It is snowing outside and like most things in Arx during the Winter it is brutally cold. The Great Hall at Telmar Tower though is warm and inviting to those that have ventured out for dinner. The table has been set for enough places for those who might be visiting and the rest are cleared so that if there are any surprises there are still seats available.

Food has been cooked and is served in a family style where people can plate for themselves if they wish. IThere are a variety of roasted meats, vegetables, breads and cheeses. As well as various drinks on offer. It's a lot more relaxed than most dinners than one might attend and honestly given the weather and other things, it might be better to just relax for once.

Tesha is seated at one of the sides to the table to leave the two heads of the table open in case the Duke and Duchess want to attend. The seat next to her has her ledger and things in it just to keep notes should it come up.

"Thank you all for making it to this, I know that the weather has decided to give us some of the coldest days so far." she chuckles. "I figured that it had been far too long since we had a dinner with our vassals and since we have newly returned faces and things I felt it would do us good." the one eyed woman states.


The thing about bells singing out is that they are sharper and crisper in the cold. Mattheu is still hopping from foot to foot as he stares at the assortment of foods. Turning to listen to Tesha with a smile and nod for her, before going back to the foods and with a shrug proceeds to pile up a large amount of food into layers to his plate. Growing young men need their nutrients, and Mattheu has a knack to packing away a meal when it's offered. Even if others might be curious to where it all goes. Settling into a seat to then realize he missed a drink, there's a bite of food before getting back up to get a glass of wine and coming back mid sip to turn around and grab the bottle then finally settle into a seat. Between bites, "Thank you for the invitation Lady Tesha."

Ian is only a little bit late arriving, and this is almost certainly a weather-related tardiness; there's a bit of snow still clinging to his pants, hinting at a fall at some point on the way here.

It was not an event she would have missed, especially since she had been away in Cloudspine for longer than she had expected, she had little oppurtunity to converse with the Telmar and its vassals. Teagan valued thse gatherings as she always thought it important for members of the House to have a chance to get together. Upin entering the Great Hall, Tesha is given a smile ands a nod of her head as she makes her way closer to the woman, with hand extended in greeting. "Lady Tesha. You have outdone yourself. Thank you for you hosting this splendid dinner. I do look forward to the food and conversation to be had.

She moves to an emtpy seat and slowly lowers herself into it, checking her posture as she does so.


Tesha gives a dip of her head to Mattheu, "You're most welcome. All of you." she states. "I didn't want to drag anyone out into this weather without making sure that the food was nice and hearty and that drinks were going to warm as well." she admits with a soft chuckle. There is a smile given to Ian, "Lord Ian, very good to see you as always." she tells him.

"And while this is a dinner, don't be afraid to talk on things that you all might need help with or any projects that you think Telmar could help out with. We're wanting to make sure that everyone is taken care of." she states.


Mattheu nods with a few bells ringing as he spots Ian. Cupping at his mouth to try and chew faster, "Teacher! Lord Ian. It feels it's been a while." Looking over to Tesha as he watches Teagan take to a proper posture, "I have a musical piece that I'm working on. Though I don't know if that's what you mean by looking for help."

Ian eases his weight into a chair with a slow exhalation of breath, and then draws his cane in close to himself, close enough that there's no risk of anyone tripping over it without them first getting right into his personal space. He nods to Tesha when she addresses him. Then he nods to Mattheu, as well. "I haven't been getting out a whole lot, since the snows started." He's more restrained in his eating, a mix of an almost mechanical lack of enjoyment and a very, very awkward attempt to eat with table manners befitting someone of his rank (or at least not cast his house into disgrace).


Tesha gives a soft chuckle to Mattheu and there's a smile, "Baron Talwyn might be someone to reach out to for help with music. While I can play some instruments it has never been my calling or anything of the like." she admits. Then she gives a look to Ian and there's a nod, "It's bitterly cold this year, not to mention feels like you're fighting a never ending battle with it." she comments to that.

Then back to Mattheu, "I was just wanting to make sure that people were still doing alright. I know troop back ups and things have been settled. I've not heard of any new reports lately, so it's been quiet...maybe too quiet." she sighs softly to that.


William, a taciturn quartermaster arrives, following Aethan.

