There is a great deal more room in the square than there is in the Pravus gardens. This means she can fit many more people and feed them. Thus, Belladonna is doing so. Musicians are in place and there's already some food ready to be descended on. The little Pravus Duchess is wearing a dress that certainly belongs in the Lyceum ward, already having found a bit of alcohol for her tumbler. She's hanging about near the center of the square and the single poor sad tree/bush/thing there, watching the nearby cooking of food. Such a lovely evening. It certainly smells good, and probably for a few blocks.

What a better way to spend a summer day than at a barbeque. Smokey food, drinks, and even better company. Ford makes his way to the Commons, stopping only to draw in a deep breath getting a faceful of that cooking food. As he exhales he grins to himself and moves further in to get himself a drank.

Serenity, Drysi, a young shaman apprentice arrive, following Khanne.

Ian comes in with Porter, although he's not much of a conversation partner when walking anywhere; almost all of his attention is on his feet, and the rest is on the ground a little bit in front of his feet. He might also be here with Ford, given that they come in at about the same time, but that's harder to be sure of.

Samael Bisland enters from the street with Joslyn Stonewood on his arm, or is he on her arm? Either way, Samael is wearing blue and white silks and smells of cedar and fresh rain. Joslyn is wearing a dark gray gown with slippers and thigh highs to match fitting like a corset eventuating her hourglass frame and she is wearing a dark silver mirrored frame hanging from a chain around her neck. Samael stops and looks around before heading toward Duchess Belladonna Pravus. "Good evening, Duchess. This is Lady Joslyn Stonewood," he says to her, in case either need an introduction.

Lethe takes a look around once she arrives. She glances toward Alarissa. "It looks like this will be a fun occasion." She smiles and looks to see if there is anyone else she knows.

Alarissa was dropping off something for someone else of the eight legged variety and the promise of some festivities in the sea of perpetual doom adn gloom means that the Princess Consort was easing on by. Nice to get out of the Thrax Ward and enjoy oneself, Though as she's making her rounds, there's a glance to Bellandonna, and then a second glance, a smile on her face. As Bisland greets the Duchess with Joslyn, Alarissa smiles wider and filters off further in.

"It will be" Alariss murmurs to Lethe. 'The Duchess's earrings are beautiful. Good taste."


The giant of a man that is Porter walks leisurely with Ian, his steps wide in a sailors swagger that is more pronounced with the casually slow gait he accompanies while travelling with Ian. He isn't leaving his brother behind, nor is he drawing attention to the quiet conversation. He is whistling (badly) a jaunty tune as he approaches the barbeque and those gathered, the large mans dark eyes scanning for familiar faces.

Sebastian is already in the courtyard, glass of wine in hand, looking contemplative at the food that is being cooked. "I still demand a tithe of ribs for carrying that thing down the stairs," he comments idly to Belladonna as he makes his way over to where she is standing by the little lone tree, just in time to see Samael and Joslyn arrive. He smiles to them in greeting but doesn't further interrupt.

Ian stops walking once they're in a place where they won't be blocking foot traffic, and he, too, scans the faces of the people present. He says something quietly to Porter while that intense gaze moves from person to person, lingering, and then moving on.

Joslyn arrives into the commons, arm looped through Samael's as she looks around at the surrounding expanse and the gathered crowd. She lets her eyes drift to wherever the drinks are held, but as she's led towards Belladonna she dips her head into a polite bow. "It's a pleasure seeing you again," she offers a smile, glancing around and returns the smile of greeting towards Alarissa and Sebastian both.

On his way to the table o' drinks, Ford peruses the selection and then sees some Setarco Fire.

Stop! Wait a minute, fill my cup, put some liquor in it.

Once he has a tumbler of boozy in his hand, Ford meanders towards the cooking to see what's..actually cooking.

Lethe takes a look at Belladonna and her earrings. "I didn't notice, but they are beautiful." She replies to Alarissa and takes a look at her earrings. "Very beautiful!"

"You can fight with the Marquessa for whatever bits the both of you want," Belladonna informs Sebastian with a laugh, lifting her glass to him and offering up a thoroughly pleased little smile. When Samael and Joslyn approach her attention shifts there, a warm smile offered up. "Lady Joslyn, it is most certainly a pleasure, I agree," she agrees. "Welcome." A tilt of her head to the woman before her eyes shift to Samael. "I'm glad you were able to make it."

Quiet, a Valardin champion have been dismissed.

Aioni, a regal snowy white owl have been dismissed.

"As I said, it would seem that the woman has lovely taste. I'll have to make sure Victus doesn't challenge over them for the sake of challenging." Alarissa calls over to Belladonna then. "Duchess. A lovely dress, and lovely earrings. She is sucha lovely jeweler is she not?" A smile, beaming yet serene.

The star of the show would be the main course and courtesy of Lady Juliana Pravus. Now why Jules had a cow isn't really important or why she decided she no longer wanted one. Maybe the reasons for owning it were no longer important, maybe her priorities changed. Whatever the reason doesn't really seem to matter because Jules shows up late! Suddenly showing up not far from Sebastion, her dark hair loose down her back, slightly out of breath as she touchs the back of twin's arm to announce her presence, blue eyes sweeping those already assembled in the square.

Samael smiles to Sebastian in return and says, "Good evening." He then turns back to Belladonna. "Thank you for the invite. You look lovely," he says as he takes a step closer to the Duchess whispering something privately and kissing her cheek.


Porters head turns down towards Ian, listening attentively. His large widebrimmed hat bobs once or twice, nodding to whatever his brother is saying. He may not have the volume to whisper, given his answer. "Wonderful!" He booms out, smiling over the crowd before he gestures with a hand towards the food and drinks. "It looks like quite the spread. Shall we make our introductions, or are you aquainted?"

"Thank you for having us," Joslyn says to Belladonna, standing close beside Samael with a smile. "You do look beautiful, I must ask you who you had make your dress?" Joslyn wonders.

Lianne, dressed all in red and quite possibly not bothering with shoes, lingers at the gates to Argento Watch for a long moment as she surveys the setup and attendees. The young blonde woman at her side straightens her posture for a moment when the marquessa first steps away, as if she might be playing proper guard tonight, but those efforts fade fairly quickly as she sets in for an evening of people-watching and not much besides. The marquessa, on the other hand, means to do at least a little bit of drinking, collecting a glass of wine as she meanders the commons in step with the music, a light smile bowing her lips.

Khanne walks into the area alone, well, alone aside from her apprentice, Drysi, who lingers near the entrance rather than mingling in. Khanne is dressed in a lightweight silk gown of grey, green, and white, with skirts that drift about her legs when she walks like a summer breeze plays with the material. Her hair is pulled back and held up with a lovely little bauble made of glass and steel, the colors of lavender making her wine-red hair all the brighter in contrast. She looks about the gathering, smiling at a number of faces she recognizes and even giving them a bit of a wave, though she does not yet bust her way into making conversation.

There's a press of her lips for Samael's quiet words, and Belladonna chuckles quietly, lifting her chin as she leans up to murmur to him in return. There's a kiss pressed to his cheek before she steps back again, swallowing from her glass. "Thank you," she says. Alarissa catches her attention and she looks that way, then reaches up to touch one of her earrings before she flashes back a brilliant smile. "The best in the city," she calls back, lifting her glass in salute before she smiles warmly at Joslyn. "Thank you. Mistress Alarie Harall. She is very gifted. I cannot praise her enough." When she spots Lianne and when she spots Khanne, she smiles, though she doesn't break away from her conversation just yet.

Ian nods obligingly to Porter, and angles in the direction of the hostess, once again watching the ground the whole way. He's not in a hurry, though, and definitely will linger around the edges until Belladonna isn't engaged with talking to anyone else.

Sebastian lifts his glass to Samael and Joslyn in greeting and then turns his attention to Juliana when she touches the back of his arm. He offers his glass of wine to her wordlessly and then begins to wander away from the Duchess and those gathered around her, drifting toward the periphery to watch people arrive.

