Keg, a warhorse arrives, following Kritr.

Resolute, an Oakhaven bloodhound, Dart, a Kite of the Cloudspine arrive, following Kastelon.

Amari is stood near the entrance of the garden, being a good co-host that way. So she can greet everyone who arrives, and direct them on to the refreshments and dance floor (ground). She has a cup of mead on the go already, and judging by the pink in her cheeks and the smile on her lips, she's a couple in.

Kastelon arrives, properly... well, he's kitted out in Oathlands' fashion, which is to say that he's still dressed as if he's about to go out into the forests or back off to war. With Resolute at his side, and his kite on his shoulder, and his one hazel eye drifting over the goings-on as he looks about. Though at seeing Amari near the entrance of the garden, his head dips briefly to her. "Cousin," he says softly. "You look well."

The chosen location requires no extra effort when it comes to decor. The garden itself is a feast for the senses, resplendent with color, fragrant smells carried on the breeze that blows through. Adalyn stands across the way from Amari, drink in hand, ready to usher in the arriving guests with a sunny smile and cheery greetings.

A Clement dance! Of course Veronica is here. She arrives with a big smile for the apple blossoms and her friends hosting the party. The blonde woman wends her way through the garden first towards Amari with a bright "Cousin! Been looking forward this. And Kastelon." Her smile doesn't falter exactly but there's a little bit of a somber note in her face as she reaches out to clasp his hands briefly. "It's good to see you out and about already." Then she'll step away, over to greet Adalyn with the smile returning. "The gardens look beautiful tonight." She states warmly. "Though they'll probably be even more beautiful with mead." Which she then moves to acquire.

Amari whispers to her assistant, the towering and very buff Clerk Kant, and he dutifully announces the first guests. "Lord Kastelon Keaton, and Lady Veronica Keaton."

She nods approvingly, then welcomes her cousins though there's a funny look for Veronica midway through her amiable chattering, "Welcome. It's good to see you, Kastelon! You look not so bad yourself. A little squintier, perhaps, but... Veronica! I'm shocked, you're not wearing armor under that gorgeous dress are you? Both of you, go have some mead. It's perfect."

Kritr is barechested due to the weather, too warm for anything more than that for him. Weathered skin bears hints of sunburn, perhaps accounting for the permanent scowl that lurks beneath his wild facial hair.

It's easy to miss Princess Katarina. She's next to Veronica, you see. Depending on the angle -- and if one's looking up to meet the tall, tall Keaton's face -- it is thus just a simple matter of big vs. little that renders small, small Katarina hidden. There's also the sheer energy that Veronica exudes. Katarina knows fully well just to ride that wave rather than try to compete with it. The veiled woman is all smiles and curtsies as her protege does the talking.



Usually when attending a party Valerian was left to wonder and question how he had gotten himself into such a situation as having to attend. This evening though was different, the man knowing rather fully and without doubt that it was due to putting his foot in his mouth that brought him to attend the Clement hosted dance. The Kennex Lord arriving with Yvette on his arm seeming nervous as he glances to the woman beside him, her arm linked in his. The young man leaning in to murmur softly to the woman before the sight of a drink table and maybe some respite from his nerves has him quickly tugging the redhead along in search of mead.

Emberly is here she enters a little wearing a new piece of jewelry, while shes not attached to one person she offers a cheery smile to all those gathered that might look her way

"I wouldn't know what you're talking about," Kastelon says at Amari's reference to his being 'squintier' and a hand strays to stroke Dart's breast, as he looks entirely earnest, and committing to the part of how he looks. Veronica gets a nod as well, and a brief appraisal. "You've healed up well," he says to her, before there's the faintest hint of a smile, and he makes his way deeper into the garden as if to seek out some refreshment, with Resolute at his heels.

The sparkle in Adalyn's eyes never dims as her focus sweeps over the growing gathering. "It does, doesn't it? But not quite as beautiful as that dress of yours," she notes to Veronica with a grin. She lifts her own glass in silent approval of the Keaton's last remark. It's only once Veronica moves off to acquire her own drink that Ada spots the much-shorter Valardin princess. "Ah, Princess Katarina, I'm so glad you've come." Her smile turns impish as she leans in to murmur in lower tones. Kritr receives a waggle of her fingers in greeting as do Yvette and Valerian. "Come, drink, enjoy yourselves!"

Veronica fetches up a drink and steps aside so that Katarina can request whatever she might prefer from the large straw-hatted man. "So this is Clement House. We've always been close with them." She explains to the princess next to her. "And the cider and mead are excellent." Her mood is buoyant this evening, as befits the warm glow of the gardens and the pleasant music.

Kritr heads over to Adalyn and inclines his head. "Thank you for the invitation. I have a liking for cider. The apples near Clearlake are of a tart variety. Cider is used as medicine more often than not. Not like these Southern apples." Almost all places are Southern to a Clearlake.

It's worse than armor Veronica's hiding, but an entire princess. Amari leans into one foot to peer around her much taller cousin there. "Oh, Your Highness. Apologies." For not immediately noticing her, probably. Her head is quickly bowed, and she's greeted more properly, "Welcome, Princess Katarina. Do help yourself to mead as well, and I hope you've arrived ready to dance."

Kritr is spied, and no complaint is voiced over his barechest, just the scowl. She smiles extra cheerily to counter it, "Lord Kritr, welcome to you as well. Very dashing."

