A light dusting of snow covers the amphitheater, creating a clean white feel to scene. A skating rink that had water freeze overnight sits, waiting for the masses to test their mettle on the sheer ice. Booths with Northern treats like hot spiced cider and frozen maple pops stand ready to serve with attendant in Redrain livery handing them out. Northern goods like mugs, horns, blankets and mead sit in booths that are ready to purchase, all proceeds going to Northlands Development Council. A string quartet stands by ready to start the music. First, the hosts for Northernlude, Princess Marian and Lady Khanne are going to get up and give some speeches.

"Thank you all for joining House Redrain in celebrating the North. Winter is a time for long nights and scarce light during the day. But in the darkness, there is time for warmth and family. A time to spend meaningful moments reflecting on the actions of the year and preparing for when Spring comes. Please take this time to get familiar with the treats that Northerners enjoy. Shop the goods available at the booths. Skate on the ice. Please note that we only have a select few skates for folks to take home so take them while they are available because they are limited edition." She then turns to Khanne, stepping aside so she can give her speech.

Marian gets a Northernlude commemorative mug from The Horny Display Booth.

    Merek has come dressed in his finest, which is a lot of umbra lined stuff, while he also has on his black leather armor which has a belt across it, and a waist chain made of stygian. He looks every bit like he has purchased his whole attire from expensive selections. He walks in and looks around a bit, before he listens to Marian and Khanne, watching on curiously.

Vim, a guard-corgi in-training, Sir Dalan, Longsuffering Valardin Knight arrive, following Clover.

Vim, a guard-corgi in-training have been dismissed.

3 Grayson Guardsmen, Philip, an overworked assistant, Crown Observer Barcus arrive, following Calarian.

Early among those arriving are Lord Corban Telmar, newly appointed Voice of the Telmar. On his arm is Lady Monique Greenmarch, the two chatting amiably in low tones about this and that. For those who might be accustomed to gazing upon Lady Monique's vivid red hair they would notice something else -- some purplish bruises about her skull that evidence sparring gone either terribly wrong or terribly instructive, depending on how one looks at it. "Buy you a drink before we mix and mingle?" suggests the Lord to his date, guiding her over that way.

Maeve arrives with her best garments, which aren't nearly as fancy as some people! Though, she does have a fine silk cloak that keeps her warm. She moves into the area, stopping to look around, a smile on her face and a serene disposition.

Asger has been hanging around the amphitheater for a while, the duke drinking from a bottle of something that doesn't look like it was procured from any of the myriad of stalls around the room. Watching the women talk to the room he scratches at his beard idly before bringing up his bottle to take another long swig from it.

Alis arrives with her guard in tow, probably a little stir crazy after the weeks spent doing nothing but... nothing. And maybe answering messengers. It makes ice skating seem pretty appealing, despite the fact that she's walking with a waddle these days. Ice, sharp metal, waddler.. what could possibly go wrong? Seeing the direction of her gaze, Sir Rhys predictably leans over and says clearly. "No. I would like to keep my head attached to my neck." It elicits a snort from the princess. "Now you're just /encouraging/ me." she quips, heading first to the booths with cider and blankets so she can bundle up and have a warm drink prior to seeking out Marian.

It seems the First Observer of the Crown, Calarian, has decided to make social life -- though he has brought business with him in case something is needed of him in the form of his assistant, Philip, and Crown Observer Barcus. Three guards follow the group behind, while the prince keeps his hands clasped behind his straightened back. Hazel eyes flit towards the ice with a curious 'hm' and a faint curve at the edge of his lips, though he keeps moving at his lordly gait and poise towards the booth for those who will watch -- and Philip goes to get him a blanket.

"I would like to thank you, on behalf of the entire Redrain fealty as well. Many houses make up our community, each with different backgrounds and cultural histories," Khanne says as she rises. "High Lord Darren Redrain could not be with us tonight, but he asked me to greet you all with kindness, and he hopes everyone enjoys what we have to offer. He also asked me to open the festivities with a shamanistic prayer." She closes her eyes, lifting her face up towards the sky. Arms held out from her body, palms up, she says with confidence, "Oh Spirits of winter, in silvery ice, watching over us as we sleep, a layer of shining white covers the ground each night, frost on the world and in the souls. We thank you for visiting us. Because of you, we seek warmth in the comfort of our homes and hearths, in the arms of loved ones, and in the wrappings of wools and fur. Thank you Spirits of ice and snow for sharing the season with us before the coming thaw." She opens her eyes again and smiles. "Thank you all, again, for coming. The Northern Development Council has booths set up with some wares from northernlands. Peruse as you like, and if you've interest in purchasing, please let me know." She bows her head and steps back.

Kael and Reigna arrive together, as they are prone to doing -- and with Reigna on Kael's arm, also a typical dealing. This time however, rather than being late or merely on time, they are actually on the early side. Their step is a swift one, their voices hushed as they converse with one another. It's an amiable conversation if there's any indication from the grin that the Count just flashed toward his wife. He sobers however with the speech, giving the hosts their due respect.

Clover is dressed in silk adorned with steel scales, and a common but well made leather cloak with green arrows on it. Her blonde hair is up in a very neat Valardin braid, looped at the back of her head. She walks very carefully, spotting Asger she makes her way in that direction. A wobbly bow is given and she says, "My lord." Though green eyes go toward the bottle in his hand.

Fergus is hanging around the area, having found something large and heavy to lean himself up against. For the record, the Sword isn't wearing anything fancy, but he is wearing clothes. Likely something lined with a a lot of fur. As his way, he stays out of the way, nursing a flask full of something highly alcoholic and keeping him warm. Which might not be how it all works, but damn if it doesn't make him feel warm.

Now that the speeches are done. The string quartet steps forward and starts to play some tunes well-known by the Northerners. The soft tones play over the air as a few onlookers start to move to the ice rink. Marian turns to Khanne, giving her a smile that lets her know the shaman prayer is well appreciated. Then she exits the stage so she can move over towards her husband. For those looking closely, a small bump in front of her dress shows that Marian is not eating for one. As she eyes the Northern treats, it's clear that the boar skewers are calling to her.

From her place on Corban's arm, Monique surveys the pristine, picture-perfect setting. The Greenmarch, much less pristine with the bruises to the side of her face, nods up at the Telmar Voice. "A drink sounds perfect. Then I'll introduce you around to the family. You see my sister Marian, there," she points, "and her husband Fergus, there," another gesture. "Both very intimidating, Marian especially so now that she's with child."

    Merek seems to have had his fill of the event already. A small satisfied smile at seeing winter things, and he makes his way out smoothly.

Aneka, 3 Iron Guardsmen, Meeka leave, following Merek.

Reigna is looking up at Kael, eyes gleaming with humor, her lips curved up in a wide bow of delight. As their hosts speak, she turns her face towards them, ceasing her banter with Kael and instead focusing on the pair of Marian and Khanne. She watches listening and clapping when the speech concludes. When the music begins she looks up at Kael, "I am so tempted to ask you to dance," This is clearly a tease.

Monique gets a pair of ice skates with leather, buckled straps from a simple wooden storage crate decorated with trailing ivy vines.

As the prayer is sounded out, Maeve closes her eyes as well in homage to the spirits of winter. A murmur comes from her at the end of the prayer and speech, "Thank you spirits of winter." When the festivities officially begin, her gaze notices Fergus leaning. Quietly, she moves up to Fergus's side and nudges him. "Hey there."

"Here," says Corban, stopping at a booth with hot coco and purchasing two of them with alcohol for himself and for his date. "This should both warm you up and take the edge off." He then gazes across to Princess Marian, taking her in -- looking at both the gown and the diamondplate sword on her hip. "Indeed," he finally agrees. "Every woodsman knows a mother bear with her cubs is the most dangerous."

"You should," she says to Reigna. "You should ask him to dance, on skates!" She gestures to the crate of skates. "You just strap them to your shoes, and off you go. Have you ever done?" Khanne is dressed, well, in her normal winter attire. leather breeches, fur lined cloak, a true northerner."

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

Asger dips his head as Khanne prays, though as it ends he lifts his head again to mention aside to Clover "It's whiskey." the man giving a sloshy shake of the bottle in his hand "Pretty good stuff too, uncorked the bottle and it would have been a shame to let it go to waste and I had to be here so." here takes a drink from it "You probably shouldn't try ice skating, ya'd probably die lass."

Corban gets a pair of ice skates with leather, buckled straps from a simple wooden storage crate decorated with trailing ivy vines.

Curiosity draws Quenia to the amphithater, and in turn she draws a messenger there too. She takes the notice from the messenger, reads it, and tips them for their trouble. She then turns to regard the scenery before her, making note of what's what, and where things are before wandering over and taking a pair of skates that are being offered. "Nothing like a bit of uncertainty on my feet for some adventure." She grins good naturedly when she takes the skates. "Let's just hope I don't fall much, hmm?" she tells the skating booth attendent.