Joslyn nods towards Belladonna, smiling broadly. "I'll have to be in touch with her, sometime. She does incredible work," Joslyn gives a bit of a nod, sipping from a glass of wine that at some point during the conversation she'd managed to acquire. "Though I can't say that I'd be able to wear it quite as well as you," she opines, looking curiously between Samael and Belladonna, she resumes her gaze about the room, people watching.

Lethe steps away for a moment to take in more of the surroundings.


Porters ambling steps start in the direction of Belladonna, but they change when he spies the hostess engrossed in conversations with a lineup already! Porter instead aims towards the table of food, glancing over to Ian with him and saying with a bit of a grin. "Smells too good put off a bite. I'm sure we'll get the chance in time." He says cheerfully, and his tongue wets his lips when he moves towards the star of the show; the butchered cow.

Ian stops walking when Porter breaks away, and a twitch of a smile crosses his face. He changes directions, and heads for the drinks.

Samael returns another few words with Belladonna and then turns Alarissa and smiles to her. He returns his attention to his date of sorts, Lady Joslyn. "Ah, you've found the wine already?" he asks. He leans close to Joslyn and whispers.

Joslyn laughs towards Samael and nods. "I always find the wine," she says with a good natured smirk. The whisper bringing with it a nod and another smile.

Olenna, Pellinor leave, following Alarissa.

Ford has found a nice comfortable place to stand/lean near the band while he drinks.

Khanne smiles towards Belladonna and after securing a glass of wine from an attendant or a table, she lifts it towards the hostess in greeting. Still gauging where people are in their conversations and not wanting to be rude, she then gives a nod towards Alarissa with a smile, a wave to Ford and Ian, then to Joslyn, before she starts walking towards Lianne, her steps light and unhurried. "Good evening, Marquessa. I was hoping to run into you and offer a personal invitation to my upcoming birthday party. The Countess Reigna is planning it for me. Will you be able to attend?"

Sebastian's glass accepted, Jules takes a sip, watching those around them over the rim as her steps fall in with her brother's to move away from where Belladonna is greeting guests. Wordlessly the shared glass is passed back to Bas, her attention turning back to the food that is piling up. "Well she made a good spread at least, hmm?" pausing now out of the main press of people, so that she can watch closely, leaving Bas to move on if he so desires.

Belladonna gives a light nod to Samael's words, though she doesn't offer anything further quietly. "Enjoy the evening," she tells Joslyn and Samael. "Hopefully I will have the chance to speak with you both more a bit later." She offers a warm smile and then shifts back, swallowing from her glass as she starts to follow along after Sebastian. She doesn't follow through with it though, angling away after a half-dozen steps. Her glass is lifted to Khanne, but ultimately she angles towards Ford.

Joslyn is engaged with quiet converastion with Samael, smiling a touch towards the Bisland voice, and she dips her head towards Belladonna in response. "Of course, Duchess Belladonna, that would be perfect," she smiles broadly and turns her attention back to Samael then.

Lethe looks around for Alarissa, but when she can't see her she decides to get a drink.

Lianne's smile brightens when she spots Khanne, her glass lifted in the shaman's direction, her steps slowing when she notes her approach. "You're looking lovely," is offered in softly spoken greeting. At the talk of birthdays, dates surely provided, her smile falters beneath a thin press of lips, her head given a light shake. "I'll be in Nilanza all that week. We'll have to go on an adventure of our own when I return." She casts a look toward where Belladonna and the twins had been, but that little crowd seems to be breaking up, and so she continues to wander with the redhead at her side. "What do you regret not having done yet this year?"

Samael bows his head to Belladonna. "I look forward to it," he says. He then turns to Joslyn. "I think I should like some wine, too," he says as he goes to look for some, continuing his quiet conversation with her.

Winds shifted slightly, and suddenly Ford was getting all the smoke from the cooking cow right in his face. To save his poor eyeballs from watering to death he side steps a bit, meeting Belladonna halfway, "Belladonna." He smiles, blinking a few times and lifting a hand to rub his eyes a bit, "Everything looks and smells incredible." He leans forward, a kiss per cheek.

Ian's priorities are not the same as those of his brother. He only has one free hand to carry something, and he chooses not food, but drink. Because of course he does. With a tumbler full of something sippable in hand, he scans the space, picks out where Porter's head sticks out above everyone else's, and moves in that direction.

Joslyn nods to Samael. "Oh I can find you the wine," she promises, taking his arm and leading the way through the crowd, deftly maneuvering her way through.

Samael is so led by Joslyn. "I knew I brought you for a reason."

A smile brightens Khanne's features at the compliment from Lianne and she says, "aww, thank you. You always look amazing though. I do nto think I have seen you not look amazing, not once." She pretends to pout when given the news that Lianne will be away, but the expression disappears quickly. "Ooh, an adventure when you return sounds like a story in the making, don't you think?" She falls into step easily enough beside Lianne, walking with her even if she doesn't know the destination. Her smile falters though and she blinks a couple of times to Lianne's question. "Far too many things... my friend. Far too many. But..." she takes a sip of wine and forces a smile. "I have also donw some amazing things I wouldn't even have dreamed about in the past."

The kisses to her cheeks are accepted without protest, and then returned. Belladonna reaches her free hand to squeeze Ford's arm just above the elbow, offering a warm smile to go with the gesture. "Marquis Ford," she answers. "It does, doesn't it? I am pleased that you were able to make it."

Joslyn leads her way over to the tables where the wine is held, though how she managed to get a glass earlier is a mystery that might never be solved. "The setarco will likely be the best wines," she explains. "Since that's the wine they're most familiar with they'll find the best vintages from there, and it's quite good, really. All lyceum wines really are top notch," she says with perhaps a swell of pride.

"Something to eat?" Sebastian asks of Juliana as they observe people coming and going, sharing a wine glass occasionally between them. He glances over at her for a moment, studying her expression, and then says, "It does smell delicious." Whether she wants some or not, however, Sebastian begins to head in the direction of the food to acquire a bite or two.


Porters head can be seen observing the cooking cow. He has procrured a drink as well, and seems to be sizing up what he intends to devour. When he sees Ian coming his way, he beams towards his brother. "Look at this!" He says cheerfully, "Doesn't it remind you of that time on the shores of Esterhold?"

Ford sidesteps and adjusts to stand next to Bella, overlooking the rest of the party, "An excellent use of the grounds as well." He mentions before smiling and looking aside towards the Duchess, "I am too, it's a rare thing these days to actually slow down, not have to run across the city seven times a day." He lifts his eyebrows and leans in her direction with a playful conspiratorial tone, "Does wonders for my calves, though."

Samael looks over the wines that Joslyn has led him to. "I trust your expertise, my lady," he says. "I like everything I've tasted from Lyceum."

Ian draws up beside Porter and observes the cooking cow. "Didn't we put into port there because the wind carried the smell to us as we passed?"


"I think that was it! We couldn't see shit through the fog, not even the fire. But we could smell it!" Porter says, booming out a low laugh. "Good thing for Wash' eyes, he picked it out once we got closer."

Joslyn pours a glass for Samael, taking the first sip before handing it off to him with a smile, giving a nod. "It's safe," she grins. "Blacktongue hasn't arrived, so I wouldn't expect anything out of the ordinary.

"That is the reason for being here." Juliana wrinkles her nose with a chuckle to Sebastian. Though he will start towards the table before she will, it won't be long before her steps are following, taking a moment to grab a new glass once the one they have been sharing is empty, then pausing to glance at Ian and Porter, smile warming. "Please, feel free, there is more than enough."

Lethe takes some steps toward Ian and Porter. She smiles. "Lord Ian it is good to see you here."

Lianne accepts that compliment with gracious bow of her head that falls short of anything coy or self-deprecating. "That's the plan," she croons back to Khanne at the reaction to the suggestion of adventure, though her smile thins at the non-answer which follows, a little tsk not carrying over the music and the crowd. "If I knew what they were, we could pick one," she points out, though there's enough reservation to make plain she doesn't mean to pry. "Of course, we could always do something from my list instead. My birthday's only a few weeks off." She's almost certainly teasing, mischief in her green eyes as she looks to the woman at her side before returning to her consideration of the crowd.

