Rook Grayward's arrival is a progression of softer steps followed by the march of louder ones. The Bastion-born gentleman's retainer is naturally encouraged to stand out of the way as dictated by Thrax hospitality, however. Only the courtier's own truly brings him to the full interior of the dining room, where he's stood with his hands clasped behind his back, bright green eyes for the occupants.
"Well, how do you do," he greets the collection. Having handed a bottle of wine to the nearest Not A Thrall Honest (tm), it's likely set wherever dinner guest gifts belong. "I trust I'm not late," he says, "and that I can be given enough time to explain that I /do/ have an invitation, promise. I didn't quite just wander in off the street."

Rook drops a sweet honey gold wine with buttery overtones.

Stepping into the room, Count Maximilan Darkwater, Lord of the sameself county of Darkwater, which has a somewhat expected city within called DarkWater Watch. On his arm, is the young lady Margot Tyde. "I do not think I have ever been here before." Remarks the count to the lady on his arm. "You will have to make introductions."

Dagon follows Max & Margot into the Dining Room, Natalia on his arm. "You've been to the dining room before." He remarks off-handidly, glancing around to see who has arrived so far. "Ah, Donella must be seeing to the final preparations before the festivities or something." He gestures towards Max and Margot. "Count Maximilian Darkwater and Lady Margot Tyde. Count Darkwater, Lady Margot, this is Princess Natalia Grayson." He makes the introductions, smiling faintly. "I'm sure we'll all enjoy what the evening has to offer, yes?" He turns towards the table, gesturing for Natalia to take a seat. "Go ahead and sit, I'm sure drink of some fashion will be coming shortly."

Margot looks about the room as she steps inside with her escort. "Oh, truely? Well of course you know Lord Victus.... and that there is, I can only assume his guest, Lady Kima. She attended the last family dinner as well." Her head turns to looks over Dagon and his guest, dipping into a curtsey. "Princess Natalia, so good to finally meet you."

Natalia walks in with the most dashing Dagon Thrax. Luck was a lady tonight. There is a curve of her lips as she nods towards Margot. "It seems a wonder to put the name and the face together. I am sure we still must take that tea though." HEr eyes sparkle in a bit of humor. "Count Darkwater, it is lovely to see you again." Her eyes slide over towards Rook with a smile. However, when Dagon bids her to sit something weird happens... she listens. The princess finds a seat and makes sure that he has a place as well right next to her. "As you wish. Are these seats to your liking, Your Highness?"

Maximilian nods once to Dagon, one hand brushing hair back out of his features as he greets the Thraxian royal. "Prince Dagon. You are looking well tonight. But all men look good with Princess Natalia on their arm." And then to Natalia. "Why, Princess Natalia. It is as pleasure to see you once again." He says, before murmuring something to MArgot as he turns with her to the table.

Margot tilts her head towards Maximilian and moves towards the table to locate some seats near Victus and his company. She stops to look over Rook curiously. "I do not believe I know you Master...?"

Dagon smiles at Max. "Of course, Count Darkwater, of course." A glance over at Margot. "I hope you're doing well, Lady Margot. Good to see you again." He nods faintly to Natalia and then takes his seat, glancing over at the man that Margot is indicating. "Perhaps he is Donella's guest?" He asks, eyebrow raised in question at Rook.

Rook navigates himself toward the most appropriate seat dictated by courtly standards of etiquette. Stood behind it for a time, hands resting lightly upon its high back, he looks amongst those present with a bow and nod. "Your highness," is Natalia's reply to her smile, the first to be greeted verbally.
Dagon's remark regarding Donella cause him to tilt his head a slight amount, then he recognises the excuse. "It's a troublesome affair running a function of some magnitude. It's more than understandable," he says. "For those who don't know me, I am Rook Grayward," continues the man without any magnificent flair in the direction of Margot. "No real title to speak of," he adds, "but I am a courtier from Bastion, among many other pursuits. Mistress Sina Izetta encouraged me to attend but as her liege lady is busy I am sure so is she. A pleasure, Lady Tyde," he recognises and presents then.

Natalia smiles vibrantly at Max, "I..." One can almost hear the word 'know' but she stops it with a glance towards Dagon. "..am only honored to be here with the grand Prince of Thrax. If anyone makes anyone looks good it is the man on my side. I am just a shadow to his radiance." Her eyes slide up towards Rook. "Ahh... Master Grayward, it is wonderful to see you." Her eyes flick towards Dagon. "I am sure that he will have wonderful rants." Her hand reaches out to attempt to tap the Prince's wrist lightly.

Moving over to sit down with MArgot, on the side of the table with Victus, Max thumps down into a chair. Natalia's words take him not by surprise, but as amusing. A glint comes to his eyes as he rests them on Natalia. "Is that so. I'm so pleased you've adopted our culture so readily. I knew you just needed a strong man to show you where you needed to be."

Margot nods to Dagon, "I am, and I hope you are as well your Highness?" She pauses to looks over Rook curiously. "Your pretty to look at, if you mind your tongue I'm sure Donella will find you interesting company if nothing else." She decides before settling in beside Maximilian, her pale brow lifting just slightly as she glances between himself and the princess. She clears her throat lightly and looks to Dagon. "Where is Princess Donella?"

As the various guests sweep into House Thrax's dining room, Victus hardly looks up from his ale. No greetings from the warlord of Thrax, mulling on something or another while occasionally he might issue a grunt or some other guttural and throaty sound in response to Kima's murmurs in his ears. He's not particularly well dressed for a formal occasion; his white shirt is simple and unbuttoned at his throat, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Where his flesh shows so does intricate blue tattoos. Sailors do love their ink. His hair is a tangled mess, unkempt and falling about his scarred features.

His first actual reaction comes at Maximilian's words to Natalia. There's a quietly coughing, rasping, harking sort of sound he's struggling with. It might be a chortle, though it dies too quick for a definitive diagnostic.

"That's all any woman wants, really," Kima says with a laugh from where she is seated beside Victus. She might be on her second cup of ale, which is entirely independent of her decision to finally speak up. The blonde, perhaps strangely to some of the more traditional among the Thrax, is dressed in a manly fashion. Which is to say trousers and a tunic as opposed to a dress.

"I am." Dagon remarks, answering Margot's question, though his gaze is still on Rook. "Rook Grayward, and a courtier from Bastion? Oh, then do you and the Princess happen to know one another?" He glances over at Natalia, smiling faintly. "I hear so much of Bastion lately." He's still looking at her when Max makes his comment. "Count Darkwater is correct in his assessment that a firm hand is needed to guide every ship, true advice that any sailor learns their first time out at sea." He looks over at Margot and shrugs, "I can only guess that she is seeing to the final preparations. I have yet to see her today."

Natalia's smile doesn't fade an inch. In fact, it may have brightened on Max's words. "Perhaps you are right, Count Darkwater. It is good that after meeting the men here, I finally found a strong one." Her eyes slide over to him and then Victus. She doesn't seem insulted. "Then again, there is nothing that Prince Dagon cannot command if he so wished it." She will even drop her eyes demurely but there is something to her smile. She looks up and over towards Dagon. "Well only the best things come from Bastion." Such as herself. Then she smiles. "I am sure that she would not mind us starting if she has not finished shortly."