Kael bows his head with the prayer, his chin lifting thereafter. Reigna's remark has him grinning and about to quip something back in turn before he turns toward Khanne and remarks, "You beat me to it. Though my version didn't involve skates but still involved me falling on my ass." To punctuate those words, he delivers a swift kiss to Reigna's temple before traveling with her toward Khanne. "I have not skated and -- Reigna, have you?"

Calarian wraps the blanket given to him by his assistant, Philip, and now takes his time to study the crowds. "Is my Lord going to be skating today?" Philip wonders with just the faintest of smile under his overworked eyes - sporting heavy marks proof of his sleepless night. The Prince of Grayson gives a minimal curve of his mouth to the assistant. "Perhaps you want to dance, Philip, hence the question," he retorts -- the assistant chuckles. Instead, he heads towards Marian -- having recognized her out of the group. "Your Highness, the Princess of Farhaven," he greets in his velvety and soft tones, "you might or might not recognize me, but I do - of course -- I apologize if you don't. It is Prince Calarian Grayson."

Alis drapes the blanket over her shoulders like a cape, and takes a hearty drink of her cider - with a pleased sigh of contentment - before her measured steps take her first to the stoic Fergus. "Bro." She mimics his fierce expression, and then transforms it into a bright and warm smile to wave over at Marian. And then a more measured nod for Calarian. Whom she does recognize. "Your Highness."

"I have not, but I'm curious to try!" Reigna replies with a grin. Her smile brightens further and she beams at Khanne, "My lady Halfshav! You spoke beautifully! Your prayer, was it a prayer? It was lovely." She looks to the other woman and beams -- and then her eye is caught by one of the geodes, "Oh! Kael, look! Isn't it lovely? Lady Khanne, are these of your lands?"

Marian gives a smile as Maeve offers Fergus greetings. Of course, her trip to the boar skewers is interrupted by her spying her sister and date. She gives Corban and Monique a quick wave. Then laughs when the man remarks on her mother bear, "Oh now...I don't intend to be a mother bear to anyone tonight. It's a celebration of the North." Her weapons are peace tied. She gives her husband a longing look but then moves on to greet others at the party. "Prince Calarian Grayson, yes, I believe we met the other night when I went to visit Princess Reese," Marian tells him with a warm smile, "I'm so happy you could make attendence. You of course must try the skating." She motions to where the free ice skates are being handed out, "And they are to take home as a memory of the event." She pauses as Alis comes forward and gives her waddling sister a hug, "Look at you. I am very impressed." She gives her a teasing look, motioning to her own stomach, "My little one is just making herself known."

Clover hmmms at Asger a moment and says, "I'll be right back." She then steps away to one of the stalls, returning with two mugs of steaming hot chocolate. One is sat down before Asger and she says, "You should try that my lord. It's stunningly different than hot chocolate made with wyrmguard chocolate, I like it." She invites herself to a seat nearby and says, "And I could ice skate!" A small laugh is given, "If I had someone to hold onto and keep me from falling and tripping right underneath someone else's ice skates."

"My sister, more so than most," Monique tells Corban with a laugh, accepting the spiked hot cocoa and waving to Marian. "I'll introduce you in a little bit. That," she dips her chin in Khanne's direction, "is the Lady Khanne, and over there," she dips her chin to Asger, "Duke Asger Crovane, a dear friend of mine. Can't hold his liquor, though..."

Quenia gets a pair of ice skates with leather, buckled straps from a simple wooden storage crate decorated with trailing ivy vines.

Aethelred, Dangerfloof, the Bearded Vulture arrive, following Freja.

Khanne walks over to stand near the display booths, should anyone have questions. She watches the crowd, smiling at the merriment in the air. She chuckles and says to Kael. "That would make it all the more amusing for me to watch!" Spotting Alis, she smiles gently and waves at her. "We keep getting closer to being able to sit down one of these days, yeah?" She turns to Reigna and says, "thank you, Countess. Yes, you can call it a prayer." She looks to the geodes on display and says, "those, I think, come from the Stonedeep mountains." Hearing her name, she nods her head towards Monique and waves.

Fergus looks like he's holding that wall up all on his own, having been making sure to keep out of everyone's way and generally keeping that same scowl plastered on his face. Which is probably just the way he normally looks. Resting Grump Face? Something like that. The arrival of Alis, just gets him to look down at her. "Short-Stack." he grunts, eyeballing a her. "Not nearly as fucking intimidating when you're as round as you are tall. But good try." Big, burly hand is put on her shoulder, which probably takes *up* her entire shoulder. "How's the cub. Kicking at ya yet?" To Marian, the look is returned, then nods, not getting in the way while she greets people.

Aethelred, Dangerfloof, the Bearded Vulture leave, following Freja.

Calarian recognizes Alis too. "Your Highness, are you going to try your hand at this adventure called skating?" he wonders with a well-humored curve at the edges of his mouth -- edges which further more when Marian says he must skate. "Oh, I've come to see the art in the making, of course. I am here to watch. I've got terrible balance and I could break easier than bijoutry, so I'd rather not make an spectacle, hm?"

Corban chuckles at Marian's assurance that she will not mother bear on anyone. "Well, then, I shall celebrate easier, Princess Marian," he says, as she passes on to greet the rest of her guests. He then nods when other notables are pointed out, as if trying to commit these things to his memory.

Aethelred, Dangerfloof, the Bearded Vulture arrive, following Freja.

Freja has joined the Top Row Seating.

Calarian recognizes Alis too. "Your Highness, are you here to watch people try their hand at this adventure called skating?" he wonders with a well-humored curve at the edges of his mouth -- edges which further more when Marian says he must skate. "Oh, I've come to see the art in the making, of course. I am here to watch. I've got terrible balance and I could break easier than bijoutry, so I'd rather not make an spectacle, hm?"

Asger shakes with Clover in a low voice, "I'd offer to take you out there lass, but I forgot my ice cleats back in the north. It wouldn't be proper to go walking out on ice without them." this secret shame shared he looks about to say something else when he hears Monique speak of him "I'll have you know I hold my liquor better then most, and you know it. See I'm holding it rather fine right now." the duke lifting up the bottle of what is almost assuredly whiskey to show it off before he takes another drink from it. That's when he fully notices the mug set before him, taking it up in his other hand he takes a swig of it then replaces the missing liquid with whiskey from the bottle

"For anyone who may have missed the announcement earlier. Please feel free to take one pair of skates from the crate each. They are free as our thanks to you for joining us tonight," Khanne says, pointing to the crate painted with ivy.

Khanne clears her throat and looks at Asger, tilting her head to the crate of skates.

Freja gets a pair of ice skates with leather, buckled straps from a simple wooden storage crate decorated with trailing ivy vines.

Maeve glances pat Fergus and to Alis as Fergus speaks with her. She eyes the roundness and smiles a slightly wistful smile. Though, she decides that she will take her leave and go find food! The food looks delicious and when was the last time she had roasted pig?! Rubbing her hands together, she makes her way to get herself a hunk of meat! Ahmnom nom

Reigna gets a pair of ice skates with leather, buckled straps from a simple wooden storage crate decorated with trailing ivy vines.

Kael grins in response to Khanne before turning back to his wife and offering forth a quiet, agreeable, "It is indeed lovely." The agreement is a quiet thing as he takes in the sight of the geodes, considering them for the marvel that they are. When Khanne greets and is greeted, he moves with Reigna off to the side, starting to look across the wares for sale and deliberating. "How much for the bottle, there?" He's nodding to the Bloodrage.

Clover dips her chin a little bit and says, "Well they do have ice skates, but if Lady Monique is right and you're not holding your liquor very well..." She trails off, and her eyebrows pinch briefly when she watches Asger mix whisky into his chocolate. Plans foiled! Clover lifts her hand then to wave her fingers at Monique.

At some point in the evening Freja had snuck in through the crowds and made her way to the crate to pluck up a pair of skates. She sits down on the ground, right there in the snow, to start lacing them up. The only (somewhat unsettling to some) hint that she has arrived at first is that large vulture of hers, circling overhead before coming to roost right on top of the stall handing out the meat skewers.

Quenia makes her way over to one of the benches, and carefully removes her own shoes to put the pair of skates onto her feet. She carefully ties them up, and wraps the excess string around her ankles, tying the strings securely. She gives the skates something of a dubious look, then stands up on her feet, looking a bit wobbly to start. "This is... interesting..." the southerner states.