Ian shakes his head slightly and takes a sip of his drink. "After weeks eating salt pork, I think we could have found it by smell, even if Wash had been blind." Then he looks up at his brother. "It was a fairly clever trap. If Aethan hadn't been suspicious, the bandits might have made themselves into a problem." He nods a greeting to Julianna when she addresses them, then to Lethe. "Lady Lethe Tyde, Lord Porter Kennex. My brother." It's an introduction, if a blunt one.

It is apparently very funny, the comment about Ford's calves. Belladonna laughs with a fair amount of amusement, rolling her eyes at the man and shaking her head. It's clear there's genuine amusement there. "It is good to slow down once in a while, though," she says. "We are experts in doing so, back in Setarco." Not that anyone would know that by looking at *her* example. "I need to keep saying hello, but I'm glad you came. Come find me if anyone gives you any trouble."

Ford nods, smirking slightly, jutting his head towards the crowds with lifted eyebrows, "Go on, git~" He takes a gulp of Fire and then spies Lianne and Khanne. He begins thataway.

Samael takes the wine from Joslyn and swirls it around in the glass. "How kind of you," he says with a roll of his eyes. He takes a sip and smiles to her. "Excellent." He then turns back to the party to admire it with her. "I say we get right sloshed and make fools of ourselves," he says with a dry smile before taking another sip.


Porter is of course polite enough to wait for Juliana to offer forth the meal set before him. It has nothing to do with getting distracted by the conversation with Ian. He removes his hat with a warm flourish towards Juliana, "I thank you." He says warmly, before offering a tip of his head to Lethe. "Lady Lethe. A pleasure." He says good naturedly, straightening up as he grins towards Ian. "Mmm. Still, the fight was quite vigorous. They should have known better then to get between sailors and a warm cooked meal!"

Belladonna reaches to catch Ford's arm briefly, just long enough that she can offer a few quiet words. There's a smile to follow, before she does finally turn and slip away, looking over those present as she finishes off her drink and makes to fetch another.

Joslyn sips from her wine glass and nods in agreement. "I can get behind that," she says with an amused smile. "I'll need a couple bottles to get me there though," she warns. "I have a higher tolerance than most women my size," she grins as she finishes off her glass to pour another one.

"We could combine our birthdays then and celebrate together," Khanne says to Lianne with a smile before leaning in to the beautiful raven-haired woman to murmur into her ear. Once done, she pulls back with a smile and a helpless shrug of one shoulder. "Just off the top of my head. I am sure there are a great many other things that would be easier for us to have an adventure doing. But... what are some things on your list?"

Samael finishes up his glass quickly too to get a refill with Joslyn. He was a little behind but has caught up quickly enough. "We might do well to switch to spirits, then," he offers. "My tolerances are quite high for a man as thin as I."

"Among them, yes," Sebastian says to Juliana, giving a smile to Porter and Ian when Juliana invites them to be certain to get some food. "Evening," he greets, and then eaches for a small plate of his own, taking a little bit of this and that to try some of the items offered.

Joslyn shrugs lightly. "Well, you can switch to spirits, but I'll stick with the wine for now. I'll get there soon enough." she promises, quickly working her way through her second glass.

Lethe continues to smile. "It is nice to meet you Lord Porter. Have you had a chance to try the food?" She gives a glance to Sebastian and Juliana. "It is good to see you again Lord Sebastian."

Ford is quick to catch Belladonna's finished glass as she zooms off, responding to her quiet words with a very serious looking 'oh most certainly' kind of nod, as he was headed by the table with all the glasses on it in. He pours whatever was left when she decided she was finished with it into his glass and sets the empty glass on the table as he walks by, eventually making his way towards Khanne and Lianne.

"And we did get to eat it eventually, even if it was a little overdone," Ian remarks to Porter. Having greeted Lethe, he nods to Sebastian and Juliana. "Lord Sebastian Pravus, Lady Juliana Pravus, my brother Porter." He and Porter are clearly NOT twins.

Samael finishes up his second glass of wine and gets a tumbler of Setarco Fire and takes a sip. "Ah, there we go. You can feel this stuff. Makes my ears warm," he comments to Joslyn. "Do you see anyone you want to go talk to?"


"That was the worst part of it, the burnt food. I think even Wash lamented the meat more then that gash he got." Porter says with a tragic tone, sighing. But his eyes flick up to greet those Ian introduces. "A pleasure to meet all of you!" The large man booms cheerfully, refraining from a second flourishing bow so close on the heels of the first. "Forgive me if I need a reminder of the names later, so many faces. And no, I have delayed long enough, I do believe its time to try the food!" Porter steps forwards, looking for a piece of meat on bone so he can pry it right off by the bone, and hold it casually in hand with its makeshift handle. It leaves him with a flask of some spirits in one hand, and the meat in the other. A place Porter is quite pleased to be in, as he brings the bone to his mouth to gnash off a hunk of meat to chew.

Joslyn considers Samael for a moment, sipping her wine a bit more fully before chuckling. "Well, yes, but I'm afraid if I went to go talk to them and left you, you might not see me for the rest of the night, and that would just be rude, wouldn't it?"

elmar attendee, making his way through -- Percephon is entering the common square, hands clasped behind his back. Granted, he looks a little too cautious given the easy temptation of wine and other spirits that are circulating on trays around and through mingling guests. Cutting a presentable figure in blacks and blues. He offers familiar faces a warm smile, although the expression never brightens his dark eyes through. "Good evening," he greets in general.

Jules' plate it much smaller than Sebastian's really only a taste of this and that before she stops really paying attention to the spread laid out before them. Her blue eyes lifting as first Lethe addresses Sebastian, then Ian to them both to give the small group a smile. "Nice to meet you, m'lord." offered to Porter as he is introduced.

Samael smiles at Joslyn's comment. "Well, I thought you might bring me along. I'm new to Arx, after all. Can't say I know too many people here," he says.

"It wasn't so bad," Ian, who has in the past proven his ability to eat pretty much anything and declare it 'not so bad', demurs. Sip.

When she spots Percephon, Belladonna's expression is briefly surprised -- but a moment later the woman is smiling and heading in his direction, taking up a tumbler from a tray as she walks past it. "Lord Telmar," she greets him, a few moments after his more general offering. "Good evening. I am glad that you could join us." Said tumbler recently collected is offered to the man.

Lianne's smile softens for the words whispered to her, and she tilts toward Khanne just the littlest bit, just enough that their shoulders brush in soft, brief contact. Head dipped, she murmurs her own quiet reply, something wistful in her expression as she keeps silent for a long moment after being asked about her own list of aspirations which have fallen by the wayside, all the things which never made it onto her schedule. Spotting Ford's approach, she smiles his direction, but that distraction from her own thoughts serves to pull her back into the conversation. "I'd had plans, some while back, of taking a tour of every tavern in the city in one evening," is spoken as if it may be a challenge, brows arched as a devilish glint lights her eyes. But before Khanne can answer, she murmurs something low again, a question it would seem for the curiosity in her expression.

Standing with Lianne when Ford makes his way towards them, Khanne greets the man with a smile. "It has been a long time, Ford. A very long time. I cannot recall just when the last time I saw you was... has it been over a year?" Her brows furrow in that thought. "Time flies so fast" Reaching out, her fingers sift through the air. "Like trying to catch the wind and hold onto it... impossible." She looks towards the entry way, where Percephon has just arrived and smiles at him, her arm linking through Lianne's as she lifts her glass of wine to finish it. Holding it empty then, she says in response to him from across the way, "good evening to you... Lord Perce-ephon."

"And you as well, Lady Lethe," Sebastian says in greeting to the woman. "How have you been of late?" Then he turns to Ian and Porter and gives a dip of his head to Porter in greeting, "A pleasure to meet you. And I"m sure we can forgive the forgetting of names in the face of hunger and a feast."