Maximilian's lips spread into a grin at the subtle jab in return - and he settles back in to his chair. This dinner is going to be MUCH more interestin than expected or anticipated. "It takes a lot of stamina, time and energy to break a horse." Opines Max as he reaches for a drink... "To make her pliable, submissive and ridable. I commend the effort Prince Dagon. I applaud you."

"High praise and sound advice both -- thank you, my lady," Rook deigns to say in short reply to Margot's comment, lips quirked and stealing his face into one with a smile. There's a low dip of his head and his eyes cut their way to observe other interactions as he finds himself soon sat between two of the partnered pairs, Natalia and Dagon as well as Maximilian and Margot. Midway through his motion to settle one of Rook's hands rises, collecting his amulet close to his chest to avoid wrecking any of the dinnerware.
"Only her handmaiden and I," admits Rook to Dagon, "I've never had the pleasure to meet Princess Donella personally come to think of it. Perhaps it's because of that why her highness is not present. Uncanny coincidence only, I would rather trust, however." Natalia's own proud quip causes him to laugh slightly but he doesn't deny the bold claim.

Margots hand rests over the count's lightly, briefly, before she looks down the table to Kima, offering the lady a nod. "My Lady Kima, it is a pleasure to see you at our table again. Welcome." To Natalia she gives a knowing look. "Princess Donella has invited us all here to rant and let off steam. Do you bring a particular peeve with your Princess Natalia?"

"That so?" Victus asks Kima, lifting up from his forward lean across the table and his ale. His head goes from same height to the blonde knight, to way above. He slants down a sideways look, skeptic. "I'll keep that in mind." A thoroughly crooked smile pulls on his notched upper lip. "Here I thought you were a lost fucking cause."

His eyes shift towards Dagon. He says: "If our good fucking Voice ain't showing up, that makes you the host." There's a pause, before he leans forward and says: "And I'm hungry." Which, apparently, he expects Dagon to fix.

Max blinks. "Is that what this is? I presumed it was just a clever name for a family dinner." He shrugs then. "No, Princess Natalia has been nothing but razorblade kind in her interactions. I have no true quarrel with her.":

"Well, it is what we Thrax do, is it not, Count Darkwater? To take a woman is like taming the seas, and as we are good at one thing, we must certainly be good at the other." Dagon's eyes flash to Natalia momentarily, but then he is nodding to Victus. "Perhaps you're right, cousin." He stands and leaves the room to go into the kitchens. Several moments later, he returns, several thralls following him with trays filled with glasses and wine. As Dagon takes his seat, the thralls move around the table making sure each guest has some wine, though doesn't gesture anyone to drink until one of the thralls has taken a sip of his own wine first. Seeing that the thrall will live, Dagon smiles, "Go ahead and drink, and whoever wishes to start things off is free to do so. The food will be out in a few minutes."

Kima lifts her ale to Margot, smiling winningly. "And a pleasure to see you again, Lady Margot." A shadow then looms over her, and with an expression of vague puzzlement, Kima turns to look, only to realize it was just Victus sitting straight. She flutters her hand at him, dismissing the notion of lost causes quite casually.

"This isn't about true quarrels, Max, it's about drinking a lot and running your mouth in, wondering all the while if the drunk fucker next to you is just drunk enough to laugh - or maybe take offense." Her eyes glitter with a dark mirth, but she says no more.

Maximilian nods to Kima - brows furrowing sightly - and murmurs something to Margot as he reaches for his drink once more.

"Of course you have no issue with me, Count." Natalia pauses. "I would say that I have only a small issue, Lady Margot. My issue would be wondering why we must break a horse. I mean let us suppose that part of the beauty is the untamed wildness of that horse. Why then should it be captured and tamed? Is it just for a ride? There are many, many docile horses to ride. Some spend their whole day just being ridden by whom ever happens along. So why when challenged with a horse that feels the urge to run free do men feel so urged to tame it?" Natalia offers as her eyes slide over those present. She /thanks/ the thrall that gives her the wine, but then lifts it to her lips to drink from it.

Margot nods slightly to Maximilian, her pale lips curving upwards oh so slightly. She nods then to Natalia, "That is a curious thought, it brings me to wonder, in the talk of all our far more knowledgable companions, do men tame the sea or does the sea tame men? Do any of you sailors truely command the waves?"

Rook clears his throat a touch, the timing not unsubtly lined with the escalating conversation. Still, diplomatic that he is, the courtier doesn't invade with an outspoken disagreement under the roof of House Thrax. "I feel remarkably outmatched in terms of the supposed custom of throwing punches if that's to arise any time soon, so I'll stick to engagement of tongue instead," he does forewarn with a measure of mirth in his gaze. "That said, I can't say that I'm not enthused by the idea of people speaking their mind. It's a rare indulgence, after all. A dangerous one, perhaps, but maybe that's part of the appeal." Natalia's challenge posed to the table gets a curious look, a certain positive impression left upon his face at its finish.

Maximilian grunts at whatever MArgot offers as a response. He nods, then settles back. "With no disrespect to PRince Dagon, no man tames thre sea. The sea is wild, it is unknowable, untamable. You may think the seas calm, but what swims under your vessel you will never see, never know. Such is the heart of a woman. Hidden depths and unknown complexity."

"It is the nature of strong to dominate," Victus drawls from where he sits. "Tame stone. Tame wood. Tame cattle. Tame horses. Tame women. Tame a ship. Tame other fucking men." He scratches at his bearded cheek, and takes a break to swallow down some more of the ale while food decks out the table. "Without that drive, where the fuck would we be but still living like Shav animals." And his opinion of Shavs then is obvious in the contempt in his voice.

"The ocean belongs to Mangata." Is what he says of the ocean. He shows his teeth and admits: "Some things even men can't take."

Maximilian lifts his cup to Victus in silent agreement with the mans statement.

"Doesn't stop them from trying, though, does it?" Kima adds as an aside, grinning crookedly.

Dagon lifts his glass in Max's direction. "It seems that you took my meaning quite well, Count Darkwater. Quite well indeed." He grins and then swallows down a mouthful of wine. "Hidden depths and unknown complexity indeed." It's then that the doors to the kitchen open, and thralls come out with trays of food, including braised turbot in a piquant brown butter and herb sause, a salat of samphire greens with spiced bread spears, flayed root vegetable roast and vanity cakes. The thralls each put a plate of food in front of each person at the table. After they are done, they leave as they entered. Silently. "Dinner is served. Let us go ahead and enjoy this fine feast as well as the fine company we find ourselves in."

Margot considers Maximilian and Victus both, and the Thrax Prince. She sips her wine, a quiet smile into her glass before dinner is brought in. "Indeed. Master Rook do you knw anything of the sea?"

Natalia opens her mouth as if to rebuttal something, but then Dagon says they should eat. There is a look of thought before she puts her hands in her lap. She is silent to eat and enjoy the food. However, one might hear the softest sound of a neigh as she turns her amused eyes up to Dagon.

