The Courtyard is richly appointed this evening with serving staff and several tables displaying the different games of chance for guests to engage in this evening. Professor Orick is near the entrance to the Un-Named Courtyard, handing out loose rose petals to people as they enter and directing them to a table of quills on their way in. "Welcome everyone, please take a rose petal from me to write your name on and on the reverse put your choice for the winning wine. There are four wines available for sample this afternoon, we invite you to try them all and find a new favorite!"

The afternoon sun warms the courtyard but there is plenty of shade to be found at bistro tables or trellis covered benches arranged around the large area. "We'll have another game to play once everyone has had a chance to get settled and have a glass or four of the wine." The wide face illuminating grin Orick wears is one his students have come to regard with a touch of weariness. "Gnomes in their homes!" Is the name of the game, "Do keep an eye out for any gnomes or tiny houses hidden in the garden as you make wine selections."

Hidden under rose brushes, in dark corners, behind large stones, even one on the awning of the cafe area... these little sculptures of houses look as if they were made for a three inch tall man. The detail is astounding but they don't immediately stand out because each one has been so carefully hidden. Many people will notice the house on the edge of the awning first; a perfect replica of a tiny castle complete with a functional drawbridge and other teeny tiny defenses.

3 Fidante House Guards, Santino arrive, following Calista.

Aconite might've snuck in early and is already wandering the Courtyard with approval. The tall Courtier smiles the direction of the entrance and lifts a glass of wine the direction of the arriving guests before she continues to drift about the garden looking for gnomish homes and otherwise making sure she's nice and toasted for the warm Summer evening.

Orick checked dexterity + alchemy at difficulty 9, rolling 28 higher.

Orick drops The Gnome Game .

Wendy the little brown wren arrives, following Lora.

Evander steps inside, folding his scarf up over his chest. He looks pleased to be handed a book and a quill on arrival, rather than something to drink as when he often arrives elsewhere. "Good to see you, Professor Orick," he addresses the man with a nod of greeting. "I don't drink often, so I'm not sure I'm the best person to judge for what the best wine is, but I shall do my best." He looks surprised at the mention of finding gnomes, though doesn't seem to be making any effort to cast around him for any as he moves towards one of the tables. "Good evening," he nods towards Aconite as he passes near to her. "Count Consort Evander Darkwater. Are you part of the college?"

Lustry smiles as she takes one of the rose petals from Orick kindly says, "Thank you." She moves towards the collection of samples, first picking up one of the samples of the Maiden's blush, she sips on it a few times and then swallows after little it rest on her tongue for a moment and then looking for her palette cleanser before moving onto trying a sample of the rose-gold champagne.

Emberly moves inside she looks about and her blue eyes find Evander and she gives a little incline of her head to him before she moves to get in line for her book. She smiles a bit at the game and she looks to see if she can see the gnomes. She waits to get the samples and she tries a little of the cups before she situates herself

Kaia arrives to the courtyard with a curious child-like expression on her face. The petite but always fashionable Malvici thanks Orrick as he hands over the loose petals and offers him a sweet smile in return. Moving, then, to do as instructed.

Orick puts 23 books in Wine Contest and Raffle - Raffle Box.

Orick takes 23 books from Wine Contest and Raffle - Raffle Box.

Lustry puts 5 books in a golden silk backpack.

It's not long before Lora makes her way into the courtyard, briefly lingering just within to brush her fingertips over the petals of a particularly compelling rose, not red at all but pale gold shading to crimson, such that leaves the echo of a smile to curve up the corners of her mouth. It is a smile that lingers as she continues on a few steps, her next stop not far from the host and proprietor. The bow of head she gives Orick is midway between polite and cordial. "Professor, what a lovely little hideaway you've put together."

Evander puts Rose Petal in Wine Contest and Raffle - Raffle Box.

Lustry is soon sipping on that sample of the rose-gold champagne. She hmms softly as it rests on her tongue once more before she is swallowing and once more, finding another palette cleanser as she looks over the sample of torrent with appreciation for it deep rich red color.