Joslyn gives a bit of a chuckle and nods towards Samael. "Well, he's a good friend of mine, perhaps you'll like him?" she considers, taking Samael's arm, she gently leads him once more through the crowd to take him before Lord Percephon. "Lord Percephon, a pleasure. I wasn't expecting to see you out here this evening! This is Lord Samael Bisland."

"Well over a year I think, my dear." Ford says with lifted eyebrows and a wistful sigh, "How are you? Both?" He smiles to Lianne, "It's good to see you again as well, Marquessa." The man shifts a little bit when Percy is called on before looking back to the two women.

He accepts the tumbler that's offered with a bow that's respectfully deep enough to acknowledge the rank of the rather surprised woman before him. Percephon's smile briefly widens into a quick grin, "Duchess Pravus. Well, it's constantly a pleasure, isn't it? I don't recall the last time that I have been lucky enough to escape my studies in order to attend one of the famed Pravus parties," he toasts with the glass to Belladonna and lifts it toward his mouth. "Thank you for your hospitality."

Samael smiles to Percephon after being led to him by Joslyn. "Good evening," he says raising his glass to him.

Khanne adds onto her conversation with Lianne. "Oh.. sorry. Every Tavern? I have not.. I do not drink quite as much as I used to.... I may need an escort.. someone to lean on in order to walk."

"It has been quite some time," Belladonna agrees, lifting her glass to Percephon in turn. "I'm glad to see you, and thankful your studies permitted you to make it." As Joslyn and Samael approach she shifts back a step, bowing her head to the pair of them in greeting.

Lethe replies to Sebastian. "I have been well. I've been helping out my family and the shrine. How have you been?" She glances at the food.

Khanne shakes her head, distracted and looks to Ford. "Sorry. I am well enough, I suppose. And you? Congratulations on your marriage. I meant to send word when I had heard about it... now I cannot recall if I did..."

Lianne smiles brightly toward Percephon when attention is drawn to his arrival, her glass--still nearly full--lifted in his direction before she takes a sip. She dips her head in greeting to Ford as he joins in on the conversation, her smile easy and comfortable. "Quite well, thank you." Her gaze strays momentarily toward the fire pits when a breeze brings the scent of roasted beef so very potently their direction, but she looks back to Khanne as she chuckles quietly at the answer to her challenge. "Part of the adventure, isn't it? Finding that steady escort?"

Ford smirks at Khanne and leans forward, lowering his voice to a stage whisper, "If it makes you feel better, I can't remember either."

"I have been well," Sebastian says to Lethe. "Have you been introduced to my sister? This is Lady Juliana Parvus. Juliana, Lady Lethe Tyde." He then says, "I have been taking a small break from locking myself in my studio to try and be a little more social of late. Though I suspect that the works I've started will soon call to me and I'll disappear a while to finish them soon enough."

Although the glass is lifted to his lips, Percephon barely drinks from it, although he is too polite to ditch the tumbler that was handed to it. In fact, it's a perfect way to occupy one hand. His other lifts, long and ink-stained fingers wiggling toward Joslyn. "Lady Stonewood, good evening. A pleasure to meet you, Lord Bisland." He bows his head toward Belladonna once more and proceeds, to continue greeting. "Lady Khanne, hello --" with a lift of his glass and a smile, "Marquessa - Lianne - you have managed to step off the mountain for a time. Impressive, even with the disappointing lack of a stave and hermit's beard." He sighs, feigning seriousness, before he offers the Marquis a simple bow.

Falling a bit out of the conversation with his food in hand, Porter stays near Ian and cheerfully chomps away at the piece of cow he'd captured. Anyone that looks his way would be met with a warm smile (closed lips) and an appreciative nodding of his head and gesturing to the cow. Clearly, it meets Porters seal of approval.

With a flutter of a smile offered to those nearby, Belladonna shifts back a few steps -- she offers a quick nod of her head, then retreats, circling around through the guests and those gathered again, drinking from her glass.

Ian waits for Porter's reaction to the food, and when his brother seems to approve, he finishes what's in his glass and sets it on the table so he can take meat for himself. "Lord Pravus is an artist," he explains to his brother, nodding towards Sebastian. Of the latter, he asks: "I didn't miss your show did I?"

Samael gives Belladonna a warm half-smile as she walks away before taking a sip of his Setarco Fire. He turns back to Joslyn and Percephon, "I missed your name, my lord?"

Glancing from where she has been watching those gathered move from group to group, Jules nods to Lethe when introduced. "A pleasure Lady Tyde." flickering a smile to Bas at his comment that soon he will disappear back to his work. "There has to be give, if not allowed to hermit away in his studio for awhile without conflict, he gets stubborn and just refuses to step out at all."

Khanne chuckles to Ford and says, "it does make me feel slightly better." She licks her lips and says to Lianne, "I am unsure. I have never needed one... I always just.. found my own way... So, if I do actually need one, that in itself would be an adventure." Eyes slide to Percephon and she smiles, moving to drink from her wine, then realizing she finished it the last time it was lifted to her lips.

Ford takes a sip from his drink, "The trick to a pubcrawl, Khanne, is to always make friends with people that -just- come in. So you have a constant supply of people less drunk than you." He taps his nose. Pro drank strats.

"I probably forgot to drop it, Lord Bisland, many apologies --" He holds his glass out toward Khanne, lips twingingwith amusement, before he continues to introduce himself to Samael. "Lord Percephon Telmar. There. A single mouthful. It's not the right kind of party to have someone chewing on all the subtitles, is it?"

Lethe smiles as she speaks to Juliana and Sebastian. "It is nice to meet you my lady, and I am glad to hear that you are being more social. Although I actually need to be going myself, but I had a fun time."

Lianne tsks at Percephon as he expresses his disappointment, potentially taking that criticism to heart and rather set on correcting him. "Lord Percephon, that is my /winter/ beard. It's been tucked away in a chest by my bed for months now. You'll have to come visit when the weather gets truly dreadful again and I am once more wholly a hermit." That seriousness slipping from her features, she murmurs more softly, "It is /good/ to see you again." Looking to Khanne, she stage-whispers, "Neither have I," a chuckle quick to follow at Ford's sage advice. "The marquis has the right of it. And the scholar has the wrong of it." On the point of titles, one might imagine, though she doesn't say anything further. She finally takes a proper swig of her wine instead.

With a pleasant giggle, Joslyn nods. "Lord Telmar is probably easist, but he has such a lovely first name, I enjoy the opportunities to use it," she sips a bit more of her wine and... it seems somebody has drank all of her wine. Joslyn smiles broadly and bites her lip curiously as she regards the, and after a whisper to a passing servant she has a glass of wine in hand once again. Turning towards Lianne's voice she smiles towards her, giving a small wave. "Lady Lianne, how have you been? I must say I miss some of the engaging conversations we used to have."

Khanne smiles to Percephon and takes the glass he offers to her. "Thank you, Perce." She takes a sip from it then grins to Ford. "I could just invite someone to come with me that doesn't drink, right?" She reaches up to tug on an invisible beard beneath Lianne's chin. "I didn't even get to see it. You'd do well in the north. Hermitting in my shack is something I miss, though... I never did grow a beard. I could learn from you."

Samael laughs and nods before saying to Percephon, "I should say not. Let's leave the pomp out of the Lyceum Ward." He takes another sip of his drink looking toward Lianne. He raises his glass to her. "Good evening, my lady. My name is Lord Samael Bisland, Voice of Pridehall, Acting Chief Magistrate of the Court of the Crown," he says with a slight smirk. If she likes titles, there's his.

Ford leans back in faux disgust, "Bring someone drinking who doesn't drink!? Do you want to ruin your own birthday, Khanne? Don't be absurd, that's a terrible mixture."

Ian nods a farewell to Lethe when it looks like she might be going.