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

"Oh, let's just be honest... I haven't really got the art of intimidation down very well. /Yet/. I've been practicing though." Alis promises Fergus, sounding entirely serious. "And oh yes, yes, the kiddo is constantly kicking. As soon as I sit down or try to rest." Which means the little one is already taking after its mother. "Just wait, Marian." Returning the hug to her sister, Khanne is heard speaking about sitting down, which of /course/ grabs her attention. "Oh, very soon I'm sure since sitting seems to be a lot of what I do these days." And then to Calarian she grins a bit impishly and looks back over her shoulder at the guard with her.

..." Depends if I can give him the slip or not." (Alis adds, because she hit enter too soon.)

Quietly, Marshal Valerio Mazetti has not so much wandered in, but stalked in as he is wont to do. Gathering his cloak about him against the cold, he does come to a quick halt to observe the ampitheater and its current shenanigans. Clearly curious about northern culture, or, curious about its alcoholic wares. Once more he is making his way again, this time to stop equally between the Horny Booth and the Log Cabin booth. So his good eye can see, his head is turning back and forth between them in silent debate on which alochol import to try first. For those trying on ice skates, a double-take occurs. His lips twitch faintly as he quietly observes. "Well. That's one way to go." He does pause his booze considerations briefly, peering as if he may recognize someone.

Khanne looks to the Bloodrage. "AH, good choice indeed. That is one of the best of the north. It goes for eight hundred silver a bottle. Well worth it, if you ask me. The Stone Mountain Whiskey is also delicious, at six hundred silver." She grins at Alis and says, "all the better to keep you in one place long enough for our chat."

"Oh I'm sure you'd do fine your highness," Marian gives Calarian a little smile, "But I understand." Then she moves around the crowd, moving towards Kael and Reigna to give them a greeting, "Count and Countess Keaton. It's so good to see you here." She notices that Kael is eyeing the bottle of Bloodrage, "Oh that's strong...have you had Bloodrage before?" She eyes Alis from across where she went and there's that look that not just the guard will try to stop her sister from ice skating. As Freja and Quenia start to put on skates, there's an encouraging look sent, "I might be joining them soon enough." She glances to Fergus to see if her protective husband minds her ice skating.

Monique waves in turn to Clover, and her teasing smile is the only response Asger gets for the moment. She tilts her bruised head up to Corban. "Shall we look at the stalls? I've a mind for something pretty to take my mind off of my bruises."

"Philip over here proposed a drinking game," Calarian goes on in a conversational tone to Alis as Marian departs towards the crowds, "each choose their favored rider, and every time they fall - a sip." He looks at Philip - who appears to be exactly the kind of person who would propose this kind of thing. Quiet, faux-composed, but certainly a lion ready to wake and snarl when given the privacy of an ear. "Not something I would try, of course," he says with a 'scandalized' lift of his brows.

Quenia grins back at Marian's encouraging look. "Well, here goes nothing," she announces to the world at large, and then wobbles over to the skating area, placing first one foot on the ice, and then her other foot.

Quenia checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Upon arrival, Aksel has quietly made his way to the edge of the skating rink and watches quietly at those who have elected to go out on the ice. He's just another face in the crowd here to enjoy the festivities.

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

Reigna oooohs at the whiskey her husband is eyeing, and she nods, "You should get it." She smiles sweetly even as she moves off to collect a pair of skates for herself. "But only if you agree to skate with me!"

"Don't give me that fucking look." Fergus remarks at Marian looking at him about the skating thing. "Skating isn't fighting an shit. You go knock yourself out. Just not literally or anything. If you can help it." Doesn't seems like she needs to get his permission on *everything*. Alis is given a bit of a snort. "The only person you intimidate is your husband right now. Or if someone threatens to take your bacon away. But good. Our kid is gonna need a sparring partner."

Asger leans over to helpfully spike Clover's hot chocolate, he is a giver like that "So Clover what is it that brought you to the 'lude party?" taking another sip of the hot chocolate he nods his head agreeably seeming to enjoy its complex flavors of chocolate and whiskey. Catching Khanne's glance and nod, he nods back to her and gives her a thumbs up probably missing the meaning of the gesture entirely.

Freja toes her way onto the ice, apprehensive at first before the innate grace of the long-limbed scout comes into play and she starts slowly skating about the edge, staying away from the center and those going faster than her.

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

"A fine idea, Lady Monique," says Corban, without hesitation, allowing the Greenmarch lady to take him over towards the rustic log display booth. Corban pauses for a moment, touching one of the felted wool blankets, and nodding approvingly at its craftsmanship, before glancing at his date. "Is there anything that catches your eye?" he asks, continuing their small-talk.

To Monique, Khanne beckons over. "We have lovely silk scarves, bracelets, and a warm blanket. Or, booze and mugs if you prefer." She grins wickedly a bit. "And blowing horns to annoy your neighbors with." She picks one up, puckers her lips and puts them to the small opening where the tip of an animal's horn has been cut off. Lifting it up towards the sky, she blows, making a bellowing, deep toned and loud sound." She winks at Monique and says, "don't it make you horny? Get it... horn..." She snickers to herself and clears her throat, wiping the smirk off her face.

"Then I will need to swipe some silver from my wife and make the purchase," says Kael, in the most reasonable fashion, still sporting his grin. The Keaton Count this evening seems to be in an unmistakably merry mood for him. With Marian's arrival, he inclines his head toward her and offers forth, "Your highness! What a beautiful event, it is an honor for us to attend. I--" and he glances back to the Bloodrage, considering it. "No, as a matter of fact, I have not. I take it that it is an experience?" When Reigna adds her demand, he snorts, and remarks, "Pay her, wife of mine, and I will go see if there are some skates for me so that you can laugh."

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

Marian laughs and nods, "Yes, I do. Just take the first drink slowly and then increase as needed." Then she notices her fellow Northerner and makes her way over to Aksel, "If you want to skate, you can get a free pair from the crate." She gives a laugh as her husband declares that he doesn't have a problem with her skating, and the pregnant lady sits down to tie on some skates that an attendant gives her. She glances at the others that seem to be faring well on the ice and then stands up, taking her first careful steps.

Marian checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Monique browses. OH, how she browses. Her emerald eyes drift over anything as they peruse the display booths. Eventually, she stops before Khanne and listens, and then splutters a laugh. "Hah! I *do* get it. Do you get it, Lord Corban?" She makes eyes at him. "I'd like the horn, the torc, and the Bloodrage, I think. The torc is especially beautiful. Did you craft these, Lady Khanne? And have you met Lord Corban Telmar?"

Aksel head whips towards the sound of the blowing horn, momentarrily stiffening at the sound, but he relaxes a bit and goes back to watching the skaters out on the ice.

Kael gets a pair of ice skates with leather, buckled straps from a simple wooden storage crate decorated with trailing ivy vines.

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

Quenia's feet do not wobble so much once she's gotten onto the ice, and she seems to have gotten the hang of moving forward; but given this is the first time she's ever been on ice like this, it's not like she's going to to be doing twirls and jumps any time soon. She grins as she sees Freja out there as well, and seems to be mimicing her in staying to the outside of the frey. "This isn't so bad," she comments in general. At least, it's not so bad for her /now/.

Clover looks down at her drink as Asger spikes it, her eyes roll up to the sky and she makes a small noise. However, a small sip of the hot chocolate is given. Her nose wrinkles and she glances back toward Asger, considering the much larger duke. "New jerkin, my lord?" After another experimental sip of her hot chocolate she says, "Mmn, well. I wanted to see what it was all about." A pause is given and she says, "And also my knight informed me that if I didn't stop my current efforts at the harbor and rest in some manner who he would tell either Prince Edain or my mother."

"Oh, I do get it. In such company, how can I not understand the concept quite well?" Corban keeps his voice level, only the faintest hint of a smile touching at his cheeks. "Lady Khanne. I do not think we have had the pleasure. But I am glad to." A faint gesture as he picks up the torc, eyeing it carefully. "It is quite lovely," agrees with his date.

Fergus isn't ice skating. If his track record of how well he dances is any track record, him skating is going to end up in someone getting murdered by accident. So he he keeps his flask, moving back over next to Alis, given Marian a look over when she moves out to join the rest of them. "So." he grunts, leaning down to scoop up a handful of snow, starting pack it into a possible projectile. Something going on there.

Alis nudges Fergus when Marian gives her that look. "I think that look is telling me I better not try and strap on skates, isn't it." Doesn't the woman know how much being told she can't do something makes Alis want to do it even /more/?? She's getting that look on her face. "Hey, nobody touches my bacon and lives. I'm not just eating it for me, afterall." Mumble. "A drinking game. Well, that sounds intriguing Prince Calarian. Of course, I lack the size one typically would associate with someone who can hold their liquor. But... who doesn't love a drunk princess with no mouth filter, am I right?" She's not right, and she knows it. But that smile of hers... "Ferg, whatchoo doing?"

