Much as one can expect of an impromptu birthday dinner, the room's set up is pretty low key. The table is fully prepared with roasts, vegetables and of course bottles of sparkling wine. The birthday girl has already taken her place at the dining room table, right in front of the Judging Eye painting. Though her gaze is slightly less judgy than usual, her demeanor more at ease.

She lifts her wine glass, taking a sip as she waits for her cousins to settle down.

What is more fun than an impromptu birthday meal!? Aside from an impromptu prayer session, that is. Alis peeks in the dining room to gauge the level of revelry and dressup before sliding on into the room to greet her cousin as cheerfully as she's able. "Zara, happy birthday dear cousin. I hope you've spent the day lavishly?"

Katarina is ALWAYS settled down. Mostly because she's walking with a cane on unsteady legs. Having Alis to hook her arm with helps, certainly, though it does mean that the poor injured Suj'abbati woman is dragged at a faster stride than she might have been prepared for. "Happy birthday~," she trills. "If you haven't spent the day lavishly, we may require a do-over tomorrow~."

"Alis, Kat I'm glad you could join me." Zara's gaze drifts to her cousins when they enter the room, though her brows furrow a little as her attention lingers on Katarina's injury. "It's been a quiet day but lavish is a way to put it." She tips her tiara like it's a hat. "I got a lavish new outfit, so that's something."

"If I planned this earlier, I may have set up a ball or something equally grand." She adds ruefully.

Alis is going to keep acting as a brace for Kat until she's settled into a chair, and then will give her shoulder a light squeeze before she heads towards Zara to give a quick kiss on the cheek. "A new outfit is always a good birthday present to yourself. And you always look gorgeous." she promises. "I'm sorry I didn't remember to set up a ball /for/ you; and I'd say I'll be glad when this latest military engagement is over so I can focus on things like that. But, I would be lying if we pretended I was /ever/ good at doing social things. So! I'm glad you put together a dinner. Family and friends is just perfect." She will give a little nod then, as if agreeing with herself (in case nobody else does), and take her own seat before pouring some sparkling wine.

Katarina is limping pretty badly but a wide enough gown covers the actual pathetic part of her gait. She just seems a bit herky-jerky, really, especially when she disentangles from Alis so that she can get back /up/ from the chair and stubbornly follow to give Zara a kiss on the cheek as well. (This involves tucking her veil aside for a moment.) "You look amazing," Katarina says. "And nothing could be worse than the one birthday I had... oh, we will not even revisit the humiliation of that memory. Instead, we will focus on YOU~." Katarina grins behind the veil and moves to sit back down, next to Alis. "What we must find out is what you /want/ as your present, now that my sister is on hand to feel obligated to pay for it~."

"Thank you." The corners of Zara's lips quirk upward, as she returns their greeting kisses. Though she doesn't bask in the vanity for long, piling food onto her plate. "It's easier to hold grand events relating to feast days or some other charitable endeavor." She muses. "Something as personal as a birthday... an intimate affair is probably the best." She turns to Katarina. "Oh no, your company is all the gift I need. Plus I've spoiled myself enough for the past couple of weeks." Her eyes sparkle as she glances at Alis. "What do you think? Should we goad her into sharing a birthday story?"

Jasper, an unflappable scoundrel, Aspen, a pale seraphinite green snake arrive, following Deva.

Alis receives a missive in the midst of all this of course, her lips curling upward into a smile. "Princess Deva will be joining us shortly." is noted, sounding cheerful about that even though she makes a face at Katarina for her stubbornness. "Well, now I feel a little over the top for having done a gauntlet tournament on my birthday." is admitted, nose wrinkling a bit. "But that's alright since it all went to charity, right? Besides..." a patently false nod of solemnity is given Zara at her suggestion. "... Katarina must have the best birthday stories and so she should definitely share."

