Liara gets a cuddly badger plushie with a marshmallow on a stick from a silk-lined chest of party favors.

A reserved assistant named Stojan, 3 Thrax Guards, An ostentatious curator named Sivas, 1 Thrax Elite Guards, A nondescript man named Cato arrive, following Denica.

Denica gets a cuddly badger plushie with a marshmallow on a stick from a silk-lined chest of party favors.

Marquessa Tyche Inverno and her oft-escort, Duke Cristoph Laurent, arrived early to find a spot with the Highlord of Valardin. Whatever camping gear they brought is set up around a flower garden, and the Marquessa herself is dressed for the occasion! Breeches and a shirt help her sit on her spread blanket without any fear, and she's laughing at something Cristoph said.

Ilira has joined the a cozy campfire surrounded by boulders and wooden perches.

Katarina has joined the a whimsical flower garden.

Kritr has joined the an outdoor kitchen with fire pits and cauldrons.

The Menagerie is so beautiful on its own that, for once, the Graysons didn't seem to feel the need to decorate terribly much. A wide array of colorful tents has been set up around the area, separated from the animals by natural barriers for safety, and all attendees have been assigned their sleeping place and been encouraged to settle in, mingle, snack, and get their first peeks at the animals.

And now it is game time! Keely has been flitting around camp inviting everyone to gather at the campfire for a game called Forty Winks. Once everyone has gathered, she stands atop a log and, projecting as well as she can, explains how the game works.

(OOC)The scene set/room mood is now set to: Forty Winks:

A sleep wizard has snuck into the camp and is making everyone too tired to enjoy the giraffes!

Everyone will roll (dice 1=16) to determine who is "investigator" and who is "sleep wizard". Everyone else is a partygoer.

Keely will do an emit to set

The "investigator" will roll (check perception/wits + investigation/riddles at hard)

For every failure, the "sleep wizard" will roll (check dexterity/composure + manipulation/legerdemain at hard) to determine how many partygoers they put to sleep
-Everything up to (including) marginal success: 1
-Success: 2
-Critical success: 3
This is accomplished with a wink at a partygoer (using whisper). For example, if successful, I would pick two victims and whisper Panic,Crawfish =:winks at you from across the circle. Time to go to sleep!

The partygoer will pose (using pose/emit) dramatically "falling asleep"

When the "investigator" has a success, the "sleep wizard" will pose (using pose/emit) winking at a partygoer, and the "investigator" will catch them!

If everyone is put to sleep before the "investigator" catches the "sleep wizard", the latter wins!

We'll do a few rounds so there are chances for lots of people to be the "investigator" or "sleep wizard".

Corrigan has joined the a cozy campfire surrounded by boulders and wooden perches.

Katarina has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 7

Armed with plenty of supplies, none of which are camping and all of which are art supplies, Denica has brought her easel and paints, sketch books, charcoal and staff. It is clear the princess is not entirely familiar with campaign, but hopefully someone in her circle has thought ahead. Rather, she is excited no matter what, her eyes taking everything in, as she finds somewhere to sit around the campfire. When Keely announces a game, the young woman perks up, and listens curiously, taking in the details as she idly fiddles with a piece of charcoal.

Tyche has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 14

Kritr has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 6

Denica has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 10

Corrigan has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 6

Denica has joined the a cozy campfire surrounded by boulders and wooden perches.

Alis has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 5

Terese has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 11

Ilira has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 7

Alis is sprawled on her own blanket, with her back against the ground so she can look upwards at the sky while chatting amiably up until they're called to gather for the GAME. So, to the campfire she ambles in her far more comfortable gear of plain pants and a tunic. (Pay no attention to what you see when you look, really!)

Liara has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 5

Someone needs to explain the idea of 'roughing it' to Princess Katarina Valardin. Possibly the idea of 'camping.' She seems to have established an entire noble bedchamber, sans walls and, one supposes, a bathtub or something, not far from Tyche and Cristoph's spot, and bordering Alis's. She brought an armoire full of clothes. For an overnight camping trip. And really, that's not even the most ridiculous part. She at least didn't bring an actual /bed/, though her bedroll is plush and well-appointed to the point of being the closest thing one can /get/ to a bed without having a frame or a headboard or anything. She is dressed in fine aeterna, probably because it doesn't stain.

Terese makes her way to join the others for the game, she is wearing her plain clothing and boots as she settles in around the fire with the others to see how the game begins

Kritr doesn't really understand what is going on, or why the tents have mattresses in them. Or even who these tents belong to. He has been busy setting up his own wool structure with a bedroll inside. When he is done he joins the rest of the nobles for the game, which he doesn't really understand either, other than if someone winks at you pretend to fall asleep. He does understand what cheese, nuts and fruit are for. So he has his hands full of that. Given a stick he will roast slices of apple over the fire.