Aconite drops into a boneless curtsy as Evander approaches. "Oh no. I don't have the temperment for it. Aconite, a Ward of House Fidante. I am however a follower of Professor Orick's work and an avid customer and donater." She lifts her wine and swirls it in it's glass before quaffing the last bit of it. "It's a pleasure to meet you Lord Darkwater. How about you?" The tall Courtier wonders as she glances towards the Thrax Princess as she arrives and lifts a hand in greeting before trying to snag one of the passing assistants to get her a refill.

Lustry takes 5 books from a golden silk backpack.

Lustry puts 4 books in a golden silk backpack.

Lustry puts Rose Petal in Wine Contest and Raffle - Raffle Box.

3 Fidante House Guards, Santino leave, following Calista.

Emberly puts Rose Petal in Wine Contest and Raffle - Raffle Box.

Evander doesn't seem in any hurry to taste the wines just yet, tucking the book under one arm. "The Professor is an excellent teacher; I'm here to support him as well. It's a pleasure, Aconite." He looks at her glass, then towards the samples. "I'm not normally a drinker." He catches Emberly's nod and returns it with a faint smile as he steps over to pick up one of the samples at random. He studies the color, sniffing the liquid. "Is this how it's done? Color, smell, taste?" he asks at large.

Orick greets each person in stride, saying to Lora, "Why, thank you. You should really try a piece of the boysenberry pie if you haven't yet we'll be selling it in the fall but there are sample slices available this evening." He is still handing out rose petals with one hand, a white wicker basket hanging off his other arm, "So good to see some many students and friends of the College here."

The Professor takes note of Evander's question and he call out warmly, "Just like that, all you need to do is trust your tongue and it will make all the difficult decisions for you on this test."

"I suspect I shall have to procure your talents for something in the near future," Lora answers. "And I will, undoubtedly, now have to sample the pie. As well as..." She trails off as she tilts her head to skim the table yonder, with its various offerings. "...what appears to be the newest product of the vineyards. I had a long time favorite. It remains to be seen if it can be dethroned." And there she leaves Orick, going instead to collect a goblet of the Heart of Tor mead.

Kaia puts Rose Petal in Wine Contest and Raffle - Raffle Box.

Lora puts Rose Petal in Wine Contest and Raffle - Raffle Box.

"He is at that. Are you one of his new students?" She wonders smiling towards Emberly as well. A respectful curtsy given Lora's way as well before she opens her mouth to respond to Evander's question thouh Orick is quicker to reply. "He'd be the better judge, I'm rather fond of all of them." Another glass is handed off and Aconite's quick to librally 'taste' it.

Emberly looks over at the question, her head is inclined back and she moves to sit near Kaia with her samples. "I think I see something ... are we hunting yet?" she asks the other with a twinkle in her eyes.

Lustry moves onto the Torrent sample, sipping on it and again once more letting that flavor rest on her tongue before swallowing and cleansing her palette once more before she is linger by last sample for her to try, the Heart of Tor. After she picks it up, her eyebrows rise up a bit but she keeps sipping on it with a fondness until her sample is completely finished.

Kaia takes her time to taste the various samples, and once she has taken her pick she takes one of the quills and scribbles down her choice on the provided petal. Which is, of course, then thrown into the raffle box.

Evander lifts the sampler, giving a thankful nod towards Orick as he answers. He looks thoughtful, but his expression doesn't give much away on his opinion, as he reaches for the next wine down the line. "New...ish," he answers Aconite. "We have been teaching each other on various matters. I am new to the study of apothecary, however," Evander says, "Though I'm a rather learned scholar myself." Emberly's talk of hunting has him looking her way, but he finishes the samples first, brow furrowing as he writes in neat, small writing and adds his vote to the box. Right as Kaia is. "Lady Kaia," he murmurs, with a half-bow. "It has been some time."

