Into the Igniseri Great Hall steps Lucita along with Estie an Kyllan, Rowenova and Medeia both helping herd them along. The children look around expectantly for their cousins near the same age and start whispering to the older cousins little things like '...is there cake? ...can we have hot chocolate .... Gunther stopped and peed in the snow on the way here. It made a splotch that looked just like a duck!'. During all of this Lucita raises her gaze. "My assistant Micana said she'd either take them back to the Tower or back in the wing with Luis's children to play if they are much trouble. Does everyone here know my darling Sister in law, Medeia Saik, and my protegee Scout Rowenova?"

Scout Rowenova and Sir Floppington happily herd the young ones. The Northern protege of House Saik looking up when she is audibly named. A bright smile with pristine teeth is momentarily flashed to the dinner crowd, and she apparently knows almost everyone here except maybe Amieli, who she lifts up a gloved wave to. It looks like the scouty lass is in a silk tunic boldly emblazoned with a fiery phoenix, and the silk pants she also wears are matte black.

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

Medeia is cheerfully assisting in the herding of her niece and nephew, laughing at comments they make and whispering jokes back to them. She straightens up and puts on a polite face when Lucita introduces her.

Ian comes in a little late, most of his attention on his feet as he paces into the dining hall.

Alarissa is late, held up at the other end of the city by this and that. But the princess is being divested of warm cloak and glove while making her way in. Guards off to sit with other guards and house staff and looking like nothing is out of place. Scards, floral like ones dot the left shoulder and it's an alaricite arm this day as she looks to see who all else has come to enjoy dinner.

Lucita's smile is one of delight as she spots Alarissa arriving. "Oh, it is good to see you. I was just thinking of you and wondering how you are doing." She sheds her gloves and cloak and makes sure the children are doing alright with greeting people. There is a relieved smile when a little bow and curtsy is given Alarissa. "It was a temptation to stay at home and bundle up in blankets near a fire tonight but resisted and here we are."

Ian seems surprised to find Alarissa walking in behind him. He stops and turns around, blinking for a moment, before he remembers to bow to her.

"Much more healed, grumbling at the weather, bundling in furs. Quenia reached out to ask that I attend and who am I to say no to my protege." Lucita is greeted with a kiss to the cheek and a smile. There's a dip of her head to Ian as well "Lord Kennex, no wife I see, in attendance" Then looks to the children scampering about. "I should have brought the children. They're back from Maelstrom. Believe it or not, it's far colder there than it is here." There's a nod of her head for Medeia and the -faintest- one for Rowenova, acknowledgement more than anything.

Medeia recognizes Ian, and hives a deep incline of her head in greeting, "Lord Ian, nice to see you." She turns to Alarissa as if trying to place her. "Lady Medeia Saik, sister-in-law to Lucita and Minister of the Hearth for House Saik, pleased to meet you." She is pretty sure she is supposed to curtsy, but the dress won't allow it, so she gives another deep head nod.

Amieli helps direct the herding in the proper herdward directions, fielding questions and introductions simultaneously as best she can: there could be hot chocolate if you ask nicely; please be careful with that; is it your cousin over there? Apparently the quiet Igniseri has some experience with children or chaos or both.

"Ah-cousin, it is lovely to see you here," this to Lucita herself, but the careful smile encompasses what it can. "And Lady Medeia Saik--you have been well?"

Rowenova's wave is met with a respectful dip of the head, too deep to be a nod. "Scout Rowenoava," words to accompany the greeting. She seems about to elaborate, but spots Ian and Alarissa, finding their way into the hall after Lucita's procession--not quite so late.

"Your Highness; Lord Ian Ah-please be welcome, thank you for joining us."

"Zoey's busy with a project for the duchy," Ian remarks to Alarissa. "I'm on my own this evening." His greetings to others in the room could just as well just be him listing people in attendance for all the inflection he puts into saying their names. "Lady Medeia. Scout Rowenova. Baroness Saik. Lady Amieli. Marquessa."

If it is wished, Nova carefully accepts the gloves and cloak from Lucita then moves to hang them. She looks to Alarissa with curiosity, but then she smiles brightly. "We have 4 in the patron, protege line here, then. From you to Marquessa Quenia to Baroness Lucita to me." She loves that so much and smiles to each of those she addressed or listed before she greets Ian, "Good to see you, too." Then, after he names Amelia as such, Nova looks her way, too. "Good to meet you." She bows a bit before popping back to her full height plus the wolf ears of her pelt headdress.