From a large silk tent in a quiet corner, Ilira ducks out and tugs a mildly disgruntled Confessor Corrigan after her. He is dressed in his caliginous leathers, a startling contrast next to her resplendent honeysilk and scintillating jewels. She is laughing as she sweeps him toward the fire, her flower-spun curls bouncing slightly about her face and shoulders. "I will /teach/ you," she tells him and bumps him with her hip, yanking him down beside her on a broad log. Then, comfortably, she snuggles into his side.

Straws are drawn, and Tyche is the lucky person who is BANISHED from the circle while the group selects a murderer. She is banished right over to where the desserts are, at least, and she is welcome for that. But before long, she is called back and the game is afoot, so hopefully she was fast about snacking!

Her objective is to detect the Sleep Wizard before the whole party is put to sleep! Can she do it? We shall see...

Tyche checks perception and investigation at hard. Tyche is successful.

Alis looks around, and looks around, and looks around some more... and then because apparently she is very not good at this, winks at Denica. But it is not at all sly!

Corrigan is indeed disgruntled in a mild sense as he grunts along, dragged seemingly against his will towards the campfire - but really, that's all pretend as he obviously lets himself be dragged. He straightens out the hip-bump as if it woke him to present company, and he remains stiff as he sinks down into the log to join the others. All the better for him to be leant on, at least.

Kritr watches this play out in front of him and gist of the game becomes clear. "So... the 'investigator' does not risk the 'sleeping sickness'?" He asks. If he weren't sating his hungry, he'd have some trepidation about what he had gotten himself into right now.

Keely bounces lightly in her seat beside Liara, looking around the circle with bright eyes and trying very hard not to look at the Sleep Wizard. Her dark eyes trail briefly toward Ilira and Corrigan, a grin slowly creeping across her lips.

The princess has a hard time focusing, this is nothing new, and so many sights and people, her charcoal is itching in her fingers. Waggling it around, she catches sight of something and then blinks a few times, clearly she is suppose to do something and then! She closes her eyes, all slumber like. This may or may not be correct, but Denica does it with confidence, none-the-less!

When Tyche's name is called to be the 'investigator,' she exhales a laugh. "You better choose a wily sleepwizard," she warns them all and pushes herself to her feet to head 'away' from the group so that they might choose the one who works for them. She comes back after a time, her dark eye scanning each of the faces around the campfire, suspicion and humor written on her expression. When she spies Alis winking right at Denica, she gasps, "Your grace! How dare! To the poor unsuspecting princess! It was you all along!" She adds plenty of hitches in her tone as her finger points to that wizard.

Ilira has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 11

Katarina has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 11

Corrigan has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 9

Kritr has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 9

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

"Alis!" Katarina says, when Tyche catches her out. She puts her hands on her hips and gives Alis an exaggerated look of disappointment. "My own sister. For shame~." She sets her jaw, scrunches up her lower lip, and actually puts in the effort to make it look like she really and truly is upset with the Oathlands' Highlord. This lasts about... oh, five seconds? Six? before Katarina relaxes into an easy, feline grin. "Ah, but you tried your best, sister, that is what is important. Next time~."

Denica has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 6

Alis clap both hands to her face in utter shock as Tyche points to her right away. "Oh /no/. You've caught me! I am the evil sleep wizard!" she exclaims, with an utter lack of seriousness while she laughs. "I shall have to find someone who can help me be more sly."

Terese has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 16

Katarina pauses for a moment. "...I can try, but, you know, miracles, and all~."

Corrigan remains stiff as his gaze sweeps the campfire, the apparent intent being to take stock of each face - though when his gaze passes Keely, he begins to squint incredulously. Slowly. Until you can /barely/ see his pale greens. He keeps the squint as he happens on the other performances about. He relaxes a bit into Ilira as it goes though, at least.

Terese chuckles lightly at Alis as she is caught. "Good attempt Cousin," Tesese says. "You will get us next time.

Tyche reclaims her place beside Cristoph with a laugh. "/I/ could teach you," she tells Alis, "But I don't want you to get better. You make my job as investigator so easy." There's a fondness in her grin as she leans over to bump a shoulder with the petite leader's.

Kritr furrows his brow and stares at the campfire. If he just doesn't look at anyone, they can't put him to sleep, right?

Ilira meet's Keely's gaze from across the fire, her lips curling into a sly, warm grin. She turns that smile on Corrigan with a radiance, and gives the Confessor's hand a gentle squeeze, their fingers interlaced. The look on his face makes her have to stifle a laugh.

