Elena, a solemn knight attache, Alette, a discreet lady's maid, Isabel, a calm diplomatic aide, 4 Valardin Knights, Gracious, a hospitable turtle arrive, following Zara.

Alena Sparks, unamused first mate, Silk, the Seafaring Spider, Midnight Sea, an Ostrian gelding arrive, following Evaristo.

2 Laurent trained guards, Cupcake, a cookie girl, 1 Laurent veteran guards arrive, following Mabelle.

The west tea gardens have been lavishly appointed for the birthday of Duke Michael, the preparations for a party that now also celebrates his ascension to leader of Pridehall fully concluded and awaiting the guest of honor. No expense has been spared in providing food or drink, under the careful guidance of Dowager Duchess Iona and Princess Sabella, who stand together near the entrance to greet the guests. Sabella says softly, her smile never fading, "I am sure he will be here. Whatever has his attention must be truly important." Then there are guests! "Hello, everyone! Thank you all for coming! Please come in and make yourselves comfortable, there is food and drink aplenty. If you have brought a gift, do let me know. Duke Michael will be joining us shortly."

Mabelle travels into the West Gardens not completely unfamiliar to navigate toward. She is clad in a purple honeysilk dress, warmed by a very purple coat, a swan torc hiding all her cleavage provides. "Princess Sabella, Duchess Iona, a pleasure to see you both again. I've come to offer my congratulations and..", she taps the box to Sabella indicating a gift.

Evaristo is one of the guests, glancing around with open curiosity before he steps up to bow to the Princess and the Dowager Duchess. "Your Highness, My lady," he says and smiles charmingly. "I brought a little something! Found this wonderful book, it's about leaves - pretty images and everything, I read a little, but really, it's the drawings... Very useful information though. I'm sure he will love it," he babbles cheerfully. "... is that wine?" And he's already moving to find a drink.

Zoey arrives at the gardens, walking in with all the familiarity of someone who calls the manor home. She is light on her feet, and when she is greeted by Sabella and Iona she brightens with warmth like an inviting hearth fire. "Good to see you both! I certainly hope Michael will not be too long, busy as he may be with his new role."

It's with a small rectangular package tucked under her arm, that Lyra finds her way to the tea gardens. She wears a gown of umbra for the occasion, the back of it cut low and criss-crossed with alaricite chains that definitely pays a nod to Lycene fashion. Thank goodness the gardens are housed within an inside courtyard that's protected by a dome of glass, for her outfit certainly wouldn't hold up if the event were being held in the snow-covered gardens beyond. She hands off the gift she's brought for the birthday boy to the servants that are manning the table for such, then turns to start her approach to Iona and Sabella. Emeralds glint at her ears and her throat, and she knots her hands together behind her back as she waits for a gap in the presentations before she makes her own.

Dowager Duchess Iona is all smiles and pleasantries as she prepares to greet the guests. It does not falter as she tells Sabella, in a similar low tone, "I would expect him to be. I would be extremely dissapointed otherwise." Oh guests! "Lady Mabelle, welcome. The pleasure is ours." she would say, both of her hands coming together for a calm gesture. Her eyes falling naturally on Evaristo. "Good man, welcome. I'm sure the new Duke will be most thankful." Then comes Zoey. "Darling Zoey, welcome." she gives a quick glance back to Sabella. "Well, yes. I certainly would hope so."

Mabelle wiggles her fingers to Evaristo as he seems to disappear toward the drink and to Zoey, "Cousin, I hope you are feeling well, you should likely not strain yourself so soon?", she gazes at her in concern for a few moments until Lyra blinds her with that dress. "Baroness Byrne, what a lovely creation. To whom do you owe that?", she inquires, peeking at Caprice who is standing nearby. "I cannot stay long, I fear, I do hope the Duke will show up soon", Mabelle smiles warmly to both Sabella and Iona, "A pleasure to finally meet you", she mentions to the latter.

"Lady Mabelle!" Sabella greets the Laurent lady cheerily, giving her outfit an appreciative look. "That is a stunning outfit, you always surprise and impress." Then Evaristo is there, talking about a book, and she laughs good-naturedly. "I am certain the pictures will help our dear Duke." Zoey gets a hug, with a promise to catch her in a moment, turning to greet Lyra. "Lady Byrne, welcome." Aside to Iona, she sighs. "He always keeps us on our toes."

