Eirene has the twins with her, both of them looking like they want to go dance. Eirene, as usual, isn't going to dance but she DID wear a warm and cozy damask gown in silver and teal, complimenting her features.

Arriving all on her own, Gwenys does the door hovering thing for a long moment, dressed as usual in leather with her greatsword that might as well be welded to her back. She darts her pale blue gaze around the room a bit before she spies the bar and makes a beeline towards it. Upon sidling up to it, she orders a double of whatever they have that's strongest.

Olivian lounged comfortable along one side of the room, smiling and dispensing nods and greetings to those that arrived.

Caprice arrives dressed more for braving cold weather than for dazzling at a ball - but of course this is just for lessons, so her lack of glitter might be forgiven. Her skirt, at least, is appropriately full and, except for the occasional glance over her shoulder, she does appear pleased to be in attendance. First order of business appears to be greeting the three hosts in turn, and offering to all three, "Please let me know if I can be of any assistance? Unless you're unveiling new steps today, I should be able to help instruct if you need extra bodies."

1 Kennex corsairs, Mary Lucennia, an alluring lady's companion arrive, following Cecilia.

Cecilia has joined the line.

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

With the dancing lessons about to begin, Kaia and her co-hosts the lords Martino and Olivian Malvici would be gathering by the center of the dancefloor. All of them bearing a charming and confident countenance; and seeming scandalously fashionable as always. "Welcome all! Please, do enjoy the refreshments and take a moment to socialize. The lessons shall begin shortly." she would announce.

There's little different to the usual state of the Grand Ballroom, except the chalk squares that have been drawn on the polished floor for the students to stand on.

Refreshments are available by the bar as well as finger food to snack on.

On the large performance stage, there's a band of musicians (and from the way they are dressed, one who frequents the Black Rose theater would know) they belong to the Black Rose. it is rumored they shall be playing the music while the lovely Lady Medeia Eswynd sings.

Lyra casts a curious look at the chalk markings on the floor as she makes her way into the ballroom. The guards that have accompanied her melt away to go and decorate one of the walls where they'll be close to hand but more importantly, out of the way. Lyra's silk-gloved fingers are already working to unbutton the brocade frock coat that she's thrown over her gown to ward off the chill of the outside weather, and this she hands off to some terribly useful person or other that appears to be there for just that very reason. Along with her gloves. A flick of her fingers over her skirts is all that it takes to make the velvet presentable, and noting that people are naturally gravitating towards the food and drink, she likewise heads that way. "Hello. Hello..." Smiles are dispensed generously to those she knows, a wave of her hand to Martino when she spots him, and then a brighter smile to the seamstress when she notes her arrival. "Messere Artiglio. It's simply been an age!"

Jamie Greenmarch arrives in clothing suitable for movement. Suitable for dancing? Well, /movement/ no less. He sweeps his earthy green gaze over the ballroom and steps further inside, not quite sure where to veer toward just yet. He spots Gwenys standing near the bar and that seems like a great idea for a first stop, and so he makes his way toward her. On his way, he gives a respectful nod to Eirene and her children. He also makes sure to greet the hosts and hostess. "Thank you for opening your ballroom today, my lords and lady. I will try not to step on too many toes." He's joking-- but, is he /really/? "I'm Lord Jamie Greenmarch if you wish to keep me accountable." The mirth in his tone and smile is quite clear.

On the stage with the Black Rose musicians, Medeia stands front-and-mostly-center. Her red honeysilk gown shimmers in the light reflected in the ballroom mirrors from the chandeliers, flowing to the hem and fanning out over the floor. A length of red coral prayer beads has been wrapped around the crown of her head, hair braided into an elaborate bun. The fingers of her left hand flutter in greeting at Eirene and Lyra as she sees the familiar faces enter. She's smiling, seems happy to be here, only a little nervous as her left hand rests on the swell of her abdomen.

Cecilia enters with her nonchalance. The navy honey weave of her dress picking up the light of the candles. She came ready to dance. She looks around and stands watching the amazing Medeia. She smiles before looking around and trying to circulate. Many new faces she hadn't seen before. So she waves to them.