Keely giggles delightedly when Tyche catches Alis right away, nearly falling off of her log. She hugs her sides a bit, taking some time to catch her breath before calling for the next round!

More straws, and another investigator (Denica!) is sent to get some dessert while everyone else votes on a new Sleep Wizard. Once that is decided, she is called back, and everyone does their best not to give the culprit away...

Denica checks wits and investigation at hard. Denica fails.

"What I /really/ need is to be more convincing." Alis decides, batting her eyelashes at Tyche. "No, no. It's quite alright cousin. I can admit that I lack both sly and convincing from my list of skills." she laments at Terese playfully. Both hands are held up like she's surrendering.

Corrigan checks dexterity and manipulation at hard. Corrigan marginally fails.

"But you make up for it in charm," Tyche smiles toward Alis, but then she watches the next round, paying attention to the next round which might involve her as victim of sudden sleep!

Terese was about to answer Alis but is suddenly yawning as she falls gently to sleep, moving from her log to the ground to sleep

Kritr gives a hunted glance to either side before returning his fixed attention to the fire.

Alis winks at Tyche, and gently shoulder bumps after that compliment. But she too has to pay attention. She might be winked upon to fall asleep at any moment.

Ilira peeks thoughtfully through her lashes at Terese, her gaze contemplatively drifting.

Denica checks wits and investigation at hard. Denica fails.

Keely's dark eyes flit to and fro, her toes tapping lightly against the ground in barely-restrained excitement.

Corrigan turns to look down on Ilira and makes a little face at her in response to her laugh. It's there for barely a second before he goes back to his owlish gaze-about the campfire.

Corrigan checks dexterity and manipulation at hard. Corrigan fails.

Keely draws in a breath and suddenly brings a hand to her brow before slumping aside, across Liara's lap, making a big show of sleeping!

Denica checks perception and investigation at hard. Denica marginally fails.

Sending Denica over to the dessert table was the first problem, wow some many lovely things to eat, the princess uses her paint-stained fingers to pick up something tasty. As she stands there, she snacks, and finds herself rather raptured by a particular dessert, studying it, looking at it very intensely, forgetting everything she is doing. Is there a game going on? Denica has no idea, the mind of an artist is a curious thing, and the princess is lost in her own thoughts, indulging in those sweet treats. A real murder could happen and she probably wouldn't even notice.

When Keely falls asleep, Tyche gestures to those nearest her, "Do not let the hostess fall! We won't know how this game ends.,"

Corrigan checks dexterity and manipulation at hard. Corrigan is successful.

Kritr's eyebrows raise. Alarmed he asks, without looking up from the fire. "What happens to the game if everyone is asleep?"

Laughing, Liara attaches a fresh marshmallow to the end of her skewer, and sort of waggles that somewhere in front of Keely's face, presumably as a waking-up aid.

Katarina stares agog at Tyche a moment. "Marquessa, it is the work of some sort of eldritch... wizard, or such thing, it is not as though we can merely clap our hands in front of these poor souls sentenced to slumber...~!"

Katarina does look a little tempted to try, though.

"The Sleep Wizard wins," Keely whispers in Kritr's direction without opening her eyes.

Liara then scoots over sideways to settle down to 'sleep' on the log. Also, she sleep-eats a marshmallow. Just one though.

Terese is still 'sleeping' till the current game is over. Resting peacefully as she listens still

Kritr shouldn't have looked up when Keely whispered to him. He heaves a sigh and carefully takes his apple slice off his roasting stick. He lays down next to the fire and munches on the apple slice. "Snore." He says.

Denica checks perception and investigation at hard. Denica fails.

Corrigan checks dexterity and manipulation at hard. Corrigan is successful.

Ilira has been suppressing her giggles, but bursts into a delighted fit of laughter when both Grayson princesses fall over asleep. There is a happy flush about her face, and she giggles even harder at Kritr, leaning forward slightly beside Corrigan.

Keely cannot contain her own giggles (and faint snorts) as Liara also falls victim, and she maneuvers a hand in attempt to very gently sleep-prod her sister's ribs.

Alis is waving her little plushie's arm with the stick and mashmallow, because she can be a dork like that. When... zzzznk. She falls right over. Asleep.

Tyche might have been whispering to Alis when she just FALLS ASLEEP. "Your grace!" she laughs, propping out a hand to hold her up, despite Katarina's idea of clapping in front of faces.

Kritr says, "Louder snore." Kritr intones."

Alis is propped up by Tyche! Was that a sleep-giggle? Never.