Evaristo floats around, grabbing some food, a drink, winking to familiar faces, grinning wide and cheerful, even if a bit paler than usual and less spry of step. "Maybe Duke Michael has drowned under all the missives that were no doubt sent to him," he muses. "Did anyone check around his desk?"

Caprice isn't advertising her craft to best effect at this party, that's for sure - her clothing is understated today, likely intentionally meant not to stand out. Mabelle earns a flash of a grin and a shaking head; no, she can't take credit for Lyra's loveliness this time! She joins the line of those greeting Sabella and Iona, remarking to the pair as she rises from her respectful curtsey, "It all looks beautiful."

"Aunt Iona," Zoey says, reaching to wrap the Dowager Duchess in a warm embrace. "We should catch up later over tea. I can introduce you to all of my children! Their numbers just doubled!" Sabella gets a hug and an acknowledgment of that promise, and then she turns to Mabelle. Another hug is offered as readily and warmly as the first two and she says, "I am well, and I promise I am taking it as easy as I must. And I have Ruslana watching the twins at home, so I am only minimally concerned about them at the moment. Have you been well? I need to come by and join you at the lounge soon."

Mabelle smiles easily to Sabella, "The coat was a gift from Michael, I thought he'd enjoy seeing me put it to good use", she winks to her and then mentions to Caprice, "I should really throw a few bolts at your table and beg for an outfit. Or at least a single gown", she winks to her. "I love the hats you made for me recently though".

Sabella bows her head to Caprice in thanks. "Mistress Caprice, I am happy to see you. Thank you, Michael deserved to have a fabulous party. We are so proud of him." Her attention turns back to Mabelle's coat. "Oh! Did he? His generosity, and taste, are exemplary."

Iona nods couteously to Mabelle. A light puff of air at the sound of Sabella's words. "That he does." Then, she's focusing her attentions on her niece. The embrace is returned quite warmly and she smiles at the news. "I would love that dear. I have heard quite a lot about them from your mother. But, that is certainly impressive. My congratulations to you and your lord husband." It is Caprice who catches her eye next. "Thank you, good woman. I do hope it does not go to waste."

Zoey smiles to Iona and then turns to Evaristo. "Hm, perhaps we should organize a search party. I can lead it. I know how treacherous paperwork can be!"

Lyra turns at Mabelle's greeting. "Lady Mabelle. Hello again. It's been an age, hasn't it? No baroness here however." She offers the other woman a kiss to either side of her cheek, the chains that span the back of her dress chiming a little with the forward dip. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. The gown was a gift." A small crinkle is set in the tip of her nose with the deepening of her smile, and then her eyes glitch in Sabella's direction as a greeting is given. "Princess Sabella. Thank you." Caprice gets noted, and she lifts a hand in the woman's direction, a quiet 'hello' mouthed in her direction before she finds herself next in line to greet Iona. "Dowager Duchess. Hello." Her curtsey is deep. "The gardens look lovely, better than I've believe I've seen them since arriving in the city. Everyone must have worked incredibly hard."

Mabelle turns five shades of crimson when she gets Lyra's title wrong, "Oh forgive me. Of course. Lady Lyra", she murmurs and admits, "Whoever gifted it to you had impeccable taste". Embarrased she calls toward Evaristo, "Is that cake?", and disappears in the direction of the table.

Evaristo winks playfully at Caprice, and raises his glass to her in a little subtle toast. COmmoners unite, perhaps. "Oh, a scavenger hunt for the birthday man himself?" he says and perks up. "Sounds great! Maybe we'll find him asleep and we can all scream loudly, startling him, haha." He seems to find that intensely funny, snickering to himself. "I admire Duke Michael SO much. A HUGE fan. He is a LEGEND - he fights like a god," he explains.

Greetings given, Caprice makes good use of her unobtrusive clothing to drift into the background somewhere. Somewhere close to the refreshments. She does catch, and return, the gesture from Evaristo once she has a glass of lemonade and rum in hand, a smile sent back his way which widens in amusement for the suggestion. "Now -that- is a clever party twist."

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Caprice before departing.

Mabelle mentions amusedly to Evaristo and Caprice, "I think if he will wake him like that, We will definately feel what its like to be on the wrong side of his sword".

Sabella gives Evaristo a curious glance. "Are you attempting to dethrone me from being the most upbeat and complimentary?" She smiles a teasing smile and winks before giving Iona's hand a light squeeze. "Shall I have someone bring you a glass of wine to wash down the disap- To celebrate your son?"

