Sir Rodrick, a Valardin Knight, Spirit, the Tiny Honey Brown Fox Kit arrive, following Sasha.

The lawns in front of the Laurent Manse have been commandeered, with casual elegance, for an evening gathering. Long tables covered with crisp cream cloths hold a feast of sundries from honey-roasted chicken to honey-glazed ham to honey flan. And, let's be real, too much honey can get onerous so there are souffles and pates and fresh fruit without so much as a touch of the stuff. Fine wines are available, but guests might benefit more from partaking of the family's specialty mead.

Jael, standing near the banquet table, sticks her fingers in her mouth and unleashes a strident peal of a whistle before flashing a bright smile at the quieted assembly. "Friends, Cristoph and I just want to thank you so much for coming to this little get-together. We've missed you all so much and look forward to catching up with each and every one of you. I, ah, don't really want to do any hug circles or anything like that but please enjoy the food and drink and company. I know I will." Here she lifts a glass of mead in a toast, then takes a small sip before dipping a little curtsy and getting out of the way.

Alis is so very happy to not have to endure a hug circle, so she lifts her glass of mead (she is going to be SO drunk guys) in toast for -that-. With an overly loud woop of agreement, too. Cause seriously, hugs. No. "Welcome back! Please don't get stuck behind enemy lines again. Thanks!" That's her toast to the Ducal entourage. Accompanied by a mischeivous smile.

"I will high-five anyone that hugs Jael when she's least expecting it." Cristoph announces loudly before heading straight for the banquet table. Where he will happily say hello to people while piling his plate high with food. There's also a makeshift dance floor and he'll eventually wind up, eating his food "Hey look! Alis is wearing a dress!" He calls out. For the record, he is wearing nice clothes and not a suit of armor.

Marian had to wear a dress so of course she's late, she's always late when there's dressing up involved. However, the dress that she wears is beautiful, stunning work of lace and silk depicting indigo dragons flying on her dress. She steps into the ballroom and looks around, smiling as she sees her family there. Now for those looking at Marian's back, they will notice that the Sword of Sanctum didn't leave Oathbinder behind.

Sasha lifts her cup of tea with both her hands to the toast before she sips upon it. Sir Rodrick guides her over to one of the tables to sit down. Once she is seated, he goes off to grab her a bit of all the food and bring it over to her, seeming a bit more protective of her today. As the plate is placed in front of her she says "Thank you Sir Rodrick, why not enjoy yourself this evening. I promise I'll be careful." He nods and goes off to have himself some of the offered mead. Once Cristoph draws closer to the tables she says "All of this looks absolutely wonderful. Thank you for having us all."

Nicia has developed something of a habit of turning up around Valardin places, ramparts, houses, streets. It's a thing. Turning up for an official welcome home party is simply the next step in meeting everyone that she possibly can.

"It's just your imagination!" Alis shouts back, even though she is in fact wearing a dress. And speaking of people wearing dresses, she whistles at Marian's entrance. "Look at /you/!" On her way to the tables full of food, she will hold her hand up for a high-five from Sanctum's Sword. "Sasha, how are you?" And since she does, in fact, agree with the other Princess' thanks.. her head bobs in quick agreement, even as she's distracted by another entrant. "Lady Nicia, how nice to see you."

Eirlys comes in, looking around. "Alis?" Quick someone be amazed, Eirlys is in a dress! She even has her hair braided with snowdrop flowers woven through the braid. She looks around before finding her sister-in-law. "Sorry I was running late. It takes longer to get out of armor than I though." She mutters before looking up to see who all is here.

Marian gives Alis a very unladylike high five back and laughs, smiling as she follows her to the food, "You would never believe what I did in a tea shop this afternoon." She looks around, finds a plate and then starts looking for things to put on it, "Lord Edward Redreef and I played a game where we tried to finish each other's sea sailor shanties." She gives a wave to Lady Nicia, "Hello there...have you seen Lord Valerion recently?" He has a way of turning up when Nicia is present.

"It's our pleasure to have you all here." Cristoph returns to Sasha, dipping his head at her politely while he nibbles on some cheese. As other people arrive, he'll lift his hand and wave at them. Hello, yes. Yes, hello. Yes he /has/ gotten a hair cut recently, thanks for noticing. "Princess Marian! Lady Nicia, nice of you to come to our gathering."

