{ 240 words

Echo, a juvenile Oakhaven bloodhound arrives, following Kael.

Oaken, a juvenile Oakhaven bloodhound, Marigold, a cheeky pygmy goat, Kael arrive, following Reigna.

A pigeon almost too fat to fly arrives, following Jhond.

Aida, 6 Pravus Honor Guard arrive, following Belladonna.

Gerard, a secretary arrives, following Brianna.

4 King's Own Guardsmen, Narses, Brianna arrive, following Leona.

Lord Corban Telmar is pleased with as he sees the guests come on into the Greenmarch's Living Skein, the servants milling about with the custom Lyceum wine and the other drinks for those who are inclined elsewhere. He smiles to the Greenmarch Lady by his side, Lady Monique. And once there is a critical mass, the Voice of Telmar clears his throat and addresses the crowd.

"Friends, on behalf of House Telmar and House Greenmarch, Lady Monique and I welcome you to the Greenmarch lodge to celebrate Spring and the bounty of Petrichor and the Spirits. We have drinks and food and dancing besides, and some favors blessed by the shamans and by the priests that we are having brought forth shortly. But we also have wonderful games and prizes, as well. We will announce our first game, Musical Chairs, shortly. But let me highlight our grand raffle tonight, for a fabulous dragonweep ring. For each economic writ you contribute, you get one entry. And we will announce the winner at the end of the night. Please, see our assistants if you are interested in entering. And with that, please, eat, drink, and enjoy!'

1 Saik Guard, Gunther, a Rottweiler, Lucita arrive, following Estaban.

white-tailed eagle, other white-tailed eagle arrive, following Mia.

Skirting furtively onto the lawn like she might not belong there, Mira Matessi is dressed in a somewhat complex red and black umbra dress. Dark stockings of matching material cover her legs, with red details rising along the back seam like numbers, and a black ribbon tied her hair back into a ponytail. Two arched bangs are fluffed above her glasses, and a black choker circles her throat, with a dull red stone at the center. Sneaking cautiously over to the table with the most strawberries, Mira tilts forward at the waist to stealthily take one. But the fox-haired young woman nearly drops it when the grand prize raffle is announced, popping upright with a bounce of her chest, blue eyes wide and ruby lips parted in shock.

Princess Ailys and Prince Aiden walk into the Spring Soiree together, the eldest of the two with his arm out to escort his sister into the party. His jaw is held a little tightly and there's a twinge of brow, though his lips are otherwise in a slight smile, polite and yet not entirely engaging. He's at least wearing bright clothing, a long bright yellow shirt over which a beautifully done white jacket rests. He murmurs aside to Ailys, "Lady Greenmarch out did herself. Look at those lighs, how they twinkle..." his approval already in place for the decor.

Monique drops a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Orazio arrives in bright clothes, as requested. Mostly bright, anyway - his silk jacket is black, but everything else has the Legate in shades of bronze and gold silk, with his symbols of the Faith reduced to the silver amulet around his neck, and the simple iron ring on his finger. Perhaps as an attempt to be 'with it', the Legate's black hair is almost covered by a woven flower crown in gold. He moves to bow to the hosts. "This looks amazing," he says warmly.

Aleksei gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Quenia arrives, wearing Mistress Petal's latest creation, the a whimsical silken summer sea nymph gown. Her hair is also adorned by a pair of lovely emerald and turquoise vines pair of gem-tipped hairpins, and there is a light, sedutive rose scent wafting from her direction this evening. She steps aside from the entrance to take a moment to get her bearings, her dark eyes curiously taking in everything about the evening.

Mira gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Estaban picks up a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Estaban drops a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Aiden gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Aiden is overheard praising Monique for: The decor is stunning!

Edward gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Khanne gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Alis picks up a glass of wine from the passing server and murmurs a quiet thank you to them as Corban opens up the spring party with the wonderfully prepared speech. From the side, she raises her glass in acknowledgement. But being on the short side it probably looks like a floating glass suddenly appeared and then went away. And then she begins to hunt down familiar faces to hide near.

Reigna gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Orazio gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Joslyn gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Saedrus gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Alis gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Leona is indeed wearing her armor as she warned - because of course she is. Sword belt and all, though her helm and gauntlets are being carried by one of the other members of the King's Own, and her hair is braided into a complicated loose weave with white lilies in it for adornment. She is also wearing an exceedingly fancy jacket, black umbra in the brightest of grays with silver shot through it, and polished silver buckles reflecting the light and the colors around her. It's hard indeed to look at her jacket straight on, though at the moment it's reflecting the green and gold of the woman on her arm, Lady Brianna Halfshav who walks in next to the tall Lord Commander with the confident swagger.

Desiree arrives alone wearing a white and pink gown. She looks around and finds a spot to watch the others nearby.

Alexis arrives, for once not carrying her swords, and wearing a dress rather than tunic and pants. Her short hair has been carefully arranged to hold a pair of hairpins, which match the dagger worn at her waist. And on either arm, she has a woman - Lady Neve Greenmarch on the left, and Mistress Joslyn Manicelli on the right. Murmuring a little to the Lady, and seeing her wander off for a bit, she exhales, softly, and looks at the grounds before them. "Rather beautiful." She decides. "I'm glad we decided to come."

Estaban gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

It may not be a surprise to those that read certain journals, that Lady Brianna Halfshav is the one who arrives on the arm of Lord Commander Leona Thrax of the King's Own, rather than the woman arriving with the king. Dressed in a gown of gauzy emerald silk embroidered with gold that would be more at place on a Lycene woman, she is bright from her wildfire locks that have been pinned up with seaglass hairpins to the matching slippers with the heel that gives her some height. Her fierce, blue gaze sweeps the lawns as they arrive, considering, as she leans closer to murmur something to Leona, her fingers still resting on Leona's umbra jacket.

Alexis gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

With one arm in a sling, and the other around Alexis, Joslyn makes her way into the Soiree. There is a limp to her step, a pained wince in her eyes after a few moments, but she's determined and with a glance towards the pair of women she arrived with, she beams and glows with an appreciation for everything. A woman that is simply glad to be, and to revel in the moment. "Musical chairs sounds fun," she says as an aside to Alexis. "But I'm afraid I may have to pass," she says, with a quirk of her lips. "If you play, I'll cheer you on!" she offers.

Coming in behind Quenia, Edward walks in step with the Lady Carita Darkwater on his arm as escort. Tonight he wears a bright white mariner's silk tunic with a pair of black seasilk naval trousers with green and silver trim. He is without his swords this evening, only his two daggers hanging off his red belt in a pair on his left hip. Edward himself smiles at the greeting given with the prizes announced and he glances to Carita to say something to her before he seems to indicate an area in which they could choose to go mingle from.

A pigeon almost too fat to fly leaves, following Jhond.

Carissa, a Malvici bodyguard arrives, following Eirene.

At Corban's side, decked in a gown reminiscent of Spring greens, wearing a crown of stately antlers wound through with roses, Monique remains silent while the Telmar Voice welcome the party goers. When he finishes, she calls out, "Welcome! And make sure you have fun!"

Esoka gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Carissa, a Malvici bodyguard have been dismissed.

Mia gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Lucita gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Eirene gets a rich burgandy vintage wine from the vineyards of Granato from Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Aleksei makes his way in with Saedrus on his arm, looking bright and sunny and just a bit smug for his partner. His overtight trousers do happen to be black, as well as his boots, but his shirt is an amber-hued linen, and his waistcoat a rich blue. In addition, he's wearing the gold-sculpted flower crown he received at the recent Faith feast celebration. He tips his head to Saedrus to murmur something quietly in his ear, his gaze bright on the decorations; he reaches to pluck up one of the pendants of Petrichor from the basket, something amused in his gaze.

Alaric and his retinue roll in (literally) majestically, which basically involves having a bigger crown and more and shinier guards than everyone else. Politely stopping by Monique and Corban after the opening announcement, the King of the Compact smiles personably as he greets the hosts. "Lady Monique, Lord Corban, the venue looks stunning as expected. I'm looking forward to an excellent evening." He glances around before bowing lightly. "I'm sure you've both got plenty of duties, so I won't delay you any further. Thank you both once again for hosting tonight."

Greeting given, the Legate moves to take one of the amulets. He smiles down at it, but places it in a pocket rather than around his neck. Seeing Aleksei and Saedrus, he raises a hand in greeting, and moves in that direction.

The Count and Countess of House Keaton arrive as is typical in their fashion: the Countess on his arm. That being said, Reigna is quite pregnant at this point and so perhaps it might be a fact that she is leaning more securely against him than she typically might. Upon seeing the decor, Kael's eyes, they widen, and he looks significantly impressed. "Lovely," he murmurs to his wife, looking about before deciding that they might do best to find a place near the blankets. Now, that being said, when the prize is announced his brows lift to an even greater height.

    Entering the soiree, one Lady Carita Darkwater with an escort of one Baron Edward Stormbreak. Each is wearing colors to compliment the other - primarily white with touches of blues - and Carita is looking immediately overwhelmed. Although, she is so calm that it's difficult to tell what or how she may be feeling. She inclines her head toward Edward, listening to the quiet words Edward speaks - she nods agreement.

Roxana picks up Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Estaban comes walking into the lodge looking around he is dressed in white and he hopes thats bright enough, he looks around standing near the door with Lucita on his arm. His blue eyes twinkling this evening he seems to be in good spirits. he leans down to listen to Lucita and nods his head.

Aleksei has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Orazio has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Jiacomo arrives, following Eleyna.

Sybilla, the Lenosian courtier, Eleyna arrive, following Talen.



"Oh, she did," Ailys agrees, her hazel eyes bright in excitement. Today, her dark curls are braided with bright spring flowers; her garb the light blues and golds that bring a warmth to the Grayson princess. Her eyes search for someone to praise and, she joins her brother in turning to Monique.

"I've never seen anything quite like it!"



Carita has joined the a magical mushroom blanket.

Edward has joined the a magical mushroom blanket.

"Your Majesty," says Lord Corban, dipping his head to the King of the Compact quite formally, as befits his station. His hand rests on the Greenmarcher's arm, murmuring to her for a moment before the King arrives to them. "We are beyond delighted to have you join us. Truly. It is a fine event to honor Petrichor and the Spirits, and an honor to have you with us." But then the King is busy, so he allows him to move on to greet others.

Saedrus is in bright colours, but summer blues rather than the spring sunset that Aleksei makes in shades; perfect sky really. The white haired courtier is wearing his own gold wreathed flower crown, his hair half up and pinned with a ornate steel piece. He draws his free hand down Aleksei's arm, head tipped with a chuckle for what is said and looks towards the host and hostess. Saedrus bows delicately, "Magnificent Lady Monique, Lord Corban. You have done a simply breathtaking display here." For once, Saed can just relax and enjoy! Evergreens note the movement towards them, and Orazio -- and the crown. (Internal squeal). It leaves the Whisper smiling oh so broadly.

Esoka filters into the Greenmarch Lodge, holding the skirt of her dress with a touch of awkwardness. She's not one who wears dresses - let alone silk ones - very often. There's a bandage wrapped around her upper right arm. The only hint of her exertions in the hunt earlier today. Apart from that she's bathed and done up for the occasion. Hair curled into several little braids that twine around the blue silk rose worn in her hair. She takes a pendant, bowing to an attendant, and then strides into the party proper.

Saedrus has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Khanne had arrived warlier, before the soiree officially began, but, the quiet shaman lingered away from the growing crowd at first, sending off a couple missives before looking up with a smile, ready to join the party. She spies her cousin, how could she not in that daring dress that set off the woman's fiery hair so well (not to mention other attributes)? Khanne herself is wearing a rather sheer sapphire number that looks like a slightly more modest version of her cousin's attire. She approaches and kisses Brianna's cheek. "Fashionably late and looking gorgeous, cousin."

Lucita's glance sweeps over the area, appreciation showing in the little nod and smile. "Oh, this looks like it could be a fun evening. So many here!

It's sad but true, Reigna is far enough along to have enter the 'waddle' state of pregnancy. Still, she's gussied up for the event in a gown of oceanic blues overlayed with copper lace. She holds onto Kael's arm and the music has her looking in that direction wistfully. She takes her time in looking around, marveling at the decor and murmuring to her husband. Then it is time to look around for familar faces.

Brianna gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Leona leans over and grins at Brianna as she says something quietly, then nods once.

With the room quickly filling up Edward walks with Carita over to the blanket with the mushrooms on it and then he holds her hand so she can take a seat. He smiles to her and then he pauses to get a couple of refreshments from a passing server and ofers one to the Lady before he goes to settle down next to her. While they talk he turns his eyes to the room watching people continue to arrive.

Desiree has joined the a pink pansy blanket.

Talen and Eleyna's entrance is perhaps passed what might be considered fashionably late, though the dark prince doesn't look apologetic whatsoever. The Sword is also, it seems, trying to look less brooding than normal - there's even a splash of colour on him today that isn't red. Gilt touches upon black complement the gold and white of his wife. As they stalk the floor into the room, he gives them a little turn, as if surveying where exactly they might go first. "I'm not looking for the wine," he lies to Eleyna.

Samantha make her way in, sans guard or husband. But she is, as requested, in the light colors of spring; pale green and lavender, the neckline in an almost but perhaps not quite shockingly deep vee. Monique and Corban are offered a curtsy in greeting as hosts, but Sam doesn't linger - there's a long line of people to greet. Instead, she looks for a spot to settle herself and enjoy the view of beautiful people.

Aiden nods toward Lady Monique, taking Ailys, his sister alongside, "Let's go say hello to the guests." And through all the noise and greeting, he weaves them over to Lady Greenmarch and Lord Telmar, "Good evening, Lady Monique. Your decorations are superb. I thought I should tell you that immediately in case I do not have a chance to later. Have you met my sister? Princess Ailys?" And then a nod to Corban, "Lord Telmar, thank you as well for hosting this evening."

