"Welcome," Talen calls, as he notices the early birds arrive. "House Velenosa extends their hospitality to you in hopes you'll have a good evening at tonight's dinner," he drawls. "You'll excuse my wife, she'll be along shortly - fashionably late as I'm sure she'll claim. In the mean time," he adds, extending his hand to the table, "feel free to acquire a glass of wine or something that better suits your palate." When he presses his hand against the back of his chair, where he's stood behind it, he pushes himself back to straighten his spine in a way that lets his prouder chin lift. "Marquessa Mazetti," he calls, "no dearest new husband to accompany you tonight? You should've deigned to bring a courtier, I'm sure they'd have kept you entertained in his stead."

Gino, a surly sailor arrives, following Antonio.

Eirene is indeed a little early. And to add Shock upon surprise, she's dressed PROPER for the occasion in a fashionable silken wrap dress adorned in Malvici red and gold. "On behalf of Duchess Calypso and House Malvici

Jiacomo arrives, following Eleyna.

Eirene is indeed a little early. And to add Shock upon surprise, she's dressed PROPER for the occasion in a fashionable silken wrap dress adorned in Malvici red and gold. "On behalf of Duchess Calypso and House Malvici," says the newly named Voice, "thank you for having us, Prince Talen." She glances at Cambria and also asks "Where is my nephew, playing Donkey Knights again? I suppose congratulations are in order for... all of that." Whatever that encompasses.

Conker, the Ornery Red Squirrel, Dame Barkley, a chocolate tri beagle arrive, following Joslyn.

Ferrando rolls in pretty formal-casual in some nice black leathers and a violet silk shirt.

"Alas, no," Cambria replies to Talen, adopting a moue. It lasts for seconds only. "I have loaded his schedule, and so we decided it would be best if he attended some other matters, while I joined you all here tonight." There is a faint pause where the Ostrian Marquessa smiles slyly before she says, "Though I do hope to enjoy the company of both yourself and your lovely wife with the new dear husband some time soon."

At Eirene's question and comment, Cambria merely flutters her hand as though the need to congratulate was not required. "Yes, thank you. You are most kind, lady Eirene." Her smile, one might note, remains.

As expected, Eleyna sweeps in 'fashionably' late, clad in umbra and crimson silk. While no longer enormous, the princess still looks rather rounded in places. She walks a pace ahead of her servant and turns around to murmur a few words to him before moving toward the chair adjacent to the one Talen currently stands behind. She offers nods and smiles, perhaps a few words here and there to others as she passes before she stops behind the chair next to Talen's. Her eyes sweep over Eirene and she says with a smile that, no matter what her mood, always stays a degree or two below anything that could be called 'warm', "Lady Eirene, you look lovely. Congratulations on your recent naming as a Voice for Malvici."

It appears there are no new husbands in tow for either of the Fidante House/Vassal brides. Calista arrives shortly after a time, sweeping her long fur cloak off her shoulders once in the warmth of the dining room. "Good evening, Your Highnesses, Marquessa Cambria, Lady Eirene." Her smile brightens the shadows in the emerald hue of her eyes. Upon spotting Ferrando and Joslyn, she gives them both a little nod and takes a seat at the table.

Leta arrives in her easy, springy saunter, but halts just past the entrance to size up the room with an uncertain expression on her face. She's in fancy silk brocade, all purple and saffron, from her voluminous purple hat on down. Why, she's even got her medal! The colors go with her outfit. She fidgets with the laces on her doublet, adjusts her belt, and eventually advances further. Slowly, giving her time to watch what everyone else is doing, first.

"I recall an invite," Talen says, "somewhere in the midst of me inviting him to go hunting. I believe he declined, however, though the dinner must still be on." This, to Cambria, before his eyes flick to Eirene and the gray-blue stare holds a moment, then his head hips once. "House Malvici is well represented here, then. That is all we ask." Pursing his lips, he looks around, "As if Fidante. No sign of Pravus or Gemecitta, though." Light, almost amused. "Perhaps better later than never."

As is Fidante*

Joslyn strolls in with her summer silks, a cloak pulled around her shoulders to sheild her from the cold, but slipping from her shoulders once she's in the warmth of the dining room. Jade eyes flashing across those gathered and a kind smile given to Calista as she moves towards the dinner table, she inclines her head towards Eleyna. "Thank you, your highness, for your invitation. Where shall I be seated?" she wonders, glancing around the unfamiliar placements.

Ferrando rolls in pretty formal-casual in some nice black leathers and a violet silk shirt. "House Artiglio's represented too! Probably not well represented because it's me, but anyway," he declares cheerfuly before bowing politely. "Prince Talen, Princess Eleyna, thank you for hosting." He bows politely and finds himself a seat in preparation for some excellent catering.

"I think you should insist he go hunting come the spring," Cambria remarks dryly. "The man needs some color. But yes, a smaller dinner would be delightful. Ah, Duchess Calista," Cambria calls out in greeting. "So good to see you."

"And congratulations to my OTHER nephew's new bride," Eirene replies to Calista with a bit of a smirk. "So many fucking weddings," she concludes in her usual eloquent way. "And thank you, Princess Eleyna. I'm a daughter of a Duchess and Voice of a ducal house. May as well look like it once in a damn while," she says with a sarcastic chuckle. Leta and Joslyn and Ferrando are given a lift of the chin in greeting as she takes her seat, adjusting her skirts with a unfamiliar twitch gesture.

Eleyna chuckles lightly and says in an almost off-handed manner to Eirene, "I'm a fan of silks, obviously, but I've seen you at work with the injured. You look just as noble elbow deep in blood." Her eyes drift toward Ferrando who gets a tip of her chin and then nods for Calista and Cambria in turn. Joslyn's question earns her the full of Eleyna's attention and the princess bestow a silky smile on the woman, "As this is your last of these, please come sit next to us."

Calista settles into her seat comfortably, crossing her long legs beneath the length of her black silks. Thick, dark lashes rise once more to settle on Cambria first. "Marquessa, it is good to see you as well. I was hoping you'd be attending. You look beautiful as always." Then to Eirene, the smile remains upon her lush lips. "Yes, so many weddings, but we saved you from the boring part. We'll be having a full on reception soon enough."

Rosaline, former contortionist of Tor arrives, following Blacktongue.

"Ferrando," Talen acknowledges of Ferrando, "hello. Having the hounds represented is just as important to me, though I daresay Eleyna might think otherwise, if you're up to no good like Blacktongue normally is." As he is just about to seat himself, Joslyn asks her question of his wife and he slows, turning his attention up towards the Manicelli woman. With only a momentary glance to Eleyna, he nods once, then straightens to pull the chair he was going to take, for Joslyn instead. "Mistress Joslyn, here you are. You can sit between us," he says, before abdicating to move on over and away from his wife to make room.

Leta tucks a few gloved fingers against her belt, and after another long look around, she approaches Talen and Eleyna and bows, slightly and stiffly and awkwardly, as one does, with a slight smile. "Your Highnesses." the knight says. That should cover it! So she starts eyeing the table for a seat.

"I am the only one of the Artiglios' that is ever up to any good." comes Blacktongue's raspy drawl to announce his arrival, black gloved hands placed on the back of Talen's chair. Sadly, that leaves the chair designated for Joslyn with a Jester behind it. Ever the gentlemen, he kindly pulls it out for the woman.

Lucita steps lightly into the room, quietly pausing by the door as she glances around. She quickly steps to the side as another person enters behind her. An faint apologetic glance is directed toward the persons he almost blocked from entering.

Calista pat-pats the seat next to her for Blacktongue.

Joslyn inclines her head with a gracious smile. "Of course, thank you so much," she says towards Eleyna and Talen both. "It is indeed, and I hope to make the most of this," she smiles as she settles herself down and looks about those gathered, inclining her head towards Blacktongue with a small murmer of thanks. "I do hope that they're not /too/ stuffy over in the crownlands."

Eirene arches her eyebrows at Joslyn, "Another fucking wedding," she asks dubiously.

Ferrando touches his chest innocently. "I'm -always- up to good," he declares confidently. "At the worst I'm up to mildly okay," he concludes with a nonchalant grin as he sits down. "Hello, Uncle!" He squints curiously at Joslyn. "What's all this about your last dinner, now?"

"You can stuff people with all sorts of things." Blacktongue remarks to Joslyn as he promptly pushes her chair in, arms against the edge of the table. The chesire smile of the Harlequin spreads only further before his sharp eyes flicker to Calista. A polite bow of his head and he walks over to the Duchess, idly running his fingers along his beard - dyed a bright purple this evening.

It's probably for the best that Antonio arrives after most of the marriage talk has taken place, all things considered. Arrive he does, his expression rather neutral, in stark contrast to his usual easy going smile. Wordlessly, the prince finds his seat at the table, though he takes care to make sure there is an empty one beside it.