"I will dump a glass of mead on Cris for everyone who hugs me to get a...never mind, I don't think that'd work in my favor," Jael notes ruefully, making her way over to where a knot of people is drawing together. She smiles and shakes her head at the apologies. "Oh, don't worry. This is all very casual. We've been trying to get the place sorted, not much energy left over to get upset over a little fashionable lateness."

"Hey, Eirlys. It's quite alright. Maybe we should consider finding you a squire to help with the armor." Alis points out, leading the other woman towards the food. She's obviously looking for the bacon dishes. "Sea shanties! Did you learn any new ones, Marian? You know how I love to sing those in the morning, during breakfast." At her brother, to wake him up.

"Hug her!"

"Hello!" Nicia replies to Alis, flashing her a bright smile in greeting, "How wonderful to see you as well..." She then glances over when she hears Marian's question, shaking her head at the question, "I haven't, not since the night on the ramparts." She replies, her smile turning a touch apologetic before she smiles at Cristoph, "I couldn't resist coming, everything is wonderful looking."

Edain makes his way into the Estate, better late than never.. but he puts in the breaks immediately as apparantly there is a very aggressive hugging about to happen. The Prince of Sanctum takes one step back.

"Casual? You mean I didn't have to wear a dress?" Marian asks Jael, a little disgruntled because she only wears a dress to events that she's forced to, "If I had known, I would have worn my leather vest and breeches." She gives a smile over to Cristoph. She looks over at Alis and laughs, "I don't know...I don't want to upset our hosts. But we were just making them up...it wasn't songs that we'd heard before." Marian does look a little disappointed when Nicia says she hasn't seen Valerion.

Sasha looks to Alis as she says "I am fine. Accidentally over-exerted myself going to visit the Shrine of Limerace. I am fine now though I promise. Sir Rodrick caught me." Her soft blue eyes look to Cristoph as she says "It warms my heart to hear that." She begins to daintly eating her food that her guard brought her.

Jael offers an elegant little shrug to Marian. "If you had showed up in your vest and breeches I would think nothing of it. Though your dress is absolutely gorgeous." She seems content with her glass of mead for the time being, but there's bacon dishes there, OF COURSE there are.

Eirlys chuckles. "I just might need one, actually." She jokes. "I just was running behind on a few things before I got back to the lodge." She explains to Alis then she grins at her cousin when the high five happens. She see's the back of Marian's dress. "Ok seriously how do I get one of those?" She is serious. "That is fantastic. If I can make sure I don't cut my hair off in the process that would be amazing." Yup just three ladies in dresses, taking about weapons. She turns to Jael and smiles. "I would totally give you a hug if it meant pouring mead on your brother. I am a little sister after all. Got to help where I can." She smiles. "Eirlys Greenmarch." She offers.

Alis piles her plate with pork product, and maybe some healthier things, as people chatter away. She doesn't even notice Edain's half retreat until she's turned back around. "Nooo, don't leave! Look, bacon." She tempts her brother, by holding up a piece of bacon. Yes, that's right. She doesn't even look embarassed by it either. "I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that, Jael, since I am also wearing a dress and I hate dresses."

Charlaine moves into the party she smiles as she looks about, her eyes taking in the atmosphere. She slowly looks about and she approaches Jael and her brother. "Welcome home! I did not have time to get you a present, but I will, get you both one later?"

"Ah, the ramparts. Does your cousin have some expertise at them?" Cristoph wonders of the Lady Nicia, finishing off another bit of food on his plate. To the women discussing clothes, he smiles rakisly and attepts to assure Marian, "But everyone looks very nice. So the lovely outfits haven't gone to waste." Picking some more at this food, he glances towards Alis, "No, no. I think we should defintely sing the songs. They sound like just the thing to liven our party up."

Edain was indeed retreating, but his sister cunningly points out, bacon. Yes.. he shall stay for bacon. But first, He weaves through the crowd, greeting people with a polite bow as crosses their path. He's making his way to Duke Cristoph and Lady Jael however, intent on welcoming them home.

Jael laughs a little at Eirlys' words. "I will tell you a secret. You can just go ahead and pour mead right on his head, no middle man. I give you permission. Jael Laurent, I'm glad you could stop by!" She cuts an impish look at Alis. "Next time we can all show up in our breeches and go hiking or something." For Charlaine, a little shake of her head. "Presents are absolutely not necessary, we are just glad to be back here, and glad that all of you weathered the storm while we were away."