Mira is rather lost in the swarm of rich, powerful, colorful people. The fox-haired girl ducks a bit, as if on instinct, as so many people caravan across the blankets carpeting the lawn. Laying a hand over her bare upper chest to center herself a bit, Mira glances about quietly before scooting off toward the Grand Raffle area discreetly, the train of her umbra and crimson seasilk dress swishing about with the lazy sway of her hips.

Some women have that look of 'sister' about them. You can see the family resemblance. That's the case with Eirene and Roxana. High cheekbones. Long legs. Tanned skin. The Voice of Malvici in house red and gold, the widowed Greyson in black and gold. Both enter with confident grace.

"Shit," Eirene says in her husky tones. "Everyone is here."

"Cousin," greets Brianna brightly, her lips curving into a quick smile as she kisses her back. "Leona, you know Khanne, don't you? Come, quickly. Let's claim a blanket that won't clash with any of us before they are all full." It is a humor-filled statement, but there is a seriousness to the way the Halfshav sweeps a look over the blankets before leading them towards the yellow daisy blanket.

Samantha picks up a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Brianna has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.

Samantha drops a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Leona has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.

Alone save the retinue that she no longer tries to ditch, Belladonna spends a good amount of time studying the landscaping, the way everything has been laid out, a pleased smile curving her lips up. She drifts in the direction of the hosts without outright approaching yet. The dress she's wearing is remniscient of fire -- it's certainly very bright.

Alexis shoots Joslyn a smile. "You take it easy and enjoy the food and drink, love. And I'll try to play games for all of us." She decides. She starts a bow to Monique and Corban, then shifts it into a curtsey - and adds another one to Desiree, with a bright smile for her liege lady. King Alaric receives perhaps the deepest curtsey, and she gives a small nod to Edward and his companion, Carita - and another small curtsey to Reigna and Kael. Her knees may be getting tired at this point.

Sir Dalan, Longsuffering Valardin Knight arrives, following Clover.

Samantha gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Monique drops a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Alis spots a Reigna right away, and darts her way through the crowd like a sprite to suddenly appear by the woman's side. "Countess Reigna. Count Kael. Shall I help you find a place to sit?" Eirene and her swearing is heard, so she waves cheerfully. Because of course she does. Leona is given a quick nod, okay. Just everyone she sees is given some kind of greeting. And then more wine is had, because she needs it to get through these 'social' things.

Leona shakes her head. "No, I don't think we've met," she says. "But you should definitely introduce us." She looks at the young woman with the gray eyes and smiles. "Join us if you like," she invites as she follows Brianna over to a place to sit. If she arranges her jacket so that the polished silver catches the light, well. That's probably just the accident of an unfamiliar garment.

Alis gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Aiden gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

"Your Highness," says Corban to Aiden when he arrives. "Yes. I had the pleasure of meeting your sister at the Ambassador Inn," he says, dipping his head to Ailys. "We are so glad you can join us. And we hope that you can join us in the games that I will be announcing shortly."

Mia gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Kael gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Stepping away from the hosts, after a largely offhanded survey of the various seating areas the King of the Compact elects to camp out at power pink. Maybe being around Reese is rubbing off on him. Alaric offers regal waves and sociable smiles to the gestures of deference on the way, settling in just a little after somebody else beats him to the blanket by just a bit.

Joslyn doesn't really curtsey properly at the moment, in her state she's moving rather stiffly, but much of the nobility gets a small bow from her and a deep smile, she looks around and draws a deep breath, wincing a bit as she looks around. "I'll certainly help myself to the wine," she decides. "It's just nice to be here."

Aiden is overheard praising Corban for: Pleasant host.

Alaric has joined the a pink pansy blanket.

Glad in shades of gold and white, the colors seem to reflect the hues of Eleyna herself, all golden hair and alabaster skin. The combination makes the pale blue of her eyes all the more startling with no other shade to compete with the icy hue. Unlike Talen, she is looking around to see who is here, who they are with, and what they are choosing to drink. Talen's murmured words bring to life a brief smile as she murmurs in a smoky tone, "Sure, you aren't. Don't worry, love. I'm sure they have plenty. Perhaps even some whisky, hm?"

Quenia finally sees a line of people going over to greet the hosts, and she goes to join it. She smiles warmly at Monique and Corban, "Lady Monique, Lord Corban, everything looks absolutely splendid. I hope people enjoy the wine tonight." she tells them.

Mira has joined the Raised Gazebo in the center of the Maze.

Desiree gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

There is a sudden beaming smile sent to Princess Alis as she appears, "If you would I -- well, you are already on the list of those I will forever adore, so I cannot in good faith add to that, but I can find some other superlative to thank you with. You a blessing, your highness." Reigna grins to Alis and hugs the other woman, "This party is incredible. I am taking mental notes and one day I will try to throw a fete like this."

Khanne has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.

Alexis gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Mira gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Gold looks good on the Malvici, that is undeniable. Princess Roxana Grayson stays close at her sister's side, linking arms with Eirene for so long as she tolerates it.

"It does seem that way, yes. It's a very crowded party. I suppose that is a good sign, an auspicious way to start off the season, yes?" The question dangles on the air in Eirene's direction, but Roxana's gold-green eyes focus on everything /but/ her sister, scanning the room to take in all of the people, the decor, the details. "I suppose I ought to greet my cousin. Cousin by marriage." It is the King she must refer to, though she does not move to approach yet.

Orazio settles himself at the same blanket with Aleksei and Saedrus, grinning shamelessly at the Whisper as he does. Looking towards the door, his expression lightens even further seeing Eleyna and Talia. He raises a hand in greeting. And possibly invitation! It's hard to say - hands can only say so much.

Ailys nods along with Aiden, and a gentle, welcoming smile breaks across her face. "Indeed, and that was a pleasant day I shall not forget anytime soon. It is good to see you again -- I trust all is well?" Smiling, she then turns to the lady in her company --

"And it's an honour to make your acquaintance, my lady," the Grayson curtsies.



Upon spotting Alis -- and how can she be missed? -- Kael is flashing the Valardin Princess a grin before inclining his head toward her. "Good evening, your highness. I think that would be most appreciated. Where is it that we shall proceed to?" Though he's politely focused on the two females near him, he does glance swiftly to take note of the hosts' location.

Khanne gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

"Oh, Marquessa Quenia!" Corban is more effusive for the Lyceum lady, leaning in and pressing a kiss to the air near her. "You look resplendent. And you and Lady Lucia are a formidable team indeed, arranging for all of this wine for us." He gestures around at the many servants carrying Igniseri wine. "I am fortunate indeed you almost skated into me at Winterlude. Otherwise, we would not have such wonderful things."

Estaban smiles with Lucita moving through the crowed spotting Aiden he starts to head in his direction a grin on his lips whith Lucita, "There he is." he smiles. "Prince Aiden." he calls over to h is friend with a grin on his lips.

Samantha makes her way to the pink pansy blanket, dipping her knees in a curtsy and gesturing toward the spread. It's an inquiry of courtesy for Alaric, but to be fair, Samantha seems like she'd be surprised if the answer was in the negative. Possibly a little arrogant of her!

Mira converses quietly with the Raffle Master and eventually steps away, nodding a couple times with her fluffed bangs bouncing above her glasses to confirm. Once she's done, Mira glances about, hands clasped somewhat nervously. King Alaric IV is giving a small, shy wave with a matching smile, but then she's off like a woodland animal with a loping, bobbing trot toward the Gazebo, as if to evade the massive crowd. Once inside, she takes out a notepad from a secret pocket on her dress, withdrawing a stylus as well, making furious notes in code.

"Indeed. Lady Monique always manages to outdo herself at putting together a good party. A skill I'm afraid I have negatives in." Alis quips, gesturing to the blanket with purple pansies on it. "Perhaps over there? Unless there is something you wanted to sit beside. And make sure to pick up the pendants; they've been blessed." is urged.

Estaban gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Aleksei follows Orazio's gesture to spot Eleyna (and Tal(ia|en)) and his expression brightens on her, offering another wave of his own in clear encouragement.

Alis has joined the a large purple pansy carpet.

Ailys is overheard praising Corban for: So pleasant!

Reigna has joined the a large purple pansy carpet.

Samantha is overheard praising Corban for: An excellent job as host.

Kael has joined the a large purple pansy carpet.

Samantha is overheard praising Monique for: What an incredible party planner!

Quenia grins at Corban, and bows her head demurely. "You flatterer you," she tells him teasingly. "We are fortunate indeed, that I didn't run into you entirely, however," she chuckles

Alaric beckons Samantha down towards the blanket with a grin. Nonverbal request gets nonverbal reply!

Esoka gets herself a drink - some kind of cider - and sets about to aggressively mingle. She strides over to the pink pansy blanket that Brianna, Leona, and Khanne occupy first. "Do you mind if I sit? This is all very lovely, but I think I need to catch my breath for a moment. Parties like this make my head spin at times."

Aiden glances aside upon the call of his name, slipping away from the hostess and the host so that they can get down to their games and duties. He wears a faint smile for Estaban, "Lord Estaban, Lady Lucita." A polite dip to his head, "Have you both met my sister Princess Ailys? She's the better social butterfly than I."

Samantha has joined the a pink pansy blanket.

Now that many of the guests have come in, Lord Corban looks around. It is time for the first game! "If I can have your attention again!" says the Telmar Voice. "It is time for our first game for the night: Musical chairs!"

True to Lord Corban's words, the servants are setting up rows of chairs side-by-side and back-by-back. "For this event, we have a truly unique prize: The opportunity to have our very own monarch, the King of the Compact, King Alaric the IV paint your portrait." Pause for applause.

"If you will please line up, we will begin."

Quenia grins at Corban, and bows her head demurely. "You flatterer you," she tells him teasingly. "We are fortunate indeed, that I didn't run into you entirely, however," she chuckles. "I hope to get some tickets for that raffle." And thus, she hands over a handful of economic writs over to Monique.

Kael is overheard praising Monique for: A beautiful event, as always, from Lady Monique!

Saedrus perks a little on the blanket he's on with Orazio and Aleksei to find whom they are waving at. Saed doesn't wave but both Eleyna and Talen are given a bright smile if they catch the Whisper's gaze.

Talen levels a look upon Eleyna that speaks extensive words he never even needs voice, his soft bass tone instead reserved to an observation. Gunmetal gaze upon the Faith safety blanket and its occupants, Talen lays a single hand upon her lower back and guides her to face that direction. "We have something better to do first. Meeting and greeting," drawls the fellow, dryly. With that, he treads in that direction. "Legate, Archlector," and a moment to Saedrus thoughtfully, "my lord. How do you do?"

"Please. I need to tip the balance in my favor of fun-havers at this blanket," replies Brianna to Esoka, peering carefully up at the woman as she joins her blanket with Leona and Khanne. "Are you a /fun-haver/? Because my cousin and Leona-- Well."

"Alright, once I've got you settled, I think I might try to say hello to a couple of people - but I won't abandon you for long, love, I promise." She assures. "I'll want to say hello to Princess Alis, among other things." She concludes. "...And they're starting the game. I'll settle you over there?" She suggests, noting the yellow blanket.

Talen has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Esoka has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.

Joslyn has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.



Ailys clasps her hands in front of her, smiling warmly to the new acquaintances -- but then the games begin, and a spark of interest ignites in her eye.

"It's so lovely to meet you -- should we play together," she smiles, beckoning the strangers over to her.



Eirene waves back at Alis before shrugging at Roxana. "Guess we should. Then I want to find the booze and a chair." She adjusts her dress in an almost unseemly manner, unused to the silk and elegant clean armorless lines. But first. She hands over some coin to a servant to give to Monique and put herself in that raffle. Pretty rock. Corban gets a curtsy, a poor one after that.

Just like that, Mira stops dead in her note-taking, looking up. Blinking a bit in indecision, she carefully steps out of the Gazebo, and queues up for Musical Chairs, tucking her notebook away into a somewhat complex hidden pocket.

Eirlys is obviously late to the party, not even fashionably late really. She is in a pretty dress though at least, her some of her hair done in an intricate braided crown with the rest cassading down her back. She looks around till she sees Alis and starts to head that way though she does wave at Monique. Something very noticable is that she is lacking shoes which is normally Neve's area of fashion.

Leona gestures to the blanket even as she stands. "Please do," she says to the other woman. "Though I promised to play musical chairs." She offers a hand up to Brianna then she comments, "I have fun. It's just that other people don't always have fun when I do." She grins to put the lie to her words and then saunters off to get in line.

Leona has joined the line.

Brianna has joined the line.

Joslyn wiggles her fingers to Alis as she settles into a blanket that Alexis guides her to. Joslyn smiles and winces a bit as she settles herself down. "Have fun, love. I'm just happy to be here with you," she says.

Khanne gives a look to Brianna. "I have plenty of fun, thank you, cousin." She sticks her tongue out at the other red head and looks over to Esoka with a smile after. "Hello, Esoka. it is nice to see you again!"

Mira has joined the line.

Quenia has joined the line.

Khanne has joined the line.

Lucita curtsies as she passes by any of royalty and takes a moment to murmur to the hosts. "it all looks lovely." Cutting it short as a game begins. Her smile is warm as she says. "a pleasure to meet you, Princess Ailys, and to see you again Prince Aiden."

Alexis has joined the line.

Aleksei has joined the line.

Mia arrived wrapped in layers of gauzy white and lacy-riven blue, which had the distinct effect of appearing like rippling river-water lapping against its banks whenever she moved. Her often simply-braided hair was this time bound in an intricate style that involved many tiny braids being interwoven with strands of dark hair that are later braided together themselves, all left to trail down her back in a thick, heavy rope. Clinging to her skin is a heady floral scent. She curtsied to an attendant as he approached and she plucked a pendant from the offered basket.

