3 Bisland pride guards arrives, following Samael.

2 Igniseri novice guards arrives, following Lucita.

10 King's Own Guardsmen, Zelda, the royal messenger arrive, following Alaric.

Warm summer evenings beg for parties and this is no different. Amidst the cool night air and sound of crackling flames in the fire barrels, there is also the sound of bustling from the house's staff. Deacon Pateris is currently directing servants in an attempt to get the final table set. Quick instructions are given to the small group befoire he turns and starts to make his way back towards the gazebo so that he can greet people as they arrive. As seems common to him, the tall courtesan maintains a pleasant air about himself as well as the warmth of welcome.

Alaric and his impressive(ly armed) retinue stroll into the garden entrance, taking advantage of the ample space in the garden to make more of a box formation than the usual double-file line but other than that it's the usual King with his usual vibrantly personable manner firmly in place. Guided to the resident Duchess, he approaches with a bright smile. "Duchess Belladonna, such a pleasure to see you again. Thank you for hosting tonight," he declares.

Tessa is without her uaual entourage of puppies today as the young lady arrives in the garden, looking around with a bright and cheerful grin. She's apparently gone for simplicity today, with her long mess of golden curls left down, her clothing kept to a light emerald green dress and only a single flash of glittering gold about her neck.

Vayle stepped into the garden, bare feet padding silently across the grass fill though her steps were hearkened by the tiny bell choir of bangles that speckled her gown. There was no wandering, a determined direction set toward the lady of the house, pausing a polite distance as the king himself engaged her and awaiting acknowledgment.

Settled on one of the stone benches with a glass in hand, Belladonna is playing at being supremely lazy, letting Deacon handle all of the arrangements and 'supervising' the staff's efforts. Which really just means she's drinking. When guests start to arrive she sits up a little -- when the King arrives, she sits up a lot. As he approaches her bench she rises, bending into a bow (and holding her drink back and out of the way). "Your majesty; you honor us with your presence, thank you."

Lucita steps into the location that directions to the party indicated was the event site. A pleasant little metallic tinkling and clinking like pretty little wind chimes accompanies her, much to her irritation as shown by the brief frown down at the filigree feathers attached to the hem of her dress. The expression is wiped off as she glances around the garden. She curtsies to Alaric and tags along behind him as he makes his way toward the hostess. The way the guards maneuver is noted and she very obviously points out the professionalism to the novice guards assigned to dog her footsteps. She politely waits till the exchange between Alaric and Belladona is complete before saying "Good evening! It is an amicable tone of voice with which she speaks. "A lovely night for a gathering."

As long as you arrive after the King you're fashionably late enough. Samael walks into the gardens with his three pride guards. He walks up to Deacon and smiles to him. "Good evening. The gardens are lovely tonight," he says with a bow of his head. "Lord Samael Bisland," he says by way of introduction.

Alaric glances over yonder to where Deacon is busy doing the real actual work of greeting those who enter with a grin. "I see you've got yourself a capable proxy this time and freed yourself to handle the real priorities tonight," he says to Belladonna as his gaze travels to her drink and holds there for an impishly brief pause. "Excellent planning, if I do say so myself." His grins widens into a smile as a servant presents him with his own choice of drinks from a tray and taking one in hand he raises it to Lucita and Samael as they come up. "Lady Lucita and Lord Samael, good to see you," he says gregariously.

Tessa spots the King and glances over his attire critically, her fingers twitching against the desire to make adjustments, but her ever present smile does not diminish in the least. She bobs into a curtsey and waves her fingers before she bounces over towards Deacon, oblivious to his many responsibilties this evening.

Months may have passed in the Whispers absence, but some things seemed eternally timeless as a mere handfull of days could have passed between now and the last time she stepped through to the Pravus garden for a party. A fond smile touches Larissa's lips as she hangs back for a few moments simply drinking it all in like the sweetest of summer wines. Surprise enters her violet eyes, still unused to seeing their King in any capacity and she, of course, moves to dip a curtsy towards him first "Highness, a delight to see you" she murmurs graciously before a wry and almost shy smile is turned towards Belladonna, whom also recieves a deep curtsy "Duchess, also a delight. Truly, it's wonderful to see you again." she murmurs before letting her gaze travel over to Deacon whom receives a companionable wink as he harries around with last minute preparations.