Valerian and his companion, Yvette aren't missed either. Though she doesn't seem yet familiar with the latter. "Lord Valerian, greetings. My lady! Hello!"

The fiery redhead with the lovely dawnstone choker is at last greeted as well, with a smile no less broad for Emberly being unknown to her. "Gorgeous. Welcome, I hope you'll have fun tonight."

Tis was a rather comical sight seeing a nervous Lord Kennex tugging along a wild, fiery headed northern woman. Then a sweet bundle of fluffy fur following there after as Elin the forest kitten adorned in a green bow bounds along after them...Yvette would pick the kitten up after reaching there destination ~That being the drink table~ The woman's eyes would catch sight of her brother, Kritr and waved at him, shaking her head at his bare chest and comment about apples. A giggle following there after. Her gaze caught glimpse of Adalyn waggling her fingers in greeting and Yvette returned the same gesture with a bright smile. It was a lot for Yvette to keep up with, people coming in every few seconds.

Emberly looks over to Kritr and she also smiles his way, she looks over a moment as she looks over to Amari "thank you, Princess Liara gifted it for me."

Emberly is overheard praising Liara.

Avalanche, a fluffy mountain pup, Jasper, an unflappable scoundrel, 2 Redrain Guards arrive, following Deva.

Valerian is brought to look around when he hears his name as he wanders over to the drink table. The Kennex giving a small shy smile to Amari offering a little wave to the woman lifting his left hand to the woman and giving a little wiggle of his fingers. "Lady Keaton, Good to see you again. This here is Lady Yvette Clearlake, a recent arrival to the city." The man offering that introduction, his right arm slipping from Yvettes grasp as he looks to the woman offering her a small smile before he sets about to gather up two mugs of mead offering one out to the redhead he was accompanying.

Kritr nods a greeting to Amari. "I will not dash away. I promise." He has perhaps, resting scowl face, or perhaps the world is enternally perplexing to him. "Is there green cider here? Most spirits are too strong for me."

Emberly has joined the a sky blue hammock stretched between two trees.

6 Grayson House Guards, Gioia, a clever actress from Gemecitta, Alban arrive, following Jerrica.

6 Grayson House Guards, Gioia, a clever actress from Gemecitta, Alban leave, following Jerrica.

Kastelon turns his head when he's hearing another mention the idea of beverages that are too strong, and... well, the advantage of now having switched to the eyepatch is that both bushy brows - one admittedly slightly less bushy Thant he other - lift as he's considering the matter. And a peering of the one good eye into the cup he's holding, before he takes a good swig. "Someone," he says conversationally to the hound at his side, "clearly does not come up this way to know what sort of drinks we favor in our quarter, Res."

Gawain strolls into the garden and, looking about, the very big man in the very big hat with the drinks catches his eye pretty promptly, so he saunters on over that way to avail of a pint of milk. Thus equipped for the function, he turns for a look about, smiling readily to a few familiar faces.

Katarina has her hands folded in front of her lap as Veronica shows her around. She's a patient and attentive tour guest. She's likewise completely serene about Amari's apology: "It is forgotten already," she assures the hostess. "And after one cup of mead I am sure I will forget much more -- but I will be in quite the state to dance~." Somehow, Katarina's smile is obvious, despite the aeterna veil over the lower half of her face. She leans in for a quiet exchange with Adalyn, as well.

Emberly smiles a little she lifts her fingers and she waves to Gawain, her eyes shift a little before she ruffles out her dress a bit people watching. Her lips twitching in the corner and she looks over to Kastelons dog "your hound is so sweet."

Adalyn can't help but smile when Kritr refers to Duskshire apples as 'southern'. "I wonder, do they get sweeter the farther south you go? I'll have to seek out some Lycene cider some time to test this theory. But if you don't care for strong drinks, I'm sure you can find something here that suits." The sound of her mirthful laughter filters through the spring air as she murmurs a response to Katarina. Spotting a new arrival, she flashes a warm smile to Gawain. "Welcome to Clement garden. I hope you're in the mood for some fresh air and drinks and dancing!"

Amari lingers still by the entrance to the beehive garden, being a regular greeting machine with her co-host Adalyn. Her dress and jewelry tonight are apparently a statement on contemporary culture, which is nice, though she seems oblivious to that, just her usual put together self. "Lord Gawain, welcome!" She calls, before turning to Kritr with a thoughtful expression, "There should be milk, if you can stomach that, and the cider is mild. Baron Norwood, likewise, is not one for strong drink."

With Valerian giving an introduction, Amari smiles to the pair and regards them again anew. "Lady Clearlake. Pleased to meet you, I'm Lady Amari Keaton. My fellow host over here, is Lady Adalyn Clement, if you've not met." She gives their names a bit loudly, on the chance anyone else doesn't yet know them. Finally, a grateful look to Katarina for being so forgiving of her gaff.

Kastelon inclines his head to Emberly. "Thank you, my lady," he says, a hand straying out to stroke the dog's head - or it might be more the dog lifting his head into his master's palm, as the hound's clearly looking about for a hearth, and staying far from the beehives. "He's well-trained and trying to mind me, I think." The shadow of a smile lingers on his expression, as he's looking about at the comings and goings.

Deva eases her way in, dressed in shiny but most importantly -comfortable- silks with flowy pants. There's still a bandage around her upper arm, but overall she seems to be in healthy spirits. She greets the hosts Amari and Adalyn with a quick smile and a wave as she starts to pass through and search for a drink.