Asger nods his head with a satisfied grin that his new jerkin was noticed "Indeed, I just picked it up today, I thought since I wasn't in the north I could splurge on something warm enough for these temperatures and perhaps a little more stylish then armor and furs." Asger rolls his shoulder and shifts so Clover can get a better look at the dark black jerkin with the duke wearing a forest green cotton shirt beneath it for sleeves.

Khanne gets a pewter, double-headed raven torc bracelet from Rustic Log Display Booth.

Khanne gets Great Horn of the North from The Horny Display Booth.

"Trying it on an actual lake is the challenge." Freja comments aside to Quenia when she passes by. "This is as good a start as any."

Aksel offers a smile towards Marian, who's pose he just now sees. "Thank you!" He calls after her after she takes to the ice, "No thank you, I don't need to break my ass."

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

Khanne gets a wax sealed black whiskey bottle labeled 'Bloodrage' from Rustic Log Display Booth.

Khanne gets a wax sealed black whiskey bottle labeled 'Bloodrage' from Rustic Log Display Booth.

Marian takes well to the skating, being a natural as she starts to glide on the ice. She glances over her shoulder at her husband to see if he wants to join her and then shakes her head when it's clear he won't be joining her. As she does a little spin, she glances around to see who else is skating, giving encouraging smiles to the other skaters. She does admire how Freja and Quenia seem to find their footing too. She does admit to the group, "This is actually my first time skating."

Clover has joined the Lower Middle Row Seating.

Reigna pulls out her money purse and hands over the coins to Lady Khanne with a grin. "I thank you in advance for the sight of my husband silly with drink." Reigna is full of smiles tonight and is smiling with fondness to Khanne. The Countess does look a little fatigued, just around the eyes, but it doesn't seem to stop her from being in a fantastic mood. Once the bottle of Whiskey is paid for she grins at Kael. "Now for your part of this bargain, my lord!"

Khanne hmms and looks to Corban. She shakes her head and says, "I do not think I have. A pleasure, Lord Corban. Lady Khanne Halfshav." She holds her hand out to him with a smile. "The horn at two hundred, and the Bloodrage at eight. One thousand for the two items please, Lady Monique. The Northlands Development Council thanks you." She reaches over towards the bottles and picks one of the Bloodrage up, handing it over to Reigna.

The soft music with a joyful, light happy tune continues to play over the crowd as the string quartet plays to the crowd. A few flurries of snowflakes fall from the heavens, making a picturesque scene for those just arriving. Scents of hot chocolate and cider can be smelled, mixing with maple syrup and skewers.

"My sister-in-law ain't drinking til she spits that out." Fergus remarks, jerking his thumb at Alis' stomach. "An yeah, no skating for you. No skating for me because this ain't no fucking comedy." As for what he's doing, he shrugs, tossing that snowball in the air lazily. "Me? Ain't doing shit. What? You think I'd be doing something else?" There's a pause, like he's waiting for something in specfic. Possibly to make sure that Marian isn't nearby before lobbing that snowball. Right at his sister.

Which would be Freja, not Alis. The Valardin is too easy a target.

Clover sips at her whisky-spiked hot chocolate a little bit more, considering Asger's new duds. A small nod of her head is given and she says, "Aye, my lord, it is very nice." She points toward the buttons on it, "Those are very nice touch." She glances toward the skating rink and then back toward Asger and asks, "Are you sure you don't want to attempt a skate?"

Fergus checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

"Oh, I can imagine, your highness!" Quenia calls out to Freja, waving to the princess as she passes by. For Quenia's part, she's going slow - slow and steady - until she's more certain of her footing. She glances over at Marian, somewhat surprised. "You skate with much grace, your highness!" she says to Marian, genuine sincerity in her tone.

"And the bracelet as well for the fine lady. We will take it all. My treat," says Corban, speaking up at once when he has finished his inspection of it and made eye contact with the woman across the table. "Lady Khanne. What a tremendous event this is. And such a good display for the North. Not tonight, of course, but I should very much like to meet with you soon to discuss the Northlands Development Council."

Once the transaction has been made, Kael inclines his head toward the gathering near the booths. Corban is offered forth a curious look, an inclination of his head, and Monique too is greeted with that bow of his head. Kael, however, has a debt to pay. Thus he is on the move with his wife toward the ice, at first helping her put on her skates and making certain that they are good and tight before starting the process of his own skates. "May want to set the bottle down momentarily," he offers her with a grin, trying to get a feel for his skates while also attempting to be a stabilizing force for Reigna.

Alis is right there, beside Fergus. He'd have to be daft and unable to move if he were to try to hit her with a snowball and miss. So since he is neither, and he's aiming for Freja, she pastes on her most innocent expression after the projectile is loosed. And, waits to see if it finds its target. "Now this... looks like fun. Who do you want me to try and hit?"

Khanne nods and says to Corban. "Ah, yes, the bracelet as well. that is twelve hundred in itseld, so, two thousand two hundred total." She nods and hands over the items for him to give to his date.

Freja checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Monique's smile is bright with appreciation for Corban, and she leans up to whisper something to him. "I gratefully accept, my lord, and I'm honored." She hands over her own coin to Khanne with a giddy look, accepting the items. "I shall wear it often and think only of you when I do."

Asger considers Clover for a long few moments before dipping his head "Aye, I don't suppose a little skating would hurt too much, though you'll have to ask Khanne considering she asked me to come as her date for the evening." nodding along with his own words and saying them as if they are completely true "Though I'm a little cautious because I've seen ya trip over your own feet on dry land before."

Reigna checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Kael checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Quenia checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

The Princess had been keeping mostly to herself and quiet, staring down at her feet with her hands folded at the small of her back as she went along. Lost in her thoughts, it is no surprise that Freja is hit squarely by Fergus' snowball and loses her footing, knees smacking onto the ice with a wince.

Marian checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Clover gives a little nod of her head and says, "It'll be fine, I'm sure! I'll be careful." 'It'll be fine, I'm sure!' is a lie that Clover has probably told countless times in her laugh. Her lips purse into a little oh shape and she says, "Aaaah." A twist is given and she says to Asger, "Then you should go skate with Lady Khanne, my lord!"

Marian does a quick spin and then moves to Freja's side to see if she's okay. She looks in confusion for a moment to why the other princess fell because she was doing so well, "Princess Freja...are you okay?" She moves to see if she needs any help getting up.

Khanne smiles over at Asger with a wink. "I haven't been a very good date as of yet, taking care of business. Go ahead and skate with Lady Clover. As long as you don't end up in the Mercies, you can save a skate for me for later." She watches the others skate and shouts out, "Oh my! You two skate magnificently, Kael and Reigna! You too... um, woman wearing the pretty snowflake hairpins!"

"My brother is an ass." is Freja's answer as she pushes herself back up to her feet, "That and I'm not paying attention. Thank you, though."

Clover shakes her head, "Oh no, no! It'd rude of me, please go ahead!" She gestures between Asger and Khanne.

Putting on the skates is a new experience for Reigna, never having attempted anything of the sort before. She's a little clumsy with the laces until she figures the system out and then she's ready to give it a try. There is a tentativeness to her first motions, until she eases into a glide. The moment is all clicks is visible, and suddenly, with a peel of laughter, Countess Keaton sets off like she was born to skating and had been doing so for a while. She quickly picks up speed and her laughter becomes like a doppler effect as she zooms back and forth at a pace that is terrifically fast, making delighted sounds the whole time. It's alllllllways the quiet ones. She does pause when she sees Freja go down, moving over towards her with a look of concern.

"Shit." Fergus wasn't expecting to see Freja go down. "Was trying to remind her that we had a good time the last time we wound of throwing snowballs at each other. She dropped out of tree and whitewashed me in a snowdrift." He remarks to Alis, taking a look around the area, then he gives her a nudge and says a name over to the pregnant Valardin.

Quenia pauses in her skating a moment, her feet more sure now than before, and looks to Freja with concern. When the princess seems to be alright, she pushes off and starts skating again. She's being adventurous and starts to move a bit faster to see what that feels like. "It feels like you're gliding," she remarks to one of the other skaters, seemingly pleased with this notion. "I might have to try this again sometime," she grins to herself.

Asger downs the hot chocolate in a single practiced gulp and sets the cup down by his feet as he begins to stroll for the crate of the skates "Well you head her Clover, we should skate. Khanne isn't going to mind after all I've known her for a while, lass is cold as ice." bringing up his hand he shares in a conspiratorial whisper "She's probably why it is so cold in here to begin with."

