 'corpse'. Charm she lacks so she goes instead to investigate the scene. She takes a knee, pulling aside the edge of her her silk dress to better bend and dip. "Looks like footprints, boots. Female. Moving slowly and dragging. Someone stole something off her body, something she was carrying." She glances at her date for his opinion. She answers Lora - "Well, that's my opinion. Someone may have a heated snake-cage. I mean, fucking Talen and his snake, right?" She smiles, a touch sadly, as she thinks of the departed Velenosan.

"How generous." Alessia muses, taking a sip from her glass. She turns to Drake on his arrival. "There's been a murder and her grace has recruited experts among her party guests to solve it." Her lips quirk.

Calypso has found a hot alcoholic drink somewhere (hell, she sent for one if nothing's being served), and has it in one hand while she gives Eirene a careless salute.

"We all manage to find bits of trouble here and there, I am glad I was able to assist" Jaenelle tells Anne and Dio, a look of approval for the knives disappearing. No diplomatic issues today. "Princess Sabella," she greets the woman with a fingle wiggle as she finally notes her within the crowd, "you are well? Yasmine is not. She died a most tragic death. My money is on a horse accident." There are no horses, and certainly none that can use a dagger.

"Ah it's a game." Mihaly nods, now understanding a bit better, considers the scene. "A snake makes sense, especially in this weather. If one is wishing to hide the method of murder, you might use a method that wouldn't be considered. Under logical circumstances, you wouldn't really think about using a snake in the middle of winter. But the why would be curious. She had something to lose. Or rather, if she kept living someone else had something to lose. I would wager she was killed because she posed a threat or obstacle to someone else."

Graham enters into the area a bit later than he'd expected but it's so full he's not likely to be noticed in his tardiness, the young Count moves further in toward the grouping but doesnt look to be in any kind of a rush to get there just people watching along his way.


"Oh. Devious." Drake smirks at Alessia. "I didn't do it. I just got here." A pause. "Or, maybe. Maybe that just means I lack an alibi." Seeing Thea also near, he raises his wine glass in her direction as a form of greeting. Then he completely quaffs the entire glass, passes it into his left hand, and smoothly swaps it out for another one as a server passes by. To start the process anew.

Ryhalt might not know medicine, but he knows trading, very, very well. So he circulates through the crowd. It has been years since he was in the Lyceum, but everyone has their price, something they want and are willing to exchange for it. Sometimes they just need a little talking into it. So with a cheerful expression, he gathers information from various people before he returns to Jaenelle and says, "Personal, petty revenge."

Thea nods over to Eirene and Calypso, offering them a slight smile, raisng her glass to them. She watches the game unfold before her, nodding to Drake as well. "Think rolling a person down a hill and hoping they smash their head on a rock or something qualify as a good murder?" That's a terrible murder Thea!

"No, no. You're right. But only because I'm marvelous enough without one," Rorik says to Lora of scarves with a quick wink before she's off. "I suppose I'll find someone to bother about this unfortunate affair. I wonder where all the blood is coming from," he squints that-a-way before he shrugs, producing a flask from somewhere on his person and taking a large gulp. His head briefly tips towards Jaenelle, brows up once more. "Where do you think the horse held the dagger? Between its teeth? I mean I suppose if it bucked just right.."

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

Stepping over the 'dead' Yasmine on his way to finding more wine, Dio says, "I will avenge you, Messere," with a grin. Acquiring a fresh glass, he comes to stand beside Thea and Alessia, while his pirates raise the abyss on the dance floor and among the servants carrying food and drinks. "Lady Thea, Lady Alessia," says Dio. "It is very good to see you both." He chuckles at Thea's words to Drake. "You're giving me ideas, My Lady."

"That's exactly what the murderer would say, my lord." Alessia looks Drake over before chuckling at Thea's suggestion. "You'd need to climb down the hill to ensure the fall was fatal. Otherwise, they may survive long enough to tell someone who pushed them." She shrugs. "So there are easier ways." She smiles at Dio. "How've you been, my lord?"

Rowenova cannot help but to quirk a smirk after that witty reply from Alessia.

"I do not judge a horse's right to wield a weapon of their choice" Jaenelle tells Rorik with a look. "That would be rude, and if anything, I am far from rude." She even wiggles a disappointed finger towards the man, he should be ashamed of his horse disbelief. "Duke Ryhalt, "perhaps. What makes revenge petty rather than non?"

Having looked enough and come to his own conclusions, Axel takes a step back, closing his eyes and letting out a soft, lengthy exhale, which forms a small cloud of steam in front of him. He keeps his eyes closed while Jaenelle advances the game to the next stage, nodding and opening them only as she's done talking. He turns around, walking over to one of the witnesses she'd suggested they speak to. His expression becomes softer, his demeanor more approachable. "I know, you must still be in shock, but please, do bear with me for a moment." he says, pulling out an empty small vial out of his coat pocket. "I'd found this near the body, as well as some broken pieces of broken glass, which most definitely came from one of these." he softly wiggles his other hand, which is still preoccupied with holding a wine glass. "Have you seen her talk to anyone after she'd received the glass? Or, perhaps, you've seen the servant who'd given it to her?" he continues, "Your help would be much appreciated."

"Hm. Now I think... it depends on the hill," Drake says, with a shrug of the shoulder. Then he raises his brow at Alessia, having been called out in fact. Dio... he does not know, so he offers him his free hand. "Drake Wyrmguard," he says. "You seem to already know the ladies."

Eirene has joined the alcove by the archway.

"Rolling someone down a hill isn't likely to kill them, unless there's a cliff at the end," Calypso remarks, joining Thea. She sips at her drink. "I wonder what happened to the snake."

Eirene quips, "Maybe the horse stepped on it."

Thea glances at Alessia and Dio, smirking a bit,"Poison is quick and less messy. But not as inventive." She listens and winks at Calypso,"I was thinking of hitting the head on the way down. Not just the hill alone."

Mihaly has joined the alcove by the archway.

How rude it would be to deny a horse the right to choose their weapon? Yes, Rowenova cracks up, booming out hearty laughs with Northern volume, indeed!

Yasmine most certainly does not bear signs of being trampled by horses, rolled down hills, or any other terrible fate beyond a knife in the back. It's with serious commitment of any master actress that she remains on the ground, despite the cold air, DEAD.

"I think if I die I would wish you to find my killer. Remember that when I am assassinated" Jaenelle informs Axel as she listens to him speak to the witnesses in a rather detailed manner.

Rorik holds up his hands defensively, his next words to Jaenelle far too serious: "I would never judge a horse's right to do anything at all. //I// don't want to end up with a knife in my back," he looks warily over his shoulder, just in case there's a horse watching.

Ryhalt chuckles at Jaenelle's question. "Sometimes revenge is necessary. It satisfies a balance in the world so cannot be petty. But when it's petty, no one is satisfied, even the one that does it. The death wasn't enough to satisfy the perceived wrong."

Heimlin, the Scholar, 5 Harthall house guards, Kestrel, the Scholar arrive, following Orvyn.

As people scramble to learn as much as they can through whatever means they are able, Jaenelle slips away lest she be accused of the murder herself, watching on the sidelines. She calls out helpfully, "please do not track the blood across the grounds!" As things settle, she then states, "you have the how, and you have the why, now we must find out the what. This will likely be the conclusion of the other two in a neat little package to bring your thoughts together. What do you do now?"

