Abbas arrives and stands on the periphery of the party for a moment. That's because he is smoking that kelp (haze). It smells like Abbas went axe deep in the wig of a skunk. The brilliance of the Reaver Prince is that he opens the visor to take a long slow drag of the joint and he holds it deep. His face goes red from the struggle as he fights the urge to cough. Brilliance is on display and the bandaged fist that could not fit a gauntlet (someone lost his pinky finger) reaches up and shuts his visor. He starts to cough violently and hot boxes the inside of his closed helmet. His eyes are bloodshot as fuck. Welcome to the jungle -- Abbas proceeds with the joint in his metal fingers. "Fam!" He growls through the metal. Smoke pours out of the holes and eye slits. This applies pretty much to every single person present now. The man makes his way over to help host the event. And to bring glory to Thrax.

Arriving with two buckets full of ice, where did he get the ice? Don't worry about it. In each bucket, a bottle of the fruit flavored Kennex vodka is stuffed into the ice. As he makes his way to a table to set the buckets down he slows his gait and does a double take at the man in armor..with smoke rising from the helmet. He stares for a moment, "That stuff smells like absolute shit, Abbas." When he sets down his buckets he confers with some of the servants. They were going to need juice. Fruit juice.

Ford drops Oseyan - Kennex Brand Pineapple Vodka.

Ford drops Oseyan - Kennex Brand Mango Vodka.

Asheryn, a Gyrfalcon arrives, following Rickard.

Larissa arrives on the heel of Ford and offers everyone a brilliant smile as she makes her way to Belladonna's side and whispers quietly to her. A smile and a wave is offered to everyone she knows and even those she doesn't. For the moment she stands back and watches quietly until she is needed.

Ferrando arrives, following Leta.

1 Saik Guard, Bodyguard, A Cat arrive, following Karadoc.

While she's not (un)dressed for the pool yet, Belladonna is at the side of the bigger of the pools, legs dangling in the water. The little Duchess is watching people as they arrive and has apparently pre-gamed at least some, not much left in the tumbler she's got in hand. While she's not impossible to get to by any means, she's managed to make lining up to talk to her awkward at least. When Larissa approaches her she smiles up in the Whisper's direction, tilting her head to listen to whatever it is.

Having occupied part of the garden for the afternoon while the pool area was getting ready, Nicia and Edward held an impromptu discussion about a variety of things. As things start to get ready for the actual party, though, Nicia picks up her bottles of gifted booze and escorts the guest in the directions of the pool for the start of the war itself.

Belladonna has joined the large pool.

Blossom just wants to watch, really. The paint spattered girl has a bit of paper and charcoal in her bag, but for now she just finds a tree with a low branch, somewhere to perch and watch and wave at people who pay her any attention - but why would they? There's so many fascinating things to see!

Larissa has joined the large pool.

1 Saik Guard, Bodyguard, A Cat leave, following Karadoc.

The way Turo walks into the walled garden suggests a man who might've gotten a bit lost in it before he found his way here, poking his head in before emerging a bit more fully. Not quite the gathering he was really expecting, the military man Navegant Admiral moves into more clearer view. There's a bit of a looking around, taking in faces of people he knows, the majority being ones he doesn't.

Edward has his hands tucked behind his back as he wanders in with Nicia and he smiles to her, "Time for the war games...but I had a delightful afternoon. Thank you." he smiles and then turns to take a look at those who have gathered. His smile widening at those he knows and those he does not he does lean in to say something softly to Nicia.

"I was on a ship twice, at least. Not counting boats. Didn't drown or nothing." Leta says to Ferrando with a shrug as she arrives. The accent doesn't really help her 'pass as belonging' but she could be an Arxian - river pirate? Or she could have played in public fountains and in mud puddles down in the Lowers, which is nautical. She stops as she comes into the gardens and looks about, hands resting on her hips.

Mira Matessi arrives wearing a long %xx%xhblack robe%xn with a volumous hood down her back and wide sleeves. Her red hair is a wild tangle of waves, curls, and locks, all kind of jumbled together, and she wears thick glasses low on her nose, with gold wire frames. Looking around self-consciously, the robe is cinched with a belt around her waist, showing off a hint of a curvy frame underneath, but she's not showing hardly any skin at the moment, except for a small, exposed triangle at her upper chest.

Ferrando trucks in confidently in just a tunic and sandals, evidently having prepared all his life for rowboat war supremacy. He hasn't of course, but you wouldn't think it looking at him. "It'll be fine, just don't try to breathe water and you're golden. Hah! Take a look," he declares brightly, seeing the setup in the (laaaarge) pool. "Okay, so looks like you'll be working those cloth padded things," he tells Leta as he points them out. "I got oars."

Ford has almost convinced the staff of Pravus Manor to bring out a grill, imploring upon them that he will cook up the most fucking incredible stone crab they've ever had in their life. Barbara, however, is trying to get the Marquis to shut up.

"HANG ON I CAN'T HEAR YOU." Abbas answers Ford and then he reaches up to unstrap the helm. The Reaver Prince dreads spill out of the helmet and he grins impishly. The Warlord of Thrax is lit. And The Warlord starts to remove the armor. This is a bit difficult with a gimped up and bandaged hand. The straps are tended to though and the man starts out of his armor. Abbas has been body-painted to the glory of a Sea Serpent theme. And the Man grins impishly as he prepares to do battle for the glory of Thrax. Bloodshot eyes look to the pool and the array of miniature longships and he grins. He then looks to the catapults and offers, "I shall sail a ship." He announces despite the injuries. "I fight for the glory of Thrax." He grins and asks, "Who's with me?"

Vanora Pravus slinks into the garden, her sleeveless silk dress cut in the Setarco fashion, thus leaving a good deal of skin on display, however pale. Her red-gold hair is worn up in simple pins, a messy chignon that keeps it off of her neck.

"You are most welcome." Nicia assures Edward, then she points in the direction of Bella, "In fact, there is my sister now." She points out, giving her sister a bit of a wave in greeting, then she points to Sebastian, "My cousin, Sebastian Pravus." She then gestures towards Abbas, "Prince Abbas' half-brother...Juliana might be around here somewhere, she'd be the sister." Then she points towards Leta when she spots her, her expression brightening a bit, "Dame Broadbent!"

Titania comes walking through the garden looking around her Ocean blue eyes taken in everyone who is here before her, she breaths deeply spotting Ford then Turo and ahh Edward. Seeing the three makes her relax slightly but srill the young woman lingers in the back watching for the moment.

"It would poor form if I were not assist the very who last I saw, was fighting off a polar bear." Turo steps forward, coming to a stop near the edge of the pool, taking an 'at rest' stance, and putting his hands loosely behind his back. "Prince Abbas, I presume. You're looking much better from the last time we briefly met."

Belladonna sends a thoroughly amused smile up in Larissa's direction, and she gives a quick shake of her head. Her feet bounce against the water a few times before she looks back up to the other woman and actually replies quietly, her smile playful. Her hands come up, get spread in a what can you do? sort of gesture, before she's nodding in Abbas's direction.

Blossom spots Sebastian - a familiar face! - and waves at him from her seat in the tree. The painter has a sheet of paper out and is brushing it with charcoal, sketching something. It's not really clear what it is that she's sketching, just yet.

Barbara manages to pry Ford away from the staff and drinks table before disappearing herself. Not before stealing a drink for herself. Ford makes his way over to the pool and simply steps onto one of the miniature ships as if it was just another part of the ground, "What are the rules, Abbas? Are we slinging arrows and fire at one another." He pushes his deck shoe against the side of the pool to shove off, "Or are we swinging oars until the pool runs red?"

"Ah, yes..." Abbas answers Turo. "Glad to have you with me." He then asks, "Is this your first pool war?" He inquires curiously?

Mira just stares, wide-eyed, as Abbas, the Great and Terrible, Scourge of the West...grins impishly. Mira looks practically scandalized. Tilting her head aside and her very red hair tilts with her, bangs drifting above her glasses. She looks rather indecisive for a moment, before shuffling closer, her hips lazily swishing her deep black robes to and fro, "Um...Do you need another, your grace?"

"Ah, yes..." Abbas answers Turo. "Glad to have you with me." He then asks, "Is this your first pool war?" He inquires curiously. It's everyone's first. The man grins and then is asked about rules. He thinks a moment. "Each ship can have three to four crew." He begins, "Unless some bold bastard wants to go it alone then have at it." He offers, "The ships fight and clash while the crowd pelts them with bean bags." He then smiles, "Empty the ship of their crew and the winner is the last ship standing."

Larissa shares a smile to the Duchess as she stands with a nod and moves towards Abbas with a grin. It was impossible not to grin at the Prince Reaver as she leans up and whispers in his ear

Rickard makes his way into the room, decked out in his usual greens and browns. He stays close to Mira, offering her a polite smile and nod as he looks around, giving nods to those he knows as well, and bows to the more noble of the aforementioned. His animal companion, decked out in a speckled black and white color scheme, rests on his shoulder.

"Ah yes. I am familiar with Prince Abbas," Edward remarks as he looks at those who Nicia points out. In return he smiles and indicates the Marquis, "That is the Marquis Ford Kennex," and then he smiles and gives Titania a wave, "And that is the charming Lady Kennex, Titania. I recommend acquainting with her." he says glancing to Nicia, "But I believe I will leave you to mingle to make your introductions and to enjoy the party."

Leta squints slightly at the pool and slips a hand under her beret to scratch at her head. "Almost took a job guarding a ship to pay for my passage, once. That's close." she comments as an aside to Ferrando, and blinks. "See, though, they got different boats for different houses, don't they? I got orders from his Grace about how I'm not to embarrass House Velenosa, so I don't know if I ought to step on a boat at all." she remarks, then looks up at the sound of her name and offers Nicia a bright and friendly smile, "M'Lady, how are you?"

As if summoned by Nicia's words, Juliana strides into the garden. Her dress is a statement piece, *of course* it is. Sheer black silk is worn as a sleeveless robe, silver chains fastening in rows down the front, the fabric sheer enough for pale flesh to be easily spied beneath it. Modesty saved by bands of opaque fabric covering the important bits. But the real show stopper is the high, shimmering high collar of irridescent black feathers that sweep back to frame the whole of her head, curving back behind her. Her golden hair has been swept up and pinned in loose curls, shiny bright against the dark feathers.

As soon as Ford steps into that boat and pushes against the side of the pool, Belladonna is laughing and shifting back, pushing herself up to her feet. She backs away from the edge just a bit, though not so far that she's abandoning her quiet conversation with Larissa. Yes, Ford is being watched with a wary eye, for all that her smile is amused. When Larissa steps away, the little Duchess also abandons her spot, circling around towards one of the tables with drinks.

Belladonna has left the large pool.

Alrec does not arrive empty-handed. He has with him a grand barrel that appears to be stuffed with an assortment of bottles. Given the weight of the thing, he is dragging it along, albeit just with one hand. In his other hand he has a bottle of Kennex brand pineapple vodka, which he pauses every so often to take a grand drink from. The stuff must have a unique taste to it, for his expression after he takes a slug from it is quite the sight. There is plenty of fine liquor available and this is evidently his chosen drink. Perhaps there's a kick, for he moves with a sway, a stumble, and a fall back to the barrel before, yes, he perseveres and drags on. Behind him one of the Pravus household staff is carrying a box while trying to not be amused by Alrec.

Mira goes a bit pink in the cheeks when her question to Abbas goes unheard, and she glances about and ducks her head a bit, looking a little embarrassed. Clearing her throat, Mira starts to back up a bit, looking to head elsewhere.

Kahlana enters the party, though she is escorted by an assistant, she has bandages on her shoulder and it drapes across her body for support. She is wearing a nice sun dress, not looking to be one to partake in the pool wars but wanting to be here all the same

Turo shakes his head. "Negative, Your Highness." This looks like a man who's never played a game or maybe had real fun in his entire life. He *screams* military decorum. "But I'm not one to step away from a decent challenge, especially one that's naval inclined." Looking like there's a good chance he's going to get wet, no need to bother with his clothes, loosening the button at his collar. "I am more than prepared to take on crew, if need be."

Ford nods at the answers to his question on the rules and goes about inspecting the ship he's clearly claimed. Gotta make sure everything is in......SHIP SHAPE. Once the inspections are done, he looks up to the others around the pool, looking for his crew. When he hears Belladonna laughing at him, he turns in place, while his little ship is drifting in the pool, "What do you say Duchess? Fancy a good ship with a decent crew, and even better captain?"

"Good luck with your battle." Nicia replies, giving Edward a smile before she nods in Titania's direction at the introduction. But she seems to veer off towards Leta, "I'm doing well! Quite well. Are you going to be joining in the battles, or are you just here to make certain that nothing comes up out of any tunnels?"

Abbas is naked in all his glory and body painted in a Sea Serpent motiff. The man nods to Mira, "Certainly, if you'll fight for the glory of Thrax then Turo and I will be happy to have you." The Warlord asserts and he grins and winks over to Nicia when he spots her. Abbas then clears his throat as he claims a boat. "Okay, betting works like this: Find Larissa, declare the boat you champion. The house takes twenty percent for charity. The winning boat distributes the remaining winnings amongst those who bet for it." The man takes a boat and waves Ford and Mira over. "I place 20,000 silver on my own boat." Abbas informs Larissa.

Ferrando eyes Leta patiently. "We've -been- through this, Broadbent. It'd take something absolutely catastrophic like burning down the Pravus manor or something to rise to the level of 'embarassing House Velenosa'. Come on, we're Lyceans! We're almost as inoculated to scandal as we are poison. You'll be -fine-. There is seriously nothing embarrassing here that could possibly happen in the normal course of completely dominating the pool." He smiles politely to Nicia. "M'lady," he says amiably when she veers up to them.

Of course Edward slips from Nicia's side he makes his way over towards where the liquor is kept. Looking at the selections he gets some of the vodka and then he turns to take a nice drink before he begins to wander the edges of the large pool watching for the moment but not quite mingly. He smiles though and keeps his eyes on the party dominating Abbas for the moment, giving a grin as he explains the betting.

Edward has joined the large pool.

Ford's call in her direction just has Belladonna's laugh sounding again; once she's got a refill for her glass she pads back over to the edge. "I would be terribly disloyal if I abandoned my own men like that; prepare to be sunk, Marquis Ford." There is a glance over in the direction of Alrec. The stumbling around Alrec. Sigh. She laughs again, turns her attention back to Ford. "Though I admit your offer is certainly tempting, my lord."

Mira grins back at Rickard excitedly, bouncing on the balls of her feet, "You heard him, find a ship!" Trotting at a light jog that causes her light black robe to bounce freely, Mira makes her way over to Abbas and Turo. The curvy lawyer of Merchant Road salutes with fist to chest when she arrives. "Ready for battle!" She blinks, realizing for the first time that Abbas is actually...really naked, and not just wearing small trunks. "Um..." Her eyes widen a bit as they come back up. "...We don't all have to be naked, do we?"

"As if there was any doubt to that." Turo replies, shrugging off his long coat, folding it and setting it upon chair near the pool. The rest of his clothes are done in much the same way. Undone or unbuttoned folded and then put away with the rest of his belongings, leaving himself in just his pants. "I expect to stay perfectly dry with these kind of odds." He then moves to stand with Abbas and anyone else that joins them.

Titania notes Nicia's nod and she smiles in return but the young womam seems to be frozen to the spot for the moment, she notes who are dressed and not dressed and her cheeks pinken some day she will get use to this! some day! She spots Edward and starts off in his direction.

"No!" Ford calls out to Mira, "He's just showing off." Then he looks over to Bella as he steps towards the back of the mini ship and puts his foot on the edge, "A shame, Duchess, a shame indeed, but I suppose I'll soldier on."

Leta blinks at Nicia, and her grin broadens as she laughs, "If anyone comes out of any tunnels here, well - they'll just get wet, won't they? Maybe drown, if they just empty the whole pool on themselves, or at least they'll get soggy!" she gestures to the pool, then glances aside at Ferrando once more. "That's what you say. I wouldn't know, what if there's some knightly thing no one's told me about? We'll see about dominating things, then!" she finishes, then leans in towards Nicia, "I might just risk drowning for a good cause, I suppose, not that I'm any good at this." she looks down at herself, and starts undoing the laces on her doublet.

Larissa stands on top of one of the nearby chair and waves her hands in the air "Here I am! For those of you that wish to bet, just whisper in my ear how much and for what ship! Good luck everyone!"

"I believe your companion is right." Nicia points out to Leta, offering Ferrando a quick smile before she glances towards those getting ready to do battle. She spots Abbas and his wink, lifting a hand towards him in a wave, "Good luck!" She calls, then glances back towards Leta and Ferrando, "It is for a very good cause, and believe me. There's very little you could do here that would be embarassing, you are in the very best of company for it." She gives them both a quick grin before she nods towards Titania, "Excuse me, I need to go introduce myself." She then begins to move towards the Lady Kennex.

Alrec is actually not heading towards Belladonna, but rather he is making his way over to none other than Sebastian. He offers the other fellow a most grand bow, household staff still in tow with his package. "My Lord," he greets him, pressing the bottle to his hand thereafter. "Shall we?" Those with a keen eye might note that his motions are a touch on the dramatic side. Spying Sebastian's twin, he gestures to her, clearly in offer.