Marian frowns when Sasha mentions that she overdid it and gives her a look as if she wants to make sure Sasha is okay. She does a little turn for Jael so she gets the full effect of the dress and the sword that is on her back, "I do like it...once I got into it of course." It's not easy and Marian doesn't have a ladies maid, even though she could have one if she wanted, "Oh the back sheath was something I had made for me when I realized by normal one wouldn't work with the dress." Marian is taking advantage of the bacon. It's ending up right on her plate. She flashes a smile to Edain before she starts up the sea shanty she was working on:

"Captain Jack liked to prance
In frilly ladies gowns
But on the seas, nobody teased
Caused he'd bury them in the ground.

His men were a loyal bunch.
Who didn't care about the fuss.
They just cared about their gold
That the Captain stole from ships abroad..."

Nicia smiles a little more at Marian, amusement flickering into her expression for a moment before she nods, "I'm afraid it has been a little while...although the last time was a very wonderful meeting. Very wonderful. Ramparts, you know, are very good at conversational stirrings." She then shakes her head at Cristoph, "Oh, no. Unless she can figure out a way to make them stylish, not really. Although, if anyone could, she could. But I figured that since I was committed to the rampart project I would hedge my bets and make certain that there was enough votes in my favor."

Sasha looks back to Marian with a warm smile, she seems fine now. And she is making sure to eat and be sitting after all. As she eats, she just quietly listens to all the conversations. Soon her plate is empty and both of her hands are wrapping around a cup of tea, bringing it to her lips to sip upon.

Cristoph just catches the tail end of Jael telling Eirlys she can just go pour mead on him. He looks /outraged/. But it's a comical kind of outragd, plus he has a bunch food in his mouth. "/Jael/. I'm telling the servants to put itching powder in your bed." Totally reasonable behavior. Charlaine catches him by surprise and he tries to regain that composure. "Oh, hello. What my sister said, presents are absolutely not necessary. Please just enjoy you time here." He chuckles at Nicia response while listening to Marian's shanty. His smile broadens and he announces, "I like it."

Marian doesn't have a bad singing voice. In fact, it's pretty good considering she doesn't have any music playing. She keeps singing the song that her and Lord Edward made up, making a few changes here and there:

"First Mate Buck liked to write,

Alis cannot clap, alas, since she is holding a plate of food. But her smile is entirely gleeful when Marian sings that shanty. And yes, she is memorizing it. She is definitely memorizing it. Expect to hear it often in the mornings! "I heartily approve of this idea, Jael. Maybe a good hunting party." she adds, in suggestion.

Marian adds after she takes a moment to remember, "Describe Captain Jack's underwear..."

Charlaine looks over to Marian and she blushes slightly before she moves to find a seat at a table, she giggles though slightly and she opens up a book. Her go-to in social situations.

Edain smiles as Marian sings, but he approaches to Cristoph, "Duke Cristoph. Welcome back.." he says offering his forearm to the Duke of the Laurent.

Eirlys grins. "See now you told me to and I feel like I have to." She looks at Alis. "Should I?" She knows Alis is never really the one to talk her down from something. She grins. "Good I am better with breeches. This is one of like three dresses I own." She says. Alis would likely recognize the dress since it is a mix of the Valardin blue and the Greenmarch black. She does continue talking though she moves close to Edain and grins. "Hi. Want some bacon?" She offers.

Marian adds the third verse to the song, her voice getting stronger as she sings along:

Cookie was the ship cook and medic
Stitching legs while serving shanties
If something fell into his spicy stew
He added more pepper and rue.

"When ship came to port from sea.
Rats, dogs and cats were nary to see
Captain Jack wasn't picky about his crew
He never check what Cookie put in the brew."

Then she stops singing and tells the group, "There was a bit more but for the life of me I can't remember it."

Jael settles herself neatly into one of the chairs, glass in one hand, swirling the mead gently. "A hunting party sounds fabulous. If I had only been thinking more clearly I could have had the horses brought out tonight. Oh, songs!" She waves at the musicians to stop playing so Marian's shanty can be heard more clearly, then applauds with her free hand against her knee when it ends. "I love a good mystery-meat ditty."