There's another tilt of the head when Lora spots Aconite, this time accompanied by a slight lift of the glass she's appropriated before she draws it to her mouth for the tiniest of tastes. And then a slightly longer one, as though there is some quality to the mead that might change from quantity to quantity. It does seem to have some effect, because it isn't long before she too scribes something carefully onto the petal she was given, and adds that to the box as well.

"Hmn? Hunting?" asks Kaia to Emberly as she seats close to her. "What have I missed?" she wonders, before moving to leave her petal at the box. "Lord Evander!~" beams Kaia once she catches sight of the familiar man. "What a pleasant surprise seeing you again! Indeed it has. I trust you have been well? Deeply inmersed in your books?~"

"Oh you can start hunting but I doubt you'll find any of the gnomes without some clues.." Orick calls playfully to Emberly when she starts to peek around for the hunt, adding, "If want to spot houses though, they are a little bit easier and I've come to find that most of the gnomes stay within in walking distance of their homes." A pause and he adds with comic seriousness, "And they have very little legs."

As others are tasting the samples Orick wanders about to make small talk, stopping by Evander and Aconite, "Have you two met?" He wonders, looking between them, "I bet the three of us could talk for hours about all sorts of scholarly things... one of these day.." He's off again, playing the host and making it way to the raffle box to peek inside. "Looks like it is filling up."

Aconite's gloved hand lifts the glass in return to Lora before the dark-eyes Courtier's brows lift. "Oh? To be a fly on the wall in that room. I imagines the dicussions get lively." She glances around again but seems to be keeping out of both the raffel and the search for the gnomes. "My Lady." She greets Kaia as well before greeting Orick as he walks over. "Oh funny, I have a feeling you'd both leave me leagues behind. You should speak to Princess Thrax about your perfuming business." She murmurs helfully with a tiny nudge of an elbow into the thin Professors ribs.

Lustry perks up as she inquires, "What are we hunting for? I love a good scavenger hunt after all." Her rose petal put into the raffle box on the way to the group chatting.

Evander gives a small smile at Kaia's enthusiasm. "Always," he answers. "I have been working through Countess Carita's extensive collection, though I meant to stock up more for the next winter." His smile reappears at Orick's words. "Indeed, we could. But one cannot call themselves a scholar unless they are open to being challenged on what they believe." His head inclines towards both the Professor and Aconite. Lustry's appearance earns a bow. "Your Highness. I don't believe we've met. Count Consort Evander Darkwater."

Orick takes Rose Petal from Wine Contest and Raffle - Raffle Box.

Once the line leading up to the raffle box starts to taper off Orick unlocks the things and peeks inside at the pile of petals. "I am going to pull out the second place prize name first!" He calls to the room and his birdish voice is booming and effervescent as he runs a hand through the pale pink petals and pulls out a name. "The first name is Emberly, congratulations Emberly.. you win a set of riddle books!"

Orick takes The Great Big Book of Garden Riddles for Terribly Clever People from leather satchel.

Orick takes The Great Big Book of Garden Solutions for Terribly Clever Riddles from leather satchel.

Emberly looks over to orick and she smiles a little as she grins a bit as she tilts her head slightly "very little" she agrees before she looks over to Orick happily her eyes pan to the bos and then to Kaia. "Gnomes... but we need to solve the riddles to find them"

Lustry lightly shakes her head no before she responds, "We have not, I am Princess Lustry Thrax. Well met Count Evander. And which of the samples did you find to your liking?" She then looks to Aconite as she inquires, "Whose perfume business?" an excited grin curling those plush lips.

There's a delighted gasp from Kaia once she catches sight of Aconite, when she's greeted. "Messere Aconite!~ You look lovely as ever! How good to see you again." she states, before glancing back at Evander as he goes on to tell her about the books he has been reading and the ones he plans to acquire. "Ooh, I was just telling earlier to the Lady Yelana Igniseri that I wish to read ALL the books at The Stacks. Seems a bit of an impossible task, truly, but who knows? Have you been to The Stacks Evander?" she wonders amicably. Curious eyes moving the to the Thraxian Princess as she makes her introduction. "Princess Lustry Thrax? I am Lady Kaia Malvici. I believe you wrote to me a while back?" she adds, once it's proper. "It's quite lovely, putting a face to the name at last." Emberly's reply gets an 'Ah' from the Malvici as well as a nod.