Alexis has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.

A GAME?! Aleksei is mid-sentence when he hears the announcement and BOUNDS off of his blanket to go join.

Quenia excuses herself from the hosts and moves to get in the line for the first game - no matter what she might have told Lucita earlier. This prize is too much to pass up!

Orazio looks up at Talen and Eleyna approach, his smile warm. "Princess, Prince. It's a pleasure to see you both. Ah, Prince Talen, have you met Softest Whisper Saedrus? He serves the Faith as a Disciple of Freedom, as well as does quite a bit of our events. Please, join--" and then Aleksei is off, and he laughs.

Aleksei has left the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Dash the Guard Corgi arrives, delivering a message to Aiden before departing.

Mia has joined the line.

Belladonna lifts her glass in greeting to Talen and Eleyna when she spies them, though she doesn't head that way. With people moving to get situated for the game though, she's quick to slip out of the way, finding a place to ever so carefully settle herself down onto a blanket where she can watch.

Alis looks up from the quiet chattering she's doing with Kael and Reigna to smile and wave at Alexis when she hears her name spoken. And then to Joslyn too. Friends! Hello!

"Well, if other people aren't having fun with you, you aren't doing it right, Leona," counters Brianna suggestively, filled with amusement, as she takes the Lord Commander's hand and joins her in the game, grinning to her cousin as she joins as well.

Belladonna has joined the an old oak blanket.

Estaban smiles, "A pleasure to meet you Princess Ailys." he looks to his small group, "Shall we play?" he grins to Lucita.

Eirene has joined the an old oak blanket.

Clover slips in quietly, just missing the announcement of the game. She's dressed in a white silk gown embroidered with what very much looks to be a peacock splashed across the front layers in petal pink, pale green, and touches of vibrant yellow. She finds herself a place off to the side to peer at other and trying to figure out what is going on.

Leona chuckles. "Or they aren't," she counters to Brianna.

Quenia gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Ailys has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.

Ailys has joined the line.

Upon catching sight of Orazio and Aleksei and their efforts in waving them over, Eleyna doesn't need much guidance to turn her steps in that direction. The smile upon her face is one of genuine warmth as she comes to a half before the trio and bows her head a bit, offering in that low tone, "You three look cozy. Do you mind if we join you?" She turns her head as it seems that the games are about to begin... and there goes Aleskei. Her eyes follow the Archlector, just in time to catch Belladonna's lift of her glass to be returned with a nod, before her gaze finds Talen and she lifts her eyebrows in silent question.

Quenia gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Eleyna has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Queniagranato

Eirlys picks up a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Eirene is not playing games. She has wine. And a seat on the oak blanket. She sits cross legged and arranges her skirts in semblance of neatness.

Estaban has joined the line.

Lucita has joined the line.

Talen turns his head over his shoulder as Aleksei rushes off, looking marginally bemused. This allows him a moment to catch Balledonna's salutation, a formal press of his hand to his torso in southern recognition, as respectful as it can be from across the way. "Two," he says to Eleyna, then moves to settle them amongst the Faithful.

Alaric shakes his head with a chuckle to Samantha's question. "It would be poor sportsmanship to try and win the right to paint my own self-portrait, I think," he observes brightly.

A corgi comes along, a familiar one. Dash! The letter is taken and the young man reads it, his eyes turning toward his friends, "Lord Estaban, this is the second time today I walk out on you. Please come by and visit ..." he looks to his sister and gives her a squeeze, "Go have fun okay. Good luck?" His eyes brighten, "I need to return home to the manor." His hand waves to Dash, "Come on fella. I really don't know how you find me all the time..." he praises with a little treat on his way out.

Saedrus is suddenly void of a place to lean now Aleksei DISAPPEARS for a game. The Whisper is just left chortling for it though and smiles, looking back to Orazio, Talen and Eleyna at the blanket with him.

Eirlys has joined the a large purple pansy carpet.

Mae has joined the line.

As people move to greet them, Monique curtsies and smiles and returns compliments and looks like she's having basically the best time she's ever had. And when Corban announces the first game, she looks disappointed not to be able to join, but encourages those who do. "The first prize is courtesy of our most illustrious Monarch, King Alaric! He will be painting a portrait of the winner!"

Over at the purple pansy blanket, Princess Alis says something that sets Reinga laughing -- not a giggle or a titter, this is a full blown belly laugh, a sound of infectious joy. The Countess hugs herself as she chortles and eventually wipes her eyes, grinning at the Valardin Princess.

Alaric waves regally from his blanket with a slightly mischevious grin. "I'm new at this, but I do promise to give you the current number of eyes, noses, and such," he declares confidently.

Belladonna is overheard praising Monique.

Belladonna is overheard praising Corban.

Mae Grayhope slips into the party, an image of shimmering darkness, in her cloak. Though if anyone catches a glimpse of the fabric beneath, it looks like she's wearing something brightly colored? Mae, in bright colors?! Can't be. Soon as she's in, she starts slowly looking around, trying to make sense of what all she's seeing.

Reigna is overheard praising Monique for: A stunning event, as usual for the Princess of Parties!

Malesh is among the many attendants. He travels without any fanfare and is not eactly in spring colors. Still, it is an event and he is here to meet and mingle with people. He strolls about, scooping up a drink along the way, and starts to work his way from group to group. He sees that much attention has been directed to the king, and so he wanders his way there...

Malesh has joined the a pink pansy blanket.

Mia had been scanning the crowd -- which was positively enormous! -- for familiar faces when she heard the announcement of the game. There was a long pause from her, and then a slight shake of her head that seemed to say 'What in the world am I getting myself into?' And yet that didn't seem to stop her, as she moved to join the festivities. Musical chairs it was to be.

Skillet the bumbling baby bear arrives, following Neve.

Reigna is overheard praising Corban for: A wise man hitches his wagon to a professional! Well thrown party!

Roxana drops Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Alexis gets a rich burgandy vintage wine from the vineyards of Granato from Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Alis is overheard praising Monique for: Another very well done party!

Neve has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.

Khanne arches a brow and looks to Alaric. "You paint, Your Majesty? Well... things you learn...." She smiles and says, "we will have to compare sometime."

Eirene decides this is too much. She mutters something to Roxana and motions to the door. "Let's just go drink at home. This is way too noisy."

Alis is overheard praising Corban for: Behind every successful woman... is sometimes her arm candy! No really, good job you two.

Orazio is overheard praising Corban.

Orazio is overheard praising Monique.

Quenia nods at all of the others in line, stating. "This should be fun!" She seems to be in good spirits tonight, especially since she's watching people take wine off the table to bring back to their homes.

Roxana nods at her sister. It is clearly very crowded and she must be unsettled, unsettled enough to steal an entire table filled with wine. Always a good sign to go drink at home instead. "Yes. Let us do just that."

Eirlys picks up Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Corban smiles as he gets his thirteen competitors for Musical Chairs. "An auspicious number!" he says, cheerily, remarking on the fact that things seem to come in thriteens in the Compact. "Excellent. I assume you all know how to play. Walk around and around and when the music stops, sit in a seat! The person left standing when everyone is seated is OUT!" And let the games begin!

Clover spots Mae! She pushes away from where she was hiding off to the side, and moves to intercept the shimmering darkness of the little messenger. "Mae!" She says, a little quietly, but nonetheless with excitement.

Mira nods a bit at Quenia, hands clasped behind her back. "One can hope..." Scuffing the toe of her little black shoes against the grassy lawn nervously, her hips twist back and forth as she waits with quiet trepidation.

Roxana is overheard praising Corban for: He's clearly a very polite host and does not get overly angry when guests accidentally steal all of the wine.

Esoka waves brightly to Mia, from her blanket, and shouts, "Good luck with the chairs!"

Eirlys drops Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Ailys checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Mira checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Aleksei checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Leona checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Reigna gets a rich burgandy vintage wine from the vineyards of Granato from Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Samantha grins. "Well, it's something of a challenge to even create a self-portrait. Hard to look at yourself and then try to paint the image you just tried to keep in your own eyes." She cocks her head. "I've only ever sat for a portrait once, myself. There were plans for another, but the artist passed away." Her expression is briefly distant, but then she then is distracted by movement, and lets out a little clap of her hands. "Oh! There's Dash!"

Alexis checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Lucita checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Brianna checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Mae checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Ailys checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Khanne checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

Quenia checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Mia checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Mae spots Clover, and a silly smile crosses her lips. "Lady Clover," she says, all formal like. A tone that is betrayed by that smirk. She steps over to Clover and reaches out, to take one of Clover's hand, and give a squeeze. That action opens her cloak and reveals, yes! She's wearing a rainbow tunic beneath?! Madness. "Oh, I think I want to go play that game," she says. "I'll be right back!" she declares. Then Mae is pulling away, to go do... whatever this is!

1 Grayson Guardsmen leaves, following Aiden.

Clover's abandoned just like that! Clover smiles after Mae... it'

Leona starts walking as the music plays, commenting to Brianna, "I'm really glad I didn't wear a skirt for this. I'd be all over a disaster, but this jacket doesn't get in my way at all. I'm really quite impressed." She twists to let the polished silver catch more light, and the bright colors of the room around her.

Eirlys gets a rich burgandy vintage wine from the vineyards of Granato from Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Clover's abandoned just like that! Clover smiles after Mae... it's a dumb kind of smile. All goofy and bright. Self pleased too. She shuffles back out of the way so she isn't going to trip anyone.

Brianna checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Alexis checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Ailys checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 9 lower.

Mae checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Aleksei checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Leona checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Mia checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

Mira checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Lucita checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.



Ailys weaves her way through courtiers as the music plays, her braid tumbling in the wind, her long, billowing blue dress swaying a little.



"I think it's less about luck and more about elbows!," Mia called back to Esoka, sounding unusually cheery at that declaration. This did not, perhaps, bode well for her competitors. As the music began, she moved into the circle, walking behind one of the other players. Her hands moved to her skirts, lifting them to a few inches above her ankles, lest she trip and tear that lovely lace.

Eirene has left the an old oak blanket.

Quenia checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Neve has done something Greenmarches haven't seen in an age...worn a fancy multi-tonal dress, dressed up fancy - even her hair - and worn sandals and stockings - yes, that's right people. Shoes. All these things are happening simultatneously, hence the end must be so near. Having a plate with lots of bacon as well as lots of other meat and veggie related products, her plate is a portion not dainty and feminine. "There's bacon!" she practically squeals. "Well..of course there's bacon, this is a Greenmarch sponsored affair..but.." She almost squeals, twirling in a full circle. "But it's Bacon!" Taking a peice from one of the buffet plates she chews on some of the bacony crispiness moving over towards Joslyn and as she seems to be standing. "What's with the chair thing? If you dont have a chair, why wouldn't you just kick someone out of the chair and take it?"

Mira suddenly bolts under an arm-check and dives into a seat with a squeak, nearly toppling over the chair as she grabs onto the seat with both hands under her.

Desiree laughs. "Actual fish painting would be something to see." She looks to Malesh as he joins them. "Hello!" She nods to Samantha. "Painting myself would be a challenge even if I were good at painting."

Estaban gets a rich burgandy vintage wine from the vineyards of Granato from Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Khanne checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 10 lower.

Lucita is not the most agile but manages to find a seat that someone just passed before they could back up to nab it. She smiles and says. "Mine..for now, at least."

Alexis tries to play with honour - which makes it tricky as she kind of has a tendency to almost step out of the way for nobles looking for chairs. But only kind of. She's small and lithe and quick, and good at sitting down.

Quenia starts to walk around the chairs as the music plays. "I'm Marquessa Quenia Igniseri," she tells Mira, not remembering if they've met at a previous event or not. She's not the best at this game, but neither is the worst. She's among the few who manage to get seats near the end as things go on. Her eyes crinkle with amusement as she sees Lucita's escort, Estaban, get out in the first round, then she nods to her cousin from across the chairs as they pass one another.

Leona is not small like Alexis, but manages to sieze a chair at the last second, sliding into it, still alive. She looks around to see who's out and there's Khanne. "Oh, that's a shame," she comments to Brianna.



Ailys almost trips on her long, flowing skirts, but she rushes to a seat at last, laughing merrily in the fun of a good sport as she finally seats herself with some haste.



Khanne slipped off the blanket to dash to the circle of chairs. She walks around with the others as the music plays, then drops into a chair the first round. Whew! Music starts once more and up she goes, moving with the others and trying to keep an eye on the empty chairs. When the music stops, she tries to dart for one, but alas, her cousin put her in slippers with a HEEL on them and... she finds a seat! In the grass... on her ass... poor Khanne. She laughs and rises up, checking her gown as she walks back to the blanket to sit with the others.

Brianna is in a gown, and given the way that the sheer silk clings to her legs-- It really isn't the easiest thing to move in. But she exhales a laugh to Leona, only grinning as she says, "But what will your excuse be if you lose?" She doesn't have any intention of losing, throwing herself into a chair competitively. It's only after that she notices her cousin didn't get one, calling out with a sad frown, "No, cousin! I'm sorry!"

Mae's walking backwards, away from Clover, to the chair. She blows a kiss to the little blonde. Then she finally turns to the game, and yes, she knows the rules! And yes, she's fast. And skilled. And most importantly, /lucky/. She also is in the presence of... Well, a few people she knows. She waves to Khanne, and then slips right on over to Ailys. "Princess," she says, with a warm smile. In fact, everyone gets a smile! Everyone! Except a certain Archlector. Who might as well not exist.

Mira yelps and dives into the nearest seat again, utterly ruthless despite her rather flighty demeanor. She nods breathlessly to Quenia, "Mira Matessi, lawyer." She sucks in a breath, "Nice to meet you."

