Maureen, an unflappable nanny, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, 6 Grayson House Guards, Clark, an exasperated guard arrive, following Sabella.

Lisebet is hosting dinner. This is not so surprising, though Harlan is running late it seems. Lisebet is chatting with one of the servants, while Cedric is in the kitchen finalizing the details. The food is coming out to be set up on the buffet for everyone to enjoy. There are drinks already present, along with servants to make sure that glasses don't ever go empty. Lisebet herself is dressed casually, as this is not billed as a formal dinner. "And I think that will do," she says to the servant. "Hopefully the children get to make an appearance."

Anisha Whisper is her, radiant in aeterna, with touches of plant and animal in adorned thread and worn jewelery - perhaps in part to honour the woman on her arm, Sunaia Ashford. The Softest shows her allegiance, as always, with the mirrorsilver mask that rests above her left eye, carefully kept in place. She moves with casual grace, her skirts whispering as her boots click against the floor. "It's been a while," She admits. "But I do so love Ashford Hall - and your family never ceases to be entertaining, darling." She assures her dinner date.

As they move into the hall proper, she sketches a curtsey to their hostess. "Duchess Lisebe - what a pleasure to see you again. I hope you and Duke Harlan has been well?"

Princess Sabella Grayson enters with none of her entourage - they await her elsewhere so she might enjoy dinner in some amount of peace. Her cerulean eyes scan the gathered and she makes her way to Lisebet. "Duchess, so good of you to have me this evening, I apologize that Niklas is not here, but I am happy to fill in! A temporary patron for the evening." She grins cheerfully, and when asked about a drink she requests something white, sweet, and served in a wine glass. As the glass is delivered to her hand, she turns to note Anisha with the dip of her chin. "You are, without a doubt, always one of the most impressively dressed in a room. Good to see you."

"As much as we can be entertaining, Softest Whisper, seeing as though you are probably going to charm circles around everyone. A charm-off --" Sunaia pauses, offering her cousin and Duchess a smart bow. Promptly throwing away the rest of the formality, "Lise!"

Ryhalt enters the hall with a broad smile as he sees his sister with no Harlan again. "That's it, I'm going to make a bet that Harlan isn't going to show up. He's asleep in the tree house or something."

Everyone who is coming will be directed to the Forest Hall, if needed. For her part, Lisebet smiles to Anisha and Sunaia. "Cousin, Softest Anisha, it is good to see you both. Please do make yourselves at home and help yourselves to the refreshments. We are informal today, despite the room. It has been quite some time since we ate here in the Forest Hall, I thought the room needed some use." She smiles brightly to Sabella, and then chuckles. "I am quite certain that even Prince Niklas wouldn't gainsay you, your highness. You are always welcome. Do make yourself at home. I hope the butterflies were well received?" And then there's a brother, and Lisebet forgets formality so far as to just about fling herself at Ryhalt for a hug.

With a softly amused huff of laughter, Sunaia escorts the Softest Whisper to a seat, and will see about getting drinks for the both of them. "Good evening, your Highness." Greeting Princess Sabella. Then, after her, "Duke Ryhalt. Evening to you as well."

After sketching curtsies to Ryhalt and Sabella, Anisha settles into the chair Sunaia offers her. "Thank you, darling," She offers to the woman. "I'll have what you're having." Then beams to the Duke and Princess. "Now, now - Duke Harlan is a charming gentleman and if he should find himself in a tree, I'm certain it'd be of his own volition, with due purpose, and not for a nap." She suggests - looking over the room. "The hall is wonderful, my lady," She assures to Lisebet. "Your choice to host her was a good one." She draws a happy sigh, and smiles to Sabella "A pleasure to meet you again, Princess. I hope the Grayson dinners go well? And I thank you for your compliment - you have an admirable sense of style as well."

"Cousin Harlan's fine -- sides, Lise's got everything she needs handled, handled. Because, Softest is right, the hall is lovely." Sunaia returns with two glasses of black currant wine. Offering one to Anisha before she sits. Once settled, she'll sip at her own.