Charlaine nods her head to Jael, she claps when Marian is done, and she smiles a bit her way as she draws her eyes from the book. She smiles slightly as she looks to her, before her eyes return to her book. The shy Blanchard seems for now withdrawn but warm and friendly to those she looks upon.

"No, no. Do not dump mead on my head!" Cristoph protests. Outraged! But only sort of. He gives all of the woman a /look/ before he turns to Edain. Clearly an oasis of sanity! Will not dump mead on him! "Prince Edain, thank you for coming. I apologize we weren't able to return to the city." On that subject he /is/ serious. "Whatever we can do to help you here and now, we will."

Nicia lifts her hands to applaud for Marian when she gets done singing, "That was wonderful!" She declares, then takes what might be a momentary distraction of others to slip off to get herself a drink, and slip back out.

Marian looks to Cristoph with a smile and tells him, "The recovery...rebuilding the areas that got hit hard by the sea. That's what we need help with." She smiles over to Charlaine who's reading a book. Then looks to Jael to let her know, "If you do a hunting party, let me know. It's been ages since I've hunted."

"Clearly, we need to help you up your annoying little sister game. He didn't even really look all that frightened." Alis points out, looking otward Eirlys for backup here, as she addresses Jael. "It's not worth it if they don't look at least a little scared."

"No there is nothing to apologize for Duke Cristoph." Edain says s he clasps Cristoph's forearm. It looks as if he has absolutely no intention of dumping mead on him. Mead goes in the face hole, not on it. "You made the right decision.. once Tolamar Brand joined the force, he made it very clear what he could do to an army in the open field. I am just glad you and Lady Jael are back."

Eirlys applauds. "Marian that was great. The only songs I know are Greenmarch songs." She says looking around. "I should probably learning more." She grins at Cristoph. "Aww but Edain didn't complain when I shoved snow down his armor." She says in that sweet voice that is reserved for little sisters all around the word. Also she might be fudging the lack of complaining just a little. She does nod to Cristoph. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Duke Cristoph." She quiets for the moment. Before she turns to Alis. "You know Alis has a point."

"Of course, Marian. I will definitely let you know. Maybe something to pla in the next few weeks ot so." With the song over Jael gives her brother the 'I'm watching you' gesture for that itching powder remark, yeah she heard it. With the likes of Eirlys and Alis backing her up, she eyes her brother measuringly. "You're all quite right. Perhaps you should write your suggestions down though, so as not to give anything away."

For all of Cristoph's joking about getting mead dumped on him or people hugging Jael for high-fives, his face is a somber one for mention of Brand. He returns the clasp of the forearm, stepping forward to mention something quietly to Edain before stepping away again. When he does, the smile returns to his face and he flashes it towards Eirlys. "Pleasure to meet you as well. Even greater pleasure to not be doused in liquid." Somehow in this, he's managed to finish his plate of food. Magic!

Marian grins at Eirlys, "That's the best part. This isn't a song that Lord Edward and I learned, we made it up as part of the game." Then she turns her attention to her plate of bacon wrapped yummies. She does eye Cristoph and Edain when they quietly chat but she doesn't jump in. She's too busy eating. When Jael mentions she'll plan the hunt and let her know, she gives her a thumbs up.

Alis is innocently whispering along with Eirlys and Jael. Nothing to see here!

Sasha remains quite and listening as Brand is spoken about. She made sure to hide away when all of that occurred. Just idling sipping on her tea as she just quiet absorbs the information flying about her. Her back comfortably resting against the chair as she continues her slow recooperation.

Jael tilts her head in Eirlys' direction, then with a serene smile gets to her feet and sets her glass down on the table. "Excuse me, I will be just a moment." And she is, returning briefly with a little notebook, and taking her seat again. Lalala.

"I should totally get Fia drunk enough then make everyone listen to him sing." She grins widely. "He sings off key. When I was little I used to get mad if the person didn't sing off key." She says. "I also used to tell Him that he did the voices wrong in all the bedtimes stories." She quiets a little when the serious talk happens also she is busy talking quietly with Jael and Alis. She smiles widely, her dimples popping out and seems to focus on something for the moment. She does look up. "You know I don't think I got food."