Quenia makes her way into the Great Hall, somewhat late, and looking flushed. "I apologize for my tardiness. It couldn't be helped." That's all she says on that as she serenely makes her way over to the table and slips into a chair, "I do hope my cousins have been making everyone feel at home?" she asks.

The younger cousins, having been dealt with by all sorts of cousins and servants, having politely gotten hot chocolate and snuck samples of the food, have been treating everyone like family though some of the tutor's lessons show in that they are a little better behaved. After giving them time enough to meet everyone she has Micana take them to Luis's children's area. "I think both they and we will be a little happier now. No need to watch what topic we discuss or wording or worry about 'accidents' with beverages or plates.

3 Scarlet Phoenix Guard arrives, following Yelana.

1 Saik Guard arrives, following Neilda.

Quenia smiles warmly at Lucita, nodding her head a bit. She spies Alarissa amongst the small crowd and her features light up. "Princess Alarissa, how lovely you could join us this evening. I do hope everything is well in the Thrax estate?" she asks. She grins as she spies Ian as well, "Lord Ian. Always glad to have someone from the Kennex family visiting." She looks back to Lucita, her eyes sparkling a bit. "I had the grand pleasure of attending the Feast of Senses the Archduchess threw a few weeks ago, and I do believe she tried to play match maker with myself and Lord Drake. He was quite a delight to spend time with during the event, and we ended up dancing last night at the Fidante party."

Ian bows his head to Quenia before taking his seat at the table.

"Hale and hearty, overburdened by paperwork. Snow has come and so Victus is delighted. He comes in in the morning, covered in snow and roaring about how good it feels, the fresh air on his chest. I just burrow deeper under the covers." No children anymore, Alarissa watches them go before finding a place to sit. "Oh, is there high hopes for Lord Drake?"

Medeia greets Quenia brightly, "Marquessa, hello again!" She'll find a seat at the table that isn't next to Lucita, so she is forced to socialize with new people.

Is she fashionably late? Well. Here's hoping. Neilda comes in, tossing a grateful look back to the guard who provided a helpful heads-up that she was going the wrong way. She finger-wiggle waves at Lucita and Medeia, finds a seat in quiet.

Finn the large Northern hunting dog with icy blue eyes, Rocco, the rascally assistant arrive, following Thea.

Yelana sneaks in, a book under her arm. Dark eyes flicker in search of a whatever table may have something edible. She eyes the crowd, after she had found a wedge of bread, a bit of cheese. Her eyes already eyeing the door again for a possible escape.

Lucita finds a seat at the table and settles into it. "You need a little fun, dancing and such a dinner companion sounds delightful. I don't know him very well." She smiles and then says. "I was making my way toward the shrines and encountered Blessed Avary at Judgment Green. I almost slipped on some ice hidden below the snow and fell at her feet but managed to catch myself on one of those tables there. We were talking when of a sudden a snowball zoomed past my head and plopped on her shoulder. It was Prince Talwyn back in the city and he had aimed at me but missed and hit her instead. Before we knew it we have been suggested to co-write a song for the Templar navy being formed. " To Alarissa she murmurs to the side. "Prince Talwyn is the one who helped me perform at Sungreet. We were there with Legate Ailith."

"I wouldn't say high hopes," Quenia admits to Alarissa. "I've only seen Prince Tyrus the once at the Velenosa estate and then again when he came to speak to me privately about some questions I had after the dinner, and Lord Drake at the two events. I don't know much about either one of them to have formed a solid opinion as yet, or to gauge interest. Nor do I imagine they've formed any sort of opinion about myself. But," she gives pause a moment as she notes, "I have made gains toward putting my past in the past." She grins a moment at Alarissa, "And, there is the faux pas Lord Drake made at the Archduchesses Feast of Senses that had admittedly set me on edge; to wit, he introduced himself as an assassin. He meant it as a joke, not knowing the story of my past."

After hanging the cloak and shelving the gloves (both pairs, including her own), Novamoves to take a seat by Lucita. She happily serves herself a whole bunch of the party food, mostly meats and veggies but cheese and berries are not to be excluded, no.

"Gods, I'm so sorry I'm late,"Thea declares hurrying inside. "I was actually--buried in books, speaking to Count-Consort Evander and well--, didn't realize the time." Yes. Thea DID say she was buried in books. Researching. HA Looking about the table, the younger Malvici greets everyone with a slight smile,"Good evening. I hope you all well,"finally taking a breathing from her apologies.