What:
If you wish to take command of the scene:
Check command + leadership at 15

OR

If you would like to take a more delicate approach and smooth over the situation:
Check composure + diplomacy at 15

Explain your reasoning.


"*When* you are assassinated?" Zoey asks Jaenelle. "I'm assuming you meant if."

"I always knew there was a reason I stayed away from horses," Sabella nods, sipping her drink and laughing at Rorik, "Would you rather a knife in your front?" She asks with amusement."

"Horses are known to be expert knife fighters, true." Mihaly considers. "I've heard of rather impressive knife fights between stallions far to the north. That is of course, only rumor."

Zoey checked composure + diplomacy at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Valerius can't help but chuckle at the exchange between Rorik and Jaenelle, giving up on his investigations of this most serious crime in exchange for looking for something stronger to drink. "Oh, no, she means when," Valerius says to Zoey, of his sister's imminent demise. But he's clearly not at all serious.

"Suffering in this Crownlands winter," replies Dio to Alessia, "but well enough, and eager to get back to sea." The pirate lord shakes Drake's hand, and with a warm smile, say, "Dio Seraceni. I've run into Lady Thea once or twice. She helped me incite a slave rebellion, and recover sunken treasure. Lady Alessia I know only in passing, but her company is always charming and I hear she's one of the Compact's most dangerous warriors. Are you very familiar with this Lycene ladies, My Lord?"

Eirene checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Lora checked composure + diplomacy at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

Valerius checked composure + diplomacy at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Rorik checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 79 higher. Rorik rolled a critical!

Axel checked composure + diplomacy at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Calypso cracks a dry smile and shakes her head at Thea. She chuckles low in her throat. "You'd be amazed how many blows to the head most men can take and be just fine." Then she downs her drink in a true 'hold my beer' sort of gesture and goes to back up Eirene's authority.

Calypso checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Rowenova checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Wandering in from the entrance to the grounds, Orvyn is caught up in the sight of what is going on. Strange happenings, of course having been briefed a little from the heralds on the way in, so as not to overreact to the 'dead' body upon the ground, he reaches up to scratch his beard and tug at his robe. "Stranger things have happened... though I should never underestimate the Lycene's ability to create such a stir, no matter the occasion," he notes aloud to anyone near.

Poppy is still quite shaken by Anne and Dio, so her mind isn't quite all on the dead body in front of her. Eventually she gives up on trying to keep up with the game. Instead, she floats off to the side, taking extra caution to not bump anyone and practically begs the server "Whiskey. A whole bottle if you can spare it." She looks over at Anne and warns the server loudly, "I think she's trying to kill me."

Eirene barks out her command, "Secure the grounds. Be on the look-out for anyone with a suspicious horse and a snake, carrying something heavy. Nobody in or out!" She's used to being loud and authoritative, though perhaps not as much as Calypso. She's trying not to laugh and keeping a good stern face, scowling. Her eyes are amused, though.

Sabella gets Roseward Goldenwood Renewal - 1013 from a woven willow basket lined in white wool.

Ryhalt checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Graham checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Drake looks impressed at Thea, raising his brows. "Ah. You keep busy. The Lady and I have done a bit of exploration together," he then says, nodding. Then he looks over at Alessia, and lids his eyes at her thoughtfully. "I suppose we're familiar enough?" he asks, but seems to be waiting for her to confirm if that's true or not.

At Eirene's words, Orvyn sighs loudly, "Well there goes my chance of getting out of here..." he notes with a small, nearly hidden grin. A glance around the grounds spots familiar faces, though whatever is going on is still lost mostly upon the Harthall Lord. Regardless, he wanders around, careful to avoid those whom are shouting the loudest.

Calypso drapes a casual arm over Eirene's shoulders, just two Malvici women who nobody in their right mind would want to piss off, and adopts a Very Stern Expression, her pale blue eyes as hard as lusterous steel. She might have flashed Eirene a very brief smile in there, maybe. Just a little one.

Finishing the drink in her glass, Alessia hands the empty cup off to her maid. She smiles at Dio's words. "Who's been singing my praises? This way, I never have to." She adds wryly. "I think I need a dance or two in this cold." She says to Thea. Though Drake's words capture her attention. "Oh, certainly. Lord Wyrmguard's been my drinking companion on a few occasions."

"It's a little bit vulgar for a proper Lycene murder," Lora points out, "what with the stabbing, and all of the bleeding. Most, though not all certainly, of them seem to dislike blood and the accompanying mess." Eirene starts barking orders and she tilts her head a little. "Maybe question them," she suggests, concerning the horse and the snake. "Talking animals aren't to be trusted, or so I've heard." So serious, she is. So very, very serious, that she cannot be. For everyone shouting, she then turns about with a quiet word, suggesting people turn out their pockets in case the snake may've been dropped in someone's, purely by accident and not at all intentional.

Opia, a fat unblinking feline arrives, following Mirari.

It's with curiosity to the 'game' that brings the young man over towards the body. Graham being a bit late looks and listens to those here catching up with the basics at least of the situation though he does give a better look around himself he remains quiet as well at the moment.

Thea is always a bit awkward when her accomplishments are mentioned. She instead smiles at Dio and Drake, agreeing,"Yes. I do. I don't like to be idle. I like the travel as well." She then hears Drake and nods,"I still can't believe all that. I'd like to go back, actually." The youngest Malvici amusedly hears Calypso and agrees,"Oh don't I know it,"then proceeds to watch her and her aunt go off and do what they do best.

"The last time I was in a post-murder lockdown --" Because yes, there was a last time. "-- the murderer still almost got away. I had to shoot her in the leg to stop her." Zoey looks around to see if their are any runners. "This is why I prefer the delicate approach. They are less likely to get be spooked, horse or otherwise."

Rowenova shouts out, "Find the noble horse who could not wear her shoes!"

Jaenelle touches her nose before pointing towards her brother, nodding towards Zoey, "such things are unavoidable. You can't stop everyone who wishes you dead for some reason or another. I am certain there are many, it comes with the position."

Without missing a beat, Rorik - who is already tall and requires no additional height - leaps up onto the nearest bench to stand even more heads above the crowd. He points off into the distance at some invisible beast, bellowing out his order: "Arrest the horse, take it away!" It may not be the *actual* murderer, but it's quite the command performance. When he's through, he leaps off and lands on the ground with a THUD, flourishing another bow in Jaenelle's direction. "I'm sure I just saved you from certain death. That horse might be invisible, but it definitely wanted you dead. Drink?" he offers her his flask with a grin.

Mihaly checked command + leadership at difficulty 15, rolling 46 higher.

"A horse wanted you dead, your grace?" asks Mirari from Jaenelle's left. Was she there a minute ago? Gracious, where did the currently -short short- haired woman come from? Green eyes scan the crowd, and she leans over to snatch up a glass wine from a passing servant's tray without them ever the wiser. An alaricite tipped finger is tipped inside of the glass before she drinks.

Sabella stares at Rorik as he jumps up on the bench, a bit open mouthed, then laughs a little nervously, "An invisible horse?" She asks, looking around like she might be able to spot it, "Who would have thought of such a thing?"

Thea looks over to Poppy and assures her,"She's not,"eyeing Anne for a moment. "It's a pleasure to see you again Lady Poppy. How are you?" Meanwhile, Thea finishes off her glass and goes to grab another. It's apparently going to be this sort of night.