Looking down pleased at the chalk markings, the Lord Martino Malvici's lips are curling slightly before turning his chin to Olivian, "Box squares for waltzing in." Nodding his head twice, glancing to crinkle his eyes in the direction of Kaia's floppy hat, Martino's dipping down his torso as guests arrive. His fingertips touching upon his chest, spreading over the neckcloth worn, "Oh good to see you all, ah Lady Lyra Byrne. Lord Jamie." Flickering a smile over shoulder towards Medeia and Eirene, others he'd met about the city already.

"Lady Lyra, stunning as always," Caprice turns to smile her greeting back to the noblewoman, green eyes alight with simple pleasure. You know everyone else here?" she inquires - adding sotto voce, "I don't think that I do, yet!"

Eirene grabs herself a drink while the twins start to go say hello to various relatives, aunts and uncles, and nods back at Medeia and Jamie. The unfamiliar, most of them, are given a toast of her drink.

Thea ventures in, looking well...She's in a gown. For a ball. But Lycene ball. "So...I need drink, but Im here,"Thea greets with a brief wave.

When she finally has a drink in her hands, Gwenys spots Jamie making his introductions and saunters over to do the same. "My Lords and Lady Malvici, I'm Princess Gwenys Valardin. And I'll be up front with you, I'm pretty sure I'm hopeless when it comes to dancing, I'm just here looking for confirmation without looking like too big of a fool." She admits with a self-deprecating chuckle before she looks over at Jamie with a smirk. "We meet again, lord Greenmarch."

"Ah Lyra!" exclaims Kaia happy to see the Byrne. "It's been far too long since we last saw one another. I haven't seen you well, since before I married into the south. How good to see you in the city!~" she notes sweetly. "Cousin Michael, mentioned you had arrived recently." she tells her, and then those wintery eyes (slightly hidden beneath that perfect floppy hat) would meet the Greenmarch. "Ah, a pleasure to make your acquaintance Lord Jamie. I'm sure you'll do just fine! When you attend your next ball you will impress for sure!" she insists.

Olivian smiled and waved at Caprice when she made her way around, "It's so good to see you, Maestra! We really should catch up sometime soon."

Gehenna is fashionably late. The islander is wearing a lovely seasilk gown, and takes a good look around to see who is present. Shedoesn't address anyone quite yet, however, focusing instead to go straight for the refreshments and get herself a nice glass of something strong to drink.

Jamie makes his way toward the bar to collect a drink and glances at Gwenys nearby. "Good seeing you again so soon, your highness. Although I thought for sure our next meeting would be painting with the fealty." He sips his drink to conceal his smile and then pivots to cast his gaze out at the grand ballroom and the fellow guests that are arriving. "Thank you, my lady. That is my hope." he says to Kaia. There's a nod to Thea when he spots her and a slight lift of his glass.

Lyra shakes her head to Caprice, a quiet laughter accompanying. "Oh by no means, no. There are a great many here that I have no acquaintence with. It's a shocking thing to confess, I know, but work has kept me out of the city these past few weeks and people can be so /transient/ in a city such as this. I wager you know far more than I." She snags a glass of red wine from the table and cradles it in the circumference of her fingers. "I did mean to come to you for some winter wear, but I left it too late so brought some of my things from home instead." A pause as another glance around the room is given. "I didn't expect to find myself here today," she adds in quieter tone, "but there's a Grayson Ball being held by the High Lady that I've been bullied to attend." A glance to Kaia as the hostess greets her. She's met with a curtsey and another bright smile. "It /has/ been too long my lady. I believe I was still a Stonewood when we last met!"

Martino has joined the a reflective dance floor.

Eirene can probably box waltz, but she isn't going to make an attempt. "Do you three mind if the kids try their feet at this," Eirene calls out. "Six is big enough to learn more grown up things, and Anisha's been working with them a little."

Kaia has left the cushion-covered seating.

1 Kennex corsairs, Mary Lucennia, an alluring lady's companion leave, following Cecilia.

"Now if I could get you all dancing to come forward." Martino's exhaling slightly, taking his green eyes to the room while stepping forward. His right hand rolling forth as he's slowly inspecting those present and near the dancefloor, "Mmm could I get Lady Lyra and Lord Olivian together... Princess Gwenys and the Lord Jamie, if possible?" Flickering his sharp greens towards Caprice, crinking the corners of his eyes while offering out his hand, "Messere Caprice, if you might?"

