With only the faintest streaks of vermillion and fading violets left in the wake of a newly set sun, the midnight velvet canvas of the skies are already awash with a myriad of softly twinkling stars overhead. Soft sands the color of sun-kissed marble slowly rolls down a gentle slope toward the shoreline where gentle waves crash into the beaches. A long wooden pier has been erected a short distance from the main pathways. At its end sits one of the finest Thraxian carrier vessels, The Ichneumon. Its sails billow softly in the gentle gust of winds that carry the promise of a smooth departure, beckoning for one to satiate their wanderlust and need of adventure aboard its expansive decks well-illuminated by lantern and torch light.

Festive streamers adorned in a myriad of sea-themed colors line either side of the boarding planks. A small retinue of Thraxian Reavers and Nightgold Reapers stand at their bases, serving as both guards for the voyage and aides to onboarding passengers.

The sand before the peers is still warm underfoot from hours baking under the summer sun. Donella stands there, a piece of fruit in her her fingers, one bite of the flesh missing as she waits to welcome the guests to Ichneumon.

Nadia has already boarded the ship, lingering by the onboarding planks. She seems to be in quiet conversation with several of the Thrax sailors, finalizing last minute details of the voyage to come. She looks out over the railing, watching for guests that might already be making their way across the sands.

Dawn has opted to dress down for the occasion: trousers and tunic and riding boot, with a nod to her rank seen in the drape of a cloak intended to keep off the wind that can kick up out on the water. The Grayson contingent brings guards as well but they're waved off by the Lady to stand sentinel on the beach-- a thing that doesn't sit well with all of them, to judge the narrow study several give those Reavers. But Dawn herself is all smiles as she approaches Donella, that same hand raised in a hail. "Your highness. I was pleased to receive the invitation and am happier still to see you. Thank you."

Calypso makes her way down the beach path and up to the boarding planks with an air of confident sophistication. She inclines her head to Donella first as she spots the woman upon arrival. "What a wonderful idea this was. It has been a while sense I set foot on a ship such as this. Impressive, your Highness."

Natalia is always in dresses and they are full and fluffy and just so. Tonight is no differnt as she comes gliding onto the beach. There is a small smile given to the sea before she also moves to the plank. It is first to greet the most beautiful Donella. "Donella, darling.. this is fabulous." She leans in to actually attempt to kiss the woman's cheek. There is also something murmured to her. "I will let you greet others, but you simply must come find me when we set sail. This is sure to be the most glorious of adventures."

Kima arrives in the company of Victus. Or, perhaps, Victus just so happens to begrudgingly let her walk ahead of him and she called it arriving together. The pair each sport a bit of a limp, or a wince, though beyond a split lip and some scuffed knuckles...nothing appeared amiss. She talks over her shoulder, "...And he went flying, fastest I'd ever seen a mule run. The girl was screaming, the boy was screaming, the mule was braying. I could hardly breathe for the laughter." Kima was dressed plainly, as was her norm. A blue-and-white striped top, paired with trousers that ended just below her knees and a pair of sandals in the martial style of Southport. Her blonde hair hung wet and limp around her face. She whistled upon seeing the vessel. "You weren't kidding," she acknowledges. "It is rather fine looking."

Trooping up the beach on long, easy strides, Pietro Igniseri appears for the night party with his eyes bright and dark as he looks to the ship, eager to disembark. He's dressed more sailorly than he would ordinarily ever come to a party with other nobles, fine black trousers cut for ease of motion, pale linen shirt open at the throat to reveal the gleam of golden skin at his collar bone, and dark leather vest stitched with scarlet tooling in stylized feathers the only real extra /adornment/ he has going on. There's an energy to his motion as he strides toward the others, bespeaking the bounce of his step as he lopes to disembark. "Evening!" he carols.

Juliet wears a sleeveless dress of layrered fabrics, each made out in the shape of a leaf or flower. A low-cut neck exposes ample cleavage and attention is drawn not only by the large red rose serving as a focal point for her underbust corset, but also by the pendant she wears nestled against her breasts. Her skirts flare at the hip, trails of vines embroidered along the petals and greenery of the faux foliage, and she's wearing simple satin slippers in a pale pink to go with them. Her hair is set up in an elaborate fall of dark curls, with hints of pink in the real and faux cloth roses arranged with a complex array of pins.

Waiting her turn to greet the hostess, the young Fidante takes in the crowd - and then, once it's her turn, she offers a curtsey. "Your highness, I am the Lady Juliet Fidante, and I am so grateful for the invitation. This truly looks to be a marvellous night."

Donella admires Dawn's attire, leaning back on her bare heels in the sand. "I am so glad that you could accept, and I can repay your hospitality of before, Lady Dawn. I hope your men will be comfortable, there? They are ... welcome, of course? And Oh! You!" She points to Calypso and offers her fingers in greeting, "You're a Malvici, aren't you? I'm almost certain that's what I was told when I asked about you before. Please, won't you come aboard? Duchess Nightgold is aboard, waiting to welcome you." She grins, too as Natalia approaches, Kima, and Victor, making her courtesies. Footfalls sound on the boarding planks.

Damon knocks his boots against the edge of the gangway plank, shaking out any granules of sand that would linger and messy up the deck of the ship. He makes his way up to the main deck, dressed in his usual; riding boots, trousers and a lovely shirt, his cloak draped and pinned over his shoulder as if it were a poncho. He stops in front of Donella, dipping his head, "You have a lovely ship. Thank you for having me aboard, your Highness. I am Lord Damon Wyrmguard, it's good to meet you."

Cassius, lord of Nightgold, has come dressed in simple yet noble clothing with a sword and a pin of his house on his breast. He elects to swagger through the sand and onto the boat, not wanting to get sand in his boots too early in the night.

"They'll be fine," Dawn assures Donella with a smile. She steps aside to clear the way for others, pausing to aim a touch to Natalia's shoulder-- also with a smile-- before it's up the gangplank for her, with the cloak billowing behind. Once aboard, Nadia's given a small nod as the Lady navigates to a place against the rail. The better to look down on those boarding, her arms folded casual-like against wood and her head tilted to track familiar faces.

Dafne is tagging along with Pietro. She's clad in a simple dress of navy blue, cinched with a narrow black bodice, and adorned only with embroidery that looks like nothing so much as cobwebs. Her dark hair is piled lazily on her head, a few curls falling free against her slender white neck, and her blue eyes are smudged with black. "Is that the proper greeting for a boat?" she asks of Pietro with appropriate naval enthusiasm.

For once, the Marquessa of Deepwood is on time. Which is fortunate, because had she been late, she might have missed the shove off of the ship and been stuck on the sand. Samantha is wearing a dress, but it's the lightest of cotton, pale peach to contrast her dark skin, and leaves her arms bare. A shawl drapes over her shoulders in the event of brisk sea winds, and she's bound her hair into a thickly woven braid that drapes forward over one shoulder. As she boards, she offers a curtsey to the two hostessing princesses, but does not tarry overlong. They've got a great many people to greet.

Victus hardly seems to be paying Kima any attention at all as she talks. Except perhaps to grunt out the occasional sound when she makes a point that resonates with him. The rest of her incessant droning he simply tunes out. Now and then he rubs his hip, and his thigh as he limps along. When they finally arrive and the view of the ship bathed in light of lamps out on the sea reveals itself, he shakes his head. He tells the Southport knight: "Yeah. Even if she ain't where she's supposed to be." Does he grumble that just loud enough for Donella to hear? His dark eyes briefly touch up his cousin critically. Then he's limping onboard.

Calypso nods to Donella. "Indeed. Lady General Calypso Malvici." She says with a slight bow. "Perhaps we will have a moment to speak when your duties as hostess are less taxing. In the mean time, thank you for the invitation." She inclines her head and wastes no more of Donella's time. And as she crests the plank and ends up on the deck of the boat she spots Nadia. With a wide grin she greets. "Lady Nadia. How nice to see you again."

Kima asks, bemused, "Where is she supposed to be?"

Nadia smiles brightly at Natalia as she comes aboard the ship. "Princess Natalia, I'm pleased that you were able to make it out to join us on our adventure tonight. I trust you'll be delighted in what I have planned in store. It's quite the surprise." She slants an amenable nod after Dawn, before turning to welcome each guest personably without a beat missed, "Lady Calypso, welcome aboard!" And on, and on, she goes.

Jarek is distracted for a moment by all those pretty little fires, look at them, lighting the way to the dock, but he manages to wrest himself away from all the minor distractions here and there to eventually drag himself to the gangway. Look at all those familiar faces! There is a bright smile and a bow to Donella "Princess Thrax, delightful to see you again" he says, but doesn't linger because he doesn't want to hold anything up, and makes his way up to the gangplank and onto the ship. There is a familiar group of people, and he makes his way towards them. "Princess Stalker, Lady Malvici, and Lady Nightgold, its wonderful to see you all, how are you?"

As guests come aboard the Ichneumon, they will find that all but the main decks to the fore and starboard of the ship has been sectioned off with cerulean rope to discourage wandering bodies away from the main celebration. Star-shaped, iron lanterns inset with lit candles have been strung artfully from hardware above, bathing the freshly swabbed wood underfoot in a warm glow. A wide array of tables and comfortable seating are scattered across the deck, boasting excellent views of the gentle waters of the open bay.

Sailors of House Thrax linger in the peripheral of the party, dressed handsomely in loose and flowing garb of soft hues, ready to cater to the varied needs of guests without hesitation.

"I think generally you are supposed to break a wine bottle over their nose, but only on ultra formal occasions," Pietro says with an easy, teasing laugh on his breath. "Come on, we'd best get up." He offers Dafne his arm for a better, more proper escort up the planks and onto the deck of the ship after some of the others.

Dawn lifts her chin and calls, "Lady Saik! What brute did that to you?" The chin-lift is meant to indicate the lady's limp, no doubt. The glint of amusement in her eyes, as they slant briefly towards Victus, hint that she knows full well already what the answer will be.

"Your Highness, my lady." Samantha murmurs when it's her turn to address Donella and Nadia respectively. "Thank you for allowing me aboard. I've never been on a ship before." She does not want to take up too much of their time, given the flurry of people boarding.