Orvyn casuall strides towards Ryhalt, whispering something to the man, before speaking louder, "So what are the clues, and what's transpired? Short form, please, my Lord?" he asks of the man, clearly curious, but for now remaining sidelined.

"I'd say her brother. We was the younger sibling after all. And she," Mihaly gesture at the dead body. "Was set to inheriet a great deal when her father eventually passed. And likely she was planning on not only assassinating her father, but her brother. Her brother likely caught on from the loose lips of an attendant who was perhaps a touch more bitter than he should've been, and tipped the brother off. Working with the attendant and the Quartermaster, who oversaw the stabling of horses, not only precured the horse, but also the snake. It was up to the brother to place. But I suspect since he did such a sloppy job, he'll soon be caught. Now, would his father punish him? Likely to save face, but not kill him. No, to save public embarrassment, he'd be banished, and with a hefty part of the inheirtance."

"I would also," Drake says, looking at Thea and making some eye contact. "You have a lot of grace under pressure. And with that torch..." He clears his throat, for a second, and decides not to speak too much of it. He looks at Alessia. "Well, now, I have also been learning to dance, as well as adventure. If you sincerely want to try." He offers a hand.

Niklas pushes his way through the crowd until he's standing next to his wife. Without asking what in the world is going on he gives Rorik a nod. "I don't know what's happening, but most horses could probably stand to be arrested. I once had a horse throw me. Or rather I fell off of it. Three times." He gives a little sniff as if to say eff that horse. "Still won third in that jousting contest."

"Besides, if you accept it as simple fact, then you can always be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't happen," Valerius offers to Zoey. Having found something much stronger than wine to drink, he finds another archway to lean against, propping himself there casually. "I, of course, am hoping for only pleasant surprises." Though the murder investigation continues on, and from his woeful attempts at the how and the why, his what is definitely not going to take the round, it seems. "I can only surmise that while she was here preparing for the celebration, a jealous florist placed a snake in the arbor above, which dropped on her and bit her, then used the knife to cover up the crime and throw investigators off the trail, leaving her here in the midst of the celebration for all to find, then simply vanished in a sweet-smelling puff of well bouqueted smoke."

"I remember those" Jaenelle tells Mirari as she notes the metal on her fingers, "though were they always made of alaricite? As for the horse, I am not certain. It may or may not have killed Yasmine with a dagger that it may or may not have held between it's teeth, on its saddle? Hoofs? I do not know, we are not judging." She does clap towards Rorik for his outstanding performance, bringing her hands to her heart afterwards, "I might keep you forever if you continue to save me as you have been. I am easily swayed by a tall man."

Ryhalt scratches his sidewhiskers. "At this point the murderer has probably already fled. I defer to the ward guard to deal with this as they see fit." The only thing he dos for himself is make sure Yasmine's corpse is decently covered. He chuckles as Orvyn circulates over to him and asks for what's going on. "This fine woman was killed right here in the crowd, has a knife in her back, and it's the Lycuem... I mean." He chuckles, grinning at his vassal. "It's probably not what it seems. Unless it was one of us gusts, then... well." He shrugs.

"The notion is appreciated, but I hope it never comes to that." Axel says with a soft smirk, turning to face Jaenelle after hearing her talk to him. After spending enough time conversing with one of the witnesses, he smiles and steps away, but not before thanking them, as well as making sure to clink his glass against theirs. He finishes his wine right after, letting one of the servers take the empty glass away from him. While Jaenelle moves to the final part of the ordeal, he stays quiet, calm and collected. "It was, most definitely, a murder. Most likely, one of the servers is the culprit." he says, tilting his head to the side and scanning the crowd; his gaze takes much longer to move off the staff, than one of the attendants. "Though, if they were at all smart -- which I believe they were -- they're already far gone. The last time she'd been served wine was fairly long ago." he explains, "Though, I would be careful with the drinks." he smirks, winking at a passerby who'd just put up a glass of wine to his mouth, which leaves them with their mouth awkwardly agape for a second.

"The Black Fox's Julius speaks very well of you, My Lady," replies Dio to Alessia. When she speaks of dancing, Dio grins, but says, "Alas, if I weren't dripping with wine, it would be my pleasure to ask a dance, but I suspect Lord Drake's training will make him a far more suitable partner."

The scene is contained, the evidence is gathered, the witnesses persuaded to speak, and the greatest group of detectives will not let justice slip through their fingers. It is time to act! Do you believe that good people may do bad things and should be or pardoned for a single mistake, or despite good people doing mostly good things, each person should be responsible for their actions. "Show your cards," Jaenelle announces, "for now is when you go all in and there is no time for indecisiveness."

If you sympathize:
Check <Your choice of stat> + empathy at 15

If you arrest:
Check dexterity + <Weapon of choice> at 15

Bonus roll, convince the populace that you are completely and totally correct in your findings and how you've dealt with the threat: check charm + propaganda/performance at 30


Rowenova checked dexterity + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Eirene checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Rowenova checked charm + propaganda at difficulty 30, rolling 12 lower.

Rorik checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Eirene checked charm + propaganda at difficulty 30, rolling 21 lower.

12 Grayson House Guards arrives, following Liara.

Rorik checked charm + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

Lora checked charm + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Orvyn checked charm + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 56 higher.

Zoey gets Dawn's Light, an alaricite bow from a monogrammed black calfskin satchel with silk lining.

Lora checked charm + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 42 higher.

Orvyn checked charm + propaganda at difficulty 30, rolling 47 higher.

Axel checked intellect + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Ryhalt checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Axel checked charm + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 21 higher.

Zoey puts Dawn's Light, an alaricite bow in a monogrammed black calfskin satchel with silk lining.

Mihaly checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Eirene whips out an imaginary sword. It would be tacky to pull the rubicund stiletto on her thigh at a party; wouldn't it? She's not charming, though. Scary more or less. "We've apprehended the murderer and they will be brought to justice," she says in her rough voice. "So back the fuck up so we can do our jobs," she concludes, losing any sort of crowd-pleaser confidence she might otherwise convey.

Offering Drake another smile, Alessia removes her cloak, handing it to a retainer, and extending her arm. "Shall we?" She gestures to the dance floor. "I remember you mentioning interest in learning."

Mirari glances down at her fingertips, a briefly sad smile curling at the edge of her lips. "Indeed, no. You may be thinking of the ones you returned to me from Eleyna. Those are diamondplate." There is, for one moment, a naked sorrow there in the green-eyed courtier's countenance. But she curls on a haughty smile once more, "And I have that set as well, made ever more famous for Eleyna's good taste in wearing them." A glance is given over the crowd and a soft laugh to follow, "I see I am too late to join the game."

Zoey checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 15, rolling 55 higher.

Zoey checked charm + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 18 higher.

"Clearly someone crazy. Or drunk. Or both!" Rorik replies to Sabella before he nods gravely to Niklas. "It's why ships are so much better. They don't try to eat your hand when you give them carrots. In fact, ships don't want carrots at all." He muses on this whilst drinking from his flask, quirking a grin back to Jaenelle. "I'll do my level best, though something tells me you're no damsel. But do excuse me, I have to arrest this invisible horse now." Apparently with an invisible sword. The big lug makes some flourishing jabs before he sticks his fist - er, sword - up in the air. "This horse is a menace to society!" he tells those who are listening, "Clearly it must be brought to justice. And ... painted, yes, PAINTED! So that it can never be invisible again."