Maximilian murmurs something to Margot, then glances over to Natalia - something in her countinance and expression giving him cause for amusement as the food comes forward. Whatever he was going to say, dies as food is more interesting.

Rook studies Victus from across the table as he speaks in what appears to be more than a few words at a time. The interruption of dinner served is reason enough for him to refocus and it's to Margot he turns to reply to, a pleasant tilt to his mouth given. "Oh," he begins, "not quite in the same capacity, I dare say, but a little. I know profitable trade routes like the back of my hand but not the manner in which captains manage to plot their course without the sea taking its own share of the bounty aboard their ships. My family are merchants," he explains, "and as a result our cargo sails first down the Gray River to Arx and then beyond to the furthest reaches of our realm. It's quite extraordinary, really. I have a healthy respect for those that choose such a life-- or accept that it chose them."

Victus isn't shy about diving into the meal when it's offered, and he eats and drinks with the ferocious abandon and appetite. His participation in the social nature of the dinner ends. Its all about the food and the drink. He ignores most of the utensils they're meant to eat with, and uses his hand half the time when he can get away with it without too much of a sticky mess on his coarse fingers.

Margot in contrast to the men takes only a dainty bite of her food and washes it down with a delicate sip of win. "Indeed, and where did ou become so aquainted with trade Master Rook? The men of the isles feel it is poor luck to have a woman aboard a ship and so, I too must admire their fierce vessels from afar." She offers before cutting another tiny sliver of food for her fork.

Kima turns her attention to her meal, making deft use of her cutlery in order to cut into the turbot and spear dainty bites with the tines of her fork. The blonde is otherwise silent, expression neutral as the conversation seems fall away.

How...scintillating.

Maximilian offers up. "Sharks." He says - as if an explaination. "We don't like women on our ships because of sharks." A pause. "They smell blood."

"So THAT explains why I've heard tell that amongst the Thrax, they call it 'shark week." Kima looks as though some secret has just genuinely been revealed to her. "Huh," uttered, before she stabs another bite of food.

Maximilian checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 22, 7 higher than the difficulty.

Dagon watches Victus for a moment, a little amused, then tackles his own food, though he's far more mannered about how he eats. A few bites swallowed down with some wine, and his eyes are moving about the room to see how others seem to be liking their meal. He almost chokes on his next bite when Max comments. "There's that plus the distraction they tend to be among the crew. You go out to sea for a month or two and some men just have needs when they return to shore. Put a woman on the ship and they'll focus more on that than they will their duties."

Maximilian purses his lips - eyes his glass - and then drains that motherfucker dr.

Dry.

Natalia glances up towards Max a few moments and then towards Kima. She doesn't really react before she looks towards Dagon. There is a lowered comment to his ear. Then she smiles and eats a bit more of her food.

Margot's gaze moves between Maximilan, then Kima, and Dagon, utterly unflinching and innocent at the same time. She simply sips her wine, far too modest to delve into such subject matter.

"The burden of nearly inheriting the Grayward enterprises taught me to tally, plot and profit, my lady," Rook explains with due clarity to give Margot the answer she seeks. "At least until I passed those responsibilities on and chose my life at court." There's a slower motion of cutlery against his meal when he hears Maximilian and Kima's exchange but he recovers quickly, testament to the decorum instilled within him. "Count Darkwater," he wonders aloud then, barely giving the man time to swallow his drink before he's called upon for an answer, "do tell me, have you ever killed a shark?"

Valerius walks into the Dining Room as Maximilian offers his reason to not allow a woman on a boat, "Oh good, I'm glad I showed up when the conversation was getting interesting." he deadpans, he makes his way in nearly looking like someone who has just wandered in off the street compared to the other Thrax men if it weren't for his movements, confident and assured that betrays his Thraxness. A seat is out for him before he reaches the table he offers a respectful nod to Dagon my Lord Grandfather." he says in aknowledgement before taking a seat, "We all know that's just what sailors tell their wives. In reality, we all know it's just what a sailor says when he wants to gets away from nagging"

Maximilian piles his plate with fish and sausage, piling it high. "Have you ever been to Darkwater Watch?" Asks Max, by way of answer, to Rook. "It's a rite of passage for sailors. When the ships trawl near the dark water reaches, sharks will follow in our wake. It is considered a good omen for a sailor, on his first full cruise, to spear one from a launch and wrestle it aboard once it exhausts itself." He glances over at Rook, looking up through hi brows... "I was in my launch for seven hours."

Kima hides her snicker behind her mug of ale. "I've a question - genuine - what's the largest sea creature any of you have ever seen?" She uses her fork to gesture idly. "I have heard tell of whales and what have you, but I've never actually seen one myself."

Valerius looks down at his lap, starts to say something, stops and just takes a drink of wine.

Maximilian has a moment of contemplation, then just drains his cup again.

"Truly," Rook says with the kind of tone that takes to mean he's unconvinced of the truth and cannot yet word it so he verbally disagrees. "What a feat," he adds. "I should like to observe that someday, in my travels." Lifting his glass to drink, the gentleman of Bastion finds relief in a lengthy sip. The emerald eyes he wields for vision turn to Kima, a soft 'mm!' in enthused interest given before he gulps. "Yes!" Clearly he too wishes to hear more.

Margot loks faintly disappointed in Rook, "A pity you gave up the family business, I am always looking to connect our traders with new venders. You shall have to introduce me to your family at some juncture master Rook." She looks sideways to Maximilian and simply nods.

Dagon smirks at Natalia's whispered words, leaning towards her to return something of his own. Nodding at Valerius as he enters, he puts another bite of food into his mouth as he considers Kima's question. After he washes it down with a bit of wine, he says, "Whales are probably the largest thing I've seen. Sometimes they do this thing where they slap the surface of the ocean with their tail fin. Curious creatures they are. I haven't seen anything larger than that though. Victus?" He turns a curious gaze on his cousin.

Rook says, "That will be no great issue at all, Lady Tyde, of course. I currently still assist, ableit remotely. My brother is hellbent on becoming a knight and that holds his interest far easier than our ledgers. Oh by the pantheon, the batches missives I receive."

batches of missives*

Donella finishes up with the kitchen staff, and mosies amongst the guests, twirling her necklace in her fingers. "When they get bigger than that, you start to have a hard time seeing more than just a part at a time. Are we ranting about whales?"

Kima looks between Valerius and Max. Just looks. Then she turns her attention to Dagon as he gives her an answer, before looking to Victus when the ball is thrown in his court.

"We're asking about them, at this point, but we could rant, too. There's been very little ranting as yet." Kima smiles warmly as she speaks to Donella.

Natalia smiles at Dagon and whispers to him. They do this a lot. She then utters something low back to him with the most innocent expression on her face. When Donella appears, Natalia brightens to her too. "Darling.. I was ranting about horses. It was dreadful, breaking poor wild horses. Do you have a rant to bring to us?"