Marian does a once over to make sure Freja is fine. She sees the snow on the back of her head, and then glances at her husband with her eyes narrowing in his general direction. His guilty look says enough as she starts to skate towards the edge so she can have a few quiet words with her husband. She carefully gets off the ice and then sits down to take off her skates.

Kael, clearly, does not need to actually be a stabilizing force for his wife. She's quite likely sketching circles around him, while he obviously still has a few bugs to work out of the process. He's a slower force, but he manages, and soon enough he's chuckling as he watches his wife go. He travels along after her once she's slowing, offering a few quiet words to her.

Corban carries Monique's items like a good date should in these circumstances. But when it comes to the pewter bracelet, he takes her wrist and then takes the item, gently slipping the bracelet onto it. "Absolutely lovely," he declares, admiring his handiwork. "Just like its wearer. Thank you, Lady Khanne." He nods his head to the vendor.

Observing the skaters has pulled Valerio out of his thoughts and considerations for the moment. Thinking aloud. "They look graceful enough, almost looks easy." His damaged let hand adjusts the eyepatch over the left eye. "Nope. Not falling for that again." A flask is drawn from under the fur cloak, before the cloak is drawn tight again to help keep the armored southerner warm. Then Freja is struck down by a snowball... at least to rise again. Shaking off his brief concern and concentration he finally comes to stand in what must be a line by now for Khanne's attention.

"I think you might be in trouble for that one." Alis murmurs, fighting back a solidarity wince when Freja's knees hit the ice. "You should probably expect another whitewash for that.... oh shit, here comes Marian. I can't even hide you. Obviously." Fergus suggestion to her makes her bust out laughing though. "That is quite tempting, actually. But I'd be in even more trouble then you if I did that."

"Thank you so much, Lady Halfshav," Monique replies, sweeping the woman a low bow of her red head and then stepping away with Corban, holding out her wrist so he might fasten the torc upon it. She admires it vainly, preening for the Telmar Voice. "And proves your exceptional taste in both women and jewelry, Lord Corban," she says, teasing happily, leading him towards the rink. "Skating?"

3 Grayson Guardsmen, Philip, an overworked assistant, Crown Observer Barcus leave, following Calarian.

Khanne looks towards Freja who had fallen to her knees, thanks to Fergus' aim. Seeing that she is being seen to she shakes her head to Clover. "No, I insist. You two go. I will capture him later." She nods to Asger and says, "Yep. I sat here and glared at the water like I glare at you, until it froze over." She grins and turns to Corban. "Sorry, my mind is going in a million directions at the moment. I will be glad to sit and speak with you sometime!" Then, to Monique, "and oh! I did not make the torc, but I did hand paint the scarves and I helped felt the wool blankets." She looks to Valerio then and smiles. "Good evening. I don't believe we've met? Lady Khanne Halfshav. That's me."

Monique checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Corban checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

"Damnit." Fergus mutters, who had been in the middle of preparing another snowball. "It's like these people were never fucking kids before." he remarks to Alis. "It's a snowball, not an arrow. You're only an ass if you put a rock in it." But then Marian is coming over, so he quickly puts it behind his back. "Hey, darlin. Looks like the ice a little uneven. Skates might get a little stuck, right?" *Right??*

"I've taken a sword in my ribs and an axe to the thigh- I'll survive one my asshole brother's snowballs." Freja reassures the other women as she scoops up a handfull of snow, packing it casually and while Fergus is busy speaking with this wife, chucks it right at him.

Reigna catches Kael's arm as she approaches him, content that Freja is alright, and she leans up to whisper in his ear, her eyes dancing with her good mood. She lifts her brow and nudges her head off towards the entrance of the menagerie she an impish grin. She doesn't really wait for his answer, taking his hand and skating towards the edge of the pond, towards a bench where their other shoes are.

"Excellent. I look forward to our discussion!" says Corban, drawn away by Monique and onto the ice. They are well-matched as skaters, the two of them moving easily around the rink, the Telmarch lord always nearby just in case she should lose her grip and fall, of course.

Clover gets a pair of ice skates with leather, buckled straps from a simple wooden storage crate decorated with trailing ivy vines.

Clover laughs softly and says, "Alright." She puts down her mostly full mug of whisky spiked hot chocolate. She makes her way over to grab a pair of skates and put them on. She's suuuuppper wobbly on them. "Eep." She says with a little shake of her head. "I'm going to need to hold onto you." to Asger.

Which, of course, Monique doesn't. She's graceful, despite the bruising on the side of her face! After several spins around the rink, she steps off to get them drinks... and doesn't return. WEIRD.

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

Kit, the grey fox, Brigid the Genet leave, following Monique.

Kael, just like that, is being led by his wife. He helps her change out her skates for shoes, does the same for his own, and thereafter the pair are sneaking out.

Marian marches up to her husband with a determined look in her face. She gets up to her big lumbering man and then waggles her finger right under his nose, "Snowballs? At people on the ice? Really?" She looks like she's getting herself good and worked up at her husband. Her green eyes are flashing and she's practically bellowing smoke out of her ears. It seems that the pregnancy hormones might be having a negative effect on her. But then a white wet snowball hits him on the side of the head and it deflats her anger as quickly as it came. She just starts laughing at her husband.

Kael leaves, following Reigna.

Quenia checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Asger gets a pair of ice skates with leather, buckled straps from a simple wooden storage crate decorated with trailing ivy vines.

Quenia wobbles a little bit on her skates, and then gets herself righted and underway again right before she narrowly misses smashing into Corban. She gives the Telmar lord an apologetic look. "Sorry!" she calls out to Corban. "These skates are have a bit of a mind of their own." She looks a little sheepish, even if she did not hit him.

Marian is overheard praising Khanne for: For her fine crafting skills at creating the party favors.

"What?" Fergus shrugs. "You don't want to know *half* the shit we did to each other in Farhaven. This?" He waves a hand at the ice rink. "Is little shit. We outran avalanches together. That we started intentionally. Now that shit was fun. Darlin, really, ain't no big thing, she's fine. She's-" SMACK. The Sword takes a step backward, getting pelted in the face with a snowball, snow spraying between Alis and Marian in a white 'puff' of snow. Shaking his shaggy, bearded, he blinks. "You!" That ball that he had been holding in his hand is throw back at Freja in retaliation.

Fergus checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Freja checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

Asger manages to balance himself on the skates as he puts them on with no small amount of familiarity, wrapping an arm about Clover's shoulders he supports her as he takes stomping steps out towards the ice "Lean on me lass and I'll hopefully be able to keep us both upright. I've only had a bottle tonight I'm still painfully sober."

Alis claps a hand over her mouth so that maybe her giggling is a bit muffled when Fergus gets a snowball to the side of the head. Excellent retaliatory strike. She approves, even as she takes a step back to try and avoid any more snow spray. Can

Alis claps a hand over her mouth so that maybe her giggling is a bit muffled when Fergus gets a snowball to the side of the head. Excellent retaliatory strike. She approves, even as she takes a step back to try and avoid any more snow spray. Can't let it get into her hot cider. That would be sad.

Corban checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Khanne is overheard praising Marian for: A great addition to Redrain, and a great co-hostess of the Northernlude!

Corban watches Quenia come zooming towards him, the Telmar lord confused by looking out over the amphitheater, as if attempting to determine where his date went. But finally, he gives up, looking up just in time to see Quenia nearly collide. "Ah! No trouble, my lady!" he calls back as he regains his feet on his skates, pushing up next to her. "Do you need a hand? You are well attired for the occasion!" He apparently means her snowflake and winter attire.

Asger checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Clover checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 18, rolling 14 lower.

Freja checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

"Only a bottle." says Clover, dryly toward Asger. "Painfully sober." Still she wraps an arm back around him, as she wobbles /horribly/ onto the ice with him. "I'm sure it'll be fine..." ..famous last words.

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

"Ah, Lady Halfshav, a pleasure. I am Marshal to House Mazetti. Lord Valerio Mazetti, a pleasure." Valerio inclines his head in a bow and shifts his head to the left to get a better view of Khanne and her wares. "Amazing the folks will put themselves through. THe ice skating I mean. I'm suprised more are not visiting you for liquid courage." His lips split into a slight smile. "Speaking of which, not that I need courage, but I do have curiosity about the drinks of the north."

Asger is reassuring Clover even as he leads her onto the ice getting no further then several steps out there before tragedy strikes. Maybe it is the wobbly woman on his arm, maybe it is the secret that he had maybe drunk more then he had actually stated but regardless the effect is the same, the Duke goes down on the ice with all the grace of a beached whale. His eyes going wide as his bottle slips out of his hand and goes skating (quite beautifully) across the slick ice spilling its amber liquid every which way

Marian shakes her head and looks at Alis, "This is what I get..." She shakes her head and then decides not to interfere with Fergus and Freja's fun. She instead makes her way over to Lord Valerio who she hasn't met yet, "Hello there. I'm Princess Marian Redrain. I don't believe that we've had a chance to meet yet." She smiles at Khanne, her co-host, as she shows off the wares from the North. Then two skaters go tumbling and she turns to see what happened. Her eyes widen when she sees Clover with Asger on the ice.