Medeia gives a wave to Thea when she sees her, not wanting to lift her voice to call across the ballroom. She looks at Gwenys and Jamie, unfamiliar faces! A mental note is made to greet them after the lessons. Then there is a warm smile for Caprice, and a nod of acknowledgement for Gehenna. Otherwise? She's still just standing there, feeling tall on the stage as it gives her five-foot-nothing stature a boost.

"Smart," Caprice opines to Lyra, "rising to that bully with -fantastic- dance moves," she nods in exaggerated approval. Overhearing Jamie's name by chance, she slants a curious glance his way but then Olivian's greeting catches her, and earns a warming smile. "By all means, Lord Olivian," she agrees with him. "Will you be assisting- oh, I guess you will be," the artisan cuts off with a low laugh as Martino assigns him a partner. She winks towards Lyra, murmuring something quietly before turning fully to dip in a curtsey for Martino and extending her own hand in turn, "I'd be delighted, of course."

Gwenys honesty is met by an ernest set of laughter from the hostess. "Welcome your highness. Even if that's the honest truth, we are overjoyed you honor us with your presence.~" she tells her with a warm smile.

Caprice has joined the a reflective dance floor.

Kaia has joined the a reflective dance floor.

Olivian inclines his head and offers his hand to Lyra, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Byrne."

Lifting her glass to her lips, Gwenys smiles over the rim at Jamie before taking a slow sip. "Indeed, I guess with us nobles all crammed together in this city, it's inevitable to run into the same faces over and over again." She remarks with a touch of amusement. When she casts her eyes over the dancefloor though, her expression turns dubious as she mumbles to herself. "This was probably not my best idea..." But then her name is called by Martino and she looks over at Jamie when she's paired with him. "I'm sorry in advance." She says before slamming back her drink, putting the empty glass aside before holding her hand out a little hesitantly to Jamie.

Olivian has joined the a reflective dance floor.

Medeia has joined the a performance stage.

Gwenys has joined the a reflective dance floor.

Eirene nudges the kids out to go try it. Neither looks enthused but they are obeying, for now. They take up positions across from one another in a square.

Eirene has joined the mirrored bar counter with high-back, cushioned stools.

Ralph the wrecking messenger goat arrives, delivering a message to Caprice before departing.

The line has been dismissed by Kaia.

Jamie takes one last sip of his drink before returning his glass to the server at the bar. Now he makes his way onto the dance floor to join Gwenys wherever he is instructed to dwell. "Ah, yes. I wore sturdy shoes just in case." he tells Gwenys with a grin. If he's worried about what pain she can inflict upon him, he doesn't show it. Instead, the Greenmarch knight pivots toward the intructors and waits.

Lyra has joined the a reflective dance floor.

Lyra hastily claims a mouthful of wine as Martino pairs the dancers up, nods to Caprice and whatever it is she's murmured to her then sets her glas son the table and heads for the dancefloor. "Lord Olivian. I don't believe we've met before now." she greets the Fidante with a quickly dipped curtsey, then takes the hand that he offers.

Thea hangs back, drink in hand. "You all dance. Im sing words of encouragement from her,"lifting her gkass. "Great job everyone,"Thea grins with an impish glint in her eyes

"And so this shall be a simple box step waltz for us to start today. Leads, usually the stronger of the two dancers physically, lift your left hand up like this..." Moving his left hand up before Caprice's right shoulder as he's standing before him, Martino's lifting his voice to the room. "And rest your right on their hip /or/ lower back. Depending on your familiarity with the person. People meeting each other for the first time." There, a firm tone follows, "Maybe keep to the hip for now. In case you introduce yourself a bit too early."

As the pairing begins, Lady Kaia motions to Gehenna to approach. "Lady Redreef.~ It seems you and I will be dancing together during this lesson!" she notes happily. Her gloved hands with gilded claws extending out for the other.

With a sigh, Gwenys follows Jamie to the dancefloor and shifts uncomfortably from one foot to the other as she listens to Martino's directions carefully, wrinkling her nose a bit as she focuses. When he's done, she turns back to Jamie. "You better lead." She offers bluntly, standing awkwardly as she wait for him to get into position. "And the hip's just fine but the way." She adds quickly.

Olivian shakes his head, "No, and I don't typically meet people at dance lessons, but it's an interesting new wrinkle at very least." The tall swordsman chuckled amiably and took up the position with hands on her hip and shoulder, "Do forgive me if I am a bit rusty, I don't tend to get to balls all that often."