"Your Majesty," Samael says bowing toward Alaric. "A pleasure to see you." He looks from Alaric to Lucita and bows his head toward her. "Lady Lucita," he says with a smile toward her. He then looks toward the King. "Going to cut loose tonight, Your Majesty?" he asks with a wicked smile as he grabs his own drink from a passing servant.

Deacon doesn't bother to try to stop the King or his men from moving right on through to speak with the Duchess. Nonetheless, he makes his way up to the second step of the gazebo with his glass of wine in hand so that he can address the arriving guests. "Good evening, everyone," he begins, projecting his voice clearly. "I am delighted that you could all make it this evening. My name is Deacon Pateris, your most humble co-host tonight. Please help yourselves to the drinks and food. I will be accepting any donations you might have for the Liberators here, as we bid farewell to the Summer for their most honorable benefit." He gestures to a sizeable lockbox arranged next to the gazebo. Looking to Samael then, Deacon flashes a brilliant smile to the man. "Many thanks to you, Lord Samael, and welcome to Pravus Manor. Please, enjoy yourself." The companionable wink from Larissa is noted by the man, which causes his features to brighten happily. He gives her a friendly look and wink in return, but maintains his posting by the gazebo for the time being.

Juliana arrives, following Sebastian.

Tessa stops beside Deacon and pauses, giving a bright smile to Samael, "My lord, good eve." And then her golden gaze turns back to the other courtesan, and tonight party planner. "Looks like you have been busy."

"I am blessed by Master Pateris's presence," Belladonna agrees with Alaric, glancing in the man's direction as well. She offers a friendly smile for Lucita (and a tilt of her head), a deeper bow of her head for Samael. "Thank you for coming," she tells them both, and then catches sight of Larissa. There is no attempt made to hide her pleasure at seeing the woman, to hide the way her face just lights up even in front of all of the people. "Softest Whisper!" Just in case anyone did not know who it was she was looking at. "It is wonderful to see you, too!" Deacon's lifted voice has her looking his way, warmth remaining in her smile for the moment. He's nodded to, before she looks back Larissa's way, then turns her eyes to Vayle. "Hello," she offers.

Lucita reaches out to accept a drink from a tray as a servant circulates offering them. She lifts it toward the king, a beguiling smile given as she replies. "Always a pleasure to see you. Am glad you got to come as you had said you wished, King Alaric." She extends the smile to Samael. "Good evening, Lord Samael. It is nice to see you again. This promises to be an interesting evening."

Lucita also bows her head in greeting to Belladona and smiles warmly.

"Thank you," Samael says toward Deacon. He then turns toward Belladonna and beams her a bright smile. "You are a vision, my lady," he says bowing toward her. He then looks toward Lucita and nods to her. "It is good we are doing rid of this hot weather, though. Surely this is a worthy thing to celebrate."

Sebastian makes his way out into the gardens, speaking quietly with Juliana as they arrive. When a servant passes, he acquires a glass of wine and takes a sip before offering it out to her out of pure reflex. There's a smile as he takes in those gathered and says, "I had no doubt that a gathering that Deacon has orchestrated would draw a crowd," quietly to Juliana as they make their way into the crowd.

Vayle dipped a low bow to Belladonna, her motion like an ebbing tidal in its grace and form. It appeared as if the woman of the house was the only creature present in which the silk-clad Setarcon had any interest in, dark eyes solely focused on her. "Vayle Savonorela, my lady. I apologize on my sister's behalf. An issue arose that needed to be seen to, but she will be returning to Arx shortly. I know you were expecting both of us weeks ago. Was there anything I may retrieve for you? A fresh glass of wine?"

"I'm usually told I could use some tightening if anything," Alaric declares dryly to Samael, taking a sip of his drink and pausing to listen to Deacon's announcement, politely applauding at the end. Larissa's greeting gets her a curiously genial smile, and he ahhs softly in recognition when Belladonna mentions her title. "You must be Larissa, then. I don't believe we've had a chance to speak since my revival. It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." He gives Lucita an unworried shrug. "I always can make a little time for a garden party."

Someone said booze... and partying? Orathy is not a typical sight at these events, or if he is, it is brief enough to grab some booze under his arm and disappear again. Something however, has drawn him out. He stops a short distance away from the Kings Own and studies them with excessive interest.

Drapped on hues of lavender, her darm hair pulled up and falling over one bare shoulder, Juliana stops beside Sebastian, taking the offered glass and a sip before handing the shared vessel back to her brother. Her gaze sliding around the garden, perhaps searching out this face or that before she nods at his comment.