Orick takes Rose Petal from Wine Contest and Raffle - Raffle Box.

Evander claps enthusiastically for Emberley, looking intrigued when the Professor mentions riddles. "I rather liked the mead," he answers Lustry. "I could imagine I could taste the individual fruits. Something I don't imagine is easy in a blend like that. And yourself?" He looks at Kaia, giving a nod. "Of course. I have spent many a long day there, in fact. I believe it is where Professor Orick and I became acquainted, actually."

Merek looks about the place and nods to the welcome. He takes one of the petals while he finds a place to settle in and look to the wines thoughtfully to check on each.

Merek gets book from a backpack, made of black leather.

Aconite smiles in fond return to Kaia, "You're kind to say so but I see several here including yourself that are even more radiant than I feel." She replies with a soft chuckle. The Courtiers contralto voice is rich with laughter or perhaps wine as she replies to the Princess, "The Professor. He crteated the scent I'm wearing this evening like most of my others." She reminds Lustry before clapping for Emberly, "Congradulations."

Lustry looks to Kaia with a smile as she confirms, "I did yes! And I agree very lovely to but a face to a name. I have a project I am working on that I would love to get your input on a little. But perferable in a more private setting, I not want to let the octopus out of the net just yet." She looks back to Evander as she agrees, "I do as well. I tend to favor rum over all but that mead was indeed rather delicious. I wouldn't mind acquiring a bottle for my collection I am slowly regrowing." She lights up with realization as Aconite answers, "Oh yes! Of course, thank you for reminding me Messere Aconite. I will ask him about it after the prizes are handled of course."

Emberly quietly listens for now as she sits near Kaia she looks about the room wondering if she would find a gnome her eyes flicker about gently from person to person, though she stays quiet

Orick, eagerly geting the formalities out of the way so that he can socialize too, dips a hand back into the box to draw out a yellow petal, "And the first place winner of the raffle contest is.." He flips the petal over, "Princess Lustry, you win a bottle of the Heart of Tor Summer's Sunset. In fact-" Orick announces to the entire garden smoothly, "Princess Lustry is now the proud owner of the only bottle of Summer's Sunset until the debut shipment arrives for the end of summer. Expect to find it on shelves early next week."

Orick takes Heart of Tor - Summer's Sunset Mead from Wine Contest and Raffle - Wine Samples.

Emberly claps a little for the princess as she gets the mead and she smiles softly "congratulations Princess." she says quietly before looking over to Orick and then Aconite "why thank you and you, and you, and you.." she blushes as she greets those that congratulate her though she looks a little shocked.

"Well done," Evander claps once again for Lustry. "Your collection, even if not large, will be the envy of everyone, Your Highness."

"Congratulations to you both," Lora offers. "Riddles and roses. That seems entirely appropriate, under the circumstances." Her brows lift slightly when Orick fully elaborates on the nature of Lustry's prize, her brows lifting in an expression of what must be mock disappointment.

Lustry giggles in delight as her name is called and moves to join Orick as she responds, "Well this is indeed a happy surprise. Thank you Professor." Then looking towards everyone else, "Thank you as well for the congratulations." She jumps up and down a little bit, "That reminds me, I did want to chat with you after the party about a possible personal scent for myself."

"Ooh!~ Congratulations your highness!" beams Kaia at the announcement given by Orick. A smile shared with Emberly as well. "You too Emberly!" She shakes her head at Aconite. "Oh, you are far too modest.~" she tells her with a sweet smile. Her gaze shifting once more to Evander and offering a nod. "Oh, I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure to be acquainted with the professor." she admits. "Except for having thanked him at the entrance when he provided me with a petal." she admits with a slight chuckle.