Gawain gives cheerful waves and smiles in responses to the various greetings, to Emberly, a "Hello, cousin!" and to Adalyn, "I like air, I like drinks, and I like dancing, while claiming no especial competence at any of these things." With a grin for Amari, he replies, simply, "Hello. Thanks!"

Yvette smiled sweetly to Amari and offered a polite bow, "A pleasure to meet you Lady Keaton." her eyes followed along to Adalyn, "And a pleasure to meet you Lady Clement." she says softly towards the two, a kitten in the crook of her arm, a mug of mead in her other hand. "Your gardens are very beautiful."

Once her drink is acquired, Veronica will look around herself until she can locate the tiny princess who is below eye-level. "Ah, Princess, there you are. Shall we venture over by the musicians for a bit while warming up to the idea of dancing?"

Valerian's head dips respectfully to Amari before his gaze turns to Adalyn. A small smile offered to the Clement Noblewoman as he offers up moments after Yvette, "Indeed, A lovely garden Lady Clement." A sip of his mead taken the man is quick to add as the mug lowers from his lips, "And very nice mead." The man licking his lips before his focus is drifting. Valerian's dark gaze flitting around turning from one face to another seeking out some form of familiarity in those waters of being social. The dangers within causing the Kennex Lord to nervously chew his lip.

Atramentous, The Highhill War Hound, Cale, the Highhill War Hound pup arrive, following Tesha.

Kritr moves away to procure a mild cider. He'll drink conservatively, just to be sure. Milk is clearly not on the menu for him. He isn't much of a talker, watching the room with slightly less of a scowl, if only because he occasionally indulges in a sip of cider.

Noting Deva's arrival, Adalyn calls a cheerful greeting although she finds herself thoroughly distracted mid-welcoming spiel. "Hello and welcome! I hope that you -- omigoodness, stylish /and/ practical. I love your pants!" So says the Oathlander who has donned a silk shift dress for this occasion, but may be missing the ease of her usual trousers. She benefits from Amari's loud announcement of names, a polite bow of her head offered to the unfamiliar pairing of Yvette and Valerian. "It's always a pleasure to meet new people and get better acquainted. And thank you both. I admit the gardens are some of my favorite places. What's your little companion's name?" A tilt of her head indicates the kitten in Yvette's arms.



Amari smiles after everyone sorting in and finding themselves refreshments, or readying themselves for the dance to come. She'll remain at the garden's entrance, in case there's any latecomers and slowly works at finishing her cup of mead. One such is Deva, who she bows her head politely too, "Your Highness, I hope you'll enjoy yourself. Try the mead, it's very good."

The three bards are playing a slow sort of ballad to warm up, that's not particularly demanding to play, nor to listen to. The drummer actually looks to be asleep, but he's still keeping time even with his eyelids drooping. It should pick up soon. Hopefully.

Katarina fusses with her veil while murmuring with Adalyn, and then she's found by the giantess of a protege she accompanied here. "Ah. I was just about to help myself to some mead," Katarina says, in what may well be famous last words. She has her cup, and the effortlessness of the way that the Eurusi woman dips her hand under her veil makes it clear that she's no stranger to drinking and veil-wearing. "Let's do that, Lady Veronica~."

Emberly has left the a sky blue hammock stretched between two trees.

A beautiful songbird leaves, following Emberly.

Yvette nods agreeing to Adalyn's favorite places being gardens, the red head too liked them. Her eyes followed the tilt of the Adalyn's head towards her kitten and she beamed brightly. A soft raise of her arm presented the small forest kitten snuggled in the crook of Yvette's arm. It's bright blue eyes were busy watching all the sights but most especially the bees buzzing around. "This is Elin, she was a gift and surprise from Lord Kennex." her hazel hues looking to Valerian before looking back to Adalyn. Occasionally, she would glance to Kritr, giving him a heads up she most likely was going to be bounding that way soon after to bother him and his perpetual scowl.

Veronica leads the way over by the music, though not so close as to make speaking difficult. The mead is sipped, its pleasant bite seeping through the young woman as she allows it to loosen some of her recent tension. "So, Princess, I'm sure you've heard about that other individual wandering in the Oathlands. Near Duskshire no less. I happened to witness the incident myself."

Kastelon takes another sip of his cider, as he's contemplating the general mood of the place and he makes a soft sound, and the briefly furtive glance at the gate.

Kritr quietly drinks cider but he'll indulge in loudly eating an apple if those are made available.

When Adalyn offers that greeting there is a small softer smile from Valerian, "I can easily see why, they are beautiful." The Kennex Lord falling silent as Adalyn asks Yvette the name of the kitten. When Yvette gives the answer Valerian's head gives a small subtle nod, "She mentioned wanting a companion, I knew someone who was trying to find people to take on kittens. I did offer rabbits since the kay is overrun but..soup concerns made me rethink that." The confession of sorts from the Kennex Lord spoken in a softer voice before he is looking around. His weight once more shifting from one leg to the other as he looks to Yvette lifting his mug to her before taking another sip of his mead.

Amari begins to stray from the entrance, leaving her Clerk Kant stationed there to alert her to anyone else arriving or to greet them in her stead. She goes for a refill of her cup, still all smiles, probably more so for all the mead she's daintily, but steadily putting away. Being a little on the short side, she steps up onto the stone blocks that encircle the pool at the center of the garden and lifts a hand to the musicians, that seems to be the sign. The ballad is wrapped, and a jauntier tune winds up.