Amusement flares for Martino's explanation on the complex art of hand placement; she possibly has her own opinions on it but, not her event! Smiling her own silent greeting towards Medeia, which widens encouragingly for her placement upon the performance stage, Caprice steps closer reflexively to her partner for the dance, her own hand gathering up her skirt just a little, rather than settling on the nobleman's arm.

Both the little Malvici twins claim to be the stronger of the two, making a little squabble. With a sigh, Eirene Eenie Meenie Miney Mo's and picks Iris as the lead. She seems pleased. Idris is sulking as his sister takes lead position. But he complies.

Lyra quirks one brow at Martino's instructions about hand placement, and positions herself in front of Olivian. "A waltz I know," she says with some confidence. "Are you an accomplished dancer yourself? Hopefully we'll get through this one unscathed, though I can't speak with any great hope should dances with faster and more intricate steps be the goal of this lesson." Her hip filling the curve of his hand, she lifts her chin and settles her eyes on his, watching his face for cues as to which direction he'll lead her.

Gehenna finishes her drink and goes to look around for her assigned dance partner and is noticed first, "Lady Malvici, it'll be a pleasure." She offers in turn, "It seems we will. I'm afraid I'm not the best dancer, but I hope that will be fine." She takes the offered hand.

Jamie turns toward Gwenys and is ready to begin the lesson when she is. "Certainly, princess." His hand is offered to her and whenever she allows, he collects hers and steps close to adopt a proper stance after listening to Martino's instruction. The knight's hand rests upon the princess's hip and he gives her a smile -- perhaps just a tad anxious as he does. "Is this your first ballroom dance lesson? It's mine."

"I most certainly would not use the word accomplished." Olivian laughed with an easy shake of his head, "But I manage, for the most part. Thankfully footwork drills are something I'm comfortable with and the knowledge is at least -somewhat- transferrable. I'm sure we'll survive."

Watching her twin cousins, Thea tells them with a smirk,"Dont trip eachother." Looking over to Jaime, she offers a belated wave.

Curling his lips over Caprice's shoulder at the sight of Eirene's Malvici twins, Martino's chuckling lightly in his chest before focusing once more. "Then follow. Please place your left into your lead's right and your other hand upon the top of their shoulder or skirt." Glancing down to the chalk box drawing out, he adds, "See for the waltz's box steps we step to the left, then forward... right... then down." Checking with Caprice, he angles his nose before moving his left foor to the bottom left corner of the box. Fingertips guiding Caprice in the same direction.

'No problem at all dear. The purpose is for all the atendees to improve.~" she reminds her with a warm smile. She helps the Redreef get into the right position and then, they await Martino's guidance. It is after that, that she will signal to both Medeia and the musicians of the Black Rose to begin playing.

This is a lesson, after all, and not a typical performance, and so the musicians begin to play in a way that still fills the room with music, but not so loud as to drown out the instructors' voices. The tune is a simple, yet lively, one that perfectly times out the steps the students are to learn. After a moment, Medeia's voice joins the instruments, lending a playful tale of a courtier in Southport attending a ball to the atmosphere.

After taking a somewhat steadying breath, Gwenys takes Jamie's offered hand and steps closer when he puts his other hand on her hip. Her other hand kind of hovers a bit uncertainly over his shoulder before awkwardly letting it settle there. "Is it that obvious?" She chuckles softly under her breath, as she looks down at the proximity of her feet to his and gulps softly before looking back up. Then she turns her attention back to Martino when he continues to instruct, watching his steps with increasing worry as she waits for Jamie to lead them.

"Oh we'll survive," Lyra assures Olivian. "It's just to what degree our feet accomplish the same." Her left hand gathers her skirts on her left, lifting them just enough for her slippered feet to not be impeded. "Just push me around if I go in the wrong direction, my lord. My father claimed I didn't know my right from my left, but I've proven him wrong on several occasions." And that it seems is that as the music starts and Medeia's voice sweeps over the dancers. "There's another thing I am wretched at. Singing." She doesn't enlighten him further. She's /concentrating/.

Caine Arnasis, a foul-mouthed assistant arrives, following Mihaly.

Medeia checks charm and performance at normal. Medeia is successful.

Caprice checks charm and performance at normal. Caprice is successful.