There's the barest moment of a look from Ian to Quenia somewhere in the middle of her conversation with Alarissa. His expression is so flat that it's hard to read, but something briefly had all of his attention. Then he snorts, gives a slight shake of his head, and mutters 'templar navy' under his breath. Like the ray of sunshine that he is.

Medeia sees Neilda and doesn't allow her to slip in unannounced. "Nel! How's your day been?" She listens to the conversation around her, expressionless until she sees Thea. "Oh! Thea! You are here. Come listen a while."

'Well, the templars are so very tired of borrowing the Victorious, so no surprise that they desire boats of their own. Land of their own and now boats of their own. Will wonders never cease." Alarissa shakes her head to the judgement green shenanigans and nods to Lucita. "Everyone has been busy this last year." She muses, turning as Thea joins in. "And it's a Malvici. Lady Thea, a delight to see you."

Meet new people, she said. And yet, when Medeia says her name, Neilda grins and heads her way. She can find a seat by her sister, and loop an arm through Thea's on the way, too. It is an invasion of schemers, isn't it? "Alright," she says. "Dame Leola came by and did... /something/ with Ringo, and he doesn't hiss at me /every/ time I get without ten feet of him now. Amazing."

"Lord Ian, my cousin Amieli tells me that you drug her off on an adventure. I do hope you made certain she didn't get into too much trouble while out and about?" Quenia queries lightly, then waves a hand in Thea's direction, which quickly goes to Neilda when the other Saik woman arrives. Both receive a warm smile.

Lucita says, "Lady Thea and Neilda, good to see you both. Cousin Quenia always sets out the best meals when she has a gathering like this and the company is always a nice blend of people."

Ian is quick (very quick) to assure Quenia: "Not one of the 'adventures' I get up to now. I'm not dragging your family into that kind of mess."

Thea smirks at Neilda as apparently she's off in THAT direction to sit. "Oh hi Neilda. I haven't seen you since the ball,"looking to Medeia as well. She lifts her eyebrow a touch at her. Huh. Going to sit, Thea smiles over at Alarrissa,"Your Highness, how are you? I haven't seen you in a long while. I feel like everyone has been so busy...,"her head meanwhile bowing to everyone as well. She however is quick to glance at Ian, shamelessly asking,"What sort of adventures?"

Ian follows this up with a little bit of a guilty look in Lucita's direction, because actually he kindof is.

"Oh, not too late," Amieli Assures Thea, appearing there to greet her. And not yet at the table, but following the Malvici there.

"Cousin, ah-hello," and apparently attempting to rope Yelana along with her on the way. "Is it an interesting read?"

So much for forcing herself to talk to other people. Medeia happily settles into the conspiratory trio that is her, her twin, and her patron as she listens to everyone around her.

Quenia checked perception at difficulty 10, rolling 2 higher.

Neilda bows as she pulls out her chair, to Alarissa - she didn't miss the 'your highness' - and greets Quenia with a smile. "Marquessa," she says. "Nice of you to have us all." She shrugs a shoulder at Thea. "I /tried/ to come over, but you weren't home. And you weren't at the Fox, either." She gives her a most suspicious look.

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

Yelana is swept along with Amieli into the social maelstrom, not before grabbing the end of one of the loaves of bread. "Sadly, not everything is a wild and scandalous adventure." She says between bites of cheese.

Ian's response causes both of Quenia's brows to raise, and then she sees the guilty look he sends Lucita's way and they raise ever higher, if that's possible. "Mmm hmm," she comments quietly, but doesn't offer opinions. "Then I suppose I shall have to drag the details out of Ameili later," she remarks, not subjecting Ian to telling stories this evening as she might usually wont to do.

"Nothing too dangerous," Ian promises Thea (but actually he's probably really promising this to Quenia). "I was guiding some merchants who wanted to try skirting the edge of the Saffron Chain as a favor to a friend, and we ran into some raiders on the way back." He looks to Quenia and adds quickly: "Not too dangerous. They barely even knew what they were doing. It was pretty safe. Mostly safe. It was safer than it could have been." Digging himself in deeper.

Quenia checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Medeia reaches for her wine - she has wine, right? - to take a sip and smiles in Yelana's direction. "Lady Yelana, hello again! I have not seen you since we met at the Malvici's. You've been well?" Then she turns to Thea, "You left the feast before me, Lord Drake got you home safely, I see." Another sip of wine. She turns to Ian. "Lord Ian, you mentioned the Saffron Chain? Are you familiar with Baroness Calla Vaevici of Sangris?"