Alis taps her fingers against her plate thoughtfully, before her eyes go wide and she stuffs a piece of bacon in her mouth. "Got an idea, but gotta go. I'll tell you later." Like she had some meeting she forgot and suddenly she has to flee! The princess beats feet outta there. She stops along the way to give Sasha a playful nudge though. Then bye!

Sasha laughs softly as Alis gives her a playful nudge and nods softly. She begins to slowly get up from her seat and makes her way over to everyone as she asks "Do anyone have a favorite book they have in their library?" Perhaps to distract from the current topic, everyone has book collections right?

Cristoph stares off after Jael and then Alis next when she exits. "What do I do with this..." Empty plate. He looks around before passing it off to a serve going by, he thanks them and nods his head. "Favorite books? Ah... I can't even begin to say. I haven't read anything for leisure in such a long time."

Edain bows to his sister and she leaves and then approaches Jael, "Lady Jael, welcome back to the city."

Eirlys is intently writing in a small book before she looks up. "Alis totally bailed on me." She tries to pout but it doesn't really work because she ends up chuckling. She stops long enough to grab food and find a seat and she continues to write in the book. Whatever it is, she is very invested in this particular endeavor.

"It's silly," Jael begins, to Sasha, "but there's this one...it's a child's book, there are little animals in it. But they live like people, they even wear little pants, and it's just a lot of stories about them living in the woods. I read it so many times as a girl, but I still revisit it from time to time." She shrugs, a bit self-consciously, and then offers a warm smile to Edain when he approaches. "Thank you. It is so good to be back. I'm glad you could stop by."

Gino, a surly sailor arrives, delivering a message to Sasha before departing.

Marian gives a smile to Alis as she heads out and then turns her attention to Sasha's question, "I've been doing some writing lately but has not had a chance to read any new books. If you have a suggestion, I would love it." She sits back and smiles as everyone chats around her. She just appreciates being with her family. It is definitely a welcome home party.

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

Sasha grins to Marian as she says "Oh I have plenty of suggestions. Are you fond of poetry by chance cousin?" Her hands reaching into her bag to pull out a book and offer it to Marian as she says "If you like, you can borrow i and just give it back when you are done. I have an ever going collection."

"She abandoned you." Cristoph announces to Eirlys. He's handsfree now! Which means he's free to try and snatch her small book from her! Scoundrel!

Marian smiles as she offers the book and takes it, "Yes...I have a fondness for poetry. I've even been writing some." She looks around to see if anyone has read the white journals where her poetry is listed. Then she looks down at the title, Allanruar Arirh, The Soul of a River - Eurusi Poetry, "Oh this looks good."

Charlaine stands slowly as she looks round she tucks her book under her arm and she moves to join Marian near Edian. "Hey." she whispers as she draws closer, her eyes move then onto Cristoph and she smiles

Eirlys looks up as she hears Cristoph mention Alis abandoning her. "Nah she just went to see her husband. My brother." She pulls the book and hiding it behind her back. Now maybe it is down to who is faster.

Sasha ohs at Marian and says "I would love to read it sometime if you would allow it. And I grabbed it from Branan's shop. Once I get my new bookcase I'll be able to show my collection off. Right now they are a piled mess in my room on my desk. It is driving my a little batty." Her attention then looks to Charlaine as she says "Lady Charlaine, it is nice to see you again. How have you been since we last spoke?"

Jael is listening with some interest over the book exchange, adding, "Eurusi...isn't that where Prince Mason is from?" Except suddenly, whip-quick and not at all dignified, Jael nearly lurches across the table to avert Cris' attempt at Eirlys' book. "Brother. That is no way to treat our guests."

Cristoph checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Charlaine smiles then to Sasha as she grins "actually my bookshelf, it dose not hold many books, just one cipher and an interesting Occult fiction picturebook." she smiles to Sasha.

Marian smiles as Charlaine comes over and moves to offer her a seat next to her, "Hey..." She turns back to the conversation, laughing at Eirlys words, "Oh I don't think they're just 'seeing' each other." She smirks a bit and watches the antics with Cristoph and Eirlys.

Eirlys checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Cristoph tries to make a grab for the book and fails horribly. How embarassing! He laughs it off and recovers from a stumble, hands up in the air. "I was just checking to see if my reflxes were any good." Which apparently they are /terrible/. At least he doesn't try again! Or will he?