Katarina, safely in her seat, lifts a hand to wave away. "It is not even a funny story, it is just sad. When the first waves of refugees from the Dune Kingdoms arrived... my planned lavish party became... difficult to secure vendors for. I am glad that things have changed, even somewhat." Katarina breathes out, making her veil flutter. "Allow me to distract you from asking further~. I have proposed marriage."

"It's just my way of justifying why I've failed in my party planning duties." Zara says to Alis as she cuts the lamb on her plate. "Besides, the joust was an enjoyable event and as you said, charity." Her brows shoot up when Katarina makes her announcement, successfully distracting her from the question of sad birthdays. "Oh? Marriage to whom?" She turns to Alis, to gauge her reaction.

There's surely more than enough wine already at the Valardin estate, but Deva brings it upon herself to carry four bottles in her wrapped arms, gently cradled against her chest. The hood of her cloak is dusted with snow, and she hasn't had a chance to draw it back yet. "Hi! Happy Birthday, Princess Zara. I raided our cellar." She sounds a little breathless, probably from the zippy trek over. The bottles are noisy as she tries to gently put them on the table, but one gets loose and tilted in the process until she can set it to rights again. It's a precarious task, balancing them again. Only then does she look up with a proud smile and wedge herself into the conversation. "That's a good thing, right?" she attempts to clarify regarding marriage with a curious look toward Katarina.

Jenkins, an armed champion arrives, following Nazmir.

Treb, a restless direhorn, Rascal, a large striped skunk, Dash, a Kite of the Cloudspine, Nazmir arrive, following Ivy.

Well yeah, that's a suitable distraction. Both the announcement and the wine-toting Redrain, that is. "A bottle for each of us! Excellent plan." she exclaims, with a wink. "Fill your plate and your cup, and try not to stare at the walls, it will make you nauseous." she suggests, with a wry smile, before turning to Katarina again. "To the person who told me you were considering proposing to? What was the answer? And is that a hint to start contract negotiations?" SHe wants to eyeball Zara for that. But it's her birthday; she'll wait until at least tomorrow to put that on her plate.

Katarina watches as Deva enters, wine in hand. "Most gracious of you, Princess Deva," she purrs, her veiled face still offering golden eyes that gleam with something like approval. "And yes, I think it is a good thing -- and a hint," Katarina says as she looks to Alis, then Zara. She pauses a moment, and then stands up with the aid of her cane, to lope toward Zara. "It is Princess Zara's birthday -- and this betrothal is one not yet committed to a contract -- so for today, at least, it is Zara's to know." And so Katarina leans in, and whispers.

Zara drops Lemon and Cream Chocolate Cake.

"Wow, you're right, that worked out nicely," Deva laughs -- maybe too much -- as she sinks into a chair by Alis. As she settles in close proximity to the ladies already present, those with sharp noses and a familiarity with the scandalous activities of the youth may recognize she smells faintly of haze. Some scents are just hard to get out of one's hair.

There's the sound of footfalls approaching the dining room, a dual set of them by the sounds of it and they are accompanied by the sound of voices. Just as Nazmir and Ivy make their appearance, her arm looped in amongst his, the large Prince takes stock of the room with a sweep of his eyes about the area, only for him to then bellow out, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" He's got a bottle in his free hand, "And I apologize for only gifting a bottle of whiskey, but I was caught unprepared to attend a birthday party. I shall make amends!"

"Well, of course, I'll be happy to start the negotiations as soon as you wish." Zara seems to have no issue with this, her features placid at the subject. Though the implication is of course, 'not right now'. She glances up as Deva enters the room. "Your highness, how lovely of you to join us. Alis mentioned you'd be coming. How have you been?" She seems a little concerned, holding out a hand to steady Katarina as she whispers. There's a nod at this, though she doesn't say anything, taken by deep thoughts. That is until more guests arrive -and- a cake. A chocolate tiered cake courtesy of Lady Kaia Malvici. "Thank you! Please be welcome. And no gifts necessary but I am grateful nonetheless." She gestures to the seats at the table. "Kat, please sit down, this can't be comfortable for you."