"Lady Sunaia, of those Ashfords," Sabella responds, a small smirk playing on her lips. "How have you been since we last saw each other?" A nod to Ryhalt. "Duke, good evening!" Her brow creases ever so slightly. "Has Duke Harlan been skipping out on his dinner duties as of late? I believe I have not seen him since the last Grayson dinner." Speaking of which... "Oh, I have had to skip the most recent one," she explains to Anisha, "And perhaps the next. Getting resettled after the trip to Bastion has been more difficult than I had anticipated." The princess sips from her wine glass before choosing a seat.

Ryhalt catches Lisebet and laughs as he hugs her tightly as siblings who are close do when they haven't seen each other for a while. "Good to see you are well. One day I'll make good on that promise to visit more often. What is on the menu tonight?" Hearing Sunaia, he smiles to her, "Good evening Lady Sunaia and Softest Whisper Anisha." He turns his smile to include Anisha. When Sabella greets him he smiles to her, also. "Good evening Princess Sabella."

"Of those Ashfords - the almost one in the middle. The one that's just here," Sunaia lifts her wineglass, dipping her head, giving Sabella a properly entertained toast. "Not too shabby, your Highness. You look lively --" with a quick, close-mouthed smile.

Lisebet smiles to Anisha. "Duke Harlan is very charming, as are his children. I suspect they have finagled him into another story." She looks to Ryhalt, and has to laugh. "Don't make me ask you where Clover is, brother mine." She returns the tight hug, and then pulls back. "On the menu, we have a variety of Oathlands and Crownlands specialties, including my favourite ginger cake for dessert." Of course, if you let Lisebet select dessert, there is only one choice. "It can be quite tiring, travelling I mean," Lisebet says. "Harlan is busy preparing for events to come, and I believe he is taking his duty entirely seriously." Perhaps a bit too much, but it is a stressful time for most everyone.

"Well, Arx is privileged to have you back, your highness," Anisha opines to Sabella, accepting the glass of wine from Sunaia, and taking a sip, before giving the Ashford woman's arm a gentle squeeze and a murmur of thanks. "Well met again, my lord," She offers to Ryhalt. "It's been a while, but I hope Farshaw and Westrock Reach prospers. I'm thinking of seeing another Patron and Proteges night soon enough," She muses. "As for those Ashfords, I suppose at a certain point it becomes necessary to clarify which line of the family one speaks of, mm?" She offers with a little laugh.

Another sip of blackcurrant wine, another little smile to Lisebet. "A fine way for the Duke to spend his time, I'd say. They'll cherish those memories." She concludes. Leaning back, as the menu is introduced. Glancing to Sunaia at the mention of, well, events to come.

"She means war." Sunaia answers gamely, with a single - serious nod. "We're, ah, working to insure the Duchy is prepared." The pause means she can take another sip of blackcurrant wine, twisting the stem of the wineglass between her restless fingers. "Looking into the missing livestock, you know?"

"Oh, the livestock! Sunaia, we have identified that, and I believe Princess Alis is following up. There's a band of shavs working for one of our seemingly everpresent foes in the forest." A pause there, and then a smile. "And I am certain she'd love your help on the expedition to clear them out." She glances around the room double checking who is here and which servants are in hearing range. "I do understand that there are some quite dangerous types there, that will be diffult to dispatch."

"Ginger cake sounds lovely," Sabella says to Lisebet as she comments on the menu. "And the butterfly garden was wonderful. The children were entertained by some alchemical trick Arion Harrow brought along. And I only got a *little* pudding in my hair." A win, in her mind. That many children could have been ruinous. "I am glad to hear you will be one of the models for Count Amadeo's Bravura Exclusive, Softest Whisper. I am looking forward to spending that evening in your fine company. Do you know which designer's outfit you might be wearing?" Her gaze turns to Ryhalt to hear of how his lands fare.

Ryhalt grins widely to Lisebet, taking Harlan being caught in story-time as a win! "Ha! She's probably busy plotting how to get a horde of animals for each child. Much too busy for dinner." His grin turns to a side-ways silly one, saying that probably isn't really what Clover's up to. Looking to Anisha he says, "Yes, we are. Doing what we can to increase our wealth to help in the war efforts." Hearing of the patron and protege event, he nods. "That would be good. I've managed to find one, but I do believe the second one has fallen threw before we even met." He chuckles wryly, but shrugs. Hearing of the missing livestock, he narrows his eyes in speculation, but nods to his sister's answer to Sunaia and looks cheerful at the promised dinner. "Sounds decadent as always, I look forward to it."