"Sorry Dear Duke!" Eirlys says in an almost sing-song voice. She grins widely, her dimples showing. "I would love to show you what is in the book but you know, girl stuff. Very important, not to be shared. Oaths and all that." She winks at Cristoph while holding the book behind her with one hand and motions for Jael with her other hand. At the mention of reflexes the young greenmarcher says. "I could always teach you. If you'd like. I have very good reflexes."

Marian sits forward and tells Cristoph, "She's a very good teacher. We've been working on my dodge." And it's clear she thinks that she's doing better since she's been taking lessons.

Cristoph snaps his fingers when she mentions girl stufff and oaths. "If only I'd gotten my hands on it. Now I'll never truly know the secrets of the universe!" There's some minor fist shaking at the air for his great loss and an 'argh' for good measure. Then regains the composure of not batty person. "Is she now?" There's a glance spared for Marian, an inquisitive eyebrow lifted. "Well if Lady Eirlys could find the time in her schedule to show an old soldier how to dance better..."

Sasha looks to Charlaine as she says "Oh? I would like to see your book if you would be willing to share it Lady Charlaine. I love books a ton." A soft laugh escapes her lips as she watches Eirlys and Cristoph, her hand covering her mouth.

Marian slips away while everyone is chatting, getting dragged away by her duty. She quietly leaves the room, trying not to make a big deal about her exit."

Jael will swan on past behind Eirlys if any handoffs need to occur, then chortle at her brother's words. "Yes, please try to hammer some grace into him. He's making the family look bad."

Eirlys chuckles. "Alas, you have not been able to learn those secrets. Perhaps another time." When Marian complements her she says. "Thank you, Cousin." She obviously isn't used to praise. She looks back at Cristoph. "It would be my pleasure to teach you. I have been hoping to do more teaching so you would be helping me too." She keeps Cristoph's attention as to any handoffs Eirlys can neither confirm or deny giving said book to Jael. However Jael's comment has Eirlys suddenly laughing, she ends up putting her hand over her mouth so it's not super rude. "Oh he can't be that bad."

Charlaine laughs to Sasha, "which of the two?" she asks her eyes dancing "I should see if I can loot Brannan's shop, with him gone." she says with a light giggle - not serious

Sasha laughs softly as she says "Both actually in truth. And it would be fun to do so. Though I have almost everything within their in truth." She teasing back with a light-heartness. She then says "Though I do want to do buy and see if he published anything new before he left."

"Pay no heed to my sister. She regularly insults me. It's a conspiracy to slowly drive me insane." Cristoph smiles brightly. Which means he either /realy/ believes it or is totally full of shit. That same smile is pointed towards his sister, rocking on his heels as the women do their hand off of secret girl books. "Well, in that case? Consider me one of your pupils. Maybe I'll be able to do something for you in exchange or I could just pay you. Whichever you prefer."

IS there handoff? Who knows. Jael is as breezy as ever, and laughs. "Yes. He can be." Catching word of Charlaine's plans, she grins. "See, everyone thinks book people are sweet and innocent but when they've got their eyes on a prize you really can't underestimate them."

Charlaine nods her head a little to Jael "that is true, we do get tenacious in our goals."

Eirlys chuckles. "That is what little sisters are for. Why do you think my brother is such a good fighter? He fought me every day while he raised me." She winks again before nodding. "Let me know when you'd like to start training and we can decide that later. I am looking to learn some things myself and I am also working towards better leather. Yes I know I am insane for wearing leather armor but it gives you better movement. I am also hoping to eventually get a blade that is rubicund." She explains.

Sasha slips away while everyone is distracted holding her baby fox in her arms.

Sir Rodrick, a Valardin Knight, Spirit, the Tiny Honey Brown Fox Kit leave, following Sasha.

"My armor is leather," Jael notes, moving to take a seat again. "Better for shooting in." To Charlaine, "What happened to the bookseller? Branan? Just up and left his collection, with so many bookworms circling?"

"Well, my schedule is..." Cristoph looks for a word to describe it. "Erratic right now as we settle in. But I'll try to meet with you sometime in the morning this week for a first lesson?" He suggests, looking like a reasonble person for about five seconds. Something catches his attention in the background and he looks apologetic. "Excuse me." Then he'll step away and disappear in to the crowd, melting away into the festivities.