Thea eyes Dio and smirks,"When did you ever let a little wine stop you from dancing?" But when Eirene pull out that sword, Thea chuckles and tells her,"You know, I have some real wood in my room if you'd prefer." Not steel. Wood. You heard that aright. Winking over at Drake, she understands what he says and watches as he goes to dance. Grinning.

Rowenova slinks up behind one of the pirates under Dio's command and then suddenly pounces him but does not truly take him down. No, she ends up dangling down his back from behind as she lamely proclaims! "You must be the horse who wanted her shoes but could not wear them!"

If Sabella were seated she would be on the edge of it! But since she's standing she just bounces on her tiptoes awaiting the big reveal! When she sees Niklas she gives him a wave, "Niklas! Isn't it wonderful? Yasmine was murdered!" she says brightly.

"The guilty is taken into custody, as the Sentinel demands." Mihaly nods sternly. "However, it is also the Sentinel who deems that a trial must also be fair and impartial. This accused will have their chance to prove to a court of law their actions, and whether that action is punishable by imprionsment or by death. It is also clearly possible that he be let off the hook. That is not our responsibility. Our is to capture."

Calypso checked charm + propaganda at difficulty 30, rolling 13 higher.

Lora considers everything. The scene, the witnesses, the theories presented; it all gets a slow, slow tilt of her head. "It likely was not a servant," she counters, "just some opportunistic soul who saw an opportunity and took it. A petty theft from what was seen as an easy mark gone entirely awry, completely and utterly. That it's resulted in murder so foul is a tragedy by all accounts, an escalation that turns the crime on its head and pours more blood out on our fair ward's cobbles and I do feel most sorry for whomever has to clean that up." Fists are being raised. Invisible swords. "Certainly there will have to be a trial, justice provided by a fairer audience than all these fine people who've just come for a party."

Mihaly checked charm + propaganda at difficulty 30, rolling 23 lower.

"So a snake, a death, a dagger, and some talk of hooves, well isn't that all sorts of interesting?" Orvyn notes, but lifts up his chin to take in the measure of the crowd, "Now then, such things are quite wonderful to hear." There's a pause as he takes a breath, "In the isles there's tale of a creaure, wearing the skin of man, but walking upon hooves, with a tail that is quite remarkably a snake. A night terror that is told to frighten little children from going out into the cities at night, and surely we could blame it all on a random horse, or single snake, or dagger, but if the creature was the one to have their way with our poor dead soul here, we can assume that the dagger itself was merely a passionate play of opportunity. There is someone in the crowd here that felt slighted, and they just wanted to get the last stab in... though truly it was but a red herring as it were, likely one of our dear hostess' own collection," he remarks with a wink.

" -- By which she means that we are absolutely okay with arresting more than one person today," Calypso tacks on to Eirene's unconvincing attempt at convincing people. She's running the ragged edge between propaganda and straight intimidation, but at least she's not shouting at anyone.

Valerius checked wits + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Drake takes his coat off as well, passing it off for safekeeping. He finishes the second glass of wine, and hands that off too. It's a bit chilly, but it wouldn't do to be dancing in a thick coat so he'll have to make do just fine without it. Fortunately there's a bit of warmth over by the band. He hears Thea comment about wood, and... decides this isn't QUITE the time to make a quip, but she can see him struggling not to make a joke out of it, and then biting his tongue. He looks at her with a smile and he takes Alessia off to begin dancing.

He has certainly learned a bit. Well enough to take the lead for certain.

Valerius checked charm + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 13 lower.

Drake checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Eirene tsks at Mihaly. "Far too serious, dear," she says, patting his arm with her hand. Calypso's in with the assist and she nods thankfully to the Duchess. "Yeah, convincing people with words ain't my style," says the medic. "I prefer to let other people do that kind of crap."

"I'm not a fan of violence as a solution myself," Zoey confesses, "but those who would take a life in this matter deserve to be brought to justice."

Poppy looks back and forth over the crowds of people not really knowing anyone yet. She swigs at the whiskey she finally got her hands on and moves off to the side to watch the rest of the game. She glances at Anne once more before putting as much distance between herself and that woman.

Ryhalt is an Oathlander despite everything, so he says. "Arrest them. Can always determine if I'm right later." He grins, so not his problem anymore! He chuckles and nods to Orvyn's summation. "Poor Yasmine is probably wishing for a more reliable set of detectives."

"Only when I'm trying to impress Lady Alessia," says Dio flashing a grin to Thea.

When Rowenova jumps on the back of one of the burlier pirates, he laughs, and spins around. "Whinnieee!!" he bellows, making a very sad impression of a horse. "They was nice shoes!" he tells the wolf scout laughingly.

Poppy has joined the shadowy corner of the gardens.

Valerius may not be giving the game his all, or he may just be having fun for his own fun's sake, and so he simply hams up his performance a bit, attempting to deliver his previous story to the crowd, but let's face it, he's not being particularly convincing, and he seems to be quite self-aware of that, and so with a laugh returns to what he does best -- the drinking part of the program.

Ophelia takes a sip of her wine and is thoroughly enjoying the company around her, as well as watching the game. She makes her way closer to the gathered group for a better look at the crime scene -- and maybe to hear the conversation a little better! On the way, she exchanges her empty wine glass for a full one.

Ryhalt checked charm + propaganda at difficulty 30, rolling 25 higher.

"Well, I'm not barking orders at a bunch of soldiers, so I can't say I'm the most convincing in any other situation." Mihaly gives a little grin in spite of himself. "I would say that Mia handles that, but then I realize I doubt no Riven is really the charismatic type. Could be worse. Thesarin just stares at you until you get uncomfortable.

Liara shows up to the grounds, and while her gaze is drawn first to the fabulous 'dead' body, eyebrows arching a touch, she instead proceeds to find herself a small plate of delicacies being provided by one of the mingling servants

Axel stays quiet once again, letting the princess lead the parade. In the meanwhile, despite his own warnings, he takes a new glass from one of the servers, putting it up to his nose and giving the liquid a slight swirl. "It's either this or getting slowly poisoned by the watered down piss at the Murder." he murmurs, mainly to himself. He takes a sip. Then another one, more confidently. "Although, we all love and believe in justice, I'd rather have a /very/ lengthy conversation with the possible murderer first." he says, "It's very likely they were just being used or they might have had their reasons for performing such an act." But, he leaves it at that, not giving a further explanation to what exactly the reasons could be, that he would consider them not guilty. "Regardless, more violence isn't the answer." he continues, taking a moment to glance over the other contestants, Rowenova getting a knowing nod.

As the pirate people head out, Rowenova lets go of the nabbed one who has to reshoulder their coat before they head out. They do, though, and then the wolfy scout nods back Axel's way with a little grin.

Valerius is overheard praising Jaenelle: For a fantastic celebration and a chilling murder mystery, literally as well as figuratively.

Valerius is overheard praising Yasmine: For enduring that freezing cold ground in the name of art, murder, and a good performance.

There is a round of applause from the hostess as the contestants finish, and hopefully Yasmine is still very much alive through this whole thing. "Thank you" Jaenelle tells those who have gathered. "If this is your first time here, then discover all the beauty the ward of the Hundred Cities has to offer. If this is not your first time, well, I am certain you were not so shocked to see a dead body. Whether first or fifty, I do hope you enjoy your time within the Lyceum ward. We are honored to begin this year's Taste of Arx, and I have no doubt that each event will be as vibrant and a learning of cultures and traditions as the one before." Clearing her throat one of the judges gives her a slip of paper, "I would like to announce the winners! In third place, Lady Zoey Kennex. In second place, Lord Mihaly Riven. And winning, Duke Ryhalt Farshaw who moments before told I did not wish for him to find my killer." She then gives a bow of her head to all.