"Well, at least some of the family are able to go off on grand adventures," Quenia does her level best to keep any worry off her face. Just barely. Though she gives Ian a look that seems to suggest she has her eye on him. She knows the sorts of things he gets up to, she's drug /him/ on adventures before. And, maybe, she's sent him to deal with a man eating plant or two as well. "I trust you, Lord Ian," she says gently, though there might be an hint of amusement crinkling at the edges of her eyes for each time he glances from Lucita to herself.

Thea defends herself to Neilda,"I was RESEARCHING!" She shakes her head to her friend, sighing,"Listen, keep that from Martino by the way. He'll just go running to Dom saying he rubbed off on me or something..,"after murmur something to Deia. Listening to Ian, Thea hides her expression behind the drink that was brought to her. Probably wine. Since she's had plenty of whiskey. "I see. Well--I'm glad it wasn't too terrible. Nel has a habit of getting herself in situations sometimes,"Thea teases. There's a look at Medeia and she chuckles. "Yes. The poor man was introduced to the Fidante end of my family last night as well. My cousin Duke Inigo's wife, Duchess Calista." Poor man.

"It was all just guys with swords," Ian promises Quenia. "There wasn't... it was just people with swords." Grateful for the change of subject Medeia offers, Ian gives a shake of his head. "She's on the far side of the chain from the waters I grew up sailing through. Stormward's on the Mourning Isles side. There's a lot of water and islands in between, and even we weren't going to just try to cut right through it."

Lucita stage whispers to Ian. "I think it is more me dragging you into risky adventures at least half the time." She casts a wink his direction and then looks toward Quenia. "That does sound better than those awful dogs we encountered in that cave near Granato, and both Lord Kennex and I were there with you that time."

Quenia turns her attention curiously to Thea when Medeia asks about Drake getting her home safely. "Oh, I don't know. Lord Drake at least seemed to be having a good time when he as dancing with me last night, so I can't imagine he was suffering too much from the party, was he?" She tilts her head and regards Thea in a curious manner. "Plus, he was with you was he not? Surely, you kept him busy."

"I'm /sure/ she did," Neilda agrees with Quenia. "Probably researching for /hours/." Oh look, a drink! "I love sailing those waters," she says to Ian. "Maybe we can compare maps sometime." She drinks.

Thea rolls her eyes at Neilda. But she laughs helplessly. "Gods. I'm sure everyone had fun all around." Absolutely did. She takes a drink now, asking,"What is new? Anything?"

Medeia smiles softly at Ian, a subtle nod of her head at him. "I'm terrible at geography, my lord, and worse at sailing. I've only been as far as Nilanza in the islands. I imagine growing up on the water like that must have been quite interesting?" She looks at Lucita, affecting a stern experession. "Luc, don't make me confine you to the tower! We need you." She softens, though, giving her sister-in-law a fond look across the table. "And, I'd like to take a moment to praise you in front of people." She takes a sip of wine again. "You're truly an excellent leader, and I am honored by the faith you have in me. For those who don't know, Lucita recently appointed me Minister of the Hearth for House Saik, and I will do everything in my power to remain worthy of the title." More wine, changing subjects for folks is thirsty work.

Medeia is overheard praising Lucita: An excellent leader and better sister-in-law!

Ian takes a sip of whatever wine was poured for him. "Most of the time, sailing is about routine," he explains to Medeia. "Boring to some people, but I liked it." To Neilda, he adds: "I'll have to see if Aethan has any of our old charts in Arx. We mostly keep that stuff at home."

After Thea's admission about being buried in books which might be research, Nova grins her way. It is a touch delayed because she was filling up her plate, but it did not go unnoticed! Sir Flop greets Neilda before Nova can, but then she does (by lifting a fork in a wave to her). Then, she smirks faintly after Thea actually says RESEARCH. Ok, more food now!

Lucita's cheeks warm with a rise in coloration as Medeia speaks. "Team effort. Could not do such things alone and Marquessa Quenia has been a huge help, Lord Kennex keeping me alive on more than one occasion. I've had a lot of help from a lot of people and may take a lifetime to return all the favors given.

"Stop it, Nova,"Thea is quick to say to the Scout with a grin. "I DO do research. It's how I found a plant and a few other things up my sleeves." She glances at Ian, telling him with a grin,"I told Eirene I would teach the twins how to sail." This is said to the others as well. Should go well. "Malvici has been busy with--well--just about everything. I rarely see my Duchess these days."