If there's one thing that Aleksei is -- or can become, at least -- it's competitive. When that music stops, he /dives/. It certainly means that he manages to plant his butt into a seat. It's not until /after/ that that he notices Mae (ignoring him) and his expression shutters for the briefest moment.

Quenia checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Alexis has rolled a critical success!
Alexis checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 84 higher.

Brianna checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Leona checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

Lucita checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Belladonna watches Khanne as she heads back to her blanket, considering only briefly before she nods to herself and rises, starting fairly directly towards the woman and those she's sitting with.

Belladonna has left the an old oak blanket.

Mira checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.



She is still firmly seated on her seat, but Ailys can mouth a little "hello", toward Mae in return.



Mia checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 11 lower.

Mae checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Ailys checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 13 lower.

Estaban stands on the outside now watching Lucita with a smirk on his lips nodding to the woman, "You got this." he cheers her on some as her folds his arms over his chest watching.

Aleksei checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Spying Khanne leaving the game, Reigna lifts her arm and waves it towards the Halfshav lady in a greeting, or a belated cheer. Either or. Still, it's a bright and friendly gesture.

Mira is gone in a flash at the next round, and when she plants her posterior on a seat, she actually bares teeth and Grr's at Aleksei as if to guard her territory. But then she blinks, blushes with very wide eyes, and puts a hand in front of her mouth, murmuring a muffled, "Sorry!"

Quenia checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Alexis checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Brianna checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Aleksei checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Joslyn cheers for Alexis as she manages to sit herself down again, grinning wildly from her seat.

Leona checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Lucita checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Mia checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 11 lower.

Mae checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Mira has rolled a critical success!
Mira checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Really, it's not on purpose - the next round starts and Alexis just, well, dives in to settle on a seat. Murmuring apolgetically when she suddenly finds someone on top of her.

Leona chuckles at Brianna's sally. "I have no intention of losing, not even to you," she says. "But I suppose this is the part where I should go into a long discussion on handling defeat with honor and dignity, as such is our responsibility as knights. Or something. Not that you're a knight, but you know what I mean." The banter doesn't seem to be stopping her from sliding into a chair with alacrity.

"Good to met you as well, Mistress Mira." Quenia greets, a little breathlessly herself. She manages to stay in the game thus far, getting a little better at it as time moves along - though she is still not the greatest by far. She ducks into a seat right before Lucita, grinning apologetically at her cousin. "Not here!" she tells her, with a mischievous grin.

Brianna checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Aleksei checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Quenia checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 7 lower.

Mira checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Alexis checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Mae checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

Leona checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Lucita's eyes widen as the music starts again and she slips into the line of people round the chairs. As the music stops she makes a lithe little twist and settles into a seat. She says to Quenia. "This is getting harder as it goes.

Lucita checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

"Well, we're supposed to handle victory with dignity too, aren't we?" Alexis suggests to Leona, with a little grin. "A pleasure meeting you, Dame Leona. You have been an inspiration."

Khanne looks up to spot Reigna and beams a smile. "Reigna!" She shouts across to her. "I'll come talk to you soon!"

"I am not a knight," counters Brianna with a grin, winking towards her date. She has become-- very competitive, as well. It seems she shares something with the Archlector in the game, suddenly very intent on watching the musicians for any hint they might stop.

Mae's quiet. Just a flutter of dark silk as she goes round and round, waiting for the music to stop and all but /appearing/ in one of the seats, as though she'd been there the whole time. She gives a curious look around, trying to keep track of who all is losing. And where a certain Archlector isn't.

Mira goes for Alexis' seat this time, and finding it taken but seeing another on the opposite side, Mira goes *over* the knight, "Excuse me, pardon me!" to fwump awkwardly into the seat behind. She quickly scoots her dress under her as well, clearing her throat like a proper lady. Which she technically isn't.

Leona has rolled a critical success!
Leona checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 58 higher.

Brianna checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 47 higher.

Aleksei checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Mae checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 56 higher.

Which was a bit too mischievous perhaps as Quenia gets up and starts moving around again, but then the musicians cut off nearly right away. "Indeed," she says breathlessly to Lucita, "But! You've got this!" she cheers her on. She steps out of the way so the other players can get around the chairs.

Mira checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Ailys checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Alexis checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Khanne also sees Belladonna headed towards her. She smiles and gestures her over to their blanket. "Good evening, Duchess. I haven't seen you in person in a very long time."

Lucita checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Belladonna has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.

"Have I?" Leona looks briefly pained, but it's not enough distraction to keep her from moving, though she watches Alexis take a chair too and she grins. "I see what you're doing. Remind me of your name again?"

Now that Quenia is out of the game, she looks around the room for a place to settle for the evening. She lightly taps at her chin as she tries to make a decision on where to sit.

Alexis blinks, and boggles, looking over at Mira. "...Are you alright?"

Mira nodnods, "Yup yup."

"I think I've managed to see you from afar a time or two, but it has been forever since we've spoken," Belladonna answers Khanne, bowing her head gratefully for the gesture. She moves to settle herself carefully again, this time fairly close to where Khanne is sitting. There's a quick smile for the others sitting nearby, a lift of her glass in greeting.

Mira eeks and is too slow when she answers and drats, suddenly left without a chair. Panting and breathless, Mira wanders off for the Gazebo, adjusting her shoes awkwardly as she goes.

Mia had been doing well enough at musical chairs the first few rounds. But as players began to leave the game and the seats became fewer and fewer, she has a harder and harder time finding her way into one. (It is definitely all of those elbows.) As the music came to a halt, she plunked herself down. And discovered that while her ass didn't land on the grass, neither did it land on a chair. On the contrary, it landed on another person! And as soon as she felt knees under her, well, Mia jumped back up with such startled speed, well... if it were anyone //but// a Valardin knight, people might've thought she'd been goosed. "Ohh, Dame Wyrmfang! I'm so sorry!"

Lucita watches as the number of chairs grows smaller and smaller, a bit of surprise showing that she is still amid those remaining in the game.

Mae watches as people start tripping, as they start climbing on top of each other, and she grins wide. Watching Mira go, she offers a little wave to the woman... from on the chair where she sits. Because, well... she's definitely still in a chair.

Aleksei has managed to fling himself into a chair for every round so far; he seems to stalk around the chairs more than circle, his gaze sharp and alert. He is SO READY. His ELBOWS ARE READY in case anyone TRIES ANYTHING.

Flora toes around the gathering, watching the ongoing game with a quirk to her mouth. She stops at one of the banquet tables, taking a fruit tart. It, ah, doesn't last very long. Nor does the next. She takes her time with the third one, though.

Esoka claps EXTRA LOUD for Mia. Out of the game or no, she has to represent.

There's a sudden loud burst of laughter from Saedrus over something said at the blanket. He quickly corrects and covers his lips with a delicate hand. Moar wine.

Ailys is a little caught up in the heat of the moment when the chairs become fewer, and -- in a flurry, she heads for a chair just as the young Dame Alexis has taken her place and laughs when she finds herself in the woman's lap-- "Oh dear me; I'm so sorry!"



Mira blinks and waves to Mae with a bright smile, recognizing her after a moment of confusion.

Quenia has joined the an old oak blanket.

"Please don't hit me. At least, not the face," comments Brianna quietly to Aleksei as she finds herself next to him as the next round starts, her lips curving into a bright smile. But she is READY, too, not quite with elbows but, rather tense.

Estaban claps for Lucita watching as she stays in and the number gets smaller and smaller.

"You don't mess with me, I won't mess with you," Aleksei tells Brianna sagely.

Quenia settles for the old oak blanket, which is not yet occupied. She carefully takes a seat, wrapping the skirts of her new dress around her. She smoothes any would be wrinkles away with her hand, and grins as she watches the festivities.

Alexis is sat on. Again. Bowing her head respectuflly. "Countess Riven. Ah. Good to meet you again.... No apologies necessary." She offers, ruefully. "It's an easy mistake to make in the heat of the moment."

Alexis checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

"Until the end, at least," counters Brianna, nodding.

Brianna checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

Mae checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Leona raises an eyebrow at what Brianna says, looking around her to stare at Aleksei. STARE. "Yes," she says mildly, "please don't hit her."

Lucita checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Leona checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Aleksei checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

"Darling, your lap is popular today!" Joslyn shouts from her blanket over to Alexis.

Brianna checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Aleksei checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Mae checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Alexis is the sun. And her cheeks are brighter than any sunset.

Drysi, Khanne's apprentice, steps over to her with a sheepish bow before the others around her. She is dressed well enough tonight, and the leaves have been taken out of her hair, but she isn't here to party. She hands a note to Khanne and dashes off before questions can be asked. Khanne opens it, reads it, and looks around the room curiously before returning to her quiet conversation at the blanket.

"I'm very appreciative that you're all that desirous of being painted, but please don't send yourself or any of your fellow competitors to the Saving Grace in the process," Alaric proclaims charmingly from his pink pansy blanket domain.

Alexis checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 28 higher.

Leona checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

"YOU GOT THIS COUS-!" That's all Quenia gets out before Lucita is called out in the last round. She gives her cousin an abashed look. "Or not," she mumbles.

Mae stalks... and waits... and watches. Watches for Aleksei to pick a seat. Then with a quick dash she dives into whatever one he's chosen.

Alexis checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Brianna checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Reigna gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Mae checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Leona checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

Lucita chuckles softly and moves over next to Estaban to watch the last of the game. "At least I managed not to trip over one of the chairs or someone sit on me.

"You know, darling, it would be very courtly to let your date win," offers Brianna to Leona, panting slightly with the exhertion of this game as she keeps managing to find a seat each round.

Aleksei is stalking. STALKING. His eyes land on the chair. It's his. It's HIS. He dives, and then -- there's Mae. He nearly slams right into her in his haste and manages to wheel back on his feet /just in time/. "You little--" He narrows his gaze on her, color high, and then makes the watchy-eye gesture with two fingers. hE'S WATCHING YOU, MAE. Before stalking back off towards the blanket he abandoned.



"Aha -- still my mistake entirely," Ailys confesses shyly, before retreating from the competition fully and finding some smalltalk to partake in, hopefully.

Kael has left the a large purple pansy carpet.

Echo, a juvenile Oakhaven bloodhound have been dismissed.

There's only so many times the tiny knight can use her size to her advantage, especially with people like Mae around. And so, the music stops, and Alexis finds herself pausing between Leona and Brianna, hesitating for just long enough to not actually have a seat to sit in. "Ah. Well. It was a pleasure meeting you all. Good luck." And she sketches a small curtsey to the pair, then moves along to settle back between Joslyn and Neve.

Kael has joined the a large purple pansy carpet.

Eirlys drops a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Samantha drops a blessed pendant of Petrichor.

Eirlys picks up a blessed pendant of Petrichor.

Mae can hardly contains her giggles. As she watches Aleksei go, and then her fellow heigh-challenged individual. She waves to the two of them, obviously still quite amused. "Byyeeee!"

Leona checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Brianna checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Aleksei has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Mae checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 44 higher.

Estaban smiles offering her his arm, "You did well M'Lady, shall we go sit down and enjoy some of the evening?" he asks her softly while he stands there with her.

Samantha picks up a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Samantha drops a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Leona winks at Brianna. "And now that you've mentioned it, you'll always wonder if I let you win, or if you did it legitimately. Which is, I suppose, the price and peril of suggesting such a dishonorable course." She is actually laughing to herself as she bows to Mae and Brianna, then takes herself back to the blanket to watch the last round.

At Esoka's boisterous clapping, Mia -- looking a bit pink-cheeked -- offered an elaborate and comically large curtsy. Honestly, it was downright flamboyant. After all, if she was going to lose at musical chairs, she could at least have the decency to do so in a way that proves amusing to everyone else. Even if it did mean smushing one of the tiniest combatants with her bum.

Eirlys picks up a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Eirlys drops a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Quenia waves at one of the servers as they pour some of the blackberry Granato wine. She grins, "One glass for me please." The server nods, and offers such a glass. Quenia takes it in her hands, and gently sips at the delicately flavored wine. Her's must have had slightly tart blackberries, for she puckers her lips ever so slightly - though it does not stop her from immediately taking another sip.

Samantha gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Mae is still giggling, but it seems it's not slowing her down! She watches Leona find no seat, leaving only her and Brianna. "My lady," she says, ever so formally. She even gives a little bow.

Alaric is overheard praising Leona for: For giving her utmost effort in chair occupation semi-combat!

Brianna's nose wrinkles maturely at Leona's response, though humor lights up her eyes as she stands. "Mistress," she says formally in turn, grinning, as they start circling again.

Brianna checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Mae checked luck + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Eirlys picks up a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Quenia takes a moment to cheer for the winner of the musical chairs game.

Talen calls across to Leona, "Better luck next time, Lord Commander. Really want that painting, huh?"

Eirlys drops a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Reese arrives to the party with wet hair and leather armor. Her armor isn't damp at least.

Mira cheers for Mae from her Gazebo, waving her little notebook full of notes!

See, the trick is to be very small, and fluttery. That cloak she wears, that covers the whole of her, means as she dives for that remaining chair there's only a flurry of silk and no real way to tell where precisely Mae is. Not until she's on that chair, before Brianna can be on it!

Khanne looks up from her conversation and shouts out towards Brianna, "Go Bri!!!! You got this!"

Neve smiles at Alexis "Well, with all the chair fighting, I thought I would just sit on the ground. Seems nicer anyway, and I have the fanny where it's cushy enough to be good and comfy. But whatever it was you were sitting for, you sat your best!" She looks to Belladonna, tilting her head and looking confused. "That's a lot of fancy words..um. I'm not sure what is a title, a name, and a place. But they all sound pretty fancy. Can I just call you..Bella?"