Caprice is a good visual aid! Comfortable in the follow position, skirt lifted enough to show her footwork to anybody watching Martino for guidance, the artisan's reflexive addition of performative flair doesn't distract from the basic steps that take them around their assigned box - only gives a good example of where students can eventually build individuality into the dance.

Olivian laughed and guided her into the first few moments of the dance, "Well, we can prove him wrong once and for all today, perhaps." A smile tugged at the corners of the man's lips, "Singing is my secret weapon, lets me clear out a tavern in quick order if I am wanting a quieter evening." He winkled playfully, not missing a step in the dance.

"It'll be fine." Jamie assures Gwenys as he follows the dance instructions. He begins to move and is very tempted to look down at his feet, but instead focuses on her as they begin to move together. If he comes close to stepping on her feet? He doesn't notice. Yet. At the moment, he's just trying not to fumble /too/ much. "See? We're fine." he reminds her with a grin. (Maybe he should pray.)

Time for the Magnotta's to make an appearance, the cadet House of the Malvici. Of course by the plural term it means that Domonico has turned up (in his armour as always), holding the hand of his daughter who is in the prettiest dress she could wear. "There you are Palania, you got to go to the ball. Happy now?" Young two year old Palania nods her head enthusiastically at that and beams as she looks around.

Eirene is hanging by the bar, to no surprise, and watching Idris and Iris try to learn a box waltz. Iris is leading, and doing okay. Idris looks annoyed and wants to go do more interesting things like run around the chalk squares.

Gwenys checks charm and performance at hard. Gwenys fails.

Mihaly had heard something about dancing, and of all things, Eirene wound up going? That sounded odd to him, so the Riven one of rare appearances that doesn't revolve around staying huddled indoors, playing the anti-social father. But upon seeing his better half, that's the directions he starts to move toward.

"Thank you everyone. Now right for of the lead, so Lord Jamie that would be you, goes forward on the /inside/ of the follow's step as they are moving backwards." Moving to the back right corner before stepping to the side, the Lord Martino continues to instruct on how to perform a basic waltz with his Lycene tones more clipped. Like he once told someone to do something and they listened to him. And then we come back." Stepping now on back onto his heel, turning his chin to the room, "The action that the lead performed to go forwards? The follow does. So we swap roles for this moment."

Kaia checks charm and performance at normal. Critical Success! Kaia is spectacularly successful.

Gehenna checks charm and performance at easy. Gehenna is successful.

Back. Side. Together. Forward. Side. Together. It's so nice when there's an /obvious/ structure to a dance, or so Lyra believes. She's coping quite nicely with this one seeing as it's entirely danced with a box step and there's absolutely no chance of colliding with other dancers on the floor. Her shoulders lower a little as she relaxes into Olivian's hold and even has time to chuckle at his remark about singing. "Now that I'd like to see. I've often wished to possess the ability to clear a room without appearing to wish to do so."

Gehenna follows Kaia's guidance while listening to the music, she might not be a great dancer, but she's quite good at following along.

"You say that now." Gwenys answers ruefully as she begins to follow Jamie in the simplest of steps. She can't help but flick her gaze between his face and their feet nervously as they makes their first few moves. "Oh, this isn't so hard." The princess declares just before she accidentally steps forward when she should be stepping back and gets her foot caught under Jamie's "Sh...!" She cuts herself off from a true explitive, shaking her foot out a bit with a sigh. "Spoke too soon, obviously." She grumbles a bit under her breath.

"I certainly -could- demonstrate, but I would have to provide you with good earmuffs for your own safety." Olivian edged the complexity up just a little as he added a staccato step into one of the corners, but did it in a way that left it more or less optional for Lyra. "It is nice for when the Saturday crowd at the Black Fox are getting a little too loud and rowdy and the furniture is at risk."

Eirene lifts her glass to her husband. "Mi, you made it," she says with a grin. "I set the twins to the task of being fancy pants." But I'm deference to the ballroom she IS in a dress, her warm winter silver and teal gown she wore though her pregnancy - only better fitted now. "Come to sweep me off my feet eh?" She winks playfully.

Domonico hangs to one side, he's not here to dance oh no. He watches Palania however as she strides to a spot on the floor and does her new signature dance move, getting momentum with her arms and spinning around. She repeats this again and again, taking up an inordinate amount of groundspaxe.