"LET'S DANCE!" Amari calls out, "Who hasn't a partner, but wants one? Raise your hands and we'll make sure no one's stuck shuffling awkwardly by themselves. There'll also be a game played on the dance floor at the same time."

Conspicuously absent a partner, Gawain drains what's left of his pint of milk and strolls on over to sort of make himself present. He offers a not-very-assuring but still cheerful pitch: "I may not step on your toes!"

Gawain has joined the line.

Adalyn sips her drink between quietly exchanged words with the Valardin princess. The explanation Yvette offers receives a knowing look, a glance flitting between the pair. "Ah, it sounds like Lord Kennex is a kind and thoughtful gift-giver. What better than a cuddly companion to keep you company? And how can anything get much more adorable than your little Elin?" Amari's announcement earns an enthusiastic cheer from Adalyn, who raises her glass aloft. "Dancing time! Mead improves coordination and dancing skills. I'm sure I read that in some perfectly legitimate scholarly source or another."

There might not be obvious apples, and there -is- no obvious hearth. And this is a bad recipe for a hound that wants something to do, as there's the -clear- quieter spot there by Kritr, before Kastelon's drawing himself over that way - clearly the corner for quieter men not about to be drawn onto the floor. "You really should try the milk, my lord. That and mead are what I think we're most known for in this quarter," he offers to other quiet man.

Katarina has sip #2 of mead and looks up, up, up to Veronica. "I've heard tell, yes. But... you were there? Tell me more, please. That someone is... is... /lying/ about possessing my birthright..." Katarina starts getting a little heated, and then thinks for a moment. "...well, if nothing else it makes them truly a child of Suj'abbat, I suppose. But not a /Princess/ of Suj'abbat. For that is /me/-- oh, I think we might be dancing now."

Valerian is overheard praising Adalyn: A wonderfully terrifying party and lovely mead and gardens.

Valerian is overheard praising Amari: A wonderfully terrifying party. Well done!

Amari toasts brave Gawain with a lift of her mead cup as he steps forward, but hopefully not on any toes. "Most excellent, Lord Gawain! Your courage is to be commended."

Katarina has joined the line.

Tesha's arrival, which is late, is heralded by the large shape of Atramentous that decided he wanted to get to the garden before she did. At her other side is Cale, who has grown far past the puppy stage at this point since Lord Seth's death. She's dressed in the crimson of her house per the usual. The lady gives greetings to those that she knows and to the hostesses before she moves off to take up her usual spot at these sorts of events. Right on the fringe and admiring things from afar.

Kritr says, "You know what they brew into alcohol in the Everwinter?" Kritr asks, glancing at Kastelon. "They warm the milk of MINK whales by their bellies for THREE WEEKS until it curdles and then ferMENTS. It is the only ALcohol they KNOW." He pauses. Out of doors he rarely regulates his booming voice. Those that know him well would rarely call him quiet. "I fear I'll NEVER touch MILK again!""

Veronica has joined the line.

"A true child of Suj'abbat indeed. I can tell you what I saw, but--oh, it does indeed seem to be time." Veronica will down another goodly swallow of the mead and then set the cup down to meander towards the dancing area, to join in whatever this game is. It's one of Amari's schemes so probably nothing will end up on fire.

Kastelon does -not- notably look shocked. It's hard to look shocked when you're dressed like a veritable pirate, indeed, though there's the faint twitch of one of those busy brows. "I might almost have to try something like that sometime, for the sake of surviving yet another thing," says he, without a single hint of the sense that he might be joking, as he answers Kritr, and seems not disturbed by the volume of the statement. And then, as softly as the larger man is loud, he says, "Though my cows give excellent milk."

Avalanche, a fluffy mountain pup, Jasper, an unflappable scoundrel, 2 Redrain Guards leave, following Deva.

Yvette might've enjoyed the social interaction at parties but she definitely wasn't a dancer! However, she wouldn't tell Valerian that, especially since she was the one that dragged him along. She blinked slowly at Lady Adalyn's knowing look but nods at her comment about Lord Kennex, "Aye he is my lady." she smiles, gives a polite bow before bounding off towards her brother, dragging poor Valerian along... At least it's quieter over here! The kitten had no problem being bobbed along, going to settle along Yvette's shoulders, mead probably sloshed as they went over but no one was paying attention? Finally Yvette would reach Krit with Valerian in tow. "Krit!" she say grinning, dropping her hand along the Kennex Lord's before hugging her brother. She muttered to him before stepping back. "This is Lord Valerian Kennex." she says softly, eyes going to look over to Kastelon, "A pleasure."

Yvette says in Northlands shav, "Hello brother! Enjoying the party?""

Kritr leaves Kastelon's side with a side-eye and inclines his head to Valerian. "I am Krit Clearlake. You gave my sister a CAT!" He asks, making it clear that he was paying attention, even if he had nothing to add to the earlier comments.

Fermented whale milk? Amari heard that, it was hard not to. Her brow lifts and her eyes get squinty a moment. That doesn't sound good. Right then, back to hosting. Tesha isn't missed, she's given a cheery wave before the Keaton hops down off the pool stone and strides out onto the grass under the apple trees, where the dancing shall commence. "Well, if no one else will, I'll dance with Lord Gawain and kick off the game. It's called Buzz Words. One person will think up a sentence, and whisper it along to the next, and so on. The last person in the chain has to recite it as closely as they can. For every correct word, they get a point. However, everyone else can buzz and make noise to make it difficult - and you have to switch partners to whisper the sentence along." Phew. Anybody follow that?