Natalia will swing to sweep Nadia up in a hug if she allows. "Darling... you are sure to create a stir and make it so that we will never forget it." A soft laugh to attempt to kiss her cheek before she moves further onto the deck. Then she looks over her shoulder at Nadia. "Arr." Then she moves over and brightens beautifully. "Prince Wanderer..." This is towards Jarek as she moves for a moment towards the side and towards Dawn. She will place a light touch on her arm before smiling at the others. For now, she's content to see how this all plays out.

Dafne takes Pietro's arm on her way up the plank, looking about her in open curiosity. "I imagine usually ships aren't set up like this either. Or the sailors dressed so well." She gives a quick curtsy to their hostesses, but does not stop in order to keep the crowd moving. "Your highness," she says to Donella in particular. "A pleasure to see you. How lovely it all looks."

Victus throws a sideways look in Kima's direction, and just shakes his head. No answer given. The Thraxian around the ship salute him briskly inbetween hurrying about their business. Like Kima, he's dressed plain. Shirt, sailor's pants and some sandals. On one hip he's got a two handed longsword, on the other there's a very big fucking knife. From Kima his attentions travel towards Dawn as she draws attention to the aftermath of violence. "Fucking Lycene." Leaving it at that, turns away to get himself something to drink.

Donella offers the kiss of peace for Natalia in return, saying something soft to her as she passes. Followed by the more audible, "Mind your footing. The salt makes the planks shrink, your highness. And this is another of our flowers of the City states-- thank you for coming! Your presence is most welcome. How is Lady Calista? Is she not coming?" With a deep inhalation, Donella looks to greet Kima and Victus next, saying, "I trust I need not tie your lovely companion to the spar, Leviathan?" And then Pietro, with a laugh of delight, "A horrid waste of drink. I like to put a spray of fir on the bow. Good luck, and such.

Calypso inclines her head to Jarek as her approaches. "Your Highness. Always a pleasure." She says with a cool even tone. It is just then that she notices Victus and Kima limping along up to the ship. Her cold black brow raises with piqued curiosity. "Lady Kima... Lord Victus. Pleasant day in the training center?"

Nadia breathes a tinkling laugh at Natalia, graciously receiving her kiss to the cheek before returning it quickly. "Try not to stir too much trouble of your own, Your Highness," she calls after her cousin before her eyes fall upon Samantha next. "We're most delighted that you were able to make it out, Marquessa." She leans in, voice lowered to a feigned conspiratorial whisper, "And worry not, my lady. This will be my first time aboard a ship, too. It'll be an experience of firsts we'll share together, no?"

"What??" Donella sounds scandalized by Samantha's admission. "Never been on a... Well, on you go! I insist. And mind you hold the lines. No falling off!"

Teeth flashing in a wide grin, Pietro sketches a little bow to Donella. "That does sound less wasteful," he says. "This is a lovely idea for an evening, Highness. I've been excited since I first heard about it. A change of pace in the flurry of all our nonsense."

"I am afraid I'm not privy to the Lady Calista's schedule. But I will try to make up for her absence, if it turns out she has been otherwise occupied." Juliet offers, with as bright a smile as she can muster. And so, with her respects paid, the Fidante quickly moves onwards to the ship, eyes gleaming in delight at the sights before her. Quickly getting a glass of wine from one of the servants, and then sketching a curtsey to Nadia as well, once it looks like the second hostess might have a moment free between greeting old and new friends. "Your highness," She offers. "Thank you ever so much for the invitation. I am Lady Juliet Fidante, and I am delighted to make your acquaintance."

Abbas is dressed in the one non-plain set of clothing that he owns. He wears Thraxian colors so it is not like the prince is stretching boundaries. His expressions are hidden beneath a thick and proper beard. His long hair is tied with leather cord in a few places and hangs on his back. He has on his belt a worn one-handed axe that has seen better days from a few seasons on the pitch and yaw of the Salt. His pitch gaze looks around and he greets his cousin, "Princess." There is little emotion tone. He then carries onward and offers Nadia a nod, "Duchess." His eyes give her another look over her shoulder and a wink before the captain goes to clasp arms with the Thraxian killers that pulled the shit end of the shortest straws for duty.

"So it shall, my lady." says Samantha to Nadia with an easy smile, and inclines her head to Donella accordingly. "I shall make a note of it." she assures, worrying her mouth in eager anticipation. She moves forward, asiding to Pietro politely, "Excuse me, my lord." before proceeding forward. Noting a few familiar faces, Natalia, Juliet, and Dawn all get gentle smiles of greeting.

Jarek grins brightly at Calypso "if I didn't know you better Lady Malvici, sometimes when you look at me like that I'd say you were being sarcastic" he is of course joking and smiling happily about the whole thing "but, since I do know you better, I know that you are absolutely ecstatic to see me." he adds playfully to Calypso.

"I don't know," murmurs Dafne thoughtfully, with a glance at the ship. "I'm sure the ship appreciates the odd drink once in a while, after all."

Dawn turns to set her back to the railing, opting out of taking a seat. She seems comfortable where she is, biding with Natalia nearby and hands free to lift in acknowledgement of those who stream by. Victus' glance and remark? They earn the man a low chuckle but no remark. Pietro and Dafne receive a grin, and when Samantha is spied her wave becomes an invitational beckoning should the marquesa care to join this little patch of decking.

Hearing Dawn's voice, Kima turns, spots the woman amongst the various bodies as they board the ship, and smiles. "Brute? Brutes! We were most grievously assaulted, it's true," said as her left hand rests limply upon the pommel of her sword. "It was hardly my idea, but then what can you do when an animal gets something into its head? One goes, then they all go, and before you know it, you've a swarm of hounds jumping upon you, licking your face, and is it their fault if they've rough paws and nails beside?" She flaps her hand idly. "Victus rescued me, truth be told, and earned himself a few scrapes in the bargain." Turning, Kima greets Calypso as well, smiling as she says, "No training today, I'm afraid."

Donella raises herself up on her toes and herself turns to go up the planks, lightly, with some of her skirting over her arm. "Abbas," she greets warmly. "Cousin, thank you-- you do not know what it means to have family close. Especially with so many ladies aboard. I think Victus has mentioned before that we are bad luck... so we need a few luck-bearers, like yourself. In case we begin to list toward the open sea..."

Natalia is content to watch the people as they mill about and greet people. Her eyes linger on the Thraxians before she smiles at Dawn. Then she sees Samantha and lifts her hand to beckon her over. A bright smile for the woman as she does. The woman leaves to acquire two glasses of wine and hands one silently towards Dawn.

"Why not? Cut loose and sail free. Maybe we can find a sea dragon or something," Pietro says with ready enthusiasm, and then laughs, striding a few paces forward on the decking and, perforce, drawing Dafne along with him, since he hasn't relinquished her arm. Maybe he's concerned that she'll float away like a shred of lacy cobweb if he doesn't keep her close. "Lady Calypso! I thought I heard your voice. You'd be ready to take down a sea monster, wouldn't you?"

Nadia glances out over the beaches, patiently awaiting the last stragglers to safely board the planks before she gives the signal. Shouts briefly echo across the decks before the planks are drawn, the anchor hoisted with tireless efficiency, and the sails made ready by deft crewmen staged high above.

The duchess moves across the deck in search of her second hostess, her lips curled in a pleasant smile to the varied guests before her eyes catch sight of Donella. She links arms with the princess casually, leaning in to stage a hushed whisper to her ear. Meanwhile, there is a flurry of motion as servants bustle across the deck, their aim to see the guests armed with their first glass of alcohol of their choice.

Victus, overhearing Kima's explanation of their state, throws the blonde knight a dubious squinting look. He makes a noise under his breath, a mutter of some sort that isn't quite audible. Thankfully someone's put a cup in his hands, which he throws back with a quick backwards toss of his head. Immediately afterwards its refilled again, and he repeats the process. The large warlord looks like he might be able to keep it up forever, but he stops on the third and settles instead at the periphery of the gathering courtiers. Silent, hands folded over his broad chest, and occasionally sipping from his brew.

Calypso gives Jarek a bit of a look. "Interpret my words as you may, your highness." She bows ever so slightly though the crack of a smile might be seen by those who know what to look for. To Kima she nods. "You were swarmed by dogs? Are you hiding a kennel in your room as well as a kitten sanctuary?" And as Pietro speaks up she inclines her head to him. "Lord Pietro, you have nothing to fear. I am always at the ready and prepared, no matter the beast that needs to be slain. So long as you promise to fight at my side."

"Remind me not to invite you to our kennels," Dawn calls back to Kima, her grin tucking deep and bright. "But bless the man who rescued the Lioness from the hounds, I'm glad to see you returned safely to us, my lady." Still struck with soft laughter, she reaches aside to accept the glass from Natalia. "Thank you, cousin. Have you sailed before? Graysons have poor luck on water sometimes, it seems like," she remarks before that vibration of boat in motion is felt beneath her boots. She straightens up and claps her empty hand to the railing, anticipating the swaying to come.

"Oh, a sea monster?" Dafne perks up in clear interest. "Do you think we might see one? That would be fantastic. I would have to take notes."

Donella laughs. "It would not be fantastic. Trust me on this. It's more than a little disconcerting to look down into an eye larger than you are... And I do hate to have party guests go into the drink. It rather obligates people toward heroism. I hate to presume..." she jokes

"It would be my honor," Pietro answers Calypso with another ready grin, the breath of an unvoiced laugh escaping past the flash of his teeth. "The team we would make ought to strike fear into the heart of any slavering beast." He slants a sidelong look down at Dafne with a slight shake of his head, and says, "Well-- a man can dream, can't he?" Long breath drawn in through his nose, he looks up toward the circulating servants. "Lady Dafne, what are you drinking? Since I'm sure there's no distilled sea monster ink, we'll have to look for fine wines."

Abbas regards Donella and the Prince nods, "It is bad luck. And no worries, we Thraxians are good swimmers." His gaze goes left and then right, "The Arxians will be the first to go. I doubt they can make it to shore. Chum in the water." He waves a hand dismissively, "Safest place on the seas to be is a ship full of our butchers. And though he may be pissing salt out of his mouth the man that runs this ship is a Salted as it gets. We'll be fine. Women or nor." Abbas then adds, "It is good to see you, too."