Edward smiles as Titania comes over and he gives her a nod, "Good day Lady Kennex." he smiles and then he motions, "I believe the Marquis needs more crew. If you will excuse me we can talk later." he smiles and then he tosses back his glass and he sets it aside before he looks at her, "Mingle." and then steps away from her to walk over towards Ford, "I will join your ship...,"

Blossom kicks her feet a little bit as she sits on her tree branch, sketching away with the piece of charcoal in her hand. She's having plenty of fun as it is, without any boat or any water. Well, she's not really opposed to water, but she likes drawing more.

"You'd best," Bella answers Ford with a laugh, and then she's heading over to where Larissa is waving her arms around. "I will put ten thousand on Prince Abbas, and ten thousand on Admiral Alrec," she notes, once she steps into range. The smile she offers up towards Larissa is thoroughly amused. "It seems we're off to a good start." She lifts her glass in toast to the Whisper, then takes a big ol' swallow from it, padding back over to stand beside one of those piles of bean-filled bags.

Sebastian lifts a hand to wave in Nicia's direction when she points out to Edward who he is, an amused little smile on his lips. Then he spots Blossom in the tree and he gives her a little nod of his head and a thumbs-up for her choice of perch to watch those below. It is when Alrec approaches, however, with his bottle in hand, that Sebastian smiles with great amusement and takes it, "We shall, indeed." He then looks over toward Juliana and says "Are you joining us or do you leave the Admiral and I to fight alone?"

Ford nods to Edward, "Good man. We'll need all the help we can get to sink that damned Abbas."

Ferrando hmms and eyes the various rowboats as he waits for Leta to finish preparing. They all look boaty. It seems promising. "I think that one looks like a good pick," he says as he gestures to the nearest unclaimed boat. He glances back towards Nicia's departing figure. "Who was that, anyway?" he asks curiously.

Spying her brother near Alrec, there is a lift of Juliana's brows when she sees the gesture from Alrec. There is a pause before she nods her head, and hies her feathery self in their direction. She looks between the two and says, "Soooo... the goal is to bet on another ship then?" Her fingers lift to the silver chain fastenings, starting to unhook them. "And I wore my pretty robe and everything."

Mira approaches the edge of the water cautiously, crouching just a little to dip a foot carefully into the water. She's barefoot under the robes, and she bites her lip as she glances around furtively, hands resting on the belt of her robes.

Kahlana looks over to Abass then to Edward and his crew she chuckles as she places her bet, then she grabs herself a drink - the bandaged Crovane watches with bright eyes and she drinks to numb her pain tonight.

Edward chuckles, "Aye that we should...," Edward strips off his tunic, shoving off the jagged scar that runs from right shoulder to left hip on his back, and he sets it aside. He rubs his hands together and steps over to the boat with Ford.

Ford crouches down at the edge of his ship and dips his hands into the water, then using wet fingers to rake his hair back before standing back up, "Last call for recently dubbed vessel The Saffron's Last Resort! We can take one more!"

Rickard continues to observe the goings on, remaining quiet until/unless addressed. His avian companion's gaze follows the motion of the room, ever-alert for trouble. "I may not have my sea-legs, but I will promise to do my best for whomever desires my assistance in their endeavors." He announces, nonchalantly.

Leta prepares, largely by removing her boots and her fancy doublet and her very large sword. This leaves her in a thin white linen shirt, violet wollen hose, and a fancy feathered beret. This done, she claps her hands together, pours herself some rum off a table in passing, and tags after Ferrando, "So who's our captain, then?" she asks of him with a smile, looking about as she takes a sip.

Larissa takes a few minutes taking bets, writing down names and amounts of money they put on the ship of their favor. "Ladies and Gentleman, bring your bets and wages to me! So far I have bets from Duchess Pravus and Prince Abbas. If I missed you, please whisper to me again and to everyone else - Let's place our bets folks!"

Titania nods her head to Edward watching him walk away with a soft smile," I will." she hears Fords words and she chuckles shaking her head. She keeps her eyes on Ford and Edward bitting her lower lip wanting to j oin in but decides she will remain on dry land.

Ford calls out to Abbas, "What's she called?" He gestures to his ship, "Better give her a name before we start. Bad luck otherwise."

Bare feet carry Toru to the edge of the pool, near Mira. "I would not worry so much. The worst that could happen is that you could get a little wet. And I'm sure for some, that's completely the point."

Nicia approaches Titania, clearing her throat to announce herself, "Hello?" She offers her a quick smile, her hands folding themselves together in front of her, "I do not believe that we've met. I'm Nicia Pravus."

Vanora walks towards Belladonna, steps slow and graceful as she looks at the pool and hears the bets. An airy near-kiss greets her duchess and cousin, and she murmurs, "How did you determine who to put your coin on, Bella?"

Mira finally seems to muster the courage to disrobe and pulls her satin belt loose. Slipping the robes off her shoulders and letting them fall to her ankles, the fox-haired lawyer is left standing there in just a two piece thong bikini. A pair of black triangles cover the front of her breasts, held together with string, and string arches high over either hip to hold another triangle in place just above her thighs. Not wearing a scrap of clothing otherwise, save for a thin black choker with a dull red gem at her throat, Mira clears her throat, adjusts her bikini top, and dives into the water, swimming for Ship #1.

Ferrando gives a Leta a slightly amused grimacing shrug like it ought to be obvious. "Well you are, obviously. I'm just a minister. Anyway, we ought to name this boat first, for good luck. What's one of Serafine's good lines?" he asks as he eyes Rowboat #4.

Mira as she surfaces, Mira blinks, realizing somewhat was probably talking to her as she disrobed. Circling about in the water, she blinks up at Turo and eeks, cringing a bit. "Sorry! I was a little distracted!" She glances from Turo, to Abbas, and back, and flashes a sheepish, embarrassed grin.

"No faith," Alrec tsks to Juliana, his head inclining toward the other noble in a most humble manner. "My Lady." His barrel full of bottles of booze is thusly discarded and he is reaching toward the box that the household servant had carted along. He takes his precious cargo in hand before remarking to his crew, "Let's have on with it. Else we'll default a loss and we can't have that." With that he hurries along to Pravus' fine vessel.

Turo blinks at Mira. "Ah, so that's why with the hesitation." Clearly he was a bit surprised by the bikini. Once she resurfaces, he shakes his head. "Not a problem. It's a good look for you." Then he dives in as well, making for their boat.

Titania looks to Nicia smiling standing much the same her hands clasped in front of her resting against her dress, "It is a pleasure to meet you Lady Pravus." she turns to face the otehr woman more. "Lady Titania Kennex." she looks out at the boats then back to Nicia, "Who do you think will win?" she asks with a grin.

"Oh, Lady Vanora," Belladonna sees her cousin, and she hands her a bean bag and then collects herself another. "How did I decide? Well, they're both family," she answers, giving a light shrug of her shoulders as she watches all of the preparation and people moving around. Oh, that is such a cheerful smile on her face right now. "It would be disloyal for me to bet any other way. You should put money on Marquis Ford, though -- if you haven't met him, I'll introduce you once the fight is over." She gestures to Ford in indication.

"Ship of fools, indeed," Sebastian agrees with Juliana with an amused smile and loops his arms through hers to lead her on after the good captain toward their vessel. "It will be an adventure." Of course, their last adventure involved polar bears. That flash of white teeth is a brilliant grin in his sister's direction.

Ford is the only one entirely dressed on these ships. The Saffron's Last Resort is ready to sail however.

Kahlana one armed takes up a catapult as she drinks, at least she can have fun and try to knock people out of boats. She grins a little as she watches, her lips tighten slightly and she watches from the sidelines, getting her launcher ready

Abbas grins broadly in his nekkid body-painted glory. The Sea Serpent stradles the sides of his mini-longship and he growls down to Turo and Mira, "I dub our ship The Long Tentacle!" He does a spin and then land sin the boat. Abbas takes the oars and sits as he passes up the pool noodles to Mira and Turo to fight with. And he kids them off and pushes into the pool and takes them to the far end to turn and prepare for glory.

"Thank you love." Vanora responds. "Marquis Ford? No I don't believe I've met him. I'll follow your advice however. How much do you think I ought wager?" she asks Bella

"Win?" Nicia glances towards the pool and individuals as they start to sort out who is on one ship, "Well, if I were a betting woman I would put my money on Prince Abbas, but of course I have to cheer for my house, which would be my cousins and Admiral Alrec. They stand a very good chance. I'm not certain about any of the others personal skills."

Ford cackles at the name of Abbas' ship. "Compensating my friend?"

Juliana removes her feathered robe and folds it neatly, hurrying over to Larissa to whisper her bet before moving back to join her crew. Under the robe she wears only bands of fabric to provide unnecessary modesty for a Lycene lady. Still, she seems comfortable in her coveredness. She climbs into their craft and eyes the noodles as if it may bite her. "I really should have practiced my stabbing before today."

Mira grabs onto the edge of Ship #1 and pulls herself up over the edge, bending in half with hips (and thong) up behind her before she rolls into the craft. Taking up a noodle, she waggles it at Abbas, "Aye aye!" Taking up a dramatic fighting stance, breasts rocking a bit against her bikini top, Mira narrows her eyes, ready to whack someone.

"Always." Abbas growls to Ford, "I'm a grower, not a shower! The water is cold!" He laughs heartily.

Leta blinks at Ferrando and starts flailing her arms about, in an impression of someone drowning. "What!? Just 'cause I got a fancy hat doesn't make a captain!" she protests, slack-jawed, and looks about, "That was - Lady Nicia, wasn't it? Anyway, I thought you'd find us a proper captain, I can just barely row a boat! Crossed a lake once, but there weren't folk trying to hit me with things." she argues, "Oh. Our ship? The Jolly Thistle? The Going to Flip Over Bloody Soon?" she muses. Then she calls out to Larissa, "Pardon me, but can I bet on someone else's boat?"

"How much do you have? Just put whatever you'd like, I'll cover it," Belladonna assures Vanora with a light pat to her shoulder. She makes the attempt at tossing the beanbag in one hand, and while she manages to make it go up, it comes down and she misses the catch. Sploosh, into the water. She clears her throat, crouches to pick up another one. This time she just holds it.

"The Long Tentacle." Turo muses, pulling himself into the boat. "Absolutely terrible." A pause. "I love it." The noodle is taken up, waving it slightly. "A bit limp, don't you think?" So maybe he does have a sense of humor, just takes a little bit of coaxing to get out of him.

Ferrando squints at Leta. "Bet on another boat? I don't care if you're the captain, that's mutinous! Whatever," he complains before calling over to Abbas. "We're the Jolly Thistle!" he announces. "Now c'mon, they're going to start without us."

Mira pokes Turo lightly with her noodle, "You'll grow into it, I'm sure." She smiles brightly, looking up at him with dark blue eyes. She's still wearing her glasses. Then she pokes Abbas on the back, since he's the captain, "You want me fore or aft, captain?"

Blossom unlaces her boots, then drops them to the ground and kicks her bare feet as she watches the battle begin. She's finished sketching the pool, now all that's left is to sketch the epic battle!

Ford takes up his oar in his hand and leans over, stroking the hull of his little ship, "You treat us right baby, and I'll have you commissioned into a proper war ship."

Ford checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Larissa looks down at her sheet "I have bets from Prince Abbas, Duchess Belladonna, Ladies Kahlana and Juliana and myself - Does anyone else wish to place a bet?



Abbas checked intellect + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 52 higher.

"I'm not betting on ours, am I? Might as well just throw my coin in the pool and be done with it." Leta objects in Ferrando's direction with a shake of her head, then shakes her head, sighs in resignation, and climbs carefully down into the boat. She barely holds her balance there, wobbling a moment. "Alright, then! Sailing it is. So - this bit's the front, right?"

Leta checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Rickard checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Alrec checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Vanora doesn't do anything with her beanbag but hold it uncertainly in slender fingers. "Yes, I'll place a bet. Whatever Bella offered for her chosen sailors, I'll put on Marquis Ford."

Edward settles into place as Ford pushes out and he grips the noodle that the fight is to be conducted with. He narrows his eyes as the ships close in and he readies for his target...

Ferrando settles into a seat and grabs some oars with his back to said front of the boat. "It's not the front, there's some fancy boat word for it," he notes. "Just tell me where to steer! I can't see where we're going."

"So the Ship of Fools has started its maiden voyage!" calls out Alrec, making certain that the twins are well settled into the vessel. His cargo is partially dumped onto the ship (an assortment of Wyrmguard chocolates) while some are left in the box. After that, he begins attempting to get a feel for the vessel.

The final bets, Ladies and Gentleman! Betting on Prince Abbas we have Duchess Belladonna, Prince Abbas, Lady Kahlanna and Lady Juliana! Betting on Captain Alrec we have another by Duchess Belladonna and betting on Ferrando and Leta - myself, Larissa Whisper! Good Luck Everyone!

To Mira's question, Turo opens his mouth, but somehow he thinks better of what might've come out of it, deciding to say nothing. There's a comment on his face however, peeking out from behind the stoicism. Instead he'll try to focus less on the lawyer and more on whacking someone with his noodle. That sounds horrible. Hitting someone with his long member. No, that's not right either. Beaning someone with his emergency floatation device. There we go.

Titania smiles and gives a giggle at the name of Abbas ship and the banter between he and Ford, she points to the Ship. "That is my cousin Marquis Ford and that is Lord Redreef I think they stand a good chance. I think maybe they will last the longest." she smiles at Nicia.

The Long Tentacle gets a rapid start and Prince Abbas Thrax's muscles bulge as he takes the oars. And the Warlord growls looking like a Sea Serpent in Command of the boat. He takes them straight for his siblings vessel. Alrec was his target and he planned .go for their blood first. The man is on a crash coarse as he plans to ram them to get them off guard so his warriors can flail away.

Abbas says, "Take out the admiral!" Abbas growls to his crew!"

Mira snaps her noodle forward, "Death or Glory!" She snaps it forward a second time, harder, making her bikini bounce and the sword wobble, "RAWR!" Strangely enough, the lawyer girl seems...fairly at home on a ship, for some strange reason. Like she's done this before. Bouncing forward and skirting around Abbas, Mira leans on prow of the ship, ready to swing for Alrec himself!

Nicia glances towards where Titania points, nodding to her, "I've met the Lord Redreef, but I've never had the chance to meet the Marquis Kennex." She observes thoughtfully, watching as the battle starts to get underway, "I shall endeavor to introduce myself sometime today, though. Especially since you feel they stand a chance of lasting the longest."

Saffron's Last Resort goes wide, skirting the edge of the pool as other ships converge, "Ready up fellas." Ford commands pushing in towards Abbas and crew, "Pick your targets... make em count!"

"It's the bit with the head on it? Or the statue part, right? It's pointier than the back, too." Leta muses cluelessly on the subject of nautical terms, and points forward, "Right, that way!" her finger wobbles back and forth. It stops on Abbas for a moment, then very very quickly moves elsewhere. "Not that way! The other way. Right!" and she settles in and picks up one of the noodles to prepare for the fighting.

Turo checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 1, rolling 27 higher.

Mira checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 1, rolling 12 higher.

"To the deep!" Edward growls with a touch of glee before he swings his head at the unknown on Abbas' ship, targeting Turo...

Edward checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Juliana checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 3 lower.

Alrec checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Alrec checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Titania laughs watching Ford and crew get into the thick of things, "If you would like after I can introduce you to my cousin." she grins just watching is fun enough nothing like a bunch grown men to have fun betting one another with pool noodles.

Ferrando takes a little bit to realize that Leta pointing to the right means row harder to the left but having sorted that out has the Jolly Thistle oriented more or less in a correct direction. He looks up from his furious oaring at the captain-hat-wearing-Leta. "Take out the Admiral? Are they talking about you? Is it time to grab my noodle now? I can't see where we're going," he reports. But he sees Leta arm a noodle and semi-haphazardly readies his own.

Blossom giggles and watches grown men pelt each other with their giant noodles, sketching eagerly as she does. Oh dear, this sketch may not be appropriate for the King's gallery.

Sebastian checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Leta checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 35 higher.

Ferrando checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 30 higher.

Rickard checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

No guts, no glory -- Well. Juliana has guts, jumping forward to try to put herself between Alrec and the impending noodle attacks, but she has no glory at all, since she promptly trips over her own feet and with a squeal of dismay, the pitches overboard instead, the first casualty as she hits the water. SPLASH!

Mira checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

"Oh, certainly. I will never turn down an introduction." Nicia replies with a smile at Titania, then she glances towards the drinks, "Have you been offered a drink yet?"

Ford checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

When Sebastian comes after her with a noodle, Mira actually twirls away! She hops to the side, one bare foot landing on the edge of the rowboat, and she bounces back over to the side of Abbas. But just as she's bringing up her noodle for another blow, a swipe from Rickard catches her in the stomach and Mira squeaks as she's sent overboard, splashing in the water!

So it is that Alrec is able to deftly avoid one attack but he is hit with the other. Thus the second fool is tumbling toward the water, landing with quite the impressive splash. Undoubtedly he does not appear as intoxicated as before, the waters evidently a sobering experience. He wastes no time to swim to Juliana, making certain that she is fine. There is however, given priorities, a call of, "My Lord, save the chocolate!" Because priorities.