Blacktongue nods to Ferrando as well, since the player is currently stuffing his face and missed it. Sorry!

As Blacktongue just seems to appear as he usually does, Eleyna offers the Harlequin a genuinely fond smile before pretending to frown as she murmurs, "I was meaning to tell you. Your 'assistant'? The one while the white streak in her hair that claims she can scratch her head with her toes? Maybe not the best nurse for Donato, hm? The others are fine. That one creeps me out." As Antonio creeps in, Eleyna attempts to catch his eye and nod to a chair on her other side. To Joslyn, the princess murmurs, "There's no place like the Lyceum, but I'm sure you'll find a place in your new home."

Joslyn shakes her head to the question. "I... was hoping it would be a wedding but alas, that part wound up not coming to pass. There are other things on the horizon," Joslyn explains with a considering glance towards Eleyna she nods in agreement. "That is too true. I do hope that I can use my new home to our advantage and forge some beneficial arrangements for us all."

Talen lets his eyes scan across the room, where they fall on Eirene at her use of expletives. "It's the wedding fucking I prefer, not the fucking weddings," he imparts, "so I understand your disappointment." Ha, ha, so funny. Once Joslyn has been so kindly seated by Blacktongue, Talen turns of his hands, making a rare effort to unstrap his taloned gauntlets before he places them ahead of his plate as the servants begin serving the first courses - a rich winter warmer, fish chowder. When Antonio walks in, there's a lift of a recently ungloved one to the seafaring sort of the family. "All our boats intact, I trust?" he calls across, almost absent-mindedly.

"The white streak? She was gone last Wednesday." Blacktongue reassures Eleyna; he does glance over to check his current 'assistant' though to make sure. Blonde. Check, he's in the clear.

There's a stumble - nerves, not clumsiness. Denica enters the dining room on Valerio's heels in dark blue silk with embroidered bats. As one needs to mourn, but also attend a dinner as a guest because she insisted upon it. The Thrax princess cautiously eyes up all the Southerners, bows, and she sprites off to sit beside Antonio without a second thought.

Lucita calmly assesses the situation, the normal trepidation of a newcomer amid a mass of those who are strangers to her shows in her lingering aside until she manages, just prior to the serving of the food, to figure out where she should sit. Her attention drifts along with the flow of conversation and the corners of her mouth lift from politely neutral to a modestly amused curve as she begins to relax.

Eirene snorts in amusement at Talen before nodding back towards Joslyn. "Ah," she says noncommittal of tone. As Antonio is addressed regarding the fleets, the Malvici answers, "Ours seem fine. It was just the Thraxians the Gyre attacked. Luckily that black goopsy shit doesn't seem to have any long term side effects," the Doctor concludes.

The Duchess of Roses is quietly and calmly enjoying a glass of wine when the first course of fish chowder arrives. Her eyes light up with mirth and she murmurs something to Blacktongue. Something along the lines of how delicious the dish looks. The rim of her wine glass gently rolls back and forth against her lower lip, obfuscating the low whispering of words she might be sharing or perhaps she's not saying anything at all. The sweep of her shadowed emerald eyes takes in the newcomers, Lucita and Denica, greeting them both with a polite bow of her head as they find seats at the table.

Her bowing done, Leta takes a few steps back and searches the table for a seat. There's one, not far from Ferrando, who gets a nod and a grin. In passing, she distributes respectful bows of her head, left and right, to just about everyone she knows, or doesn't know. She assumes everyone's higher up the social ladder, and is accordingly polite. "M'Lady. M'Lord. M'Lady." etc. Then she pulls a chair and eases herself into it with an uncertain look to her neighbors. But if Ferrando's nearby, it can't be too much of a faux pas.

"Those that are moored here in Arx, yes. I can't speak for the rest of the fleet deployed in southern waters or docked in Lenosia- I am still waiting for replies sent to those captains," Antonio replies- though Denica's entrance cuts off any further information he might impart- the Thrax princess is given a smile, of course, though there is a serious edge to it, like most of his smiles since the 'Incident', and Antonio rises as she approachs. "Denica. You made it."

Doing his best to not be a standing roadblock to others, his head cocked to the left so his right eye can scan the guests for a particular face. There in his full armor as he is wont to do, Valerio finally spots Cambria. A series of quick bows at the approprite folks before he takes long steps to join his niece. He selects a chair to be near here, and settles into it gingerly and warily, not wanting to be breaking host furniture.

Ferrando digs into the chowder with a fair amount of gusto with a few smiles for the individuals that he knows. There's a thoughtful look as he tries to imagine the ex-assistent with the white streak in her hair before he shrugs a little to himself and turns curiously to Eirene. "Black goopsy?" he repeats with a dubious note. "Is that why the Shrine of Mangata was closed off?"

Cambria is, for the nonce, enjoying her own glass of wine. And yes, she will take the chowder, thank you. "Ah, Marshal," Cambria says as the man arrives, taking a seat next to her. "I hope you brought your appetite." No, not even talk of black goo and death will sway her, apparently.

"The Black. Goopsy. Shit." Blacktongue repeats with a sideways glance to Eirene. "May I coin that term for future use?" The suggestion is made with good humor before he turns his attention back to Calista, murmuring softly to her between imbibing his wine - not that he seems to pause to savor its taste anyways.

"Yes, that's why the Shrine of Mangata was closed off." Denica replies in general, looks toward Antonio - and nods. "Miss a chance to embarass you in public? Never." She settles into her seat. "Denica Thrax. It's a pleasure." Now, she starts in politely on the first course.

"I'm sure you will be," Eleyna replies mildly to Joslyn as the first course is brought around. She watches with an arched brow as Denica slips in and takes a seat next to Antonio. "Princess Denica. Welcome." As Leta takes a seat near Ferrando, Eleyna offers the woman a nod and a faint smile in greeting before allowing her pale gaze to slide toward Valerio as he takes a seat near Cambria. "Ah, you must be Lord Valerio? I had heard that more of the Mazetti family was coming to Arx. It's a pleasure to have you hear. What do you think of Arx so far? A far cry from the south, isn't it?"

"Leta," Talen calls, "no Serafine?" he asks. "Nevermind, we'll get you settled," he drawls idly. Eirene's given a thoughtful look, yet not replied to in words, as she mentions the ichor. "Come sit over here?" he encourages of the sellsword, indicating his direction, as if there's a purpose to it other than a spare seat. Antonio's commentary, even as he's distracted, warrants a snort. "If there are any missing, the captains won't be answering, Anontio... but as the lady says," he speaks of Eirene, "we've been untouched, I daresay. For now." With that said, he leans over to Joslyn, murmuring something as he speaks to both his wife and the woman sandwiched between them.

Antonio rolls his eyes at Talen. "And the absence of those reports would be quite telling, wouldn't they? I've also instructed our ships to keep in contract with each other.. so hopefully if one were to go missing, another would report it. I know what I'm about." There is little humor in his voice, also quite unusual, though Denica gets a bit of a grin. "Oh good."

Leta hadn't touched anything yet, so on Talen's beckoning she rises and nods again. She fidgets with her gloves, flashes Ferrando another grin and a bemused look in passing, then strolls on over towards Talen. "Her Highness is - well, likely's got something to do with stabbing such folks as need it. Maybe just knocking them out, could be." she hazards a guess, and illustrates by pretending two knock two heads together, or something like it.

Lucita says, "It is to be hoped my sister, Ariella's ship survived." She speaks softly to the person by whom she sits. "Will have to ask my cousin if she has heard.""

Joslyn giggles for a moment over Talen's whisper, lifting an eyebrow and casting a glance towards both Eleyna and Talen, she rolls her shoulders as she takes a sip of wine, replying in kind quietly.

"Be my guest," Eirene replies to Blacktongue, gesturing with her glass of wine. "Black goopy shit is a good descriptive word for ichor." She pauses to sample the soup course and nods in approval of the taste. "While the Lyceum is a sea power of its own, Thrax seems to have the advantage naval wise." She nods at the Thraxian princess at this and scowls briefly at Lucita. "Mangata grant she is safe," she says somberly, the scowl at the situation and not the girl.

Denica cuts some serious sideeye Antonio's way, pausing to slurp her chowder in emphasis. "It only seems to have been limited to Thrax ships and their vassals..." a glance "That I know of."

"I was never the healer." Blacktongue says, lifting his glass to Eirene. "I leave the handling of ichor to those with the stomach for it."

Valencia enters the dinning room in a little bit of a rush, hair still damp, clothes barely dry. The dinner well on, there is a little glance Eleyna and Talen's way and the little dark haired folks quietly slips into her seat with hopes that her extreme tardiness is not overly noticed.