Margot nods to Rook, "Indeed." She pauses and smiels with notable relief when Donella arrives. She lapses into quiet and glances side ways to Maximilian.

Maximilian snaps his voice upward. "YOu know what fucking pisses me off?" He declares, slamming the tabletop with his tankard. "That old biddy commoner woman. The one who insulted Victus at his duel. The one who makes a fucking show of insulting everyone above her unless they massage her ego and lick her ass." He says, voice rising. "That bitch grinds my winch, I tell you. But I'm trying not to make some kind of fucking innternational incident my first week in town or I'd just have thrown her in the fucking surf and beaten her senseless."

Margot does not rant. Ranting is not lady like. She continues to cut danty bites from her meal, sip her wine and quietly comment to her escort.

Rook rises from his seat as Donella's presence is made known to him, a motion that is half habit by now. As he holds stood there's a bow for the Thraxian princess, then its entwined greeting. "Your highness, how do you do." Given time to see if the one who has his attention will sit or not, the courtier only finds himself seated once more when it's deemed socially acceptable to do so. Not that it seems occur to many others, in their conversation. "You speak of Mistress Myrinda Grayhope, I presume?" Rook asks of Maximilian neutrally but with interest all the same.

Jabbing the air with a sausage now - pointing it at Rook - Max nods, swallowing a bite of the other end. "Tats the old bitch."

Dagon exchanges more whispered words with Natalia, then turns his attention on Max who seems to be ranting. "A question, which woman is this? I've yet to run into some old biddy that insults her betters. What did she have to say to you? Other than being so direspectful in general, I mean."

Rook adds for further clarity and Dagon's benefit, "Seamstress and protege to her grace, the Grand Duchess Esera Velenosa of the Lyceum, Archduchess of Lenosia."

"Don't purchase from her," Kima says with a shrug. "Better still, don't engage in trade with her. Wouldn't it be just such a pity if she no longer had access to any of the supplies she needs for her craft?" Kima looks relatively amused by it all. "Of course, she works in textiles, probably silk more often than not. I confess, I am not terribly up to snuff when it comes to whether or not Thrax produces much of any of that. Silk, by and large, comes out of the Lyceum."

Dagon never got an answer of a bigger sea creature. Not that Victus ignored his cousin, (well, perhaps he did a little) but he was preoccupied with his food. And when he wasn't, well, all he did was grunt in a way that could be taken any which way: Yes! No! Perhaps! Who cares! Regardless, eating remained his priority.

It still is as Maximilian broaches the topic of Myranda's actions at the duel. His mouth presses tight briefly, but then he solves his disgruntlement through finishing his ale. It takes a while, as he had just had it refilled. Gradually the tankard lifts to the ceiling, while his adam's apple bounces under his beard.

Natalia lifts her golden brows at Max when he says that. She looks over at her bag and then back to him. "She has a .. way of causing offense." Natalia offers lightly. "I have been banned from her shop. Only I tend to not take well to being denied, so I had others make my purchases to find a way around it. SHe's lifted the ban." She offers a soft comment towards Dagon and then looks back towards the others. There is a nod to Kima.

Margot's gaze lifts from the table, "Mistress Myrinda was most civil to me, she has designed the most lovely gown for me which I hope will be prepared in time for the next big event..."

"Generally, she's just disrespectful. SHe's not directly insulted me, save through passive agressive bullshit. I Think she knows if she offered direct insult, I would not take that kindly - incidents be damned." Says Max, still gestiuclating with the Sausage. "She's very good, no doubt, but she's rude and disrespectful because she feels she can be."

Princess Donella with her trimmed hair neatly tucked into a set of pearlescent combs, says, "Count Darkwater, your mouth is moving. You should do something about it, would you? I just hate it when that happens. People are expecting perfectly good, current rants, and instead what they get are mouthy minor nobility trying to pick fights with their host about OLD NEWS. Just flap flap flap, like meat mashing together. Meat flaps." She leans forward and says, "Why don't you try something original? Surely you have your OWN quarrels to see to? Like, women with swords, or men who wear stylish doublets? Maybe it will fix the problem, hrm?" She glances to Kima, and says, "Like that? Oh, I don't know. Maybe one, or two. Your turn!" She glances toward Rook, as he greets her, and tilts her head a bit. "I don't think we've been introduced..."

Donella says, "Count Darkwater, is, by the way, going to be excellent at this game. He picked up on a current event and a source of conflict right away. Scale of one to five, how was his rant? I'd give it a three, three and a half? Solid, really."

Valerius glances down at his own stylish doublet when Donella mentions them then speaks up suddenly, "What chaps my ass is the people who are all smug about wine." he says taking a sip of his own, "They swirl it and sniff it and do unholy things to the cork." he says "To me, wine is wine, what does it matter to me if the bottle cost one silver or ten thousand, it's still going to taste pretty much the same as every other wine I've drank."

Maximilian lifts his glass to Donella - in appreciation of her retort, and the praise. Unfortunately he's exhausted his current events, and he sits back to enjoy the enterplay.

"I resent that," Kima declares. "I'm the most minor noble here. I don't have anything like meat flaps, and believe me, I've seen them before. There's this brothel down in the Lower Boroughs," said as she spreads her hands for them, as though pulling back...curtains. "Sure, it was hardly more than a few bits, but you're promised a show, right? It wasn't a show, it was a morbid mix between the grotesque and comedy. I mean," Kima limply claps her hands together, making loose smacking sounds. "There it was, like sheets in the breeze."

Then, almost entirely as an aside, Kima says to Valerius. "Oh, we all KNOW wine is shit, but we make fancy labels and call it stuff like: Setarco Silken Kiss so that we can charge more. It's just good business sense. Oh!" Something seems to startle the blonde, and she looks beneath the table, expression paling.

"A commoner banned you, a Princess of House Fucking Grayson, and your response was to give her more silver anyway?" Victus asked Natalia as if the idea is so preposterous that he can hardly conceive it. He shakes his head slowly, a quiet chortle in the back of his throat. His eyes turn towards Donella, looking at her with a calm and level gaze, measuring.

Kima's rant on brothels and meat flaps pulls his attention. "What's the name? I'll try to fucking avoid that brothel."

Margot stares across the table at Kima briefly, horrified. She waves a hand to one of the thrals impatiently to refill her wine glass, taking a large drink once it is refilled then motioning for it to be topped up again.

"We haven't," Rook says with a smile and dip of his head, "and it's a shame it's taken so long, your highness. Forgive me for that," he says without true need. "I am Rook Grayward, hailing from Bastion. Your handmaiden has found herself to be a dear friend of mine," he introduces as simply as he's able. "Mistress Sina Izetta honoured me with an invitation to come by. A shame that matters had her busied elsewhere." There's a touch of his fingers to his chest, incidentally against the links of his pendant and then he concludes with: "I'm a courtier and currently a welcome guest at the Whisper House among my other talents."

Maximilian snickers, glancing sidelong at Margot - then to Kima - then he reaches for a plate of oysters. HE glances back at Kima - then shaakes his head again. "I had her make me one thing - and I won't use her again. Maybe that roundassed woman... Aurora. Maybe she'll do better than the old bitch."