From the bow of his vessel, Rickard offers.. a bow, swiping the noodle in a graceful sword-style arc, and offering a salute to the sea-bound Mira Matessi, before jumping back into the fray with a hearty "Yo-HOOOO!"

"Forward, Minister! You're goin' forward! I mean this way." Leta announces, and tries to do a swipe with her noodle as the boat drifts, not-quite-aimlessly, past Ford's boat, leaning perilously over the edge to flail her 'weapon' about at the enemy captain. She's not very good with boats, but she's got a solid handle on the basic principles of flailing things about. "Well done, Minister, our oars beat like the wings of the noble seagull!" she tries to wax oceanic.

Titania shakes her head, "No I have not." she smiles, "I do believe the Marquis brought some of the Kennex vodka, if you would care to try some with me?" she looks over as people start to get knock out of the boats. She looks back to Nicia, "This was a very good idea." she smiles.

A delighted laugh escapes when Alrec hits the water, and Belladonna bumps her shoulder into Vanora's, turning her head to murmur something to her younger cousin.

Sebastian, seated in the boat as they row out, begins tossing chocolate to those on land, particularly those who seem to be near the cannons. The pieces of chocolate fly out toward those on shore and he shouts, "Bombard the Thistle! For the love of Fools, for the Fools of Love, we will ... oh .. shit.." That's about when Alrec is getting attaacked and Sebastian makes a wild flail at Mira with his noodle in an attempt to try and save his Captain. Alas, he is not only too late, but he leans out forward as the other two pitch into the water and the boat tips, dunking him face first into the pool as well. Oops.

"I'd love some." Nicia replies with a flash of a smile before she starts towards the drinks, her eyes then shifting towards the pool and the battle being waged on it, "It was. I'm very glad that my sister and Prince Abbas came up with this idea."

Juliana comes up sputtering, but fine. When Alrec checks on her, she swims backwards a bit, ensuring proper distance is kept, nodding her head, "All is well, though I failed you mightily." She offers a smile before looking side to side and plotting a course to exit the pool safely.

Ferrando is finding the rowing and noodling a little bit hectic and just elects to go with a wild sort of Boba Fett? Boba Fett? Where? semi-blind backhanded swipe at the passing ship that sends the end of a slightly short-armed noodle flailing towards Edward's general direction. "Seagulls aren't noble! They're assholes even by bird standards! Are there seagulls in front of us? I can't see where we're going," he reports.

Edward checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 35, rolling 21 lower.

Leta's noodle comes across Ford's face with enough force to pitch him over the side of the boat. As he goes over the side, getting his clothes entirely soaked, he comes back up and shakes his head, slicking his hair back, "Abandon ship, gentleman! Board the enemy ships! FIGHT WITH YOUR LIIGHhghkfnghghghghgh" He trails off as he sinks, bubbles the only sign of the Late, Great, Ford Kennex.

Mira surfaces with a gasp, treading water and sweeping her wet hair back. Searching around the battle, Mira glares and shakes a fist at Rickard, trying to splash water in his direction. Then she's swimming over toward where Ford went under, diving after him. She's actually a rather excellent swimmer.

Prince Abbas Thrax reaches into the water to save Mira?!?!? No -- he yanks her noodle from her and arms himself as he takes the oars in hand to stand and growl. "TEARS IN OUR WAKE!" The naked man growls. Abbas turns and his back to the crowd he gives them a dimpled view of his biscuits and flexes. The Long Tentacle is not without its casualties. The Jolly Thistle lucked through the round and no one targeted it from the boats. They got great success and the Ship of Fools is decimated from the onslought of attacks. Saffron's Last Resort takes its lumps.

Abbas checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Focused so much on Turo that the sly and cunning Ferrando gets a short noodle swipe at Edward prompting him to tip ass over head into the water. The Redreef Lord kicks his feet to swim down to the bottom and then across to come up and sputter some as he wipes his face and laugh. He gives Ferrando a salute and then he looks at the others and then to Rickard, "You're the last man standing Rickard!"

Walking over to the drinks with Nicia she looks to see what was brought in Fords bucket, "Looks like we have Pineapple or Mango." she holds the bottles up, "What would you Like Lady Nicia?" she asks when she hears Fors yelling she looks up and winces seeing him in the water. She looks to Niccia and smiles, "Well perhaps you are correct in your thinking on the ships."

"It is fine and fair, My Lady," calls Alrec in turn, assessing her status before he is deftly turning and starting to swim back toward their vessel. This is not due to his innate desire to save the chocolate, though that undoubtedly shall come, but rather just as he checked with Sebastian's twin, he is seeking to check on him as well. "My Lord?"

"Pineapple." Nicia decides when she's provided the choices, reaching for two glasses to hold them up as she glances in the direction of the pool again. When she spots Abbas her brows lift upwards and she coughs, choking back the laugh before she nods with utmost seriousness to Titania, "I believe it seems as though I was correct, yes."

Mira surfaces with a sputter and shakes her head, "I think the Kennex Marquis wants to drown. She swims away cheerfully, however, following the Long Tentacle like a dolphin. "Go Abbas, go! Death and glory!! Knock them clear off their ships, Turo!" Mira whistles shrilly, treading water in place to do so.

"Mira, no!" Turo shouts as she gets knocked over board. "I will avenge you upon pain of death!" He might be getting into it a little bit.

Blossom checked luck + artwork at difficulty 19, rolling 22 higher.

Rickard checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 24 higher.

Blossom checked luck + artwork at difficulty 14, rolling 28 higher.

Blossom checked luck + artwork at difficulty 13, rolling 37 higher.

Kahlana checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Sebastian resurfaces not far from the boat with a bit of a sputter and a laugh as he says, "I am afrad, my captain, that this did not go as planned," to Alrec, assuring him that he is well enough despite the crushing defeat. He does begin to make his way back over to the boat, however, to both push it a bit out of the combat zone, and to help Alrec recover the chocolate after seeing that Juliana is indeed well, if wet.

Blossom checked luck + artwork at difficulty 12, rolling 37 higher.

Blossom has rolled a critical success!
Blossom checked luck + artwork at difficulty 11, rolling 141 higher.

Ford puts his hands on the edge of the pool and pulls himself up to climb out. He's soaked. But his clothes are so fitted, they look exactly the same wet as they were dry. Only difference is his pants are now slightly see through. He stands on the edge of the pool letting the water pour off of him in seemingly endless amounts. Then with squishy wet shoes, he makes his way over to the drinks table to fix himself a new drink.

Titania pours the drink into both glasses and putting the bottle down, she takes one of the glasses from Nicia, "To Nakes men fighting in boats with wet noodles?" she giggles her checks turning pink as she holds the glass up to the other woman.

Ferrando checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 41 higher.

Leta checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Ferrando is almost startled when his noodle thunks into somebody with a resultant splash. "Sorry, Lord Edward! Wait, pirates don't say sorry. Or do they say sARRRRy, hehe-gaaah!" Peripherally he's aware just in time of a beanbag coming flying at his head. "Oh come on, that wasn't -that- terrible of a pun!" he calls back towards Kahlana.

Juliana spots her twin, safe and unharmed, and once that is confirmed, she is swimming to the edge of the pool and pulling herself out of the water. A towel is taken, wrapped around herself and soon enough she is moving away from the pool, finding a place to quietly observe.

Abbas checked intellect + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 61 higher.

Rickard is rather wet from all of the water being splashed around -- but he's still in the game, as they say, as of yet. Noodle gripped in one hand, he gives it a flourishing wave, crowing gleefully. "Yah, yah, tally-ho and all that."

Edward kicks his feet to swim over to the edge and then he lifts himself up out of the pool and then he turns to sit on it, he brings up his legs and then pulls off his boots and tips them over before he sets them aside on the edge. He brushes his wet hair back and flings his water out casting droplets into the water. "Arrr!" he yells at Ferrando, "Next time ya cur!"

Blossom hops down from her tree perch, newly finished drawing in hand, and wanders over to Larissa's area to show it to people. It's not at all accurate to the battle, but she did a /really/ good job for the time she had.

Nicia starts to lift her glass up, but pauses when Titania makes her toast, her brows arching upwards in a bit of a surprise before she laughs. "Indeed. To naked men fighting in boats with wet noodles." She agreees, taking a healthy swallow of the pineapple vodka before she cradles the glass in both of her hands.

Abbas growls as he takes the oars and hard strokes and a man who puts his back into -- the small longboat goes incredibly swiftly and straight for the boat of Leta and Ferrando. The master of the Salt and the Pool pops up and the takes the noodle and growls, "Get them Turo!" He howls. Abbas hops up and balances on the bow of the ship precariously. In all of his naked Reaver glory. Noodly waving threateningly.

Ferrando gets back to the rowing of the boat. "Where to, Admiral?" he asks Leta boisterously as he starts getting the Jolly Thistle back underway. "I'm not saying we should see if we get any bonus points for running over my cousin or anything, but just throwing that out there..." He squints as the Tentacle starts closing in. "Uh. I -can- see where those guys are going! Which is here!"

Rickard checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Once Ford fishes himself out of the pool and goes to get a drink, Belladonna murmurs a few more quiet words to Vanora, then takes her glass over that way. "It was a valiant attempt, Marquis Ford," she offers as she pads up beside him, lifting her glass his way. Catching the words from her sister she barks out a startled laugh, looking over that way and lifting her glass in that direction too. And there is more drinking.

Leta cheers as she knocks the enemy captain overboard, then frowns back at Ferrando, "That's most of the seabirds I used to see down in the Lowers, anyway! I don't what other sorts of fancy birds you get in other parts. There's what - sea ducks?" in the middle of this, she tries to steer the boat and nudge Ferrando lightly, "I can see that too! To the left! Your left, not my left. Hurry up!" and she helps with an oar and with the pool noodle, doing her best to get the wobbly boat away from Abbas's vessel. It's likely not happening.

Titania takes a sip of her glass and giggles ahh and there is a very wet Ford, "Marquis Ford I would like to introduce you to someome." she moves to take his very wet arm and drag him closer to where they are near the drinks. "Marquis Ford this is Lady Nicia Pravus."

Knowing to how to move on a boat, Turo weaves into the sway of the Long Tentacle, readying his large noodle. "Aye, Captain." he calls back, locking back with his arm and jabbing the end of it at Ferrando to try and knock the big man overboard. "Have at you!"

Turo checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 1, rolling 25 higher.

Kahlana laughs a little as she watches Ferrando dodge the beanbag easily she watched as Ford and Edward swim to the edge and she grins a little as she drinks of her cups deeply.. She tries to unseat those on the other ships, having fun nailing bags at people.

Alrec's answer is a flash of a quicksilver grin, bright and bold against the dark of his beard. "We can but try, My Lord. At least we have the satisfaction of knowing that our defeat...is most sweet." Somehow, well, he manages to keep a straight face even if his eyes are dancing with laughter. He does as Sebastian, moving their fine vessel out of the combat zone and seeking to pull it 'ashore.' Once they have it properly saved, he begins rifling through the chocolate bars. He finds a Citrus Thrill bar and, deftly, tosses it vaguely towards Belladonna so that it lands near the feet of she and those around her.

Abbas checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 1, rolling 27 higher.

Leta checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 9 higher.

Leta checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 1 lower.

"A pleasure to meet you." Nicia replies when Titania pulls Ford over to make the introductions, giving him a nod of greeting before she notices her sister, giving Bella a quick smile before she leans in to give her sister a hug, and murmur something quietly to her.

Abbas checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Ford tips the glass of mango voddy back until it's empty again before he dips his wet self towards Belladonna, "Good thing you didn't put money on me." He smirks, making to pour another drink, "I blame it on the fact that I did not have you aboard." Then as Titania speaks to him he turns towards his cousin, still dripping from the pool. He lifts a hand to slick back that golden hair, dipping his head to Nicia, "A pleasure my lady. I have to apologize for my display. It is unfitting for a captain to not go down with his ship."

Ferrando grabs his noodle since the row-away plan is failing completely. "For the glory of the navy to be named later!" he declares proudly, swinging his own noodle back towards Turo.

Ferrando checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 27 higher.

Ferrando checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Turo checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Rickard has rolled a critical success!
Rickard checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 12, rolling 67 higher.

There's a long glance sent in Titania's direction, but Belladonna just turns away after a moment, turning her attention to her sister. The hug is returned, and she nods to wahtever the quiet words. She replies just as quietly, and then she's turning to pad away from that little group, heading for the gazebo.

Mira mrrs quietly from the water, watching her team ravage the enemy. "Go go go!" She's still following the Long Tentacle, and she winces when Abbas takes a big hit from Leta...but when he fails to fall, Mira cheers! The cheer is cut short by a gasp when Turo goes under, however, and Mira dives into the water, rump briefly surfacing behind her before she kicks down into the water, swimming after the fallen Long Tenctaclian.

Edward gets up and picks up his boots when Rickard makes his mightly blow and he raises a fist, "Hurrawr!" he laughs and then he begins to make a circuit of the pool going around it headed towards the table where the liquor is.

"Ah, well, I suppose that sometimes the captain is unable to go down with his ship." Nicia replies, pausing to listen to her sister before she nods in agreement with whatever said. Then she lifts the glass of vodka in her hand, "Quite a nice liqour to have brought. I don't believe that I've ever had this particular one before, is it easy to come by here?"

It's rather comical. Turo's noodle smacks Ferrando square in the chest while the other man's catches the Navegant in the chest, causing him to lose his balance and topple overboard. "Avenge meeee, Abbaaaaas!" he splutters going under. Now he's a good swimmer, so when he finds himself at the bottom of the pool, upon opening his eyes, he sees the blurry vision of Mira coming to his aid.

Ford nods to Nicia, "It is. At least one crate of each flavor comes in every two weeks. So there's always enough to go around."

Belladonna has joined the the gazebo.

Leta tries to paddle the boat away from Abbas's to the very last, before springing up on wobbly legs as the boat rocks back and forth. It's an unsteady footing, and she swings her noodle mightily in Abbas's direction. Mighty, but it's clearly not doing anything too useful, unlike the smack she takes. She's prodded off balance, arms flailing at the sides as she tries to retain her balance. It could have worked. Maybe. Probably not. "Remember the might of the proud sea duck!" she yells at Ferrando before Rickard's hit flings her entirely overboard, hat and all making a big splash in the pool.

Mira surfaces with a Turo in tow, grinning at him, "Abbas is still up! We might win if he can get around Rickard, somehow. Come on, lets watch from the shore!" Turning away, she starts to swim off.

Once she's reasonably towel-dried, Juliana returns to the edge of the pool to collect her robe. She pulls the ink-black silk back on, working to fasten the chains once more until they are in place and she is once more doing her Thrax meets Pravus impression. With feathers. Juliana paces around, hunting for a drink, and once she finds one to her liking, she curls up by herself to watch the remainder of the action.

Titania looks to Belladonna when she glances at her and she steps back something in her causing her to get shy, she puts her glass down letting Ford and Nicia speak. She wonders back closer to the door leading out of the garden and stands there watching, she moves to wrap her arms around her waist waist she will just be right here for the moment if anyone wants her yup thats the ticket.

Rickard is just having entirely too much fun; he steers the ship up alongside Leta's vessel, and briefly leaves his post to grab a rope, swing over, and make his way to Leta, to whom he delivers a mighty *WHACK* with his noodle, before making a mad dash back across to his ship. "YO *HO*!" He crows, gleefully, sailing off.

"Ducks aren't sea-- gyaah!" is about as far as Ferrando gets before the Jolly Thistle is sandwiched by two enemy vessels. While it manages to take one of its assailants down with the rowboat is abruptly defeated amidst its crew getting whacked by noodles, losing their colletive balances, and both falling over the edge with enough force to flip the whole boat over (cue massive amount of splashing). Ferrando pops back above the surface of the water after reorienting himself. "Save the hat!" he yells, looking around quickly.

"Exactly how many are in a crate?" Nicia wonders, her head tilting just a fraction before she glances down at the glass in her hand before she smiles at Ford, "I'd love to get a few bottles the next time the delivery is made, if possible?" She wonders, glancing at Titania when she starts to move away, a brow lifting momentarily, but her attention turns back to Ford.

The Thraxian Warlord stands there balanced on the bow of his rowboat. He leaps expertly over the noodle of Leta to remain on the ship as Turo goes into the drink. The Long Tentacle rams into the crewless Jolly Thistle with a violent crash. Wood splinters. The Long Tentacle starts to sink fast and the man growls. And the Reaver Prince looks down and curses his situation. But then he looks and then he simply steps up and onto the Jolly Thistle. The Warlord grins and steals the crewlless ship. Abbas does a dramatic naked leaping into the boat with his noodle and he turns to the crowd and shouts elphant trunk out, "ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?" And then he rows to the far side of the pool and he turns the rowboat around for a brutal attack run at Rickard and the Saffron's Last Resort.

Alrec looks over those gathered on the shores and, Kahlana with her fun at beaning folks, is spied. He grins somewhat to himself and digs through his box of chocolate before taking hold of some Dark Allure. It is flung over toward her, landing a few paces off to the side of her, and he grins before considering. A Wyrmguard White Cloud chocolate bar is thereafter tossed toward Edward. His next victim is Juliana, and he is throwing her a Sweet and Savory bar. None of the bars are meant to actually hit the person, mind.