"I always have an appetite of one sort or another, My Lady." Valerio gives Cambria a neutral look. Then his name is spoken and his eyebrows raise as he cranes his head to the side to find the source. "Ah, Princess Velenosa, Yes? Seen some paintings, they do not truly do you enough justice." Respectfully he inclines his head and nods sharply once. "I am more than pleased to follow my Niece the Lady to Arx and ensure the security of her and her manor. As for the city itself. Ah, the winter. I am aging, missing some bits, so the cold sometimes takes a toll on a man in armor. Nothing that cannot be handled of course. Such a lot of different cultures to be exposed to. I was fortunate enough to attend the Northernlude last night. Good piece of evening considering recent events."

"I arrived in winter as well a couple of years ago. That first one was absolutely brutal. I think I shivered for a month straight. Thank the gods for wine and whiskey." Eleyna offer Valerio a charming smile before she turns her blonde head to murmur a few words to Joslyn next to her. She rises from her seat as servants fuss about filling wine glasses and clearing empty plates. The Velenosan princess lifts her voice, offering a smooth smile as she speaks in a raised tone, "I would just like to thank you all for coming tonight. One of my foremost delights is seeing the people of the Lyceum gathered together, especially in times of trouble." She glances toward Denica before addressing the group as a whole once again. "Yet, it wouldn't be a dinner hosted by us if we didn't make it interesting. Prince Talen and I have devised a special game, with Blacktongue's help. We have four very special wine goblets, each with one of Blacktongue's famous concoctions held within. Three have side effects that are... remarkably pleasant. One is a bit less pleasant. As this is Mistress Joslyn Manicelli's last Lycene dinner since she has decided to leave us to find succor under the auspices of House Stonewood instead, I have to insist that she play in our little game." She glances at Joslyn, still smiling, before speaking again. "Are there three others brave enough to play along?"

     Denica's hand lifts, waving her spoon around, "Sounds like a treat. I'm game for a game." She admits ... gamely.

Valencia's late entrance is noticed by Antonio at least, and he gives his sister a little wave, his expression brightening just a little bit more. "Valencia!"

Talen is speaking to Joslyn quietly, a soft rasp, before he hears something and seems to perk up. Pursing his lips in a thin like, he lifts his spoon threateningly-- because knives aren't a thing for chowder sadly-- at Valerio as he mentions 'paintings'. "Where exactly have you seen paintings of her highness, my good lord? You've not been commissioning renditions of potential 'interests', I hope," he poses, as if in challenge. While he might have the words of a bristling, hackle-raised individual, he seems to be at least marginally distracted from the (hopefully playful) grilling of the Mazetti nobleman. Primarily because of what Eleyna has announced, which causes him to call forth Jiacomo with the appropriate goblets and matching decanter. Still, those eyes? That spoon. On Valerio!

"Apologies," Valencia mutters Eleyna's way with a little bit of a sheepish smile. "I was offering prayers," she offers by way of excuse, though piety has not often been a word associated with the little princess before. Excuses given she happily finds herself in posession of a rather lovely glass of wine and settles back into her chair to listen and pick up threads in the conversation. There is a blink at the mention of a game by Blacktongue and the little princess wisely sinks back in her chair. "Oh gods, not again......"

Valencia has joined the Main Dining Table.

Talen drops A Set of Suspicious Goblets.

Talen drops A Suspiciously Labeled Decanter.

Denica has joined the Main Dining Table.

Blacktongue is in the midst of holding up his goblet, examining his smile in its reflection. His namesake runs along the top line of teeth, pausing near the eye-tooth when he hears his name and glances over to Eleyna. "They aren't too terribly famous. They are new. Ish."

Cambria gives Valerio a meaningful look. A look that might read something like: volunteer yourself, man!

Lucita nods, acknowledging Eirene's comment and clearly having a similar sentiment. Her smile warms by slow degrees as she murmurs. "I joined my cousin here to help her with some of the inevitable paperwork and social obligations she was handling. Quite different here from the area around Granato." The words are timed in an effort to avoid rudely barge into the conversation of others, just interjecting a comment when it is acceptable to do so.

"Indeed, thank all for alcohol." Valerio murmurs back towards Eleyna right before she rises. He considers a moment and shrugs his shoukders. his one eye blinking. "I'm game for the game." One cannot disobey meaningful neices after all.

"Fuck it, I'll play too," Talen says as he hears Valerio's in. Or it's a coincidence. Probably.

"Fuck it," the Malvici says with a snort and a laugh. "I'll play if you need more." Aaand she says it the same time as Talen, giving him a point of her finger.

    A flick of a braid (tidy) back over her shoulder and Denica settles a curious glance upon Valencia, looking prepared to ask what happened the last time a game was played at the last estate dinner. But, she rather would go in without knowing - unknown expectations and all. So, in slurping silence she finishes her soup and sets that aside. Dabbing at the edge of her lips with a napkin with a paint-spattered hand. "IF something unplesant should happen, Antonio, just dump me somewhere. Make it look dramatic."

Talen says, "We need another glass. I'll drink out of the decanter, just put one of them directly in there, I could use the extra alcohol, uncle."

Valencia waves off the food and takes another sip of wine. Denica's glance is caught and she offers another little shake of her head, leaving the woman to make her own decisions after that. There is a glance down the table, and the wine glass is set down upon the table again.

Not Leta. She's trading a few words with Talen, but at the end she bows her head and glances towards the game. The knight raises her hands, palms out in a gesture of refusal as she gives the goblets a wildly supicious eye. She's not that southern yet. So she takes a step back, and eases herself back into a seat, glancing curiously towards the people participating in the challenge.

As Joslyn is invited to join in this game she gives a nervous chuckle to the presented goblets. "Well," she says. "I suppose if I'm going to be leaving you, I might as well indulge in one of Blacktongue's games. I do hope I have one of your nice ones this time around, as I've heard how pleasant they can be."

Talen checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Denica checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

"Oh, best of luck, Denica," Antonio says, shaking his head a little bit as he casts his own glance toward Valencia. Its worth noting that Antonio has yet to eat or drink anything. Even though he's not playing this game.. he still has trust issues it would seem.

Eirene looks perfectly normal for once. Dressed like a Lyceni lady, playing a poisonous drinking game, and barely cussing. Is it really her, or someone who dyed their hair several shades to impersonate her. She takes her goblet and raises it in toast.

Joslyn checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Eirene checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

The princess waits with almost preternatural stillness as people volunteer and it becomes settled who is drinking and who is not. She reaches for the decanter and begins to pour wine into each of the goblets with a practiced hand. Once each glass is filled, the princess nods for a servant to take each and set them before the intended victim... er, player. The servants carry each goblet as if afraid it might explode. Once all four glasses are filled and carried to their intended recipient, Eleyna passes the decanter to Talen and sets the final glass in front of Joslyn with a grin. "Good luck."

Valerio checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 7 lower.

Lucita shakes her head, silently declining the game, but watching the others with interest.

    There's a sip - a drink - and Denica drains the dubious looking liquid in the ominous looking goblet. She licks her lips, setting down the goblet with a small smile. A shrug follows. "How long before - um - anything kicks in?"

Cambria looks utterly pleased that her uncle has chosen to volunteer himself for whatever game had been concocted for the evening. As she eats, she watches as the players assemble.

Joslyn gives a small chuckle and a nod to Eleyna before taking a drink from her own goblet, perhaps waiting for whatever is waiting in store for her to get it over with rather than let it draw out.

Eirene's sudden decision to play causes Talen to snort, a derisive sound, though he holds his smirk long enough it causes the shadow of his mouth to deepen, darken. When he takes the decanter from Eleyna, he swishes it and eyes her with a narrowing of his gaze. "You didn't add anything extra, did you? I'm watching you." Lies, he's watching Valerio, seemingly praying to the Thirteenth for all the wrathful, envious, jealousy sins to be fueling something cruel to happen to the otherwise probably innocent nobleman.

As the game commences, Calista watches the participants with amusement. There's a glint of mischief in her eyes as she notices Valerio among the players. She gives Cambria a sidelong glance, smirking all the while. "I've played Blacktongue's games a few times myself. I decided tonight would be the night I would sit out and live vicariously through others."

Eirene slowly drinks, swirling the contents about before sipping. "Seems quite tasty to me but I eat soldiers shit usually so gutrot liquor is normal." Plus she likely poisons herself with enough alcohol on a regular basis.

Antonio bursts out laughing at that. "You.. eat.. shit? I know you have a reputation for being foul mouthed, but that explains so much." This, of course, is directed toward Eirene.

Ferrando is actually curious enough about how this will end up that he's stopped eating chowder, when it usually takes some sort of major emergency to distract him away from food. Not that this doesn't necessarily count as a major emergency for the person who gets the unlucky goblet. "It's not usually the taste you have to worry about. Unless he -wants- you to make a funny face," he observes.

Talen checked stamina + survival at difficulty 34, rolling 3 higher.

Joslyn checked stamina + survival at difficulty 34, rolling 11 lower.