Samantha is eager enough to make her way to Dawn and Natalia. "Good evening, my lady, you highness." She slides her way into the little clutch of people, plucking up a glass of wine at the first opportunity. Tilting a bit toward Dawn, she murmurs softly, "I've tried to be good about not addressing you familiarly in public. It's difficult not to fall back on the habits of childhood." Though they're not children anymore.

Nadia accepts a glass of spiced rum from one of the servants. "Much thanks to you both for allowing us to commandeer the ships without worry, and lending us your Reavers tonight," she raises her drink in toast to Abbas and Victus alike, her words merry and full of jest, though there seems to be a story waiting to be told in her cheshire's smile as she looks to Donella.

Dafne's eyes widen. "Larger than you are..." she echoes, in clear fascination. "I am not very large," she adds. "It might only be a _small_ sea monster. Although," she admits, "I suppose it would rather ruin the party to have people go overboard." She glances to Pietro. "Something sweet and dark," she decides.

"I am not!" Kima protests Calypso with a laugh. "It 'twas upon the street, you've my word. Someone lost control of the veritable pack they were walking. Do you know, there actually are hounds trained to hunt lions?" It was a bit of idle fact sharing, the things Kima learned only the gods knew where. "Oi! Is that Abbas I see looming? Oh, happy day," and Kima would slip her way through the crowd in order to sidle up beside the other big Thraxian.

Happy day indeed. "It wouldn't be right of me not to say hello. Your cousin is somewhere over..." She points towards the other tall figure within the crown. "There. He's already got...well, some sort of liqour. I've yet to check. Wait, who's chum in the water? Anybody in armor of a fluffy fucking dress, I'd think."

Juliet raises her hand and offers a small wave of greeting to Samantha alongside a cheerful little smile, before the girl takes a sip of her drink. With her duties to the hostesses discharged, she quickly leaves them be and moves towards the Marquessa. "My lady. So good to see you again." Sketching a curtsey to Natalia and Dawn. "Will you not introduce me to your companions?"

Victus meets Nadia's salutations and thanks with a weighing look and a shake of his head. Demonstratively he throws his head back to finish his drink, thus ending his very brief attempt at pacing himself with the drinking. With a rough motion he brings over another refill.

Jarek grins once more at Calypso "and I will Lady Malvici, take them exactly as I want." And then they're off, and Jarek looks accross the party. He moves his way to where Nadia is. There is a bright smile at her "Lady Nightgold, its wonderful to see you again, its been a while, I think we still need to meet for a proper drink some time, no?"

Donella points out, "I never swim without my fluffiest seven yards of lawn. Why, how do you do it?"

"Without a damned thing on," Kima declares, voice bold and proud and more than a little amused.

Dawn tilts the glass she holds so it chimes against Samantha's. Her smile skews off-center at thet confidence whispered near her ear, prompting another low chuckle. "I don't think anyone will fault you should you slip, Marquesa. You know I won't. I've no claim to that title either anyway and no harm in remembering it now and then," she murmurs in turn. A sip is taken from her wine, gaze casting about before she draws herself straight when Juliet approaches. A better smile is donned as she inclines her head to the young woman. "You've a familiar look... Fidante, yes?"

Nadia breaks away from her co-hostess to make her rounds through the crowds. "Princess Donella is quite the jester, isn't she," she calls to Dafne when she overhears her reaction to Donella's sometimes grim quips. "You needn't worry. I've been told that our destination is usually free of sea monsters around this time of the year, so as long as no one gets too deep in their drink, we should all remain safely aboard." As Jarek makes his way to her, hers is a vibrant smile as she leans in to receive him with an airy kiss toward his cheek. "Is that you, Your Highness? I'm so glad you could make it aboard! I trust you're settling in quite well, then?" She nods her agreement with an earnest laugh. "Of course. Once we set sail, we'll have plenty of time to have a proper drink. You'll save a few glasses of wine for me, won't you?"

Damon lingers about the railing of the ship, keeping his eyes out to the horizon as the ship starts moving out. Lots of deep breaths of that lovely sea air, too.

"Oh, of course." says Samantha amenably, and lifts a slim hand to gesture toward each woman as she names them. "Princess Natalia Grayson, Lady Dawn Grayson, Voice of her House" she turns toward the lady seeking introduction. "Lady Juliet Fidante." Natalia seems distracted, and so Samantha takes the moment to say solemnly to Dawn, "Perhaps, but you deserve the respect you've earned, and I won't see it undermined. But I'm of glad heart to call you my dear friend Dawn."

"It is me, provided you're looking for a wandering priest" Jarek says with a grin to Nadia "I'm happy to be here. I am doing wonderfully, though I don't know that I can ever be settled. I think we can save a glass of wine for you, though if I get distracted and finish it all I'll ask for you to forgive me.

Dafne wonders, mildly, "But what if we just saw a sea monster from far off? Far enough away that it won't attack us." She clears her throat, folding her hands in front of her. "It would be amazing to see one," she says with the air of someone who has never seen anything more dangerous than a large dog.

Calypso departs her little familiar circle and heads towards Dawn and the company she keeps. "Lady Dawn. What a pleasure. Thank you very much for sending me the names I required the other day. They have all proven to be quite helpful." She nods to Juliet, Natalia and Samantha as they just so happened to be doling out the introductions when she approaches. She takes the initiative and introduces herself to those she doesn't yet know. "I am Lady General Calypso Malvici. A pleasure to meet you all."

Pietro swoops down upon a servant carrying a tray of wines. He takes a swallow of the first glass, decides that it isn't sweet enough for Dafne, and drains the rest of it himself, before finding a second pair of glasses that, by their bouquet, he seems to deem more appropriate. Fetching it back to her, he proffers her the glass, and says, "Here you are, m'lady! It smells sweet, at least." Then he tips up his chin, glancing round towards Donella and Kima. "Sorry, did I hear that we should be stripping naked and leaping into the sea? It seems early yet, but--" He puts his free hand to his collar as though to start loosing buttons. This is what happens when Vincere isn't here to stop him.

Donella says, "Sometimes, on the voyage to Arx from Maelstrom, when the winds are calmed, you can hear the singing of the sea monsters through the hull of the ship. It's beautiful."

At Samantha's introduction, Juliet sketches a curtsey to both the women named. "Indeed, cousin to Lady Calista, who seems to be sorely missed tonight. I shouldn't be surprised that she has worked her way into the hearts of so many in this city, when she did it so easily to mine," There's a slight smile. With Natalia handling some other matter, she, too, turns her attention to Dawn. "It is a pleasure to meet you, my Lady. I have heard nothing but praise since I came to Arx." Looking to Calypso when the general joins them, she sketches a curtsey. "Lady General. How wonderful to run into you here. I'm Lady Juliet Fidante. I hear you made quite an impression on my cousin, the duke." Eyes glittering as she regards the woman warrior, and, while Calypso's introductions are sorted otherwise, she beams to Samantha. "How have you been? It's a marvelous thing, this party, isn't it?"

Dawn's eyes lose their focus as she sifts through memory. It's just a blip; the warmth of her regard comes flooding back in soon after. "Lady Juliet... ah! Cousin to the Duke as well. Thank you, Samantha, and well met, my lady Fidante. I've heard nothing but good of Tor and your family too. I had opportunity to steal a tour of the gardens at your villa, they were exquisite enough I stole a rosebush away to gift our gardeners with. I had permission, I promise," she swear, sketching a circle over her heart. That same smile is turned on Calypso's approach. "And the Lady General! Finally a face to go with the name. I'm glad I was able to help. It's no great trouble to write out names, truly."

"Consider yourself forgiven well in advanced," Nadia laughs, her glass of rum lifted in brief salute to Jarek before she polishes it off. "Though, I don't believe I was aware that you were a priest? To what patron God, if any?" she asks of him in conversational curiosity, eyes drawn then to Dafne with her idle musings. Her laughter bubbles up anew, her arm stretched to beckon for the lady companionably. "Then, we can add that to the list of interesting firsts that this trip is sure to bring?" she supposes, drinking deep of her rum. "Have you--" She cuts herself off, glancing toward Donella curiously. "Really, Your Highness? Is it like the snow beasts of the North? They sometimes amass in the dead of winter, filling the chilled air with their lamentations that bring all who hear it to tears, or so the story goes."

Dafne takes the drink from Pietro and samples it thoughtfully. "It's delicious," she says. "Thank you--" She pauses and blinks at him. "Does one normally swim naked?" she asks. Apparently she considers him the authority on all sea-related questions. Her attention is captured in the next moment by Donella's remark, and she asks, wide-eyed, "What does their song sound like?"

"Aye, first to shed their clothes and reach the shore wins something," Kima tells Pietro. "I didn't hear what, but I assume it's a surprise." She makes a show of bending over, as though to undo her sandals.

Pietro checked composure + etiquette against difficulty 15, resulting in 17, 2 higher than the difficulty.

"An odd one and perhaps not like many expect, but I serve The Flame herself" Jarek says happily to Nadia "and I appreciate your forgiveness, if you're so willing to forgive I'm sure we will be more than happy companions" he says with a bit of a laugh, his attention is then grabbed by Dafne's comment "swimming naked is the best way to swim, have you never? You should really try some time. Much better than swimming with anything on."

Abbas looks over to Kima and with a casual hand resting on the head of his axe he grunts to her by way of warm reception. He snorts and has a drink to the knight's jest. The man broods a bit. He looks over as she points to Victus and Abbas holds up a drink in recognition of his kin. He tosses it back as he salutes the War Lord by way of emptying his glass. The Prince gets a refill. He's not much of a talker at these things.

Calypso inclines her head once more towards Juilet. "A Fidante Cousin, of course. I should have known by your impeccable style." She notes the woman's floral hairpins and pendant. "I am please to hear I've made an impression on the Duke. I do hope to run in to him again soon. He promised me a ride through the forest. I intend to take him up on that." At Dawn's words she smiles ever so slightly, breaking her steely expression for a moment. "Putting faces to names is what these events are all about, are they not? I am delighted to properly make your acquaintance. As I said in my letters, do call on me should you need any of my areas of expertise."