Percephon's turn to tsk, shaking his head slightly, "Ah. I see. I wasn't aware, Marquessa. I will remember to bring a /summer/ beard when you finally allow me to visit," he adds, graven. Although that slips as well, and he simply nods, in quiet agreement with Lianne. "It's good to see you too." Next, paused, with a look over toward Joslyn -- and -- he chuckles, shaking his head. "Only handed off the last glass. Thankfully, Lady Joslyn has been seen to." And, aside, at Khanne. "Mm. Someone that doesn't drink? That would be so /dull./"

Khanne turns to Samael and looks around at the others nearby before returning her eyes to him. "And I am Lady Khanne Halfshav, Voice of the House Halfshav as well as a litany of other titles. A pleasure to meet you, Lord Samael Bisland." Her attention shifts to Ford then. "Nonsense. It is a wonderful mixture, or could be." Looking to Percephon she asks, "don't you think?" Her arm is still linked with Lianne's as the group converses. She shakes her head and says, "oh, on the contrary. I think it would be wise...and.. I don't know. Perhaps I am alone in thinking it sounds like the makings of a good evening out."

Lianne's face scrunches up reflexively at Khanne's suggestion that she's do well anywhere further north than here. "I'm afraid I'd grow far more than just a beard," she mutters, as if she might turn into a yeti to simply survive the winter. Worrying thought. As Joslyn and Samael turn their attention her way, she straightens a touch and opts to show Percephon how it is done, an edge to the smile she offers Lord Bisland for his keen catch of her words. "Marquessa Lianne Pravus, Countess of the March of Nilanza, Voice of Setarco, Accidental Art Collector, Occassional Beard Enthusiast, Shoe Eschewer, Scientist, Demonologist and Fancier of Fancy Titles." The list is punctuated with a coy nod for the gentleman before her focus shifts to his companion. "It is good to see you as well, Lady Joslyn. I am coming down from my mountain--" Tower, she means tower, that one right over there. "--more often now." There's a sidelong look to Percephon at his remark to Khanne, but her comment is only on beards, an agreeable, "I look forward to admiring it," offered to the would-be-beard-wearer.

Ford lifts his eyebrows and adds a title to Lianne's list of titles, "Esquire." Then he looks to Khanne, Lianne, Percy, "If you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to to harass the Pravus twins."

Khanne grins and stage whispers to Lianne, "Can I hire you to announce my titles from now on?"



Khanne nods to Ford and says, "hopefully it will not be another year or two before we speak again. Enjoy the evening, Ford."

Ford turns and takes a few steps backwards, "Come by the house. You can drink in the company of someone who drinks, and I'll prove it's a good evening."

Lianne nods to Ford's addendum before murmuring to Khanne, "So long as I'm permitted to title you however I see fit in the moment," the impish implication of poetic license woven within her tone.

Samael smiles to Khanne and bows his head. "Good to meet you, Lady Khanne," he says with a warm smile as he raises his glass, his arm still locked in Joslyn's. He looks toward Lianne and laughs. "It's a pleasure, Marquessa Lianne. That is quite the mouthful."

"Marquessa Lianna," Joslyn corrects herself with an apologetic smile. "I know I knew that at some level, but it is good to see you among the crowd once more," she lifts her glass with a friendly gesture towards the woman. She doesn't seem inclined to try to outdo the titles at the time, though there is a set in her face as if this is taking a great deal of effort on her part to resist. To Percephon she nods. "I tend to pass along my empty glasses rather quick. I'm only on my fourth glass for the evening, and I'm doing just fine," she insists. "The wine is incredible, though," she smiles, leaning into Samael for a moment, though certainly it has nothing to do with balance, right?

Torian isn't on time and he doesn't go about getting himself announced if he can help it. Rather he makes for the food and starts eating. He's just going from pit to pit and table to table. There's a table with a bell or something, and it looks like they won't let him have any of that though...


The giant Porter raises a hand of meat in farewell to Lethe as she heads off. Its not long til he has stripped it down to the bone, then he casually tosses said bone into the fire as he washes it down with the spirits in his cup. "Brother, you must try some of this." Porter says. "Its quite good."

After detaching himself from the crowd, Ford makes his way towards Juliana and Sebastian, depositing another empty glass and picking up another.

Ian motions to Porter with the meat he's got on some kind of skewer. "It is," he agrees, shifting a little more of his weight to his cane. He nods respectfully to Ford when he gets closer.

Jules at Sebastian's side as they pass the shared glass of wine back and forth and at least once she steals something from his plate that looks better there than it did at the table. Pauses to glance up at Ford crosses towards them, her dark brow arching with a tug of a crooked smirk as she lightly elbows her brother. "Good evening, Ford. Good to see you."

Percephon's auburn eyebrows arch high over the rims of his eyeglasses, impressed, and he nods slowly. Offering the most subdued courtly applause to Lianne, "Truly. That is the most impressive introduction, Marquessa. In the future, I shall endeavor to introduce myself thusly and with equal grace." Mischief, brief, warms his gaze up. "Perhaps. There should be a sober escort. One filled with stout common sense." Wry, self-deprecatory. "Just let me know when."

Fridrik, a small White Fox arrives, delivering a message to Percephon before departing.

There's a messenger - perhaps it's fox shaped, perhaps it's not - and he accepts the missive and bends to scruff the fox behind his ears. He stands up, idly brushes the fur from his waistcoat, and his expression shifts toward the genuinely serious. "Ah. I am late, again.

Samael looks toward Joslyn as she leans against him, his own balance growing more and more in question. "Lady Joslyn, we might want to get some food in us before we pass out," he says before finishing off his glass and replacing it from a passing servant's tray. He smiles to the servant and thanks them.

Ford lifts and drops his eyebrows at Ian and Porter, "Gentlemen." Then he looks to Juliana and Sebastian, "Juliana, it's good to see you again." He closes a little distance and air kisses her cheekes, Sebastian doesn't get any though. Sorry man, "Sebastian, good to see you again as well. Seems like it's been a thousand years."

Khanne beams a smile to Percephon and says, "I would gladly do so. Thank you." She pauses and says to Lianne, "if that is okay with you?" He mentions being late and she turns back to him, asking, "are you having to leave?"

"Master Culler," Belladonna slips up beside the man from where she has been observing, reaching out with an elbow to bump his arm. "I'm glad that you could make it."

Joslyn waves towards Percephon, "Oh yo ure? That's a shame... but it was nice seeing you!" she says, nodding her head then towards Samael. "You know what, I am very hungry," she agrees, allowing Samael to lead the way this time around.

"Or at least one," Sebastian says to Ford with a smile and a dip of his head to the Kennex Marquis. "I think it was the sea battle in the Pravus Gardens the last time we really encountered one another. It seems that you have been quite busy since then. It's good that you could make it to join us."

After getting a good few more morsels of meet into him, Porter would tip his head to Ford. "Marquis, how nice to see you. I believe we were just heading out." The large man laments, glancing down to Ian and nodding his head before he offers a cordial smile to Ford. "But do be well, mm?"

Samael nods his head to Khanne, Percephon, Lianna and anyone around that group. "Have a good night," he says as he escorts Joslyn to the food. It isn't long before the two are gorging themselves without shame.

Lianne doesn't quite bow for the laughter and approval her excessively titled introduction receives, but she does dip her head in a shallow approximation thereof. She croons a quiet, "Pleasure," to Joslyn and Samael as they talk of heading off for food, an envious look cast thattaway as if she's considering doing the same shortly. But there are plans yet to solidify. The tardy Percephon is scrutinized for a long moment, his worthiness for the role of sober escort considered before she nods. "He'll do," comes with a smile sufficient to assure he'll more than do. She says nothing of the letter and lateness, simply waiting for that issue to resolve itself however it will.

Torian pulls his hand back from the no-no table and takes a quick step back, juggling his plate a little to keep it balanced. "What, I was just looking, I wasn't trying to sneak that, I've got plenty of food so?" He grabs a morsel and pops it into his mouth, chewing as he asks, "What's with the bell and it being off limits though?"