Katarina gets up from her seat like she intends to stretch her legs. "Oh, but for a bold and intrepid -- mmhhyyawwn -- investigator to save -- eeeuuuuaaawnnn -- us from such an accursed fate -- UUUAAAHHHNNN --" And then Katarina makes a truly ostentatious show of lifting her arms above her head and stretching, trying to shake the cobwebs out of her head, failing, lowering herself to the ground, and curling up to sleep.

Except Katarina is clearly uncomfortable in the spot she picked, so she quietly gets up, moves over a foot or two, and then lays back down to curl up again, acting like nothing had ever happened.

Denica checks perception and investigation at hard. Denica fails.

Corrigan had continued staring and squinting about the faces in the campfire while Ilira giggled the time away, stiff as a... well, Inquisitor with a stick up the you-know-what. Still, he really can't resist the bundle of joy beside him, and he wraps a discreet arm around her waist from behind and pulls her closer.

Corrigan checks dexterity and manipulation at hard. Corrigan marginally fails.

"Is this sleep-giggling catching?" Tyche wonders of her Highlord friend, but then she catches the eye of someone, and they wink. With a sigh, her shoulders slump, and instead of propping up Alis with a hand, she leans into her so the pair of them can sleep cozily side by side.

Denica checks wits and riddles at hard. Denica fails.

Kritr cracks one eye open to see what is taking so long and sees all the other 'campers' sleeping. He fishes around for his apple and slowly takes the quietest bite he can from it.

Liara squirms when she gets prodded. It may be that she has a great aversion to prodding or, just perhaps, an excuse to use all the moving around to snag another marshmallow for herself. Then she absolutely definitely goes back to sleep for the moment, except for a moment of chewing.

And it finally happens. Corrigan gets tired of squinting about like an old disciplinarian schoolteacher with nothing better to do. With a heaving sigh, he slumps down from his stiffest of postures and snuggles lazily into Ilira, slowly turning his head to gaze upon her with eyes that shine... with amusement. Until it winks. "Night, darling."

Denica is probably on her third or forth dessert and seems to have a healthy appetite for someone so small, she's doing a great job of investigating the treats, but misses all the winking entirely. If anything, she probably daydreaming, as much as she loves games, her mind is fleeting, and so she pops another sweet bite into her mouth and as a result, seems to think she's won after all.

Katarina, still asleep, whispers up toward Denica when she passes by, "Bring me one of the tarts, please."

Katarina has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 4

Snatching up two tarts, Denica realizes the game is over, and she meanders back towards the fire. Passing by Katarina she hands the woman one of the tarts, and leans to murmur something to her, before she takes her seat and munches on the other.

Ilira fixes the Inquisitor by her side with a long, long stare, blue eyes owlishly wide. With a quiet, laughing harrumph, she throws herself dramatically across his lap, her wild black hair splayed all about, and gives a few obnoxiously loud snores to indicate her slumber. Her giggles break through quickly, though, and she pops up with a bright peal of laughter. "/See/?" she nudges his side suggestively, then murmurs something to him too quiet for the rest to hear.

Kritr has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 10

Ilira has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 2

When the game ends, Kritr sits up again. He is definitely not following the thread, but he gamely soldiers on with the eating part of camping. That's the best part anyway.

With the round over, Tyche takes a moment to come out of her sleep, mostly because she's whispering with Alis. Sleep-whispering! Her lashes lift finally and she peers over to the man who put her to sleep. "I will remember this, always." She sounds fierce, but there is a flash of a grin that follows.

Terese has rolled 1 16-sided dice: 7

Terese sits back up on her log and chuckles, looking into helping herself to some of the treats as the next game is setup to start

Corrigan makes his little face once more down at Ilira, his eyes rolling afterwards in his own harrumph. He murmurs down at her after a beat, though. "Yes." And then he starts stroking at her curls idly as he looks about once more.

Alis shares a wry sort of look with Tyche while they're sitting up from their cuddle slumber. Sorry Cristoph, she was snuggling with your event escort.

Katarina gratefully and sleepily accepts the tart before saying in response to the murmur, "I'm to be married soon-- I mean--" And then she actually murmurs back. And then she eats a tart, continuing to pretend to be asleep for longer than is strictly necessary.

Katarina mutters, "I'm to ... married soon -- perhaps I might expect your paint sometime after then, to depict myself ... my soon to ... wife."

Corrigan shrugs over at Keely. "I must be a sorcerous prodigy or somethin'.", he muses at her.

Eventually everyone is woken from Corrigan's horrible sleep spell, but not before Keely gives Liara a few more prods and steals one of her marshmallows. As she sits up, she turns her dark gaze aside to him with a small grin. "It only makes sense you'd be good at enigma, Senior Confessor," she replies softly. Then she hucks a marshmallow over at Ilira to 'wake' her.

Katarina is next to the dessert table! Another wizard chosen, and she is then called back...