The beaches spanning the coastline begin to fade into vast green of the Grey Forests as the Ichneumon progresses away from the docks and out onto the open waters of the bay. In the near distance, several small Thraxian vessels can be easily spotted on the starboard and port. Good winds makes for a steady advancement until they come to surround the ship at a relatively comfortable distance. The night is quiet, peaceful, beyond the ambient sounds of the party underway and lively conversation of the guests.

"Marquessa Samantha Deepwood." the dark skinned young woman introduces herself to Calypso. "A pleasure to meet you." At Juliet's inquiry, she lifts a hand playfully. "I've been managing. So much work to do, you see. But I've been able to attend a few functions. And yes, it is marvelous. I love the way the air smells. Refreshes the body and spirit, don't you think?"

"Oh, well, in that case--" Accepting the challenge, Pietro heads straight for the side of the ship on a few long strides and makes as though to start to rip his belt from his waist -- before he stops and laughs on an easy breath. His eyes are bright and dark as he looks back to Kima, his eyebrows ticked up as his smile slips wide. "No, wait," he says, turning back before he can actually scale the railing to leap -- or shed any more clothes. "The party's barely begun. What a rude way that would be to quit our hosts. Maybe later, we'll make a true race out of it."

Donella settles herself upon a coil of the ship's lines. "I don't know. I've never been that far inland, actually," she says to Nadia. "The only mountains I know are the ones you can see from the coast. We have a few peaks in the islands of course. But are these the snow beasts that herald something ... chilling?" She glances toward Dafne and thinking on it. "Difficult to put into words. My mother used to call it Mangata's lullaby. Depending on how far out you go, the more you hear. It can be lulling. It's wordless, of course..."

"As long as you had permission, my Lady," Juliet offers to Dawn with a twinkle of her eyes, beaming bright behind her glass. "I'm glad you found our gardens to your liking. They are a pride of the manor, truly. And of course, you're welcome to come visit again. I dare say I know them -almost- as well as the Lady Calista. Unless it was cousin Prospero giving you the tour? Someone once told me he talks to -too- many people, but I think he's found just the right amount, honestly." Pausing briefly, considering Calypso. "I will make sure to remind him, my Lady General. And I do hope I will get the chance to get to know you as well. Your compliments touch my heart and I find myself wanting to know the mind behind them." She leans against the Marquessa now, giving her a nod. "This is why I avoid work at any and all cost, my dear. Granted, I thankfully have cousins to handle it for me, or I can delegate. But if you are in need of company to help you unwind, nothing will make me happier than to see to your recuperation from the rigours of duty." She draws a deep breath, shivering slightly. "The salt in the air? Yes, it is something quite special."

"One in my position doesn't like to admit that a woman of your particular skills might ever be needed. It wreaks havoc on public morale," Dawn quips, letting smile slip to brighter grin. "But I will say, my lady, that while I am hopefuly to never make that summons, I'm grateful the invitation is there. Grayson forces tend to do best on land though I'll beg you not to tell my sailors I said that, they'd be crushed." Another swallow of wine sees the glass near empitied and passed off to a servant, while the Lady dips her head to Juliet. "Lord Prospero was the one, yes, and I'm glad to be considered someone he speaks with. It's clear the man has standards," is probably also meant as a joke, though one absently given as she tilts her head to study the other ships picked up along the way.

Victus answers Abbas' gesture with a salute in turn. With a grunt he pushes himself off the railing he was leaning against, and drifts towards the other Thraxian. Again he moves with a distinctive limp, and the occasional grimace and rubbing of his hip with a raw knuckled hand. "Did they ask you in advance, or commandeer?" He asks gruffly out of the side of his mouth, once he's joined the smaller man. As he talks, his dark eyes calmly wander the men and women who are crowded onto the deck, watching them talk and drink.

Dafne considers Pietro for a long moment. She appears not to be sure whether to be relieved or disappointed he's pulled back. "We have hills in Gemecitta," she tells Donella. "Not proper mountains, of course, but it is the city of hills, inland. Our port is Granato, where Lord Pietro hails from. I--have seen little of the sea." She purses her lips in thought. "That sounds lovely, though. Sea monsters singing lullabies."

Nadia raises her brows when she spots Pietro crossing the ship to begin ripping away at his belt, only to stop. "Now, what sort of shenagins have you and the Lady Kima gotten into now," she calls out to him and Kima with good-natured mirth. She smiles with comfortable ease at Jarek, nodding her understanding, "Now, that is quite interesting, Your Highness. Would you mind if I spoke to you more in depth of your vocation at a later date? I've begun my journey to become a scholar of Vellichor only recently myself. It's been exciting, and an eye-opening experience thus far."

Donella is next to receive the hostess' attention, her head shaken with a soft twitch of the lips. "Chilling? No, though shame on you for using such a pun. Heart-wrenching, perhaps. It's a story my father has regaled us since I was naught but a little child. That and the little people who built a castle in the mountains, complete with miniature mines."

Kima had straightened, and did not look as if she planned to disrobe and leap into the ocean. She was grinning towards Pietro before topping her head to the man, two fingers touching her brow before saluting outwards. "Later, then," she tells him before weaving her way through the crowd, back to Victus.


Natalia Grayson has been rather quiet as she's been sipping her wine. When the boat takes off there is almost a manic sense of pleasure to her eyes before she blinks it away. Her eyes sliding over to those that have gathered. Samantha is offered a kiss of one of her cheeks. Then she smiles beautifully at Juliet. "It is wonderful to meet you." Then she sees the lovely Calypso. "General.... oh it is lovely to see you up close. What kind of skills are you tempting Dawn with? Let me guess." She looks the woman over and then snaps her fingers. "I have it.. you are offering her basket weaving skills, yes?"


Calypso bows slightly at the waist as Samantha introduces herself. "The pleasure is mine, Marquessa Samantha. I hope we will become better acquainted. I am finding myself entranced by the North and I hope to hear more about your home." She turns a smile towards Dwan. "We are the sort you hope not to need but are thankful to have at your side when you do need us. Your secrets are safe with me, I'll sat nothing to the fleet." She grins slightly and looks to Juliet. "A gentle reminder would be most grateful. He is so busy its difficult to find a moment with the Duke." Just then she spots Damon along the railings. She summons him over. "Have you ladies met the famed fighting poet, Lord Daemon Wyrmguard?" She introduces the deliciously handsome Lord to the women around her. She turns towards Natalia as she hears the woman's comment and actually laughs, a short thing but jovial none the less. "Indeed. Finest basket weaver in the city. You've uncovered my hidden talent."

Abbas greets Victus with a look around at their killers made party guides. "I'll get them a few barrels out of the two women afterward." He smirks and looks around, "With all these titles getting fucked shat out of lips like it was nothing." The Thraxian prince amuses himself as he comments quietly to Victus next to him, his hand moving wide, "You'd think the military might on this little three hour cruise would cripple the flatlands and mountains for an eternity. I'm about to promote myself to supreme fucking general lord commander." He grunts, "Just to keep up." Abbas takes another big swig. And Kima's back again. He grins and lifts his glass to the pair near him. Bottoms up.

Jarek beams happily at Nadia "absolutely my friend, we should meet some time when its not a party. I am sure there are a few different people here that can tell you how much I like to go on about theology and philosophy. I will even do a thing I almost never do and make a plan for the future to meet you" Jarek grins fully at Nadia. "For now though, finding a drink is in order" and he makes his way away from Nadia to grab a glass of wine. On his return he heads towards a different group. "Lady Dawn, wonderful to see you again, I'm still holding out hope that I might get a tour of the city from you" Jarek says with a hint of mischief, and then he smirks at Natalia "Lady Malvici is the best basket weaver in all of Arx from what I hear. Look at that, you actually got her to laugh too." He nods to Damon "twice in one day my lord, perhaps we really do have to meet at length."

Samantha seems faintly surprised, kerluffled, even by Juliet's familiarity, but she doesn't offer any objection to it, and then there's Natalia to swoop in with cheek kisses. Natalia's query to Calypso earns her a low chuckle, and the Marquessa ducks her head at Juliet and offers almost shyly, "That would be lovely." To Calypso, "I would love to tell you about my home when we have an opportunity. Like at sea, the forest have its own way of invigorating a person." There's a blink. "A poet?"

"You know me, Lady Nadia," Pietro says with just the barest hint of rue in his smile as he paces back towards the party proper on easy strides (still fully clothed, except for that top button he's forgotten about). He tips a return salute in Kima's direction, and adds lightly: "I'm game for any challenge." He does not press the point, but tilts his head in Dafne's direction as he returns. "All my sailing has been out of the inlet bay from Granato. I've never had the opportunity to try my hand at the real breadth of the ocean. Lady Aislin told me tales of breathtaking adventure that made me green with envy, though." His eyes widen slightly as he shares this tidbit, despite the fact that Aislin is nowhere to be seen to back up his claims.

Damon turns at his summoning, scooping a glass of wine from a roving servant and joins Calypso, nodding to the group of women collectively, "Fighting poet is a bit of an audacious title, I'm afraid. I'm merely a fighter with a penchant for words." He smiles at the group and gives Calypso a sidelong smirk, "A pleasure to meet you all."

Natalia's smile is met by another from Juliet, as well a a slight raise of her glass. Quirking her lips at the exchange between general and princess. "Didn't the Lady Dawn just say calling on the Lady General's skills would cause troubles. It must be something much more scandalous than basket-weaving. I bet she can match her friend here," Gesturing to Damon. "When it comes to lewd limericks." Grinning, and sketching a curtsey to Damon once the man sees fit to join them. "Lady Juliet Fidante. A pleasure to meet you, my Lord. My Lord." The last to Jarek as he swoops by.

Dawn inclines her head to Damon when Calypso bundles him over, adding him to the list of those subject to the lady's smile. "Lord Wyrmguard, a pleasure... and Prince Jarek as well." Make that two more on the receiving end of her smile, which shows no signs of flagging yet. "Don't think I've forgotten that promise, your highness. I can't say I know the whole of the city, save through its finances, but I do enjoy those rare opportunities I find to walk through it." A flash of amusement rises for Natalia's remarks and the princess earns a glance next. "Basket weaving can't be scandalous?"