Ian nods to Ford, this time a goodbye, as he's apparently leaving with Porter. He finishes the meat he was eating, sets the skewer aside, and goes to follow the giant Kennex out, with his attention on his feet for most of the way.

Ford tucks his hands behind his back and nods to Porter, "Of course. I'll probably see you both back at the house." He looks to the Pravus twins, "Indeed, I do believe the water wars were the last we saw each other."

Leaning in to the greeting and returning in kind before she straightens again. "Hello Ford, it is good to see you again. You look well." head tilted to the side, glancing to Sebastian as he greeted the man. "Speaking of which, you did get your drawing, yes?"

Percephon folds the missive into thirds, tucking away into an interior pocket of his waistcoat, nodding the once. "I do. Take care, Lady Joslyn --" with a smile. "I hope that you are abble to enjoy the rest of your evening with your excellent escort, Lord Bisland." A glance aside, toward Khanne and Lianne. At first looking apologetic. Then, he squares out his shoulders and puffs out his chest, trying to look the part of the well-to-do, polite Oathlander chaperone. "Excellent. I shall await word of when I might be of a use to the Lady Khanne and the Marquessa Lianne. I hope all will forgive me, as I have to duck out to attend a meeting." He ducks - or, rather - he bows out.

"You can eat as much of it as you want, Torian," Belladonna comments dryly, quietly, giving the man an amused look. "And if you're running low on food, we can talk." There is no concern at all in her tone that this might be the case. "I'm glad you could make it. And that particular cow has irritated a good number of my family, and so we need to make sure that everyone gets a bit of her before we share it away."

Joslyn has a little bit of shame! She may drink like it's going out of style, but she eats small portions and slowly works her way through the offered meals, delighting in the bounty on offer from Pravus. She join him happily, wine still in hand as she helps herself, loading up a dish and looking for a place to sit while she eats.

Ford smirks at the mention of the drawing, "I did, thank you. I've not decided on whether to insure it never sees the light of day again, or hang it somewhere." Then he laughs, "I -look- well, but on the inside, I'm falling apart with all the grace of a shoddily built castle." His grin suggests that was a joke.

Samael is shameless enough for himself and Joslyn, then. He seems famished and loads up his plate and then leads Joslyn to sit on blanket where they can enjoy some music.

Samael has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.

Joslyn has joined the a yellow daisy blanket.

Torian looks at Belladonna, then at the 'special table' and then back. He even stops chewing to thinnk about what she's saying. He starts laughing then, a big LOUD laugh that gets silenced as he stuffs more food into his mouth. Nodding then, and pointing at Belladonna, he grins, "That's funny. You're good people." He looks around some then, nodding. "All this for some irritating cow, or was that just an extra benefit?"

"May I suggest framing it and hanging it in a place of honor as a major accomplishment. Then even if there are those that feel they should say something, they won't dare as obviously you are proud of the deed." Juliana chuckles then arches a brow at the joke. "As long as it's done with grace my lord."

Samael enjoys his meal from the daisy blanket, "Belladonna sure knows how to throw a party. Would you like to dance after we get a little food down, Lady Joslyn?"

"Oh, I think it should definitely be hung somewhere, in some place of honor," Sebastian says to Ford in reference to the drawing. "I haven't seen the artist since last summer, come to think of it." He then leans in to give a slight bump of his shoulder to Juliana before he tucks in to consume some of the food on his plate.

Joslyn settles with Samael in the blanket, getting herself comfortable and smoothing out her skirts. She gives Samael a smile and nods towards him. "This is quite a lovely gathering," she says. "Good food, good people. I would like to dance," she smiles warmly, continuing to eat for the moment, leaning her shoulder into his with a little nod.

Ford nods, taking both Twins' suggestions to heart, "Mm.. you're right. It will go well in the bathroom."

With the crowd around them dispersing, Lianne gives a little tug to the elbow hooked in her own to guide Khanne over toward that table with the bell. On the way, she finishes the last of her--first glass of--wine and replaces it with another. "It went on quite a significant adventure," she says to Torian of that annoying little cow that's been all cooked up. "Its place of honor is well-earned."

Khanne nods to Percephon as he makes his leave. Finding herself once more in the company of Lianne, and Lianne alone, she asks, "are you hungry? Is there more wine?" She takes the glass held in her hand and downs it in a few non-stop swigs, emptying it. She chuckles a little at the tug, walking to the table Lianne leads them to.

When Torian laughs, Belladonna looks pleased with herself. His words draw out her own laugh, and she puts a single finger to her lips, making a hushing sort of 'shhh' to go along with it. "Don't say that too loudly, we can't have it getting out," she reminds him, dropping her hand again and finishing off her glass of fire. Lianne's contribution to the question of the cow has her laughing brighter, flashing an actual grin in her cousin and Voice's direction, lifting her glass. "That it is," she agrees, before she explains for Torian, "It is all for the cow. I am not too picky when it comes to reasons to throw a party." She offers a warm smile for Khanne, too.

Samael, sitting on the daisy blanket with Joslyn, says in between bites of his food and sips of his drink, "I can't say I'm the greatest dancer but I'm lubricated enough, I'd say."

Smiling as Sebastian gives the same advice, her head ducking a bit at the bump to her shoulder so that she cuts her eyes towards him with a smirk, taking a sip from the wine glass they share. It's no doubt a good thing that she as swallowed by the time Ford announces where he will be hanging it and at least keeping her from spraying the Kennex lord when she laughs. "I am sure that is perfect and Abbas would approve."

"Oh, he'd find it a point of pride, I'm sure of it." Ford laughs, his eyes glance off into the distance. "He would definitely enjoy it being above the shitter."

Torian chuckles but keeps his mirth down to a quiet level this time. "I can keep a secret..." He claims, nodding to Lianne with that disarming grin of his, "Good to know it earned it's sentence though..." He leans back towards Belladonna with a bit of a hammed-up 'aside' to her, "There's rumors that you southerners have a thing about revenge."

Belladonna gives Torian her most innocent smile. "I don't know what you're talking about," she tells him.

Joslyn smiles gently and nods to Samael. "Dancing isn't too different from fighting," Joslyn explains between bites. "It's all about just being confident in how your body moves."

Samael smiles to Joslyn and shakes his head. "I'm more of a lover and less of a fighter," he says just about finishing up what he cares to eat. His eyes were bigger than his stomach.

Lianne smiles bright and warm for the duchess' laughter, her glass raised and enjoyed in kind. "It's been a long time coming," she says of the barbecued beast, letting just a hint of half-feigned coldness creep into her tone for Torian's benefit. As if she very much knows precisely what he's talking about. Looking to Belladonna, she adds, "Likely for the best that Duarte couldn't be here to see it," though there seems some touch of sadness for that fact, a bit more sincere than the vengeance intimated a moment ago. Giving Khanne's arm a squeeze, she slips away from that contact that she can take up a place at the table with every intention of partaking of the long-anticipated offering once her family's ready to settle in and enjoy.

Jules arches a brow at Ford's comment about their half brother, smirk pulling at her lips but instead of addressing it further, shifts gears, her head tilting. "Seriously, you do look good, our cousin treating you well I hope?"

Khanne stays hooked with Lianne for a time, finding her arm free suddenly though as Lianne takes to her seat. "I'll just get some more wine, then join in on the eating?" She smiles to Lianne, slipping away for a moment to do so. She looks around, downs a whole glass when she thinks no one is looking, then takes another before returning to the table and take an available seat, near Lianne if available.

Ford's playful smile warms a bit, nodding slowly, "Thank you, and she is." Then his grin returns, "When she's not plying me for jewelry and fabrics."

Joslyn chuckles nodding towards Samael. "Well, there are many dancers that can't fight either, and fighters that can't dance, though my style I think helps," she smiles to Samael. "I don't expect we're going to be doing anything too complicated, you'll be fine."