Amari points at Adalyn, grinning, "Think up a longish sentence, Adalyn. And the last person in the chain will be.... Princess Katarina."

Kastelon dips his head to Yvette when she's looking to him. "Likewise," he offers back, the single hazel eye considering the woman as she's drawing Kritr away. "Kastelon Keaton, my lady." There's likewise a nod to Valerian, as his hand dips down to stroke against the back of Resolute's head and, briefly, there's consideration given to Amari when she's introducing the game.

Perhaps not paying the very best of attention, the announcement of a game seems to come as some surprise to Gawain, being that he asks, "Wait, I'm here for a game?" The revelation doesn't actually seem to deter him and he pads out to the dancing area, where he bounces on his toes a bit. He gestures between himself and Amari, asking, "Who starts the whispering?"

Valerian checks willpower at normal. Valerian is successful.

Tesha settles in with her mead and gives a smile when Amari calls for things to start. Noooo, Lady Tesha isn't a dancer or a socialite. She's a number cruncher on a break. So she's not going to step on someones poor toes tonight. Cale lays down at her feet while Atramentous sits dutifully at her side and her free hand pats his large head, "We'll see how this goes." she murmurs to her dogs.

Dragged along by Yvette there is a near yelp of alarm from Valerian the Kennex Lord's eyes going wide, The dark depths looking around quickly as he is guided over to the larger man. Valerian just gulps at first when introduced. The louder northerner bringing Valerian to blink before he nods, "Yes, I did. She said you would eat the rabbit." The young man pointing out very quickly, "You can't eat the cat." And with that said a very very deep drink of the mead is taken.

Katarina lifts her brows and lets her golden eyes go a bit wide at the news that she will be last in the chain. She maintains this slightly shocked expression for a moment, and then drinks the entire rest of her cup of mead.

"That's up to Yvette, is it not?" Kritr points out to Valerian.

Yvette smiles at Kastelon, "Lady Yvette Clearlake." she says softly before turning her attention to her brother whom notices the cat.. Of course he notices it. She looked to Valerian offering him a reassuring and knowing look. Maybe some type of secret eye language.. it was hard to tell. "No one is eating the cat." she laughs, looking serious with a narrow of her eyes giving the small kitten a pat along her shoulders. "Isn't she cute though!" Yvette would take the kitten and hold it up to Kritr, "It even has a proper northern name!" the small kitten would let out one adorable /mew/ like as if on command. It was hard not to like in all of it's fluffiness.

The music picks up, the glittern player's fingers pick and strum out a wonderfully jaunty tune from the strings while the drummer seems to wake up, and the piper gets both pipes peeping away. It's probably not anything they'd play at the Whisper House, but definitely heard in the smaller villages dotting the Oathlands.

Amari extends a hand to Gawain on approach, and curtseys neatly to her new dance partner. "Adalyn will start this round. She can choose who to whisper it on to first. Everyone remember to buzz!"

Valerian keeps away from the dancing, the man not yet emboldened enough by drink or adventurous enough to tempt the fates by attending a party and dancing. When Kritr points that out to him Valerian's mug is motioned to Yvette even before she states that no one is eating her new kitten. The Kennex Lord stiffling a chuckle as Yvette holds the small kitten up to Kritr. His dark eyes drifting between brother and sister as a look of amusement begins to form across his features.

Adalyn twirls a strand of long blonde hair around her fingers, taking time to come up with a suitable sentence to start the game. Judging by her expression, this is a job to be taken ever so seriously. Inspiration eventually strikes, her lips curving into a wide grin. "Alright, we begin!" Her gaze scans the crowd before settling upon the first victim: Gawain. Dancing to the beat of the music, she sidles close to whisper in his ear.

Kastelon allows himself a faints mile as he spies the kitten, and the attention it draws... but that seems as much for him a good excuse to disappear as it were into the shadows once more. The little brush to the back of Resolute's head, and the trio - man, dog and bird, make their way quietly out the gate and back into the city proper.

Resolute, an Oakhaven bloodhound, Dart, a Kite of the Cloudspine leave, following Kastelon.

Has Gawain ever danced before? Maybe, who knows, but he's sure not showing signs of being remotely practised at it or even the basics of starting off, beyond sketching a bow to Amari in response to the curtsey, and then thereafter, he's amply content to let the Keaton lead. "When you say buzz..." he sort of trails off and makes a 'buzzing' noise through his teeth. Also, at some point, his hearing probably not helped by his buzzing, he gets whispered to.

Adalyn mutters, "... are cuddly and ... are ... ... please, ... ... ... Clement which animal ... ... and they'll tell you ... ... bees!"

"Might survive a light winter." Kritr grudgingly admits. "BUZZ! BUZZBUZZ!" He shouts when Adalyn leans in to whisper.

"And dance!" Amari encourages, happy enough to lead the Blanchard about in a whirling dance. She's spry enough to keep her toes clear of his feet, and when she says buzz, she means buzz. As Adalyn joins them with an attempt to whisper her words along to Gawain, the Keaton lady goes BRZZZZZZ, loudly.

Veronica claps her hands along with the music, lightly, tapping one foot as she grins. She'll add her own buzzing to the chorus to make sure that the game is played properly. Let no sensible remnant make it through the chain.