Maximilian then slurrrrrrrps the Oyster. Expertly.

Donella points to Valerius, settling down beside Maximilian while her rants about wine, and holds up two fingers. "Good. I'd give you more points if I knew that you had taste, in your mouth or otherwise. Setarco Silken Kiss? That sounds wretched. But oohhhh, you brought brothels into it. A four, I think, for shock value." She glances to Victus, soliciting his opinion.

Maximilian comments to Donella.. "The silken kiss sounds like something you give a woman after she's had a bath."

Maximilian reaches for another Oyster. Slurrrrrrrrrrp.

Rook checked composure + etiquette against difficulty 30, resulting in 44, 14 higher than the difficulty.

"Unless she doesn't shave," Kima remarks. "Which, coincidently, was the name of the brothel."

Maximilian nods to Kima - snickering.

Margot shakes her head slightly. Delicate bite. Delicate bite. Gulp of wine. Delicate bite.

Valerius glances to Maximilian, "Those things are great for breakfast." he says offhandedly.

Maximilian just grins at Valerius. "Good to see you Prince. I missed you yesterday. I thought we were going to brawl!"

Donella says, "From Bastion," Donella asks of Rook. "And you're a friend of Sina's? Well I hope that she will manage to get back here before you go. It would be a shame if you passed like ships in the night. Have you had any of the turbot, yet?" The Voice Thrax glances to Margot intently, and says, "Your turn, Tyde.""

Dagon nods at Max, then sits back and listens for a time, smiling at Kima's rant and Victus' response. He lets a thrall refill his glass, and then decides it's time to speak up about something all on his own. "I suppose I should take the time to bitch about something. Very well... let's take this last little jaunt out into the wilderness as organized by two large houses, both of which suffered losses to their leadership during a jaunt into the wilds. Sure, that trip was a bit further in, but you know, why not tempt fate and the patience of the gods by organizing another one. Then when I tell the two people organizing this that this is a foolish idea, the response is for both to say that I am so very thoughtful and that my concern is heart-warming. No, you fucking fools, I am telling you this is a stupid idea because others in the city should think the same gods damned thing is stupid. Of course, half this city seems to adore one of these people for some unknown reason, but the lack of leadership and good sense in this city is a diatribe that can take hours in and of itself."

Victus meets Donella's look with a skeptic squint. He looks his younger cousin up and down, then asks with gruff bemusement "Have you been drinking?" Well, not that they aren't all drinking, technically.

"Bullshit." To Kima and her supposed name of the brothel. "I am calling that story bullshit. No brothel's gonna be called 'Unless she doesn't shave." He scoffs at the very idea, then takes another deep swig from his drink.

"I'd rather hunt than attend another fucking party." Not that Victus has attended any of the parties or galas held in the city since the beginning of summer, when someone decided to make him King of the Ball, but it's the principle of the thing. "Good boar in the woods here. Nasty fuckers. Almost got to watch a Grayson lose her legs." Which counts as a good day?

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

Rook somehow manages to get through the bulk of the exchanges without destroying his polite veneer, perhaps only because they're not squarely landing in his section of the table directly. "Mistress Thornburn," Rook corrects for Maximilian's remark, "is an excellent choice for an alternative seamstress. You'll find no complaint, I assure you."
"Either that or I'm an expert agent of villainous forces who managed to slip by with those same excuses, your highness. I can only encourage you to believe I'm not. But yes, it would be pleasing to see Mistress Sina in her element. I shall hold out hope yet." The query regarding the food is given a mild shake of his head and then he immediately sees to it that such is corrected.

"HOw is the fishing in the bay?" Asks Max then, considering.. "We might have to go sharking soon. Women can come for that."

"I was going to remark that there was some sort of tentacled creature at my boot," Kima then says, resting her chin upon her hand and just thoroughly trashing all manner of comport or decorum. "But it appears as though it has disappeared. No doubt it is even now slithering towards its next victim." She actually falls quiet as Dagon speaks, though there is a snicker when Victus calls bullshit.

Margot blushes faintly when she's called upon. She sets her cutlery down carefuly as she contemplates. "What I find deeply disappointing in this city is the cheapness it hides inside of it's cloak of elegance. Like a whore wrapped in fur but under it not a thing, bought for a penny by any sailor who walks in. Everyone and thing here yeilds up it's prizes with so little effor they are worth nothing. It is... well I had expected more of the compact." Her voice never lifts above a quiet demure even though it is lit through with distain. She lifts her glass and takes a drink to wash the bad taste of thet thought from her mouth.

"Sounds like mainlanders in general." Says MAx at that, to margot. "Very few of them are interesting. They all try to act mysterious and interesting, but in the end... they are preetttttttttty much all the same. Hungry for themselves."

Valerius shakes his head at Margot, "What you describe is humanity, we're all whores at poorly named brothels with a veneer of civilization." he says, "Even at the fanciest of events, we all know a few cross words can come to steel real damn quick. We just like to act like things are otherwise."

"Not a drop, though frequently, cousin, you tempt me to it." Donella smirks a little bit and says, "Where have you see whores wrapped in fur, you sly minx?? I think our courtier friend needs to give us a rant as well. Since I am not sure I believe he is an agent of malicious will, yet."

Abbas enters the Dining Room and the man had been preparing for travel so he is a bit late. The Prince and a few reavers are packed for the bitter winter trek. Some rations and arms and armor have been carried on the backs of thralls followed by a few choice killers from his retinue. Not many, five or so -- and the prince carries a pack with him. He leaves this with a thrall who carries it out with the rest of the gear, "Kraken's scaly tits, it's cold." The man grunts out as arrives for dinner. Pitch eyes move to see whom has made it for grub.

Maximilian straightens somewhat in his chair - amusement on his features as he listens.

Kima lifts her hand to her chest, pearl-clutching, sans the pearls. "That is an insult to my mainlander honor, Count," she declares, voice sotto voce. "Victus, tell me, what is the Thraxian response to such a thing?" She notices Abbas as he enters, however, and offers the Reaver a wave.

Natalia lifts her hand for the thrall to refill her drink. She offers a thank you to them as she listens. Her eyes turn towards Dagon for a moment. "That is a valid rant, although, I found I enjoyed myself. I can see the point." Her eyes slide over towards Abbas. Then she takes a drink of the wine. Margot's rant gets a lift of her brows.

Margot grimices faintly to Donella, "I unfortunately, in the course of my duties, must travel to the docks in winter." She tilts her head to nod to Abbas. "Good eve Prince Abbas."

"Well. You can stand up, your challenge him to a duel of honor on the matter. Small shit like this, well, I'd say its first blood worthy." With a languid wave towards a corner of the room, Victus adds: "There's some space there, so you don't get blood on any of the guests. Unless you want to wait until tomorrow and deal with it in the Crimson Square. Can make a decent fucking silver, dueling in the Crimson Square.

Kima asks, "What do you say, Count, want the chance to make some money and shed some blood?"

Maximilian was disractred by something - blinking and turning back to Kima. "What? Blood and money? SOLD! What am I buying?"