Mattheu nods to Tesha, "On that note." He means of it being too quiet as of late, "Our last scouting around Riva and to see what is known of what might be coming our way was to learn that the Thornweaver has large creatures accompanying in her attacks. Reports were of something like the gargatuans seen elsewhere." A small sip of his wine before he continues, "They have been described as being held together by blood red vines. We had one calling them 'plantgantuans' because of the vines. And it appears the only way to slow her down would be to sort out how to neutralize these creatures."

Ian pauses in idly pushing potatoes around on his plate to regard Mattheu. "Those sound like the creatures that I've heard described by people who were at Artshall. Lady Eirene has a poison that works on them, but there are obstacles to making a lot of it."

Arriving a bit late, is Aethan. He's got on a heavy cloak to protect against the cold, as the more dress apparel underneath doesn't do much to do so. Carried under his left arm, is a basket - though it looks to be lined with fur inside. He offers an apologetic smile to those present, most specfically Tesha.

"Please forgive my tardiness - I was delayed, unfortunately." He comments, removing his cloak to hang it somewhere to dry. "What have I missed?"


When Tesha hears of the Thornweave having new big things to deal with there is a frown, "Hopefully there can be something done with them. I know that the gargantuans took so much to put down when we fought them those few times." she shakes her head at that. There is a nod to Ian's words, "Yes, trying to make enough is troublesome...especially when we don't know when there might be enough." she frowns again.

Though there is a look up when someone else enters and it's Aethan. "Welcome, come and have a seat and something warm to eat, Duke Kennex." Tesha greets him as she moves to pick up the ledger that was in the chair next to her. Opening up the seat for Aethan. Though she is curious of this fur lined basket he has.


Mattheu is left to lean forwards in his seat, "Lady Eirene has a poison. This is great news!" He looks between Tesha and Ian when they both suggest there are issues in making the concoction. "Is it something hard to find? I might be able to help."

His brother's arrival is enough to get Ian to at least temporarily straighten out of his slouch before sinking right back into it again. The thought is there, though, accompanying a respectful nod. "It needs sap from the vines as part of the recipe," he explains to Mattheu. "We've talked off and on about getting an expedition together to try and get some, but there never seemed like a good opportunity to do so, now that the Lyceum isn't overrun with the stuff anymore."

There's a bow offered to Tesha for her hospitality. "Thank you, Lady Tesha." The offered seat is claimed, the man setting the basket down next to Tesha's chair. It wiggles a bit, excitedly. Once seated, the Duke sets a napkin across his lap. A look to Ian, his head canting to the side. "Would it be difficult to collect, then? Could we suffer an expedition to be formed?" He wonders, offering a nod of greeting then to Mattheu as well.

Mattheu looks a little put off that there's additional hurdles to be taken in making the poison, though a small shake of his head, bells left to sing out and he's now studying the responses. "I was just admitted to the Society of Explorers. Would it be something that I might be able to help with there?" Grinning a little, "I know your family is well known for their sailing abilities, though another experienced hand could be helpful."

"The vines are abyssal," Ian comments to Aethan, his tone flat and disengaged from what should be an exciting subject. He takes a moment to focus on cutting the meat on his plate before adding: "They drink blood. I've got a vague idea about where we might find some, but I don't know for sure, and don't know that they'd be unguarded. Even if we could find them, getting the sap would be dangerous." He gives Mattheu a vague shrug. "I'm not sure sailing's a help for this. Like as not, any of the thorn vine things are in the middle of the gray forest somewhere. That's river sailing if it's any sailing at all, which is more your specialty than ours."


Tesha was going to answer Mattheu, but it's Ian who does. "He probably has more information on it than I do. When I fought gargantuans with my brother-in-law many many years ago they had a ritual that weakened them, but I'm not sure if the same thing might work twice or against these new...things." she frowns. "I'll contact someone to see if they've heard anything on it though." she states.

Then she looks to the basket that is settled down next to her chair, then back to Aethan, "Is this for me?" she asks him. "It's moving..." she whispers. "I wonder if we might be able to look at the trees that moved, to see if they could help in this." she states.


Aethan nods to Ian. "Very little in our lives is safe, Ian." A wry grin to his brother. "If this sap would help us battle the gargantuans, isn't it worth the effort?" The Duke shrugs, taking a drink from the cup before him.

A nod then to Mattheu. "Indeed. If it is riverwork, it's a bit outside of our wheelhouse." A chuckle. "Help would be appreciated, if this is a path we choose to explore."

A nod to Tesha, a slight smile. "It is. It is what delayed me on my way here." The basket wobbles a bit.