With the shores of Arvum now far off in the distance behind the flotilla, Nadia turns to take a fresh glass of rum from the tray of a passing seaman turned servant for the night. She smiles graciously at him before she moves across the ship to the center of the party. A Nightgold soldier or two tap their knives against the side of sturdy glasses to gather the crowd's attention, their duchess looking off toward Abbas and Victus wryly while she waits.

Victus greets Kima's approach with a quiet deadpan: "Retreated from your Lycene instincts to undress at every opportunity?" The expression he wears never shifts, and even as he's in the middle on the sentence his eyes wander on. All the while he continues to make the occasional sip from his drink. When the clinging of the glasses sounds across the party, he grunts and straightens up just a touch. Not that he really needs to. He's tall enough to look over just about any crowd.

"Everything can be scandalous if you do it right I think." Jarek says with a little chuckle "I greatly look forward to it Lady Dawn, even if you say you don't know the city, I'm sure you can show me something in a light i've never seen before." Jarek smirks a little at Natalia "I think princess stalker has an eye for scandal."

Natalia turns her eyes to look at the others on the boat as she listens to the talk around her. She takes downs the wine and gets another drink from someone nearby. Her eyes move towards Jarek. "Hello Stalker Darling, I would say I'm surprised to see you, but now I am surprised when I don't see you." There is a smile towards Calypso as she gives a bright smile towards the woman. "In that case, I truly must commission a basket from you. I want only the best and somehow, I think you making me a basket would be... an unique experience. As well, I think we should still try to meet for tea." Her blue eyes flick towards Damon with an inclination of her head. "Oh but.. Juliet was it? Yes.. well the way the Lady General makes baskets are truly scandalous." She rises up her wine glass and pretends to whisper, but it's not a whisper. "I hear that it is done in the shape of more.... intimate knowledge of people. Quite scandalous really and awkward to put bread in."

Calypso opens her mouth to indulge in more basket-weaving scandalousness when she heads the clinking of glasses calling for attention. Her icy gaze turns from her group and towards the sound instead.

"Perhaps it depends on what the basket's for?' suggests Samantha, taking a sip of her wine. A wry salute with the glass is offered to Jarek, and then Nadia is calling for everyone's attention.

Juliet considers, then nods in agreement with Samantha - and turns her attention to the hostess.

Kima finally swipes herself a glass of rum, and takes a hearty swallow when Abbas lifts his glass. As a knight, Kima naturally has manners. To Victus, she replies, "It took all I had, but I managed to resist." Of course, she can't see a damned thing when she turns towards the sound of clinking glass. Well, a lot of shoulders and backs, but not the important stuff. She curses under her breath, muttering something about at least being near men who could look anywhich way they wanted.

Damon inclines his head upwards with a hint of a smile and a gently lowered brow at Lady Juliet, "We've met before, Lady Fidante. It's a comfort to know that my visage hasn't left your mind's eye TOO quickly." Then with that, he turned his attention towards the banging of glasses.

Dawn tucks her chin in towards her throat and hums softly with amusement. But with the chime of knives against glasses, she holds her response and looks to the center of the deck. Some of the formality of her stance relaxes to leave her leaned back against the rail again. With arms folded across her chest she looks very much the casual lady at ease, awaiting some announcement.

Natalia looks around the area and smiles vibrantly at Donella as she's co-host but her eyes slide towards Nadia with seemingly rapt attention.

Once a hush has fallen over the party, Nadia begins to address the crowd with a lovely smile. "Welcome aboard the Ichenumon," she says, a hand swept out in gesture toward the east where they've begun to set sail. "The Reavers tell me we've nearly reached our destination. If everyone could make sure they have a fresh glass of their drink of choice and move to the starboard and port side of the ship," she gestures to which sides those really are for those who do not know. "We'll begin in a moment!"

"I am told," says Dafne mildly, "that to Lycenes, nothing is scandalous. Even basket weaving, I suppose. I'll let you know what that means when I am older and understand better." She adds, in a stage whisper to Pietro, "Is there a reason they can't just say left and right?"

"I thought you looked familiar, but I didn't want to presume," Juliet murmurs to Damon. "I have been looking for a poet though, so perhaps I can make up for my previous inattention by begging your help for a quandry I find myself in?" She grins slightly, looking to Natalia. "Sadly nothing so scandalous as basket-weaving intimate details of anything." And she shifts to move with the rest of her chosen group, to follow Nadia's instructions - making sure to have her glass of wine refreshed along the way.

Dawn's eyebrows twitch slightly and she slips a glance towards the Thraxians on board. But the instructions seem clear and she plucks a fresh glass from one of the many trays circulating through the crowd. Having already claimed a spot (at starboard, hah), she shifts on her feet to look out over the water.

Once the announcement is over with Jarek beams a smile at Samantha "I do not believe we've met m'lady, I'm Jarek of Velenosa, I am always very happy to meet anyone that seems to enjoy my poorly thought out jokes." Jarek smiles at Natalia "I run into you so many times now, I'm starting to get the impression you might like me princess stalker, but that would just be silly now wouldn't it?" He does have a fresh glass of red, and he moves with whoever else to the port side of the ship

Damon lofts his eyebrows and tilts his head, "What manner of quandary do you find yourself in, Lady Fidante? I certainly how it's not to draft a love poem for some suitor. If that's the case, I may have to throw myself over the side of the ship."

Donella laughs a little. "Relax," she admonishes the guests that look a bit puzzled or nervous. "You'll like this."

Calypso picks up a glass of whiskey as a tray passes by. She smirks mostly to herself as a joke at her expense gets carried away. Well-Behaved women seldom make history, or so it is said. She doesn't bother stopping the inaccurate chatter about her pastimes. She moves to the side of the ship the others she was preciously speaking with have now gathered.

"You can't go around using those landlubber terms aboard a ship," Pietro assures Dafne. He has to kind of tilt downward and sideways to return her stage whisper effectively because he is too tall. "Sailors get very tetchy about that kind of thing. It's probably bad luck, like bringing gorgeous women aboard and flirting with them." Straightening again, he smiles. "More drinks, she says. Well, that's an order any Lycene can follow, isn't it?" He wanders to the starboard side with a glass in hand.

Victus obliges the instruction to acquire a fresh drink, and one passed over in Kima's direction for good measure. He starts towards the starboard side, while throwing a thoughtful look in Nadia and Donella's direction. Eventually he arrives by the railings, and leans against it with his elbows. "Do you need a boost?" Asked of Kima, and though his tone is serious it's not _that_ high.

"I suppose I could sit astride your shoulders," Kima quips, even as she gives a little roll of her eyes. "You'd hardly know I was there."

Natalia downs another glass so she can get a fresh one. Nadia said! "Oh Jarek, my love...." She reaches out to touch his arm. "You would be quite silly to think I liked you." She then laughs to that and smiles at the Lady Calypso. "If you will all excuse me a moment. I simply must go see Donella. Her glass is clearly not that full yet and I cannot have my friend with a half glass." She smiles at the others and leans into the General to murmur. Then she moves forwards to Donella and attempts to sweep her arm through her own. "Darrrrling..." It's a purr. A silken one. "You neeed more to drink. You will of course come stand beside me to watch the show, yes?"

Samantha offers an interjection across to Dafne, perhaps meaning to be helpful, "'Port' and 'left' have the same number of letters." And then the little coterie she's become part of starts moving to one of the aforementioned sides with drink in hand. Her own smile is cheerful as she inclines her head to Jarek. "I think we've circulated in some of the same groups, but no, I don't think we've ever been introduced. Marquessa Samantha Deepwood." She asides to Damon, "That's only appropriate if you don't know how to swim."

Damon smirks aside to Samantha, "I heard talk of sea monsters, I can only hope for the best."

"Nothing so prosaic I'm afraid. Or perhaps a little more prosaic? I was looking to have a mythic epic crafted, a gift to a man I find some admiration for." She clicks her tongue. "And I'll let you take that how you will. A recounting of battles, back at the Reckoning. Ideally something involving what is now Velenosa. And with elves as villains." She quirks a brow, considering the poet. "I had a fancy." Glancing over to Jarek and Natalia, and then leaning against side of the ship. "I'd never trust a poet to make an insincere suicide threat, my lady Samantha."

From the mix of the crowd, there is an off key presence within the merriment of the revelers. Lunara of House Argento, the rumored Blackheart and Captain of the Nilanza fleet has been on board this entire time. It isn't until she sweeps her way over to the refreshments that she becomes more obvious and stepping out to be seen.

Donella smiles at Natalia, and presses upon the looped arm. "Of course. But I know your tricks with the drinks... and that way lies a horrid hair day."

Dafne wanders starboard, because Pietro is going that way, and he knows everything about ships. Yep. "Thank you," she says to Samantha, with a little salute of her drink. "What about bringing gorgeous men aboard and flirting with them?" she wonders of Pietro. "Is that bad luck, too?"

Dawn tells Jarek, "If you've a mind to find where to do good works in the city, the Marquessa is the lady to know," before flashing Samantha a sidelong grin. Then it's back to the posture she'd adopted upon first boarding-- arms folding on the rail, focus turned outward. This time, the glass she's snared is cradled loose between the splay of her fingers, idly tipped this way and that as she awaits whatever it is they're about to see.

As everyone chooses their respective positions along either side of the ship, the Icheumon executes a sharp right toward the east where a small island lies on the horizon. "Keep your eyes on the waters off in the horizon, and watch carefully," she instructs everyone while she moves to join Abbas, Victus and Kima on the starboard. Off in the distance, on the crests of turbulent waves, it would seem as though the waters were illuminated by an ethereal, vibrant blue glow. Distant calls from the neighboring vessels surrounding them communicate a command to maneuver in closer to the main ship, where they make preparation to lower the sails so that the vessels might coast forward on the current of the waves until the bioluminescent tides surround the flotilla on all sides.

Leaning against the rail as he peers over the side into the black shimmer of the ocean as the ship glides through it, Pietro looks like he may be reconsidering his stance on stripping naked and diving in-- no, okay. He looks up, eyebrows up. "No, I hear it's encouraged," he says. His breath catches as his eye lights on the gleam on the horizon, and he straightens again, teeth biting down hard on his lower lip.