Donella says, "Abbas, that was a very efficient complaint. More words, and I am sure you will have a proper rant in no time."

"I daresay I'll play right into Lady Tyde's own claim of self-important pride, but I'll risk it all the same," Rook says as Donella opines his fate to come up with a contrary topic. "Selfishly I'm infuriated by the lack of respect given to those of my profession. It's understandable that the majority of men and women who many come across can give courtiers and courtesans a bad name but there's a cheapening of those few of us who aren't foppish smiles or come hither looks and little more. I intend to rectify that, in time." He'll bitch, it seems, so long as he knows he'll do something about it.

Kima gets to her feet, looks as if she is about to grab her plate and throw it at a wall...but thinks better of it and just points at Maximilian instead. "You, me, fist blood duel tomorrow in the Crimson Square." She pauses, considers. "Bring your friends, and tell them to bring all their coin." Ahem.

Maximilian laughs at that then slams his cup down. "WOman!" HE declares. "Or maybe you're an ill proportioned man! IF you wish santisfaction, you will have it now, for I would be a poor man to delay! OUt into the courtyard with you!"

Maximilian takes his feet - a little unsteady for the drink he's had, but not at all shy from the chance to swing his blade at someone who knows what they are doing. WHo arn't Abbas, who apparently is some kind of half human, half mountain hybrid. Dad had a fetish.

Victus perks up at the exchange between Kima and MAximilian. Apparently the dark haired warlord hadn't thought that any of them were going to take him up on his idle comment on Thraxian table manners. He scratches at his cheek, mouth opening in a toothy wolfish smile.

Donella says, "And you said you didn't like parties."

Dagon looks between Kima and Max, his gaze going back and forth as the two agree to a duel. "It seems this night's entertainment is about to become more than just what my sister initially planned for. So this is happening then?" He glances over at Donella and offers her a small smile before leaning over to Natalia to whisper something.

Margot looks aa little worriedly over clearly intoxicated Maximilan. She slips her chair over a bit out of the way, a very soft sigh barely audible uner her breath. She glances at herself, leather and red - check. Not likely to be stained by blood splatter.

Abbas finds a seat at the table and he begins to get to cracking on crab legs or whatever beast he needs to stab, strangle, or chew down still squirming. He is dressed for winter -- his hair is tied in leather cords and his beard is tied too. Dark eyes stare at Donella as a big of crab shell hands in his mustache. and he just grunts at her rather than engaging in the conversation. He watches the Kima and Maximilian exchange; when a thrall feels his drink he ignores her -- no thank you; he just drinks and watches.

"No," Kima demurs. "I am the challenger here, I pick the time!" And suddenly, there go all those hard fought rights for equality. It's a wonder Kima doesn't petulantly foot stomp as well. She then makes a come hither motion at Max, as though desirous of sharing a private word.

Abbas drops Wicked Thraxian Curved Blade with Crimson Leather.

Natalia watches the duel happen and for a moment, she looks way too interested in it. When Dagon leans in to talk to her, she tips her head and nods before she responds lightly in kind. Her fingers reach out to attempt to find purchase on his forearm a bit.

Its only belatedly that Victus even responds to Abbas, grunting out a comradely greeting to his cousin. But soon enough his attention is back on Kima and Maximilian. "There's room here," he says when the courtyard's mentioned. "Fuck having to go out in the damn courtyard to watch you. Its fucking cold." As was just ranted about. Effeminate complaint though it might be, Victus Thrax has a tan because he spends his winters patrolling southern waters whenever he can.

Maximilian me, standing at the table, moves over to listen to the woman - one brow raising. "YOu are such a fucking cocktease. Fight me! No not now. Fight me! NO not now..."

Rook laments, "I should have worn my aeterna. It doesn't stain with blood."

Donella says, "It doesn't stain with anything. Which is a brilliant trick. You have some, though? Its not really the season to wear white, yet, is it?"

Kima leans forward over the table, manners be damned, and grabs Max by the collar, and pulls him just that much closer, and there go plates and goblets and it becomes a general mess.

Oh dear.

By the by, the Lioness has a touch more strength than would typically be expected of a woman.

She mutters something hastily, then roughly pushes Max away, smirking all the while.

Maximilian is a little drunk - so suddenly he's beening manhandled by Kima. He stumbles back now - and fire lights in his eyes. You can almost hear castinets and the sound of a steel guitar. One hand snaps off the binding of his blade. "Les' play." He murmurs, grinning and drawing the onyx hilted saber. "To the blood, woman. Women are good at bleeding."

Rook turns his head toward Donella and inclines his head, "A shirt of alabaster to offset the black leather of the rest of the ensemble. It was summer wear and now I've opted for something slightly warmer." A look askance, back to the ensuing conflict, "Yet I regret it all the same." Not wearing it, he means, no doubt.

Abbas says, "Either fuck on the table. Or fight." Abbas grunts, "But get on with it. There is fresh meat and enough to quench the throats of the stone-coldest amongst us who wish to get shit-axed until they cannot walk.""

Margot glances across the table to Rook. "And now you know why I prefer red." She says simply, actually reaching to take the bottle of wine from a thrall, filling her own glass and setting it beside her glass. She looks back to Kima. "If you kill my date Lady Kima... well then I suppose he wasn't worthy of being a date so go on with i if you must." She breaths.

Donella rescues a little platter of salat. And a fork. Things go everywhere, and NOW its a proper Thrax dinner. "Try not to kill each other, or I will have to sell tickets next time. We only have so much seating..." she says, and then has a leafy bite.

"As our audience demands, then," Kima says as she steps back, performing a most theatrical bow. There is a bit of side eye for Victus and Abbas, but no snippy remarks. To Margot and Donella, she but assures, "First blood only, I promise. A tiny...prick." Why not go all the way with the barely concealed, and decidedly awful puns tonight? No regrets. Kima strides towards the open space Victus had indicated, and draws her longsword.

Kima wields Longsword.

Rook has opted to remove his hands from the table, resting them instead upon the arms of his chair. "A wise choice, Lady Tyde." After a breath, "Is it quite like this all the time, Princess Donella?" is wondered sidelong. "I daresay it's a touch different than what I'm used." Not that he's running out the door, at least. Testament to his mettle, perhaps.

Valerius seems generally unperturbed, watching the scene unfold before him cooly as he speaks with a Thrall who brings him back a glass of whiskey and a bottle, "Try not to get blood on me." he says with an almost bored tone, "This outfit is new."

"Though to be fair," Victus says matter-of-factly from where he sits, having abandoned his meal now to lean back in his chair, arm slung over the backrest nonchalantly while he looks at Kima and Maximilian. "I forgot you were a woman." Apparently there are different rules, technically, when you're a woman. The comment about the tiny prick provokes a sudden bark of laughter, unable to help himself.

Maximilian draws his sword, flipping it around in his hand before assuming a deck fighters stance. Legs slightly spread, ready to spin in any given direction and fight in close quarters. IN one hand is his blade, in the other, is a sausage. The Sausage, he bites into with malicious glee - eyes on Kima. "LAdy Kima, a lesbian to be sure,
She makes jokes of little pricks,
She's looking at the pricks of a cur,
BUt I'll make this over quick."