His eyebrow over the eyepatch arches considering the goblet before him. Valerio turns towards Cambria, notes her cat and canary look and shakes his head. Though his lips have a faint smile. Then the goblet is plucked up and he raises it in salute to the princess and the other players. First a taste, like one would with a brandy. Then a more soldierly shrug of armored shoulders, and he downs the goblets contents by upending it down his throat.

Denica checked stamina + survival at difficulty 34, rolling 2 lower.

Leta drinks wine. It's not quite one of Blacktongue's concoctions, but she's taking a big hearty swig. At least she does make some pretense of savoring it, given her surroundings and the fact that it's likely better wine than she usually imbibes. An eyebrow arches above her bright eyes, face set into a bemused expression as she watches the players closely, only slowly coming around to tasting her food.

Valerio checked stamina + survival at difficulty 34, rolling 14 lower.

Antonio checked stamina + survival at difficulty 34, rolling 1 higher.

"Why would I be pleasant? Ask the man that has been the point of my jibe, if I am as kind." Blacktongue says to Joslyn. His smile is venomous and not at all pleasing, unsettling as his tongue is glimpsed between pearly whites. He glances between those willing drinking his concoctions and he opines aloud. "You are all more fools than I."

Eleyna checked intellect + alchemy at difficulty 15, rolling 42 higher.

Talen checked stamina + survival at difficulty 42, rolling 13 higher.

Cambria watches all those playing, of course, but she gives most of her attention to Valerio. She has set her wine glass down, and now tents her fingers before her as she waits.

When Talen glances at her suspiciously, she only offers her husband a serene smile as she settles in her chair and waves for the servants to bring in the main course. She sips from her untainted wine glass and glances at those who volunteered, or were volunteered, to play the 'drinking game'.

    "Fool. Grandfather Thrax said as much. hearing it again is like recollecting the most fond memory. Thank you," Denica coos toward Blacktongue, smiling with heart-breaking sincerity.

Valencia watches a little longer, her expression nothing less than wincing as the game is played. Not feeling in the spirt of the game she turns aside to Antonio. "The Hart is hosting a special event to help raise funds for Thrax to help them speed their way back to sea. The Princess Alarissa has kindly offered to help and the event is set for next week this time. For now I am hoping to gather support by way of writs and donations for this. Do you think you may be in port and might be able to assit. I cannot do this alone," the little vixen asks with a glance game and back.

"Yes, it is a common word in the language. I'm not altogether shocked a grown man managed to utter it more than once in his lifetime. It is almost a twist of fate you managed to hear it, Princess. How apt of you." Blacktongue asides to Denica, not glancing at her but keeping his focus on the participants.

There's something to be said for Talen growing up in the royal house of the Velenosa, as a ward, as guard, as a Sword. That's not even counting that he's nephew to Blacktongue the Harlequin and husband to Eleyna Velenosa, former Black Widow of Lenosia. When he drinks down from the decanter directly, he's watching the others, a certain degree of interest in each but certainly focused on Valerio as he takes his lumps for House Mazetti. All in all, Talen doesn't seem to immediately have any downturn, upturn or otherwise-- but there's still time. To Denica, he claims: "If it takes too long to kick in, there's a tip, just like you do with Dust. You bomb. Drink, smoke, drink, smoke. In this case, it's easy. You just drink-drink-drink-drink..."

Eirene is drinking. And waiting. And drinking. Either she's pickled herself too well or it's the 'good' goblet the Malvici sips from. "Pretty tasty all things considered," she muses, eyeing her glass again.

Joslyn just starts blinking repeatedly, a finger pressed to her temple with a deep breath. "Gah," she winces. "I may have taken too big of a sip," she says, taking a few more deep breaths.

"I've tasted worse at least." Valerio notes quietly. He might have well said 'What can possibly go wrong?' his body language, that of no concern, certainly has spoken it in a manner of speaking. "Whae is a little drinking between frendths?" The last word was clearly slurred and thats when the drool out of the left corner of his mouth starts. Unfortunately it also. Does. Not. Stop. Next its his eyebrow simply no longer conveys anything, as the muscles around his missing eye go slack, along with his cheek. THis man may possibly be having a stroke. "Thaffs mot a good thign."

"Alarissa hates me, for some reason, Valencia. I don't feel particularly inclined to help her with anything," Antonio says with a little bit of a shrug before he smirks, "That being said, I've been working on raising money for your Hart in general, so when those funds come in.. do with them what you will." He then looks at Denica with some interest, curious to see what fate might befall the Thrax princess.

    "Dust --" with a gasp. "Proper T-T-Thrax p-p-rincess, Your Highness." Denica counters, curling a hand against her chest with a slow and cautious inhale of air. Her gaze widens, sharpens, and she looks fiendishly gleeful. "F-f-fool made m-m-mute." The laugh is stammered out.

Eleyna glances toward the somber Valencia and Antonio, offering a placid smile to her cousins as she murmurs, "Horrible things happen in the world. Tragedy every day. It makes it a whole lot easier to bear if you don't lose your sense of humor about the whole thing." Her pale eyes slide to Blacktongue before she gazes at the Velenosans again, "A wise fool once told me that the easiest way to defeat a thing is to laugh at it." As some of the guests begin to exhibit signs of effects from the goblets, her eyes shift in that direction with interest gleaming within them.

The participants seem like their special brew is starting to kick in. Calista looks to each one growing more and more curious and it doesn't seem like they are feeling euphoric or any of the other sensations she's been privy to in the past. "Hmm, well this is interesting." She leans over Blacktongue to take a better look at the Suspicious Decanter, then settles back in her seat most comfortably.

By now, Talen's found himself turning away from Valerio for a moment... and instead looking to Denica. There's a long, almost enraptured stare-- and then someone notices it's not her, but the candles. Still, the periphery and hearing of the stutter makes him start to smirk, before he coughs back a laugh, seeing how delighted she is by the side effects-- or whatever else she's feeling. "Kiiiicked innnnn?" he asks, in slow motion. Luckily for Valerio, despite the earlier stand-offishness, he's yet too fascinated by the candalabra that he can't start mocking the face-melty-man.

"Oh gods," Cambria exclaims, holding her hand before her mouth. Not because she is frightened, though, oh no. Rather, because she is attempting to stifle her laughter. "Uncle," she begins, shaking her head even as she watches a stream of drool issue from his mouth. "Do you feel as though you should sit?" See? Not a cruel woman, Marquessa Cambria Mazetti.

Eirene leans back in her chair, sipping the safe drink and enjoying the food. "Anyone dies, I can't bring you back. Sorry. Can't fix death or dumb, and dying by poison at a Velenosa party is the height of fucking dumb," she says with throaty laugh.

"The sage is oft' the brother to the fool." Blacktongue extends to Eleyna with a respectful tip of his head before his raspy tones switch in attention to Calista. "Only interesting? I have failed you."

"See, I didn't play because I already know who's getting volunteered to carry people home from this dinner," Ferrando observes sidelong to Lucita. "Which is me."

"You are not helping her, you are helping the Thrax and you are helping me. It is the princess who has been kind enough to offer me aid in this and it would be rude to not accept, yes? But I thank you for your help," Valencia says with a thoughtful nod. "I have pledged all that I earn to go to the cause, would you do same, Antonio? It is for such a good cause." she looks up at her brother and then falls silent. The sweet smile is turned Eleyna's way. "Yes, terrible things happen and we do what we must to counter and turn tables. Hence why the Hart has taken up the cause of helping the Thrax peoples. Would you and Talen be willing to help as well? I should be glad to have your support as always."

    It's-s-s very difficult to laugh with a stutter and a slightly swollen tongue. At least she's not dead (yet.) That's a perk. "N-n-n-eedlepoint." Denica forces out at Eirene, as though it's a phrase meant to be stitched on a pillow and displated. Only, she can't say that, see? "I-n-n-n-n, yes-s-s."

Joslyn looks around the dinner table and with a soft groan she blinks more reaching for a different goblet to wash it all down, clearing her throat repeatedly and shaking her head as if trying to get something off of her. "I don't think I'm dying," Joslyn says with a continued blink. "Not as bad as the last one I got from Blacktongue." Even as she says this, she doesn't sound entirely convinced, her breath coming in quick bursts.

Lucita glances at the food, the game contestants, the hosts and the guests who did not participate. To Fernando whe responds. "At least it was not a prank-ish game in which an antidote is in the gamer's glasses and the rest of us experience the effects."

Leta doesn't laugh. When lordly sorts begin talking funny, the knight takes another drink from her wine, then brings her hand in front of her face and covers up. Her cheeks tense slightly, but if there's a grin, it's hidden by her fingers, fat gold ring and all, and she pointedly avoids staring at anyone. She glances towards Ferrando, "'S not a bad thing, being trusted not to go through folks' pockets."