When Orick and one of his helpers has had long enough to count the petals he stands up to declare a winner amoung wines, "Rose Gold in third place with one vote, Maiden's Blush in second with three votes and in first place with four of the votes, the new Summer's Sunset." Orick claps for the wine and the winners of the raffles and he gestures to the wine sample case saying, "We will continue to hand out sample all afternoon and you can purchase any of our other vintages at the window. Welcome everyone, to The Heart of Summer, the Sunset Courtyard.." He wrinkles his nose and ehehm, "We're working on it. Something-something summer heart, check back next week to see what we settle on."

Aconiteoverhears Kaia's words to Evander and she smiles to the Count Consort and Noblewoman with a bright grin, "You should make his aquaintance. He's delightful but I am biased. Almost every scent I've ever worn plus the milk and honey lotion I use during summer is all his genius at work." She ducks her head to Kaia. When orick annouances the mead won she beams towards Orick and then looks back to the others she's standing nearby. "How has the summer been treating you?"

Lustry gently hugs the bottle of mead to her chest as she decides to pester Orick about scents later. She makes her way back towards her chatting partners, "Apologies but yes, I do agree I may be the envy of all within arx until the shipment arrives."

The final tally might be what Lora was waiting for. She appears pleased by it, anyway, at least for a few moments, until someone in the doorway of the shop proper catches her eye. What little was left in her glass is finished and she drifts that-away.

Emberly looks at the book in her hand her eyes look down and her red locks fall playfully in her eyes, she stays quiet until she looks for Orick, "What is the first clue?" she asks almist timidly

Wendy the little brown wren leaves, following Lora.

Evander claps once again when the winners of the wine placings are announced. "Names are always difficult. Perhaps you can host a contest to name it, too?" Evander suggests to Orick, perhaps in a non-serious way, though it's not obvious in his expression.

Orick is laughing lightly about something said to him by one of his helpers and then they hand him a glass of the mead, "Perhaps I should? I can probably hosting a naming contest over messenger too, so I don't have to arrange another one of these events too soon." Then he hears the question from Emberly and he responds with, "Thirteen gnomes to honor thirteen ideals, if the castle is Gild... where might petrichor be? Or any of the others."

Kaia lets out a chuckle in response to Aconite's words and nods. "I'll keep that in mind then.~" Her gaze moving then towards the host as there is mention once more in regards to the Gnome hunt. "Oh, that seems like fun. I think I will give it a try.~"

Kaia checks perception and riddles at hard. Kaia fails.

Emberly checks perception and riddles at hard. Emberly is marginally successful.

Aconitemoves off a ways to watch the others look for gnomes. Side glancing at Orick with a bob of her brows as she slinks off to take one of the sample bottles to refill her glass with what is left.

Off goes Kaia to take part in the hunt, and after a good bit of searching through the bushes she yields some results; even if they are somewhat poor. She finds a gnome! A woodland gnome with the symbol of petrichor at its base. He is fat and short with green clothes and a big bushy red beard. "Awww, how cute! I've found a gnome!" she announces, and then covers her mouth unsure if she was meant to announce it or not.

Evander checks perception and riddles at hard. Evander is marginally successful.

Emberly moves around to look for the gnomes, she searches carefully her blue eyes searching and for once the sorrow has left her orbs, and she is searching with a child like glee in her demeanor. She moves on her hands and knees and then brushes her locks of red from her fine features, piercing her lips almost sensually she waggles her rear and pounces nearly cat-like onto one of the gnomes. "gotcha!" she says as she holds up a mirrorglazed gnome whom catches her attention longer then it should. She stares into it a moment and then sniffs tilting it just so before blinking "thank you!" she says to no one... but the gnome itsself. She moves off with determanation and confidence as she finds another, gnome and the house he matches to. A cute little sailor with a caravel house and small pond. "Anyone find a Mirror home?" she asks as she holds up the pretty gnome in her fingers

Orick is watching the hunt with a knowing smile as his slightly intoxicated guests weave around the courtyard looking for gnomes. As he spots Emberly holding up the mirrorgnome he call to her, "Oh that was is hard to find, you have to use him to find his house. Bring him to a dark place and see what reflects back.."