Sunaia pauses, head tilted, and her ghostly eyes study Lisebet - listening with single-minded focus. "Oh? The moment passes, she blink, and resumes sipping at her wine. "Might like to do just that, cousin Lisebet. Thank you."

"Oh, I know that, darling. I've been doing my best to help out with the war efforts in various ways myself." She exhales. "Though I know little enough of livestock, I'm afraid. More Dame Leola's purview. Still, if you do need help..." She taps at her lips. "...I don't know how much help I can be with hostile shav'arvani. I tend to do my best work when people are willing to talk," She admits, with Lisebet's addition. Sipping more wine, and giving a nod of agreement to Sabella's assessment of ginger cake. "I believe Svana took the kids to that - I wonder if she'll be teaching the toddlers alchemy now," She muses.

"As for the Exclusive, I admit I've left all of that in the Count's capable hands. I have faith that I'll look good in whatever he puts me in." She notes, then gives a little nod to Ryhalt. "I think everyone is, at this point. There's only so many markets, though." She exhales. "Still, room for expansion. Room for thriving. And room for... Harvesting more of just about everything."

"Speaking of livestock being in the purview of Dame Leola, I really need to speak with her about some of her gentle methods of horse-training, because Westerly is being such a brat. In the worse way." Sunaia sniffs, "That said -- I wonder where the dogs are."

Lisebet does take a moment to murmur something softly to Sunaia, giving her a mischievous grin thereafter, as she waits to see if she gets a reaction. She turns to the rest of the room and says, "I too do my best with those willing to at least speak a bit. It was a good conversation with the farmer, who pointed us in the right direction. but I think now that my part in this little investigation is perhaps complete. The livestock was in fact being stolen for food by the one hunting those particular shavs. I believe that Her Grace Alis will be mounting an expedition along with that hunter."

Tamorin enters the hall, carrying a letter for Anisha, which the Softest opens idly, looking down at it, her eyes widening, and her cheeks colouring slightly. She quickly folds the parchment together and slips down the inside of her glove, then leans in to murmur to Sunaia as well - once Lisebet is done with her. "We'll find Dame Leola quick enough, darling," She notes, with a little smile, and a squeeze. "And I believe I would be utterly useless on any hunt, other than for moral support, so while my offer of help stands, I doubt I'd be of much aid." She concludes. "As for the dogs, you'll need to be a little more specific."

Mid-sip, mid-sip, and she isn't going to try because composure - your name ain't Sunaia - something that Lisebet whispers has her spittaking blackcurrant wine all over her own aeterna blouse. Which doesn't stain. Thankfully. "WHAT? Oh, shit. Spilled my wine. sorry -- sorry -- excuse me. Need to clean myself up, please, Softest Whisper - uh - apologies. Thank you for being my escort." Pink going red. "I didn't mean to miss that!" Now, she'll have herself a proper exit.

Anisha rises to join with Sunaia. "...Let me help." She murmurs. "My pardons, everyone - I hope I get to see you soon enough."

Tamorin, a bubbly Whisper apprentice, Evensong, a twittering songbird leave, following Anisha.

Conall, a huge, friendly sable Wolfhound with bright platinum eyes, Ylva, an impressively-large, silvery Wolfhound with bright gold eyes, Anisha leave, following Sunaia.

Maureen, an unflappable nanny, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, 6 Grayson House Guards, Clark, an exasperated guard leave, following Sabella.

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

Maureen, an unflappable nanny, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, 6 Grayson House Guards, Clark, an exasperated guard arrive, following Sabella.

Softest Whisper Anisha and Lady Sunaia are just departing. Lisebet is chuckling softly at something, and turns, shaking her head. She gets some of the blackcurrent wine as well, and then makes her way to the side board to take some ham and fruit.

Sabella watches as Sunaia and Anisha make their exit, and then takes a moment when Lily, her lady-in-waiting asks her to step out. "I will be right back, please excuse me." She leaves the hall for a few minutes, arriving again with Niklas. "Ah, look, I found your actual patron. I can relieve myself of temporary duties."