Tyche rolls her eyes at that look,a nd whatever words accompanied, and she murmurs something quickly to Alis. She looks, however, at the other faces around the campfire, waiting to catch a wink.

Ilira checks dexterity and athletics at hard. Ilira fails.

Kritr checks composure and manipulation at hard. Kritr marginally fails.

Katarina checks perception and investigation at hard. Katarina is successful.

Ilira snaps her head up to try and catch the marshmallow in her mouth, but gets the angle wrong and it smacks her in the center of her forehead. She cackles with laughter.

Kritr holds out his stick to Keely. "Can I have one of those soft white eggs to roast?" He asks. Then he winks at her. Too soon, she wasn't looking yet. He winks again, with more force than necessary.

Keely is about to hand a marshmallow to Kritr, but it takes her a while to figure out this is what was meant. Like a long while. When she finally catches that wink she voices a soft, "Oh!" and falls over, this time across the log beside her, dropping the marshmallow in the process.

The princess grins at what Katarina says, this seems to trigger an idea, one that excites her and she murmurs something back, before taking her seat and looking around, trying to pay attention to the game, now that she isn't inundated with desserts.

Corrigan fashions a rough half-bow in place at Liara. "Why thank ya' yer Gra-" He's cut off by Ilira snapping up from his lap, her curls whipping at his face. He huffs sharply and sends some of them flying off. And then he does a magic wand gesture at Ilira. "Calm.", he utters as if it was a spell.

When Liara 'wakes', after some prodding by Keely, with the final straw being marshmallow theft, she sits back up once more, laughing. She turns a curious look towards Corrigan, along with a smile, then goes to replace her purloined marshmallow. Kritr's request of Keely prompts Liara to instead inspect her own marshmallow, only to break into a bout of renewed laughter as Keely falls over once more.

Ilira primly brushes her luxuriant tresses over one shoulder, the place between her eyes slightly sticky from the marshmallow's impact. She rolls her eyes at Corrigan, leans up to kiss his cheek, and curl-whips him again when he is least suspecting. She flashes him a mischievous, summery smile as she once more settles down in the wind of his arm.

Terese is sitting on her log working on her next Marshmellow to roast, watching the game and others curiously

Katarina is trying to eat her tart but responds to Denica's murmur with a thumbs-up, before being exiled to the desserts. She takes her time there. "Ah! I was worried that Princess Denica had taken all the best things first. Excellent~." So, she's having a great time.

After a few minutes, Katarina walks back over to the group, in time to see Kritr wink. She's eating a cake pop. "You," she says, pointing directly at Kritr. Then she bites the cake pop. "One, I saw you wink. Two, even if I had not seen you wink, your body language gives you away. If one is to succeed at being a Sleep Wizard, one must commit fully to deception, my friend. Of course, as a Princess of the Oathlands, I cannot advocate deception in any form. But as the rightful heir to the Dune Kingdom of Suj'abbat, the City of Veils, where lies are the only language that is understood -- you must learn to lie so well that you believe it your own self~." Katarina bites off the rest of the cake pop, and fiddles with the stick in her hand. "Again, I do not condone such practices, though. If you must be a Sleep Wizard, be one with honor and dignity~."

Kritr isn't really clear on how to play the game, so he's quickly pointing his stick at Terese, his body language clearly displaying his intent to put everyone to sleep before Kat can get a word in edgewise. He clears his throat and the words: "Princess Terese..." clear his lips before Kat calls him out for being the 'sleep wizard'. "Well. I lose." He rumbles. "And I did not get one of those soft white eggs either."

Ilira checks perception and investigation at hard. Ilira is successful.

Corrigan jumps in place once more as he's hair-smacked, and when those curls withdraw he is wearing an expression so dry it could be mistaken for one of those desserts Denica was gorging on minus an s. He squints at Ilira for a beat there before a hand sneakily pinches at her side, lightly. He settles relaxedly against her until Katarina does her call-out, and he stares, blinks slowly, and barks out a 'hah'. "/Castigated/.", he murmurs over at Kritr with a grin.

Kritr says, "What does castigated mean?"

Terese checks dexterity and manipulation at hard. Terese fails.

"Told off!" Ilira answers Kritr promptly.

Corrigan squints once more for a beat before answering, "Uh, like reprimanded. Tol' off. Y'know, /judged/."

"Advised," Katarina corrects.

Corrigan wags a finger in the air. "Corrected, tha's it."

"Yes. I have been told off." Kritr agrees. "I am very sad." He doesn't sound it. He fetches another apple from his pocket.