"The only new thing for me is teaming up with a Deathspeaker to talk to the ancient Igniseri dead so we can figure out just how old House Igniseri might be," Quenia says to Thea. "But, you may have heard me saying that to Marquis Dante last night."

Nova sets her fork down and tries to look innocent, looking to one side, then the other (oh hi Lucita!) but then looks back to Thea and grins anew.

Yelana offers to Medeia, with a hushed tone, "It got cold." A grin. "But, I have been well since that little visit." She nods, a slim smile crosses her lips. The lady settles, and quietly watches the banter.

Rowenova says, "Do you have a deathspeaker in mind?"

Neilda smiles. "Thanks," she says to Ian, over her drink. She reaches down to pet Sir Floppington a moment. "I'm sure I'll head back again before long, so anything you can find would be great, and - if not -" she smiles, shrugs a shoulder.

Lucita listens to the flow of conversation, grinning from time to time and occasionally murmuring something now and then to the others.

A thankful gaze is sent forth from soulful eyes by Sir Floppington to Neilda, as he gently swishes his long tail behind him before sitting down next to where she is. He seems to be pretty content there, but he does occasionally sniff the air as well as glance at Rowenova from time to time to be sure she is still there and has not run off.

Medeia smiles at Yelana again. "I'm so glad to hear it. The cold is... something you may come to adapt to." She glances between Ian and Neilda, satisfied that the subject seems to have shifted.

Quenia inclines her head to Rowenova. "I talked to Dame Felicia, and she offered up her sister, Cufre. We'll be working together on this matter."

Ian murmurs something to Lucita, then turns his attention to Neilda. "House Kennex has an interest in pushing further into the Saffron Chain, assuming that the end of the winter storm season doesn't see us in the center of a blasted civil war. If anything comes of it, I'll make sure Lady Catalana knows to reach out to you."

A knife appears, and Yelana begins to partition her block of cheese, before quickly moving on the the bread. Neat even slices. Along with the snack of bread and cheese, a glass of wine is found.

Thea glances at Ian, muttering,"Last I saw Lady Catalana, she was trying to feed me. Telling me I was too skinny." She shakes her head at that, purposely taking a drink. "I personally blame Lord Haakon on that matter." She casually mentions as well,"Domonico finally has his House Swo-er--Trident now. Messere Akamos? Poor many nearly froze his bits. He was wrapped in a sail.." Thea looks over to Neilda, suggesting,"Maybe you can--take him around the city and things."

After what Quenia mentions, Nova nods. "Harrows were who I was considering, so good good. You got good people." She smiles as she lifts her glass to the Marquessa then drinks before delving back into her plate with fork and knife.

Quenia lets out a long sigh. "By the sounds of it I need to get out of the house much more often." She glances around at all of her cousins, to the Saiks, to Thea, and Ian. "Perhaps, in time."

Neilda raises her glass to Ian, a sort of salute and thanks in one. To Thea, she says, "...sure? I guess. Wait, why did he nearly freeze his bits?"

Lucita says, "I think several of us need to get out more often." She glances at her cousins with a tiny nod. "Freezing his bits? You mean Sir Porter's polar plunge? It sounded too cold for me to even think about going to watch."

Nova side eyes Thea, then she darts her own fork out and stabs some meat from a platter before popping it over onto her plate real quick then pulling away, leaving the gift of more meat for Thea.

Rowenova says, "I am gonna go and compete at the plunge!"

Medeia is still here, drinking wine. Listening.

"Dom said I can't take him drinking! So that leaves you--,"Thea's gold-flecked green eyes shift to Medeia. "You." Her eyes light up in the mischievous look like they do from to time to time, explaining,"Dom can't get upset at that." She looks to Quenia, nodding in full agreement before she explains,"Akamos comes from the chocolate island(That's what Thea calls here you guys), and he wasn't prepared for the winter. So--he wrapped himself in a sail and walked to Magnotta manner. In the freezing ass cold." Thea eyes Nova when she leaves the meat and mumbles,"I'm fine. Thanks--,"shaking her head. "And you all are crazy jumping in that freezing lake!"

Nova mehs quietly and then steals the meat away that she gave Thea, before she goes to munch on it herself. After swallowing and swigging down some tea, Nova pipes up. "Luke warm lake, you mean?"

Quenia finishes up her meal and rises from her seat. "If you'll excuse me, I should be going. Do please continue to enjoy your meals and chat. You are welcome to stay however long you like."