Lyra catches a little of what Evaristo says to Caprice and smiles behind a lift of her hand.

"Ah, Lady Lyra Byrne. Welcome!" Iona greets warmly. "My son speaks high praises of you. You are right." she says. An appreciative glance given to the gardens and the staff. "They did. A shame wouldn't it for the guest of honor to miss it. Don't you think?" she asks. Her hands are still held together in an elegant gesture in front of her torso. She overhears Evaristo's jest about a scavenger hunt for the Duke and cannot help but let out a soft laugh. "Oh, wouldn't that be something?"

"Your highness - that is physically /impossible/," Evaristo ensures the princess, laughing out loud. "I am however in a SPLENDID mood - I might even become a little tipsy, despite the healers' suggestion I avoid drinking," he says and he grins at Mabelle there - one of the healers in question. That said, he starts to mingle around and drink and eat cake and maybe join in the search of the lost Duke if that becomes a thing.

"We could send him invitations," Caprice suggests to the group over her rumonade. Lemrum? "To this party of his. And just add personal well-wishes? Then he'll be delivered a guestbook that only requires a bit of reassembly. As a gift."

Alena Sparks, unamused first mate, Silk, the Seafaring Spider, Midnight Sea, an Ostrian gelding leave, following Evaristo.

Sabella's gesture is met with a kind smile, "Oh, please. Yes. I do need a drink. Make it two!" she says, before allowing herslef to a let out a sigh of dissapointment.

Mabelle makes a few of the cakes disappear only gods knows where they go, certainly not to her hips. She moves through the gardens and mingles with some more guests before disappearing into the night.

A servant is summoned with a tray of drinks delivered for Sabella and Iona to choose from - a white wine for the princess. "It may not be /physically/ impossible." She glances around for Zoey. "Come, be my partner in searching out the birthday Duke. Let us search far and wide! Or simply ascend to the overlook, as that is likely where he has fallen asleep." Another glance around at the attendees. "Or perhaps just a thrilling game of hide and seek throughout the manor." She seems in good spirits, even if Michael has been quite Michael today.

A wash of colour lightly paints Lyra's cheek at what Iona tells her, followed by a faintly wry smile. "I'm not entirely sure why. Our first meeting wasn't the most auspicious of starts since he destroyed a map I'd been working on for close to a week, but we've found a middle ground between us. He recently offered me his patronage, and I accepted. I think we might work well together since he's a vested interest in seeing House Byrne succeed." Another curtsey is given, and making way for the next person that needs to be greeted and spoken with, she turns to drift away, to find herself a drink and, potentially, to join in the hunt for the elusive man of the moment.

Zoey links arms with Sabella before they embark on their mission to locate the Lost Duke of Pridehall.

Oho, adventure! Adventure likely not posing a risk of death or dismemberment! Caprice hastily finishes her first drink, searches around for a second, and something edible that travels well as she prepares to join the mobile party.

an immaculately dressed assistant named Johannes, a slightly embarrassed courier called Guido, Cosimo de'Malvici, the Southport banker arrive, following Martino.

Iona takes the two glasses of wine from the servants. One on each hand, and she begins to drink. Like a true northerner would. Her son was already proving to be the dissapointment she had feared for far too long. She would let out a long sigh. "I shall see if he fell asleep at his Suite." The statement echoes across the room in that commanding voice. Another chug at her drink, and she lets out a low mutter 'And he wondered why I always said Lailah would make a better fit for rule...oh, Michael. Michael."

"Mistress Caprice, would you be so kind as to escort the dowager duchess?" Sabella asks, looking around the party. "Lady Lyra, you may join me and Zoey. Everyone! Prepare your search snacks!" And then she's heading out to find the duke.

Lyra is overheard praising Sabella: A great host!

Lyra is overheard praising Michael: It takes a certain arrogance to not appear at your own birthday party!

"I'd be delighted, of course," Caprice responds. Discreetly eyeing the double-fisting former duchess, the artisan pounds her second drink to collect a third for the trip, instead. Must keep up, after all!

Lyra snags a drink for herself, intent on joining the hunt. She /does/ lift the edge of the tablecloth on one of the buffet tables, peering beneath /just in case/. Alas. No Michael there. She trails in the wake of the others.

2 Bisland pride guards leaves, following Iona.

Octavian, a silken spaniel, Ruslana Stormshead, an aide in Kennex livery, 2 Kennex corsairs leave, following Zoey.

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