Jarek smiles once more at Samantha "well, its an absolute pleasure to meet you Lady Deepwood. I'm sure we've seen glimpses of each other, but its much better to have actually met." A side look to Dawn and then a look to Samantha again with a curious expression "good works you say? What does that entail my new friend?" There is an aside smirk to Natalia when she said that there is no way she likes him and he shakes his head a bit. Then his sideways glance settles on some heartless pirate and he grins even morso. Then people are instructed to look off the side, and not wanting to be a worse guest than he normally is his eyes drift off the side of the ship onto the horizon

As Nadia continues to provide instructions, Victus quietly shakes his head, a scoffing sound made in the back of his throat. Still, he says nothing, just watches the waters with a distant expression. That fresh drink of his ends up poured down his throat in a single long swallow. If the marvel of a view touches him in any way, it doesn't show, his expression remaining unchanged. Instead his heavy chest deflates with a sigh and he reaches over to steal Kima's drink to steal it. The one he provided for her earlier. Apparently she was just supposed to hold it for him.

Natalia smiles vibrantly at Donella. "My dearest, such slander. I am hurt you would say something like that to me. Crushed even. I mean horrible." She presses a hand to her chest in mock outrage. Then she finds a drink to press to Donella's hand. "With friends like you darling..." The princess looks out over the starboard side and then actually stops. Her eyes taking in the bioluminescence upon the water.

"So you're hoping you're digestible?" Samantha quips to Damon, even as she seems to have taken up an easy lean against Juliet, perhaps to counter-balance the lady's on her. And then Dawn is saying her name, and her head pivots to return her attention that way. "Oh, I..." she looks slightly uneasy, not wanting to brag. "Well. There was the food and clothing donations a few weeks back. And aiding Lord Prospero in his program for the city's orphans. And I'm looking into opening a healing house for the poor." And then, there's the bright waters, and with a little gasp, she's captivated.

The luminescent waves has Juliet gasping with delight, eyes wide and tugging a little more on Samantha's arm, pointing at the water. Giving Dawn's comment about Samantha a nod of agreement, looking to Jarek. "She has a number of interesting thoughs and ideas on how to help the less fortunate among us. A reminder of who we can choose to be." She sighs, and her gaze drifts once more to the sea.

Kima begins to smile happily as she sees the natural wonders of the world surrounding them. The Lioness was a woman who loved nothing more than to savor each moment as they arrived; to revel in beauty and spendor in all its forms. And just as she was about to take a drink...It was gone.

Kima offered up a wounded look at the big man, watching as the liquid was drained away. There's the faintest sound of an indignant huff before she turned away, looking out over the water once more.

Dafne gasps audibly, at the sigh of the glowing water, quite forgetting anything else. She clasps her hands in front of her, and devours the sight, enraptured. "It's like the sea has swallowed the moon," she murmurs. "And it glows up from the depths."

Dawn's quiet becomes more a curious silence as she squints off at that blooming glow in the distance. As they slide into it, those pale eyes of hers go round and startled as she rocks back a step from the rail. She turns her head, skimming a glance over those more seaworthy present to judge their reactions. Then it's back to the rail with her, but cautious about it, sniffing the salt-crusted wind and looking down at the lighted waters with a wary sort of fascination.

Calypso gazes over the side of the railing and down in to the water. The glow from the bioluminescence takes a moment to reach its peak luminosity around the ship. But when it does, Calypso's eyes light up. The Lady of War, it would seem, is not with out her childlike wonder. She gazes silently as the waves crash against the vessel, glowing brighter with each splash of sea water. She says nothing, simply gazing silently.

Jarek marks those words, and has a plan to comment, but for the moment there is nothing said as the sight off the water takes his attention. Eventually though, he does have to comment, and he looks towards Samanthas once more, and in perhaps the most serious expression Jarek can muster. "Lady Deepwood, I serve The Flame, if you are looking to set up a house of healing I would be most interested to speak with you of it at some point. I'm not a mercy, but I can perhaps help a little bit. It sounds like you're doing the Lady of Mercy's work and always do I wish to help in those efforts." Jarek looks over to Juliet with her comment and smiles "I do not believe I know you either my friend, or at least not formally, Jarek of Velenosa, its a pleasure to meet you, and I like the way you phrased that comment. We all have choice in life, free will and change the most interesting of the gifts from the gods."

"That's the most accurate thing I ever heard," Pietro tells Dafne, tilting his glance sidelong as though in looking to her eyes he might get a glimpse of how she sees the blossoming ocean.

Damon turned once more to rest against the side of the ship to watch the bioluminescence in some silence, only occasionally taking a sip of the wine he'd had.


     Lunara, the Blackheart and also known as the Heartless in the most recent day or so, continues along the refreshment table to liberate a few items. The oohs and ahs of the group looking over the edge only makes her look up briefly before she snags up a glass for a drink. And then when she turns to scan the crowd with her dark painted eyes, she looks over each one as if watching quietly from where she stands. The only individual she pauses longer on to watch, is Jarek of Velenosa. A hint of a grin, from the Pirate Queen, goes to him before her rapt attention turns to the wind moving the waves.

It is as though the stars have fallen from the heavens to float upon the crests of the docile waves, casting their twinkling luminance against the sides of the ship as the current carries them further out across the bays. "When in the dark, follow the glow - for it shall never lead you astray, but take you home," Nadia's melodic voice rings out across the decks, her words echoed by the seamen who know the saying well.

Her glass of rum is raised as she ascends some rigging to be seen clearly as she goes on, "We have a saying in the Mountains that seems most appropriate here tonight," she gives a pause, eyes drifting over the faces of the guests with a small smile. "When the night is long, and our futures uncertain, fear not. The lights of the night shall be your comfort. May the Northerly Winds of fortune sail you. May you be caressed by the gentle sea. May it be the other guy who says…" She swings down, landing back on deck to clink her glass with a guest near hers. "This drink's on me!"

Victus pushes himself away from the railings with a slow motion, and in the turning around he trades out his empty glasses for a full one. He sends one last look in Donella's direction as the guests are swept up with the sights glowing on the ocean, then he heads towards the stern of the ship where lines cordon off areas off limits. Not too long after he can be seen making quiet conversation with the Captain of the vessel, brisk and business like.

Donella raises her cup in the direction of her Great Uncle, to let him know that yes, she saw. She leans low across the railing.

Damon totally heard Samantha's quip, he turned with a cheeky smirks, "I'm very digestable. Delicious even."

Dawn withdraws from the rail to give others that prime viewing location. She ventures off after a servant, looking to swap the glass of wine for something a bit stronger.

Calypso raises her glass at Nadia's words. With a slight cheers she kicks back a long drink of the whiskey she has in hand. "To the stars above and below." She says in agreement.

Juliet beams bright to Jarek. "Lady Juliet Fidante. And yes, I do my best to entertain both gods and humans with my free will and my choices in life. Like I said before, a pleasure to meet you." Eyes glittering. Looking to the waves. "Have you seen this delight before?" Then she turns her attention to Nadia's speech, and she laughs merrily, raising her glass. "Hear, hear!" And nodding to Calypso as well. "To stars above, and below, and safe journeys home." The Fidante drains most of her glass in a singular sip, fanning herself slightly.

Donella laughs quietly with Natalia by the railing, sipping upon her glass behind her curtain of dark hair.

Dafne leans both elbows on the railing, and peers at the seas below, leaning over at a slightly alarming angle. "They're a mirror of the night skies," she whispers.

Natalia is speaking with Donella, her arm wrapped through the woman's. There is a soft laugh from the Grayson princess as they drink over there. Never trust the unholy duo with laughter. Nothing wrong with a Thraxian and a Grayson laughing and whispering. Nope. Nothing to see here.

Damon moves back over to Juliet, "In regards to your poem, My Lady. You may have to find a new scribe. I'm not one for epic tales. I apologize."

Calypso turns around as she hears the conversation behind her between Damon and Juliet. "Thats a shame. If you write an epic nearly half as well as you speak spontaneous rhymes I can't imagine a more skilled writer to set the words to paper." She nods to Juliet with a smile, indulging in the request that Lord Damon is so clearly doing his best to avoid.

Damon's return volley results in Samantha looking sheepish, but she ventures nonetheless, "I suppose we shall have to consult the sea monster." She lifts her glass and calls out in toast, and finally, turns her attention to Jarek. "I should very much like the support, Your Highness. The access of proper healing for ailments the likes of ourselves has ready access is appalling in its unavailability in the poor sections of the city."

Nadia drains her glass, cheeks suffused with a gentle warmth. Her shoulders jerk with a soft hiccup before she treks across the ship to mince with company anew. "Marquesa," she calls to Samantha softly, joining her and her group at the railing to peek over it curiously. "It's truly breath-taking, isn't it?" she laughs, looking toward Dafne with a gentle smile. "Now that, my lady, is a perfect description of them. It's sort of romantic, sailing through starry seas with a clear sky ahead, the heavens smiling down upon us."

Jarek drains all of his glass in toast when Nadia finishes her speach before looking back to Juliet with a bright smile "I have not seen this before. I've always been wary of boats, not for fear of water but for fear of being couped up. I get anxious when I don't have the freedom to leave at a moments notice. Lady Fidante? Related to a Calista fidante I wonder? I have met lady Calista and if you two are related I can say it speaks volumes about your family that I've found both of you a delight to talk to." And then there is a pirate walking over to him. "Why lady heartless" Jarek says with a smile "I was worried that you might be too distracted by the waves to make conversation tonight, how are you?"

Pietro lets a hand fall lightly on Dafne's back, his fingertips a ghostly warmth against the cobwebbing over her dress, just in case she becomes possessed of his earlier urge to leap in. He says, "Right," and takes a long draft of his drink. "It's lovely. I wonder what makes it go, and what swims beneath it." A beat passes, and he nods. "Do you suppose the fish find it as otherwordly and disturbing as we might if the air started to glow?" Yes. Some people are poetic. Other people wonder about the perturbation of salmon.

Jarek nods to Samantha as well "perhaps some time not at a party we can meet? I would love to talk with you at length, anything I can do to serve The Flame is always worth it."