"Yes, yes. Send me something official and I'll have my factor at the bank forward a donation," Eleyna says off-handedly to Valencia, though her attention remains on those currently experiencing 'the game'. Valerio has the most dramatic effect and Eleyna lifts a brow, both amused and maybe a little horrified at the change in the man's expression, "Lord Mazetti, you look exactly like a mask I saw once in a curiosity shop in Lenosia. Fascinating." Denica's giggles make the princess smile, an expression that shifts ever so slightly wolfish as she glances at Joslyn. "Oh, good. It wouldn't do to have anything terrible happen right before you're about to leave us. It wouldn't do at all."

Calista cants her head softly in Blacktongue's direction. Her lips curve into a fiendish little grin. "Fail me? Never. But, I admit, it was not what I was expecting." She looks over to Cambria and Valerio now, handing the man her napkin. "Seems you have a bit of the brunt of it all, Lord Valerio, and yet we can all see the sheer strength in your character. You have impressed me greatly this evening, My Lord."

"If you recall, I sent thirteen boar, thirteen elk and thirteen crates of Lenosian Red for my part," Talen calls absently as he's leaning too close to the flames now, as if trying to inspect it for little details. "I swear..." he starts to say, tilting his head left and right, waving with the candleflame.

Cambria nods when Calista speaks to Valerio's strength of character. "Yes, your endurance and, well, sense of duty to myself is most inspiring." For what it is worth, Cambria sounds extremely sincere.

Joslyn shakes her head in agreement towards Eleyna and glances back towards her. "It wouldn't do at all, indeed," she says softly, drawing a few more deep breaths, even as her fingers gently massage her own throat.

Talen whispers hoarsely down the table to Leta, "Can you see the little flame people in there too?" Big, wide, dilated pupils.

"Thank you, Eleyna. Always," Valencia nods gratefully her cousin's way. She watches with a little kiss dread as the ill-affects of the drink begin to render with a little cringe. "Yes, my darling Talen. And your support of the cause will be equally appreciated. You are such a luv," the little dark eyed fox shoots Talen's way. "I am so happy to know I can count on your sweet kindness and good judgement when it comes to such things. I shall send paperwork your way so your people might render a healthy donation. Thank you so much," she smile sweet up at him.

"Appawentwy. I haff gone soffft in de head." Valerio cautiously reaches up to poke at his left cheek and shrugs for the moment. If anyone were to check his pulse, that may be a different story. That and his breathing has picked up a little, clearly he's not having the best day. Just trying to be the best sport possible for suddenly drooling and feeling like half his head is missing. Only now is he able to double take towards Talen. His mouth opens to query, bad idea. Drool continues. "My awmour!" Is his only protest to this experience... thus far. For Calista and his niece and anyone else he gives a "Fwanx" of thanks.

Eirene wears her best shit eating grin as she watches the gathering. "Hmm, what," she asks, looking around the table a moment. Her confusion is short lived as she laughs at Talen, smile widening. "That's hilarious. But whomever has that fucking dumb laugh needs to stop. It's annnoying."

    "S-s-s-hould have g-g-g-g--" Denica inhales slowly without finishing her sentence. She also stops laughing. She bites her lip, looks over at Antonio, and trembles like a noblewoman's small and fluffy dog. Trying to keep in that laughter.

Ferrando shakes his head. "Nah, this is an official dinner. Volunteers only. Now if this was an informal dinner, you might have to work your way through a cloud of haze smoke so thick you get a contact buzz before you even got to the table," he explains reasonably to Lucita before grinning and holding up a hand, spreading his fingers wide. "Easy when your hands don't fit in anybody else's pockets. Not that I would, anyway!" He raises his chin proudly. "I'm a respectable and respectably salaried employee of the Whisper House, after all."

*holding up a hand to Leta

Leta looks up and squints in Talen's direction, then eyes the candelabra. She narrows her eyes, tilts her head left, tilts her head right. "If I saw any little flame people, your Highness, I'd have drawn steel and tried dousing them with wine already. Sounds unnatural." she raises her glass, waves it at the flames, then empties it into her mouth.

Eleyna leans in to whisper something to Joslyn before Talen's head swaying like a serpent about to strike as he gazes at the candles catches her attention. There is a shift in her from silky smooth princess to exasperation as she glances at Jiacomo and said with a put upon sigh, "Oh for fuck's sake, can you move the candles so he doesn't set his head on fire?"

Blacktongue leaning back in his seat, each participant being under their own microscope of his piercing eyes. He is dissecting this experience rather than relishing it. They are his lab rats in a sense this evening, after all. "Whatever were you expecting, Duchess Calista?" he asks in a light tone.

"I'll be sure to have one of the men back at the manor give your armor a good look over," Cambria assures Valerio. "So you needn't worry." She seems about to say more, then stops herself, choosing instead to sip from her own wine glass.

Dutifully, Jiacomo leans forward to pluck the silver candlestick and put it further forward, out of reach of the prince. This is enough to break his focus that he can look up, listening to three people at once. Luckily, only two of them make sense, so he can speak to just them. The third is drooling over his polished armour, though he gets a look again and a laugh from Talen, a realisation of the state of the Mazetti lord. "It wasn't funny, it's insane," he tells Eirene, before he stares wide eyed at Leta for a while before he agrees. "We should get buckets of water," he agrees. "Many of them. The candles aren't safe, they're not safe." Yet, for his part, he leans back and seems to enjoy his other side effects. "Jiacomo, send every servant in the house to get buckets of water!" Jiacomo, of course, looks to Eleyna for a veto.

Lucita says, "True, true indeed." is spoken to Ferrando. "Those who participate show a degree of courage and trust...and curiosity."

"So, Joslyn, why don't you share with us about your opportunity with House Stonewood. We've recently heard the news of a group of Shav'arvani that bent knee to Lady Arianna. Quite impressive for someone so young." Calista puts her former Lady's Maid in the spotlight for the time being, poisoned by wine or not shouldn't be an excuse, this is a dinner party! A glance to Blacktongue again has her smiling a touch brighter. "I suppose I was expecting a bit of the usual, but, so long as it is not terribly harmful, I have taken noticed of how strong of will our participants are. It makes me all sorts of warm and fuzzy on the inside."

Eirene narrows her eyes, even if she's still grinning in amusement. "What?!" She turns in her seat to look behind her. "I'm right here's what is it?" Grumbling in irritation she goes back to her soup. Annoyed yet still smiling in a smug way as she's not affected. Much.

"I would like to think if Velenosa suffered such a terrible blow that others would come to our aid as well," Valencia muses, her drink glanced at and then dismissed again. Seconds later as servant appears with a note. Valencia smiles and nods her thanks, taking the letter and opening it.

    "T-t-t-errible" she starts, stops, and focuses very hard on finishing most of her thought. "T-t-t-o d-d-die." Choking on one's own tongue, obviously, Denica means to add. She doesn't manage it. With a look toward Lucita, she shakes her head mutely. No. Definitely no courage and curiosity involved here. Just a hide degree of boredom. Eventually, the Thrax princess glances back toward Antonio, leaning in to start to whisper something. It comes out in one disjointed stutter. "Ssss-sss-hite." She shrugs. It will have to wait.

When Jiacomo looks to Eleyna to clarify if Talen's order is to be followed or not, she shakes her head once.

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

As if on time, when Eirene notices her soup is probably empty, the main courses arrive. Munchies can be appeased, now. The meal consists of a boar for the center table, plus surrounding accompaniments - steamed and roasted vegetables and condiments. Fit for a royal banquet, surprisingly. Who would have thought? Come for poison, say for the food.

"I always say when you're at dinner, you should go for whatever unique thing the hosts offer, because where else are you going to get it?" Ferrando nods to Lucita, absently licking his thumb, rubbing his forefinger together with it, and then casually pinching out every lit candle in his reach before Talen unilaterally starts tossing water around. "Can't get some of Uncle Blacktongue's mystery concoctions anywhere else," he notes sunnily.

Joslyn bites her lips and looks up at Eleyna and offers a weak smile, nodding to her before Calista draws her attention, murmering quietly towards Eleyna before offering a smile that looks rather pained but determined. "Well, as you say, a group of Shav'arani have bent knee, and apart from assisting her with her day-to-day, I'll be helping her manage newly acquired land."

"I am not nearly daft enough to supply real harm in a room where I am named the maker of the brew." Blacktongue reasons to Calista, "I'm old for good reason."

Valencia tucks the letter away and rises from her seat. Drifting over she offers a light kiss upon her cousin Eleyna's cheek. "Try not to kill the guests, yes? I will see you later,' she offers softly and gives her head another shake. "Mistress Joclyn, I wish you well and great luck in your new house. You will be missed." The little princess turns to speak to Talen but he is seems do very far gone now. "Please don't die, Talen. I 'm just starting to be fond of you. Let's not spoil it, yes?" A sweet and earnest smile later to the remaining guests and the little vixen departs the hall to deal with the missive.