He says, and then gestures her forward. "Bring it."

Rook says, "I daresay I am in a sportly mood. 5,000 silver on the Lycene lady. Would anyone care to match it upon the Count?"

Valerius raises his wine glass to Rook, "I'll take you up on that."

She lays down her fork primly, and says, "No, actually. Hardly ever, in fact. But it sometimes does a people good to purge the choleric. Now, on Maelstrom, fighting in the hall is commonplace."

Margot nods faintly to Donella's words and rises, wine glass in one hand, bottle in the other to move around the table and ensure she is out of the 'splash zone'.

"I am thoroughly entertained." Dagon announces with a grin, his attention still on both Maximilian and Kima, though one of his hands covers the hand Natalia has rested on his forearm. "It seems that the good Count Darkwater is also something of a poet as well, how wonderful."

Apparently Abbas wants to get fucked in the spirits sort of way. So he sloshes shit around and then it goes down the hatch. He finally catches Victus and gives him a tip of his cup while he gets his drink refilled. He turns his chair and then watches the events. He reaches to the table to grab a fat crab leg. He gives a crack and the reaver slurps the meat out. He takes the leg and he throws it at Kima, "On with it already. For fuck sake." He laughs as Max takes a bite of the sausage, "Slit her filthy fucking throat."

Rook notices Valerius' lift of the glass and meets it with his own, "Splendid." Donella's reply causes him to glance her way but he deems the answer satisfactory and doesn't proceedto ask anything more. "Lady Saik," he adds almost cheerily, "please prove the rumours of southern fencers to be a truism. For me?" A devestatingly handsome smile is born, if only to influence his prospect of turning a profit.

Maximilian mutters to Dagon... "Sailor. SOngs are part of the trade, My prince."

Kima feigns a pout at Max, assuming her own martial stance. "Do you think of composing poetry for me often?" The blonde circles the Count, expression shifting into one that was far more thoughtful.

Kima inflicts serious damage to Maximilian.

Rook is overheard praising Kima for: Brilliant! Utterly brilliant. A testament to the Lyceum's fencers.

Dagon is overheard praising Kima for: Skillfull fighter.

Victus is overheard praising Maximilian for: Poet.

Margot sighs softly, akes another drink. "At least no one's dead." Yet.

Rook is overheard praising Victus for: He spoke, I swear. I saw him with my own two eyes.

Natalia is overheard praising Kima for: Don't be tamed, horse.

Maximilian steps back as the woman comes at him, up onto his chair now, letting her come at him. He backs up, to come up on a chair, allowing it to rock under him on to its back legs. He's having fun, not really trying to win the duel in so much as just have a good time. He comes back down, blades ringing, trying ot charge at the woman, but he's a little off center - drink wobbling him slightly.

Natalia is overheard praising Maximilian for: He says poetry as good as any lady.

Valerius stage whispers to Natalia, with a laugh "Too bad he can't fight like one."

Donella crunches on a piece of samphire. "Call it an experiment. Next time will be completely different, of course."

Natalia nods her head. "That is right, I appreciate that she is an unbroken horse." Then there is a smile for Maximilian. "Your poetry reminds me of what the girls in my schooling. Very well done, Count. Very well." She looks over at Dagon and his hand over hers. She doesn't move it as she watches the fight. Donella is tossed a smile. "This is a wonderful event."

Donella says, "I'm so glad you are enjoying yourself, my dear. You can certainly appreciate novelty."

"An eye opening one, for certain," Rook tacks on from Natalia's praise to Donella in a similar kind. "I had only brought my Champion in the expectation that I would end up at the wrong end of a gauntlet thrown. Gladly we haven't yet had to test Master Quiet's ability against a Sea Serpent."

Kima would have gone on the table, too, if it seemed as though the audience would have liked that sort of thing...But alas, Max hopped back down from the chair took quickly, and a bit off center. During it all, she manages to wink playfully at Rook.

Like Max, Kima appears to be enjoying herself. Her manner isn't nearly as loose, which is probably why she takes home the win this evening, the edge of her sword slicing the Count just deeply enough across his chest so that blood spurts high and...

Splatters poor Margot

Abbas who just turned a moment to get his drink refilled by a thrall is psyched to get some epic battle underway. He is getting himself ready to fully support his brethren and he screams as he begins to turn, "SLIT HER FUCKI---" And it's over... "..." Abbas just holds his drink and stares.

Kima also sticks her tongue out at Abbas. Nyah.

Maximilian me pauses when he ralized he's been cut... "The -FUCK-?" He declares - as his blood splatters across poor Margot. "Thats not even fun! Woman!" He points at Kima. "You came too quickly! I demand my santisfaction! We will have a rematch!"

Margot decides that blood shed is the limit to her modest sensibilities. Donelle may be immune to some of the expectations of ladies of house Thrax but Margot... well she glances into her nearly empty glass and then down to the blood warming her silk and rises with a warm smile to give a dainty curtsey to those present. "Your Highnesses, Count Darkwater, Lady Kima, Master Rook if you wold excuse me... I believe I have to see to Prince Donrai." She says smoothly before she cathers her skirts and slips quietly to the exit.

Natalia offers, "Sounds like your dates complaintes too, Count."

Maximilian comments... "Oysters is not all I eat. I'm a fucking problem solver, Princess."

"Well," Victus tells Maximilian at the end of the very brief exchange of steel. "I heard priest tell me the other day that the word's stronger than the sword. I suppose I should mock you for losing to a woman, boy, but.." he makes a gesture towards Kima that's rough and helpless. AS if to say 'this _is_ Kima, and every rule has its exception'.

He looks towards Rook. "I'd say she deserves half the fucking purse you just won, eh?"

"The fuck you say." Abbas asserts and gets up from the table. "Give me an axe." He is grinning. "No, wait..." He downs his drink. Then he reaches over and grabs someone elses, he downs it too. "I might as well get this bit of my life pride out of the way." And he stretches and cracks his neck. "Now give me an axe." He tosses the empty drink down at Kima. He holds his hand out to catch whatever weapon comes his way.

Valerius laughs, when max says she came too quickly "Am I the only whom thinks Max has been on the other end of this conversation before?" he asks tasking a drink of whiskey, he nods absently at Margot as she leaves, he sighs, "That was underwhelming though."

Maximilian laughs - taking the whole thing in stride and leans back on the table, taking Margot's vacated napkin to staunch the blood. He offers Abbas his blade. "Have fun, Prince..."

Rook rises in smooth transition from seat to standing as Margot excuses herself, a slow bow given as the last remaining Tyde exits the hall. "My lady, of course, do have a good night. A pleasure to meet you." It's Victus that gets a look next, lips quirked somewhat in outraged humour: "It would be ungentlemanly of me not to show my appreciation. I can, however, do far better than pure silver." To Valerius he calls, "Well done for taking on the bet, my lord. I'll spend it all so very wisely," he promises off-hand.