"I've been doing okay so far. Though, it's my first time on the ice," Quenia replies to Corban. She looks down at her outfit and blushes a bit. "It was a replacement outfit, since my brothers' dogs destroyed everything that was in my wardrobe," she explains to him. "Mistress Petal made the dress, and Mistress Sameera the hairpins." She reaches up and lightly pats the hairpins. "The snowflake design was her idea, but I thought it fitting given the season." She smiles a little at the Telmar lord.

There is a louder rush of skates against the ice as Freja sprints forward best she can, the scout using her long legs to her advantage to plow -right- into Fergus, knocking her brother flat on his back with her on top as she begins shoving snow in his face, "PRICK! YOU, ..." the words trail off as she lifts her hand with another handful of snow.

"Eeeee!" Clover goes down with Asger, rather spectacularly, in fact. She attempts to disengage from the Duke, which means she ends up spinning in a circle before she loses her balance completely and falls backward-- landing on her back across Asger's. "Eee!" Splat.

Khanne smiles to Valerio and asks, "have you never been skating? It's great fun, even if you do end up with a few bruises." She chuckles then looks to the booth holding various drinks. "Ah, yes? What is your curiosity? I am not a brewer, but I certainly am an imbiber!"

"Ah, Mistress Petal. I am not surprised then. She made my outfit as well." Corban tugs on his own top, the silk Telmar markings that show. He then laughs and keeps himself skating alongside Quenia. "I'm Lord Corban, by the way. Of Telmar. Well met --" Insert your name here.

The large Sword misses with the snowball, shrugging at Marian. "Hey, I'm just making the place lively. This is the kind of fun you have with snow. Live a little." Might sound grumpy, but at least, Fergus sounds amused. Like he's almost having a good time. Alis is glanced at. "See? This is how we do." he asides, picking up a handful of snow, reaching around like he's gonna drape his arm around Alis in sibling friendship. Only it's done so he can totally put snow down her back. "Wake up call, Shorty!" before he's quickly moving off, only to get sidelined by the Redrain scout. Crap. Fergus sees Freja coming, but he isn't the sort to really run away from his sister, especially when stuff like this happens. He's tackled boldly, falling backwards with her into a drift, getting snow shoved in his face. "Argh! Worth it!"

Asger stretches out his arm in vain for the lost bottle of premium northern whiskey, a crestfallen expression passing across his face. Feeling the woman fall onto his back he lets out an oof and is knocked out of his focus on the booze "You okay up there, lass?"

"Ah, Princess Redrain, Greetings. I am Lord Valerio Mazetti." Valerio gives a deep bow to Marian. A brief gesture with his right hand at her bisected left eyebrow. "I see we have similar style." He gestures to his eyepatch. "You got to keep yours, which is a good thing!" Then there is the ice collision to glance over at. "See. Dangerous. Ice is treacherous." His observation comes right before Khanne asks about his skating. "Oh, no! I couldn't consider that. I'm missing enough bits, you see. As to imbibing, do you have any suggestions?"

Alis has been trying to remain short (easy to do) and obscure (apparently not so much) so that she doesn't get hit with a cold projectile. "Indeed. You look like you're hav.. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" That response in more like a shriek when the cold gets all down the back of her dress. And the cider? Totally dropped. "Sit on 'im, Freja!" she encourages, gathering up a handful of snow now and stomping over for her revenge.

"I am Marquessa Quenia Igniseri," the young lady of Velenosa tells Corban. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Our holdings are in the south, in Granto - and so this..." she motions to the ice below as they skate along, "... sort of activity is rather unusual. However, I'm glad to have gotten a chance to take part!" The latter is said a bit enthusastically.

Clover makes a small woofing noise and says, "I may require help up." She does shift so that she's sitting on her butt on the ice rather than sitting on Asger. She twists to peer at the edge of the rink and says, "I /think/... I could crawl back to the edge there--" Where her knight stands waiting with his hands out.

Freja keeps her knees on Fergus's chest as he gets even more snow in his face, hopefully keeping him down long enough for Alis to get her revenge. "ALIS, QUICK!" she tries to usher her on.

Marian looks at the eye patch with a nod, "Yes, I was lucky enough that it didn't take my eye." She motions towards the clay jug of Northern Shav blackberry honey mead, "That's always been my favorite but then I have a sweet tooth." As to her husband's snowball fight with Freja, she is not looking, she is not watching. Okay, she's glancing their way but has decided not to stop Freja or Alis from getting their revenge.

Asger grunts and rolls over onto his back before he manages to sit up and curl his legs inwards to unfasten the skates "Probably best you crawl, I don't think I can quite help ya get up Clover." Even as he says this he moves to a kneeling position then slowly gets up onto his feet with a frown muttering to himself as he goes.

"Whiskey," Khanne nods firmly towards Valerio with a smile. "Both of the whiskey's I have here today are excellent choices. The Stone Mountain is a newer brew. Strong. The Bloodrage is... well, it will nock you on your ass. It's a flavorful drink, but it will.. you will feel it go down, if not have to sit down after a shot." She chuckles. "We have some smoother whiskeys, but, they are not here with me today. And what is it you normally drink?" She looks towards the ice and the bumble of Clover/Asger that lies there, chuckling. "Ah, well... Perhaps you should try with someone skilled sometime, when the ice is not so crowded. See if you can get the feel of it?" Looking towards Marian she asks, "don't you think?"

"Lady Quenia," replies Corban, bobbing his head as they make another loop around the rink. "Well met indeed. Yes, I can imagine this is quite the change of pace for you! But even for the Telmarch, which is not /too/ far from the Northlands, this is my first time on skates. So we can be novices together."

Quenia checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Asger says in Northlands shav, "Need a pair of ice cleats to properly move on the ice....Should have gone skating sometime after my tenth birthday."

Khanne says in Northlands shav, "Now now... I'll show you. I'm the icy one after all."

Marian says in Northlands shav, "Do you need help man? I'd be happy to step back out."

Oh, it's suddenly cold for Fergus. How'd that happen. He's trying to push Freja off him, but isn't have the best luck with it. "Fuck, maybe I could get you off if your *ass* wasn't so fucking huge!" sputters out freezing snow, batting at the both of them ineffectually. "Don't you fucking dare!" he states out to Alis, who's carrying a portion of snow with her. "This isn't over. You're going to both get it." More flailing, but Freja is far too good at keeping his chest pinned down. Wonder where she learned that from? Oh right, probably from him. Damnit.

Alis would leap, but... that would go poorly. "Hah!" She will high-five Freja once she stuffs some of that snow under the back of Fergus' tunic. "I think we're gonna have to run after this..." Which, well. Oops.

"Oh yes, you should definitely try it some time m'lord," Marian tells Valerio as she looks back over to Asger and Clover. There's a moment of uncertainty as she eyes the duo. She shouts something out in Northlands shav, heavily accented with her Valardian tones because she's still rather new to the language. She speaks it well enough to be understood.

Asger says in Northlands shav, "Gods above Khanne, can't you stop that pretty voice of your for a second so I concentrate on getting out of here? I should be fine, I'm no strange to ice I just don't normally strap blades to my feet to walk on it. Stormwall ices up from mid fall to late spring every year."

"And what is it like in Telmarch?" Quenia asks Corban, as she continues to easily glide around the ice. It seems for a first timer, she's having absolutely no difficulty and her legs seem ever steady now that she's figured out the footing in skating. She watches him with wide eyes, making sure to keep pace with him without getting too far ahead.

Khanne can't help but laugh at the chaos that is Alis, Fergus, and Freja. She shakes her head, thoroughly amused.

Clover rolls onto her knees, and wobly cross across the ice. She's helped up from the ice by her knight, and she then goes back pulling her skates off. A glance is given toward Asger, Khanne, and then onto Marian. Her eyebrows drawing together into a deep frown. Her own boots are found, and she stands up-- wobbly. "Alright." She dusts herself off and says, "One more mug of chocolate and a scarf, and I think I've had enough." She heads off to one of the booths.

Asger goes about in northlands shav with all the fluidity of someone in their mother tongue, firs muttering to himself then saying something to Khanne with no small amount of exasperation before finally addressing Marian. Once the duke is on the flat of his boots he seems to be able to handle himself with some small amount of dignity getting of the ice. Once he reaches the edge he kneels down and offers his hand out to Clover to help her up

Khanne shakes her head at Asger and says, "nope, I can't." She laughs and says, "you can do it! I have faith in you!"