Belladonna checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

A blush actually speckled across the Whispers cheeks at Belladonna's greeting, but truly the affection and delight were returned and she found herself keeping to the Duchesses side as the well wishers and party-goers offered their greetings. Larissa dipped her head, nodded and offered greetings of her own "Lady Lucita, twice in as many days - how fortunate. Will you be playing tonight, perchance?" she asks with a hopeful uptilt of her voice just as Samual makes his greetings "My Lord, good evening." she murmurs with a dip of her head. When Alaric speaks to her she offers an inclination of her head "Indeed, Highness. I'm afraid I've been kept away for some time. I am so pleased to see you among us once more."

Kit, the grey fox, a tiny man with a BIG unpronounceable name arrive, following Monique.

Captain Reedy, a Telmarine military aide, Monique arrive, following Corban.

Deacon levels a cheery grin to Tessa in response to her words. "I try to stay as such," he tells her. "I'm told it keeps me out of trouble, at any rate." He chuckles heartily then, smile lines showing with his mirth. Again, he speaks up to the party at large, projecting his voice outward again. "Also, if you're interested in participating, we will also be holding a game or two in the pool! Keep pairing off into teams of two in mind!" That said, he returns his efforts once again to greeting people by the gazebo as they enter the party as well as accepting donations for the Liberators.

Belladonna is, for the record, wearing pants. Also a blouse, but -- pants. It's not something she's seen in regularly. When the King does not seem to recognize Larissa she stills for a moment, her attention flicking to the Whisper for a moment before she shakes it off and turns her focus to Vayle. The words offered to her have her eyebrows lifting just a touch before she considers briefly, then nods. "You are forgiven," she says quietly. "But I am glad that you are here. I don't need anything right now, though if you could stay close I would appreciate it." When she spots Sebastian and Juliana, she lifts her glsss that way in greeting.

If it is a party, then once can expect the Telmar power couple of Lord Corban and Lady Monique to be here. And so they are, Corban leading Monique in on his arm, murmuring to one another. "I have say, two to three chapters memorized, but it is only really the beginning. And each time I add more, there is a chance to make mistakes when I go back to writing. And when I make a mistake --" He waves his hand. "I start all over." It is something of frustration. "But I soldier on. Whiskey?" he asks her, drifting towards a table.

Sebastian raises the communal glass to Belladonna in greeting as he and Juliana begin to mingle among the crowd. He gives a greeting to Deacon as well over by the gazebo, and Tessa, an unfamiliar face, in turn, when they arrive nearby. "I hope I will be able to participate in the games. I have a few things to attend to tonight amidst the festivities, but I am hoping they won't keep me long."

Vayle merely inclined her head, immediately stepping to take her place at Belladonna's right hand side opposite of Larissa. Once set, her hands carefully folded in front of her and observation flit over those gathered and partaking in greetings with the Duchess. Each bore her gaze in turn though eventually attention wandered off to take in the crowd as a whole.

Samael walks over toward Corban and Monique, abandoning his pride guards. He smiles to them and bows his head. "Good to see you, Lord Corban and Lady Monique," he says.

Lucita replies to Larissa as she hears her name spoken. "Indeed. It is good to see you again, I did songs and playing just last night, and a little dancing, but tonight belongs to our co-host. Am told he has something special in mind so will just sit back and enjoy unless he should ask accompanyment. I've been told you have a lovely voice, will you be singing tonight with him?"

Arriving with the handsome Telmar Voice, Monique is a flame at his icy side. A flame that perks at the offer of whiskey. "You know me. I never turn down a good whiskey. I've been hearing the most decadent stories of Setarco lately. I'm curious to see if this party will rival the lore. Ah, Lord Samael! So good to see you here! Has it been scandalous?"

Tessa leans against the post of the gazebo and raises a brow when Sebastian looks her way, smiling brightly. Her tiny hand lifts to wave before it falls to pluck a glass from a passing server's tray.

With her hand resting on her twin's arm, Jules let's Sebastian set their course through the garden, a smile given to Deacon as they come close. A slight nod to Belladonna's greeting. At one point her gaze settles on Orathy, head tipping as she watches the man. "If not, there will be others I am sure. Though why you are in a hurry to get dumped in the pool again." teases Bas with a soft laugh.