Torian realizes that he's been going on about this cow and only knows one person in his conversation that isn't him. "Oh, shards, my manners..." he says, wiping a hand on his pants then, so that he might offer it to the pair that is Khanne and Lianne. "Torian Culler, lederer and farrier amongst other things. Teacher now I reckon."

"Likely," Belladonna agrees with Lianne, casting a look up in the direction of Argento Watch before she shakes it off and straightens, finishing off her drink. When Torian introduces himself she blinks, then winces. "I'm sorry," she notes. "This is my cousin, Marquessa Lianne Pravus, and this is Lady Khanne Halfshav." There's a gesture with her empty glass. "I'm going to go get another of these, if you'll all excuse me." A tip of her head, and she steps back, turning to slip away again.

"Well I would be bold enough to suggest that such is a wife's prerogative." Jules answers with a smile before glancing to Bas, then reaching past his shoulder to steal one of his sweets from what was left if his plate.

Sebastian is accustomed to this thievery and thus his plate almost alays contains more than one of anything he specifically enjoys in the hopes that he will get to eat one of them. There's nary a glance given to Juliana as she plucks the sweet from the plate. Instead he chuckles to Ford and says, "I hear that is the tithe in marriage."

Samael stands from the blanket and hands off his plate to a passing servant. "Oh, I'm not afraid of making a fool of myself," he says before and extends his free hand to Joslyn with a smile. "Shall we?" he asks, his freshly refreshed drink in his other hand.

Lianne chuckles quietly as Torian remarks on his manners, her verdant gaze tracking Khanne and Belladonna as they each in turn slip off in pursuit of more to drink. With only a moment's hesition, her hand alights upon his, a delicate gesture not meant to be followed through with a proper grip or shake. "As the duchess says," is all she offers of her name and titles this time, forgoing all the unnecessary extravagance with the proper formalities already seen to. "Might I ask what it is you teach, Master Culler?"

Joslyn takes the offered hand from Samael rising up along with him and giving Samael a smile. "Well, let us see how it goes," she nods, moving along with him.

Ford laughs, "Gifts and pretty things are declarations of affection." Then he smirks and turns his face into a sly squinty conspiratorial thing, "Not the cover charge at the door. Though, jokes aside, she's very good to me."

Samael has left the a yellow daisy blanket.

Joslyn has left the a yellow daisy blanket.

Joslyn checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Samael checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

Sebastian takes a sip from his glass of whine and chuckles to Ford, "All in jest, Marquis. It is good to know that the two of you are happy." That is said with a little less teasing, and a bit more sincerity.

Khanne smiles and waves to Torian. "Torian made my leathers long long ago. He probably doesn't remember though... Hello again, Torian." She has a plate before her now as well, which she takes occasional nibbles from.

Samael leads Joslyn over to the dancing taking place near one of the musicians. He downs his drink and puts his glass down on a tray and then turns to Joslyn and takes her hand. Joslyn is competent and graceful, her dance moves actually matching the music quite well. Samael, on the other hand, looks like he's having fun at least.

Torian gives Belladonna a bit of a wave but she's got hosting to do and so he doesn't protest her leaving to refill her glass. Likely such an endeavor takes ten times as long as it should when you're running things. Torian is, for his rough edges, at least trained enough to not over-grip the hands that find his, or shake them really, just something of a courtly touch. "Orphans." He excplains. Mostly I teach orphans Marquessa." He smiles and nods at Khanne, "I make a lot of stuff for a lot of people, so forgive me if it didn't jump straight to mind. I hope my kids and I did good work for you."

Having finished her pilfered sweet, Juliana sucks the sugar from her bottom lip as she nods in agreement with her twin. Smile warming with the sincerity of the sentiment. "I am happy for you both, you deserve to be happy together."

Ford smiles and dips his head, "I appreciate that. Really."

Lianne regards Torian curiously as she's offered a who instead of a what for her question, brows pitching upward as if she might want to follow up with just what it is these orphans are learning, but she lets it be. She may even believe that they're learning tradeskills like leatherworking given how she dubs it, "A noble endeavor." As she starts to pick at the food, as slow in her eating as she is in her drinking, she looks to Khanne and wonders, "Did they?" of the quality of the work done, shamelessly putting her friend on the spot.

Khanne lifts her arm and smiles at Torian. "Remember this? You remarked that it was quite an unusual request,' she says, referring to the bracer upon her arm. "But yes, the work was wonderful. You made a set of Frost Walker leathers.. they are perfectly warm and have helped keep me safe. Anyway, nice seeing you again." To Lianne she asks, "have you seen my leathers? I don't think we've been in an armored situation together though..."

Wandering into the commons is a man with wild hair and a jacket and trousers in black. Jack has a curious look in his eye, as he glances this way and that, taking in the merriment, and trying to locate the liquor. Which is, apparently, quite easy to do.

Joslyn dances pleasantly with Samael, trying her best to help him to keep the beat, but hey everybody is having fun! She is a graceful dancer, and with some lessons could likely be great, but really for the moment she's just enjoying the music the company and the alcohol.

"So Ford, tell us news of what you have been doing since we last saw each other?" pauses to smile. "Besides being a happily married man. You should be careful by the way, I hear that starts to show around the middle after awhile."'

Ford lifts his eyebrows and mulls over how to most accurately answer that question, "Since last we saw each other..." He draws in a breath and grabs another drink from a passing servant and has a hefty gulp from it, and glances around the party quickly, "I made some interesting policy changes."

Another drink is eventually found, though Belladonna doesn't wander back to the conversation. Instead, she's starting to drift towards the gates of Pravus Manor, though she's totally trying to be sneaky about it, only sort of gradually edging that way rather than obviously walking.

Torian grins, proud of course and how could he not be. "It was an unusually request, but I'm glad it, and everything else I've made, has held up and taken good care of you." He moves another bit of meat to his mouth and, speaking around it, points at her left bracer, "You ought to let me have a loot at that in my shop though, it's showing some where and I could spiff it up again, some oil and a re-lacing might do it good."

"I'd rather hope to keep it that way," Lianne murmurs of never having occasion to see Khanne all done up in her leathers, well-humored and well-meant, though her smile fades a moment later, lips pursing pensively. "Though I have had occasion to accompany armored individuals again since descending from my mountain." Her gaze dips as she slips into her own private thoughts for a second. When her attention lifts, she casts a look over the crowd. If she notices Belladonna edging toward the outskirts, she does nothing to draw attention to it. Catching Jack, though, she offers a small smile his way before she gets back to her rib-nibbling and listening to the pair talking craft nearby.

Samael stumbles around a little but his ineptitude is harmless enough, especially since his dance partner, Joslyn, is a lot more eye catching. "You're very good, Joslyn," he comments with a smile.

4 Culler Hoodlums, 2 Culler Brute arrive, following Orathy.

Jules brows lift a little reaching for the glass that is now in Sebastian's hand. "Good changes I would hope. Interesting or not." taking a sip from the wine glass before glancing to her twin wth a slight arch to her brow. There is a question there, between them, though what it might be is hard to tell with the twins.

"We shall definitely see if they're good in the long run, but at the moment.." Ford tilts his head slightly, "up in the air." Then he gestures to Juliana, "And what of you? What have you been doing since last we saw each other?"

Sebastian takes up the glass of wine once she's returned it to him and takes a sip from it. His food finishd, he relinquishes the plate and regains a free hand. There's a slight shrug of his shoulders in response to the arch of a brow from Juliana. He catches sight of Belladonna and her sneaking out, and there's a slight twist of amusement to his lips.

Jack's search finds Lianne, and Khanne near her. The two get a respectful inclination of the man's head, then a single finger held up, as if asking to wait. Jack finds what he's after - some bubbly in one hand and some setarco fire (they still make that, right?) in the other - and then does a turn, and starts over toward Lianne. "Good evening, my lady," he greets her. Then attention shifts to Khanne. "Good evening, my lady," he says, again. Then on to Torian. "Good evening."