"Upwards of two dozen?" Ford says, watching Titania meander off. He smiles and turns his eyes back to Nicia, "Send me a messenger, and I'll let you know next time they all come in." Then he kinda nudges his head in Titania's direction and winks. Ford, however, was off to find a towel and a seat.

Surfacing, Turo spits out water, pushing sopping wet hair out of his face. "Damn right he's still up. Don't let us down, Abbas!" he calls over before following suit after Mira to pull himself ashore. "You did well." he notes to the lawyer once he gets to the edge of the pool. "You ever served on a boat before? Looked like something was that was a bit natural."

Stepping up into the opening into the gazebo, Belladonna leans against the railing there casually, grin on her lips. There's a glance for the candybars being thrown around, the one that landed by her feet, and she just laughs. She lifts her glass to him before she drinks again. Abbas's antics have her cracking up, her free hand coming up to cover her lips to try and keep it at least somewhat quiet.

Ford has joined the the gazebo.

Abbas checked intellect + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

There is a laugh at Abbas' antics from Edward and then he gets a candy bar. He hmms and then peels it open and then two fists the glass of vodka he has and the chocolate bar. He grins to Alrec and nods to him, "Thanks much." and then he begins to make his way in Alrec's direction. Though he glances towards the water and he grins seeing it is Rickard and Abbas the last contenders, "For Saffron!" he cheers at Rickard.

Rickard checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Mira pulls herself up over the edge of the pool, pausing there before she's fully out to answer, looking up and back at Turo, "My father owns a sailing fleet. I grew up on and around ships." Climbing the rest of the way out of the pool, she whips her hair around and twists the tangled red mess, squeezing water out. "Never thought I'd actually end up reaving, though. Even in a pool." She nods firmly, with a light bounce of her chest.

Blossom giggles a little at the antics of the Thraxian warlord, then bounces over to the gazebo with her drawing in hand, to show it off to the people sitting inside. Drawings are made to be shown, after all! She's not going to let anyone with wet hands touch it, though.

There is a glance to the chocolate thrown near her feet, and Juliana looks over to Alrec nodding her head. She reaches for the chocolate and lifts it in salute to the admiral before she returns to her solitary viewing of Abbas and his antics. There is a shadow of a smile that curves her lips, but the normally bubbly Pravus is staying rather solemn this evening.

"Of course." Nicia replies, giving Ford a nod before she turns her attention back towards the pool. She finishes the vodka in her glass before she makes her way closer to the edge of the pool, the empty glass being set aside for a servant to deal with later.

Kahlana catches the chocolate bar! yeah chocolate! she tucks it safely on the deck beside her, "Thank you!" she says to the chocolate giving man. Her eyes glitter as she watches the Warlord steal a boat, and she laughs deeply and claps her hands lightly "could not pay for better entertainment then Naked noodle fighting nobles." she laughs

Leta comes up to the surface, spitting water and sputtering as she looks about and tries to realize what's going on. Spotting Ferrando in the drink nearby, she sighs, "I see you forgot the might of the proud sea duck!" she accuses him with a sad note of resignation, but grins as she looks about, paddling in the water as she searches for her hat. It's still floating, and she paddles on over, picking it up out of the water and setting it on her head, soggy and dripping, as she makes for the shore with a sigh. "Didn't do so terribly, did we? They ganged up on us, that's what."

With their defeated vessel ashore, Sebastian pulls himself from the water and peels his sodden shirt off, leaving him in bare feet and his sodden pants. He wrings out the shirt in a small cascade before slinging it over his shoulder and reaches into the box of chocolates to find one or two and to toss them out as well, one in Nicia's direction, another toward Blossom where she displays her art over by the gazebo.

Renault, a floofy persian cat arrives, following Selene.

Making a show of calling out orders to a crew, Rickard really hams things up. "Hoist the gib! Crank the mizzen-mast! Butter my toast, lads!" He rows with the fury of a man possessed, and hopped up on adrenaline, coming around for another attack run. "Yarrr! Yo ho!" He crows.

Turo climbs out of the pool. "That would explain it, yes. Color me impressed then." Back on his feet, he plucks a couple of towels, offering one to Mira. "We did our work, it's up to Abbas now, I would say. But good fun. I had almost forgotten what fun was like." To that, a rather self-depreciating chuckle. "I must sound very boring, saying that."

The Prince of Thrax takes his pirated ship and grins like a fiend. The man is all glory and bravado. The hard-bodied and scar riddled man painted up like a menacing sea serpent with dreadlocks. And he settles into the far side of the pool. Oars pierce water like woah. And the thing moves faster than it ever had under its last set of sailors and captain (with the hat). Abbas goes to the front of the boat as he cruises to glory and pool noodle death. The man reaches up to his dreads and pulls out a joint. Is Abbas smoking kelp before his attack run. The dreadlocked prince takes a long drag of the haze and he exhales with a dragon like push of breath from his lungs. SMOKE SCREEN! And he then taks his pool noodle and he goes for victory. Joint hanging from his lips like the golden Salt God he is.

Nicia catches the chocolate, brows lifting a bit before she wiggles it in Sebastian's direction. She tucks it away before she makes her way towards her cousin, crouching down next to him, "You did very well."

Ferrando treads water thoughtfully, watching Abbas row off with the Jolly Thistle while he waits for Leta to sort out her hat situation (and actually it's kind of a nice day for a swim in general so he doesn't mind leisurely swimming about a little) before he follows her out. "Well, at least our boat's going to win. So we kind of half-win by proxy, right? I think this was a pretty succesful proof of concept, actually!" he concludes cheerfully.

Late to the party, Caelis takes her time blinking with surprise at everything. She isn't sure what she expected really, her eyes turning politely up as she bows to the gathered nobles before walking further in.

Rickard checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 40 higher.

Blossom drops noodlefight.

Abbas checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 5, rolling 18 higher.

Abbas checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Belladonna smiles at Blossom's approach, her attention catching on the drawing when it's offered up for display. "Oh -- that's very well done," she tells the young woman, lifting her glass in appreciation. "My lord, look at this," she gestures Ford over with her glass, tipping it at the drawing in indication. "I do not suppose you would let the Softest Whisper auction it off, tonight? To add to what we will be donating?"

Rickard checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

"Oh, um... sure, I can do th-" Blossom squeaks as she's suddenly beaned by a chocolate on the back of the head, twirling and tripping and falling backwards into the flowers near the gazebo. Oh dear, now they'll throw her out, won't they?

Mira grins at Turo, taking the towel. "A little. But I tend to curl up with books filled with advanced arithmetic and eningeering, so I can't really complain if someone else sounds boring. My idea of a pleasant evening is scribing documents and contracts." Toweling off, Mira returns her attention to the water just in time to see Abbas get smashed by Rickard, gasping as her eyes open wide. "No!" Sighing, Mira slumps dramatically. "The Long Tentacle has grasped its last. We failed our captain." She wraps the towel about her and cinces it closed against her chest, turning to salute the water sadly.

"Yeah!" Edward shouts as Rickard tumbles the naked Salt God, "To the last!" he raises his glass to Rickard and smiles as he glances to see if the Marquis just noticed their boat won or not. Then he looks back to Rickard and laughs as he drains the glass and sets it aside.

Alrec is offering a flash of a grin back toward Kahlana as his answer to her. With the approach of Edward, Alrec is pausing his chocolate-flinging ways for just a moment. No, he is instead fishing, and snaring one of the Sweet Love bars. "For your lady, or one that you'd like," he says, offering it to the other fellow with an easy smile. He catches sight of Caelis moving through and his head tilts to the side, he considers his assortment of chocolate, and thus a Wyrmguard Dark Allure bar is decided upon. This is tossed over toward the Lady.

Ford leans on his elbows and forearms as he leans over Bella to look at this painting. He tilts his head upon seeing he's depicted in it...and his face being crushed by a floppy noodles. He squints and purses his lips, nodding, "It's perfect." Then he ticks up a cheeky smirk, "I woul--" His head perks up when he hears that Rickard and Saffron's Last Resort actually won, "Fuck me! WELL DONE RICKARD!"

The Warlord probably should have focussed more on the battle and less on the kelp. He goes to leap into Rickard's own ship but finds himself unsteady as he timed it wrong. Abbas takes a noodle and blinks as he loses his balance when Rickard dodges him. The man waves his arms precariously round and round as he tries to balance. And it's almost in slow motion as Abbas goes to the pool with a crash. He manages to take one last drag of his joint before he goes into the water and sinks. Abbas stays under quit a long time. Smoke bubbles slowly start to emerge as he lets out a slow exhale of the haze. *POOF* *POOF* *POOF*

Titania is standing near the entrance watching the pool a small smile on her face when she hears that Fords ship won and she calls over to Nicia, "Or maybe not." she smiles.

Leta climbs out of the pool and sits on the edge of it, her soggy linen shirt and hose clinging to the brawny blonde's figure as water drips from her hat and onto her face. "Didn't win, did it?" she says to Ferrando with a wince, pointing as she watches the last clash on the pool. "But I did get knocked off the boat by the winner, that's not so bad. And we didn't sink our own fleet, I count that a victory!" she grins and grunts as she pushes herself back to her feet, looking about for drinks.

Selene has obviously missed all the best parts. Still, there's a gathering, there's a pool, there's people, and presumably there's alcohol and other social lubricants. So in all of that, the Radiant Whisper surely still sees some hope for the gathering. Every successful naval battle requires an afterparty? Naturally, she's chosen an outfit of oceanic coloration to match the event's theme, seagreen and ocean blue silks cascading around her like waves. She sways across the poolside, and eventually ends up near her fellow Whisper, greeting Larissa first with a smile. "I feel like I've missed something truly impressive," she declares.

Sebastian smiles when Nicia approaches and chuckles, "I did terribly, and there isn't anyone who can honestly contest that, but I did it with enthusiasm." He gives her a broad smile, and then looks over at Blossom and winces. "Okay, perhaps I should stop throwing the chocolate as well." He looks over just in time to see Abbas go crashing into the pool and he laughs a little. "Prince down!"

Finally Edward sits next to Alrec and he smiles, "Thanks." he takes the bar and sets it to the side a moment as he then peers to where his shirt is. He notes its location and then he looks at Alrec, "Edward." he indicates as he nods, "Good fighting out there, yeah?" he grins widely, "That was fun."

Abbas is overheard praising Rickard for: Excellent job CHAMPION OF THE WAR OF THE PRAVUS POOL

Mira is overheard praising Rickard for: The Hero of Pravus Pool!

"Sounds like me. I'm fairly comfortable with reading a book on naval tactics. So I'm not one to complain. Though mathematics and engineering?" He considers. "Interesting. Think we could have a few things to discuss at some point." Upon that, he sees Abbas going under. "The battle may of been lost, but war is not over. There will come another time. Until then, we must give our captain his proper due." A look over Mira. "A drink?"

Flying chocolate?! Caelis catches it and looks to Alrec briefly, nodding to the man. "If only I had a wine to go with it." she calls to him and looks about with a smile on her lips. "If I had known so many would be naked I wouldn't have staying in my armor." She comments and sighs, catching sight of Titania. "Better to spar them all my scars, don't you think, my Lady?" She asks her with a wink.

There is blinking for the tumbling Blossom, a bit of a concerned look. Belladonna starts to step down that way, but the roar of delight from Ford has her looking up his way. "Clearly, I should've bet on you, my lord," she notes his way, and then she is indeed stepping down to reach out and try and grab Blossom and get her pulled back up out of the flowers. "Are you alright?"

Juliana is overheard praising Rickard for: The Champion of the first annual Pravus Pool War!

"I'll be..." Nicia murmurs when the Last Resort wins the entire thing, glancing towards Titania with a laugh, calling back to her, "It appears that I was wrong!" She then glances at Sebastian, reaching out a hand to drop it onto his shoulder, "You did fine." She glances towards the pool, brows lifting, "I wonder if someone should fish him out."

Kahlana is overheard praising Rickard for: The Champion of the first annual Pravus Pool War!

Turo is overheard praising Abbas for: A highly entertaining evening. I was glad to participate.

The sea serpents body paint washed off Abbas comes out of the pool and grunts. He wears a cocksure grin as he stretches and takes a towel from a servant. He promptly throws it over his shoulder and starts ringing out water from his dreadlocks.

Juliana gets to her feet, the black silk seething around ehr legs as she hurries to the edge of the pool, peering into the salt water at the place Abbas went under. "Come now, brother, we only just rescued you. Do not make me ruin my feathers...."

Ferrando clambers up out of the pool just in time to watch the Jolly Thistle get de-crewed. "Or I -might- have just jinxed us," he notes sunnily with a little c'est la vie shrug to Leta. He stands dripping for a moment before inside-outing his tunic off over his head and nonchalantly starting to wring it out. "You know, I think that's an excellent way to look at it. I feel like it's been a successful mission all around." He pauses a moment to cheer for the champ.

Mira turns and looks up at Turo, "Of course. We should honor his memory, and live as he would have wanted us to live: Half-drunk." She continues talking, even as Abbas pulls himself out. "To Abbas, may his memory live forever."

Ferrando is overheard praising Rickard for: Yarr! Yo ho!

Standing on the bow of his ship, Rickard offers a bow. "I dedicate my victory to the benefactors of this little charity event.. Arx's future." He announces, smiling; referring, of course, to the orphaned kids.

Rickard says, "And well done to all involved."

Blossom is flustered enough to have trouble hiding her accent, thus sounding very Setarco as she apologizes and accepts the hand up from the flowers. She still has her drawing, though! "I'm sorry, my lady, something hit me and I tripped, I think! You can auction off the drawing if you want!" Maybe that will be a peace offering?

Turo is overheard praising Rickard for: Well done. And impressive show of martial prowess.

Blossom is overheard praising Rickard for: Lord of the floppy pool noodle!

Abbas looks over behind his shoulder where Juliana searches for him. And he leans over and hip-bumps her. "Poor Abbas." He teases. Abbas doesn't bother with making himself decent. This is a Pravus Manor after all. "To our gracious host! Duchess Belladonna Pravus!" Abbas snags a random bottle of whiskey, "To the children of the Compact whio will benefit from the funds earned tonight!" Abbas tilts the bottle back and starts to guzzle.

Abbas is overheard praising Belladonna for: A great pool! A great battle! Great Duchess!

"I assure you, it is my pleasure. There's a few more if you want to join in with the tossing. I think I may have missed a few," Alrec informs Edward so very easily, giving him another look for the simple introduction. "Alrec," he responds in kind. It is evidently that simple, and, with Caelis' call toward him, he is responding, "If you wish to listen to me complain about my poor performance later, do seek me out." Groan. Alrec actually has the audacity to grin merrily at his own pun, but he continues on with, "I am certain the Duchess has a more than appropriate beverage to pair with that."

Leta, not naked, walks her soggy self along the edge of the pool, pausing only a moment to ensure all her jewelry's place. Then, clapping her hands and whistling praise for the winner, she makes a move on a bottle of rum nearby. "Alright, so - besides seagulls and seaducks, what else is there?" she asks of Ferrando as she pours a couple of glasses and looks about at the new arrivals.

"Indeed, we should." Turo agrees with Mira with a nod. "Though we'll ignore the fact that you and I are dead as well." Moving away a moment, he returns with a pair of glasses of whiskey, offering one of them to her. "I cannot think of a better way to remember brave Abbas by doing so drunk."

There is a jump from Juliana and she lets out a laugh, slapping at Abbas even as she tries to regain her balance. For a brief moment she exudes her typical mirth. "You're a terror, Abbas Thrax." She shakes her head and begins to wander off, collecting another drink before stealing off for some more solitude.

Mira squeaks in mock alarm, "What?! Oh." Then she crumples to the ground in a pratfall, luckily actually clad under her towel since it's no longer doing its job. She plays dead, just laying there for the moment, since SOMEONE had to remind her.

Ford moves over to make sure that Blossom is alright, but as she's being helped up he spots a Caelis and waggles fingers at her and lifts his glass in her direction, "Thank the Gods the flowers padded your fall, Miss."

When the last of the battle was done and Rickard stood the undisputed victor of the games, Larissa would stand and cheer. "Well done!" she shouts, offering all of the participants a round of applause "Well done all of you, that looked like great fun! However, as none of us had the foresight or wisdom to place a wage on Master Rickard, we all lose terribly - but for a wonderful cause. All of our donations, an impressive Fifty Thousand silver - as well as an additional One Hundred Thousand silver donated by the Grayson House - will all be sent to the Tragedy Orphanage in the Boroughs. Thank you all so much! And a very big thank you to our hosts Duchess Belladonna Pravus and Prince Abbas Thrax!" she steps down and gives each host a hearty round of applause.

Edward raises his hand in declination, "Oh that is quite alright. Though you might want to consider the new arrivals...and the Softest Whisper over there," he indicates as they are coming through and then to Larissa. He smiles and then says, "I just wanted to see if these were something you made or if you picked them up somewhere." he glances to the box and then pauses as Alrec speaks to Caelis. He chuckles at the other man's remarks.

Rickard departs the ship by doing a masterful jump into the pool, and then swimming to the edge and hoisting himself out. He wanders over to Mira, and gives her a wet hug, before excusing himself to secure proper post-victory libation.

Looking at Ford, Caelis smiles warmly at him and nods in reply. "Poor performance?" She asks Alrec. "Oh, I wouldn't brag to a lady about how bad you are." She laughs and covers her smile with a hand before looking for the hostess to greet her.