Alis slumps in her chair when the cake is brought in; but it's a good slump. The kind of slump that's like 'i can die happy now with that cake', except ... not. She's rather not die, but that's irrelevant really. "Ah! Welcome. Lady Ivy, Prince Nazmir. I hope she is introducing you slowly to the Oathlands; I realize it can be a shock to the system to be confronted with it all at once." is teased mildly, without only one small glance at the awful walls. Again. "Are there any party games you'd like to play, cousin? It's /your/ birthday after all. Should we try 'guess how long Kat can stand before she finally sits down because she's stubborn?'" Kat gets a stare, of course.

"If you guessed longer than a few moments, sister," Katarina says, as she shuffles back to her seat, "you lose." Katarina sits down, shifting herself into a position of comfort, just in time to greet Ivy and Nazmir. "Lady Ivy. Prince Nazmir. Congratulations to the both of you~."

Ivy chuckles at Nazmir's greeting, looking towards the women gathered and offers, "Happy birthday, Your Highness. We wanted to stop in and offer our well-wishes and I wanted to introduce Naz to the lovely ladies of Valardin." Deva gets a grin and a brief wink, "We keep running into each other, Your Highness. It must be fate." Then she's moving towards Kat, bending in to wrap her into a bracing hug, pressing a kiss to her cheek, "Princess Katarina, you look lovely." Giving her time to steady, she pulls back slowly to offer a bow and a warm smile for Zara, "Happy birthday, Your Highness. You look lovely and that cake looks amazing." Then to Alis, she gives a nod and smile, "Your Grace. I've thrown him into the deep end without hesitation or apology." She chuckles and turns a warm smile back to Nazmir, "But he's proven to be an excellent swimmer." She nods to Katarin and smiles, "Thank you."

"Oh, you know, just-- settling in," Deva tells Zara cheerfully. "The city is the same in so many ways, and completely different in others. Adjusting has been a shock. But! I'm glad to be here. How about you?" she wonders, smiling wide as others arrive. And the cake. Ohhh, the cake. She gawks. There's a look of curious concern as KAtarina moves and sits, but questions are for now kept at bay. "It's just one of those nights, right?" she laughs, flashing a smile at Ivy and Nazmir. For some reason, she seems remarkably more at ease than when last sighted in the evening.

Nazmir turns his attention first to Zara, a smile dancing to his lips as he gives a shake of his head, "Nonsense. I shall have a proper gift prepared and delivered with my apology. But regardless, I hope your birthday is a good one, Your Highness." Then, he's turning his attention over towards Alis, a chuckle coming to be offered, "Your Grace, I fear that I will be the shock to the Oathlands and not the other way around. I apologize in advance for any of my Northern ways that happen to cause issue." There's a touch of a tease there, accompanied by a warm smile before he's looking to Katarina, "And Princess Katarina! Good to see you and thank you, very much." Deva gets a little waggle of fingers in greeting, along with a smile, "Cousin."

Reading over the note that came with the cake, Zara's eyes seem to warm as she hands it back to the messenger. "I'll be sure to express my gratitude to Lady Kaia." She assures them before turning to regard Nazmir. "It's a pleasure to meet you, your highness. In the interest of getting to know one another, a social game seems more than appropriate. What do we think, never have I ever? Two truths and a lie? Who said that?" She lists off the options. Then to Ivy. "Thank you, my lady. I hope he only has the greatest things to say of us Oathlanders by the time the night is done."

"It's lemon and chocolate. Who doesn't like lemon and chocolate, right?" Alis murmurs at Deva, because there must be commiseration over that confection honestly. "Which wine will go best." She begins scrutinizing the bottle for any tasting notes. "I hope you at least stock up on fortifying whiskey for him then." is joked at Ivy before she smiles at Nazmir. "My Uncle is Redrain, and many cousins." a nod is given to Deva as well there. "I do hope you will settle in nicely. And we keep a constantly supply of whiskey for my husband the Greenmarcher. He claims their blood if fully half of that alcohol." So hopefully he will feel more at home than he might expect. "I've never heard of 'who said that'. What's that one?"