Gawain mutters, "Bees ... ... and bears are not ... please, considering asking a Clement which ... ... better to ... ... tell ... it is ..."

Katarina is also clapping and swaying her hips to the music -- her dancing is mostly stationary at the moment, remaining in the orbit of Veronica. Despite the enthusiasm of her handclaps and her hips, her eyes are fixed on the whispers being passed around, like a wary hunter surrounded by dangerous game.

As he sets off with Amari, laughing at the buzzing, Gawain whispers something in the meantime, the words perhaps lost somewhat if the noise goes on. He's spry himself, sure, but technique? Not a drop of it. He makes up for it with some enthusiasm, sort of, and after murmuring, casts a look around towards the next likely person in the chain.

Kritr says, "BUZZ like BEES!""

Yvette purses her lips and pretends to shelter the kitten's ears from what her brother said. She said something to him before going to find a nice place to sit away from the big crowd but close enough to watch.

Yvette says in Northlands shav, "Big ole' meanie bear.""

Kritr says in Northlands shav, "I don't SPEAK BEE. BEES must learn to speak KRITR!"

Message thus delivered - whether properly understood or not - Adalyn twirls away with a laugh. Her gaze follows the other dancers now as she dances to the beat, joining the chorus of buzzing with enthusiasm.

When Yvette moves off Valerian is quick to follow along with the woman after a small wave with his mug to her brother, The man leaning in to murmur softly to Yvette as he walks alongside of her in search of a place to sit. The man's dark gaze lingering upon those dancing and the game being played, a curiousity showing there wondering what was being whispered back and forth.

Amari BZZZZS when she's not laughing herself, unless of course Gawain is trying to pass the sentence on to her. If that was the intent, she's made it doubly difficult for herself. A brow is arched at her hulking dance partner. "That was for me wasn't it? Bees.. and bears... and..." When the pair twirl and dance themselves closer to Veronica, she leans in to whisper whatever she's salvaged of the sentence to her Inquisitor cousin. She should be good at this.

Yvette purses her lips and nods, leaning to Valerian and murmuring back. Her eyes however are watching the festivities, mead was picked up shortly along the way before settling along a bench.

Amari mutters, "Bees ... bears ... ... for milking please, considering asking a Clement ... ... better ... ... and ... it is. This makes no sense ..."

There is a rather frantic looking female knight that enters the gardens, her curly red hair is wild and she finally lands eyes on who she was looking for before she heads for Tesha. The Telmar lady looks over when Cale chuffs a bit and she goes a little wide eyed at the sudden arrival of her personal guard, "Cora, is everything alright?" she asks quietly. Cora gives a stiff nod and leans in to talk with her quietly before straightening. Tesha rises after that and heads off with her guard.

Atramentous, The Highhill War Hound, Cale, the Highhill War Hound pup leave, following Tesha.

Gawain confirms for Amari, "That's for you!" Then he proceeds to BZZZZ all through the attempt to relay the message to Veronica then, enthusiastic enough about the prospect, goes to head off on a fairly inexpert, twirling course across the dance area, wondering on the way along, "Hey, are we meant to be grabbing people to dance with after whispering? That could be a thing."

Kritr has joined the line.

Veronica leans in to try and catch whatever Amari is muttering, closing one eye and screwing up her face in concentration as she tries to follow along. The puzzlement on her features afterwards is swiftly banished as she seeks out her own next target--the tall man over yonder seems good. She'll twirl away from the dance floor to approach Kritr and lean in to try and pass the secret along. At the end, she'll give a hapless little smile and a shrug. It's what she was told! Probably.

Veronica mutters, "Bees hate ... they're not for ... please, considering asking a ... for ... makes better ... choice ... milk it is. This ... ... sense at ..."

"We were, but that's alright. It's only the first round, and nobody's played this before." Amari is not too concerned, but she does grin up at Gawain a moment, "You can try dancing with Veronica..." She'll even lead that way, ready to spin him off towards her cousin who is more his match in height than she is. Drawing them closer, it does afford her a great opportunity to make noise when the sentence is being sent along to Kritr 'BRZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!'

Valerian settles in on the bench beside Yvette, The man taking another smaller sip of his mead. When the mug lowers he offers up softly to Yvette, "Sorry..not much of a dancer or very good at parties." The Kennex Lord's eyes lowering as he gives that apology before lifting to once more look to the dance floor. Valerian's right hand reaching out to give the kitten held by Yvette a light scritch before he murmurs something to the woman in a far softer tone.

Kritr leans down so that Veronica doesn't have to tiptoe. He nods, frowns, mouths something out loud and then nods again. He crosses the dance floor with a heavy tread and leans over to mutter to Katarina.

Kritr mutters, "Bees ... ... Bears hate bees. Neither's known for saying please. Consider asking ... Clement which ... better milk. ... think this is too many ... I think someone added something."

Gawain BZZZZZes to interrupt any message Veronica might try to convey, then is good enough to actually introduce himself as he happens along nearby with Amari, a very straightforward, "I'm Lord Gawain Blanchard! Do you like dancing?"

Yvette canted her head towards Valerian and shook her head, offering a sweet smile thereafter. She too muttered back something to the Lord Kennex, eyes glancing to the dancing people and then her brother as she tried to stifle a chuckled.