Valencia has left the Main Dining Table.

"Where's the buckets?" Talen asks Leta, because she's his advisor and General now, against the Flame People. It's been what, five minutes? Two? Thirty? Either way, the water isn't coming and as soon as he spots Ferrando he waves his arms around as if so excited, then he snaps his fingers in exictement and double fingerguns at his cousin: "YES! THAT! Snuff out the candles, quickly! It's their weakness!"

Talen shouts from nearby, "YES, THAT!"

    "D-d-don't know." Denica offers Antonio a second later with a shrug, frowning. "D-d-dress?"

Antonio seems.. slightly amused by the antics going on. Only slightly, really. He gives Valencia a bit of a wave as she departs, before tilting his head toward Denica, an eyebrow arched upward as the stutering princess tries to communicate with him. "Perhaps.. try writting it down?"

Eirene leans in closer at the mention of candle people. "I hear -something- weird. Like whispers I can't make out," she says with they Cheshire smile. "The liquor being weird is more likely than flame people, though fuck all if everything else in the world is real somewhere." Oh look. Food. She shrugs and digs in to the roast, smiling away happily.

Leta stares at Talen as the Prince suddenly grows concerned with putting out the flames, and bites down hard at the corner of her lip. She's not laughing! "I - I wouldn't know, your Highness! Could be they're not demons or nothing, could be - signs sent by Lagoma?" she offers what she hopes is a more reassuring possibility, then shifts in her seat, hides her mouth behind her hand as the main course is brought in. At least if she's stuffing her face, she's not being dangerously in appropriate. Leaning in towards Ferrando, she makes an apologetic face, "Sorry."

Duty. Yes, Valerio lives for that word. Regardless of Duty, he does manage to give his niece a long look with his right eye. Even after she assures his armor will be fine. "How doesff one war sfounbing like thiff?" Yes, Cambria. How does one war, sounding this this! There is a long exhale and finally Valerio studies the other poor saps involved in this social experiement. Talen apparently is a Moth... maybe drooling isn't such a bad price to pay his half-face registers briefly. Then the food arrives. "Reawwy?" Really? The fates are unkind. He keeps glancing at the others cautiously. "Gueff thereff worsfe thingfs in life."

Lucita gives another smile, each one seeming to warm further as she interacts with those around her. "Once the 'newness' of being here has worn off a bit more, I may well have such an interest in participating. For now, I need all my wits about me to try to learn people's names and try to discern a bit about them. Not to mention, would not like their first impression of me to be too bad."

After a murmured conversation with Joslyn, Eleyna rises from her seat with a silken smile and moves towards Calista and Blacktongue, leaning in to whisper something in the Duchess' ear before stopping near the doorway to say something to the servant there who begins circulating with more wine.

"Well that is just wonderful. As I mentioned before, best of luck to you, dear." Calista gives Joslyn a little nod of her head and lifts her glass of wine in a quiet toast. "Oh, make sure you drink from the non-poisoned glass."

Ferrando gives Talen a thumbs-up and a tongue-click of casual confidence. Already on it, says the gesture. That said, since he's already handled the incipent flame people invasion in his immediate vicinity, he's going to start devouring his share of vegetables and boar with relish. The attitude relish, not the condiment relish. Boar with relish is kind of strange. "They are holding that 'Flammas' thing today," he observes supportively to Leta.

Blacktongue arches a brow, its brother angling down sharply. The corner of the Jester's lips twitch into a half smile as he glances over to Joslyn a beat. His eyes leave her and hten go to his nephews. "I would imagine the constitution of you both would be better than this."

    Denica shakes her head at Antonio, smiling again. When the main entrees arrive she has shifted her attention to eating the roast boar. There's the occasional word offered in edgewise, "G-g-good." In compliment to her host and hostess. "T-t-thanksss." She adds several minutes later. Then, back to her original thought, "S-s-s-sister. C-c-autious?!" Toward Antonio, possibly regarding the sister that just left. "Hates-s-s me?"

"Easily, or so I would imagine," Cambria answers Valerio, apparently easily able to understand his speech impediment. "War is all about grunting and shouting and smashing. No one is likely to notice if you have a slur, a lisp, or an irrationally high-pitched voice. Most especially if you are taking their head off." She nods sagely. Then, noting his distress when noting the next dish that had been supplied, Cambria does look rather sorry. "There will always be more food later?" She suggests, tentatively.

At the hushed words that come her way, Calista looks over with Blacktongue. Her lush lips hide behind the goblet of wine, coy and demure, but she chuckles none-the-less. Her gaze sweeps around once more.

"It's the fucking candle dancers," Talen says, convinced, to Eirene. To Leta, he puffs out a breath, frustration. When the food arrives, he surveys it and picks out segments of the pork crackling. As he chews on it, it gives a heavy exhale and relaxes back into his chair, as if suddenly the worst of the paranoia is gone and now it's nothing but chill and pleasure. There we go... awh yah. "Eleyna," he calls. "Eleyna," he repeats. "Eleyna--" and he's probably cutt off by then, out of annoyance: "Your artists never sent portraits to him, did they?" he asks, of Valerio, a pointed finger - a pork rind aimed at the Mazetti threateningly. It's so tasty looking... it probably makes him drawl.

drool*

Joslyn murmers quietly to Eleyna with their quiet discussion before smiling over to Calista. "Of course, thank you. I'll keep you up to date on what's happening, perhaps we might be able to take advantage of this situation."

Denica's stuttered words bring a little frown to Antonio's face. "No.. I dont think she hates you. I don't think she really.. knows you. I wouldn't worry about it. Valencia can be.. odd sometimes." He leans in to whisper something to Denica.

Eleyna's circuit of the room in effort to share small conversations with others takes her out of Joslyn's reach so she doesn't appear to hear whatever is murmured to her. Talen's call stops her and she glances at the prince and then at Valerio, considering the man's partially slack face with a thoughtful look as she taps a fingertip against the fullness of her lower lip, "Mazetti. Perhaps? I know there was talk of making a match for me within Fidante, but no names were supplied. The artists might have been instructed to send him a portrait."

Lucita samples the next course with appreciation. "Wonder if the effect will wear off.." a sidelong sympathetic glance toward the one drooling is given. "...in time for the meal to be enjoyed.

Cambria asides to Lucita, "If not? My husband will be going boar hunting with Prince Talen. So it all works out." No one is safe.

"Absolutely. I would most certainly be open to taking advantage of this situation." Calista's smile flirts on the line of wickedness but never is she malicious. She gives Blacktongue a look again. "Have you put something in my wine, dearest?"

Talen checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

    "T-t-sk." Denica shakes her head slightly, and she wags her fork at Antonio to scold him. "H-help."

"No, but I can if you wish?" Blacktongue offers Calista with a raspy chuckle. "All in all, it was not a complete waste. I learned a few things. I know where to alter the vats and measurements for a few of what was made."

"You owe me boar." Valerio manages to get out to his niece. He simply is not even going to attempt to eat or drink in this state. Then there is the pointing finger and the dangerous rind of pork pointing at him. The half-faced one eyed man now gives Talen his full atention, the mans previous concerns lost in the magnitude of the night. "What. Are. You. On. About?" It's a struggle, but Valerio makes sure he is understandable.

"The pictures of Princess Eleyna," Cambria supplies for Valerio's understanding. She is an imminently helpful woman.

Talen's penchant for picking a fight tonight, with Mazetti, is somewhat appeased when nothing is confirmed by Eleyna. "If it was true, you would've rubbed it in my face. Right? Unless... this double bluffing!" Fuck. Either way, Talen seems remarkably more interested in relaxing even further into his chair, so that he has to use the arm rests to keep himself propped up enough his face is still above the table. Shake, shake, shake - a bit of that pork rind falls apart, when he aims it at Cambria in support of her helpful commentary. "That!"

Lucita chuckles softly and replies to Cambria. "well thought out, then. That should be something can be looked toward."

Leta has a plate piled full of boar, and she's digging in quite heartily. Swinging a big sword around makes a woman hungry, and also shuts her up. The knight finds it useful to be silent in fancy social gatherings, not counting the sound of vigorous munching and the wine gulping. Her wide eyes dart back and forth along the table, from Talen, to Eleyna, to Valerio next. "That's right! I won a fancy lantern at a masked ball, I ought to get some fancy fire in it." she comments in Ferrando's direction.

"Help? I'm afraid you'll have to wait til whatever it is you've had has warn off," Antonio says with an arched eyebrow and a little bit of a smirk, "I doubt Blacktongue has an antidote at the ready." He reachs out to pat Denica's hand, though it's quite likely he's misunderstood her request.

"Perhaps as an aperitif." Calista replies to Blacktongue. "It wouldn't be a Lycene dinner party without a little something indulgent."