Alaric smiles regally to Larissa. "Likewise," he replies personably. "I daresay the Compact's affairs go smoother when the monarch is capable of getting out of bed without assistance." His mischevious grin is almost immediately covered up by a sip of his drink; then Deacon's announcement has him looking towards the pool consideringly. "Hm. Do I start recruiting for this paired pool venture now, or should I leave it up to the host to partner me with someone?" he wonders aloud.

"The party?" Samael asks toward Monique. "Not yet, but the King said he's going to cut loose. Keep your eyes peeled for that." He smiles and then takes a sip of his drink. "I have been meaning to come by but I've been terribly busy."

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

Larissa checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting dumped in the pool," Sebastian opines to his sister as they wander along. He returns the smile to Tessa and says "I don't believe we've met. Sebastian Pravus, and this is my sister, Juliana." There's a little glance in Orathy's direction as well, following Juliana's gaze, and then following Orathy's for a moment before he turns back toward those before him.

"Lord Samael," says Lord Corban as he returns with a whiskey for his Minx, Lady Monique, and keeps a glass of wine for himself. He takes a sip. "Well, I am told that the King enjoys a fine party, so I shall be on the look out." A bit of faint amusement.

Deacon raises his own glass to Seabastian as a return greeting. After taking another sip, he scans his eyes over the growing crowd. The smile upon his lips is warm and pleased at the turnout. As Monique passes, he picks up her words and responds with a polite, but somewhat playful chuckle. "That would be a far more private affair, Lady Monique. Tonight is for all. Please do indulge as deeply as you wish in the food and drink, however."

"I feel that particular quote's been misattributed," Alaric says dryly with a glance at Samael before smiling sociably at Monique and Corban. "Lady Monique, Lord Corban, lovely to see you both tonight."

Orathy has been paying attention to... the Kings Own. His eyes might travel to Alaric, and then back again. Then the commoner does go off to find a bottle of something to hoard into a shadowy corner, eyes flicking to Sebastian and Juliana. It could be said he was smiling at them, but that'd be a lie. It's more like a toothy sneer.

Orathy has joined the a shadowy corner.

"I apologize, Your Majesty," Samael says bowing toward Alaric. "I had thought you were out of earshot," he adds with a smile.

Tessa steps closer to Sebastian and Juliana, "Lady Tessa Moore, it is a pleasure to meet you both. Everything is so lovely here, you must be pleased. Your family certainly knows how to host a party."

Vayle remained for the most part motionless, her etiquette and dedication to her position prevalent this evening as while she stood as a sentinel to the lady of the house she also all but vanished into the background of the event at hand. Just another pretty decoration. Dark irises continued to wander, eventually settling on the pool rather than patrons.

Larissa keeps her face beatifully bland as Alaric seems to have forgotten her face for a moment. Granted years had passed since they had been in each others company last and in due fairness, Larissa had been focused on the Queen more likely than not. The Whisper was completely unphased and simply offered him a gracious smile as she murmured quietly to Belladonna with a nod and a smile. When Lucita asked her about singing she shook her head "Oh no, I'm afraid you must have me confused with another of the Whispers, our little Nightengale. She has the voice of an angel.. I have the voice of an angels trumpet" she teases. "One of the many reasons I am so enchanted by your playing, anyones playing really - it is a gift so far beyond me." she admits.

Jules watches Orathy probably a bit longer than is polite, before he sends that toothy sneer and the girl arches a brow with a slight smirk. It is then that her gaze slides back to Tessa, a nod given with a bit more of a polite smile. "Lady Moore, pleasure."

With eyes shifting elsewhere, Belladonna has time to take a moment. She glances from Vayle to Larissa, from Larissa to Vayle, and says something quietly to both of them before she turns to slip over in the direction of the smaller of the pools, knocking back whatever is in her tumbler as she goes.

Monique accepts her whiskey from Corban, and drops a curtsey to Alaric. "Your Majesty. It's been awhile. But I have intimate knowledge of your party habits and I think the Lord Bisland isn't wrong in the least. You're the life of the party." Her smile slides to Deacon and there's a chuckle, throaty and amused. "You'll let me know if there's games afoot, my newest acquaintance, Master Pateris? Have you met Lord Corban Telmar?" She introduces the two, sort of.

"A pleasure Lady Moore, welcome to Pravus. The Gardens are one of my favorite places in Arx since having arrived here. I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying them," Sebastian says with a smile to Tessa. The sneer in their direction from Orathy is returend with a steady even look from Sebastian before his attention turns back to the others who have gathered.