Ian regards Aethan for a long moment, and then nods to him. "Alright. I'll write to Lady Eirene, see what she says. She didn't seem like she was really entertaining it as an option, but things might have changed since the last time I talked with her about it. There's someone else I might be able to convince to help out, too."

With a smile, "Yes. Rivers are our specialty." Mattheu sits back a little returning a wave of hello to Aethan as he listens to Ian's process of reaching out for an expedition.


Tesha gives a squint to Aethan and then bends a little to scoop up the basket and dipping her head to peek at what is under the cloth. There is a pink tongue that licks her face and she startles. The ball of fluff underneath the cloth is finally revealed and there is a large black puppy that looks all too happy to be there. Tesha is...at a loss for words.

She reaches to lift the puppy out of the basket and settles the carrying device off to the side. She then brings the puppy close to give it a look over before hugging it up, "You're so fluffy." she whispers quietly before she gives a look to Aethan, "Thank you, Aethan." she tells him.


"Thank you, Ian." He offers, earnestly, to his brother. "It is very much appreciated." Another sip from his drink as he settles in at the seat he'd taken. "If I can offer aid, let me know." As his plate is filled, he begins in on the food - not at all shy about enjoying the meal.

A grin over to Tesha and the pup. "You had mentioned missing a hound... I saw this one on the way here, and had to stop to collect them. I am hoping they can at least help guard the tower?"

Ian gives Aethan an uncomprehending look, followed by him mouthing '.... a puppy?'.

"Aww." Mattheu looks up from his plate towards the puppy which sits in Tesha's lap now. "It's very adorable." His attention is pulled away as one of his assistants can be seen across the hall a wave and short whistle to him. Pushing away from the table and trying to fork down some more of his food while picking up the plate. "I can send the plate back when I'm done?" Another bite is hurried just in case he's not allowed to take it with him, "It appears I'm needed at the Expanse."


Whatever Tesha was going to talk on is forgotten for the moment, "I lost both of my old hounds the last few years and I didn't have the heart to go looking for one...and now when I'm ready one is given." she states with a soft smile. "Did...wait, was it just wandering in this cold?" she looks concerned. "Hopefully it didn't belong to anyone." she adds.

Then there is a look to Mattheu, "We can make you a plate to take as well, Lord Mattheu." she smiles to that. "Be safe in your travels this evening." she states.


Violeta Emili, tall and shadowed rivenshari, 2 Rivenshari Clan Guardsman, Tregva Emili, a colorful ravashari performer, Campanilla, a beautiful blue roan gelding leave, following Mattheu.

Aethan gives a nod to Mattheu. "Stay warm." He offers in passing, as the other man leaves. Looking then to Ian, he grins and shrugs. "Yes." Another sip from his cup - hopefully it is something that warms a person! His eyes turn then to Tesha and the pup.

"No, there was a family who's dog had a litter. I asked to purchase one, once they were weaned." The Duke explains. "I had suspected you might be ready, and had room in your hearth for them." A chuckle. "I hope it's the correct breed?"

Ian shrugs to himself, like he's making a conscious decision not to question it, and returns his attention to his food.


Tesha has a puppy, so she is about as happy as she can get really. She gives Aethan a curious look, "I'm surprised that it stayed secret." she admits to that. "They are lovely, thank you." she tells him. "And yes, I think it's the right breed." she chuckles. "Honestly, black and will be large is fine. I love them." she admits. "How are things going at the Kay?" she asks Ian and Aethan as the puppy settles in to sleep on her lap.


Aethan will hear of it later, for certain. A nod to Ian again. He's never sure what's going on in his brother's mind, but he'll cross that bridge when Ian leads him to it.

To Tesha, he chuckles. "Large paws. The mother is a large breed, as was the father." The man explains to her. "And secrets can happen, I assure you. I can give someone quite the look to ensure they do not spoil the surprise." He laughs. "The Kay is doing well. Battoning down for the cold."

Ian looks to Aethan when Tesha asks about the Kay, as though he's deferring to his brother, or maybe just doesn't consider himself to be the target of the question. Or the one who can answer it.


"Excellent, then they will be perfect." Tesha states to Aethan. "Oh I'm sure I've seen the look before." she admits to that. Then she listens to Aethan and there is a look given to Ian as well with a smile. "There is dessert as well if you all are still hungry. I think there is pie." she states to them. "Thank you for coming tonight and for the surprise. It was good on both levels." she tells them.