"I would like to find a good poet. Perhaps you can think of someone," Juliet offers to Damon. And nods to the Lady General as well. "And of course, if you have any thoughts on the matter, my Lady General - save for praise for our Lord Damon, who I'm sure I'd love to hear compose a stanza or two, then I welcome that as well." She lets out another happy sigh, fanning her face some more to drive the heat from her cheeks, and drains the rest of her glass before she looks to Jarek. "I am her cousin, yes. I see I've met another one smitten by her grace and charm. I'm glad to see her do well for herself. She was something of a protege of mine back in Tor, much to her brother's dismay." Eyes glinting. And she takes the opportunity to pick out another glass of wine when a servant sweeps by. She curtseys to the Pirate Queen and the Princess.

Samantha offers a nod to Jarek, and then Nadia is querying her. "Oh, yes. It's marvelous." She grips the rail, going up on tiptoe to peer a bit. "Is it a natural phenomenon, or some kind of chemical added to the water?" There's a look back to Nadia, curious and eager.

Jarek chuckles and smiles at Juliet "I am smitten by your charm as well Lady Fidante, do not sell yourself so short. Like I said, it makes me think highly of your family to meet two people so charming from it."

Calypso nods to Juliet. "If Lord Damon is not up to the offer, I would try Lord Salazar. Though... give him limits. He is much too free a spirit to do your story justice with out scandal and lewdness." As the talk turns once more to Calista she smirks ever so slightly. "Another Fidante I've been meaning to speak with at more length. She has wonderful taste in wine."

Natalia leaves the darling Donella to do Thraxian things that they do on ships. It's dangerous and amazing. She sweeps up another glass of wine and then looks over the party. So for this moment, she decides to interrupt.... Jarek... The poor man. There is a flash of a smile as she reaches out in an attempt to entangle his arm with her own. "Stalker darling..." It's a purr that speaks that maybe she should have stopped at three glasses of wine. "I have a request of you, if you would do me the honor or if and hold off on your conversations just a moment." A soft pout and flutter of lashes follow this.

Dafne does not immediately leap overboard, although she's still craning toward the waters. "Perhaps I should turn pirate," she decides. "I could sail through the night seas and the night skies and admire their beauty--and, I suppose, plunder ships or something. Molest maidens. You know, whatever pirates do."

Pietro laughs in low delight, readily distracted from the sad plight of the fish -- apparently -- and promptly begs Dafne, "Take me with you!"

Jarek has all the attention span of a puppy, so when a pretty princess entwines her arm with his and makes a request of him it quickly drags his attention towards her. "You've only to ask, and no need to pout and bat your eyes princess stalker, I can certainly be interupted for a moment if you'd like." Jarek smiles at Natalia even so.

A curious glance is cast over the deck when Donella disappears into the ship's interior for some reason or another, then turns her eyes onto Samantha with her eager question. "It's a natural occurence," she gently explains. Stepping up onto the lower wrung of the railing, and much to chagrin of the young duchess' Reapers and the Thraxian men left to watch over her, she directs the Marquesa's gaze down to the waters for a closer inspection. "Those clusters, that look like stars themselves? They're these little creatures, swarms upon swarms of them that give off this glow around this time of the year. It's quite a fascinating thing, really. The men aboard aren't the scholarly type, so I couldn't tel you the science of them. Only the stories."

Natalia pauses from Jarek for a moment to hold up a finger. "One moment." She will move over to Nadia and attempt to place a kiss upon her cheek and utter a soft comment. Then she is back towards Jarek's arm and wrapping hers through it again. Very unapologetically. "Come more.. port side. We are going to need some room for this." She offers towards him and then gives a bright smile. "Have you a drink? We do not wish you not to be hydrated."

"Lord Salazar did seem quite impressive the last time I met him," Juliet agrees with Calypso. Shaking her head a little. "Well, like I told our gracious hostess," She gestures towards where Donella disappeared. "I will do my best to make up for her absence. What wines do you find yourself preferring?" Glancing over at Natalia as she rejoins them, idly half-listening to the sussurus of conversation around her, but she's focusing on the poet and the Lady General.

It isn't long before the flotilla is set to motion again, the crewmen's gruff voices echoing through the night as they set sail for home as planned. But as the twinkling waters are left behind, the smaller vessels that surround their ship begin to set lose floating lanterns onto the surging breezes that whip across the open waters and drive the sails forward, their little flames twinkling in the night. Festive music fills the night now, with seafood delights and fresh drinks making their way through the crowd by way of servants.

Damon glances out at the glowing waters once more and tips his glass backwards draining it's contents into a single large gulp.

Jarek laughs at Natalia and he snags a glass of red as he is dragged towards the other half of the boat. "I've one now, you're so thoughtfull Princess Stalker, always following me around and looking out for my well being." Hes easily led by the princess, and seemingly has no issue at all with the bold way she slides her arm through his.

"I'm sure they're equal parts fascinating." says Samantha, looking for all the world like she wants to bend down and collect some water in her hand, as if it has somehow captured the glow in and of itself. Calypso, Juliet, and Damon are thrown an aplogetic glance.

Calypso gives Natalia a curious glance as she whisks Prince Jarek away. Though her attention settles back on Juliet and Damon easily. "I prefer the complexity and refreshing taste of a dry Rosé actually. I was just speaking with Princess Isolde earlier about the delightful drink. Which is your favorite?" She catches Samantha's glance and nods in return in a 'think nothing of it' gesture.

"I'm pretty sure Sylphie wouldn't approve," says Dafne reluctantly. "Hard to add to the glory of our house as a pirate."

Nadia looks aside to Natalia, a vibrant laugh lost at the princess' whispered words. She draws away from the railing, letting her gaze roam over the crowd before she catches sight of Pietro. The duchess grasps a glass of wine from a passing servant's tray, her small hand stretching out to touch to his shoulder. "Lord Pietro, I hear you're as graceful on the dance floor as you are with your sword and one arm behind your back. Would you honor me with a quick dance?" Apologetic glances and a lovely smile are cast toward his current companions.

Natalia laughs warmly towards Jarek's comment. "Think nothing of my generous spirit. I figure if you are going to follow me around, I should at least see that you are fed and watered correctly." She takes a drink from her wine glass. Then when they are a suitable distance away, she offers, "You are to be the first to dance with me. So please mind my toes while you do. I am an elegant dancer, so I do hope you know how to lead." When the music plays there is a clap of her hands. "Wonderful.. music even."

Juliet gives Samantha an encouraging smile, then looks to Calypso, and shrugs. "Well, my tastes change. I -am- quite fond of the dry rose. But recently I've been introduced to something called Saikland's Promise by Lord Eos - another man quite taken with you, my Lady General." There's a beat, a Juliet considers the music starting up, then beams. "Tell me, Lady General... How confident are you in leading on the dance floor?"

"Vincere would have my ears," Pietro agrees with some regret. He leans further into the railing of the ship, tilting sideways -- only to snap straight again and turn on a shifting pivot to look to Nadia. His smile lights his face. It is a little ridiculous to go straight from ear harvesting to happy courtesies, but he does it anyways: "I was just thinking that with all the glows and the flow of the music that a dance would be just the thing, my lady. I would be honored and delighted. Lady Dafne, please excuse me."

Dafne tilts her head in a little nod to Pietro. "Of course," she says. "Go ahead, enjoy yourself. He is an excellent dancer," she sdds toward Nadia. "Then again, I'd tell you all gentlemen of Gemecitta are."

Calypso grins ever so slightly at the mention of Lord Eos. "He is a good man and the Saikland Greens produce a fine wine. I can see why you favor it." She glances towards the dance floor with a moment of hesitation and then offers her hand to Juliet. "Whether on the battle field or the dance floor, I lead with confidence, my Lady." She bows ever so slightly. "Would you do be the honor?"

Jarek smiles at Natalia "I may be a wanderer, and a bit of an oddity princess, but I am still a Prince of Velenosa, I think if I could not lead a pretty lady in dance then I would make for a poor Velenosian indeed." He drains his glass of red, and then hands it off to a passing servant so his hands are free. Its a mostly respectable distance Jarek keeps, and a mostly respectable placement of his hand on Natalia's back. Trying to find that razors edge between far too forward and far too respectful. "So grand of you to offer me the first dance when you don't even like me my dear princess" Jarek says with a smile to Natalia as the dancing begins.

Nadia bestows the gift of a Lenosian white wine into Dafne's hand. "I'll be back for you next, my dearest Lady I've not had the pleasure speaking with yet," she promises with infectious zeal, her eyes bright with mirth as she takes Pietro's hand. "You do me a great honor, my lord," she says, drawing him out into the crowd where drunken ladies and gentlemen dance without care under the starry night skies.

Samantha leans back from the rail with a happy sigh, and then returns her full attention to the trio, and to the music. She downs what's left of her wine, sets on the tray of a passing servant, and looks to Damon. "Well." she says, somewhat awkwardly. "Would you care to?"

"That -was- why I asked, my Lady General." Juliet beams ever so brightly, sketching a small curtsey and offering Calypso her hand. "And perhaps we can scour up either some dry rose or some Saikland's Promise once we've worked up our thirst," She muses, setting aside her glass on the rail, perhaps so the fish may also partake in the festivities.

Natalia downs the remainder of her wine and then frowns slightly at Jarek. A sigh of feigned exaggaration. Her hands come to move his so that she is standing more close than respectful, but not lewd. Damn the razor's edge. The razor is fun (said every goth everywhere). So she settles easily into his arms and nods. "I know... I am in full belief of giving charity to the less fortunate. You are welcome." She laughs fully to that and then lowers her voice to his ear.

Damon regards Samantha with a smile. He places his empty wine glass on a passing servant's tray, "Dance?" He looks over his shoulder at the dancing being had already, then back to Samantha, extending his hand, "You couldn't have been stuck with a better partner."

Calypso leaves her whiskey on the rail as well and leads Juliet out on to the dance floor with the rest. In truth, she is not a great dancer. But everything she does is done with a bold confidence. She takes the lead role in the dance, offering her left hand to hold and her right slipping around Juliet's waist. "A little wine after a dance is the perfect refreshment." She says in a cool even tone.

Jarek actually gets even more comfortable as Natalia settles close in his arms and they begin dancing, no longer worrying about possibly insulting the princess he can focus on the dance and the whispered words shared between the pair.

Dafne glances over her shoulder at the sea well beyond. "I am hardly going anywhere for several hours," she replies to Nadia, taking the glass from her. "I remain a captive audience for all," she says lightly.