Vayle did not hesitate to follow a pace behind Belladonna's stride, just off to the side. She extended her hand to claim the empty tumbler should it be offered over.

Corban bows formally to the King, as one does in these circumstances, though he has not the same rigid formality to it that he once did, upon first meeting His Majesty. "We are so glad to be here, and to be in your presence, Your Majesty," echoes the Telmar Voice of his date's words. He then turns his head towards Deacon. "Ah. I am not sure we have met. Lord Corban Telmar. Well met. And how do you know the Lady Monique?"

Belladonna has joined the hot pool.

"There are games afoot," Deacon speaks with dire urgency to Monique. His eyes widen and go owlish, flicking between her and Corban. He then turns to make another anouncement to the party. "And those participating in the festivities, again, are encouraged to make a donation of any amount to the Liberators!" With that done, he turns his attention again to Monique and Corban, smiling pleasantly at them both. "A pleasure, Lord Corban. I am Deacon Pateris, of Setarco. Please, be welcome and enjoy the festivities as we bid a cheerful farewell to Blessed Summer."

"Who said anything about Samael being wrong about that, now? I just pointed out that the claim -I- said I was cutting loose was misattributed," Alaric quips in amusement back to Monique. With a little raise of his tumbler in parting, he steps back to detach. "If you'll excuse me," he says lightly, and strolls after Belladonna towards the smaller pool.

Larissa cants her head at Belladonna's whisper and then nods her agreement as she follows behind Vayle and Belladonna both, and taking a moment to change from her dress to a bathing towel behind a presumed privacy screen, she sinks herself into the heated pool with a little hiss of happiness and a lazy smile looping over her features. A smile is given to Vayle as she inclines her head in the womans direction "We've not yet met. I am Larissa Whisper, Softest Whisper of Whisper House, it is a pleasure to make your aquaintance."

Larissa has joined the hot pool.

Alaric has joined the hot pool.

Lucita's glance slips from Alaric to Samael and back, lowering her lashes to form a veil over the glint of amusement in her eyes. A sip of wine suffices to hide a grin. She inclines her head as she listens to Larissa and says. "Ahhh, I see, expect I did. It was back when gathering referrals for people to contact regarding entertainment for an event that it was mentioned." She gives a quick smile of welcome to Monique, Sebastian, Juliana and Corban as her wandering gaze spots them in the crowd. There's even a nod for 'O' as she was told to call the man in the Shadowy Corner. "I'm from the south, the warm weather is more welcome to me than the very cold winter likely to come."

Tessa notices everyone staring after Orathy and tilts her head a bit. "Oh what a dashing pirate. Though I admit I don't like the way he is glaring at the king. Do you know him?" She asks Jules and Sebastian. "I don't know why everyone is so determined to look so cross these days."

"I'm fairly certain that he just has resting rogue face, Lady. I'm not certain that he's quite glaring at anyone, to be honest," Sebastian says to Tessa. Spotting Lucita's smile of welcome, he lifts the glass he has in hand in her direction before taking a swallow from its contents.

Orathy might snort from the shadows over the pirate comment, but it seems he's quite occupied in how fast he could drink down a bottle of whiskey.

There is a hand ready for her glass! Belladonna does indeed hand her empty tumbler over to Vayle, chuckling low. "Thank you," she says, drawing up at the edge of the pool and reaching up to start getting her clothing undone. When she notices Alaraic following she stills for just a moment, then goes back to it. "My apologies for not introducing you. This is Mistress Vayle Savonorela of Pravus." There's a brief pause before she says something more quietly, audible to those nearby as she starts to step down into the water.

Monique watches the King go with something that could be interpreted as repressed ire, but it quickly changes to a smile as she asides to Corban, "I met Master Deacon in the public baths only a night or two ago and promptly questioned him on all things Lycene until he damn near wanted to drown me." Slight exaggeration. "But games are apparently afoot! Do we get to play them? I'm an avid player of games." She waves over to Lucita with a smile.

Samael follows after Alaric toward the pool finishing up his drink on the way.

Samael has joined the hot pool.

Tessa ohs, "Resting rogue face, I like that even though I am not entirely sure if it is a compliment or a complaint. Do you know him Lord Sebastian?"

Orathy checked perception at difficulty 7, rolling 17 higher.