While the instructions continue, the song stays apace for the footwork to follow. Medeia continues to sing, spinning the tale of the courtier. Young noblewomen from across the Lyceum gathered to dance and celebrate, each in turn seeking a dance with the young lord. But while each caught his eye, none caught his heart.

So, maybe they're not fine! Jamie is fairly confident that he knows what he's doing now that he's started the very beginnings of the dance. Or, well. He knows how not to step until-- "Nothing to worry about, princess." he says, steadying her. There's a quick 'thank you' sent up to Jayus when his foot doesn't feel any amount of pain from her misstep. "Look up at me instead of down. Now we're going to try that again, only this time I'll step forward and you step back." Like Martino explains. He's listening! Just a tiiiny bit distracted, but functional. Surely.

Caprice is absolutely listening to the details of a certain noble's past laid bare for all in song form! Thankfully she's familiar enough with the dance at hand that her grinning distraction isn't (yet) intruding upon her ability to waltz with Martino.

It's not just the skills (which are evidently present as she dances and leads the Lady Gehenna in that waltz) but what she's wearing as well that accentuates the whole affair. That large floppy hat, giving her a stylish mysterious air. The jet black fox fur stole resting atop her shoulders bouncing about; and the shimmering necklace of Eswyndol's deeplight coral glistening on her neck with the light. The overskirt, atop those umbra pants, flowing and twirling. A blend of umbra and coral. It was quite the sight. Every step was well measured and precise. She made it seem effortless. Which, in all fairness, it wasn't.

"I came underdressed, it appears." comes the ever-proper sounding response from the elder knight. He's dressed in more of what is considered a military uniform that's standard fare for the house's military; specifically teal and white. "That's a tall order, Eirene." he remarks, exchanging looks from her, to the twins, to the dancefloor in general. "I have the feeling that the children will look like experts in comparison to myself."

"Ah well done everyone... well done." Completing the box, Martino is glancing across in the direction of Gwenys and Jamie, inspecting anything being -too- broken, "All well there? But. Group. You have done your basic waltz. Now to pivot." Inhaling and guiding both he and Caprice across to the left once more, Martino's right hand on Caprice's hip is leaning and leading her slightly back as he's turning on his toes, "Just a small step. We do not want to be taking /extra/ steps to turn. Hence pivot and not stomp."

" My mother made me do this when I was the same age," Eirene replies of the old Malvici duchess long dead. "I never took lessons since, so I'd just make an idiot of myself. We can just enjoy the music, and Deia's singing. " But, alas. No pivot for the kids. Stomp is far more their speed. Now it's a game of stepping on toes, until Iris decides to spin alongside her little cousin. Idris wanders back to join his parents and grumps, sulking for no reason.

Gwenys grasps Jamie's shoulder a little harder as she nods, finally locking her eyes on his face with a little sigh and tries that again. This time she does as instructed and is more successful with the Greenmarch lord's guidance. "Oh yeah, that works much better." She doesn't dare look away from Jamie lest she loose her concentration, but when Martino checks in on them, she calls out. "We're good, no worries." It's not delivered with the most confidence though.

"The Black Fox? I wandered in there when lost the first day I was in the city," Lyra smiles to Olivian. "I thought it had a wonderful atmosphere, but couldn't appreciate it fully at the time. Perhaps I should visit again." Head tilted back she's managing pretty well to follow the steps, and barely hiccups at all when Martino suggests a change of the leads. "Oh. Now /this/ is something new..." she muses as she's suddenly put in charge of the duo. Kaia's hat catches her eye over the Fidante's shoulder and she directs Olivian's attention that way. "Now /that's/ something to aspire to. One day. Perhaps." And on she goes with their box step, definitely not putting in little flourishes of her own a la Olivian-style.

Palania thoroughly enjoys the spinning dance moves alongside Iris, tottering a few times all dizzy like before doing it all over againand again. It's fun to be a child.

Jamie glances at Martino with a nod to indicate they're doing fine (for now). Everything's fine. Yes. The Greenmarch knight listens to the next bit of instruction and then presses his hand against Gwenys' hip just a little more as they prepare to pivot. "Alright, that's better. Here. We're going to take a small step like we're told. Ready?" He moves them along and helps the princess as best he can, making sure not to rush or move when she's not prepared. "Ah. See?" The basics are starting to sink in. His smile is beginning to return as his confidence grows.

Thea watches Palania and her smaller cousins more than she does the others. "Well--She doesn't take after her father, so that's good,"she teases.