Axel is overheard praising Yasmine: Who'd have thought that being dead is an art?

Alessia checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Zoey smiles when she hears her own name, then applauds Mihaly and Ryhalt.

Ryhalt chuckles at Jaenelle and grins at her. "It was touch and go, they didn't kill her with coffee. I didn't have a clue if they hadn't left they knife." He claps for Zoey and Mihaly, also.

"Another win for the Kennexes!" Rorik throws up a cheer for Zoey, lifting his flask to her in salute. Mihaly and Ryhalt get flask lifts as well, before he's back to drinking from it.

Eirene claps as they announce the end of the contest. She's smirking a little as she grabs another nibble from a plate. She nonetheless takes a cautious taste. Then comes the winners. Her blue eyes widen as Mihaly takes second. "Well I'll be damned, mister serious wins a prize," she teases. The other winners are given a whistle of good cheer.

Valerius applauds for Zoey, Mihaly, and Ryhalt, the due winners of the competition from where he stands and lets out a whistle of appreciation for their endeavors, raising his glass to all three in turn before taking a deep drink. "Congratulations to all."

Mihaly blinks, slightly bewildered. "Wait. What?" Clearly the old Riven knight was not expecting to win anything tonight. A look is exchanged with Eirene, and Calypso(since the Duchess is right there too). "Oh. Well, damn. I didn't even know we were being given points."

Attention shifting briefly to the game once she hears the applause, Alessia beams. "Looks like the culprit's been caught. Hopefully it's a -safe- event from now onwards." She teases her partner before proceeding with the dance. She inches closer, starting simpler with her movements. "Not bad at all, my lord." She glances up at him, keeping to a steady rhythm.

Thea chuckles and claps for Zoey, Mihaly, and Ryhalt. She also takes a drink of her wine as she goes off to talk to people. Kind of.

Eirene is overheard praising Zoey: Caught a killer!

Dante peers over at Jaenelle's announcement and gives a hearty clap for the winners, lifting his wine glass in a toast before drinkging it all down and waving it towards a servant for a refill. "Lady Zoey, is that a relative of yours? I feel like there's more Kennexes than I can remember."

Orvyn arches a brow when Ryhalt comes up with the win and he looks over at the man, "Clearly more happened before I arrived than I was lead to believe..." he notes, giving the man a squinty sort of look. A single shoulder shrugs and then he claps Ryhalt on the shoulder before moving away to speak to others.

Ophelia is delighted when the winners are announced and she claps her hands. "Congrats to the winners! That was such a fun game!" Taking hold of her wine glass again, she moves toward the benches to sit among friends.

Eirene is overheard praising Mihaly: Serious business, those fake murders.

Eirene is overheard praising Ryhalt: You caught the invisible murder-horse.

Calypso applauds the detectives (and the 'corpse'). "Well done. Now I'm getting another drink." And she wanders off to do just that.

Ryhalt continues grinning at Jaenelle and says to her, "Thank you." At Orvyn's comment and look, he chuckles. "I was tempted to shove off all the work onto you. Unfortunately there wasn't any math involved, so... I as keeping you from being burdened." Or he was being sneaky Duke!?

Niklas raises a drink in Zoey's direction at her win, then says to Sabella, "Remember when Dominus Orazio won a murder mystery? Now he runs the entire faith. I think he was archlector of the Sentinel at one point, so I suppose it makes sense."

Rowenova merrily cheers for all those who have won! "Good work!" says she to her fellow detectives before she finally focuses on food biting.

Zoey laughs at Rorik then turns to Dante. "Yes! This is one of Lord Ian's cousins, Lord Rorik Kennex. He has only recently arrived in the city. Rorik, meet Marquis Dante DiFidante."

Jaenelle is overheard praising Yasmine.

Jaenelle is overheard praising Zoey.

Eirene is overheard praising Yasmine.

Jaenelle is overheard praising Mihaly.

Jaenelle is overheard praising Ryhalt.

Sabella applauds for the winners, beaming at Zoey and then saying to Rorik, "I was rooting for your invisible horse for such a thing would be utterly terrifying to think is actually really out there killing people," She laughs at Niklas' observation then turns to say to Jaenelle, "This is the most amazing game I've ever seen run at any of the Taste of Arx festivities! It was so interactive! You're going to put the rest of us to shame."

Mirari is overheard praising Jaenelle.

Mirari is overheard praising Yasmine.

Thea has joined the garden benches.

Orvyn is overheard praising Jaenelle: Lovely party, even if I did stumble in late.

With the aid of attendants, Yasmine is swept from the cold grounds and taken to warm herself after her chilling performance. Clothes are on hand to change from her bloodied attire. And when she returns, she's as fabulous and cheerful as ever. "Well, that was a lot of fun! It was a struggle not to giggle every time I was nudged or some of the theories that were brought up," she tells Janelle as she approaches the archduchess.

Zoey is overheard praising Jaenelle.

Zoey is overheard praising Ryhalt.

Mihaly is overheard praising Yasmine: A well acting dead person.

Zoey is overheard praising Mihaly.

Drake looks over to the game as well, just as the applause takes his attention, but it's brief. He does seem to need to concentrate on this, remembering the steps he's learned so far. But he gets into it after a moment, pulling Alessia in closer so that they have a proper dance distance, his hand around her waist.

"Do you think that one has something to do with the other? Winning murder mysteries and going on to run the entire faith, I mean," Rorik asks Niklas whilst eyeing Zoey curiously, almost as though he's sizing her up. Then, he shrugs and takes another drink from his flask, offering it to Sabella as he says to her: "Just because I didn't win doesn't mean there aren't invisible horses stalking you RIGHT. THIS. SECOND."

Eirene calls out to Rorik, "Beware the death whinny. The terrible... death... whinny."

"I think the Grayson games will give these Lycenes a challenge, Sabella." To Jaenelle Niklas confides, "We're giving everyone mallets and then releasing a bunch of badgers. You win by bringing back the most badgers, you lose by getting rabies. It should be quite exciting." To Rorik he says, "I'm not sure he wanted to run the faith, so perhaps that's how he got the job."

"I'm not likely to wield that sorry of power in my life," Zoey assures Rorik with an amused smile. "I don't feel the call of the Faith and I was not born to inherit such a station."

Rorik puts his hand over his mouth to cover up the fact that he's whinnying behind it, but the sound is clearly coming from him. It doesn't stop him from pointing his finger at Eirene anyway. "It's behind you! RUN!"

Jaenelle claps for the winners before taking a glass of wine for herself. Now that the game is over, she can focus on enjoying the guests far more. "I am truly amazing at all those who partipated and the level of imagination that showed during. I am also impressed that Mistress Yasmine died so gracefully, though perhaps I shouldnt be, she is quite the actress. I am glad people enjoyed it though, and I can only hope it is clearly the very best!" She laughs at Niklas, "I will be forced to participate only if I am able to secure second place. I have a reputation to uphold now."

