|Eirene has chosen to wear Riven teal today, because it's warm, and has her salt and pepper hair pulled up into braids held in place by a silver dusted stickpin. She looks particularly pleased with the occasion as she hustles around getting people to sit their asses down after they've looked over the drinks and gotten something to eat.


|"Welcome, people, to the First Annual (Maybe) Physician's Liquor Tasting and Auction." She pauses for polite applause and then walks up to the cabinet. It's a tall sturdy thing with glass doors, carved with the four-elements and humours symbol of the Physicians Guild. She does some elaborate shifting of the carvings and drawers and opens it. Inside is a treasure trove of alcohol - bottles of every shape, size, and color.

|"I'm going to host a live-auction on some of our rarer and finer offerings, but Planchet is taking bids for the silent auction." She motions to her secretary, who bows his head. He has a clipboard and a quill, ready to take notes. "I've had everything verified as safe, whether it's corked and unopened, or already decanted and previously tasted. You're welcome." She smirks, Lycene humor coming through.

|"Any of the silent auction items you're welcome to taste, just take a LOOK at the Medicine on the Rocks cabinet, commissioned by Co-Guildmaster Medeia Saik and made by master craftsman and all around insane genius Zakhar. Our sommeliers will happily pour you a tasting sample. Be sure you are eating food as well, to prevent getting drunk too quickly. Food helps absorb the liquor, so please, enjoy."

|She pauses and says, "For the live auction, we'll be passing around tasting glasses for everyone prior to starting the bidding. You're welcome to examine the bottle and take a sniff, but we're saving the good shit for the real money portion of tonight."

|"With the Compact on the edge of War, the Physicians and by extension our Mercy cousins will need all the help we can get in preparing for conflict. Bandages, salves, tools, training - every coin you give, every resource you donate - this will help us protect and heal you and yours. If you want to just donate, please, hand it over. You can see our donor's list over on the side, and I apologize to the depth of my shriveled soul if I missed any of you magnificent fuckers."

|"So let's kick this off with our first live auction." With no further ado, Eirene produces Drowning in the Deeps - a dark square bottle with a green tarantula embossed on it. "This is fuckin' absinthe," she pronounces. "It's wildly hallucinogenic and intoxicating, with a fennel and aniseed taste. It's often cut with heated sugar to take away from the bitter taste." She has several shots prepared by the bartenders, with an elaborate presentation of a small silver spoon set over the shotglass, then the green liquor is poured over it... the sugar is SET ON FIRE and gently diluted with a touch of water before being stirred into the drink.

|"This is not for the faint of heart," Eirene says with a wicked looking smile. "So grab a glass, drink up, and toast! For King and Compact," she says in her rough and authoritative voice. "We open the bidding at 4,000 silver"





Dressed in a rather opulent evening gown, Princess Denica Thrax wears her best accessory, a bright smile. Seeming keen to be here, supporting a good cause, and also her own intoxication. The words 'hallucinogenic and intoxicating'," catch her interest and the artist is sold. A delicate hand raises up without reservation, "now that does sound fun--," she wiggles her thick Islander eyebrows. "Twenty-five thousand," Denica bids loudly, because although she is little, she can project that voice with confidence.

When Medeia is mentioned, she stands a little taller and lifts a hand to allow anyone who doesn't know her to be able to identify her. As Eirene explains, the lady listens and looks around with interest at all the different drinks and then the elaborate presentation of the absinthe. She looks like she might bid, but Denica beats her to it. Her brows rise. No bid is made, but she does accept the sample made available to her.

Eirene has announced the first drink for auction, while the silent auction goes on. First? Drowning in the Deeps ABSINTHE!

Eirene gets Drowning in the Deeps from Medicine on the rocks.

Eirene drops Drowning in the Deeps.

The weather being what it is, it hopefully isn't a surprise that Ian turns up a little bit late. He snaps something at someone just inside the doorway, his irritated voice suggesting part of why he might have been late involves some well-intentioned person thinking that he went to the hospital for medical care.

Eirene points at Denica. "I hear 25,000! Damn, princess," she says with a laugh. "Okay, any other bids for this bottle of Drowning in the Deeps?" She lifts her hand to greet Ian as she sees him arrive. The weather must be keeping most of the crowds away.

Medeia winces, just a little, when she drinks her sample of absinthe. She blinks and smiles to reclaim her composure. "Oh, no, I think this is all the princess'," she says with a soft laugh.

There are samples, the princess is enamoured by the sugar cube that gets lit on fire. "Art requires we dive into the depths of everything," the princess says innocently as she sips the drink. Denica looks to see if anyone might outbid her, seeming ready to act quickly if need be. When Ian arrives, she catches sight of her fellow Islander and gives him a cheerful wave.

Ian takes a moment to re-center himself, on entering the garden. He pushes a hand through his hair, causing a ruffle of silver to be briefly visible, takes a breath, and then nods to Denica and Eirene.