Keely peeks an eye open as Katarina avenges her and gives a most moving speech, sitting up and biting her lips together to suppress her laughter. She retrieves a handful of marshmallows and moves to sit more between Kritr and Liara, offering the little confections to the former. "Here you go," she murmurs softly. "I think you were a very good Sleep Wizard."

Last round! Ilira is sent away, a new wizard is chosen, Ilira is called back! What will happen?!

Terese is really really bad at being sneaky, sly or manipulative. In fact she is so known for her honor she looks at Katarina and winks at her really obviously and says, "So sorry...Sleep well Cousin."

Kritr says, "I was not." Kritr corrects Keely, again avoiding any level of emoting. He takes the marshmallow and sniffs it. He licks it. Then he does as others have and attempts to roast it.""

Katarina is winked at, and for a second, almost seems to pout. Then she lets out a powerful yawn. "Oh, no," she says, "I've been befallen by a power most foul--" And then Katarina literally tilts back on one heel and just drops to the ground like a bag of rocks.

Katarina checks dexterity and performance at hard. Botch! Katarina fails completely.

Katarina, in falling, hits her head on a rock. "OW!" she yells. "GODS DAMN FUCKI-- I mean-- honnn-shooo~ honn-shooo~ Ow, ow, ow..."

Alis winces on Katarina's behalf, catching that rock fall even amidst her quiet conversation.

As the game continues to unfold, Denica watches and cannot help but giggle from time to time, looking happy and content to be part of it. Especially now that she doesn't have an official role! All eyes on Ilira now! Rather, she is enjoying the experience, and then hears the yelling and blinks, looking over at Katarina and wincing a bit as she watches her fall. The princess looks around, there is no doubt someone that knows what to do about such things, but it's probably not her.

Terese noticable winces as Katarina hits her head and murmers, "Sorry..." she seems really really guilty not sure she even wants to wink at anyone else. "If no one guessed, don't let me wink at you," she states

Katarina checks luck at hard. Katarina fails.

Ilira checks luck at hard. Ilira marginally fails.

"Told off. Advised. Reprimanded. All three of those," Ilira grins at Kritr. She gives Corrigan's cheek a gentle pat where her hair struck, then sits bolt upright when Keely indicates her. "Oh no," she chuckles as she flows smoothly to her feet, her expression sparkling with quiet mischief. She tosses her mass of curls over one shoulder, softly dusting Corrigan's cheek as she flounces away. She gets about five feet before she passes Terese, who winks just at the wrong moment, and Ilira turns to peer scrupulously up at the Valardin princess. "Well, you /cannot/ make it that easy for me! I'm usu--oh shit, are you okay?" She hastens to Katarina and extends a hand to help her up, glancing warmly back at Terese.

Corrigan widens his eyes over Katarina's way, though he does nothing but stiffen up and look to Keely, gesturing at the former with those eyes, because he is not one of those people Denica is referring to.

Kritr fixates on roasting a marshmallow perfectly. At least he's a decent cook. The marshmallow comes out golden without a single bubble or dark spot.

Terese moves to also assist Katarina up. "Are you okay, I am sorry," she murmers. She frowns. "I do not think I could be a sleep wizzard," she confesses.

Keely's face drains of color as she watches things unfold with Katarina, but there are people for this sort od thing. Some Grayson staff rushes over to collect the woman, tend to her head and, if necessary, haul her off to the Mercies. Meanwhile the young princess has reached aside and is death-gripping Liara's hand.

"Uhm," comes Keely's tremulous voice. "There... there are marshmallows for roasting. And... the giraffe platform is set up with special treats so you can feed them. And there are snacks and... well there is a lot to see and do, so feel free to enjoy yourselves, and socialize as you like."

Katarina is helped up, and her expression is sour. She touches her head. "Not bleeding," she says. She shoos away the Grayson staff, apparently preferring to sulk. "I probably just damaged my brain or some such thing. I will have to see which regional capitals I have forgotten, later." It's a joke, but it's delivered in a grumpy, 'my head really hurts' tone of voice. She does pat Ilira on the arm in gratitude for rushing over.

Kritr tries the marshmallow that he has been carefully roasting and tries a couple times to chew it. After the second try he shakes his head and spits it out. He's forced to clean the white mess off his beard. "That is too sweet."

"Katarina Valardin, you let the staff take a look at you." Alis scolds, giving the younger woman a very stern look. It's a little ruined by whatever crumbs of the cookie she's eating at the corner of her mouth. But, might still be intimidating!

Brows lift at the mention of feeding giraffe's and Denica is flipping open her sketch book and starting to draw, it clearly perks something. When Keely is finishes making her announcement, she waves excitedly at her. "This is so much fun Keely!," she says warmly to the other woman. "You host the best events, truly," she murmurs to her.