Upon hearing the announcement Axel tilts his head, pausing for a second, but nods right after, as if confirming something to himself. He raises his glass in the direction of who --judging by all the people congratulating him -- appears to be Duke Ryhald. "Just means I've got plenty more to learn." he mutters after awhile, putting the said glass up to his mouth for a sip. He smirks and glances over Yasmine, whose, thankfully, living and breathing body is being carried away, only to be returned later, by her own two feet.

2 Whitehawk Guards arrives, following Sapphira.

As one may expect of a glaivedancer, Alessia seems at ease on the dance floor, though allows the Wyrmguard to take the lead. She doesn't try any tricks or twirls, yet anyway.

"That's not true," Sabella says quickly even though Niklas causes her to laugh once again, "But maybe we'll remember that for next year, my love. Perhaps without the rabies it could work. And bags instead of mallets. But this was very cleverly put on and everyone was so imaginative and good at finding the clues! And Mistress Yasmine! When I first came in and wasn't sure what was going on I thought you might actually be dead! But thankfully the Iron Guard wasn't actually here so I knew it couldn't possible be true."

Mihaly lifts a glass to the other winners. "To a mystery well solved, I tip my cap. And do beware of horses with daggers. They are the true threat to anyone who doesn't take them seriously."

Ryhalt chuckles to Mihaly and nods to agreement. "If I see a horse with a dagger, I'll know to run now."

Eirene rolls her eyes at Rorik. She's only going to carry out a joke so far. "If I get trampled to death, I'm sure someone will avenge me. Make a glue in my name, eh?"

Orvyn sidewhispers to Rhyhalt, "But it's invisible... you won't see it."

Thea is quick to ask Calypso,"So..I can get a horse, yes? I mean I'm sure he'd come in handy at some point..." Thea is never one to shy away from bringing home well--anything. With a sip of her wine, she goes bck to talking.

Sapphira appears to arrive rather late, but she's smiling nonetheless at the sights filling the area. Rising up on the toes of her booted feet, she tries to better see about some of the taller guests with a pleasantly curious expression.

Drake checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Ryhalt stares at Orvyn, aghast. "Invisible horses with daggers? Now I suddenly understand all the noble deaths in the past year. Lady Ouida will be tasked how to defend against such a dire creature."

Eirene checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Calypso chuckles to Thea. "If you know where to get an invisible, knife weilding horse, then by all means." She takes a drink. "Just make sure it's housebroken."

Eirene's able to keep a mostly straight face. "If anyone knows, it's Leola," she tells Calypso and Thea. The smirk is kept under control.

Yasmine smiles brightly at Sabella, raising her goblet of wine in toast to her praise. "Why thank you, Your Highness! It was probably my more challenging roles... Doing nothing." she laughs, her eyes widening with fallacious alarm as she looks toward Orvyn and Ryhalt. "Do you think we'll have to beware of invisible horses with vendettas, charging silently through the crowd with daggers clutched in their teeth?" A pause, for dramatic effect, before she adds: "And all you'll know before your demise was the death whinny, echoing through the night."

Thea amusedly hears Eirene and Calypso and nods,"I'll write her. How far do you think we'd get?"

Drake is doing well enough, but he can sense that Alessia's grace surely outstrips his own in this situation. He tries a slightly more daring manuever, twirling her around once, then pulling her back in. "I hope my more beginner's grasp of the art doesn't bore you - I hear the Lycene dances can get... quite complex." He says something a bit closer in as well, but it's hard to hear that over the music.

Opia, a fat unblinking feline leaves, following Mirari.

Calypso snorts. "For all I know, she's really got an invisible horse stashed away in the Lodge somewhere. Heads are going to roll if I step in an invisible horse turd on my way to breakfast, though."

Orvyn chuckles at Ryhalt's assumptions after the comment, but then turns to Yasmine as she asks her question, "Neigh, I do not think we shall have to worry about such things. They got what they wanted, did they not? What sort of vendetta would they carry now?" he muses, thinking this through, clearly.

Hearing the talk between Calypso, Eirene, and Thea; Rowenova chases back a pastry bite with a little wine then lets out a soft laugh. She steps closer, "Bet she does!"

Rorik beams a grin at Eirene and her rolling eyes before he looks over to Yasmine. "How'd you do the thing with the blood?" he makes exaggerated motions with his hands to illustrate invisible blood pouring out of invisible wounds, it's very exact and not at all like his hands are just flailing around.

"What you do is keep a bundle of carrots around you. If you hear the sound of hooves and you can't detect it, just toss a carrot and see if the noise moves away. That should give you time to escape." Mihaly produces his pipe from the inside of his surcoat. "That's a tactic....that I thought up just now."

Yasmine taps a finger against her lips, giving Orvyn's question serious contemplation. "I imagine they'd have vendettas for all the the riders who rode them too harshly. Or, better yet, the overzealous riders and their crops against their rumps?" she supposes, her hand raising in quick wave toward Eirene and Rowenova when she spots two more familiar faces in the crowd.

Poppy is speaking quietly with those sitting with her, but quickly flags down a waiter and grabs a pastry bite. She worriedly glances at it before asking the DiFidante's "This won't be poisoned, will it?"

Calypso's expression splits into a brief grin when Nova comes over. "Hey. It's my dance partner. There's alcohol over here." Which is why she's standing where she's standing. Priorities.

Ryhalt laughs at Orvyn and Yasmine. "A ghostly whinny only the one marked to death can hear. Obviously that's what happened earlier. So moral of today's story, be kind to your horse. They look all kind and gentle, but when they have a knife..." He shakes his heads, having no words for how they transform into vengeful creatures.

"Don't worry," Sabella reassures Poppy, lifting her glass to the other woman, "They only poison people they like just a little! So my husband says. Whenever we leave here and he doesn't feel sick he's always just the slightest bit insulted."

Eirene lifts a glass of wine to Yasmine in reponse to the greeting. "Don't worry," she calls to Poppy. "If it is, we can probably get you some charcoal in time." The medic grins at that and points at Sabella. "That!"

Thea snorts at Rowenova,"We'll have to talk to her about that,but,"Thea does admit,"I am serious about the horse. You know. The VISIBLE kind. If he wields a dagger, all the better."

Niklas looks over to Poppy on hearing her question. "I've been to so many parties here in the Lycene ward, including a tea party wherein the host loudly promised nobody would be poisoned, and I've yet to be poisoned. It's getting to a point where I might be just a little insulted. Or hurt."

"Not at all." Alessia says with a chuckle. "Besides, I wouldn't want my crown to fly off due to not being at least a little careful." She winks, allowing herself to be held closer.

Sapphira bypasses the wine and food making the rounds, instead venturing towards the dance floor to find a poor, unsuspecting partner to waylay into joining her. Swaying lightly upon her feet to the music being played, she smooths out her skirts while scoping out potential victims among the many unfamiliar faces.

Mihaly gives a nod to Yasmine and Rowenova come by. Since he doesn't know them, but clearly know his date, he'll obviously be the polite sort and do his best to not interrupt. Besides, he's futzing with his pipe currently, stuffing it with his herbal snuff. He does takes this moment to say hello to Calypso. "Duchess. Didn't get a chance to say hello yet. Good to see you."

On spying Sapphira out of the corner of his eye Niklas turns and waves to her. "Lady Sapphira! It is so good to have you back in the city. The Bard's College has been all the quieter for lack of your voice."