"BZZZ, BZZZ, BUZZZZZZ!" Adalyn twirls and stomps and sways with abandon to the beat of the music. Her movements are punctuated with her loud buzzing noises, emitted between peals of laughter.

"I like it well enough--Lady Veronica Keaton," the blond woman answers, and then extends her hand for Gawain to take. "Though I'm not the master some of my more social cousins manage to be." This is kind of a lie. She's actually quite good at dancing.

Amari drops Gawain off and leaves him to Veronica's mercies, and spins away, quick and light on her feet. She reaches Adalyn by chance and hooks an arm through hers to try and sweep her along into her bouncing whirlwind dance.

Here's the thing. Kritr is six feet and three inches tall. Katarina is five feet and one inch. The small princess directs her golden eyes waaaay up and even stands on her tip-toes to try and make it easier for Kritr to mutter to her. Her brows furrow, and she takes a moment to think. "...that seemed considerably longer than what Lady Adalyn said..." The young Eurusi woman draws in a breath that makes her veil pull in against her face for a moment, and then says: "Bees hate bears, bears hate bees, neither's known for saying please. Consider asking a Clement which produces better... milk. ...wait." Katarina squints at nothing in particular, clearly dissatisfied with her own solution to the puzzle, and then looks to Adalyn: "I'm not going to ask you that."

Gawain flashes Amari a grin, then he's deposited with Veronica, and taking her hand, is, very probably, led back out to dance. Beyond some enthusiastic mirroring of movements he's just not got the first clue what he's at. "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Veronica! I won't judge either way!"

Kritr stays by Katarina's side, eyeing her to see how much of what he said she understood. "That was very close." He agrees. He looks to Veronica, whose words he had to interpret. "What was I supposed to hear?"

"A lot of gibberish!" Veronica responds a bit breathless as she turns in the dance nearby. "Truly I don't even entirely remember, but part of it was "considering asking a Clement for honey makes a better choice of whose milk it is" which--" She gives an elegant shrug of her shoulders before the dance turns her away again.

Valerian uses that chance as everyone dances and receives that answer to set his mug down before helping Yvette up, The Kennex Lord giving one last glance over the party before he is quickly heading for the entrance of the garden. The man seeming to be in a rush to slip out unnoticed before anyone has the chance to drag him onto the dance floor.

Yvette would eagerly follow Valerian along, stepping quietly to escape; kitten purring in her ear all the while.

Kritr narrows his eyes at that. "Makes perfect sense to me. Except the part about bees making milk. But I think someone added that."

Elin, A northlands forest kitten leaves, following Yvette.

Lady Lily, A young silver sea otter, Yvette leave, following Valerian.

"Honey and milk are both delicious and Clements are generally excellent, so on the whole, that sentence at least has some most agreeable words," Gawain declares to Veronica. And then with a laugh, "Although the order could use some work."

When she finds herself in close proximity to Amari, Adalyn slips her arm through her friend's and gladly allows the Keaton to sweep her into an energetic, whirling dance. As Katarina announces what she's heard of the sentence, the Clement noblewoman dissolves into giggles. She slows her steps to call out triumphantly, "My goodness, that changed quit a bit. Milk and bears hating bees and all sorts of things! My original statement was: 'Kittens are cuddly and dogs are sure to please, but ask House Clement which animal is best and they'll tell you it's the bees!'."

Katarina works over the original sentence in her mind for a moment. The mead is fairly obviously doing its thing inside of her right now. "...yes, that... that makes more sense," she says, thoughtfully. "Based on what I know."

Kritr says, "Also true for Laurents." Kritr agrees. "But. Bees aren't animals. They're INsects!""

"Oh, Gods. I had no idea what it was meant to be, or that there were dogs and kittens involved at all." Amari admits once she's heard the guess, and the original. Her pace slows a bit, as she's mulling this over, and thinking and dancing kind of interfere with each other. After a moment, and with a brief nose wrinkle, she says, "I propose that Katerina begin the chain this time, and Adalyn makes the end guess. We'll reverse it and see if the results are just as confused. Did anyone count the words that were correct? We should compare at the end."

Veronica follows along for several more jaunty turns of the music, dancing well to a song she's heard a few times, maybe a few more, growing up in the Oathlands. She's smiling, having a good time, though eventually when there comes a break in the music she'll pause to catch a breath. "Thank you for the dance milord. I think I need to go reclaim my drink before I lose my breath." She's a bit flushed from drink, dance, and party, but she'll still carry off a decent curtsey as she finds her mead cup and has it refilled for good measure.

Gawain offers a bow to Veronica and a ready grin. "Pleasure, my lady! You dance well!" Then he clears out of the dancing space for now, to avail himself of a fresh pint of milk from the big man in the big hat.

Katarina has resumed clapping and swaying her hips to the music, absent a dance partner this particular moment. But she /is/ accompanied in her dance by the hard work of coming up with something to whisper. When she has something in mind, she approaches Kritr, once again getting up on tip-toes to whisper across the distance to his ear.

Adalyn's focus on dancing wanes as she turns attention to the game instead, ticking words off on her fingers. "Mm, let's see. Bees, please, ask, Clement, which. Five words in common, I think?" As others step away from the area dedicated to dancing, she too goes in search of a drink refill, returning moments later with a newly filled glass. She notes Katarina turning to whisper to Kritr and dutifully resumes her loud BZZZ'ing.

Katarina mutters, "Flannel ... ... and flannel to ... fashion, thy ... is ... Adalyn."