Quenia gets Great Mug of the North from The Horny Display Booth.

"It is ..." There is a pause from Corban. "It is dangerous and difficult. But it is also honorable and inspiring. And it is home." A warm smile at Quenia. "And in the Ingiseri lands?" he asks, curious.

"I may need to pick up some of that mead then, thank you for the suggestion, Princess." Valerio considers, while also not directly watching Hijinks...On....ICE!! He pulls his cloak in over his armored figure a little more tightly once more. His head turns once again, and he shifts a half step to his right, to much more easily keep the two hosts in his vision. The eye focuses on Khanne in turn. He seems to be taking all of her alcohol advice into memory. "Oh I range a lot. Brandys, good hard ciders, whiskey, meads are hit and miss with me. It depends on my sweet tooth at the time I think. Often my activity dictates the drink." There is a faint look of not quite alarm as she suggests he tries ice skating another time. "I still say it would be madness, on the otherhand. I could see some martial applications to skating."

Quenia puts Great Mug of the North in The Horny Display Booth.

Marian is standing by Khanne and Valerio while they discuss alcohol. There are plenty of Northern goods on display and able to be purchased. Freja, Fergus and Alis tussle in the snow while Asger and Clover get their footing. Quenia, Corban and other nobles glide on the ice as the string quartet on the stage entertains the masses.

"Granato is by the sea, and it's often quite warm. Warm breezes come in and cool everything - which sounds odd, until you feel the tickle your face in the wind." Quenia's face lights up when she speaks of home. "It's filled with vineyards and lots and lots of olive groves, and some of the best wines come from our holdings." Or, so she says herself.

Clover is off of the ice, into her own shoes, and now browsing things! Asger has been utterly abandoned!

Khanne nods to Valerio. "Good thinking! Never know when you might need the skill. You won't want to end up like Asger over there..." She looks to the ice, stifling a snicker, winking at the Duke. " I could help, if you like. Let me know sometime!" Looking to the booths where she is displaying goods for sale, she says, "in the meantime, we have the whiskeys here, and some of the meads as well." Looking towards the men she adds, "I myself.. can't stomach the sweetness of a mead so easily, but on occasion! I do like the hard ciders though. Of course, whiskey trumps everything."

For the comment of calling her huge, Fergus gets a punch in his side from Freja and one last handful of snow before she is climbing off and letting him go free. Alis gets that high five and Freja even smiles a momement, a rare occasion in itself. "That's what you -get-." she sticks out her tongue, hands on her hips like the mature Voice of Redrain that she is.

Brahm, a large iridescent plumed raven arrives, delivering a message to Freja before departing.

Brahm, a large iridescent plumed raven arrives, delivering a message to Freja before departing.

Asger gives one final sad look towards his abandoned whiskey on the ice and it spilt contents before shaking his head and making his way over to stand beside Khanne. Taking a coin purse off his belt he drops it onto the table nearest her and and says "What would you suggest among the offerings here." with a dip of his head towards Valerio he has the wherewithal to introduce himself with a dip of his head "Duke Asger Crovane."

Alis looks quite proud of herself when she nods alongside Freja. It's a little comical really; short stack beside the much taller Scout. She does look over and wink at Khanne though, when she hears the laughter.

Khanne picks up the coin purse, peering into it and weighing it in her hand. She looks to the booths and picks a couple items for the Duke, handing them over. "These. A big ass mug and some strong whiskey to put in it." She nods then spots Alis winking at her, which only makes her laugh some more.

Khanne gets a wax sealed black whiskey bottle labeled 'Bloodrage' from Rustic Log Display Booth.

"That sounds delightful," agrees Corban with Quenia, as she describes her homeland. "Much different from the Telmarch, that is for certain. If you have a bottle in your stores in the Capital, I would be delighted to sample it sometime. If it is truly as good as you say, that is." He pushes off with one skate, keeping himself in the orbit around the rink and sparing a glance for Khanne off to the side

Khanne gets Great Mug of the North from The Horny Display Booth.

Fergus lays there in the snow, wiping off his face. "Ugh. Unfair fucking advantage." he rolls over, slowly starting to get up, rubbing at his side from where Freja had punched him. Back on his feet, he brushes snow off his shoulder. "Not over, you two. I know where you both fucking sleep."

"Yes, I should concede this point as much as I do not wish to." Valerio shrugs lightly and shakes his head briefly. "However, I appreciate the offer of assistance, I most likely still will not dare for myself for some time. If I change my mind, I promise to seek you out. As to the value of a good whiskey, I agree. It has its uses in various situations." Upon Asger's approach and introduction, Valero bows politely. "Lord Valerio Mazetti, Sir."

Marian glances over at her husband and then laughs. She shakes her head and then assures Asger that Khanne made a good choice for him, "Bloodrage is my husband's favorite I think." She then calls out to her husband, "And you will not hurt my lovely sisters dear." She is very amused and then parts to continue making her rounds through the event, greeting others that she hasn't met yet.

Brahm, a large iridescent plumed raven arrives, delivering a message to Freja before departing.

Sir Rhys, a Valardin Knight have been dismissed.

The Duke of Whitehold quietly aproaches the celebration, his grey eyes sternly looking over the area. He wears a coat of leather, trimmed in fur that has the sigil of House Halfshav displayed prominently on the back. Under the coat, he wears a doublet, brocaded in Red and black, and his sword rests on his hip. He glances around the festivel before approaching Khanne.

"I would definitely be glad to share it sometime." Quenia replies easily enough. "I had been considering hosting a wine tasting at the house at some point," she admits to Corban. "I figure it would be a good way to showcase some of Igniseri's stock."

Asger takes the whiskey bottle and holds it up to examine its vintage before lowering it back down with a satisfied nod, "It's a good brew I've had it a time or two before." with a slight frown he says "Though to open it up here without someone to share it with would be a waste so I think I'll save it for a later date when I have company worth sharing it with."

"YOu say that as if I don't know where you sleep." Freja quips back to Fergus with a bright ripple of laughter. Seeing the newcomers, she waves over to Vercyn and the others as they enter belatedly. There is a moment though when a messenger arrives and murmurs something in Freja's ear. Her jaw tightens, a flash of anger passing over the scout's eyes before it vanishes as quickly as it appeared.

"Well, that would be quite lovely," says Corban as he passes around another stop on the ice, then pulling up to a stop on the ice, moving his skate to skid to a halt. "If you do the tasting, I hope you will keep me in mind to be invited. I would look forward to that. I hope you will excuse me. I may need just a bit of a brake from the ice."

Quenia inclines her head to Corban, "I will do just that, and of course, Lord Corban. Do enjoy the rest of your evening, as I think I shall be heading home myself." She, too, comes to a stop and starts to step off the ice.

Quenia checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Khanne gets a wax sealed black whiskey bottle labeled 'Bloodrage' from Rustic Log Display Booth.

Khanne gets a heavy bottle of Stone Mountain white whiskey from Rustic Log Display Booth.

"Uncle!" Khanne exclaims, reaching a hand out towards the man. "I am glad you could come! Take some skates from the crate, they are free! And we have things for sale here in the booths." She smiles at him and says, "I don't suppose I will see you skate?"

Marian circles back around from greeting other guests when she spies Duke Vercyn Halfshav moving towards his niece. Marian steps in to also greet the new arrival, "Your Grace. Welcome to Northernlude. I'm glad to see you were able to make it out here." She has a polite smile for the duke, "Your niece has done a fabulous job helping me throw this event."

Ulf have been dismissed.

Quenia does indeed make it off the ice in tact and goes back to the benches to remove her skates and replace them with her warm slippers once more. Once she's done with that task, she heads over to the Horny Display Booth and starts to look over the items there, giving each thing a critical look.

Khanne looks to Quenia with a head tilt. "Can I interest you in something before you go? A mug perhaps? A scarf? A nice warm, soft blanket?" Turning to Asger she hums and says, "I am sure you can find -someone- worthy.

Quenia glances up at Khanne when the question is asked, and smiles a bit. "I thought I might try some of your meads, to see how they might compare to our House's wines. I'd like the elderberry and the lavender, if you've any left." She looks hopeful.

Clover makes her way toward Khanne once more, gesturing toward the booths. "Lady Khanne-- How much are the bracelets, scarfs, and the wild honey and blackberry meads?"

Alis is going to flee while the flee'ing is good. Though she does scribble out a messenger and give them a coin pouch first. She's probably stocking up on liquor for home, but doesn't want anyone to see her buying it. "Bye! Before I am buried under a Snowpocalypse by Fergus the Behemoth!" she calls out.