Eating instead of really watching anything too closely, Liara looks up with a flash of consternation at Keely's grip on her hand, and only then spots Katarina. She relaxes again soon after, a short-lived frown giving away to a smile, and she remarks aside to Keely, "If you put people treats as well as giraffe treats up there, imagine the crowd that would assemble. That said, I should probably stop eating these at some stage."

Ilira keeps the mood light. "I think you could," she grins mischievously at Terese, "If you timed your winks better!" With dainty hands that belie an underlying strength, she helps Katarina gently to her feet alongside the other Valardin. With a bright laugh, she replies to her quip, "I could test you if you like!" Her attention drifts back to an unnerved Keely and she flashes her smile toward her too, reinvigorating and radiant. "All good," she mouths with a wink.

Katarina is /castigated/ by Alis -- she actually looks taken aback for a moment. Then she turns and slinks back to the Grayson staff to let them look her over. It is clear, this night, which Valardin sister is the alpha.

Terese seems too keep an eye on Katarina to make sure she is okay as she makes her way around to see everything setup here smiling at everyone else here. "Oh no, thank you. I am not much into tricking people," she tells Ilira. "I might help bring a Sleep Wizard to justice though," she says. "I might go see the Giraffes and give them a treat," she says as she makes her way that way

Keely's face lights up at Denica's compliments, and her fair cheeks take on a rosy pink hue, her smile easing and taking on a touch of bashfulness. Liara's smile seems to settle her a bit, and she scrunches her nose at the woman's words. "People might mix them up and feed not-giraffe foods to the giraffes," she protests softly.

Alis is tyrant, will travel. She does look relieved when Kat allows the staff to take a look at what must be a bump on her head though. She winks over at Keely though, to reassure her. "Everyone practice roasting those marshmallows, since there'll be a contest in a few weeks about who roasts the best one. Also, the best ones are burned to a crisp on the outside and totally melty gooey on the inside." None of this golden brown stuff.

Kritr is still picking marshmallow fluff out of his beard. "What is the point of burning food? Is it just so that the marshmallow will be bitter instead of sweet?"

"Mayhaps we should've switched places," Ilira winks at Terese. Princess rescued, she sashays back to her chosen log and settles beside Corrigan, luminous in her golden finery by the firelight. Her eyes drift ponderously to the basket of marshmallows.

Corrigan crosses his arms and watches the scene unfold neutrally, seeming intent on being the innocuous potted plant in the room and nothing else. He does flash a little smirk as Terese mentions bringing Sleep Wizards to justice, though, and he turns that smirk at Ilira as she settles back beside him. "Want one of those floofy eggs? I kinna want 'em raw...", he ponders.

Alis looks aghast. "The char on the outside just makes the gooed up marshmallow on the inside that much better." she assures, nodding up at her assistant when she passes a message along to her. One that prompts a brow furrow. But, she scribbles a reply and for the moment keep talking and face stuffing desserts.

Ilira crosses her eyes and makes a face. "Only if you'll compete with me: whoever's is better blackened wins," she tips a little nod toward Alis in assent. "You don't want them raw. I promise, they will be much more fulfilling when roasted."

Kritr is going to need a proper soak to clean his beard. He pushes himself to his feet and heads over to the low tent he assembled to break it down.

Terese is offering a treat to a Giraffe, her plam open and offered out for it to eat from her hand comfortably. She is smiling as her palm is tickled by it's lips. She seems happy only to feed one treat as not to over feed the Giraffe who first came over and opening room for others to join hee

Keely giggles softly as the marshmallow talk continues, and she gives Liara a bit of a nudge before rising and wandering over to sit by Denica. "I had some extra things brought from the mansion for our tent," she informs the Thrax princess as she nears. "And there is space for your easel and things, but please do not paint me while I am asleep because truly, no one needs to see such a thing. Oh, did you bring Lady Snow? I should send for Tiddlywinks..." And then her chatter quiets, because she is settling in and speaking more softly, occasionally hucking a marshmallow across at Ilira, or Alis, or Tyche.

Ilira checks dexterity and athletics at normal. Ilira marginally fails.

Corrigan thumbs to Kritr and says, "I dunno, Milord seemed ta have th' right idea but... eh, what do I know, all I ever eat's meat." He shrugs dramatically, before taking two sticks and putting a few of the said floofy eggs through each of them, handing one to Ilira. He's already started to roast his, and he's waggling his eyebrows at Ilira. "Go."

Tyche dodges a flying marshmallow with a laugh, and then settles back with Cristoph, the man seeming to enjoy a little nap around the campfire.