As he is guided in by his wife Niklas grins looking to Sabella, "Now now love, I wasn't lost truly. Merly distracted." The man teasing back to the woman before his eyes lift. The man's gaze settling upon Lisebet, "Dreadfully sorry about being late, I kept finding something new to inquire over and contemplate. And well didn't help that Duc kept fainting." An apolgetic smile given to the Ashford as he trie to explain away his late arrival.

Ryhalt nods to Anisha. "Always room for more trade and invent ways to expand it. I look forward to the challenge." Something about what Lisebet says about the hunt makes him chuckle, but it dies off without him saying what it is as Sunaia suddenly has a drink disaster. "Good evening, Sunaia and Anisha." After they leave, he glances at his sister, his grin speculative. "Do I even want to know what you told her just then to produce that result?" Then Sabella's excusing herself, too, but seems just to find someone as she returns with Niklas. "Good evening, Prince Niklas."

Lisebet's look is classically innocent as she glances at her brother. "I just told her who was stealing the livestock," she replies straightforwardly. "Prince Niklas, welcome! Come in, do, and enjoy some of the food and drink. We've plenty for all." Drinks are available from Harlan's well stocked bar, and Lisebet has arranged, with Cedric's help no doubt, a full buffet of deliciousness. "Start with dessert even, if you'd prefer. One of the benefits to a buffet." She nods to Sabella. "You've done an exemplary job with those temporary duties."

"Who *is* stealing the livestock?" Sabella wonders, as she reclaims her seat and picks up her glass of wine. "Niklas, darling, were you working on that?" She smiles brightly at Lisebet. "Oh, good! You were an excellent temporary protege."

There is a dip of Niklas's head to Ryhalt, "Evening Ryalt, I trust you are keeping your sister out of getting into too much trouble." Moments later he is giving Lisebet a look, Only to have that look fade beneath a brimming smile and look of joy. "Ah yes, the best part of a buffet. One can if they feel so inspired exist on dessert alone. And tonight, I feel inspired." A warm smile then shone upon his wife as he looks to Sabella. "I am sure you were the best temporary patron to ever temporarily patron another my love."

Ryhalt laughs at Lisebet's answer and nods, a knowing curve to his mouth. "Understandable response." Hearing the plan to start with dinner he says, "I support this. I'm skipping right to coffee. There *is* coffee?" He glances towards the buffet. At Niklas' hope that he's keeping Lisebet out of trouble, he chuckles, "Afraid not, big brother duties no longer apply since she's married. Besides the more people getting in trouble together the better the fun is."

Lisebet waits until the servants are momentarily out of the room. "Yes, there's coffee, Ryhalt," she replies easily. "And for the record, the livestock was being taken by the hunter who was hunting the shavs in the forest. Those shavs are enthralled to the Traitor." She wrinkles her nose, and adds, "I was there to discover this much, but it's not really something we should speak about too loudly or too often."

There is ham, and so Sabella inwardly groans, but is relieved when Niklas opts for the desserts. "Beloved, would you mind bringing me just a sliver of the cake, please?" She smiles sweetly at him before looking between Ryhalt and Lisebet. "How... awful." She quiets quickly, agreeing on the not talking too loudly or too often thing.

That particular response and answer from Ryalt has Nik giving a nod clearly in acceptance, A laugh leaving the man as he points out. "You would think so, but even with me getting married out I still find myself having to try and keep a sibling or two among the Kennex line from well yes. Trouble. It doesn't always work out though.." With that said he looks back to Lisebet giving a nod, "We will need to talk about it soon, see if some of my suspcions are proper and right. I have to make my way out there and pay some people off even if its the..burned farm incident." With that spoken andd talked of the man quickly distracts himself with the buffet gathering up a plate and begining to load it up with sweets. Hearing the question from Sabella he gives a quick nod, "Of course my love.." A brief pause given before he looks to her asknig, "My idea of a sliver or yours?"