Kima checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 37, 22 higher than the difficulty.

Dagon lets out a long sigh. "My congratulations Lady Kima, your skill with a blade is, as ever, exemplary." He drinks some of his wine, eyes following Margot out the door after she announces she needs to speak with Donrai after being splattered with blood. He grunts, glancing over at Natalia. "I think drink might have shortened that duel, but who can say. Lady Kima is quite the fighter, I've seen her in action at melees and she can certainly hold her own."

"Oh, I'll satisfy you or anyone else here any day of the week." She makes grabby hands at Rook, though the gesture is entirely playful. "Especially if there is coin involved. Did someone say something about whores earlier? Oh..." She looks to Margot, and almost appears a touch sorrowful that she had inadvertently splattered her with blood. But then...she's gone, and Kima's quasi-sorrow with it! Meanwhile, without really looking, she catches the thrown mug from Abbas from mid-air, swings it up and towards her face, and frowns to see it empty. "Well, damn." She turns to face the Reaver, grin fierce.

"Why thank you, your Highness. You know, I heard of your magnificent showing at the fencing tourney. I had been very sad that I had been unable to attend."

"Drink shortens most duels," Victus agrees with Dagon from where he sits. He shoves his arm out towards the nearest thrall, and the quiet and demure creature rushes forward to replace an empty tankard of ale with a full one. A bit of color creeps into the warlord's cheeks. He's kicked his chair back couple of feet, enough to give him room away from the table so he can properly view the blood sport.

Natalia taps her fingers on Dagon's wrist a bit and then smiles at him. "I can appreciate that. Drink can cause all matter of injuries." She looks back towards Kima. "It was a great show though, I am completely entertained. I feel as if I should set up matches for you to fight everyone in the city."

Donella says, "Lets not do that. I need him to last at least another half century."

Maximilian me leans next to NAtalia now, dabbing at his chest. "How does the dinner find you, Princess? I'm having a good time. HOw about you? I know you are. There's insults and blood and sport! And shitty shitty poetry."

"Is there any other kind?" Victus asks of poetry.

Valerius speaks up, "I like limmericks."

Donella supplies, "Hey, I've heard worse. I'm sure she has, too. The rhymes ones that they carve on the top of tables and in privy stalls."

Maximilian glances at Maximilian. "Limericks."

Maximilian meant he glanced at VICTUS.

Donella gestures. "Thus it is shown."

Valerius points to Maximilian "Jinx!"

Abbas does not so much as subscribe to the rules of honor and decorum. He is no fucking knight that's for sure. For a moment he has to resist throwing a thrall on the blade and then attacking. Fucking Arx. And he takes Max's weapon with an outstretched hand and he grips it tight. He makes no comments about anything and instead he kicks a chair as hard as he can straight the fuck at her as he starts swinging for the fences. He gets about his business like a rabid dog might.

"Indeed." Dagon says nodding at his sister. "Let's not set me up to duel everyone in the city. That is both exhausting and unnecessary. Besides, I am not some show horse to be paraded out in front of crowds for their entertainment."

Rook laughs richly at Kima's theatrics and turns his head toward Donella to hear what she has to say, her demands regarding Dagon and his life and then on toward the remainder of the guests. "Now," he begins to excuse himself, untucking his napkin from his lap and setting it onto the table before him, "I should definitely excuse myself. It has been an honour to meet many of you and a great pleasure in the same." As his chair slides backward, he turns and then tucks it inward. "Oh," he remembers, "and Princess Donella, there is some of that wine people find themselves discussing for hours left with one of your servants. A gift, in thanks, for dinner."

Natalia smiles a bit towards Dagon. "Of course you aren't..." She offers a comment to him and then looks back towards Maximilian. "I enjoy most things to be honest. I am more encouraged when it is not my blood." There is a pause as a messeneger brings her a message.

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

Abbas picks up Wicked Thraxian Curved Blade with Crimson Leather.

Abbas wields Wicked Thraxian Curved Blade with Crimson Leather.

Kima checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 16, 1 higher than the difficulty.

Maximilian laughs at Valarius, then shakes his head. He might actually be using his vantage standing over Natalia - to look down her cleavage. While you know, dabbing at his wound. Totally good reason to be looking down. "I think I like these little get togethers." Then he puts his hip to the table, to watch the next fight. "Though, another kind o poetry I like are sea shanties - but I guess thats singing."

Kima had not expected Abbas to throw a chair at her. She really hadn't. A terrible thing when it comes to fighting, as expectations or the lack thereof can get you killed! She scrambles out of the way of the chair, but only just, and in time for the screaming Reaver as he charges at her. An astute viewer might note that she mouths, 'oh shit,' before the fight commences in earnest.

Donella stands and offers her hand to Rook. "You are most kind. I hope you will come back so that w can talk in quieter circumstances. A very find night to you, my good man. Enjoy your purse."

Maximilian raises a cheer for Abbas. "GETTER!" Getter? That was your plan, max?

Victus looks amused as Abbas tries to fight dirty. Rook's announced departure earns a brief look from the shaggy warlord, before he turns his eyes back on Abbas and Kima. The spectacle of the evening. "Singing ain't poetry," he declares. "Its catchy." That, apparently, makes all the difference. "And on a ship it helps you keep the fucking rhythm when you work. Its fucking practical."

Maximilian nods and then starts to belt out one of the Darkwater shanties...

"Have ye heard the tale, my friend,
Of the ball of Darkwater Moor?
Twas your wife and my wife,
Do'in it on the floor, They was doin' it in the kitchen,
They was doin' it in the stairs,
Ya coulnd't see the floor my friend for all the curly hair..."

Rook extends his own arm to collect Donella's hand, a gentle securing of it before he folds into a practiced, regal bow that briefly obscures his front. "Of course, your highness. I couldn't stay away if I tried. Farewell, pantheon bless."
Upon relinquishing such he turns toward the doorway and only briefly calls to Valerius, "My lord, I look forward to your missive with the notary!" It won't be forgotten, apparently. There's a brilliant smile and then he's off, calling for his retainer. "Master Quiet, you have my coat, don't you? Let's go before /I/ draw the attention of combatants. You shouldn't ever desire to fight a Thrax, I think." A solid slap to platemail is given, then he's gone with the Champion out the door.

Abbas hacks and haws and the man grunts out an exerted look of surprise at how hard it is to hit the woman. It is absolutely clear where the skill in this encounter is; it isn't with the meaty oarsman arms of Abbas. The fury is the reaver's sure -- glaring pitch eyes stare hard. He's not even getting close.

Maximilian continues now - right next to Natalia - as if seeing if she'll flinch...

"Singin' balls to your partner,
your ass against the wall,
If ya can't get laid on a darkwater night,
ya cant get laid at all!"

Donella sighs and folds over her napkin. "And on that note, I think I shall leave you all to your own devices."

Natalia has good shape, it's most wonderful really. Max is a lucky man to look. There is a look of annoyance at the messenger before she finds a candle to burn it and drop it on her plate. Then she smiles and watches. "It is all exciting, Count."