Medeia checks charm and performance at normal. Medeia is successful.

Olivian Malvici followed her gaze, a smile coming to his face as it landed upon said elegant hat, "Ooooh, you're not kidding. Colour me impressed!" The man followed her steps smoothly and didn't seek to embellish anything, happy to let her move at her own comfort level, "I tend to be there a fair number of the nights of the week. It's just so conveniently close to home." The man flashed a smile of greeting in Thea's direction as he catches sight of his cousin, "Funnily enough it was also pretty much the first place I came to upon reaching the city as well."

When the pivot is added, the song changes pace slightly - still lively, however. Medeia adds to story, comically noting that while they may not have caught his heart, some of those noblewomen were caught trying to steal a kiss on the terrace, in the hall, behind a topiary in the garden...

"You just keep leading, and I'll keep following." Gwenys remarks as she manages to make it through the pivot with limited trouble, letting out a bit of a whoop of surprise before she composes herself and starts to move with confidence. "Ok, so it's not as complicated as it looks at first..." She's willing to concede as they repeat the steps over and over again.

"I'm not against dancing with you, if that's what you're wondering." Mihaly replies, "I just remember looking like an idiot at the wedding. Then again, I do remember you also saying how little you cared about how we looked." he notes, though going down to one for his adopted son. "Don't let it get to you, lad. Not something proper knights would sulk about. You'll have plenty more chances to dance. Far too many, I'd say."

"I was actually looking for a whole other Ward," Lyra confesses. "My sense of direction is shocking." Her velvet skirts swirl a little with the change of direction in the corners and her eyes follow his when he flashes a smile to Thea. "Oh Lady Thea. Hello. We met before but only briefly. Your brother was offering me lessons." A glance to Domonico. "It's good to see you again, Lord Admiral. You'll have to forgive me for not taking you up on your offer of tutelage yet. I promise you that..." Her voice tails off as the steps take them to the opposite side of their chalkbox. No need to raise her voice, she simply continues on the return. "... I'll do so shortly."

Merek makes a way into the ballroom to look about, seeming to consider the place while he finds a place to settle in and watch the dancing and perhaps get a lesson.

Eirene slips her hand into Mihaly's and smiles down at Idris. "Go grab us some snackies, eh, and you can eat some for yourself too." Looking up again at her husband, she shrugs. "He'll get used to not always having his way." Iris and Palania, despite their size difference, have linked hands and are dancing in a circle as kids do.

"Ah well done... well done everyone." Turning on his toes, pivoting with Caprice's steps as the two more experienced dancers move with some ease in their small chalk box, "Oh we are looking - much - better in place then for the Ball coming up soon." Pausing back in the same position as they started in, the Lord Martino's eyes are crinkling down to Caprice before stepping back, dipping his torso down to partly bow to her, "Now, leads. Please thank you kind follow for letting you dance with them and... we are done. Please do stay to drink if you would like. Or mingle."

"Impressive, princess, perhaps there's hope for both of us yet." Jamie says with an amused smile as they continue their waltz. It needs work, but they're trying! And he hasn't broken any toes, so it's a /good/ lesson. As their steps begin to slow and their dance eventually stops, the knight gives an appreciative bow to his dance partner. "See? We both survived and suffered no injuries. I look forward to our next but, alas, I need to be getting back to the House of Solace. Thank you again, princess Gwenys." He then directs his gaze to Kaia, Martino, and Olivian. "And thank you to the hosts. I will certainly keep practicing." With that said, Jamie bids farewell and exits the ballroom to tend to another engagement.

Merek has joined the line.

"Oh my. Well, I may have been lost but thankfully as mentioned home was close." Olivian also took the chance to greet Domonoico, "Hullo Dom, it's been too long." He smiled and followed Lyra back to the starting point before bowing to her as Martino mentioned the conclusion of the dancing. "Thank you very much, Lady Lyra. I think that perhaps you give yourself short shrift when it comes to matters of coordination. Both of our feet are safe and sound and I enjoyed dancing with you a great deal." His smile was earnest and guileless, all joy and hapiness.

Gwenys bows a bit stiffly when the lesson is over and she can step away from Jamie. "I don't know if I would call it an enjoyable pasttime, but It's not terrible. Thank you as well, my lord. And I'm sure I'll run into you again soon." She adds before making for the bar again to get another drink.