Eirene says, "SOLD! All yours, your highness!""

| After some time has passed and people have had a chance to recover a little from the potent absinthe, Eirene introduces the next live auction. "Here is a bottle of pure perfection. Coppery bourbon - one of my personal favorite drinks. Barleycorn Bourbon whiskey, with a sweet spicy taste - and a surprise hint of mint at the end like a Southport julep. Perfectly balanced with a slow building burn."

| Small shots are distributed around the room, each with a scent of| vanilla, orange and toffee that teases at the nose.

| "This was donated to us by Bonibel Barleycorn, who's a fucking wizard (no, not really) with liquors. She also donated the Amber Malt which is in the silent auction."

| "We|open the bidding at 5,000 silver."
|

Delighted by her win, Denica gives a nod to her assistant to go deposit a small bag of coins to the appropriate person. On his way back, he fetches the bottle in question, looking a little concerned. Denica smiles at Eirene, "oh how delightful-- this will no doubt make for a fun night," eyebrows wiggle, mischief afoot.

Eirene gets Barleycorn's Beauty Bourbon Whiskey from Medicine on the rocks.

Eirene drops Barleycorn's Beauty Bourbon Whiskey.

Denica gets Drowning in the Deeps.

Titania had been here honestly, she was off dealing with something and comes back, her eyes fall on her cousin when he arrives. His mood making her eye raise, but she says nothing. She is not in a dress but her cloak is wrapped about her form. Her hair down as her ocean blue eyes look around, looking to see who has arrived so far.

Medeia applauds Denica's win and moves to find something to eat. She settles on a bit of dried fruit as she listens to the information about the next auction item. "Ooh, that sounds lovely. I bid 10,000!"

Ian doesn't show any reaction to Titania's silent commentary on his mood; he may not even have noticed it. He nods to her, but moves in Denica's direction.

Eirene says, "10,000 to Deia!" She points to the Saik. "Anyone else going to bid on this lovely little whiskey?"

Stojan, ever cautious and usually apprehensive returns the bottle to show Denica. The princess looks at it and appreciates the design on the front, and though she no doubt enjoys a bottle of whisky, she decides against pursuing this one. Perhaps she's got other things in mind. As she sees Ian approach, the short Islander says to him, "I bought absinthe," she says innocent with a impish smile.

Ian raises his eyebrows. "I can see that," he comments. "Between the two of us, we could probably put together a pretty good night of questionable choices." Then he lowers his voice and says something else.

Eirene says, "Okay. No other bids. All yours Deia!" She has the bottle sent over as she grins. "And I may have to come share that one with you sometime..."

"Happily," Medeia says in response to Eirene coming to share the bourbon. "It has been too long since we have just had a drink, anyway." She gives Ian a nod of greeting and then collects her bottle.

| "Our next item up for bid," Eirene says, " is a horror beyond imagination. Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze - sugar. Pure. Fucking. Sugar. It's like a seven year old kid imagined alcohol and said 'Know what I want, a fuckin' toothache like I spilled acid in my MOUTH and let it rot my teeth into stumpy brown things and I want a headache that will make my eyes bleed."

| This is her sales pitch. "It's sweet. Sweeter than a newborn puppy in the arms of a newborn baby wreathed by daisies sweet. It doesn't even burn going down because you're wincing in sugary agony. It's so sweet, I bet even Queen Symonesse would find it surprisingly sugary. And y'all know how her Majesty loves her dessert."

| She has the bottle uncorked and it's clear from the scent alone that your teeth will ache from the mere scent. Cherry, a hint of vanilla, and sugar. Pure 100% proof sugar. There's even a pink unicorn on the bottle. The tasting shots are given away.|

| "We start the bidding at 5,000."



Ian breaks away from his conversation with Denica to lift a hand to Eirene. "Ten-thousand." There's no hesitation from him; there's a very good chance that this horrible liquor is why he's here.

Committed to sampling anything that comes across her path, Denica's cheeks are a healthy rosy pink. Ian's comment is met with an impish grin, "if I am good at anything, it is questionable choices," she confirms with the Kennex Lord. Canting her head to hear the lowered words, she murmurs something back to Ian, while nodding her head. Then she hears a call for the cupcake craze, and she's ready to chance a taste as more samples come her way.

Ian starts to pick up his conversation with Denica again, but something she asks him causes him to cough out a startled laugh.

Medeia frowns as Eirene describes this bottle. "Oh, that..." The sample is presented to her and she hesitates. "I am not terribly fond of overly sweet things," she says, but she accepts it and tries it. A stifled choking sound can be heard. "Um. Apologies." She waves away the glass she was handed and looks at Ian in surprise for his choice.

Eirene says, "I'm going to break protocol and bid 15,000 on it for myself, because this shit is fun to torture people with." She laughs and has Planchet write her name in. "And there's only, like... five of us so my driving up the bid isn't a bad thing."

Speaking of questionable choices. When a shot is passed to Ian, he takes it, and looks at it for a moment. Then he steels himself, toasts Denica, and downs it. His resulting coughing melts into laughter. "Gods, that's terrible." And then, on the tail of that declaration, he adds: "20,000."