Another long look is fixed on Valerio as a glint of mischief appears within the Velenosan's pale blue eyes. "The thing is that Mazetti sounds so familiar. I remember posing for a specific portrait to be sent to whatever House we were in negotiations with. It was painted in the violet dress. You know..." She makes a gesture over her chest, indicating a gown cut to reveal a startling amount of cleavage before she beams oh-so-innocently at Talen.

"Don't worry," Cambria then assures Talen. "They weren't painted like we Ostrian girls." Siiiiiip from her wine. "Very tasteful." To Lucita, Cambria nods, smiling indulgently.

Talen checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 30, rolling 0 higher.

    Red-red-red are the color of Denica's cheeks, slowly getting furious with the inability to convey her thoughts properly. That and the sudden impropriety involving portraiture. She chokes on a roasted carrot, thumps on her chest, and starts to politely cough behind a lifted hand.

Denica checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

A head bow of thanks towards Lucita from Valerio. The way his existing eye looks at the plates suggests he indeed would prefer to enjoy the meal. Next, between Eleyna and Cambria's efforts, Valerio now comes to see what the misunderstanding is. He is about to clarify and dispel the issue when Talen continues abusing pork products in accusation. Then there is the mischief from the Princess. Annnnd his Niece! So Valerio throws the dice. "Ah. That. Portrait. Yes. Very lovely." A brief pause to try to concentrate on forming non-drool words. "Still doesff not combpare to the real thing."

"Your company is an indulgence in itself. Intoxicating to a man who never gets the pleasure anymore." Blacktongue says to Calista before his attention shifts to Antonio. "Time is the antidote here."

Talen checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 50, rolling 15 lower.

    Denica coughs out the root cause for her choking into her hand, frowns darkly at it, and flings that saliva-soaked carrot across the table.

Joslyn nods slowly at nothing in particular, raising her glass along with Calista and taking a sip from the un-poisoned wine, offering a smile in her direction and glancing about at the converastion happening all about her.

If Talen's behaviour and reaction is anything to go by, Eleyna knows how to manipulate him into a state of mild frenzy. Cambria's words _do not_ help, as he looks from princess, to marquessa, to lord. With the most traditional of efforts, he reaches down to the table where he places his gauntled and rises high in counterpoint. In complete counterbalance, when he throws his gauntlet... he more, well, lobs it. It's the kind of throw that sends it sailing past Valerio's head and clashing into a wall. "YOU WANT TO FUCK MY WIFE?!" Then, a moment later, he's gently tapped on the shoulder and reminded of guest right -- the words loud enough. "Name your terms!" A pause, a flustered rephrasing, "OF THE DUEL, FOR FUCK'S SAKE, NOT FOR--" bluster.

Talen shouts loudly from nearby, "YOU WANT TO FUCK MY WIFE?!"

"This pork is delicious!" Leta proclaims, and fills her mouth with it. And a carrot. There, her bulging cheeks are too full to even attempt any form of social interaction.

Talen drops a taloned set of rubicund gauntlets with pronounced knuckles swallowing the arm to the elbow.

Eirene is still smiling though her eyes are saying otherwise. And then what? A possible duel. "Oh for the love of Gloria..." she then stops as if listening to something and momentarily scowls. It's starting to fade from smiling to the more familiar glower.

Calista opens her mouth as if to say something to Blacktongue, but Talen's rather boisterous exclamation steals her attention. "Well -NOW- it's a party." Whatever dish is in front of her is sampled and she continues to eat as if this is another evening at Casa Velenosa.

"I was kind of thinking on taking up portrait painting as a hobby, but now I'm not so sure," Ferrando deadpans to Leta. "It seems to lead to controversy."

    The stuttering laughter starts up again from the Thrax princess. This is great fun when she's not choking on her dinner.

Blacktongue is pointedly avoiding the Talen antics right now - keeping an eye it, but wary his own tongue would only add fuel to the fire.

Eirene checked charm + etiquette at difficulty 25, rolling 14 lower.

"The Marshal is in no state to name anything, wouldn't you agree?" Cambria asks mildly, though her blue eyes cut first to Eleyna.

Eirene says, "Come on. Who hasn't wanted to screw Princess Eleyna at some point or another." SHES TRYING TO HELP. Probably not. "It's just the drink making you freaking paranoid..."

"Here, here." Calista casually lifts her glass to Eirene's comment.

Jiacomo, Eleyna's ever present manservant, sees Denica choking on the carrot. When the Princess is assured to survive the threat of choking and flings the offending root vegetable away, without a change in expression, Jiacomo catches the carrot out of the air and quietly disposes of it. As if food is -so- not the worst thing he's seen flung around this dining room.

Blacktongue is truly jesting when he says, "I know I considered it at one point."

Lucita listens to conversation regarding paintings or portraits. Wisely she keeps her mouth shut and her attention on her food as some of the various reactions of others seem to vary. At Talen's shout she quickly sets down her eating utensils and leans back in her chair a bit. Out the tail of her eye she measures the distance to the nearest exit, taking cues from the actions of the other guests as to proper, or not, behavior. The curve of her smile fades into a neutral line.

Eleyna doesn't even look surprised when Talen tosses his gauntlet and threatens to duel. "Oh for the love of the Thirteenth. If you are going to duel every person that's wanted to fuck me, your sword arm is going to fall off, fool." She nods to Eirene and Calista as if they support her claim. "Besides, it's rude to challenge anyone to a duel before dessert is served."

Antonio, who has neither eaten nor drank anything yet, smirks a little bit at Talen's outburst. "If you get mad at people wanting to sleep with your wife, you should have picked an ugly one, Prince Talen."

"Mmmm hmmm? Mhmm. Mmmmm mmm hrmmmhm." Leta replies to Ferrando around a mouthful of roast, nodding and waving her knife about. She's pointedly not looking at anyone even peripherally involved in a duel.

    Denica pauses - nods silently, and makes a rude gesture to suggest what a gentleman could also do with his sword arm - er, hand. Then, a pointed looks toward Antonio. She nods. A lot. Then, more stammering laughter. She gently pushes her plate away and reaches for a glass of untainted (she hopes) wine to drink.

Joslyn nods to Eleyna. "Exactly. He doesn't have the time to fight half the room."

So a gauntlet sails by his head. The left side of his face betrays no emotion, just still rather droopy from the drink. The right side however. is rather if anything, calm and serene for the moment. If anything there may be an amused grin on his face. After all clearly Calista is pleased by this new situation, even if his niece is not. Then there is Eleyna's proclamation of all sorts to Talen. "I would name my termff. After deffert as the princeff reminded. Also. Would preffer -neither- of us is. under. drug. infuewnce." The last little bit is a struggle, but it does feel like he's getting some facial control back. Regardless. He's yer huckleberry.

Talen might be the one with -two- sides of his face going numb, the way he sputters without a retort, waiting for Valerio's response to his outburst and hearing Calista, Joslyn and Eirene in the interim. Then there's Blacktongue and he sets a hand to his bloodsteel sword, _not_ Mirror Blade, in a 'I swear, uncle...'. It's here that he hears Valerio, whereupon he takes a few inward-outward breaths, trying to pack down the violence normally hidden beneath the reserved, brooding exterior. "Antonio, you are _not_ helping," he insists, before he squares up, teeth grit. Since half the room wants to fuck his wife now and aren't afraid to air it, he just plants himself right back down in his seat after hearing the Mazetti lord. "Jiacomo, signal for dessert. I'm suddenly famished." A scahting look is given to Eleyna, blame-sharing. Then it's glowering at Valerio, probably while he eats his gelato.

"I wasn't trying to help." Antonio shrugs his shoulders a little bit, a smirk still on his lips as he glances from Denica, back toward Talen, "Just making an observation."

"No swearing. It isn't fucking polite." Blacktongue says to Talen, clicking his tongue to chide him and waggling a finger in the Prince's direction.

Cambria, for the moment, finishes eating her portion of boar so as to be able to, you guessed it, eat dessert. She does not, however, attempt to tell her uncle how to handle his business. Even if it was business she had hand in getting him into.

    "I think it's very helpful, T-tonio." Denica swallows down as the stutters seem to be leaving her. She's flush. There are tears in her eyes from laughing so hard. Although, she could use dessert. And rum.

Lucita, as part of the half of the room that does not want to fuck Talen's wife, or Talen, or anyone for that matter, returns her attention toward her meal for a last bite before dessert is served. "When my cousin asks how my evening went, at least will have something more to say than...fine."

Ferrando reappears at the table after ducking down to pick something up. "Hey, can I keep this gauntlet I found on the floor?" he asks the table in general hopefully as he holds up a rubicund gauntlet with talons on it.