Ryhalt rises from his seat to go help himself to some coffee while the servants are out of the room. A grim cast comes to his features at Lisebet's answer to Sabella and he drinks his coffee. That doesn't stop him from chuckling wryly at Niklas still getting called in to help with sibling troubles. "They probably know I'd just make it worse, so they don't ask for help." He tries not to grin at Lisebet.

Lisebet brings her food back to the table, waiting until everyone is there, to continue the conversation. "It - I'm not sure who would need paying off in this case. The livestock thief has agreed to cease, though I will admit we did promise to send over more livestock if needed." She smiles a bit at the cake discussion, settling down to eat. Occasionally she sips at her wine. "It is rather terrible, especially since I understand that many of the people at that camp, which was approximately 22 people give or take, are beyond our help."

"My idea, Niklas, please," Sabella says, tossing a knowing smile at her husband. "Your idea will have me waddling home." She does not intend to eat an entire cake. She drinks her wine quietly, letting Ryhalt and Lisebet talk some more, the subject darkening her eyes. "That is awful." She's quiet again, thinking. " Duchess, is there anythng Ashford needs? As a house, or holding?"

Niklas nods gathering up the Sabella sized slice of cake on one plate, and the Niklas sized slice on another. The Grayson Prince's idea of that of course meaning he took up the serving plate of the cake he had taken Sabella's slice from before he moves to rejoin his wife at the table setting her slice down and then his own. Moments later he looks to Ryhalt, "So what have you been keeping yourself busy with as of late if not keeping your sister from trouble?"

Ryhalt collects some samplings of everything to go with his coffee and returns to the table. He cocks his head as sudden pounding of rain starts against the windows. "Hmmm... sounds like I'm getting soaked on the way home." He shrugs off the odd sound of the weather and gazes at his sister. "From the way he's responded to us releasing any of them, they will die whether it's by our hand or his." Not the greatest subject to start dinner over. Much better to switch topics to answer Niklas, so he does with a wry grin, "When I'm not managing affairs of the house, I've been spending much time of late in the archives, looking for things to help us in this war and the one brewing out West."

Lisebet too glances at the windows, with the sound of the rain, blinking at it. "I'm sure it was sunny last I looked. That rain must be quick moving." She grins at Niklas' idea of proper cake size, and then nods to Ryhalt. "Indeed," is all she says on that front. "But I do note that Princess Alis is working on hopefully gaining us an ally." She did say there was a hunter hunting them, right? Sabella's question gets a thoughtful look. "We are housing refugees and improving our lands. The Explorers will help to map it out, as well. I am certain we will need some help as we try to clear out those traitors and convince the abandoned to join the compact. Right at this moment, I am not able to think of anything particular. However, I promise to let you know should there be anything."

The rain draws Sabella's attention as well. "My hair is just not going to win today, is it?" She laughs softly and shakes her head, turning a bright smile to Niklas when he delivers her cake. "I appreciate you, love." Ryhalt's note about the archives gets a curious look. "Have you found anything?" For Lisebet, she nods. "When the time comes? I would be happy to lend my voice to your diplomatic efforts. Or help liase with Grayson for any resources or coin needed to complete the tasks if you find a gap."

"She'll succeed." Ryhalt nods to his sister, confirming that Alis is working on an ally to help. As Lisebet tells of the various projects in Ashford he digs into his meal, making sounds of appreciation as he goes. "This is excellent as always." He smiles to his sister. To Sabella's question he sighs briefly in frustration, "Not yet, spent four months and came up with nothing, I have a feeling it's something important, but... I got tired of that, so am looking into some family history instead."

Lisebet nods her head. "I am sure she will, since I met the prospective ally." She leaves it there, turning to her food and munching a bit as she listens. She nods to Sabella. "Certainly," she says. "We'd be quite glad of your assistance." She sips her wine, finishing the glass, and it's refilled promptly. There are several servants refilling glasses so that everyone has enough to drink. "You are welcome to stay if the weather is too terrible."

Nik is more than happy to settle in with /his/ idea of a slice of cake meaning all of the cake save for the sliver his wife has on her plate. The man begining to work on the cake with a gusto and fervor that is rare to see. The Grayson Prince seeming to be able to pack away the cake somewhere either that or he was feeding Jayus by Proxy. Taking a break he looks to Lisebet, "Oh thank you Lisebet, Though unless it's gonna hurt her hair we should be.." And then he hears the storm outside raging further and yeah he just gives his wife a little look.