Natalia laughs to something said as she flows easily through the dance. Her eyes are twinkling in humor as her conversation stays quiet between them. She also does a quick look around the boat and then back towards the man.

"They say that on the Isles the women are mighty fine," comes the start of a bawdy sea-tune, a rhythmic chorus of claps from onwatchers echoing through the night. "They look like walking sirens and can make you lose your mind!" Alcohol sloshes around in cups, their owners drinking where they can as the song goes on: "They say that on the Isles the hours are mighty fine! Start early in the morn, and work all through the night!"

"I hope so." replies Samantha with enthusiasm. "Because I'm a far better speaker in Assembly than I am a dancer. Which isn't to say I don't enjoy it. I do. Dancing, I mean, not speaking. Well. I also enjoy speaking. I'm effective. I shall do my level best not to step on your toes, whereas in Assembly, treading on toes is something of a deliberate thing, at times."

Juliet leans into the touch on her hip, and her fingers entwine with those of Calypso's offered hand, as she rests her own on the lady General's shoulder. Letting the woman lead, she dances with enthusiasm, leaning in to murmur in the woman's ear.

Damon smirks and takes Samantha's hand and moves backwards towards the dance floor, "Fear not. All you have to do is follow my lead."

Pietro draws his hand in a warm pressure at Nadia's waist, moving into the steps of a dance with ready energy. "You do me a far greater delight, my lady," he says with a low laugh in his voice. "First hosting this wonderful evening and then sharing a dance with me."

Jarek smiles at Natalia as she laughs, his eyes catching hers as she glances back towards him. The whispered conversation is clearly enjoyable and it keeps him smiling (though lets be honest, hes often smiling anyways.) for the moment though, his often brief attention span is focused on Natalia.

Calypso moves with Juliet gracefully-enough through the song. She extends her hands and guides the Fidante woman in to a little twirl between words. "Truly this is a sign of change. Fidante and Malvici on a dance floor. We are making strides for our houses, my Lady." She says with a faint smirk and then leans in to murmur a little more quietly.

Nadia glimpses at the singing group from over Pietro's shoulder, a soft chuckle leaving her. Her hands capture the lord's in a relaxed grip, her pale skirts fanning out about her with her girlish twirls. Flushed cheeks and bright eyes, she gracefully follows his guide, her melodic laughter never in short supply. "You are too kind, my lord. It brings me great pleasure and relief to see all I've planned come together beautifully. Princess Deva and I commandeered this vessel, you know, in Lord Victus' name a week ago? Princess Natalia was with us when we set out on a ladies' only cruise around the bay when we got the idea to chase the stars of the sea."

"Please," Juliet beams, skirts twirling around her as she's spun by Calypso. "I am only building on what my cousin started, no?" a hint of a giggle as she falls back against the Lady General's body, glancing over to Samantha and Damon and giving them both encouraging smiles, before murmuring in Calypso's ear again.

Natalia chuckles softly to the words as she moves so he has to spin her and then spin her back in against him. The moves are executed flawlessly. She seems to move in and out of the dance easily. The conversation stays low and to the man's ear. They aren't acting like they hate each other. For now.

"Fantastic," Pietro says with a grin, "I'm sure that was amazing to observe." He is an able dancer -- although his hands are firm and steady, and neither of them at any point goes behind his back -- and moves with a similar agile grace to that he demonstrates with a weapon in hand. He lacks the reckless enthusiasm for the dance that he has for the fight, but maybe if the drums beat hard enough-- "Particularly when Lord Victus heard about it. I've said before that the voyage made for a delightful change of pace and I do mean it. There's only so many times you can have fun eating dinner and so on before you really just want to start stabbing things." (This is not the most Lycene thing he has ever said.)

As the lively orchestra continue to play, it isn't long before the shores of Arvum are in view once more. The muffled calls of the sailors as they adjust course toward the docks, the sails furled to slow their speeds for a smooth arrival.

Samantha is thankfully, not a terrible dancer at all. She quite enjoys the effort, though Damon may find her on a measure counting out the beat. There's a passing beam of a smile for Juliet as she swings by, looking to her partner. "So what manner of poetry do you prefer, then? Do you often get called upon to offer them on the cusp?"

Jarek smiles at Natalia's comment and when shes spun back into him he brings her in even a little closer than before. Hes probably not as good of a dancer as Natalia, less practice, but true to his words hes capable enough and not embarassing to the proper Grayson lady.

Calypso finds her hand at Juliet's waist once more as they sway to the music. "Indeed. But strides none the less." She smiles ever so slightly and only breaks her concentration from the dance when she sees the sails set to slow their arrival. "It seems the night is almost at an end." She comments idly, her ice blue gaze resting back on the Fidante Lady once more.

Damon is as keen as dancer as he is a wordsmith. Even with Samantha's concentration on counting the beat, his movements help keep her focus off the count and more in the rhythm of it. He makes sure that she can keep up despite this, "I actually don't prefer poetry. At all." Damon spins Samantha gracefully and returns her to her previous position in perfect time, "This reputation was born out of a fun contest, nothing more."

"It does," Juliet agrees. Biting her lip, slightly, her dance slowing, but she stays close to Calypso. "We may need to find our wine elsewhere, my Lady General."

"My cousin never ceases to amuse me," Nadia confesses to Pietro, her lips curled just-so with good humor. "She came aboard and drank all the wine, after tying one of her most poofy skirts into a proper seawench's knot with exceeding grace. I don't think I remember what happened after that," she realizes, a bubbly laugh spilling from her as their dance draws to its natural end. "But I have no doubt it would be quite the story, should any of us had remembered." Hers is a most graceful curtsy before Pietro. "Thank you for your company tonight, my lord. You most certainly didn't disappoint with your graceful moves. But I should tend to the Lady Dafne now, before we've docked and the music draws to an end."

Calypso gives Juliet one last elegant twirl, leading her in to a slight dip as their dance comes to an end. She sets the woman upright and inclines her head gracefully. "We may indeed. Thank you for the dance, Lady Juliet."

Natalia dances easily and laughs a bit more to that as she spins again. "My darling stalker, you are actually an average dancer." Their game is still a foot it seems. She looks over at the other dancers and then offers. "Now the question is if you dip me, will you drop me?"

Samantha allows herself to be spun quite readily, and after a few counts, Samantha has the manner of it. "Alright then, what would be your preference?" He's gotten her curious, as she ducks under his arm in a turn and then returns to him once more.

Pietro joins Nadia in her laughter and shakes his head slightly, lashes falling low over the bright strip of gleaming dark that is his gaze. He bows to her at the conclusion of the dance. "Thank you, my lady," he says. "For the dance, and for the evening." He steps back, too, moving back in Dafne's general direction either like a good escort or like an overlarge dog returning to heel.

Dafne gives a little nod of her head to both Pietro and Nadia. "We could all dance," she offers, light. "Imagine how much easier balls would be, if there were more dances written for three."

Jarek answers Natalia's question by dipping Natalia and not dropping her. He doesn't even look nervous about doing it! A smile is lighting up his face though when shes pulled back up. "I manaed to not drop you, I was worried for a moment I might have had too much wine." He jests back to the princess.

Juliet twirls again, and dips into a curtsey, bowing her head before the general. "Then perhaps, my lady general, I can invite you to partake in some Fidante hospitality? All in the interest of our houses brokering peace and good will, of course."

Nadia purses her lips in brief contemplation of Dafne's words. "Now, that sounds like quite a good idea," she voices with exuberant excitement, so quick to grasp for hers and Pietro's hand. Once more, Pietro finds himself being guided out on the dance floor to be swept up in a rather fun, jaunty sort of step with the duchess and sweet lady he escorts. "I don't know many multi-party dances, so we should make one up as we go!" she laughs, rose-golden curls shining under the lantern light.

Damon finishes his dance with Samantha at the crecendo of the music, a daring dip, damn near dropping the woman but gracefully scooping her at the very last second. It's probably scary as hell but it looks amazing from the outside. When he rights her again he dips his head, "Thank you, you're a delightful dancer. And my preference lies in actual books."

Calypso raises a brow ever so slightly at Juliet's offer. "This very evening or is this an open invitation for another time? I would hate to impose."

"Where do my hands go?" asks Dafne in momentary confusion. "Where do my legs go?" That said, she makes it up as she goes along, twining around, about, and through Nadia and Pietro.

Natalia grapples for the man's shoulders and then laughs even more. She almost falls from her laughter and not his lack of skill. "I see..." She shakes her head a bit and then leans right in against him. Her voice low to his ear.

The ship soon reaches shore. The anchors drop, and the sails are furled. At the behest of the captain, the planks are shoved out onto the pier for the guests to off-board or linger behind at their leisure. The flotilla has dispersed, but the music lives on with a small allotment of musicians with wine and all sorts of drinks to keep the night going.

"You know, I usually don't find myself dancing with two beautiful women at once," Pietro says, his grin a plain assurance that he doesn't object. He's clearly game for the challenge, though. He has a good instinct for the lively energy of the dance even if he's never really tried a three-way dance party before. "Wherever you want! Right? I mean, right? Oop--" He makes a bridge of his arm and Nadia's so that Dafne can twirl through it, and then twists and ducks to follow her through, laughing again like a dork.

"Which would you prefer, my lady general?" Juliet asks, taking a step closer, never quite letting go of the woman's hand. "I can assure you, you would not be imposing at all. My cousin has assured me he has high hopes that our feud can be buried, and we can be a good example for the rest of the Lyceum - maybe even the compact." She laughs a little - both at the dancing couples and their dramatic dancing, and the now-trio making it up as they go along. She lets out a little sigh, leaning in against Calypso again, her voice a soft murmur.

Samantha's eye widen as she's dipped, like oh goodness is he gong to drop her? But then she's caught, and uprighted, and at his compliment, she dips a curtsy. "Well. I had an excellent partner. I'm rather fond of books myself. But..." she looks apologetic, "I don't want to keep you from enjoying the party."

Dafne's free hand is captured by Nadia's own with a confident smile, her other arm raising high above with Pietro's own to keep the arc formed until the trio have spun beneath the human-bridge at least once. Rum-warmed cheeks aglow, she cannot help but degenerate into giggles at her companions' silliness.