Many a man has cowered before Talen's scathing scowl. Eleyna looks utterly unflustered by it. In fact, seeing him glower makes her actually -grin- in delight. She reaches out and strokes a hand over the back of his neck, half expecting to have it thrown off by the sourpuss. Just as the gelato seems to be cooling tempers, Eleyna offers in a silken tone, "I mean, you really only need to challenge if -I- want to fuck -him-. That's the way these things are done." She looks at Cambria and says as casually as can be, as if nothing at all is unusual, "Tell me how you like the gelato. We had the blood oranges to flavor it shipped all the way from gardens of the palace in Lenosia."

Cambria makes a show of sliding her spoon from her mouth as she looks to Eleyna. Thereafter she says, "Utterly, positively delightful, your highness."

Eirene says, "It's pretty good, yes." The Malvici slams her spoon down on the side of the cup and yells over her shoulder, "Stop ringing that bell! Dammit, nobody else is annoyed by that?!"

Leta finishes up her roast, timing it so she's done by the time things appear to have quieted down, and she feels comfortable enough to glance in Talen and Eleyna's direction. She stares for a moment, drinks some more wine, and turns her slightly flushed face towards Ferrando as dessert arrives. "I'm going to have some of those made, I think." she points with her knife to the rubicund gauntlet.

Eirene shouts from nearby, "Stop Ringing That Bell!"

Blacktongue stands up from his seat and starts clapping, slowly at first in a sardonic tempo before it picks up and the Harlequin is cackling his glee. "A fine performance, all of you! I could not have done it better myself."

Honestly, Valerio hasn't decided if he is interested in wanting to fuck this woman yet or not. However, with all the trouble thus far, he probably should want to. But that is a story for another time. He rests his one eye onto first his niece, for signs of disapproval. None noted, Valerio sighs softly and simply turns his head slightly to the left so his eye can stare back at Talen. At least the drooling seems to be easing up. Noting Eleyna's answer is still technically a non-answer, Valerio simply bides his time. Dessert ignored.

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

Talen accepts the stroke of Eleyna's pale hand against his neck with all the grace of a tantruming five year old, yet he does at least make a particular effort in outstaring Valerio. It's all for diddly-squat, however, as the gelato just puts him right back into that frame of mind. As he finishes up, silver spoon clattering, he leans back, rises and gives his words out. The formal copy passed out by scribes are, of course, likely to be tarted up a little for publicity purposes.

    Blood orange gelato is utterly and completely decadent. And it certainly brings down the swelling of her tongue. Denica sits back, contented, and looks back at Antonio. Folding her hands into her blue silk lap. "I think, Tonio, that it's safe to say that you've passed the interview." With cheek, she grins.

Lucita says, "That gelato was marvelous. The fruit gave it just the right sweet twang."

"A wonderful treat for this time of year," Cambria adds, referring to the blood orange gelato. She glances towards Valerio, then nods in approval. Though whether it is for his being able to slowly control his face and speech again, or his handling of the situation, is anyone's guess! Then again, it is likely both.

Calista notices Alejandro giving her a little signal from the back of the room. She excuses herself politely and steps back to handle business.

"It's one of the chef's specialties. He was trained in Lenosia and learned to use the produce from the gardens to make all manner of delicious things. You should try his panna cotta with rose syrup. It is divine." Eleyna speaks of dessert with Lucita as if Talen's current agitated state is of utterly no concern. When he issues an 'official' challenge, the princess sighs and says while looking at her husband, almost as if -she- is challenging -him-. "Oh, very well. I'll be paying for Lord Valerio's Champion then." She arches a brow.

Antonio laughs softly. "Oh, I have? Perfect. I believe that satisfies everything on your list, save one thing." His eyes then flicker to his cousns, before he leans in to stage whisper to the visiting Thrax princess. "It wouldn't be a dinner if SOMEHOW Eleyna and Talen end up 'dueling'."

Leta harbors some suspicions towards the gelato, judging by the way she eats her dessert. She prods it, sniffs at it, and only after a moment's hesitation does she begin to eat. Maybe she's never had gelato before. She winces at the first contact with her mouth, then tries again. Eventually, she appears to decide she likes it. A little more wine doesn't hurt! "This happen a lot, sending - sending portraits of princesses to folk?" she wonders out loud, glancing towards Eleyna.

Eirene says, "For courtships. Helps to sweeten the deals if there's a looker in the painting."

    Denica arches an eyebrow, with a very poor attempt to play innocent. "So it seems. I wouldn't get ahead of yourself yet, your Highness. The next stage of review is very vigorous." She nods, seriously. "You might not survive it."

"Yes," Talen says suddenly, dourly, to Leta. "My wife seemed to have at least a dozen sent or requested that I know of, in the period of the few years she was acquiring and losing of husbands regularly," Talen says. "Unfortunately she hasn't quite managed to let me go yet," he says, "so I have to put up with the reminders that-- apparently-- you all want to fuck her." No that he can blame anyone, surely. "More gelato, please," he says, pushing his bowl aside and reaching for the wine. He swings his hand, holding the goblet, toward Eirene in acknowledgement, confirmation of her claim. "And no," he calls belatedly to Ferrando, "you can't keep them." Of his gauntlets.

His applause made, Blacktongue bows with a flourish to them all before making his way to Eleyna and Talen. "I have some business to see to, but a lovely dinner as always."

Talen says, "Good night, uncle. I'm watching you."

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

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

Eleyna tosses Blacktongue a wave and blows him a kiss as he passes on his way out, calling out, "Good night. Thanks for the special treats!"

"Perhaps we could do something unusual," Cambria suggests to Eleyna. "Say, something along the lines of wrapping a staff at both ends with loads and loads of fabric, and then have each champion stand upon a small pillar or some such, and then they attempt to knock each other off. Into mud, maybe. That would depend on the season, I imagine."

's Efforts to help cooperatively divert tensions through conversations about desert having failed, she introduces another blah topic, olives. "Much like chefs in our area use some of our refined and herbed olive oils." Ooops, conversation flows back to paintings, gauntlets and fucking, which really is much more interesting all in all.

    There's a watery-eyed ginger that steps into the dining hall, bearing a missive. Denica looks over, because her long-suffering artist senses are tingling. "Sto -" she leans over to set a kiss on Antonio's too-pretty face. "Messages." A look to the rest of the table. "It was an utter delight. I shall have to see if there are Thrax poisons that I can send as a host and hostess gift for the trouble. Thank you for tolerating me." She smiles, slipping from her chair to take the missive.

"So long as I win," Talen says gruffly, "and any remaining portraits are torn, then burned? I am content with whatever his lordship offers in terms. I am not going to spill blood of loyal vassals where it's not necessary. I will be hiring a Champion, to spread House Velenosa's wealth," reports the former-Artiglio to Cambria, bowing his head to the Marquessa of the same house he's challenged a member of. No doubt he'll not hear the end of that from Eleyna, later.

Leta has one more spoonful of gelato and one more sip of wine. She waves her goblet, back and forth, her already rosy cheeks having turned ruddier as she frowns, glancing from Eirene to Talen. "I see. I think." she goes back to prodding her gelato, thinking for a minute before piping up again, casually, "Not -all- princesses though, right?"

"Serafine wasn't at court for so long, I doubt she ever sent a portrait," Talen pipes up for Leta, in an offhand comment, to mollify her thoughts perhaps.

Blacktongue nods to Ferrando as he goes, "Keep your cousin in line." and the POOF he's gone.

"Somehow, I'm not afraind, Denica." Antonio grins just a little bit as he gets a kiss from her, before nodding his head a little bit. "Of course. Messengers." Something he's grown used to by now.

"I did not send any portraits to Marquis Hadrian," Cambria asides to Leta, after hearing her question.

Rosaline, former contortionist of Tor leaves, following Blacktongue.

"Exchanging portraits is usually an opener in marriage negotiations. As Talen says, I've been 'on the market' a couple of times. There are portraits of me out there, circulating. Also, if you are referring to Serafine, don't worry. A portrait was commissioned for her. She refused to have it painted if she couldn't have it painted in a very... specific position. I'm not sure if the artist even had a chance to finish it." Eleyna waves off the notion as if she finds it tedious rather than interesting. She glances to Cambria and says very simply as she raises her glass, "I like the way you think."

Calista steals Blacktongue before he slips out to bid him a quiet adieu then returns to her seat to feast her eyes upon dessert. "How is everyone feeling?" A sweeping glance around the table to gauge their reactions is given.

Denica has left the Main Dining Table.

"It was a pleasure, Princess Denica. You are welcome back anytime. We won't even ask you to drink poison next time!" Eleyna waves her fingers, almost laughing.

Ferrando waves to his Uncle as he departs and passes the gauntlet down the table to return it to Talen. "Never hurts to ask," he observes philosophically.

Eirene just stares at Cambria a moment at that pronouncement. "Right. I'm done." She slams her spoon into the empty crystal cup and stands. "Highnesses, thank you for the lovely evening." She says in her sharp brisk way. "Feeling full and ready to get home."