Vayle remained stationed poolside rather than slipping within it, the tumbler dismissed to a passing servant's tray and another was retrieved. A short tumbler with caramel contents tinging with a hint of red. It was set aside for the moment as she turned to assist Belladonna with the removing of clothing. "A pleasure, Mistress Larissa Whisper." She dipped her head to Larissa again though was otherwise busy with the disrobe! And that seemed to be that! Not the most talkative of women.

Vayle has joined the hot pool.

Karadoc steps in, fashionably late, fashionably very late. He is dressed in light blues and contrasting deep browns and if he surveys the party and the pool with an air of diffidence, that is simply the Karadoc way. He turns his head toward the gazebo, marking the musicians with the first hint of appreciation.

"I do," Sebastian says to Tessa with a nod of his head. Noticing that there are several folks making their way toward the pools, he asks her, "Will you be taking advantage of the pools this evening, Lady Moore?" He and Juliana stand near Tessa, speaking with her.

Jules chuckles at Sebastian's comment, reaching to take his glass and lifting it for a sip. "He is sworn to Pravus" is all she answers to Orathy's identity then handing Bas back the wine glass, her blue eyes landing on Lucita with a smile and nod.

"Ah. Well, there is so much to quiz on in the Lyceum is there not?" asks Corban with an amused smile as he looks between Monqiue and Deacon, nursing his wine as he does. "So much intrigue and the like. I am devastated for the Duchess of Southport. But as the Compact stepped up for Stormward, I am certain it will do the same for Southport."

Orathy glances toward the nobles as the bottle is withdrawn and he wipes his mouth with the back of his sleeve, brow quirked at the rogue face comment. It has his eyes lingering on Tessa for a fair amount of time, time enough to note it was likely an indecent glance too. He pushes away from the shadows to approach Sebastian, Juliana, and this new Lady. The latter is getting all the attention of dark eyes, supplying, "Names Orathy. Or Rath. Or O... or whatever you wish to be calling me in the throes of passion."

Orathy has left the a shadowy corner.

Karadoc checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

"Indeed there are," Deacon replies to Monique with as broad and charming a smile as ever. Tonight, he's a showman and spares nothing in the way of animated body language while he speaks. "Just one moment, my Lady. I should probably explain that again to everyone." He stands up straight on that second step of the gazebo again and projects his voice outwards. "To those of you wanting to participate in the pool games, start finding your partner and make sure one of you is nice and sturdy! Things are going to get physical here in the gorgeous gardens of Pravus Manor! If you haven't done so yet, please consider a small donation to the champions of Skald, deliverers of thralls, the bane of slavery everywhere...the Liberators! Just a reminder that I will be accepting donations all night." With that, he smiles again to Monique and Corban. "Apologies. And again, thank you for attending, my Lord, my Lady."

Karadoc turns his attention, and his smile on Corban, walking the direction of the word "Southport". "My lord, we will hardly need the kind of aid that Stormward required. This is merely a matter of calling a few favors due and rebuilding with the rapidity we are known for." He fetches a wine glass as he walks. "Lord Karadoc Saik, at your service."

Tessa glances off to the pool, "I haven't decided to be honest. Perhaps. And yourselves? Do either of you plan to swim or soak?" She bounces a little on her toes her lips poised to say something when the gruff man speaks to her. A rich golden laugh rolls out of her at his words. "Wrath, I like it. Confidence is refreshing, everyone seems so willing to depricate themselves these days.... that is the word isn't it? When people belittle themselves because it's 'polite'?"

"Oh, I think the Lord Telmar is sturdy enough," Monique grins at Deacon's explanation. "I think we're going to get wet," she observes to Corban, distracted by anything further at Karadoc's approach. "I've offered to help steal it all back," she tells the Lord with a gamine smile. Is she joking? Is she not? Who knows!

Lucita moves over closer toward Juliana and the group around her little more, ignoring the little tinkling sounds that thankfully are almost masked by the music being played. She starts to speak but falls quiet as Deacon speaks. Karadoc's comment draws her attention. "Lord Karadoc? Oh, we finally get to meet! You've been gone each time Estab..er. Baron Estaban has had me over to the Tower to meet family and those of his household. I'm Lady Lucita Igniseri."