Monique has been watching the game with great enthusiasm! She throws her hands together wildly for the winner, Mae, her antler-crown bobbing wildly on her head!

Balian, a Templar squire, Guy, a hunting kestrel arrive, following Preston.

Orazio is overheard praising Mae for: To rise above all comers and claim that seat with authority!

Quenia is overheard praising Mae for: I've never seen someone run so fast for a chair before!

Monique is overheard praising Mae for: Chair Champion!

And then the game of musical chairs comes to a close and Lord Corban makes his way over to the final chair to clap for Mae. "And it is --" He pauses for a moment to check the name. "Mae Grayhope! Congratulations! What a fabulous prize you have won from His Majesty himself!"

He then pauses, looking to the crowd as a whole. "Lady Monique will organize our next game, the Battle of the Sexes, shortly! But do enjoy a drink and recover until then!"

Alis is overheard praising Mae for: Seat grabbing is srs business!!!

Eirlys picks up a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Khanne winces. "Or... you don't. Nice try Bri!"

Brianna tries. She really does. But with her height and the clinging sheer skirts of her dress-- She just doesn't make it. She does laugh, exhaling a bright thing, before curtsying to the winner. "Mistress, it was a pleasure!" Then she retreats over her defeat to return to her date and her cousin.

Corban is overheard praising Mae for: Winner of the Game of Musical Chairs!

Eirlys drops a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Leona turns at Alaric and Talen's comments and makes a sweeping bow to them both, her very fancy jacket parting to show she's wearing the sword of the Lord Commander, even here. "I'll have to find a way to go on," she calls over with a look of faux-disappointment. And then Mae wins and she cheers with the others, though at the winner's name, her eyes narrow ever so slightly.

Estaban smiles at Lucita, "Well let us go sit down." he starts over in Quenia's direction, "Countess Quenia do you mind some company?" he asks her with Lucita on his arm looking between the two.

Jordal, a bodyguard arrives, following Isabeau.

Mia is overheard praising Monique for: A delightful event, and with so many this week to compare it to, that says a great deal!

Aleksei gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Preston has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Darrow enters, looking somber in his solemn grey leathers. He paces over towards one of the blankets, where Carita and Edward are. His boots, salt rimed from the decks and dusty from the streets, come to rest on top of the patterned blanket. He makes no move to sit immediately, but after a moment kneels, restlessly.

Darrow has joined the a magical mushroom blanket.

"GO MAE!" Clover calls, inappropriately or not! And cheers for the litele messenger when she wins the music chairs. Clap, clap.

Isabeau gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Belladonna's eyebrows lift for Neve's question of her, and she shakes her head. "No. Duchess Belladonna or 'My Lady' will be fine," she answers, her tone polite. She's prompt to look back to Khanne though, speaking to her quietly and sipping from her glass of wine.

Mae is the winner! As such, she stands up, and then gives a formal bow towards Monique and Corban. Whoever is looking to be in a place of authority over these matters. Then, without a word, she adjusts her cloak, flicks back up her hood, and then wanders away from her winning chair.

Esoka applauds warmly for Mae's victory. "Excellent chairing, Mae Culler!" She looks at the others on her blanket. "That looked like fun! There were so many elbows!" Clearly improves a game, in her mind. "You all did very well." A nod to Alexis, Leona, and Brianna. "And you know, Dame Leona, I think the king might paint you anyhow if you asked him. You protect him, after all, and very well."

Neve has left the a yellow daisy blanket.

Skillet the bumbling baby bear have been dismissed.

Willen arrives, following Aislin.

Alaric is overheard praising Brianna for: For valiant effort and not making me send somebody out to the market for more red paint!

Neve has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.

Preston steps into the rather busy area in his Templar cloak and tabbard - as close to bright and cheerful as one gets. Still. He blinks at the noise and, smiling, makes his way quickly over to those he recognises. Namely Orazio and Aleksei.

Khanne cheers for Mae and gives a whistle. "Congrats, Mae!"

Orazio is sitting with Saedrus, Aleksei, Talen, and Eleyna at the carpet. Seeing Preston approaching, the Legate smiles, and waves. "Sir Preston! Do join us; how good to see you."

Quenia glances up at Estaban and Lucita and waves them down to the blanket. She shakes her head, "Not at all, please sit." she tells them as she takes another sip of the blackberry wine.

The line has been dismissed by Corban.

Lucita has joined the an old oak blanket.

Clover drives in the direction of Mae, after the little messenger leaves her winning chair. A broad smile on her face, "You did amazing, Mae!" She leans to bump a shoulder against Mae's. "You're so fast!"

Isabeau arrives at the Greenmarch Lodge only in the company of her ever-present bodyguard, but she's shined up her best mild smile and presented herself to the party in a lovely gown of dove gray with blue blossoms that plays nicely off her porcelain complexion and golden hair. The only piece of jewelry that the princess wears appears to her her House signet, which may strike a sharp contrast to the otherwise extravagant finery favored by others. Or not.

Estaban has joined the an old oak blanket.

Reese continues further into the room. She seems to realize that Mae won something, although she mostly likely missed most of the competition. She smiles in her direction. "Woots, Mae." She says.

Neve pulls Alexis into her lap, wrapping both arms around her waist and peeking out from behind the tiny knight. There..safe from the social anxiety. Totally! "Actually this is my lady..kind of. She's the one I sleep with at night. Though, that's probably not the right kind of lady. Oh, right! You must mean the noble kind of lady! So your Belladuchess Donna. I don't think that's right. DonnaBellllllaaa...no no..I can get this. Donna..bell....lady. That lady..My lady, not the one I sleep with, but the noble one. Hello."

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

Mae gives another laugh as Clover approaches her. She nods quickly. "Thank you," she says, her voice faint. "I always loved that game when I was little... just... usually someone picks me up and-..." But obviously that didn't happen! "Trick is to just sit down very quickly. And be faster than the slow pokes," she says. Eyes flick to wherever Aleksei has went, then back to Clover. "Do you think there's a prize or something...?" she asks, curiously. She looks over to Reese. "Oh! Thank you," she says, with a grin. She's terribly amused, rather than proud or any such.

Mia has joined the a magical mushroom blanket.

Belladonna has left the a yellow daisy blanket.

Alaric stands up to regally applaud Mae. "Well then, Mae Grayhope, having proven yourself the champion of chair-sitting on the night, it is my pleasure to award you the prize of... even more sitting in a chair. Zelda will be over to discuss with you scheduling for your portrait. My thanks to everyone else who participated, and congratulations on avoiding exposure to my still-developing artistic talents." He raises his goblet of wine with a wink, and sits back down.

Monique grabs a glass of wine after congratulating Mae and dances over to the bountiful butterfly carpet, calling greetings to everyone sitting there!

Monique has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Belladonna rather abruptly shifts how she's sitting and makes to rise from the blanket she's been settled at. There's a quick nod to Khanne before she takes a step back, then turns and walks away, finishing her glass of wine and moving to find another.

Talen calls out, "Duchess Pravus, why don't you join us over here, we have wine." Simple, loud, throwing out the invitation as she leaves her blanketed area - since she's looking.

Quenia is in the midst of introductions at her blanket when Alaric stands up. She nearly stands up when he does, but he says his peace and is back down before she can get up out of respect. She perks up when someone mentions having wine, and grins over in Talen's direction. She looks back to the occupants of her blanket excitedly and quietly speaks with them.

Funkeln, the spindly little fawn arrives, delivering a message to Orazio before departing.

Ailith arrives, lingering at the entry and bending the doorman's ear for a tick. She smiles as a result, then looks across the vast room of dancers and revelers for any familiar faces. Seizing sight of a few, she heads in a direction and immediately finds a seat.

Ailith has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Clover glances off toward the Princess of Ribbons and then back toward Mae. She smiles at the little messenger and says, "Oh, yes! Um, I think it was something about His Majesty painting your portrait." She grins at Mae, and reaches out a hand to idly grab the edge of Mae's cloak and try to peek underneath it. "Mmmmmmm!" says Clover, with a dumb smile on her face.

Aislin makes her way into the Greenmarch home, a bit later than she would normally have lied. She pauses just inside the doorway, looking around for familiar faces to go and speak with. (Parties are not, after all, the Ashford explorer's naturally preferred habitat. Still, she seems to feel a need to put in at least a brief appearance.)

Leona laughs as Belladonna stands, and says something quietly to those sitting near her, but while she's clearly smiling and looking quite pleasant, those storm-blue eyes follow the Pravus Duchess's egress.

Darrow: looks over at Edward for a long moment. "I doubt I would enjoy any festivities, Lord Edward." He ticks his head over to Carita. "I had hoped to touch base with Lady Carita, and heard she was in attendance. Lady Carita." He doesn't seem to be nonplussed that Carita was in the midst of emotions, or near tears." His sea-blue eyes touch on Mia, as the woman approaches the blanket, his face sternly set.

Belladonna's attention is promptly caught by Talen's call, and she considers only briefly before turning to make her way in that direction.

Belladonna has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Jynx, a falcon arrives, delivering a message to Mia before departing.

Mira is sitting at her Gazebo, quietly taking notes with crossed legs and a serious expression. Occasionally, Mira adjusts her glasses, still a bit breathless and flushed from the mad rush of Musical Chairs.

"Lady Aislin!" calls out Brianna as she catches sight of the woman. And if she's looking to blend in and only put in an appearance, well. She immediately follows it by insisting to the woman across the party, shouting: "You /must/, must represent the ladies in the Battle of the Sexes! Who better?"

Flora strays away from the buffet tables after a while, lifting a hand to massage at the side of her neck. She makes her way over to the lodge's entrance and slips out to the Ward proper.

Neve offers Brianna a peice of bacon, from around Alexis "Well, your fullshav to me..I'll offer you Bacon in acceptance for freindship? I'm Neve, of the Greenmarches." The other and she has wrapped around Alexis takes another peice of bacon, offering it up towards Alexis' mouth "And yes dear, you may have some Bacon. It's Greenmarch bacon, so you know it's Good Bacon."

Joslyn wiggles her fingers towards Alis once more, considering the other spot with a whisper to Alexis and Neve

Mae is so terribly clueless. When the King starts to address her, she turns, and a look of horror crosses her features. Wide-eyed and panicked, she stares. She listens. And then she just nods dumbly. "Y-... Yes," she whispers. "Yesyermajesty," she mummbles out, quickly. And then she fires out a hand, to grab Clover's, to squeeze terribly tight. All while she continues to stare at Alaric.

Corban passes by Monique for a moment, murmuring to her, then nodding at whatever she says to him. Very well, then. It appears /he/ is organizing the next game.

"For our next challenge, we have the BATTLE OF THE SEXES. Men versus women, ladies versus lords, and so on." As Corban speaks, the servants are putting out what look like inflated pig bladders on the playing field, which, don't think too hard about it. "Can you evade the balls? Or will you be struck and OUT?" He tries to build some suspense. "For this, we have trophies from Master Magpie Grayhope, he of the famous figurines. If you are interested in playing, please join us!"

Aislin glances over at Brianna with a slightly bemused look. "Well, I'm game to try, though I admit no one's filled me in yet on what form this battle will take." She makes her way over to join Brianna and the others, dropping down onto the blanket... ah, and /there's/ the explanation.

Eirlys sees Joslyn wiggling her fingers and waves her over.

Brianna has joined the line.

Leona has joined the line.

Mira has joined the line.

Malesh wanders now from his place on the fashionably pink blanket to have his wine refilled, and then he's weaving his great height between the clumps of crowd towards Mushroomy Blanket Island that seems to be claimed in teh name of Thrax...

Onto the lawns, Lilia came, later than she had wanted, truly. Steel grey eyes swept the scene, her face illuminating with joy. Immediately, she went to move about and mingle about the people present, eager to join the games!

Lilia has joined the line.

Alexis also shoots a look over at the table Alis is at, smiling - then at Corban's announcement, looks over to him, conflicted.

Eleyna has joined the line.

Alexis has joined the line.

Aislin has joined the line.

Quenia has joined the line.

Malesh has left the a pink pansy blanket.

Quenia speaks quietly at her blanket, and then goes to join the line!

Brianna laughs, grinning to Aislin as the woman agrees with her. And as she moves to join the game, her gaze sweeps to find Alaric. She lifts her fingers, pointing to her eyes and then to the King's. "Come join, your majesty. Or are you going to find another excuse not to get in the ring with me?"

Malesh has joined the a magical mushroom blanket.

Aleksei has joined the line.

Aleksei has left the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

As the next event is called, Princess Isabeau looks to present herself as decidedly not in line by seeking out the nearest glass of wine that might be found and making her way over toward the blanket where the most familiar faces might be found... which is to say she's heading over to sit with Alis and those on a purple-hued carpet.

Isabeau has joined the a large purple pansy carpet.

Alaric stands up dramatically from the pink blanket. "Fine, I'll take you -all- on," he declares with regal assurance, not seeing Aleksei already get up behind him and start to move over. Then Aleksei promptly walks past him, causing the King to modify his remarks. "-We- will take you on," he declares confidently.

Orazio shakes off his reverie, and Orazio also moves to stand up. "It would be a shame to see the men go largely unrepresented. I shall go, and see if I can...ah, manage not to completely embarrass myself." He stands and bows to those at the blanket, and moves to join the few, the brave, the male.

Eleyna seems as though she might join this game... and then gets one look at those pig bladders and says aloud, "Noooope." She turns on her heel and retreats back to her blanket. With another glass of wine.

Estaban has joined the line.

Alaric has left the a pink pansy blanket.

Alaric has joined the line.

Lucita has joined the line.

Joslyn has left the a yellow daisy blanket.

Joslyn has joined the a large purple pansy carpet.

Orazio has joined the line.