Waving to Yasmine, Rowenova smiles. "Excellent acting!" says she before grinning back to Calypso. She picks up her second drink here. "Good work on that Drowner boy. You face clocked him so well. Also, good to see you." And, "And you, Lady Thea. Also one a dance partner of mine! And greetings to you, too, Lord Mihaly." Then, she quietly utters to Eirene, Thea, and Calypso.

This is true. Drake wouldn't want to knock off the crown. Now he feels a little more delicate with it. "Now, is there a story behind that?" he asks. "No doubt you have every reason to deserve it, but... I know it's not your birthday." He smiles.

Rowenova mutters, "... Leola ... ... for ... Floppington! It was so amazing!"

After hunting around for fallen foods or even gifted ones, Sir Floppington wags up to lean against Rowenova's leg and looks up to her company.

"Hey there." Calypso lifts her drink to Mihaly as a greeting. "Well done, detective." Whatever Rowenova says gets a quirked eyebrow and a bemused expression.

Orvyn nods to Yasmine at her conclusion, "Well that would certainly be a possibility. Hence why I prefer ships, much more interesting and they'll always let you know how they're feeling." He nods after this, clearly content on his choice in such modes of transportation. "Indeed, one should always treat their companion with some measure of respect... especially when they're bigger than you..." he notes with a chuckle.

Poppy glances at her pastry and those around her. But it's Dante's mention of venom and paralysis that makes her put down the pastry and the bottle of whiskey. "Best to be on the safe side though. Just in case." She laughs briefly though, "I'm not sure I really would take it as a compliment to be just a little bit poisoned. It seems an odd way to show friendship."

With all the noise, it was only a matter of time before a certain wallflower Rubino Duke stuck his beak-I mean-nose into things. Aiden does come onto the scene with his gryfalcon on his arm, but he stops on the outskirts of so much activity. There's a certain amount of bugged out eyes at the crowds. It's true, this former Grayson prince never did well with crowds when he wasn't commanding them to fight. Something like that anyway. The mocha skinned man tries to put a smile on but it quickly falls. It's been too long since he's actually enjoyed the presence of so much CROWD. Ew people. He shifts a step back, then aside, to avoid being bumped or pressed too much to one side or the other. Still curiosity, has him look on.

Eirene just bites her lip as she looks at Rowenova's dog. "I bet," she says slowly, just nodding. There's really not much else she can comment. "Well died, Yasmine. Was there an actual answer or was it all just up for interpretation," she asks.

Sapphira shifts gracefully upon a heel, spinning gently as she hears the sound of her name over the din of music and conservation. A flutter of a wave finds its way to Niklas, and she presses forth towards him and his party with a sunny smile, "Your Highness! Such a pleasure to see a familiar face. It is lovely to be back, though there's so much to catch up, both at large and the college."

Thea blinks at Rowenova,"Huh. That's--"amazing. Thea lifts her drink to Mihaly as well,"If I ever get murdered, glad to know you'll be able to solve it quickly. There's a familiar voice of Poppy. Thea chuckles a bit and asks her,"What is it with you and thinking you'll be poisoned..everywhere. Though I suppose it's not a bad habit. Welcome to the city.."

"I should apologize, you know." Mihaly remarks to Calypso, having just finished lighting his pipe. "I may of poured it on a little think in that letter I wrote you. When I told Mia, she understandably thought I was 'overdoing it'. Granted, she didn't say that, but Mia does tend to get her point across with looks as opposed to statements. Still, I hope you got a decent chuckle out of it."

"It builds character," Lora suggests to Poppy with a tiny ripple of laughter, mirth audible only at a short distance around her. "I do recall there having been a few poison parties. I imagine they don't publicize all the times they go wrong." There's a slowish blink. "Or is that right? Hmm." She collects a glass of wine though, evidently not concerned that anything might've been added to the goblet. To Dante, however, she ventures, "Adder venom? What did you do this time?"

With those soulful eyes, Sir Floppington looks up to the human beings while softly swishing his long tail. Rowenova reaches down and gently pets him, scritching quickly behind one of those floppy ears, and she smiles softly, nodding happily. After, she takes down a wine sip before lifting up her cobalt-blue/kohl-lined gaze. Easily spotting Aiden, she shouts out with her Northern Volume, "DUKE AIDEN! Good to see you!"

Ophelia finishes what's left of her wine and then gives the empty glass to a passing server. With a curtsy to her cousin Jaenelle, the archeress starts to make her way out of the crowd with a certain red-tailed hawk taking flight from his perch and soaring after her.

Calypso laughs, a quick, full-throated 'Ha-ha!'. She beams a grin to Mihaly. "It was an abyss of a thing to have waiting for me when I was hung over."

Ophelia has left the benches by the fountain.

2 House Velenosa Guards, Robyn, an artful archeress, Sir Harrier, a hunting hawk leave, following Ophelia.

Eirene bites her lip as Mihaly mentions the letter. She looks mildly embarassed, grabbing a refill of her wine and a crab-stuffed mushroom to nosh on. The Malvici quickly finds somewhere else to divert her attention.

Zoey is handed a missive which she quickly reads, then sighs. She approaches Jaenelle, drops into a curtsy, then says something quietly to her before prepaing to depart with Rorik.

"Lady Sapphira!" When Niklas points her out, Sabella also turns to beam at the Whitehawk, "How is your sister?! I haven't seen her in ages and desperately miss her! And of course we've missed you as well! The Nightingale must be thrilled to have you back, as my husband has already said. And is that--AIDEN!" Sabella all but shrieks, making a bee-line (bird-line?) for her cousin to give him a big hug, "How have you been?!"

Heimlin, the Scholar, 5 Harthall house guards, Kestrel, the Scholar leave, following Orvyn.

"I'm coming, I'm coming," Rorik calls over to Zoey, giving a nod to both Niklas and Sabella. Jaenelle gets another flourishing bow and a big grin. "If you're ever needing saving from invisible horses again, your Grace," he takes another swig of the flask before finishing that sentence, "I'm your man. Rorik Kennex, don't forget." Then he's off!

The volume that Rowenova gives to his name, makes him do that singular flinch of movement that comes with knowing the spotlight may have just swivelled to him for several of the people in the crowd. The next moment he is raising his hand, to reply back, "Rowenova, good to see you as well! Sorry I haven't been about the city lately, too many adventures outside to keep me caged in. A newborn included!" His eyes slip toward Ophelia as she passes out, mostly because of her red-tailed hawk, brow raising up, "Archibald, see that you ask after that hawk. Hmm." The gyrfalcon gives a little clatter of his beak but doesn't immediately do anything outwardly responsive.

Having stepped away to see that prizes were given to the winners, Jaenelle returns. "If we poisoned every drink served people wouldnt take it seriously when we poisoned them for real," she tells Poppy. "Though yes, we do have parties where we serves drinks with slight amounts of poison in them. Most of us have grown accustomed to it over time." She dips her head towards Zoey to listen before smiling towards Rorik, "how could I ever?"

After spending some time enjoying the various entertainment provided by the Lyceum's finest, Axel finishes his last glass of wine, which he seems to have taken a liking to, and walks over to one of the attendants, leaving it with them. He takes another careful glance over the crowd, noting the people present. He gives Jaenelle an appreciative nod from afar, before turning around and muttering, "It's time for me to take my leave." And he does just that, walking out of the crowd in the direction of the Lyceum Ward gate.