Belatedly, Zara nods to Deva. "I've been better but I'm grateful to have the comfort of family around in these trying times." Her eyes warm. "I'm glad you're settling in well. I can't imagine how odd it must be after all this time."

Katarina is seated close by Alis at this smaller, more intimate birthday gathering for Zara. When he idea of playing two truths and a lie is floated, she lifts a hand as if to dismiss it, but doesn't bother concealing the playful, just-goofing-around look in her eyes. Those eyes then trail to... cake. And sweets. And so many delicious things that would be absolutely awful for her attempts to get into shape...


Piccola is never cheerful.

At least, she doesn't look like she's ever cheerful. Ever met a person that doesn't know a good time? Or, like, consciously keeps herself from having a good time? That's a fair approximation for the General's demeanor. Even now: invited to a birthday party, she has to be that emo-goth-girl with the deadpan voice, the lazy stare, and the don't-give-a-shit air about her. At least -- AT LEAST -- she's wearing something with silk. That is blue. Because House Valardin likes blue.

Right?

Piccola makes her way from the entrance to the dining room, and from that set of doors towards the main table. Wherever Zara might be sitting. "Your Highness," begins she of the even tone. "I brought a simple gift -- something from my garden." And what is it? Why, it is a pot of watermint, a pot which she just puts on the table. As if that's where the presents go. Or the mint.

She then delivers what be described as a florid bow.



Piccola drops a pot of watermint.

"Nazmir is nothing but polite and kind regardless... unless company demands otherwise. He's far better with social interactions than I am," Ivy turns a smile back towards Nazmir, fondness clear on her face. "He's actually helped me to be more social. So you will have nothing to worry about on his end, Your Highness." She looks back to Zara with a smile. Nodding to Alis, she chuckles, "We alredy keep whiskey stocked for Gaston and Cahal. I'm certain they'll appreciate the additions Naz will bring to the liquor cabinet."

"The pleasure is mine, Princess Zara." Another incline of Nazmir's head and then his gaze darts back over towards Alis, a laugh being offered now, "I stock plenty of whiskey at my townhouse, so I will be adequately fortified. And I'm certain that I will settle in nicely, Your Grace. I know several in the Oathlands." A glance to Ivy and there's a chuckle offered to her, "It wasn't hard to make you a little more social, Ivy." Piccola's entrance has him turning his attention towards her, smile being offered along with a lift of his hand to give a wave.

"Hmmm, that's actually a game better suited to when one has access to the Archives. You'd go over white journals and make people guess who in the room said the thing." Zara replies in response to Alis' query. "But for today, we could do a thing where we all make up a rule that everyone else in the room has to follow. Within reason." She taps her chin. "For example, you have to say my name backwards, Araz, for the remainder of the evening." Then Piccola is entering with her mint, placing it on the table. "That is a generous gift, my lady." She sniffs lightly. "It's always a welcome aroma. Thank you." Katarina is given a curious look, though she doesn't say anything just yet.

When Piccola enters, Katarina sits up that much straighter -- and stops reaching for a plate full of decadent pastries. The look on her veiled face (such as it is) is that much brighter. "General," she trills. "Thank you for coming. Please -- won't you sit and join us~?" Playing it coy, but whether she's doing so to tease Piccola or not remains to be seen.

"Cousin," Deva echoes, flashing a smile at Nazmir. "Oh, gods, I haven't played any of those games in ages," she realizes, giving Zara a big and excited grin. "And you're right. Odd is absolutely the word for it. Like riding a horse after you haven't forever and ever," her thin shoulders rise high and drop in a slump. "Only the most tragic souls dislike lemon and chocolate," she answers Alis in a low tone, nodding conspiratorially. Piccola's arrival brings a friendly wave, and she leans to look at the pot as if trying to recognize what the plant is. (She doesn't.)