Mira sneaks out of her Gazebo, trot-trotting over to the field like she were trying to avoid watchtower lookouts. Eventually hopping into position, Mira nods and plants her hands on her hips, ready to fight!

A little too loudly, from Talen: "Eleyna doesn't have what it takes, it seems."

Aleksei eyes Alaric and Orazio and is clearly judging their respective athleticism. Estaban, at least, he seems confident of. "I bet /you/ have what it takes, Prince Talen!" he calls over to him.

"Do /you/, Prine Talen?" challenges Brianna back to the Velenosan.

Joslyn rises, kissing Neve on the forehead and waving off to Alexis, she makes her way over towards the purple carpet, limping a bit as she makes her way towards where Alis, Erigna and Eirlys are seated, smiling towards them all, as she settles near them, slowly and steadily.

Saedrus looks about him as the numbers about the blankets dwindle and men and women go up to represent! "Oh my.." this can only go fabulously.

Orazio has left the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Blessedly, Alaric is getting in line. Which means he's not looking at Mae. Which means Mae can start breathing again. She sucks in a breath, then looks to Clover, then Reese. "Should we go sit down...?" she asks, quietly.

Estaban grins getting up from the blanket offering his arms to both the ladies he is with. "Let us go enjoy ourselfves yes?" he smiles moving over to get ready for the game, he spots the kin nodding his head, "Your Majesty." he grins even more spotting Alesksei as well.

Saedrus witll guard the wine, guys! He's got this.

Clover smiles toward the King, also gives Mae's a hand a soft squeeze back. A little nod of her head is given and she says, "Yes, sitting would be nice!" A smile is given, and she shifts to try and tug Mae toward someplace for them to sit.

Khanne looks like she might rise to join the game, but seeing how unbalanced it is, she stays seated. "I mean... we have to at least give the men some semblance of a chance to win... "

Clover has joined the A large Hedge Maze.

"Oh, nobody wants me to play, my style is unwelcome," Talen insists with a twist of his body to eye those getting ready to take part. "I might forget the rules."

Alexis gives Neve a smile, and a last kiss to the forehead, then bows to the other ladies at the table before she slips away to join the women's team.

Mae has joined the A large Hedge Maze.

Eleyna just -looks- at Talen. The sort of look that might mean a vase thrown at one's head. Or perhaps a few drops of nettle poison in one's cologne. Or waking up to a spider on one's pillow. WHO KNOWS? Won't -that- be a fun game?

Aislin has joined the A large Hedge Maze.

Aislin has left the A large Hedge Maze.

Orazio moves to the where the men are gathering, and eyes the odds. "Well, I was always fond of being one of the underdogs," he says, with amusement.

Estaban has left the an old oak blanket.

Mira hrms, looking over the line. Stepping back, Mira quietly slinks back over to her Gazebo, to make the odds more even.

Keso, a street urchin arrives, delivering a message to Mira before departing.

Malesh has joined the line.

Reese seems to have been not paying to much attention for a while, but she does catch Mae's words. She gives her a smile and then Cover one, before starting toward their blanket. Reese moves with this extreme agile grace. She reaches the blanket and curls up there. Damp hair is clinging to her face. She looks like she just swimming or came from the grotto.

Reese has joined the A large Hedge Maze.

Lucita has left the an old oak blanket.

Eirlys has joined the line.

Talen has joined the line.

Reese hmms. "Can I count as a guy?" She asks, despite all the pink.

Mae gets a shaman-blessed pendant of Spring from a basketful of spring wildflowers with Shaman-blessed pendants ii Please take only one.

Corban is looking around, considering his uneven sides. "Sure," he says finally to Reese.

Talen gives Eleyna a long look, then he picks himself up and points to her, "Fine," before he adds for her, as he departs to the 'field'. As he passes Reese, he adds, "Luca wouldn't mind."

Talen has left the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Mae's brows go up, as Reese suggests she should play. And Corban agrees! And so Mae starts laughing. "Yes! Go big a big strong man!"

Eirlys looks back at Kael and grins. "I told you and Lady Reigna to call me Eirlys, please."

Eleyna smirks triumphantly as Talen rises and joins the group of men. She lifts her glass of wine to her lips and takes a sip as she watches with more interest than she might have before.

Quenia has left the an old oak blanket.

Orazio straightens and says, with all his dignity and authority, "The nation of men is inclusive of all who would ally with us. I'm sure we would welcome Prince Reese with open arms."

Talen stands beside the men-- and Reese-- before he crosses his arms and quips aside to Aleksei, "Apparently if we win it's worth my while, so if we lose, I'll blame you personally. You lost before, after all, you must have bad luck today and bring us all down as a result."

Quenia remarks to the ladies around her. "I'm probably going to be first out, but I'll give it my best!"

Reese smiles. "Oh, no he won't mind." She says, agreeing with Talin. She then peeks over to Mae, having a gentle smile for her. She even seems to puff up a bit at her words. "Can I wear your favor, Mistress Mae?"

Neve looks rather upbeat suddenly, reaching out to poke at Khanne's cheeks with slightly bacon-scented fingers. "Oh, Khanne, Did you get more freckles? Freckles are so amazing! I never knew my mother, but Muiryn told me that she used to say that freckles represented the stars, and each person gets a new freckle when a star is born. Did you get any new freckles?"

Mae gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

"Ribbons, if I must fight you again, so be it," calls Brianna to Reese, as the woman chooses the other /side/, like a traitor.

In a brief cheerful little slip of his otherwise flawless decorum, Saedrus calls: "Come on, boys!"

Isabeau gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Alexis checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Orazio checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Aleksei snorfles a laugh into his hand. Until he's suddenly looking AFFRONTED at Talen's words. "I'm the luckiest person ever!" he tells him. "It's not my fault if your wife only likes you if you win."

Brianna checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Aleksei checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Reese has joined the line.

Talen has rolled a critical success!
Talen checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

Eirlys looks at Orazio and grins. "You seem very accomadating. That is a very nice thing." She seems very sincere.

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

Leona checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Reese checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

Lilia checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Estaban checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Lucita checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 7 lower.

Aislin checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

"She likes it even if I lose, but for a totally different reason," drawls Talen, as he waits at the line. When they dart forward to get the balls, he clearly wants all of them, so he collects two. That's within the parameters of the game, right?

Reese looks over to Brianna, having a grin for the redhead. "Fighting you again, sounds like fun tome." She says.

Orazio scrambles for the ball, but he's not anywhere in the fastest or strongest of the competitors. He laughs a little as Eirlys speaks and we watches the ball to go to someone else. "Any ally in a crisis, my lady."

Malesh checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

Brianna has a /plan/. She darts like hell to get a ball, intent on it.

Eirlys checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Ailys has left the a yellow daisy blanket.

Malesh drains the last of his wine in a gulp and passes off the glass so that he can hurry over to participate in this game, though he makes a tempting target at around six and a half feet in height. He's not quick enough to get a bladder, and so he drops back and tries to hide behind the other others. As if he could.

Jynx, a falcon arrives, delivering a message to Mia before departing.

Monique has left the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Alaric stands in the back and folds his arms, taking a commanding posture. "Steady, gentlemen-and-Reese! Act decisively, but don't overextend yourself! You cannot win a game of bladder-throwing in the opening manuevers," he declares calmly.

Quenia attempts to grab at the balls, but other people get there well before her. She then makes certain to get behind some others in order not to get hit!

Monique has joined the a large purple pansy carpet.

Reese has left the A large Hedge Maze.

Monique wends her way through the carpets, joining the purple pansy carpet with grins for the party-goers there.

Brianna checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Leona ignores Brianna to get a bladder of her own, looking for a target. The first person she spots is Reese though and she taunts with a grin, "Pink Traitor!" And throws the ball, aiming for the Grayson princess.

Leona has rolled a critical success!
Leona checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 49 higher.

Reese checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Brianna has a /plan/, still. She has a bladder, her fierce blue eyes sweeping the field of battle until she finds Alaric. And then she grins, calling out to him, "Duck, if you can!"

Reese checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 61 higher.

Estaban tried to get to a ball but he chuckles listening to Alaric and looks over to Orazio nodding his head then his eyes go back to see who has the balls and watches.

Mae's a little late on the uptake, but she does quickly go digging around inside her cloak. A favor, a favor... She comes out of her bag with a ribbon, which had been used to tie something. "Just a second!" she says, to Clover. Then she pops up and dashes forward, to Reese. She flaps the ribbon, then lays it somewhere the Princess can pick it up, with a laugh. Then she pivots and runs right back to settle next to Clover again.

Alexis -almost- quite literally butts heads with Eirlys in her chase for the balls, and ends up empty-handed with an apologetic look to the Lady. "Sorry." She offers to her. Then, with a slight blush in her cheeks, and a glance back to Neve, she adds. "Your cousin is rather wonderful."

Leona checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Talen is a thief, it seems, as one of those individuals who fail to get a ball ends up with theirs pilfered by the dark prince. With his palms out, fingers splayed on those pig bladders, he weighs the first up. Looking toward Eleyna, he muses aloud, "It's so very tempting to throw them at you, I like it when you squeal. There are better ways for that, however," he eventually decides. A moment later, he pelts -both- of them at Lilia, the poor Telmarch lady he's never met. Brutal.

Orazio shifts back and forth, watching the balls with focused intent, although he offers a brief cheer at the double elimination. "Good show, Prince Reese! Honorably and courageously done!"

Lucita chuckles as she not only misses, she barely gets a glimpse of the balls being grabbed by the others. She moves to the side and watches the others.

Alaric is evidently used to King's Own defending his person and standing firm in the face of withering fire because whlie his intrepid command pose is very striking, what's also striking is the bladder that thwacks him in the shoulder and bounces away. He seems slightly perplexed that nobody actually blocked it for him. "Am I out?" he asks Corban curiously.

Talen checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Talen checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Lilia checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Lilia checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Eirlys is watching as the balls are thrown ready to dodge when or if needed.

Eleyna scowls at Talen as he threatens to throw PIG BLADDERS at her and then, deliberately, raises her voice as she turns to speak to Belladonna, "Done. Five thousand it is."

Aleksei looks somewhat pained as Alaric just STANDS THERE. "Well if you're not going to /try/--" He's not! He's not trying! He just got knocked out! Aleksei is left to heave a sigh as part of his team goes down without even a FIGHT.

Leona grins at Reese at the double-elimination, though she makes the "I'm watching you" sign at Orazio as he cheers her elimination. It's all in good humor, judging by the smile on her face, but she makes her way over to Alaric as she continues to watch the fight.

Monique drops Trophy Chest.

Brianna's nose wrinkles, making a gesture of watchy-eyes at Alaric as she hits him. "You're going to pay for that later," she promises the King.

Orazio snickers at Aleksei. "This hurts you deep in your soul, doesn't it?" he calls out to the younger man.

Lilia was clearly disappointed that she hadn't gotten a bladder, and was moving to a more... defensive location? Just in time, she saw one, two of them, FLYING AT HER. She jumped out of the way of one... into the path of the other. And it pelted her with a SLPPPPPUURRT. She laughed, calling to Talen with a smile all the same. "A good throw!"

Alexis checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 96 higher.

Aleksei checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Eirlys turns to give her attention to Alexis for a moment. "Sorry! And Um.. Thank you?" She asks giving a confused look from Alexis to Neve then back again before her attention is back on the game.

Brianna checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Lucita checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Orazio checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

The bladder slams against Reese despite her attempt at dodging which is clearly a fail. She throws her own ball quickly back and it is a solidly good hit. The Pink Prince is taken out, but not without bringing the legendary commander down with her. "Damn...she is good." She says about Leona. Reese seems to be in good spirits despite being eliminated and she heads back toward Mae with her favor. "Mistress Mae, I am ashamed I didn't represent your favor better." She says, but her words are lightly teasing. She doesn't sem truly upset. She then grins over to Leona. "I hope so." She says in response. "To have your attention is an honor."

Malesh checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Reese has joined the A large Hedge Maze.

Eirlys checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Quenia checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Estaban has rolled a critical success!
Estaban checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

When Talen tags Lilia out after the ridiculous effort to see the westerner punished by the makeshift softballs, he ticks his chin up and levels his gunmetal gaze upon the young woman. "Good dodge," he says in easy offer back, before pointing at her dress. "That's like 5,000 silver's worth of damage. Ask my wife for it, over there," he says, pointing at Eleyna where she sits as she screams out her winnings from some kind of bet. Then he's off, for more.

Aislin checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Talen checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Isabeau has left the a large purple pansy carpet.

Jordal, a bodyguard leaves, following Isabeau.

Belladonna lets out another brilliant laugh, an actual grin making a brief appearance. She nods her head to Eleyna, lifting her glass. "It is a bet," she agrees, then turns her attention to go back to watching the game with much more interest than she was showing before. And less wine, because her glass is emptying fairly quickly.

Malesh has left the a magical mushroom blanket.

"It's all right, I can still exhort you on to victory from the sidelines," Alaric declares confidently as he proceeds over to the side where it seems he's supposed to go, standing next to Leona. "Press on, gentlemen-and-Reese! Note the wobble of the bladder in transit, be wary of sudden changes in direction!" Basically, he's turned into a sideline coach.

Orazio is, at least, not tripping over his feet as people scramble for the balls, but he doesn't get his hand on one. He's panting lightly as he settles into a defensive posture, watching Alexis and Eirlys with narrow eyes.

Talen acquired the ball, but in any good game of rugby, he's strongarmed Aleksei out of the way to get it. As he turns about, he tosses it to the man, nodding upward with his chin. "Fuck someone up, get them in the face." I mean, he might be getting excitable.

Quenia seems to be content for other people to get the balls to throw, she stays behind others!