Dagon shows up a bit late for naval re-enactment, arriving amidst accolades for the presumed victor, but hopefully not too late for drinking. There's quite a bit of ruckus and enthusiasm as he arrives, so in fact he uses it as cover to make a b-line for the refreshments. Maybe he can beat some of the 'drowned' sailors headed back from their defeats, at least. "Did I hear correctly that the Thrax-led ship lost?" he wonders, while making sense of the whole of it. "A dark day. Still," and he'll raise a glass toward Rickard, now that he has one, and has figured out from the shouting more or less what actually transpired.

Mira gasps and flails when someone unexpectedly wet hugs her prone form on the ground! Scowling at Rickard, she swats his arm. "You killed me!"

When Abbas toasts her, Bella stops trying to fish Blossom out of the flowers long enough to look his way. She raises her glass to him, then goes back to patting Blossom on the shoulder, looking her over. Yep. Nothing broken. Good. "You are apologizing for falling down," the Duchess informs the young woman. "Stop it. Take the drawing to the Softest Whisper, then get yourself a drink and a plate of food, mmm? You are welcome here. I am fond of artists." Her smile is encouraging. Oh, and then there is Larissa. She promptly does lift her voice to cheer. Then, she's letting her voice ring out to carry over the gardens, "Thank you, everyone! Any further donations to the care of the children who who lost their families would be highly appreciated!"

Ferrando squints at Leta with a kind of what-is-with-the-seabird-quiz expression but seems to feel duly obligated to think of something as he takes a glass of rum. "Uh. I think I've heard sailors talking in the taverns about something called an albertross before? It's supposed to be good luck, I think." He kicks back some of the rum and smacks his lips a little. "Mm. Maybe we should have pre-gamed with a little more of this to better our chances."

When Mira topples over, Turo nudges her with the big toe of his foot. "Um..." a look at the pair of glasses. "...one of these is a life-saving elixer. Trust me on this, I moonlight as a doctor."

"Only with love," Rickard responds, grinning still. He begins nursing on a bottle of booze from the bar. He's earned that much.

Titania looks over to where Ford is and smiles, "I am going to take my leave Marquis Ford and congrats on your boat winning." she looks to Belladonna, "Thank you for holding this Dutchess Belladonna." she gives the woman a curtsy then heads over to Nicia, "I am sorry I am going to take my leave, but it was a pleasure to meer you Lady Nicia if you would ever like to talk please feel free to send word." she smiles softly and then she is on her way to Edward.

Selene claps happily as Larissa announces the results. "Oh, isn't that wonderful. Everyone's terrible betting sense has paid off in the end!" Still sort of trying to make sense of what seems to be a wild storm of a party, she decides on always preying on some of the new arrivals, moving toward the refreshment benches. "Your Grace," she will greet Dagon, as he seems a likely and notably singular presence. "It seems we are both late arrivals, and sadly so. I would have loved to have seen you out there in the pool, stripped down, and wielding your noodle."

Nicia applauds for both her sister and Prince Abbas, as well as the victor, Rickard. Then she pauses when Titania turns up, offering her a smile, "Of course, it was very nice to meet you as well. Feel free to send word for conversation to me as well."

Blossom is almost instantly happy following the praise, her mood flicking like a lightswitch. She bounces over to Larissa with the drawing and holds it up, offering, "We can auction this off for the charity too."

Blossom picks up noodlefight.

Mira squeaks again when Turo pokes her hip with a toe, hopping upright. "Would a live-saving elixir even work on the dead?" Towel discarded after she's dried off again from Rickard's wet hug, Mira nods to Turo, tossing the towel aside. "Well, shall we?" She wanders off toward the bar, hips lazily swaying to and fro as she goes.

"Actually I /am/ the sort to brag about it," Alrec responds to Caelis with that sparkle in his eye. He's shifting his focus back to Edward, as amiable as ever, and continues on with, "I did not produce it, no. It was... gifted to me, by Mirari." Evidently, with the use of the first names alone, he's continuing with the trend, "Whom... I do not see about." He shakes his head before deciding on sending a Dark Allure over toward Ferrando. Or perhaps his companion, for it just lands nearby that little group. He spies Titania and, given her movement, he considers her a moment before tossing a Wyrmguard Dragonfire bar her way.

Dagon glances over as a female voice is heard beside him (usually a good sign for starting off a party). He may actually blink in mild surprise when he sees who exactly it turns out to be. "Oh, ah, your... Radiance?" Does the title covnert like that? Close enough, probably. "My noodle?" That also takes him a moment to process, fairly certain that the woman isn't being quite so bold as all that. "Oh, you mean those... things they were using? Yes, it's a shame I missed it. I got stuck at home handling a little business. But I think the night's still young, as far as noodle-related shenanigans go."

"Are you questioning my validity of my story?" Turo raises a brow at her. "That I made up just now? I'm new at this." Using the towel to start to dry off his hair, following suit after Mira towards the bar, gesturing with a hand. "After you."

Edward nods, "I keep hearing her name but have yet to meet her. I hope to. I may ask her about them then." he grins as the additional chocolate gets thrown out and he chuckles, "Good aim." he remarks and then he is glancing up at Titania as she approaches, "Lady Kennex," he says watching her get some chocolate tossed her way.

"You are most welcome," Belladonna tells Titania, nodding her head that way. Then she's turning to step back up into the gazebo, offering a friendly enough smile in Caelis's direction. When she sees Dagon she freezes completely for an instant, staring -- and her mind catches up a moment later. The little blonde clears her throat and shakes her head to chase away the just-saw-a-ghost expression, draining what's left in her glass. There's a quiet few words spoken aside to Ford.

Kahlana lets her eyes linger in the direction of Edward a moment as she rubs her shoulders, and then she sighs at its throbbing. She picks up her chocolate she gets assistance in standing and the wounded Crovane begins to make her way out of the party. She looks up as Dagon moves in and she gives a little nod of her head to the Prince. "Highness." she says greeting him as he enters with amusement.

"Albertoss." Leta repeats after Ferrando, and takes a swig of rum. "I wager we'd have done better with some of this in us, that's for sure." the dripping soldier agrees and and notices a chocolate fly by. So she bends down and picks it up. Rum in one hand, chocolate in the other, she starts offering soggy nods about with a jovial expression.

Mira glances back over her shoulder, stopping briefly with an sly, amused smile. "Maybe..." Approaching the bar, she leans forward with her palms on the edge of the counter, "One Elixir of Life, please. Turo here assures me you have one."

Once the applause and cheering for the boat competition was finished, Larissa steps down for a moment as she confers with the Duchess, the Prince and Blossom who is handing her the sweet piece of artwork over. "And now my Lords, my Ladies, my Mistresses and Masters of the city, we have for you tonight a souvenir of the evening. As you can see Misstress Blossom has captured the heart and spirit of our games this evening in a lovely charcoal drawing. However, there is only one! So again in the name of charity and the Tragedy Orphanage we will have an auction of the artwork. Who would like to start our bidding at ONE HUNDRED SILVER?" she asks, resuming her makeshift stage of a chair as she holds up the drawing for all to see.

Abbas looks around and then shoults out, "I bid 500 silver." He grunts as he dries off. He gets another towel once he tends to the dreadlocks. He finally wraps the towel around his waist.

Mira calls out, "600!"

Edward tops, "700!"

Belladonna slips away from the gazebo, circling around towards the drinks again. "I will bid one thousand," she lifts her voice to call, and her eyes *promptly* swing over towards the various faces of her family. There is most certainly a prompt there, oh yes. And she goes to the table with the alcohol, though she snags a bottle and a second glass rather than just refilling her glass.

Kahlana smiles and she chuckles, "800"

Nicia ponders for a moment, "1500!"

Blossom skips away to get a plate of food and something to drink, then back over to the auction to see what her drawing will fetch for auction. The poor girl is likely to leave with an inflated opinion of her artwork.

Mira shouts, "1600!"

Rickard says, "2000."

Larissa grins and sends a wink to Ford. "I would like to especially point out the figure of Lord Kennex being thrown overboard his ship in mid battle! Certainly that is worth some extra fun money! Who can beat the highest bid!?

Abbas says, "2500"

"Well, considering you're not under my command, I suppose I'll have to let it slide. Really not used to someone questioning my stories." Turo remarks lightly, offering the second drink he had with him when she asks for 'Elixer of Life'. Really, it's just whiskey. But believe anything one wants! "So, Mira, that was your name, yes? Turo Navegant. Just arrived in Arx. And this-" he gestures a wave of the hand with towards the pool. "-is certainly a way to come to the city."

Bowing deep to Belladonna in exchange for the smile, Caelis straightens and breaks off a bit of chocolate with a wink at Alrec before watching the auction and drifting over to the drink table. She seems in awe at the amounts being bid on the art.

Kahlana chuckles "having Prince Abbas falling off would had been better." she chuckles teasingly.

"Yes, the pool noodles. What else could I have meant?" asks Selene, all faux-innocence. "There will be other such fetes for you to demonstrate your prowess, I'm sure," she then further offers to placate the man. "In any case, now you're here, and it seems as if there is no shortage of entertainment to be found. For instance, I am sure there is no reason there cannot be more swimming. In fact, the whole naval adventure being over should make it a bit safer." She remains beside Dagon, though turns to watch Larissa work, smiling proudly.

Belladonna swings a look around as the bidding starts to slow, and lifts her voice to call out, "Three thousand." Then she's padding back towards the gazebo with her bottle and glasses.

Sebastian remainsby his cousin for a bit, just watching the conversations going on around him, the various biddings on the artwork. "3500," he calls out.

Titania gets the chocolate smiling even giving a soft giggle, see waits wht thr bidding starts on the painting. She clasps her hands in fron of her. "I am going to be taking my leave, but perhaps when you are done here you can come find me? I wish to talk." she sats softly to him.

Ford lifts his hand, "Fourty Five Hundred."

"She is someone that must be met," responds Alrec in turn to Edward, his voice lowering somewhat now that the auction has begun. He has a small stack of chocolates left, but for the moment, he does not fling any more. Now mind you, his eyes are flicking from this person to that, as if considering who his next victim will be.

Nicia mentally counts before she lifts a hand, "Six thousand."

Abbas gives Kahlana a /look/ then chuckles. The warlord makes his way over to Nicia to have a word. He grins and hears Sebastian's bid and gives his brother a smile and anod as he passes.

Blossom nibbles on the food, but as the bidding crests five thousand, she's left just standing gaping. Who knew that nobles would pay so much for a charcoal drawing of Ford getting noodled in the face?

Kahlana slowly makes her way over to Turo, "Excuse me Lord, I have not yet been able to thank you properly for helping save my life, I hope you would share a drink with me sometime." she says as she hands the chocolate bar over to him to share.

Dagon is very much not a ghost, no matter what Belladonna thinks! At the very least, he's not transparent, and when he sips his fruit-flavored vodka, it doesn't drip through him and end up the floor. Proof! He offers Kahlana a smile as she appears, before likewise being distracted toward the direction of the auction. "I'd enjoy a swim," he agrees with Selene's suggestion. "Once they've sorted through all this, maybe."

"Prince Abbas has the artwork at 2500... Going? Going? Oh no! He was thwarted by the Duchess. Who can go to 3200? Or... 5000! Do I hear 5000?"

Mira grins over her shoulder, but blinks at the offered drink. She'd missed that he'd already acquired some. Whoops! Smirking now instead of grinning, she looks up at him with raised eyebrows, "Ohhh...?" She nods a couple times, "But yes, this would be a nice introduction. Mine was when the doors to the city slammed shut behind me, and the siege was on." She shifts her hips aside, looking back and up at him, "So you're a ship captain? Was it a single mast? Tri-mast? Galley?"

Sebastian gives a nod to Abbas as he passes, glancing between he and Nicia for a moment and then he begins to move off so that the two of them can talk quietly. He gives her a little nod as well and then goes to find his way toward the drinks. There was drinking to be done this evening, and he seems to be interested in getting that started, finding himself a glass.

"So I hear." Edward respons to Alrec, "Well good fight, Alrec. I will see you around." he stands up then and gives the man a nod before he picks up his boots and chocolate. He smiles to Titania, "Lady Kennex of course. In fact, why don't I recover my shirt and I can escort you back to the Kay." he wiggles his boots and then he drops them and starts to step back into them now that they will not slosh.

Larissa looks around and cheers as she hears 6000 "Lady Nicia Pravus has it at 6000! Going once! Twice and sold to the Lady Pravus! Congratulations!"

Ferrando catches one of the flying chocolates headed his way and hands it over to Leta. "Ah well, it'd be weird if we created a perfect navy straight off the mark anyway. Here. Congratulations, Admiral! You've finally got a salary," he declares approvingly before having another sip. "Hey, you met my cousin yet? She's from way out Caith way, my poppa's sister's kid. C'mon, I'll go introduce you."

Blossom jumps up and down excitedly, losing all of the food on her plate. Either the girl doesn't know that she doesn't get the money, or more likely doesn't care. Selling drawings is fun!

Abbas takes a long drink from his bottle and then looks at it, "I should know better to pick up random Lyceum bottle..." Did she just buy it for 6k? The Reaver Prince grins and he goes to take Nicia in his arms and give her a spin. He mouths the words thank you. And he leans in and whispers before he heads over to Larissa to give her the ten thousand silver he brought with him for the occassion.

"I can't imagine that. I had only heard the vaguest of reports while the siege was going on, ordered by my father to keep the Navegant fleet on alert should something come the way to Escuma." Turo replies, frowning at the image of what that might've been like. Though he then blinks at her naval knowledge of ships. "Tri-mast actually. A warship. She's docked at port here in Arx. And it's Admiral, actually. Lord Admiral Turo Navegant. That's a mouthful though, I know, feel free to shorten it."

Titania nods her head head, "I would like that, thank you Lord Redreef." she says wating for the man to collect his things once done she would move to put a hand on his arm and wait for him to go and she followed.

Belladonna has left the the gazebo.

2 Pravus Honor Guard, Aida leave, following Belladonna.

12 Thrax Elite Guards, Crow - Thraxian Steward, Lilybelle - Fluffy Maine Coon arrive, following Victus.

Leta experiments with the rum and chocolate, alternating them thoughtfully, before her attention is drawn back to Ferrando and she blinks. "Which cousin's that? I've met a couple, haven't I? Likely not this one, though." she notes with a grin and follows along.

"I won?" Nicia's brows lift upwards, perhaps in a bit of a surprise that she actually won, "I won!" She laughs, the sound turning into a startled laugh when she gets spun around, then she's catching her balance before sending one of the servants off to her room to fetch the silver for the drawing.

2 Pravus Honor Guard, Aida arrive, following Belladonna.

Belladonna has joined the the gazebo.

"Good fight, Edward. Have a good evening." Alrec inclines his head toward Edward and, with the few token chocolates left, he gathers up his stash and begins to prowl about the area as a whole, considering this group and that from different vantage points. A White Cloud chocolate is tossed to the side of Blossom's feet as she leaps for joy. Another White Cloud is tossed toward Dagon, off to the side of the man.

Pouring herself some whiskey, Caelis shifts her eyes about, watching the Thrax prince spin Nicia after she won the art and looks over at Ford with a chuckle. "Let's hope that's not for her dinning hall." She teases and sips her drink.

Mira grins, "Well, the siege was surprisingly light. Brand wasn't able to starve us, and they only made one real attempt to scale the walls. If they'd been at us constantly, I think it would have been worse." She nods a bit as she listens to the bit about the navy, and his position in it. "A Warship? Heavy on the draught, then, most likely." She smiles, folding her arms on the counter, "How many ships do you command, Admiral...?"

Being far more than fashionably late, Victus meanders his way into the middle of the gardens. His face is tired and his lips hang in a scowl as he slowly weaves his way through the crowd.

Ford laughs over towards Caelis, "Anywhere it hangs.. it may be a painting of me being hit...but it's more so a painting of Abbas naked."

Edward laughs and then he recovers his shirt before he goes and then he takes Titania and he moves to slip out of the garden with her, heading for the exit.

Edward has left the large pool.

Titania leaves, following Edward.

Chocolate! On the ground! Blossom picks it up and tucks it into her paintspattered dress, then goes to get a bit of food to replace what bounced off of her plate when she was jumping up and down.

After Abbas Thrax gives his bet/donation over to Larissa for the orphan kids he grins and tosses the former Thraxian a wink. He finishes off his bottle and the drunk and kelp baked Warlord takes his towel wrapped self and he comments to Ford, "I must confess that may not be the only painting out there of my junk. I have heard the women of the Saffron Chain and Arvum have flip books in my honor that are smuggled about." He teases.

"Oh good, so the auction bit is sorted?" Selene declares, watching some of the celebration and hearing Larissa call out the results. "I think that means it's time for the proper after party to begin." Though she's speaking with Dagon, she definitely raises her voice somewhat now, no doubt trying to get more people caught up in the scheme. "At least those who haven't been in the water already. I think it would be a shame if anyone got away totally dry." And then, as if clearly intending to encourage this trend herself, she turns to Dagon, and suggests, oh so very calmly: "Help me take my dress off?"

Sebastian pours himself a glass of rum, and then on second thought, takes the bottle. There are enough bottles around for one to wander off with him, and drifts off toward a quiet place in which to partake of it and watch people as they come and go.