"Sure."

Piccola looks about. The General looks to Zara, and shrugs a shoulder. "You are welcome. I like simpler, useful gifts myself. I hope it is not too modest." Attention strays after to Deva, to whom she inclines her head respectfully. "I must profess to being tragic, your Grace; I like neither such things." Maybe she's lying; what sort of monster is she? "Lack Blackram; your Grace." That is to Ivy and Nazmir, respectfully; she nods to them both. "And your Highness." She bows stiffly to Alis.

And then, she looks befuddled, and asks, "Where should I sit?"



Sir Rhys, a Valardin Knight, 8 Valardin Knights, Laurene, a military adjutant leave, following Alis.

When Piccola asks the million-silver question, Katarina pushes up to her feet once more. For someone with injured legs, she keeps standing up. "With me, of course," the diminutive Eurusi Princess purrs. She reaches out and touches Alis -- as much to balance herself as anything else -- but then the Highlord is pulled away by an aide for some urgent concern or another. (There are always urgent concerns for a Highlord.) "Here," Katarina says to Piccola. "I'm certain my sister won't mind you taking her chair -- and Princess Zara would be honored, of course, to have such a prestigious general next to her for her birthday celebration." Katarina's having a bit of fun with this, but to what end, it's still not clear in the slightest.

Ivy smiles at Nazmir and steps back in to his side, "Perhaps not, but you are responsible for it nonetheless. So thank you." She reaches down and squeezes his hand lightly before looking towards the cake. "That really does look amazing." Turning back, she offers up a smile towards Piccola and chuckles, "General. You certainly know how to make an entrance."

"Really?" Zara seems surprised by Piccola's words. "A direct contrast to Katarina in that." She comments, with the slightest amusement. "It's so good to be reacquainted with you, General. Any friend of Katarina's..." She takes a drink from her glass. "This does seem the time for odd occurrences." She adds as an aside to Deva.

Jenkins, an armed champion have been dismissed.

"Games. Such an enjoyable thing and almost always something that needs to be had at parties." That's offered with a quick grin from Nazmir, only for him to then look over towards Ivy, "It really didn't take much, Ivy. A little nudge and you were off and out and about." He does then glance around, dipping an incline of his head to Deva, Katarina and Piccola, "Pleasure." Then, it's to Zara, "I fear I shall be taking my leave. I completed my intent to stopping in, entirely unprepared, to wish you a happy birthday, Your Highnesss."


Yeah, the General looks momentarily uncomfortable.

"All right." She lets out a breath and then sits herself slowly down where Alis was. Gracefully. "Thank you." Grumble. "I feel as if I've been on my feet for a week. Ugh." Beat. "Princess Zara, I would like that. It has been a while." About a year or so, probably. "You look well, and -- " Her attention is drawn to the splendid cake. " -- well, I know //that// is going to get eaten tonight." She does not give Katarina a pointed look, honest.

"Fare well, your Grace," says Piccola to Nazmir.



"Then tragic you are, but there's nothing wrong with that," Deva flashes a smile of amusement and dips her head toward Piccola in acknowledgement. She waves at those leaving with a pleasant smile, and drifts into a distracted but relaxed silence of her own. There's drinks to be had, and longing looks toward cake even though she never touches it. Eventually, she drifts off too and meanders her way home.

Katarina doesn't sit back down until Piccola is seated, and she may even have scooted her chair a bit closer. "Prince Nazmir. It will be a pleasure to see more of you~." Golden eyes trail to the cake as Piccola doesn't give her a look at all no sir, only broken when Deva takes her turn to depart and Katarina issues another warm farewell. Then: the cake.

Ivy smiles to Zara and gives a nod, "I fear I should head out with him. I still have to check in with the hospital before I can try to relax for the evening. But I did want to bring Naz along to wish you a happy birthday." She reaches down to take Nazmir's hand and smiles at him, "Walk me to the hospital and I'll see you at the townhouse after my rounds?"