Eirlys checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 41 higher.

Without obvious targets to hunt down this time, with Alaric and Reese out, Brianna doesn't have the same drive to get her to the ball. She doesn't get one. Instead, she also falls into a defensive posture, sliding a look towards Aleksei as he gets passed a ball. She calls out to him again, "Not in the face."

Alexis checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 56 higher.

Orazio checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Orazio checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Talen says, "IN THE FACE."

Malesh is again unable to secure one of the balls, but then again he's not built for throwing either. He again backs away to try and survive another volley by way of obscurity, as he appears to be rather unathletic compared to the others.

Eirlys turns to Orazio with a wide dimpled grin and says. "Try to catch! If you can!" Perhaps she should not throw quite so hard?

Alexis moves almost in tandem with Eirlys, raising her arm and the ball she snagged with it- "Forgive me, father. I'm pretty sure this is a sin," She offers to the man - and then she throws the pig's bladder with all her might.

Puma, The Stonewood Forest Cat arrives, following Gailin.

Aleksei is totally getting into it, elbows and all, with Talen over that ball. He looks even more aggravated when Talen wins and then /tosses it over to him/. "Why does Eleyna even like you!" But he has the ball, and he's eyeing for weak links on the opposing side. Poor Lucita: she's the one he takes aim for and flings his ball at.

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

Talen stretches in place while he watches the efforts of Aleksei, though Orazio's sudden 'out' causes him to glance that way. "I have more than just balls," is the reply, over his shoulder, to Aleksei.

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

Lucita checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

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

Lucita checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 13 higher.

Quenia narrows her eyes at Aleksei when he targets he cousin.

Keeping his eye on the balls does NOT help the Legate. As Alexis and Eirlys target him, his eyes widen comically large. He jumps to the side to try to avoid the first - and runs right into the second...then bounces back into the path of the second. Pigs bladders thwhap him in the chest. "Augh! Abuse of the clergy, over here," he calls out, then laughs, and bows to the two women. "Well-done, and I concede to my honorable opponents." Still laughing, he moves to the side, out of the line of fire.

Lucita checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Aislin checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Quenia checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Aleksei checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Brianna checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Joslyn cheers from her place for Alexis, she's biting her lips and laughing. "Gods, she's got an arm," she says to nobody in particular.

Talen checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Alexis checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Malesh checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 3 lower.

Eirlys beams a grin at Orazio. "Thank you!" She gives a respectiful not of her head to Orazio. "Perhaps our next meeting won't be like this!"

Lucita joins in the scramble for the balls in good natured event participation, laughing as she sees Estaban comes up with not one, but two of them. Both cast at her plus an additional one from Aleksei. Flying balls everywhere, they're everywhere. "Good throws you all" She calls out as she makes her way off the area.

Estaban checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Eirlys checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 28 higher.

Estaban is not safe from Quenia's squinty eyes either, but there they are getting balls again and she once more is on the losing side of grabbing things to throw. And so, she hides behind others as best she can again.

Orazio laughs and waves at Eirlys, "I should hope not." He returns to the blanket, amusement warming his dark eyes.

Ailith has left the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Orazio has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

The ball she threw at Orazio bounces right back, and the tiny knight leaps high in the air to snag it. She sketches a small bow as Orazio steps aside, then readies herself for another target. Considering - apparently she's going for the faithful, today as she gives a sharp whistle towards Aleksei before sending her ball flying towards him.

Brianna's luck has apparently been spent on taking out Alaric, leaving her to scramble away from the line quickly and try to become less noticable and ready to dodge, despite fire-touched hair and the skirts that cling to her legs.

Malesh lumbers about like a great oaf, shuffling this way and that as the balls bounce around, but never focusing on just running one down and getting his hands on it. He might as well be a clown out there, for all the good he's done in actually playing the game.

Estaban chuckles watching Lucita get not one but two balls chucked at her, he shoulder bumps Aleskei for team work. He is watching and waiting for the next round he does not get a ball this time but he waits a wide grin on her face.

Aleksei totally wrestles a ball away from Talen this time, proceeding to hold it up as high as he can, as if he has any sort of height advantage. (Spoiler alert: he doesn't.) Talen will have to get his OWN BALL. His gaze narrows on the crowd again, and since he already took out one Igniseri, he's apparently going to go 2/2: he flings his ball at Quenia.

Clover leans in reeeeaaaal close to Mae on the blankets, did they just kiss? Maybe! But Clover's standing up, and walking toward the exit afterward. Slipping out quietly.

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

Aleksei checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Clover is overheard praising Mae for: So fast! Fast chair sitter!

Aleksei checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Desiree has left the a pink pansy blanket.

Reese is overheard praising Leona for: Quite the Throw!

2 House Wyrmguard Guards leaves, following Desiree.

Reese is overheard praising Monique for: A great hostest.

Aislin dives for one of the balls and this time manages to collect one this time. Getting back to her feet, she quickly turns and /hurls/ her ball at Aleksei with a grin. (Because, you know, you should always target your friends first, right?)

Quenia checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Aislin checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Clover has left the A large Hedge Maze.

Sir Dalan, Longsuffering Valardin Knight leaves, following Clover.

Aleksei checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

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

Talen checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Gailin enters the party looking around at the festivities. As he moves through the crowd hes really more looking for someone he knows.

Monique has left the a large purple pansy carpet.

Talen is on the guy's team, right? When he's deflected by Aleksei, he smirks. There's a shove into Estaban when they go for the same one, a short sound that might be laughter, or a growl. It's hard to tell in the din of shoes squeaking and thudding, slapping against the floor. "Lord Admiral," he provides, when a breath comes in, and he straightens. The dark prince's eyes flash like steel when he snatches it up in hand, tossing it in place between his palms, then he hops to the side to consider his options in targets. It's -right then- when he stares at Aleksei's back, as if it's the biggest target of all. But it's then he tosses it at the one looking him over - Eirlys. "Oh no you -don't-!"

Monique rises from the purple pansy carpet and her happy steps take her to the magic mushroom blanket.

Monique has joined the a magical mushroom blanket.

Talen checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Talen checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Except that people are dodging hard all over the place, and so Quenia doesn't stay behind someone for long. The ball thrown at her comes out of the blue, hitting her in the side of the head! She blink, blink, blinks a couple of times, though doesn't take any damage. She's just a little shocked. "Woah, where did that come from?" she exclaims! Though there is a good natured grin on her face. She shrugs her shoulders at the crowd and she makes her way back to the seat and wine she abandoned on at the old oak blanket.

Quenia has joined the an old oak blanket.

Eirlys checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Aleksei dives. He DIVES! He's SO CLOSE to avoiding that throw from Alexis, but he doesn't quite manage it. He /does/ manage to avoid that much less well-aimed ball that follows from Aislin. "Hey!" he yells over at her, frowning. "No need to add insult to injury!" He stalks off the field!

Alexis checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

Malesh checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

Brianna checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 58 higher.

Aislin checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Lucita has joined the an old oak blanket.

Oh, but she does - she does! Eirlys throws the ball at Talen and it catches him in the side, just. It's close, but it's a good throw. His own sails through the air moments before he's tagged, likely leaving it as a valid hit, nonetheless. The Sword of Lenosia's expression is briefly tormented by frustrations, his jaw tightening up, before he exhausts harsh breath. Only molified by the fact Eirlys is out too, he opts to give her a dirty look and stalks back to his blankets. "I didn't want to play anyway," he might be heard saying.

Mae is overheard praising Aleksei for: Not the best at handling balls but pretty good.

Talen has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Eirlys is watching and waiting for a moment and she targets Talen though apparently she is being targeted by him as well as someone else. She manages to dodge one ball but fails the other. She gracefully (well as gracefully as one can when hit with a pig bladder moves to sit where she was. She does call out. "Legate I am guessing this was my repayment for having targeted you." She grins.

"I HEARD THAT!" Aleksei yells over at Mae.

Aleksei has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Brianna dives for a ball and gets one. As she sees that her new blanket-and-musical-chair-friend has gotten one as well, she grins over to Alexis and tips her chin towards Malesh. "You get him, I'll get the other?" she suggests, plotting openly.

Orazio looks up from his conversation at his title, and grins to Eirlys. "My brothers will always avenge me, my lady," he calls out with a little salute.

Estaban checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

"My apologies, Blessed Aleksei!" Alexis calls out to her almost-namesake. Happily running in her dress and grabbing the ball that bounces off of Eirlys. Considering her targets, she grins, then gives a bob of her head to Estabana - raising her arm, then hearing Brianna. "Yes, my lady." She agrees, with a bright grin to Brianna - and then she flings her ball at full force at Malesh. "APOLOGIES MY LORD!"

Alexis checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Eirlys grins and nods. "Then they are good brothers indeed, Legate." She offers back and gives a little salute back.

Brianna checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 56 higher.

Estaban checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Aislin checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Estaban checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 42 higher.

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

Brianna checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Malesh checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 9 lower.

Khanne takes a moment to watch the battle going on and shouts out, hopefully with better results this time, "Go Brianna!!!"

Trophy Chest is now unlocked.

And this is over, in favor of the girls. With Brianna's plan in place, she hurls her ball at Estaban, hitting the man, even as she swirls away from a bladder incoming from Malesh, grinning.

Mia has left the a magical mushroom blanket.

Mira cheers from the Gazebo! For who isn't exactly obvious, but she is certainly cheering!

Leona cheers as Brianna knocks Malesh out. "Well done, Brianna!"

Alaric applauds politely admist his quiet sideline discussions with Leona. "Well played, everyone!" he declares approvingly.

Esoka leans up on her blanket to applaud the women as they take the field, in a victory of balls. "Well-thrown!"

Aislin gets Battle of the Sexes Champion Trophy from Trophy Chest.

Brianna gets Battle of the Sexes Champion Trophy from Trophy Chest.

Aislin gets Prism figurine from Trophy Chest.

Alexis lets out a little cheer, wrapping her arms around the two noblewomen. "Well played!" She declares to Aislin and Brianna

Brianna gets Prism figurine from Trophy Chest.

Quenia gets Battle of the Sexes Champion Trophy from Trophy Chest.

Reese is overheard praising Brianna for: amazingly skilled at darting and throwing

Alexis gets Prism figurine from Trophy Chest.

Orazio is overheard praising Aislin for: Taking the women to victory!

Orazio is overheard praising Brianna for: Taking the women to victory!

Joslyn cheers happily as the women win!

Malesh is just lumbering about trying to reduce the level of embarassment he's creating. At some point, with few men remaining to get in his way, a ball bounces against his foot and up into his hands. "Ah-ha!" he shouts, triumphant at now offically being a participant. He takes aim and with a great swing of his long arm attepts to strike Brianna. Or was it Alexis? He shot is so far wide it's hard to say. Alexis gets her revenge by striking him square in his long torso. He looks around to find that his team has been defeated, but at least he was not the first to go. "Wow..." he says, breathing a little hard, "Was I the last man standing?" He laughs and raises his arms, "Cheers for Malesh of Stonewood!" He of course, being the easiest target and lowest threat, was saved for last for a reason, but he won't let that stop him from celebrating the game.

Lucita gets Battle of the Sexes Champion Trophy from Trophy Chest.

Quenia gets Prism figurine from Trophy Chest.

Eleyna claps for the women's team, hands drawn together in applause before she lowers them and steals her glass of wine back from Talen, murmuring, "Oh, please. You ony say that because -you- always lose, my dear."

Leona gets Prism figurine from Trophy Chest.

Alaric is overheard praising Malesh for: Last man standing!

Corban is watching the game from the sidelines, calling people out when they are stuck and otherwise officiating with the drillmasters from House Telmar and House Greenmarch. Finally, the final fellow is struck, and the Telmar Voice claps for the victors. "The men were outnumbered, but the fairer sex! Prevails! Congratulations to you all! Please, come get a trophy and /extra special/ figurine from the chest!"

Lucita gets Prism figurine from Trophy Chest.

Quenia cheers for the women winning the event. Afterwards, she drops back down to a conversational tone at her blanket.

Lilia gets Battle of the Sexes Champion Trophy from Trophy Chest.

Lilia gets Prism figurine from Trophy Chest.

Monique applauds the game but most especially the women for kicking butt! She watches them get their trophies and figurines, and calls out, "And special thanks and recognition to Mae and Magpie Grayhope for the absolutely sensational figurines!"

Reese sighs softly and lays back on the ground, closing her eyes. "I shipped your stuff back after you didn't answer my letters for weeks and weeks. "I dumped you because you said you felt pressured and I didn't want you to feel pressured. I contacted you right afterwards. I'm sorry, I care about you and I fucked up, but I am on the ogre who was fully wrong in this. I love you. But you are fully free. You have to do what you want."

Brianna grins to Alexis, planting a kiss on her cheek and then on Aislin's before she lets out a whoop of her own. To Estaban, she offers in bright, grinning apology: "Sorry, I get a /little/ competitive." She steps away from the field of battle, moving to rejoin her cousin even as her gaze slides to find her date, HOPEFULLY NOT ON DUTY.

Orazio is overheard praising Alexis for: Taking the women to victory!

Khanne looks at the chest and bites her lip. "Do all the women get a trophy?" She smiles a little hopefully.

Aislin offers a triumphant grin to Alexis and Brianna, and even tolerates the victory hug. "Was there ever any doubt which team would win?" she remarks to the others with a laugh, cheering the others on.

Aislin is overheard praising Brianna for: An amazing athlete!

Aislin is overheard praising Alexis for: An amazing athlete!

Estaban smirks, "No need to apolozie." he grins and moves back to join Lucita and Queina.

Estaban has joined the an old oak blanket.