Asger snorts softly at Khanne, "At worst you might have to drink it with me, you're the only other one I know who appreciates it as a much as I do." Flashing a grin at Valerio he dips his head "It's a pleasure to meet you, my friends. I trust you're enjoying yourself here tonight?"

Khanne reaches for the bottles of meads to give to Quenia as she answers Clover. "Two hundred each for the meads, they are from Petal's shop. Bracelets are twelve hundred, scarves eight hundred."

Khanne gets a bottle of traditional Shav honey mead with lavender from The Horny Display Booth.

Khanne gets a bottle of traditional Shav honey mead with elderflower from The Horny Display Booth.

Khanne gets a clay jug of Shav wild honey rose petal mead from The Horny Display Booth.

Khanne gets a clay jug of Shav wild honey raspberry mead from The Horny Display Booth.

Khanne gets a clay jug of Northern Shav blackberry honey mead from The Horny Display Booth.

Quenia hands over 400 silver worth of coins to Khanne when asked, then very carefully takes the meads when they are passed over. "Thank you. And, thank you for helping to host such a lovely event. I had great fun," she tells Khanne.

Sir Rhys, a Valardin Knight leaves, following Alis.

Khanne dips her head to Quenia, making the trade. "Thank you for coming! I am so glad you enjoyed it. If you decide on on one of the other items later as well, just send me a note." She smiles at her then turns to Asger. "That is what I was hinting at." She winks at him.

Clover gives a small nod of her head and says, "Alright so that'd be twenty-four hundred silver in total." She shifts a moment and says, "I'll swing by the bank and send that to you after I leave."

"I may like a scarf later, but did not have enough coin to pick it up tonight." And, in fact, Quenia seems relieved she can get one later. "Thank you again," she tells Khanne, and then makes her way out of the theatre area.

Khanne gets a pewter, double-headed raven torc bracelet from Rustic Log Display Booth.

Khanne gets a silk scarf decorated with a northern knot-work design from Rustic Log Display Booth.

Dog, an oversized puppy arrives, following Donella.

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

Khanne puts a clay jug of Shav wild honey rose petal mead in The Horny Display Booth.

Marian is standing by Khanne, her co-host, while she takes care of folks who want to buy Northern goods. Marian offered Vercyn a greeting, praising his niece for her efforts. She's dressed warmly for the outdoor event, which is a success with folks enjoying the treats from the North, ice skating on the ice and snuggling under warm blankets as a string quartet on the stage plays traditional Northerner music.

Asger crosses his arms as he leans against the booth "Well then as long as we are on the same page then." Duke Crovane turning his attention out over the crowd to survey it thoughtfully

Once getting himself somewhat, he realizes that's not going to happen. So Fergus sighs. "Well. Now, I'm fucking cold." he utters, having gotten a facefull of snow shoved in him and then snow put down his shirt. So he walks up to Marian, giving her a kiss on her cheek. "Gonna head home, darlin. Get a hot bath in before I freeze solid. It was a good time. Like this winter event stuff. An it's just warm enough to get a good snowball fight in." He pats her arm fondly. "I'll see you when you get home."

Nodding sharply towards Asger is Valerio. "Absolutely. Excellent event and display this has been. Granted, it's not my home climate, but I shall adapt." He gestures around the area. "Quite a spectacle this... Oh! Lady Quenia Igniseri. Blast, missed her. I'll have to send along an apology. Regardless. Well done. No -real- fighting, everyone behaving. Well. Relatively speaking."

Fergus is overheard praising Marian for: Nice event. Better snowball fight.

Clover is overheard praising Marian.

Clover is overheard praising Khanne.

Marian gives a fond smile to her husband, "You rascal. Go get that bath and I'll see you later once things wind down here." She gives him a soft kiss and hug and then sends him on his way. She gives Asger a wink when he says that everyone behaved, "Well mostly."

Freja kicks off her skates and wrapping a cloak about herself, mutters, "I'm going to head home. Thank you both for hosting, it was a wonderful event." Whatever her messenger was, it has the forefront of her thoughts.

Clover smiles toward Marian and Khanne and says, "It was a lovely event, thank you for putting it on!" A little bow is given toward them. And then one toward Asger, "Nice to see you again, my lord." And then she's turning to head out.

Donella passes off her puppy's lead to her guards out of doors, and within the event space makes a deep motion of respect toward the hostesses, bending herself, though her cheeks are red as with fever. "A moment, Princess Freja. May I speak with you outside?"

"That depends on what you are wanting to speak about." Freja says to Donella as she passes, heading outside.

Freja has left the Top Row Seating.

Aethelred, Dangerfloof, the Bearded Vulture leave, following Freja.

Dog, an oversized puppy leaves, following Donella.

Asger is overheard praising Khanne for: The woman has proven she is a capable emissary for the culture of the north as well as proving that not only is her sharp tongue good for cutting down men but also selling goods.

Vercyn smiles at Khanne, inclining his head to her. "It is possible that you may see me skate. We shall have to see. This is quite an event that you have planned." He nods to those leaving as he picks up a glass of cider to sip from.

Clover has left the Lower Middle Row Seating.

Sir Dalan, Longsuffering Valardin Knight leaves, following Clover.

Khanne smiles to Vercyn and says, "thank you very much, Uncle. Marian came up with the skating idea. It was great hosting with her."

Vim, a guard-corgi in-training arrives, delivering a message to Khanne before departing.

Asger gestures to Valerio with his unponened bottle of booze "See this is just the preparty, once everyone starts drinking then the really one starts and we begin to wrestle and dance around the fire. You have to do things insteps though or else someone accidentally ends up drowning."

"Ah, not enough drinking for a pre-party from where I am from." Valerio looks around. "Then again, perhaps I have been to too many soldiers parties." His head cocks to the left again to be able to look a little more solidly at Asger. "Still. What is in that bottle... sounds like a mind eraser. Now, such a thing is tempting. However. I've learned something at my age." Valerio looks around as if he has a secret before explaining. "Let's be honest, it is far more fun to drink to a little fuzzier stage, and stay there, so you can laugh at the drunks. Or, keep them from injuring themselves too badly, if it is right that you should do so."

With the bustling crowds and Northern goods flying off the shelves of the booth, Northerlude is embraced by the citizens of Arx. But like any event, the night is getting late, some of the families have already wandered off with their children with maple syrup pops still clutched in their hands. Marian motions to the string quartet to stop their music and then takes the stage to address the crowd, "Thank you for attending Northernlude. For those of you unfamiliar with the beauty and wonder of the North, I hope this sample gave you a taste of what treats we have to offer. I encourage everyone to drop by the booths sponsored by Northlands Development Council, an organization dedicated to the improvement and growth of the North's infrastructure and economy. This is the first of many events that we hope to throw in the coming months. Now please hear Lady Khanne, our leader in this worthy organization and my co-host tonight."

Asger shakes his head disappointedly "There certainly isn't enough drinking going on, not even close....I think I was the only one drinking this even which is really quite a sad state of events." looking over to Marian the Duke arches an eyebrow and asks "Why weren't more people drunk here?" as if she might know the reason for this state of being

Vercyn takes a drink from his cider and smiles at Khanne, eagerly awaiting her announcement

There is a sudden snort towards Khanne from Valerio and his hand rises upwards to cough gently into. It is a weak cover for amusement. "Oh I can think of a reason. Folks tend to want to be all polite, and such at these things. However, if you ply them with free spirits." He nods very subtly before continuing. "Not that what is here is not worth paying for of course. I plan to make a few suggestions to my family."

Khanne leans over to whisper something with a wry grin to Valerio before she stands up straight to hear Marian speak. She smiles and says, "thank you, Princess Marian. It was my pleasure to combine our efforts for this event tonight, and I only hope we have many more in the future. The good NDC will do goes far beyond our people, the people of the North. It is our hope that we not only help establish ourselves, but help others when they are in need as well." She pauses, nodding a couple of times as her smile fades a bit. "Which brings me to this."

"I want to thank you all for coming tonight. It is sometimes hard to justify in our hearts having joy and merriment when tragedy strikes us so close. As Shaman for the Halfshav's, I am often heard speaking of the balance of life, and maintaining one's own balance. This is a perfect example of one of those times we need to do just that." Khanne takes a soft breath before continuing. "It is joy in our hearts that gives us the strength in our souls to push past the chaos life throws at us. So yes, we took time today to smile, laugh, and have fun, but tomorrow we can go to the Thrax and help them with what they are in need of. So I thank you, all, from the bottom of my heart for sharing in balance today, for remembering that life int he world goes on, and season's change. It is winter, but spring is just around the bend." She lowers her head with a silent murmured prayer. Looking back up she says, "we are officially ending the celebration, but I invite you all to stay and continue to enjoy yourselves as long as you wish. I will be!" She smiles brighter again then throws a kiss upon her hand to the crowd.