Sebastian has joined the among the trees.

"I haven't been told a complete accounting of the siege, but I assume I'll read enough after-action reports eventually to get a good mental picture of it." Again, he's impressed by her knowledge of ships. "...yes, actually. It is heavy on the draught. An assortment of ballistas for armament." Taking a drink, he thinks. "Navegant is a small house, so our fleet is thusly so. Not the numbers of Grimhall or Thrax, but we do make up for it having a built on defensibility rather than brute force."

The silver given to Larissa, and the artwork taken off somewhere safe, Nicia turns her attention towards the party and who is left. She spots Sebastian trying to slink off and gives him a wave, indicating the pool before she sheds her clothes, leaving them in a pile by the edge of the pool before she dives into the water.

Ferrando trucks up to Mira and cheerfully puts his cousin in a one-armed hug that's kinda more like a friendly headlock in truth due to the height differential. "Hey, cousin! I'm so proud of you for becoming a scurvy pirate! It's about time you amounted to something," he says brightly before releasing her. He's still carrying his damp tunic instead of rewearing it, which results it in getting flopped all over Mira because his other free hand has the higher-priority task of carrying his glass of rum. "Anyway, I'm just glad we didn't eliminate each other because we're saved the trauma of nobody letting it go for a while. So, who are your friends here?" he asks with a grin toward Turo et al before he gestures helpfully to Leta. "But might I first introduce you to Dame Leta Broadbent, Knight of the Lyceum? Leta, this is my cousin Mira Matessi. She's a lawyer at law."

Belladonna laughs and comments something aside to Ford, and then there is Abbas. She laughs, shaking her head at him. "I have not seen these flip books," she notes. "I will have to keep an eye out." There's a smile sent between the two Thraxian men before she decides, "I think I am going to get into the water." There's a flash of an impish smile flashed, and then she turns to start in the direction of the pool.

Belladonna has left the the gazebo.

Dagon remains beside the refreshments, enjoying whatever is on hand. And then a couple odd things happen: first, someone throws a chocolate at him. He does manage to catch it, not having nearly enough time to drink yet to dull his otherwise fairly reliable reflexes. Odd thing the second would be Selene suggesting that he undress her. "Er." Well, for being late to the party, it's not going bad. "That is not a request easily denied, particularly from such a famed beauty as yourself. If you'll..." And here he sort of, well, walks around her a little, trying to sort out how the dress works. Oh, there's a corset and some lace things. "This is worse than ship rigging."

Nicia has joined the large pool.

Stalking through the recesses of the party, Victus eventually finds himself the closest familiar face. With a bottle held in his right hand, Victus taps Abbas on the shoulder. The larger man leers downward to the side of his cousin's face, his face immaculately exhausted. "Did we win something?" He asked quietly. "Did we win anything?"

"We should compare smut some day your Highness." Caelis calls out to Abbas with a crooked smile. "I believe Captain Costas' crew and a few others have some...creative liknesses floating about." She jokes and bows to Victus, seeing him join Abbas. She takes a drink and finds a safe bit of wall away from the pool to avoid testing how well she swims in the plated leathers.

Ford rises up out of the gazebo and pours himself another drink as he makes his way to the pool. Once he reaches the edge, he sets the glass and the bottle down and slides out of his deck shoes, the his shirt. Getting out of his pants, as they're still wet, proves to be difficult. But with the proper gumption, he manages it and does a fantastic dive into the pool. When he surfaces, he shakes his head, slicks his hair back and moves back towards his drink.

Ford has left the the gazebo.

Ford has joined the hot pool.

Ford has left the hot pool.

Ford has joined the large pool.

Selene gives the sort of laugh appropriate to seeing a man utterly dumbfounded by the complexity of feminine garb. "Yes, the laces are where I need your help, really. Most of the rest I can manage on my own, although I would not mind your continued assistance." Otherwise, the Radiant stands there, posture held straight as the man's hands do their work. "What did that fellow throw at you?"

Mira was *about* to answer Turo when some big jerk comes up and puts her in a headlock!! Flailing about and squirming out of Ferrando's 'hug', Mira scowls and very lightly kicks him in the shin. But she's barefoot, so whatever. "Admiral Turo, this is Ferrando, some Artiglio guy. Some Artiglio guy, this is Admiral Turo, just arrived in Arx."

Abbas chuckles softly, "No, I almost won. But I had to flaunt the biscuits one too many times." He answers in a grin. The man gives his High Lord a warrior's clasp. The sea serpent body paint washed away fully. The Reaver Prince then adds, "And you're going to lose whatever coin you are donating to the charity tonight." He grunts, "For the party the Duchess and I just hosted. The Grayson's gave 100k." Because Victus was late. So Abbas calls him out in the pocket book. He smiles a moment to his friend as he calls for a couple of bottles of liquor to be brought to them.

Nicia takes a lazy lap around the pool before she ventures towards one side, half-pulling herself up onto the edge of the pool. She glances around to see if she can't find anyone that is not currently busy, offering a request up to any kind individual listening, "Could a kind individual bring me a drink? I seem to be fresh out."

Larissa finishes the last bit of collecting and filing things away before she puts her things away and begins making rounds at the party "Prince Dagon! I've not seen you in ages. So lovely to see you out and about." she croons in his direction as she turns and dips a curtsy to Victus "Highlord Thrax.." she murmurs and smiles at Ford "And very well done my Lord Ford. You were a grand sport about it all... And hello my Radiant." she chirps through the party

Abbas shouts over to Caelis, "I'll show you mine if..." He trails off. That was not going where he intended. He just laughs and gives a dismissive wave and then looks to the water, "That said Highlord. We could still do some races around the pool rowing or some such. If you think you are not too immersed in your papers and affairs to lose terribly to your Warlord."

Lianne has haunted the tall windows looking out onto the garden from her first floor laboratory all day, engaged in a conversation over drinks with a dark-haired man who does not join her now as she finally makes her way out to join the festivities. She already has a drink in hand, too dark to be whiskey, almost certainly rum, held close to her person as she skirts along the edge of the lawn, observing before engaging. Her dress is dark green silk, sleeveless, lovely, the hem not quite hiding her bare feet as toes slip through the grass.

Turo raises his brows when Ferrando suddenly puts Mira into a headlock. He's about to say something when it looks like the pair know each other. "Oh, we've met. He's downright deadly with a pool noodle. Knocked me right over." A nod is given to the larger man. "Good to meet you, Ferrando. And good show in the pool. Think that'll leave a decent bruise."

Leta tosses the rest of the chocolate into her mouth and chews it hastily as she comes closer. That way, it's gone before she speaks. "Mistress Matessi, it's a pleasure to meet you then!" she greets Mira with a sunny smile. The Knight of the Lyceum has a distinctive Arxian accent, likely from the Lower side of the Boroughs. She's soaked thoroughly, from her hat on down to her violet hose, but seems to be in jolly spirits, bowing her head politely to Turo. "M'Lord - er, Admiral."

When Ford dives into the pool, Belladonna laughs. She sends a grin down his way when he surfaces, then finishes her meandering to stop just a bit back from Dagon and Selene. "Most Radiant -- thank you, for coming. It is wonderful to see you. Duke Dagon, you, as well. I am glad that you both could make it." When she spots Lianne she brightens all over again, free hand lifted to wave that way. No yelling, though, and she turns back to smile more at Selene and Dagon.

Victus taps his fingers against the glass bottle he held. "Abbas, I am shitfaced." He admitted. "Council." His pitch-black eyes turn over to Larissa. "You, pretty one." His fingers hung in mid-air as he just sort of slanted his gaze. "I enjoyed the whisper I took under my wing. Show me more sometime." Nodding to her, his attention moves back to Abbas. A roll of his eyes follows. "Can't it wait until tomorrow? I'm fuckin' broke tonight. My pockets have more lint than a fuckin' sandlot."

Sebastian's attempt to slink away is somewhat thwarted by Nicia's wave, and so his course changes away from the trees and instead he begins to head back toward the house, still dripping, barefoot, with his shirt slung over his shoulder, and a bottle of rum and a tumbler gripped in one hand. He gives her a little bit of a salute with his bottle, taking a moment to watch all of those gathered for a few more moments, and then he turns back toward heading inside.

Sebastian has left the among the trees.

Hands full with one Whisper, Dagon is greeted by another, and shoots Larissa an appropriately friendly and yet helpless sort of look as a result. "Happy to stop by, wish I could have made it sooner. Your mistress here is also making me feel very welcome." Selene's question actually stumps him, and he pauses to first examine, then sniff at the thing he was thrown. "Ah, a chocolate, it looks like. Would you like it?" This aside, he manages to get the dress loosened after a bit of work. And since he's invited, he goes on to tug a bit, sliding it down the woman's curvy figure. What a thing for the Duchess to walk up to! "Duchess, good evening. It really looks like you've gone all out here. It's a shame I didn't make it sooner."

The tall, dark young man that is Confessor Narciso Artiglio comes in without fanfare, nor for that matter does he demand attention. Instead, he's happy to step right onto the path, and stop not too far from the dancefloor. There he settles down and begins to tune his lute, while watching the going-ons, and faces, of those attending.

Alrec's next circle around the gathering has him venturing toward the refreshment table where he is able to snare a lovely bottle of some fine liquor. With this in hand, he begins to look for his next victim to throw chocolate towards. He spies Lianne, looks at his little collection, and after making his selection appears about ready to toss. Yet he hesitates. Thinking the better of it, he ventures toward her and simply offers, by hand, the Wyrmguard Dragonfire bar. Sebastian's departure however has him tilting his head, his eyes tracking him for a moment.

Ferrando grins at Turo. "Ah! Likewise, Admiral. Pleasure to put a name to the face that knocked me into the pool," he says cheerfully, raising his rum glass in salute. "As my excessively educated cousin says, Someguy Artiglio, remedial etiquette instructor-in-residence of the Whisper House, at your service." He turns to Leta. "Hey, he's a -real- admiral! You should chat him up, pick up some command bearing tips and such," he advises.

"A race?" That gets Caelis' attention and she wanders over to the Thrax offering a brief bow again. "If his Grace won't take you up on that Price Abbas I surely will. That feat you managed with the pirate vessels was wholly unforgettable." She tells him and looks to the pool with a wry smile.

Blossom takes her food and finds her tree limb perch again, content to watch the nobility faff about for a while, with all of the flirting and swimming and whatnot. She is, however, beginning to lose interest - her attention span is completely taxed by an event like this.

Larissa places her hand over her mouth as she regards Victus with a giggle and, well she was likely horrified... Just a little. "I'm so pleased to hear that you hit it off with our Thistle. She's delightful.. and certainly Highlord there is an entire house of us. Perhaps you might consider the idea of becoming a Patron of the house. It is excellent value." she insists.

"Damnit." Nicia mutters as she watches cousin and rum walk away from her, then she sighs, sliding back into the water with a bit of a sad look that lasts all of two seconds. Instead she takes note of Ford, giving him a nod and a quick smile before she's back to her aimless meanderings through the water, horribly sober still.

Ford props his arms up on the edge of the pool so he can watch the mingling and shmoozing while he drinks.

"Yeah yeah, sure." Victus waves off that comment quite quick. Taking another deep swig of his drink, he looks Larissa up and down. "I'll consider it, just show me some more good company and I'm sure we'll find something nice. Gets fuckin' stuffy in the estate all day."

Mira is still wearing naught but a string bikini top and a matching thong bottom, but she seems to be more concerned with scowling at Ferrando. Her partially dried hair is a wild mess of floof about her head, and she folds her arms under her breasts, still looking annoyed until she blinks to Leta, "Oh, hello! Mira Matessi. Attorney at Law. I have an office on Merchant Road." She nods over toward Turo, "This is Admiral Turo Navegant. You guys fought really well out there." She glances over and nods at Turo, as if to seek confirmation.

Fortunately for hearts of any older guests of the party, Selene is wearing something suitable beneath the gown. Well, she's wearing something beneath the gown. It's still a little racy, and obviously picked out just for the party with the intention of a swim. "A chocolate? Oh yes, I'd love one," she answers Dagon. "You'll need to get the stockins t- oh, your Grace, good evening." Belladonna's appearance makes her even forget she has a man undressing her. "It is as His Grace says, this is a wonderful party you've put together. I can't wait to get into the pool." Pause. "So hurry up down there!" she teases poor Dagon.

"I'm game." Abbas then shouts. "Three laps around the pool..." He rumbles, "The Lady Malvici here.." He motions to Caelis, "Would like a piece of the Bastard's Butcher." And he dips her head to the compliment. The Warlord grins fondly at the memory of sinking six longships with a partial crew. The Warlord gets two bottles and he continues, "Is there anyone else that thinks they can sail better?" The Warlord inquires of those present. And he moves to the water to bring Nicia a bottle. The man passes Mira and he gives her a hip-bump as he passes. The towel comes off and he swims to Nicia to give her a bottle.

Lianne's curiosity blooms into delight when she spies Belladonna and that wave her way. She lifts her glass and drinks to the duchess, but she doesn't drift any closer to actually integrating herself in the party proper. Her green-eyed gaze tracks Sebastian's departure and thereby catches Narciso's arrival, her smile dimming just a little when she spies his instrument and intentions. It is, in the end, Alrec's approach which earns her attention properly, her steps stilling, her brows arched. "Is this a bribe, admiral?" If she's teasing, the humor is very, very dry.

Narciso checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Narciso checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 52 higher.

Alrec gets Wyrmguard White Cloud Bar from Chocolate Stores.

"She does, actually." comes Narciso's comment after Mira's talk of offices. "Terrible trouble with books, however." he notes. And then he looks back to his lute, still tuning. Still, his wandering gaze, restless and jumping from place to person, does catch Lianne's own. He arches a brow, but smiles and begins to play. It is... a sea shanty. One he's all too happy to sing for the event, perhaps with a measure of amusement.

"A real Admiral indeed, I wasn't aware they were in such short supply." Turo replies dryly, a tinge of humor laced into it. "Whisper House? I've never been there as of yet. I have barely any time to unpack my things." Before looking back to Mira. "A lawyer? That I didn't know. I'd be fascinated to learn your opinion of the current laws of sea scavenging at some point." Finally, he dips his head in greeting to Leta. "You looking to join the navy? Or have naval experience with sailing?"

The magically appearing bottle is taken with a smile, "Why thank you!" Nicia informs Abbas, wiggling the bottle at him by way of thanks before she takes a swallow off it. She then swims over towards the edge of the pool, pulling herself up onto the edge to get out of the way of this race that seems to be about to happen, feet still in the water however.

Abbas offers up, "We will go around the edges, feel free to swim in the middle." Abbas starts dragging the boats and swimming them back to the edge of the pull to get ready for the race.

"I'm an admiral now, what better way to test my mettle?" Caelis asks and grins before walking over to the boats and eyeing them. Sliding off her boots at least, Caelis sets them aside and looks to the water in consideration. Shrugging, the Malvici starts to strip of the rest of her armor so she won't need to fuss over drying it out later. "I really ought to have worn a dress today."

Ford grabs his bottle and his drink and swims out to the center of the pool, treading water, and drinking.

"I am just glad that you came," Belladonna answers Dagon, smiling. "And I am quite sure that Softest Whisper Larissa would still be quite happy to take a donation." There's a flutter of a smile towards him, and then it's sent in Selene's direction. If the clothing being undone phases her, there's no sign. "Thank you; Prince Abbas can take most of the credit, though. I am glad you could..." She trails off when she spots Narciso and then smiles all the brighter. "Please, I hope you enjoy yourselves," she tells Selene and Dagon, starting a few paces towards Narciso. But he's got his lute, and so instead she turns for the pool again, finishing off her glass on the way. It's left behind, and she begins the process of slipping out of her clothing, though rather than dropping it she hands it off to a servant. She grabs a robe from the pile of them to drop it at the edge of the pool before she jumps in, doing her best to avoid where they're going to be racing.

"Now he says..." Nicia sighs, sliding back into the water when the middle of the pool is declared the safe zone, her bottle picked up before she drifts out into the center of the pool as well. She spots her sister, lifting a hand to wave her out to the center of the pool, "Bella! Hurry, before you get run down by a boat."

Yes, poor Dagon. Removing a woman's stockings is a great burden of duty indeed. He also seems far more adept at this than dealing with corsetry, and may draw out the process just a little more than is strictly necessary, in drawing the silks down the woman's legs. When that's all done, he stands back up again, and holds out the chocolate. "Say 'ah.'" While waggling the treat in his fingers, he looks over to Belladonna. "Ah, I don't think I brought much silver either, but I'll sort something out, or bother my wife to send something when I get back."

Mira acks when some naked guy with dreads hip-bumps her! She grins at Narciso, though, and motions from him to Ferrando, "If you two haven't met yet, this is Blacktongue's son. He's a Confessor who used to be a performer." But then Narciso starts to play and Mira blinks, her expression melting into one of surprised aw. "...And apparently still is." She glances up to Turo, sidelong, "Right now the laws are quite fair...for the salvager. Trust me, they get reviewed a *lot*."

Ford sticks the cork into the bottle and lets it float in front of him as Nicia comes to join him in the center. He raises his glass to her.

Victus suddenly turns toward Dagon, hefting his rum toward him and narrowing his eyes. "You're MARRIED!" The High Lord shouts at the top of his lungs, but from the look on his face, it's only in good humor. His shoulders heave at a perceived joke that it seemed only he understood fully.