From her position standing, Monique calls out. "And on the heels of that spectacular victory, we'll try to be a little more fair. The next draw is for every single person in attendance right now! For the exclusive perfume and cologne set donated for this party by Mistress Jayanthi Hawkeye!"

Alaric has joined the a pink pansy blanket.

Lilia perks at the mention of a perfume set, clearly interested.

Alexis pants a little, and grins at the kiss. Then moves to take a figurine, studying it with a pleased smile. "Thank you." She declares, to her team, to the men, to the officiators. She pauses and offers a small curtsey and a rueful smile to Orazio. "I apologise, Holy Father. You seemed a natural target once his Majesty was eliminated." She explains. Then she shoots a grin at Aleksei. "And, well, once the Holy Father was eliminated..."

Mira yaaaaaawns and stretches out in the Gazebo, arms overhead and tilting backward until she squeaks and flails to right herself before she goes over backwards onto the lawn.

Orazio stands to bow to Alexis as she approaches. "Think nothing of it. Eliminating the best leaders is a sound tactic of war, and I do not blame you at all." He grins. "That doesn't mean I won't contemplate revenge, of course," and his eyes flicker to Eirlys, as well, including her in that dire, smiling warning. "It was a good game, though, and you all fought well."

A giant basket full of names on slips of paper is brought to Monique and she thrusts her hand into it, fiddling and swishing dramatically. "And the winner of the exclusive perfume and cologne set is...." Big dramatic pause..... "Father Orazio!"

Saedrus applauses delicately still holding his wine and partly distracted for the goings on at the butterfly blanket. "Congratulations, Legate." he cheers softly.

Khanne beams a smile at Brianna. "Oh... thank you! How did you know?" She looks at the figurine and says, "she put fireflies in my hair once..." Leaning in, she nudges Brianna's shoulder with her own. "You are certainly a winner, cousin dear. Congratulations."

Belladonna checked composure + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

"Of course." Alexis bows to Orazio. Then laughs as he is declared the winner. "Well - may the cologne and perfume at least salve your war wounds, holy father." Alexis offers. "If you'll excuse me." Another bow, moving towards the yellow blanket again.

Monique has left the a magical mushroom blanket.

When the name is announced, Lord Corban makes his way over to the Legate, with the two vials of perfume. "Not only do you win the perfume and afer-shave -- special blend for this event, never to be made again -- you also win the sole right to have Mistress Jayanthi make additional batches for you! So congratulations!"

Khanne checked composure at difficulty 7, rolling 5 higher.

Carita has left the a magical mushroom blanket.

Edward shifts on the mushroom blanket and rises to his feet and then he looks at Carita and offers her his hand to help her stand. He smiles to her and says something as he will help her rise to her feet, making sure she is steady before he will offer his arm. With her in hand Edward uses the opportunity for the praise and rewards being given out to slip out with the Lady Darkwater.

Orazio blinks. "Wait, what?" Did he miss the announcement? Yes, yes he did. He blinks owlishly at Corban before he laughs, and bows. "Ah! Well, thank you so much. I appreciate it. It will be exquisite, I'm sure," he says, cheerfully.

Edward has left the a magical mushroom blanket.

1 Navegant Marines, Carita leave, following Edward.

Mira cheers for Orazio, calling out, "Try it on! Splash it about!" She nods and holds up her journal, as if to record Orazio's behavior in this situation.

Joslyn rises once more from the blanket, hugging at Alis once more. "It was great seeing you, I'm gonna make my way back to my date. It was lovely," she waves to the rest of the table, than makes her way towards Alexis and Neve to make with some more snuggles.

Orazio raises an eyebrow at Mira. But he shuffles things around until he can open the aftershave and take a cautious sniff. The scent brings a smile to his face, and he dabs a little bit in appropriate places. "This is quite lovely," he says, and then takes a seat.

Mira scribbles some cryptic notes.

Joslyn has left the a large purple pansy carpet.

Joslyn has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.

Brianna is overheard praising Monique for: One of the best events I have attended. Thank you.

Brianna is overheard praising Corban for: One of the best events I have attended. Thank you.

Not long after Edward and Carita had departed, Mia too abandoned the blanket that they had been occupying together. She stretched up onto her toes, further, further, just a bit.... ah! There Samantha was. Sinking back down into the grass, she gathered up her skirts and headed towards where her liege sat, only pausing briefly when she realized that the Marquessa was with none other than the King.

Reese mistakenly might have got a bit loud with her words there. She doesn't seem to realize though. She continues to talk with Mae and at least is being quiet not. Her cheeks are pink and blue eyes are pregnant with some kind emotion, maybe sorrow. She does give Mae a smile though. Her blonde locks re still damp and they are very tangled now too.

Reese is overheard praising Corban for: Great party!

Mia has joined the a pink pansy blanket.

Reese gets a rich burgandy vintage wine from the vineyards of Granato from Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Reese gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Lord Corban makes his way to the Greenmarcher co-host, touching her arm lightly as they come to the close of the evening.

"Again, on behalf of House Telmar and House Greenmarch, we are so glad to have had you join us tonight. Now is for our final event of the evening, the raffle draw for the incredible dragonweep ring." Oooo. Ahhh. "We thank very much the esteemed Atelier Joscelin for her impeccable work on this most-valuable of gems." He then looks over at the Greenmarch Voice.

"Lady Monique, if you might do us the honor of drawing the winning ticket?"

Mira goes quiet, leaning forward with wide eyes as her journal folds and lays closed on her lap, held with both hands around the spine.

Monique has rolled 1 1103-sided dice: 728

Quenia pauses her conversation to listen to the number, and when she hears it, she shakes her head. She looks around the room for the winner.

Monique does the dramatic drawing again, this time displaying the Dragonweep ring in her other hand for all to see. Swish swish swish.....

"... and the winner is.... Count Kael Keaton! Congratulations, Count Kael! And thank you to *everyone* who entered and made this possible!"

Is anyone still watching Mae and Reese? Maybe! If so, they might have just seen a bit of physical /closeness/. And then Mae is rising up, and adjusting her bag over her shoulder. She gives a look around, just as a name is being called. Seems like the perfect time to scamper on out! And that's exactly what Mae does!

Mae has left the A large Hedge Maze.

Alexis takes Joslyn and Neve by the arms, nodding over towards Alis, and giving an apologetic smile to Khanne, Brianna, Leona and Esoka. "It was good to meet you - and you are, of course, all welcome to the Dragon's Hearth. That's my forge." She explains. Pausing, in anticiaption - then letting out a startled cheer for Kael, applauding.

Reigna is toooootally not paying attention to the drawing, she's off in her own little pregnant world, though when Kael's name is called, her attention focuses there -- and her expression is one of confusion. "Mmm? Did we -- Kael did you win something?" Clueless Countess is clueless.

Mira sighs a bit as the name is read, "Oh well. There's other dragon parts to be had." She glances down at a list in her notebook, shakes her head, and straightens up. As she wanders out of the Gazebo, she murmurs to herself, "I wonder how much harpoons cost..."

Reese checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Alis can be seen clapping for Kael, as she sits nearby. "Well done, Count Kael. Luck of the draw be yours." Her smile grows then, catching Alexis nod her way. And she lifts a hand to wave.

Kael is, at this point, serving the role of back support for his wife. One arm stretched out behind her, politely watching the raffle. When it is that he is announced as the winner, the already still man is going even more still. He looks, for lack of better word, somewhat dumbfounded. Shaking his head, trying to get the fuzzies out, and pressing a swift kiss to his wife's brow. "Just a moment," he murmurs to her, easing back from her and rising to his full height. "Thank you!"

Eirlys whistles loudly and claps as Kael is called out as the winner.

Brianna gets a rich burgandy vintage wine from the vineyards of Granato from Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Eirlys moves to help hold Reigna up while Kael gets his prize.

Monique picks up Trophy Chest.

Mia gets a rich burgandy vintage wine from the vineyards of Granato from Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Esoka checks her numbers, but finds herself not the winner. The lucky one is clapped for in that boisterous way she has of clapping, though. She rises from the blanket, taking a moment to arrange her skirts. "I'm not sure how women who walk about in these all the time manage. Anyhow. You lot were good company tonight, but I should be taking my leave. This was great fun!"

Reese seems troubled and she tries to hide it, but she doesn't do a very good job of it. Her lashes are damp and everything.

Malesh has joined the a bounty of butterflies carpet.

Lilia gets a rich burgandy vintage wine from the vineyards of Granato from Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Reigna happily braces on Eirlys, still trying to catch up, and when it all comes together and she sees Kael moving to collect his prize, her jaw drops and she blinks rapidly, "I -- I did not know he'd entered! Oh congratulations Kael!" She hugs on Eirlys and beams at Alis, "He won! How incredible!"

Malesh has regained his composure after his loss, and makes an effort to congratulate his teammates on their loss, finding many of them on the butterfly carpet...

Khanne applauds loudly and looks over towards the Keaton's. She stands up and whistles a call. "Woo! Congrats Kael! Don't keep it for yourself now. I expect to see that on Reigna's finger!"

Lilia gets a blessed pendant of Petrichor from a basketful of silky wildflowers with blessed pendants of Petrichor ii Please take only one.

Quenia is distracted from her conversation a moment when she notices more people taking wine from the table. She beams with pride. "I really do hope that people enjoy the wine we made for the event," she tells Lucita.

Leona has left the a yellow daisy blanket.

Corban is overheard praising Kael for: Our fabulous dragonweep winner!

Khanne gets a rich burgandy vintage wine from the vineyards of Granato from Granato Wine Table ii Please Take Only One .

Corban is overheard praising Monique for: The best co-host a fellow could ask for.

Quenia is overheard praising Monique for: For organizing a wonderful event!

Quenia is overheard praising Corban for: For organizing a wonderful event!

Joslyn has left the a yellow daisy blanket.

Joslyn has joined the a large purple pansy carpet.

Leona stands then, offering a hand to Brianna, clearly preparing to leave. "This was an excellent event," says the tall woman with lilies in her hair. "But I think I'm about partied out."

Lucita says, "Indeed," She replies to Quenia. "it was a particularly good batch.""

Neve has left the a yellow daisy blanket.

Neve has joined the a large purple pansy carpet.

Alexis guides her two dates over to the purple carpet, sketching a small curtsey. "Congratulations, Count Kael, Countess Reigna. Lady Eirlys, Princess Alis, well met."

Leona is overheard praising Corban for: A wonderfully fun event! Even if he did have people throwing things at the King.

Lilia is overheard praising Corban for: For a wonderful event and evening!

Alexis has left the a yellow daisy blanket.

Alexis has joined the a large purple pansy carpet.

Lilia is overheard praising Monique for: For a wonderful event and evening!

Neve has left the a large purple pansy carpet.

Neve has joined the a large purple pansy carpet.

Leona is overheard praising Monique for: What a beautifully organized event!

Brianna only stops to get a bottle of wine, wiggling it at Leona before she slides her hand into the other woman's. "And here I was going to suggest a party of just us--," she teases, a laugh in the words. But she only nods in agreement. She also drags them towards Monique and Corban, offering their hosts on the way out: "It was a lovely evening, Lord Telmar, Lady Greenmarch. Thank you for inviting us."

Eirlys leans against Reigna giving her something to prop against and calls out to Kael. "Let us see it!"

Monique hands off the precious Dragonweep ring to Kael with a fluorish, her eyes bright. "Congratulations!" And then she turns to the gathering. "Many thanks to House Igniseri for their incredible wine, to Magpie and May Grayhope for the stunning figurines, to Mistress Jayanthi for the beautiful perfumes, and to Atelier Joscelin for the incomparable Dragonweep ring! And thank you to each and every single one of you for coming to join us, to celebrate the Spring, the spirits and Blessed Petrichor! I hope you enjoy the rest of the night, dancing, drinking and..." she pauses, dimpling devilishly, "... maybe creating new life? Thank you to my superb co-host, Lord Corban Telmar, especially! None of this would have been possible without he and his House!"

Monique is overheard praising Corban for: Incomparable

Alis is familiar with both dates, patting the carpet blanket for all of them to have a seat. Alexis, Joslyn, and Neve. "I hoe you enjoyed the party. It's been fun to watch."

Whatever Saedrus might have been huffing over, it's forgotten as he applauds for both Corban and Monique. "A brilliantly held event, thank you both."

Leona grins at Brianna. "Well, I'm taking you with me, aren't I?" Brianna leads them over to Corban and Monique and she gives a nod of her head in acknowledgement. "An excellently organized event, Lady Monique. I had more fun than I expected." Then she looks at Corban, and there's a sly sort of grin as she adds, "And you did a pretty good job too, pup." Then there's a wink and she's leading Brianna from the room.

Mira cheers and claps and even whistles sharply for the host and hostess, and tears off a page to hand to a serving person, nodding with a few instructions whispered quietly.

Brianna has left the a yellow daisy blanket.

Gerard, a secretary leaves, following Brianna.

4 King's Own Guardsmen, Narses, Brianna leave, following Leona.

Willen leaves, following Aislin.

Kael seems in indisputable awe when is given the prize, staring down at it with no small amount of wonder. "It is beautiful," he compliments to the world at large. He takes a slow, deep breath, and then that call from Khanne penetrates. He flashes her a grin, goes so far as to wink, and then walks back toward his seat with something of a haze. When he reaches that purple pansy carpet, he shows it off and, most gallantly, kneels to offer it to his wife.

"And thank you to Marquis Marius and House Greenmarch for hosting us on their grounds. And thank you most of all to Lady Monique for her incredible work arranging for all of the things you see here today. It was literally weeks of preparation for a night of incredible celebration." Lord Corban dips his head and claps for his co-host as the band strikes up, playing off their guests as they get final drinks and say farewell.

Monique gets Battle of the Sexes Champion Trophy from Trophy Chest.

Monique gets Prism figurine from Trophy Chest.