Katarina has been checked out and judged by the Grayson staff to be, in medical terms, 'not actively dying.' She goes and sits down near Keely, Delica, Liara, the whole gang. "Princess Keely, I must apologize for spoiling your fine event with... my ill-tuned sense of where rocks are around me."

Kritr has left the an outdoor kitchen with fire pits and cauldrons.

Keg, a warhorse leaves, following Kritr.

Corrigan looks to Katarina and inclines his head as he roasts at his marshmellows. "Welcome back, Yer Highness."

"I suppose that I may not like giraffe food very much," Liara concedes in response to Keely. After that, she elects to stay closer to the human food than to the giraffe food, content, apparently, to simply watch the animals from a distance.

Scooting over to make sure that Keely has room to sit down next to her, she turns her attention to the Grayson princess. Her eyes light up when she hears how ready Keely is for campaign, of course she is! The grin grows and she looks touched she thought about her easel, Denica agrees to the conditions of course, "I don't paint you or paint you while you sleep, I promise," she says to her. Clearly these are two different things. At the question of Lady Snow, she shakes her head, "I did not, she is still upset with me, after our hunting experience...," Denica winces a little. "We should have a play date for Lady Snow and Tiddlywinks!," she says suddenly. "Except...," she presses her lips together. "Lady Snow's manners are a little unpredictable. Much like other unnamed people...," a look of innocence on her face. Then she announces broadly to the others, "the desserts are -amazing-!!," she adds.

Ilira attempts to catch one of Keely's flying marshmallows, but it wiffs past her fingertips. She huffs, takes the one Corrigan gives her, and overhands it back at the princess, then reaches for another to place atop her skewer. "Now to see which of us has camped more than the other," she tells the inquisitor with a wicked smile as she thrusts her marshmallow into the heat.

(OOC)The scene set/room mood is now set to: Campers are milling about, socializing, roasting marshmallows, feeding the animals, throwing marshmallows, napping, eating marshmallows, and generally doing camp-type things.

Alis has apparently been taking a moment to thoroughly burn a marshmallow, dump that marshmallow on a ... plate? Whatever. Something that can hold the gooey mess. And then, of all things she gets herself a piece of pie so that she can smear some writing on the 'plate' with it. And, send it off with her assistant. "Wait, what is the giraffe food..." She heard giraffe food, and gives a slightly worried look around as if she's worried she may have accidentally eaten some.

Corrigan gives Denica a little side-eye at one of the things she said, but he's kept the smirk, apparently. It fades very quickly as Ilira very clearly cheats in response to his very clear cheating. Harrumphing, he simply concedes and starts to consume his marshmellows half-baked. "Ok, you win.", he tells Ilira with a dainty little face as he chews.

Terese makes he way slowly back over to the group after she has fed some of the giraffes. Terese settles in on her log and grabs a roasting stick and marshmellow to attempt roasting again, quietly smiling at the others

Keely chats with Denica for a time, then draws a breath and hops to her feet, hurrying across the campsite to Corrigan. "Senior Confessor!" she calls softly as she nears. "I forgot to give you your prize!" She smiles, pulling a small pouch out of a larger pouch, and passing it carefully to the man. "For being the best Sleep Wizard."

Ilira sits there with serene patience, one arm gracefully extended, roasting her marshmallows to golden-brown perfection--unlike Corrigan's. She keeps one eye on the confections and the other on the Confessor as she turns her wrist in flawlessly timed intervals, giving him a stare that grows more and more challenging with every rotation. When at last her sugary treats are toasted and gilded, she withdraws them from the fire, blowing lightly on the first before lifting the skewer to the wind. "I /win/." Brightening, she raises her head at Keely's approach and flashes her a trademark beam, azure eyes twinkling. "You're the best," she praises simply and truthfully.

Terese mutters, "Not surprising at ... He seems the sneaky ... ... don't ... him at ..."

Ilira tilts her head inquisitively at Terese's mutterings.

Katarina spends the rest of the night rubbing her head. She sends her aide to go fetch extra pillows for her bedroll. All the way from Valardin Manor. The nice pillows.

Princess Katarina really needs to learn more about camping.

Alis is overheard praising Keely.

Ilira is overheard praising Keely: You're the best. I might've mentioned already.

Evening gives way to night. All the campers are fed to stuffed with campfire stew, finger foods, and apparently mostly marshmallows, and of course there is plenty of drinking as the night wears on. The animals go to bed, and soon the humans follow, trickling into colorful canvas constructions. Eventually, only two people remain at the campfire, and quite a lot of giggling is heard.

The next morning, inexplicably, everyone's left shoe is missing, only to be found in a mixed up pile atop the giraffe feeding platform. Buy this time, there are no investigators to catch sneaky pranksters, and so it forever remains a mystery.