Orathy arrives, better late than never. He was looking a little tired, by the obvious bags under his eyes, though he did have a spring in his step that suggested otherwise. He does come to an abrupt halt as he sees his brother in the mix, tilting his head and heading over toward the other Culler. "Rubbing elbows tonight Tor?" He comes up to Torian, despite who ever he was talking too and claps him on the shoulder.

There is a little frown that pulls her brows together as Bas shrugs, before looking back to Ford. His question sparking a touch of amusment in the girl's eyes. "Learning that I don't always have to be right." stated rather matter of factly.

Joslyn smiles to Samael, and even in her rather dizzy motions she nods to him. "And you're very... entertaining, My Lord," Joslyn smiles towards Samael, she twirls around, still dancing pleasantly to the music on offer.

6 Pravus Honor Guard, Aida leave, following Belladonna.

Khanne looks at her unusual bracer on her left arm and says, "oh, yes.. well, it's had some use.. seen some arrows.. swords... uh.. likely my tunic could use a bit of uh... fixing up too, considering...." She lifts a hand to press to the side of her ribs, just below the line of her bosom. "I will try to do that soon," she offers to Torian. "Thank you." She smiles to Lianne and gives a wink. "Some say I look super sexy in the leggings, but.. that's beside the point. Just stay safe, yeah?" Lifting her hand, she waves over to Jack then nods her head to him when he does eventually come near. "Good evening. Good to see you again in... more pleasant circumstances."

Torian grins with a plate of food in his left hand as Jack joins the group he's talking with. "Nice to meet you..." He hefts his plate and then points at Jack's drinks, "Torian Culler, looks like you enjoy drinking as much as I enjoy eating." He turns and smiles for Orathy, "Hey, you know, there was free food and I figured it was worth the walk after restocking my place at the Menegarie."

Ford knits his brow slightly, "Is that so?" He asks Juliana with a rising smirk.

Lianne's lashes dip flirtatiously at Khanne's mention of her leggings, her smile widening, perhaps even sharpening a smidge before swiftly softening again. "I'll keep that in mind. And keep safe." There's a little hitch in those words as if there ought to be a qualifier, but she opts to leave that off. She offers a smile up toward Orathy as he draws nearer, but her attention settles on Jack. "Master Bathwater," spoken with all seriousness, as if there weren't anything the least bit silly about his name. "We were just talking about how very fetching Lady Halfshav looks in leather. Would you care to join us?"

Sebastian raises a brow at that little frown from Juliana and then whatever expression he might make regarding her not having to be right is hidden behnd his wine glass. Fortunate for him that he currently has hold of it. There's a glance in Orathy's direction when the man arrives to the party, following him for a moment.

"My lady," Jack says, entirely seriously, to Khanne. "As the good Marquessa Lianne has suggested, I do have an interest in leather. If you are ever in need of a keen eye to judge just how sexy you look in said leather, my services are available to you," he says, as he makes a sweeping bow. And spills his wine. "Oh, bollocks," he curses, as he stands back upright. "Really, though... I /am/ a professional," he tells her, with a winsome smile. And then a glance to Torian. "Food just gets in the way," he tells the man. "Besides, everyone that's ever died? Has eaten food," he points out. "Why risk it?" Then back to Lianne, he clears his throat. "That's /Doctor/, my lady," he tells her, before he takes a gulp of high-proof liquor.

"Right, stuff your mouth full eh? Should have brought some of the orphans with ya..." Orathy states sounding as if he was joking but he probably wasn't. He moves on with a final clap to Torian's shoulder, nodding to Lianne. His interest in parties were minimal and he wasn't likely to loiter for long. Grabbing a handful of food, he spots Sebastian and Juliana, nods to them, and proceeds to carry on toward... where ever life is calling him.

4 Culler Hoodlums, 2 Culler Brute leave, following Orathy.

Jules smirks at Ford's amusement, pointedly not loooking at whatever expression that Bas is hiding. "I suppose everyone needs to grow up at some point, Ford."

Khanne looks to Lianne for a moment, then gives her cheek a small kiss before turning to look back to Jack. She grins with a chuckle. "I will certainly keep that in mind, though... I do hope not to be in leathers again until it cools off some. Nothing worse than leathers in this summer southern heat." She makes a noise of complaint, this northern woman, so lightly clad in silk. She bites her lip when the man spills his wine. "Some houses would see you drawn for such an abuse of wine. Mind your booze, Doctor." She winks at him.

Ford smiles and nods, "At some point." He says with a laugh finishing his drink, "I think it's about time I call it a night. Thank you both for allowing me to take up so much of your time."

Torian chuckles when Jack's last name is revealed, but he doesn't make further ado about it. "A uh, professionall..." He starts to say, and the man clarifies he's a doctor and so Torian just plows on with his joke, "I would have guessed juggler." He's all grins and a hint of dimple as he enjoys his teasing. He moves to hand off his plate, having almost entirely cleaned it for the servants. A quick wipe with a cloth and it could go right back in the cubbard. "If you'll all excuse me, I think I'd better go investigate a little drink of my own, to aid in digestion."

"It was good to see you again, Marquis. Let's not let it be so long next time," Sebastian says to Ford with a dip of his head. He then looks to Juliana and nods, as though perhaps revising a previous response. "Have a pleasant evening," he adds, and then begins to make his way back toward the manor.

Samael ceases dancing after he realizes the song he and Joslyn were dancing to has ended. "Oh, that was fun," he says to her as he puts gently his hand on her hip to steady himself. "Did you want to keep dancing, Joslyn or can I escort you home?" He looks around the party and then leans in close to Joslyn's ear as he puts his hand on her elbow.

A little laughter sputters from Lianne as Jack draws that fatal correlation between food and death. She gives a little wave of her fork, currently occupied by some bit of beautifully smoked veal, in defiance of that irrefutable fact. Not that that meat seems to be taking a direct path to her mouth any time soon, given the cadence of the conversation. "Of course," comes with a low dip of her head for the corection. "My apologies, Doctor. I'll forgive your offense--" The spilling of the wine, certainly. "--if you'll kindly forgive mine." There's a look then for Khanne as she informs the woman a bit worriedly--hopefully feigned--that, "The summers here, not even remotely southern, hardly get warm at all." Nevermind that she's dressed as if it's plenty warm enough. As Torian takes his leave, she offers a nod and murmurs, "Good to meet you."

Jules nose wrinkles as she reaches out to touch the back of Ford's hand. "It was nice to see you again." nodding at Sebastian's comment to not make it so long. "No, indeed lets not. Bring our lovely cousin with you next time." then letting go, her own plate, that was hardly touched in favor for Sebastian's is set aside. "Good night." turning in step with Bas to head back towards the Manor.

Joslyn gives a nod to Samael and smiles, leaning up against him as she whispers in turn.

Barbara, the stalwart Stormward secretary, 4 Kennex corsairs leave, following Ford.

"Juggling is my fall back, if anyone finds out I've actually no idea what I'm doing with a scalpel," Jack says, to Torian, with a warm smile. Then he looks to Khanne. "My dear lady, I have it on good authority that the Lyceum fills their fountains with wine. Surely washing the cobble stones in it is allowed?" he asks. Because, of course, he was doing that on /purpose/. He then looks back to Lianne. "Forgiven, my lady," he says, with dip of his head. But not another full bow. Finally back to Torian, Jack gives a small wave of his liquor-holding hand. "Cheerio," he says.

"Just don't start juggling those scalpels," Khanne suggests towards Jack. "Or at least, if you do, not near me." She doens't comment on the wine further, as Lianne and he have worked out an agreement of forgiveness it seems. instead, she lifts her own glass for a sip. Humming, she smiles softly, though looks to Lianne with a bit of alarm. "I might melt if I go further south..." A hand lifts to wave to Torian. "I'll see you in your shops soon."

Samael takes Joslyn on his arm, which one is holding the other up is up for debate. They slowly stumble toward the streets of the Lyceum Ward as they lean close whispering back and forth to each other.

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

3 Bisland pride guards, Joslyn leave, following Samael.