Knocking back the sweet shot after returning the toast to Ian, blue eyes go wide and her face twists. "Gah, that...is some powerfully potent stuff. Great for torturing people," she agrees with a wide smile.

Eirene points at Ian. "20,000 heard! Anyone else want to torment friends and family with this sugary monstrosity?"

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

Eirene says, "SOLD to Ian!"

Eirene gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze from Medicine on the rocks.

Eirene drops Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze.

Eirene gets Bonbon's Wintertide Nectar, a sweet ale from Medicine on the rocks.

Eirene drops Bonbon's Wintertide Nectar, a sweet ale.

| "And last, but OH MY GODDESS not least, we have Bobon's Wintertide Nectar, a sweet amber brew with wassail like flavors. Once again from the Barleycorn brewery. It's, simply put, the Shining Lands in a glass. With sweet Laurent honey, mulling spices, and.... Mmm, words cannot describe, so please. Taste for yourselves.

| The taste is heavenly on the tongue, an ale with a flavor unlike any other. A bit of pleasant heat from the wintery spices that liven it up. A perfect brew for a snowy winter's day. Divine in quality.|

| "This little bit of paradise on Arvum starts at 10,000."



There's not a lot that can get that kind of grin out of Ian, quick and sharp, with a gleam of mischief in his eyes. Usually, it requires messing with one of his brothers (or Wash). That this gets that expression out of him bodes ill for Aethan, Porter, and Wash.

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

Ian gets Count Claudio's Cupcake Craze.

Titania is been watching as people bid on the bottle, she is near the entrance when a messenger comes to give her a message. Her eyes reading over it she nods her head, folding it up she tucks it away and then looks around and moves to slip out.

Taking sips of this and that, it's not long before the short princess is feeling the strong combinations. Eyelashes flutter and she enjoys the excitement of people bidding on different bottles, of this and that. "I mean-- it's like the best place to get drunk and overestimate my abilities, there's physicians everywhere!"

Umi, the curious turtle, 1 Kennex corsairs leave, following Titania.

Medeia is still surprised by Ian's choice, but she's eagerly interested in the next. "A bid of 20,000!" To Denica, she laughs. "But what if we are all drunk, too?"

A laugh escapes pale pink lips as Denica looks over at Medeia, "then we all go down together," she grins.

Eirene says, "20,000 for the Wintertide Nectar, fit for the gods. Seriously, folks. I've rarely had anything this good."

Alberico, the Malespero aide, 1 Malespero Guard, Louis, a Malespero Armsman, Mar, the Magpie arrive, following Pasquale.

Eirene says, "Last call for Wintertide nectar..."

Medeia looks around. "Did I say twenty? I meant twenty-five." She smiles broadly, hoping that deters other bids.

Denica grins as Medeia outbids herself, she respects this approach.

Eirene says, "Going one at 25, twice at 25..."

Pasquale contemplates Medeia's smile for a moment before saying "Twenty-eight"

Medeia turns to /stare/ at Pasquale. "Thirty."

Ian seems to have what he came here for, but hangs around to watch the tail end of the bidding. He looks over at Pasquale when the man comes up beside him and says something to him, and replies: "Nothing is undrinkable if you're drunk enough."

Pasquale smiles, just a touch. "Thirty-Three."

Eirene says, "Between the princess' absinthe and Kennex's bottle of Cupcake abomination, you have to be pretty drunk to go for it... 33 is the high bid!"

Ian's comment catches Denica's attention and she nods in agreement, that's a statement that's probably written somewhere in the Isles, repeatedly.

"Thirty-five," Medeia counters, her eyes narrowing at Pasquale's smile.

Pasquale gestures to show he's done pushing Medeia's bids up before glancing to Ian "Various cases of alcohol poisoning suggest that isn't actually true."

"It is only alcohol poisoning if one /dies/." Medeia seems sure of that, which may ir may not be reassuring coming from the co-guildmaster of the Physicians. To Eirene she confirms her final bid of 35,000.

The short princess looks at Medeia, "Medeia would know-- she's a physician," Denica comments with a smile, she enjoys the back-and-forth going on with the bidding.

Eirene looks to Pasquale to see if he'll overbid. She arches her eyebrows.

Pasquale shakes his head at Eirene's look.

"SOLD! to Medeia for 35,000 silver! And that's it for the live auction. I'll wrap the bids on the silent auction shortly," EIrene pronounces.

Ian lifts his purchase in silent thanks to Eirene, then adds. "I'm off to the bank."

Eirene dumps Medicine on the rocks and spills its contents all over the floor.

Denica gets Snowplum, an ice wine from Clearlake Hold.

Denica gets A large bottle of Southport Ouzo.

Denica gets There's a light, a dark brewers allegory for thunderous weather.

Medeia takes Barleycorn's Beauty Bourbon Whiskey.

Denica gets Gold-dusted shimmering Torean rose wine.

Medeia takes Bonbon's Wintertide Nectar, a sweet ale.

Denica gets Griffon's Gaze.