Quill, a Greenhaven ranger leaves, following Jamie.

Stepping back to dip in a low curtsey for Martino in turn, she smiles to her dance partner as she rises, and briefly applauds the other couples - before floating a question across towards the other Malvici nobleman, brows lifting in exaggerated curiosity, "Oh, are you not demonstrating today then, Lord Olivian? I could have sworn I'd heard something about the inverted spider."

Gwenys has left the a reflective dance floor.

The song comes to a close with the revelation that the courtier was chased out from the ball after so many close calls, retiring for the night alone - or so the story goes. Medeia stops singing a few beats before the musicians play their final notes.

Domonico greeted both Olivian and Lyra as they speak to him, briefly taking his eyes away from Palania as she danced with her cousin. "Lady Lyra. We'll find time for those lessons later."

"Indeed Olivian. We'll have to find time to dance on the training grounds."

Palania now was RAWRing as she danced.

Lyra dips a graceful curtsey to Olivian. "Indeed. We are unscathed. Thank you. I think a mouthful of wine is now in order." She allows him to lead her from the chalkbox, smudges of the white powder that have transferred to the soles of her slippers mark her passage and she gives an airy wave of her hand. "At least I can feel comfortable come the ball... so long as waltzes make a showing." A smile is given Medeia as the couples converge, and there's a skew of her smile when spiders are mentioned. "Really? Inverted spiders? Colour me curious..."

Thea smiles off at her family before slipping out. "This was fun,"she says. Watching. Thea obviously means watching. "The rest of you, was good to see you!"

Gehenna is overheard praising Kaia: Excellent hostess and dancer

Kaia is overheard praising Medeia: Wonderful singing!~

Lyra is overheard praising Kaia: A wonderful chance to dust off my dancing slippers!

Kaia is overheard praising Gehenna: A fantastic dancer!~

Eirene is overheard praising Kaia.

Eirene is overheard praising Olivian.

Eirene is overheard praising Martino.

Eirene is overheard praising Medeia.

Kaia is overheard praising Lyra: She danced beautifully!~

Lyra is overheard praising Martino: Back. Side. Together! Wonderful!

Kaia is overheard praising Olivian: An amazing co-host!~

Olivian chuckled, "Inverted Spider? Oh no, there are no dances that I could competently demonstrate that would be suitable for such lovely company and venue. "And you're right, for me this is mostly just feeling more comfortable when at a ball, not that I am there that often."

Crinking his eyes to Caprice, Martino's turning on his toes to make his way to Kaia's left side when she becomes free. Fingertips of his drawing up her arm, his lips mururing lowly to her ear before making his way to the stage, "Ah, Medeia... thank you for that song. How pleased I am to have heard it."

Kaia is overheard praising Martino: An amazing co-host and instructor!~

Olivian is overheard praising Kaia.

Lyra is overheard praising Medeia: Beautiful singing!

Mihaly is overheard praising Kaia.

Olivian is overheard praising Medeia.

Merek is overheard praising Kaia.

Mihaly is overheard praising Martino.

Merek is overheard praising Kaia.

Olivian is overheard praising Martino.

Mihaly is overheard praising Medeia.

Merek is overheard praising Martino.

Kaia is overheard praising Gwenys: She danced well!~

Olivian is overheard praising Lyra.

Merek is overheard praising Medeia.

Merek is overheard praising Gwenys.

Kaia is overheard praising Jamie: He danced well!~

Olivian is overheard praising Gwenys.

Eirene gives her brother a look of WTF. Inverted spider?

Olivian is overheard praising Caprice.

Lyra is overheard praising Olivian: An accomplished dance partner!

Kaia is overheard praising Caprice: She danced beautifully!~

Martino has left the a reflective dance floor.

Martino has joined the a performance stage.

"Off you go, lad." Mihaly pats Idris' should, letting he scramble off, giving Eirene's hand a squeeze. "It'll be two year anniversary coming I just realized. This summer. You'd think two years later I would've gotten more dances in with you, despite my lack of experience with doing so."

Medeia gives Martino a cheeky grin. "You know, I heard it once when visiting Southport and just adored it. Such a /fun/ tale, no?" She gives her dear friend a wink. "I thought it would suit the lesson well." Her gaze passes over the crowd, now giving a wave to Domonico, who she didn't see enter. "It seems everyone did quite well."

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