Then there's Sabella! With an incoming HUG. Archibald escapes just in time! Personal bubble.. personal bubble-- omg, squished. Aiden graciously accepts the hug as any awkward bird might, shoulders lifting up and his eyes squinting a bit from the attention. Face flushed, he smiles at her, awkwardly, "Flying high, I assure you, very high." He clears his throat, "You are all the rage in Arx again, so I hear! How're you?"

Merek makes a way to the place of the festivities!

Poppy laughs softly at Jaenelle's words, "I think that is even more terrifying. To grow accustomed to poisons." She excuses herself from her currently company, "I should head home. But thank you for the conversation."

Eirene laughs as she remembers something funny. "Eleyna once threw a party where she handed out drinks Blacktongue had spiked. She warned everyone though. We had a contest to see who could handle them with the least side effects. I remember Luca and Talen seeing little fairies and I heard people laughing at me. Good times."

Niklas looks just a bit dismayed when Sabella mentions Tabitha. "I do miss, Lady Tabitha. I never did get one of her watercolors. They were truly the most remarkable thing. And since she was always a positive person the paintings weren't quite as dim and dreary as seems to be the mode in the city." His eyes widen as he considers something and he adds, "It honestly never occured to me that the Whitehawks were such an artistic group. Between Lady Evonleigh the actress, Lady Sapphira," a nod to her, "the bard and Lady Tabitha the painters. The family has done a lot to beautify the city."

Thea bows her head to both Zoey and Rorik as they depart. "See you both later." She returns her attention everywhere, sipping her drink. "So now that Domonico is moved and Duke, I've realized I can direct a lot of my attention on torturing Martino..." This can't be good.

With volume equating that which she used before, Rowenova shouts back to Aiden, "Congratulations on the little one! And, I completely understand needing to sometimes get out of Arx!"

Now comforted that he'll die from an invisible horse with a dagger, Ryhalt merrily samples the various drinks and foods being offered today. Why not? Live dangerous!

"Oh, I bet. Should've seen me while I was writing it. I was about a third of a bottle of rye in when I decided to write." Mihaly grins lightly. "The first version involves me putting challenge down to spar any of the family for the right. I decided after my second drink that was stupid idea and just do honest." He puffs on his pipe lightly, chuckling at Eirene. "I can embarrass you more, if you want."

"Oh, yes." Alessia recalls that evening, in part anyway. "I don't dance much when I'm as tired.... as I was then." She pulls away, encouraging him to twirl her.

Alessia checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 47 higher.

Sapphira leans over briefly to snag a glass of wine from a passing server before she settles back upon her heels, once more turning that cherubic smile upon Niklas and Sabella, "Last I heard, my sister was well, but I have been out traveling so much we haven't yet had the chance to catch up in person. I hope to, soon, and to reacquaint myself with the Bards. It's been far too long, truly." Then the woman is off after Aiden, her amusement growing as she looks to the Princess' partner instead, "Talent for the arts does seem to run in our blood. I'm enthused to start up some projects now that I am back in Arx. Have you anything planned at the moment?"

"Thank you for your company and tolerating my sense of humor, Lady Poppy. No need to worry about the poison, your whisky and food are quite untainted," Dante reassures her with a grin, then gives her a wave as she intends to depart. "It was a pleasure meeting you, do take care." Glancing over at Lora he sighs in exasperation, "Andre is just too sensitive."

Drake checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Poppy has left the shadowy corner of the gardens.

Calypso finishes the rest of her drink and waves to the people who were standing nearby her, before heading off. There's only so much winter weather she's willing to tolerate.

Eirene offers a half-salute to Caly before pointing at Mihaly. "Bah," is all she says. "I should probably follow Caly back too. Get out of this dress and into something warmer."

Octavian, a silken spaniel, an aid in Kennex livery, 2 Kennex corsairs, Rorik leave, following Zoey.

Valerius seems fairly comfortable with the winter weather, but then he also seems to be plenty warmed by the drinks that he has been consuming since his arrival. With the murder mystery solved, he drifts from table to table and samples this and that from the various fare that is offered, trying a bite of one thing and then another as he roams about at a leisurely pace. He gives a pleasant smile and a loft of his glass to those that he knows, but seems mostly to be aimless in his drifting.

Merek looks around for things to do while he peeks at the place, his golden-black attire on while he maneuvers along through the snow.

"I'm always delightful, Aiden! But never moreso when I hear that there's been another addition to the family, congratulations! You must bring her and her sister to the Grayson event later this week," Sabella enthuses, letting Aiden go once the big hugs have been given and even graciously stepping back so that he can have some space as she beams at him, "We miss you around the mansion you know. I'm so glad you came out for this! Aren't these events just delightful?! The Archduchess did such an amazing job with it!"

"Get out of here, I'll see you later tonight." Mihaly gives a mild smile to Eirene. "Thanks for suggesting we come out here. Should do stuff like this more often. I'll probably getting heading back here as well soon."

To all those who take their leave, Rowenova lifts up her wine flute which is half full before it is soon emptied in one fell swoop. Then, the empty flute she passes off to a passing server before picking up a tasty treat from yet another different passing server.

Drake manages a good spin and twirl... but it's probably because Alessia is graceful, and he is only enabling her. But he's grateful he's practiced these skills before trying to do them in public, since now there's people around and he wouldn't want to allow a lady to slip. He gracefully pulls her back in, stopping when the song stops, and standing just for a moment longer. "I'm glad then to have encountered you more energetic today." He reaches a hand up to her crown, and, teasingly, pushes down on it just once as if to tip it forward... but not enough to actually do so. "It... may be time for the party to wind down, but, it's a week as far as I know, so, perhaps we'll see each other again soon. Glad we got to warm up a little."

Eirene smiles at Mihaly before she heads back towards the Malvici estate, waving a farewell to her friends. "Nobody die, for reals I mean."

Thea downs the rest of her drink, bowing her head to quietly depart. Chances are she'll be back out later. So she smiles and leaves, braving the cold again.

It isn't enough of an answer, surely. Thus Lora murmurs, "You'll have to explain," before offering her husband her arm. Likely this is the prelude to the di Fidante making their exit, as people are beginning to drift in that direction. Jaenelle's mention of the parties wins a look though, and another little bit of laughter. "It's the thought that counts."

Lora takes a woven willow basket lined in white wool.

"The main roles in my upcoming opera are cast, though the mayor remains open, as well as various random townsfolk and the like. Unfortunately this opera and my next comedy don't have much room for expansive casts, unlike my last two comedies." Niklas considers and says, "I'll see what I can do, though. Perhaps if Prince Talwyn drops out you could make a good Angus the Goat."

Carissa, a Malvici bodyguard have been dismissed.

Eirene has left the alcove by the archway.

Thea has left the garden benches.

Finn the large Northern hunting dog with icy blue eyes, Scratchers the red-tailed hawk leave, following Thea.

Mihaly has left the alcove by the archway.

Keeping her head still once the song ends and he reaches to tip her crown forward, Alessia barely suppresses amusement. Though eases once she's sure it's not about to topple onto the ground. "Thank you, my lord." She parts from here before curtsying. "Who needs a cloak when you have a dance partner?" She chuckles.

Lora has left the shadowy corner of the gardens.

Wendy the little brown wren leaves, following Lora.

Dante has left the shadowy corner of the gardens.

As the wine continues on throughout the night, the shadows deepen and the dancers begin to cover the yard, Jaenelle seems rather pleased with the event and doesnt even kick people off her front lawn.