Belladonna is prompt to paddle out more towards the middle. Promptly. She sets to treading water, turning to watch the race as it gets set up, pale curls plastered to her head with the water.

There comes forth a rather wry chuckle from Alrec even before he is responding to Lianne with an easy, "I assure you, Lady Pravus, I know better than that." The bow of the man's head is a deep one, and while his eyes should remain lowered, there is a momentary distraction from Nicia's call. His gaze slides sidelong to check the status of the Duchess, and once he is certain of her wellbeing he looks away.

Blossom hops down from her perch and picks up her boots, beginning to make her way through the crowd assembled towards the exit. It would seem that our perky little painter has grown bored now that nobody's getting noodled in the gob.

Abbas gets out of the water and gives the newly minted admiral a look. The man looks to the water and watches the waves and the movement of it for a time. A study as he eyes the shape and wood of the small mocked up longships. The Thraxian takes his body and he gets in it. There are enough for others to race in besides he, Rickard, and Caelis, "THAT IS ALRIGHT DAGON NO ONE WILL TELL YOUR WIFE MARGOT." The Reaver calls out with a laugh and a grin to Victus. What happens in the Pravus Pool... is discussed about everywhere for months on end.

Ford has adopted the efficient treading water method. Slow, long kicks to keep him afloat so he can drink without exerting himself to hard.

Nicia takes a sip off the bottle, then she lifts it in Ford's direction, "Lord Kennex." She greets, offering him a smile before she drifts a little closer to where her sister is treading water, "I was speaking with the Marquis about this pineapple vodka that he brought, did you get a chance to try any?"

Narciso is quite happy to grin at Belladonna as she approaches, but yes, singing a sea shanty does cut down on the potential entertainment of the conversation. He likewise nods to Mira, and cousin Ferrando. But again, a chanty is being sung. Still, he does get closer to the pool, if only to watch.

Belladonna has joined the large pool.

Larissa smiles at Dagon and nods "I will be accepting donations through the evening in case anyone would like to add something before I turn everything in tomorrow morning. Duchess, thank you so much for invitation this evening and letting me participate in your lovely party. I think I'll go get everything squared away. Please everyone enjoy your evenings."

Selene does indeed offer an obedient 'ahhhhh' when requested, and opens her mouth to receive the chocolate. "Mmmm!" she declares, once she's gotten it, and then gives a laugh, as the other Thrax have apparently caught on to her antics. "Highlord, it's quite alright, I made him do it, the poor thing had little choice," she calls across, while stepping out of the lowered stockings, leaving her just in her dainty underthings. "If you'd come a little quicker, I might have asked you to help as well." Still, when Abbas joins in, she can't help but shake her head, and offer Dagon a sympathetic look. "Alright, alright, I've had my fun. I wouldn't want to cause you any trouble. Why don't you go and play with your friends, before they get you into trouble."

Larissa has left the large pool.

Charlemagne the Unicorn leaves, following Larissa.

Leta nods with a smile to Mira, only to blink at Turo. "The nav - oh, no, m'Lord. No. I just been knighted and all, you see? Just after the siege. Don't think I ought to be considerin' a life at sea now." she quickly clarifies with a broad grin marred only by a slight, apologetic set to her eyebrows. "I've just been on a couple ships. Once paid half my passage from Lenosia by guardin' a ship against pirates. Weren't any, though. Just birds, mostly."

Running her thumb along a wicked scar, Caelis comes over to the pool and jumps in with out any fuss. She comes up and smoothes her hair from her face and gets a feel for the water before pulling herself into a boat. She rocks it and does her best to get a feel for it's balance and weight against hers before settling in. "I think this will be fun-at the very least. Been a while since I've sailed for speed, isn't that so-Marquis?" Caelis says and looks to Ford with a grin.

"Shame," Lianne breathes as if disappointed as she accepts that not-a-bribe from Alrec. He'll have to look her way again to catch the hint of humor just barely tugging at the left corner of her lips. He might not get the chance before she tips forward, closer, near enough to whisper and maybe even be heard over the din of the party. When she straightens, she's moving on, back to her prowling of the perimeter.

"Oh, I've had it -- but not tonight. I'd best see if I still like it," Belladonna informs her sister quite seriously, reaching with one arm so she can make a grabby hand gesture towards the bottle in question. And, well -- she sends a look around, and starts to laugh. A lot. Enough so that she ends up reaching out and glomming onto her sister so that Nicia can try and keep them /both/ afloat, since Bella's no good for it.

"The Whisper House is Arx's preeminent institution of culture and consultation. We're always more than happy to receive people of accomplishment and distinction," Ferrando notes pleasantly to Turo as he sips his rum and glances at Leta. "We're mostly just happy we didn't turn the boat over once we got into open water, I think." He grins. "So to explain the Admiral thing, well... most of the reason we're out here is because of a little joke we've carried over from a spar in the Training Center like a year ago. Something about having a fight in a pool of whiskey on board rowboats, I think? And believe it or not, all this time later, here we are. It was water instead of whiskey, mind you, but there's plenty of whiskey out here so I think it counts." He turns back to his cousin. "And, thank you for saying so! I wasn't kidding by the way, good on you for getting out there. You had fun, right?" he asks Mira with a faint smirk at Abbas' passing. "And making friends," he deadpans before turning to Turo. "And... wait, what?" He squints over in Narciso's direction suddenly. "Did you say Uncle Donato has a -son-? Are you serious?" he says blankly.

"Have you had a chance to try the Mango variety, Lady Nicia?" Ford asks, smirking to himself as Bella tries to drown both herself and Nicia as she drinks. He drifts closer to the both of them. He can probably keep them both afloat himself.

Conker, the Ornery Red Squirrel arrives, following Joslyn.

Mira winces sharply at Ferrando, "Don't use that name. I almost did and Blacktongue was -very- unhappy."

Whoop! Nicia holds the bottle up above the water when her sister glomps onto her, kicking her legs a little more in the water as she wraps her other arm around her. She then shakes her head at Ford's question, "I did not get to, no. But I shall." She assures him, holding the bottle where her sister can reach, but hopefully not where it'll get drug beneath the water, "Are those the only two flavors?"

Apparently seeing Belladonna in such dire straits is enough for Narciso to stop singing. And laugh. "Oh no, we've a Duchess lost at sea! But here comes Marquis Ford to the rescue! The day is saved! Maybe? For now, at least." And then his attention wanders, and he looks back at Ferrando. "Surprise! I am he. Didn't you know? Didn't learn? Didn't care? Also, little cousin is right. You use the name of a dead man at your own peril, Whisper-Guardsman." he says cheerfully.

"Fair enough. Well, if you're ever looking for a few lessons on tactics and leading men into battle, Dame, I would be willing offer what I know." Turo nods. Either the whiskey or something else has made the man's face turn slightly red. Eyes go back to Mira. "They do seem to be changing often enough. Hard to keep track of them when I come across scavengers and try to claim they know the updated laws." he waves it off, taking a longer drink.

Victus blinks once, twice, thrice... His eyes settling onto Selene and her now stockingless form. His gaze snaps over to Dagon in the next moment, then back to Selene, then back to the... stockings. Then to the pool, and to the drink. The High Lord's head whirls around so fast he almost loses his coronet, as both of his hands shakily point back to the exit. "I'm uh..." His mouth hangs open for a moment. "I'm gonna leave actually."

Abbas checked intellect + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

In walks Joslyn, swaying through in her summer silks, the very image of Lycene elegance, she quirks her lips as she looks about, and decides instead to make her way towards Lianne whom seems safely ensconced away from the chaos around her. Eyeing the other woman Joslyn asks. "So I heard something was happening here. What exactly is it?"

Dagon glances back over his shoulder as the heckling starts, giving Victus and Abbas alike a little bit of the stink eye. Still, he completes his task and rises, sketching a quick bow toward Selene. "I'm glad to have been of service, Radiant. Do enjoy your swim." And since she's been told to go play with the other children, or something to that effect, he ambles over to the edge of the pool, shucking off his shirt as he goes. "Well, I've been told to join the party. Room for another?"

Ford can, not only, keep Belladonna and Nicia afloat while he drinks, but he lifts his only free hand to give a thumbs up to Caelis, "Run em to the deeps!" Then he looks back to Nicia, "At the moment, there's a third variety, but it's flavorless. I'm planning a few other flavors now."

Caelis checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 70 higher.

Narciso waves to Joslyn. "Hello, Hairpins-Champion. Apparently it's a pool party. Or whatever excuse it is these people have decided to justify getting as near naked as they could manage. Oh, some of them are attempting a challenge of some kind. Feel free to jump in and figure it out for yourself."

The various reactions -- particularly Narciso's commentary -- have Bella just laughing all the more; she manages to avoid dunking the alcohol at least, and eventually she does manage to get back to breathing. She lets go of her sister to go back to treading water, though she's breathing right now, rather than reaching for the alcohol. "I like the mango better than the pineapple," she says once she has actually managed to recover. No more flailing.

Rickard checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Selene frowns a little, more at Victus making a fuss than Dagon going to play boats, presumably. With Victus maybe way on the other side, she decides to hop into the water first, and paddle her way across. "Highlord, Highlord, you're not... a little jealous are you?" Hopefully as she's doing this while they get started, sort of at the other end, no one runs her over with a boat!

Lianne's nod to Alrec is subtle, shallow, but surely there, marked with a glance in his direction. Her steps take her toward a spot in the shade from which she might be able to watch the others, keeping to the outskirts, seemingly content to keep quiet until Joslyn draws close. "Races?" she ventures to the Hairpins-Champion, as she's called. "I'm not sure if they're still taking bets." Casting a look down over the woman in her summer silks, she wonders, "Will you be joining them in the water?"

Lianne has joined the a shadowy corner.

Dagon checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Nicia's certainly not going to protest someone else being responsible for keeping them afloat, since that means it is easier to save the alcohol. She flashes Ford an appreciative smile, then at the mention of a third one, she brightens, looking at him with large, hopeful eyes, "Orange? Can we make it orange?" She glances at Bella, giving her a nod, that hopeful look sent to her sister as well, "Orange, right?"

Joslyn has joined the a shadowy corner.

Ferrando wrinkles his nose at Mira. "He's not -here-," he points out defensively before Narciso comes back over and earns himself a slightly skeptical looking-over from Ferrando. "Okay, he definitely has a son," he deadpans before grinning cheerfully. "So hey, I'm your cousin Ferrando. Nice to meet you! I see you're into the whole metaphorical identity death thing, good to know."

"Thank you, m'Lord. In battle I'm definitely better at following than leading, I'm afraid." Leta grins but inclines her head respectfully to acknowledge Turo's ofter, before turning, bright eyes flickering between Mira and Ferrando, eventually panning over towards Narciso. Suspiciously wet, the freshly minted knight eyes the lute-player for a moment, lifting an eyebrow suspiciously.

The High Lord was in the midst of making a hasty get-away. For him, that entailed a giant of a man trying his best to shuffle on his heels. It didn't work well and in fact, there was nothing 'hasty' about it one bit. Victus' eyes turn back to Selene, unfocused. "Jealous?" He raises his brow. "No no, I already have one of those... Whispers. I just haven't been in the house." He shrugs his shoulders. "But I'd like to be in a Whisper house. It sounds quieter than fuckall else in this city!" It seems the alcohol had loosened his taste for sailor's words pretty well. "But jealousy, no. Dagon has a child, I doubt he'd be bunkin' with nice legs."

Joslyn wiggles her fingers towards Narciso, chuckling. "Not getting near to naked as I can. I imagine I'd win, anyway," she says with a roll of her shoulders. "It wouldn't be the first time I've bared all in this pool, though not with so large a crowd," she chuckles, drawing in closer to Lianne in the shadows.

"Well then, may Mangata play favorites." Caelis teases with an easy laugh before looking to the men. "Ready? Go!" She calls out and sets to, bursting ahead of the other two keeping her efforts efficient and light. "Best luck lads!" She calls out, light on the water and gleeful.

To whatever it is that Lianne murmured to him, Alrec responded with a few soft words in kind. He bows once more, chocolate in one hand and bottle dangled in the other. Joslyn is offered a curious look, and he offers her a White Cloud chocolate bar in passing, but he is indeed venturing toward the Manor once more.

The Warlord smiles over to Narciso as he busts out a Sea Shanty. The Warlord was no melodious reaver and he mutilates the words with good hearty bellows of the chorus as he sits down and gets ready to race. He gets the mock rigging and sail just so and looks to the water. He looks to the newly minted admiral and flashes her a toothy grin and then over to his cousin. Then there is the Pravus pool war champion. Abbas starts at the oars and uses a rope wrapped around his arm to govern the sails as he rows. By most standards he's incredibly but as he starts to get steam through the water he looks up and finds himself in second! "Oh, hell no." Splinters on his naked but the man doubles down for the next round but not before lobbing a bean back in his boat at the back of Caelis head.

Abbas checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Dagon truthfully looks less worried about anyone going and tattling to Margot than he does about making it for the race. He missed the last boat thing! However, being that he's fleeing the prior little encounter and also trying to undress, or at least to remove a thing or two en route. So he goes running along (angering lifeguards everywhere), tossing a vest here and a shirt there, and finally hops into a boat. It sways when he lands, almost capsizing, and then he's rushing to try and get the thing underway. Eventually he manages, although far behind the other little ships.

Mira smirks at Turo, and leans her head his way as she turns a bit, "Scavenging laws are a fascinating labyrinth for people who really want to lose an afternoon in frustration, Admiral. But I can send you the most up-to-date copy if you like?" Then she nods to Ferrando with lips set into a line. "Metaphorical, right." She looks a little pensive at that.

Asheryn, a Gyrfalcon have been dismissed.

Abbas checked intellect + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 52 higher.

"Why yes, you are indeed! Good to see you're still alive! Tell me, do you still have that mace?" Narciso asks Ferrando. "Oh, I'm not. He's dead dead. Haven't you seen for yourself? Mh... No, no you haven't." And then his gaze wanders... to Leta. And there, there the full attention of a Confessor of the Inquisition is focused on her. "Suspicious Dame, we meet again. And lo and behold, you remain wary. Not good, not good at all." he shakes his head. And then his attention returns to the race, witnessing Abbas' predicament. And starts to sing another song, this time about Captain Sarb and his attempts to outrun a storm.

Caelis checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Turo takes a hefty drink from glass, finishing his drink. "Right, yes. Well, I should be getting on my way soon, I think." Infact, he gets a quick really refill and downs that too. "It was lovely to meet all of you. It was good time."

Joslyn takes the offered chocolate from Alrec with a dubious look and a smile all at the same time. It's a Lycene skill, one would assure. She speaks quietly in the corner, looking around at the rest of the party curiously.

Selene never quite gets out on the other side, but just pops up on the far side of the pool and clambers up to lean on the edge, looking up (and up and up) at the departing Thrax. Whatever she swam over to convince him of, or whatever diplomacy she might have intended, it seems to get off a little poorly. "You *have* a Whisper?" she wonders up at him, brows raised. "Whispers are not like thralls, Highlord." This is said evenly, though, not angrily nor disrespectfully, but as a quiet point of fact. Still, she continues toward Victus in more friendly manner: "If you are interested in visiting the house, then I urge you do so. I can guarantee you a warm welcome, and even some personal attention, if you would like. But do be aware it is not... the kind of place you might assume." And this dovetails nicely with the last of what he says: "I was no more interested in 'bunking' with him than I suspect he was with me. Flirtation can be harmless, and it can be fun, Highlord. It can make one forget other worries. Other things can as well."

"Yes! Orange sounds perfect," Belladonna agrees, reaching to try and steal the bottle away from Nicia again so she can take a drink, continuing to fairly easily tread water. The salt makes it easier.

Lianne's gaze tracks Alrec as he departs, flicking back toward the windows where she'd hidden herself for most of the day with just a bare hint of longing as if thinking the admiral might have the right idea. As Joslyn settles into the shade with her, however, her smile returns, that ache for quietude effortlessly banished. Whatever she says to the woman, however, doesn't carry much beyond their copse of trees.

Ford purses his lips in contemplation as the three of them bob between a harried boat race threatening to crush them, "Orange isn't a bad idea..." Then he tilts his head and looks to Bella, "What fruits are prominent in Setarco?"

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

Dagon checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Nicia passes the bottle over to her sister, hands then raising to slick back her wet hair from her face before she grins, "Oranges." She suggests, her brows lifting a moment before she glances at the starting race for a moment, then back to her sister and Ford.

"I don't mean I *own* a Whisper." Victus turns on his heel and begins to explain, making some rather delirious hand gestures that exuberantly cut through the air in front of him as he builds a mental image of what he explains. "I mean I pay a Whisper. And she talks to me, and then she helps me do things. That's what the idea of it is, right? Friendly help, with money?" The High Lord slowly moves toward the edge of the pool, careful not to trip himself up as he crouches down low. He still wasn't quite at eye-level with Selene, but goodness was he trying as hard as his drunken self could. "Let me rephrase. I like the idea of the Whisper house, I want to know more. So I want to visit. I want to get to know you all better. Larissa said something about patronage, I'm used to bein' asked for that often."