Evander's brow furrows a little. While the concept of gnome hunting might not be particularly appealing, both riddles and theology are things he's interested in, to judge by the way he regards the Professor. Slowly, he steps away and begins looking. It doesn't take him long to claim the first gnome -- one dressed as a little rotund bearded knight, the Count regarding it with some bemusement. The second gnome is garbed in a white room, and his hunt takes him to the herb garden, where he sets the second gnome down inside. "Not yet," he calls back to Emberly, "But if you find a home for the Sentinel call out."

Emberly looks over to Kaia, after a moment, "oooooh I saw his house! its... its.... its.." she pierces her lips and she suckles in slightly as she moves around the room re-tracing her steps. "Here!" she calls to Kaia, "Kaia, your gnomes house is here!" she calls before she puts her sailor into his house.

Emberly checks perception and riddles at daunting. Emberly fails.

Aconitecontinues to watch the others play the game as she sanples more wine. It's almost as if that's the whole reason she's here.

3 Thrax Guards have been dismissed.

Evander checks perception and riddles at daunting. Evander marginally fails.

Evander clears his throat. "Is anyone good at climbing?" he asks, pointing towards a tree branch and a tiny gnome figure suspended there. He doesn't seem game to try and get it himself.

While searching, Kaia comes across a hole in a copse of rocks, it's a very dark hole. "Hmn...odd. What was it that the profesor said about a dark place?" she mutters, but shrugs it off and walks over to where Emberly seemed to be pointing out.

Aconite checks perception and riddles at daunting. Aconite fails.

Kaia checks perception and riddles at daunting. Kaia fails.

Aconitelooks around as she drinks her wine and then shrugs and shakes her head. She wanders over to one of the chairs to drop into it and leans back with a cluck of her tongue. "YOu did remember to put it out didn't you?" She calls to Orick.

Emberly was wandering along looking for the dark places, and she stumbles... and falls "Ohhh I think I twisted my ankle on this....." she pulls the thing out from under her foot though she was still on the ground squinting "its a Sentinal's Tower!"

Kaia seems to be looking about the area where Emberly pointed out and, once she finds the house, she sets the gnome she found in its place. A glance given to Evander as he asks for help with the climbing. "Um, if none else is up for it, I can give it a try!" she tells him with a smile.

Kaia checks dexterity and athletics at easy. Kaia is marginally successful.

Evander steps back out of Kaia's way, watching her climb. There's nothing envious in his expression, giving her a thankful nod. While she does so, he steps over to regard the mirror gnome with a thoughtful regard. He picks it up, stepping over the dark hole, trying to reflect the light down into it.

Getting closer to Evander's location, the Malvici lady gets a good look at the situation. "Ah, I see. It's not a climbing situation, but rather a leaping one. Alright..." she moves back a few feet and then makes a run for it. Taking a leap at the very end she manages to take hold of the suspended gnome before landing once more in an oddly graceful manner. "Phew! That was fun. Here you go Evander.~" she says, handing the gnome to her old friend.

Emberly looks over as Evander gets close with his own hunting in the dark.. she hands him the Sentinal's Tower for his gnome and pouts softly "well if you find the mirrors house you owe me!" she giggles softly as she moves to tickle the count whom just started to reflect light into the hole.

Evander glances up at Emberly, and makes an 'ahha' noise as he glances down into the dark pit. "You actually did fine the home," he says, as he lowers the gnome into the space. When she reaches to tickle him, however, he looks surprised, reflexively jerking away, as if he doesn't like to be touched.

Aconiteis still here but watxhing quietly with a hint of amusement. She seems amused to watch the others but she gives a quick sidelong look towards Orick.

Emberly lets him squirm away and she dips her head in appology, she seems to remember her station for the moment and she frowns a little .. raising and limping to her seat.. she has at least one gnome in its house.

As the game continues Orick, as game master, roves through the garden giving little hints and clues when they are needed to keep the fun moving along at full speed. "Everyone who found a gnome is going to receive a door prize by messenger as well, thank you all for attending."