"On of my goals for the Crownlands is to see it completely settled," Sabella says, meaning all Abandoned would cease to exist - preferably through diplomatic ends. "And, I am hoping to find ways to assist all of our vassals. I know previously I have offered some assistance. This would be a more concerted effort. Solving the bigger problems. If you know of any projects in your vassals that need a strong voice, someone who can get the wheels moving? I want to help."

Ryhalt smiles to Lisebet and nods. "It may be an adventure getting home. We'll see how it looks when it's time to go, but thank you for the invitation." He listens with interest to Sabella's goal of seeing the Crownlands settled. "That's ambitious. Would make things a little more peaceful, if you're just dealing with people who can be moved by diplomacy or, if necessary, combat. Somehow I have my doubts that that is the case, though."

"True, Ryhalt, but if we can get all the rest of the people - those who can be moved by speech and so forth - working on one side, then that will help." She takes a breath and then nods to Sabella. "We will definitely keep you in mind, and I will ask if there is anything." She settles back to watch the others for a moment. "I hope it's not too much of an adventure getting home. Though I can't imagine everyone trying to send messages in this weather."

"I was thinking to get a puppy dog and name it Raccoon, what do you think?" Lisebet adds with a bit of a cheeky grin.

Nik follows the conversation much as he could while working on demolshing his cake before him, the man actually doing a pretty good job of making progess on defeating the cake and its sweet laden temptation. When he hears mention of messengers in the weather his fork lifts and he motions it between Sabella and Lisebet. "And you all mock me for Steve, Steve laughs in the face of such weather. She is a little trooper." The man speaking of the pelican with pride.

Sabella smiles at Ryhalt. "Incredibly so." But she is Princess Sabella Grayson, the People's Princess. She's going to have some ambitious dreams. "Besides, I am not quite so special as many others in my family. My talents are far more mundane - so I deploy them as best I can." There is the slightest roll of her eyes at the mention of Steve.

"Yes, we do need as many with us as possible." Ryhalt smiles, in agreement with Lisebet. At Sabella's claim to mundane talents, he chuckles, "That's all it takes, though, all of us working together with the talents we have and not getting discouraged by perceived shortfalls."

Ryhalt laughs quietly at Lisebet thinking of calling a dog racoon. "Er, I think I pity that dog. If you do, you'll have to get a racoon and call it Dog, just to bookend it." He chuckles lightly.

Lisebet chuckles. "But Harlan has a raccoon named Rabbit. So then I think the children need a rabbit." She grins impishly. It's a silly topic admittedly.

Niklastaking a break from his one man war on cake Niklas looks to Ryhalt, "Never pitty the dog, he shall have table scraps no matter the name. And will still lick his own ass and then try and give your sister kisses." The man offering playfully and in tease as he looks from Ryhalt to Lisebet. Moments later he turns his gaze to Sabella, "Well love, think we should stay the night and not risk the walk back?"

"It is not far, and my clothes are aeterna." Sabella seems content to get to her own bed. "A warm bath and calling in the launderess will fix things right up!" She finishes her glass of wine and very small slice of cake.

"Oh...poor raccoon. A rabbit each? I'm not going to be able to look at them seriously if you call them all like Bunny and Hare. Don't tell Clover, the Aerie will be overrun with bunnies within a year." Ryhalt grins, fond of his eccentric wife. He chuckles at Niklas telling him not to pity the dog. As the Graysons say it is time to leave, he smiles to them, "Have a good evening Sabella, Niklas. It was good to see you again."

"Thank you for coming, and do have a good day," Lisebet says. She then grins at Ryhalt, putting in, "Not at all, The Rabbit shall be named Dog." Then she just laughs, unable to keep a straight face.

Niklas is overheard praising Lisebet: A fine dinner from a fine protege

Niklas is overheard praising Ryhalt.

Sabella is overheard praising Lisebet.

Niklas is overheard praising Arion.

Sabella is overheard praising Ryhalt.

Lisebet is overheard praising Niklas.

Lisebet is overheard praising Sabella.

Lisebet is overheard praising Ryhalt.