Kritr crouches enough to listen. After listening he shakes his head and strokes his chin. "I do not think I know what flannel is. Is it fabric? Okay. I will try this." He stalks over to Veronica and looks around to see who is going to be the loudest as he tries to whisper something to her. Not that he is very good at whispering. Or listening.

Kritr mutters, "Flannel to top ... flannel to bottom, fashion ... name is ... ..."

Veronica leans up to hear this revised clue, listening intently once again as she tries to concentrate over the furious buzzing of her fellow players. Once she thinks she has it, she gives a small grin and a brief nod--it seems to make more sense this time perhaps? Or maybe she is just a bit earlier in the chain. In any case, she'll sway back into the music towards Amari to take Adalyn's place in linking arms with her cousin and whisper into her ear.

Veronica mutters, "... to top ... off, flannel to the bottom, ... thy ... ... staying warm ... winter."

Kritr yells after Veronica as she walks away. "BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ!" He takes a deep breath to make his shouts even more voluble.

"Five words is a good final score." Amari decides, but upon losing another dance partner, she's free to dance around on her own. This also means she'll be free to hover after Kritr and buzz at Veronica's other ear. Didn't she do this to Veronica when they were kids when she was trying to focus on her studies? Was this all some sort of elaborate excuse to pester her poor cousin by buzzing at her? Surely, not. That would be preposterous. Besides, as they link arms and spin about, she probably realizes she's just made it hard on herself. What few words she deciphers causes her to narrow her eyes and swear a little under her breath. When Adalyn is in sight, she breaks free and launches herself at her Clement friend. "I am surprisingly bad at this game. I'm so terribly sorry for the nonsense I'm about to say."

Amari mutters, "... to ... ... ... flannel to the bottom, fashion ... ... ... ... but ... better staying ... in winter."

"Well, we'll see how skilled I am at deciphering nonsense," Adalyn notes to Amari with a goodnatured grin. Not very skilled, it seems, judging by the way her face scrunches up into a look of perplexed confusion. "That's -- huh." Taking a deep breath, she offers an apologetic shrug before reciting her take: "So to keep butts warm, flannel to the bottom, fashion is a useful thing but it's better staying inside in winter...?"

Kritr turns his attention to Katarina, expecting her to judge the accuracy of that one. It doesn't sound at all accurate to him, if anything, his frown has deepened.

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

Katarina's eyes widen, and she touches a hand to her chest as if scandalized. "That... is completely correct," she says, and in the moment, she's able to sell it like she's telling the truth.

And then the moment passes, and Katarina drops the act: "No, actually, it is wildly wrong. What I whispered was: 'Flannel to bed and flannel to ballrooms, fashion, thy name is Lady Adalyn~.'"

Veronica can't help but giggle at the final rendition of the phrase, whatever it initially was. And then she outright laughs at the final sentence. She'll raise her cup to Katarina and Adalyn both then before taking a hefty swallow and giving a rueful shake of her head. "Communication cannot withstand the wrath of the bees." She states. She'll make her way over towards Adalyn then, where the other is enjoying a well-earned libation, and lean in to speak more quietly.

"Oh..." Amari begins, but Katarina is made of LIES. She's nearly fooled, but with the correction, she sighs. "That would have been impressive, considering how badly I'd mangled it. What's the final count? Is it victory for our Princess Valardin, or our hostess, Lady Clement?" She's obviously not able to count or doesn't want to appear biased, so looks about to the others for the results. Also? She's going to find a fresh cup of mead and refrain from dancing and buzzing.

"But what is Flannel?" Kritr asks, still stupefied. "Is someone wearing some for me to see and feel?"

Adalyn gasps, clasping her hands to her chest when Katarina convincingly announces that the final product is entirely correct. Seconds later, when she realizes Katarina is teasing, she swats in the princess's general direction - an ineffectual, perfectly harmless gesture since she's not within distance to actually land any such swats. All seems to be forgiven as soon as she hears the correct statement, laughing delightedly. "I love it! That's got to be the first time in history the phrase 'fashion, thy name is Lady Adalyn' has ever been uttered." She turns to Kritr, shaking her head. "You'd not be likely to find anyone wearing it. I don't believe it's particularly popular, despite my best efforts. It's nice and warm, though."

"If you're out in the woods in an Oathlands winter, there's none better." Veronica agrees. "But it doesn't play quite so well at an Arx social party." She gives a rueful shrug. "It's a soft, dense woven wool fabric, and is easily layered. Lumberjacks and hunters favor it." So: Keatons.

Kritr says, "So it is a joke at your expense." Kritr intones. "I see." He looks at Katarina and the rest of the crowd after a moment he realizes that the joke has been taken with good grace. He attempts to smoothe his wild beard. "I would try this fabric. I am fond of wool, when furs are not available. But not... not during the summer. It is always so hot in Arx during the summer.""

Amari sweeps off one of the stone pool blocks with a brush of her hand, then settles there upon it with a cup of mead and an unfocused sort of smile. "It often has nice check patterns too." She'll chime in about flannel's virtues, but otherwise, she's taking a breather. So does the musical trio, lapsing back into a more relaxed ambiant sort of tune that's still toe-tappy, but not dance compelling. They can read a crowd.

"Flannel for party favors next time, Adalyn." She adds, and after a glance up at Kritr, "And maybe an axe throwing competition."

Jerome, a bodyguard, 2 Valardin Knights arrive, following Isabeau.