With raised eyebrows and a delighted grin, "What about a Setarco themed variant? Mm?" Ford takes a drink and sets the bottle floating in the water once more, "Oranges and whatever other fruits and flavors you'd like to throw in as well. As well as Mango and Pineapple sell now?" He shakes his head, "You'd never be able to get a bottle of the Setarco Orange."

The Warlord of Thrax grins as he watches the bean bag sail true. And he looks down behind his shoulder to his cousin behind them. The man angles his boat towards Caelis and he comes up alongside her neck in neck with the Admiral. As he does so the man pauses to reach out and snag a message from a messenger in bold arrogance as he holds it out. While he does so the man happens to be mooning the woman. He sits back down quickly as they are side-by-side now on the second lap around the pool. "Mangata favors the wicked who do for themselves." He growls over to her and sends his boat against hers to keep her from passing him with a crash and splinter of wood. Abbas cheats. He cheats in the Salt. He cheats at games. He would make a shit Oathlander.

Ferrando gives Mira and Narciso a somewhat incongrously skeptical hand on hip expression for somebody holding his damp tunic instead of wearing it. Finally, rolls his eyes with a laugh. "Yeah, gotcha, he's stone dead. My mistake," he agrees blithely. "And thanks! Good to be alive." He squints at Leta. "What are you supposed to be suspected of? Owning too many hats?"

"What's a metaph - that thing he said?" Leta asks quietly of Mira, with an almost cheerfully confused expression. When she directs it back to Narciso, the confusion remains, but the cheer fades away somewhat. "I wouldn't be wary if you didn't - oh, nevermind, I see what you're doin' there. I stood guard outside the House of Questions a few times, I did." she touches a finger to her scarred cheek and squints the eye just above it. She's on to Narciso. She remains wary, anyhow, and finishes off her rum with one good swig.

Fallout on the wife front aside, it's glaringly obvious that undressing the Radiant will be the high point of the party for Dagon, for it's clearly not going to be his sailing prowess. He's slow out the start and... slow the rest of the way. Huzzah! "Crap, I think something's tangled," is heard, as he sorts out an errant rope tangling an oar, and then tries to give it a few more pulls to catch up. No going, though!

"I wouldn't know. He thinks I hear voices or something." Leta says to Ferrando with a slight shrug.

"You will get my Setarco peppers only through violence," Belladonna teases Ford, laughing. "It's what we make the Fire out of. But we've got oranges and tangerines, apples. Grapefruit. Lemons, as well." She rattles it off easily. "There's other -- things, in the forests, but not many orchards devoted to any of it." She continues treading water, though as soon as the bottle is unattended she's reaching for it. Distracted briefly by the race, she does turn away some from Ford and Nicia, letting out another delighted laugh. "Oh! Look at them go."

Ford let's out a gasp at the prospect of peppers and vodka. "Oh.."

Mira sighs, "A metaphor is something that stands for something else, like saying someone was as quick as a hawk. You're not saying he's really a hawk, or as fast as one. You're using a metaphor to say he was really quick." Then she gives Ferrando a /pointed look/, and says nothing else about it. She turns and watches the races out in the pool.

Beaned by a beanbag, Caelis gasps and looks back at Abbas in shock. "Oh, you're going for a drink." She threatens and retakes command of her ship with a shake of her head. His bashing his boat into hers costs her that precious speed she burst ahead with. "With a view like that Highness, who needs flipbooks?" She calls out trying to distract him.

Joslyn scoops up some wine and drinks from the glass deeply, a melancholy expression in her features as she speaks with Lianne.

"Perhaps a bit of tangerine with the orange?" Nicia suggests, her hands skimming over the surface of the water as she continues to keep herself afloat with kicks of her legs. She glances at Bella when she mentions the peppers, laughing at her, "I think the peppers would be great, you know. But with the orange? Tangerines, perhaps some ginger or basil."

"My apologies for assuming incorrectly, Highlord," Selene offers, her voice coming in at a lower, softer murmur, "It seems a mistake many make, and I was too quick in thinking I needed correct it. But yes, you have it right. We might use prettier words, but you have the outline of it, I think." She remains in her place at the edge, legs kicking slightly beneath the water, and is spared looking up quite so far as Victus lowers himself as much closer as he can. "I am glad you are curious, and I would encourage you to act upon that motivation, to come and see us when it suits you. I am sure, even if not with myself, you will find companionship with someone who suits your needs. We have a few men and women who fight, even." Thrax like fighting things, right? "Patronage is the general term for the compensation we receive. It can be per visit, or ongoing, depending on one's needs and generosity. In any case, give it some thought, and come pay us a visit, when your duties grant you opportunity."

Abbas checked intellect + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 42 higher.

Umbra arrives, following Arianna.

Umbra leaves, following Arianna.

"She has too many hats? Why, that is a dire crime." Narciso exclaims after hearing Ferrando's words. Don't encourage the mad Confessor, please. "Metaphor, when you say one thing through the use of another. But don't mistake it for a comparison. 'He was quick as an hawk' is that. Comparison, not a metaphor. 'He flew to her defense' is a metaphor." Narciso remarks to Leta, Mira and Ferrando. His gaze is distracted, with all the things going on around him. "Did you now?" he asks Leta. "And what did you hear?"

Ford nods to Nicia, "Yes. I like these ideas. I will have to think on this." After another drink of the bottle he stole momentarily from the Duchess, he hands it back, takes a few deep breaths and siiinks.. to the bottom of the pool for a while.

Caelis checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

The gasp from Ford brings Bella's attention back around, and she grins at him. She starts to say something, and...oh. She takes another drink as she looks down towards Ford where he's gone beneath the water. A moment is spent staring before she looks up to Nicia again, offers the bottle over that way. Just in case.

Dagon checked dexterity + sailing at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Lianne gives Joslyn's empty hand a squeeze, holding that contact for a long moment while she blathers on about something, but eventually slipping free as she looks back across the party.

Mira just stares at Narciso drolly as he corrects her. She's probably more annoyed that he's right, from her expression, and the fact she doesn't snap back at him.

Victus nods steadily to Selene, finally seeing the only one of her he needed right in the center. He reached down and... patted her head. Only once, and quite gently. But definitely not clear on the sentiment he was going for there. "Thanks." His voice was gruff as he kicked back again to get on his feet. His fingers hooked into the belt of his blood-black leathers and he ensured to straighten up his crown at that. "Keep me in mind then. I'm gonna go sleep off the rest of this booze. If you ever feel like comin' by the ward you'd be welcome. Just don't expect any fuckin' carpets being rolled out, we're still usin' them as blankets." There is a dry and biting edge to his humor, but the smirk that breaks through his glower is enough to tell his intentions. He steps away from the waters edge and makes another gambit for the exit.

Nicia's brows lift upwards when Ford sinks down beneath the water, looking down to see if she can't pick out where he's going. Then she shrugs a fraction, reaching out to take the bottle from her sister, taking another swallow off it. "I think the market is ripe for the Fire."

Ferrando looks at Leta as if waiting for her to finish the rest of it and finally clueing in that there actually isn't a rest of it. "Well, don't you? I mean I hear voice, it's called 'having a conversation with people'," he points out reasonably. "Oh and yeah, metaphors are pretty much what they said," he adds helpfully before looking at Narciso. "Have you ever considered becoming a lawyer?" he asks innocently.

Occasionally, bubbles, indicating Ford was infact still alive rise to the surface.

When Caelis tells him he is going into the drink Abbas is suddenly reminded of his bottle of whiskey. And the man reaches down to snag it as he leans on the mockup rigging through the second to last turn. The prince tucks the bottle between his naked thighs. "Fuck that is cold." He complains as he starts to row feverishly. On the last turn he pulls ahead of Caelis and grins like the devil himself. The man opens the whiskey and he pulls directly in front of her ship as he goes across the finish line. He just drifts it while take a long gulp. He flexes with his other mighty arm. Standing cocksure and proud; arrogant. He glides to victory while his enemies suck down his wake. "Just another day in the office." The sea barbarian rumbles. The bronze menace of the Salt a terrible cheat and tyrant of the Pravus ports. Er, port.

"Words are important, Lawyering Cousin!" Narciso tells Mira cheerfully. And then he looks back at Ferrando, and blinks owlishly at the man. "I'm a Confessor. Am I not enough in law for you? Though I could learn more of law, to be even MORE convincing when I'm trying to put someone away. Or get them executed. Yes! I shall mine our cousin's brain for better law-convincing!"

Dagon would probably love it if he could even get close enough to the leading pair to engage in mock combat with noodles or beanbag projectiles. But no, the man remains firmly in third place, and while he's able to finally get the boat steadied out and moving at something approaching a meaningful pace, it is still a good length behind the others. In the end, he just sits back and lets it coast to the finish. "Did I win? No?" A laugh. "Well, at least I can say I actually got in a boat, at the boat party."

Leta nods to Mira, "Right. I knew that, I think, give or take a word or two. Wasn't sure about the identity thing and whatnot, ah - thank you." she mutters, then furrows her brow in Narciso's direction, If anything, I haven't got enough!" the knight counters, her fancy feathered beret dripping water down her face. Then she jabs a finger in Ferrando's direction, "That's what I said! Of course I hear voices, they're just coming out of regular folk, isn't it, saying regular things, nothing unnatural or weird or nothing like it." she clarifies with another wary look in Narciso's direction.

Ford returns to the surface and slicks his hair back, taking up the shared bottle once more and having a drink, "Ah.." He sighs, completely fantastically refreshed with the evening.

Joslyn squeezes at Liannes hand, looking sober for a few moments more before curiously tilting her head into a question, spoken quietly.

Caelis checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

"I think I might actually have to start selling the fire's piss, as well," Belladonna comments dryly, watching Abbas as he flexes and preens over his victory. She grins again and shakes her head to herself, refocusing on her sister. "I think the color isn't as much of a problem outside of Setarco as it is there." Pause. "I'll need to actually name it." When Ford surfaces, Bella gives him the bottle and offers a grin. Since the race is over, she swims towards the edge again. Or, well, the bench along it. She sits down carefully, sinking in the water until it's lapping at her shoulders. Watching the party.

"If you don't hear voices from the House of Questions, then it means we've run out of people to Question. Which means we're out looking for new ones." Naricso nods reassuringly to Leta. Yes, that counts as reassurance. "Regular folk saying regular things." The words make him frown. "If you consider treason, sedition and witchery regular." The frown deepens, and his voice lowers. "Do you?"

Caelis checked strength + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

"You won't find me on a horse... at a horse party cousin." Abbas chuckles and tells Dagon.

Mira just folds her arms under her breasts, looking unamused at Narciso's musings. But she suddenly blinks, glances down, and her eyes widen. The adrenaline rush of privateering for House Thrax is long behind her, and Mira suddenly feels very, very undressed. Bouncing away, Mira goes to where she discarded her black hooded robes earlier and swirls them about herself, cinching the belt closed. The wide, heavy hood lays down her back, and the satin material follows her curves underneath, but she is far more clothed now, and looks considerably more comfortable being so. She wanders back over to Ferrando, Leta, and Narciso. "Just don't bring a pick-axe, if you would be so kind."

Watching Abbas pull ahead, Caelis narrows her eyes when he drifts into her path. The Malvici admiral jumps from her boat to his and hooks her arm around the Prince to tow the cocksure Thrax into the water with her, at least trying to make good on her promise to put him in the water.

If Selene can be undressed in front of the gathering and fed chocolate like a babe, her ego is probably not so fragile to suffer injury from a head patting. Or maybe, she is knowing enough to grasp the intention behind it, even if the somewhat drunken Highlord is not consciously sure of it. "You are most welcome, and I shall consider a visit to your house as you consider one to ours. Do enjoy the rest of your night, my lord, and sleep well." Once that understanding is brokered with Victus, she kicks off the edge of the pool and starts an idle backstroke away, allowing herself to float and enjoy the water a bit, with the boat race safely near its end.

Ford follows not far behind Bella to a bench to sit, so he doesn't have to tread water any longer, "Fire's piss? Please, do tell. The name itself warrants explination." He slides into the little bench beside Belladonna and takes another drink.

"I'm certain that you can come up with a perfect name for it." Nicia assures Bella, then with the race over she starts to swim towards the edge of the water, but doesn't get out yet. Instead she pulls herself up from the water partially, listening to Bella and Ford talk about the Fire's piss with a bit of a laugh and shake of her head.

Ferrando regards Narciso thoughtfully like he's making a very serious effort to figure out what he's saying and not entirely succeeding at it. "So you're saying you have, like, a quota?" he finally concludes.

"Name it Awww Bawss' Fire!" Abbas shouts to Belladonna, Abbas then feels his boat rock and barely looks up in time to see the woman slide her arm around him and then he is being tackled into the drink. Abbas is a hero of sorts. He has a bottle of whiskey in hand and he cannot spill it. He has no lid. So he plops the bottle in his mouth as a SPLASH goes up and drenches many people in the pool. He drinks under the water as the admiral sinks with him. GLUG GLUG GLUG. #Thraxrulez

Leta scowls all the harder and stares at Narciso, touching one hand to her chest while the other fidgets with the corner of her damp linen tunic. "What!? No, I didn't mean I heard regular things at the House of Questions! I meant what you said the other day at the ceremony, that's what I meant. I couldn't rightly hear what folk were sayin' at the House of Questions, to tell the truth. Could've been all those things, if you say so. I didn't hear anything that sounded like nothing in particular." she emits a grumpy, flustered grunt at the conversation, and turns her attention to the poolside shenanigans to escape it.

"I think I'm probably better on a horse than on a boat, at least as steering goes," Dagon will admit, with a laugh, calling back from his own little boat. "Though it's usually not my job. I'd have rather been noodle fencing earlier! Still, good fun." Once his vessel bumps up against the edge of the pool, he figures about clambering out - only to witness the fellow being tackled off his ship. "Sort of a pyrrhic victory, for the two of them, I'd say."

"You've seen the fire, I hope; it's a pale yellow," Belladonna explains for Ford, making a grabby hand towards the bottle. "It goes through -- quite a few stages, in making it. One of the first is...it's nowhere near as sweet as the final product, and burns something fierce. And it's a fairly...interesting shade of dark yellow with a bit of orange. It's not particularly pretty."

"I promise pick-axes or any such device will not be brought when I come to interrogate you, dear cousin." Narciso answers Mira, before shifting his attention to Ferrando. "Well we do have limits to our cells. We can't put EVERYONE in there to interrogate all. Though we can pack quite an amount. Guilty people, of course. But if we've done all the work... Well, we have to find more work!" he nods to his cousin, with the air of a man who fully expects the other is understanding everything and has no trouble whatsoever keeping up with the mad ramblings of the insane. "Good! That you didn't hear. I mean, it could have been as dull as a man explaining why he had not paid the Crown his due, a woman justifying the murder of her abusing husband, or an evil witch screaming a confession. Best be safe, yes?" He nods sagely to Leta. "Your path to redemption is a worthy one. Keep it up! I might make it a song. Rise and Fall of the Dame of Hats."

Ford passes the bottle over to Belladonna as she explains, leaning back into the little bench thing. He tilts his chin upwards, thinking, "Perhaps you can bring some to dinner?"

"But it is amazing to drink." Nicia points out, adding this fast on the heels of Bella's words, glancing over her shoulder to where Abbas and Caelis go into the water, then her attention turns back to listening to her sister's conversation.

Kicking to the surface, Caelis pushes her hair back and laughs once she's caught her breath. Swimming to the edge, she hoists herself up to sit on the edge and ensures her dark hair is covering her back before looking over at Ford. "It appears I am still not a match for out sailing the Thrax, we'll have to practice more."

The bottle comes up to float. Abbas swims off to the side of the pool and gets out. He leaves the boat to drift for people to frolic in. The Reaver Prince for all his naked glory was worn out. And so he drip dries and he gives a wave of his recently made four-fingered hand and chucks the deuces. The last thing people see of him are those sub baked buttermilk biscuits as goes straight on in the Manor without another word. Exhausted. Probably not ideal given the recent amputation. But you cannot keep a good Thrax down or out of a party. Especially Abbas.

Ford laughs and waves his hand at Caelis, "I wouldn't take it personally, he -cleeearly- cheated."

Mira looks a bit worn out as well. She hasn't swam in...who knows how long. And she did a lot of swimming and fighting earlier. She nods absently to Narciso, but has fallen silent, mostly, standing near the bar.

"I can do that," Belladonna agrees with a chuckle that gives way to another outright laugh for Nicia's words. She swallows another mouthful of vodka, offering the bottle out between Ford and Nicia to see which one of them wants it. "It is amazing to drink, yes," she says. "But one bottle of that makes -- a whole lot more fire. We can..." She trails off as she catches Abbas heading for the manor, frowning and looking to Nicia, nodding after him. "We can look into perhaps shifting how we produce it all, I suppose." There's a grin offered over towards Caelis. "He did," she agrees with Ford. "So you should practice cheating, as well."

Selene continues her gentle backstroking, and looks over curiously as a bottle appears nearby. She continues on, unpreturbed. Definitely a good party.

Arriving to the party quite late, Thistle happens to walk in just in time to get an eyeful of naked Abbas. Again. Thrax and clothes did not seem to get along at parties. "Goodnight, your highness." She murmers as he walks off. The blonde makes her way over to Nicia and gives her a small wave.

Ford grins and nods, looking between Caelis and Bella, "Mm cheating practice. Correct."