"It appears, Lord Karadoc, I am summoned in service of Lady Monique's competitive streak." Corban delivers the words completely deadpan. Because he knows his Minx well. "But well met, indeed. Lord Corban Telmar. And I do not mean the sums, necessarily, but in terms of the resoluteness and outpouring of well-feeling."

Rath as Tessa decides is sufficient to call him, also to which the Lord and Lady Pravus call him, smirks in a grizzled way with his whiskers surrounding his lips. "Fuck if I be knowing what the proper word be," he notes with rough amusement, "Better to be saying it plainly that you be a Lady I want to be knowing eh?" There's little politeness about this man as his dark eyes swing to Sebastian and then Juliana, winking to the latter.

"I can hardly doubt Lady Monique's swift fingers and swifter wit. No sooner could I doubt the Lord Corban's good faith and sturdy kindness. The outpouring of well-feeling is always to our benefit, no matter how quickly our coffers recover." He glances across his shoulder to mark Lucita. "Ah! Yes. I am glad to meet his betrothed at last. What a lovely name you have. Igniseri! How bright."

Juliana coughs a little, perhaps stilling a laugh as Rath walks up and introduces himself. Biting her lip with a grin nods to the man, her hand tightening on Sebastian's arm. For a moment, just a moment she watches Lucita step closer, brow arching a little with a smile but when the lady is distracted by Deacon suggesting people finding their partners, her blue gaze slides from the rogue and Lady Tessa to Bas, brow arching a little. "Are you going to need to step out?"

Vayle has left the hot pool.

Tessa smirks to Orathy, "Ohh you MUST remind me to bring you to diner with my brother and his wife. Char will die. It will be amazing." She clasps her hands together and considers. "I suppose I need a partner."

Lucita says, "Partners...partners...hmmm. Seems we have an absence of our usual game partners." She looks at Tessa and Juliana and in a teasing manner asks. "Should we brace ourselves for a rush of volunteers anxious to substitute?"

Orathy scoffs, "Only if the Lady promises to eat her share of meat." This is what happens when you bring a ruffian to a party. He doesn't hold back on the bad puns and seeing the amusement from Juliana, that little cough, spurs him on! "Dying around me isn't abnormal," he stage whispers, "Aye, reckon they can't handle what I bring to the party." A longer wink. Then there's this talk of partners and he notes, "Why be keeping it to just one? Two be better."

Tessa winks over to Lucita, and then the little Valardin lady sighs happily. "Oh I like it here. Lyceum parties are so much more fun. Still.." She glances towards the hot pool, "Your Royal Majesty?" She calls towards the party. "Will you be competing?"

Samael has left the hot pool.

Monique flutters a hand to her chest. "Lord Karadoc, you flatterer. Why have we not met before? A travesty! Any clue as to what happened, save the number of coins left behind? For surely that's a clue in and of itself." She lifts her glass of whiskey in toast to the man, and then to Lucita, "I wonder what the game will be! Choose your partner carefully!"

Corban seems curious, as well, as to whether there have been any leads. "The Duchess said that there was an investigation underway. I hope that it should reach a swift and successful conclusion soon."

"A travesty we have now repaired, I hope," Karadoc says with a brighter smile toward Monique. More generally, to the both of them. "I cannot speak our suspicions in any detail, but let it be said that a number may be both a message and a taunt. We dig where we can." He raises his glass.

Orathy offers for Corban and Monique, "Someone had a heist and stole 'em while you all be distracted with the Thralls... ain't it bloody obvious?"

Lucita chuckles softly. "Perhaps we should wait till after King Alaric decides if he will join a game and if he does see who he chooses to partner. I have no idea what game it is but hope it does not involve too much swimming. My swimming style is slow and involves a goodly bit of splashing but has the merit of eventually getting to a destination without drowning." A speculative glance is given Karadoc and she lowers her voice to murmur to him.

A light drumming can be heard from off to the side of the party at large. It's a steady, marching beat that starts to build and build, joined by other drummers that come playing from just outside the well-lit area of the party. More torches are being lit as well, accompanying the oncoming sound of music. Deacon slips away temporarily to communicate a few directions to the approaching group of entertainers before walking back towards the gazebo.

The sound of fiddles and flutes then sound triumphantly while scantily-clad men and women accompany them with flaming batons that they juggle and toss between each other. More yet spiot alchohol into the flame of the torches to make large flares of fire up towards the heavens. "LET THE FESTIVITIES BEGIN!" Deacon calls loudly and cheerily to the attendees present. The score that the musicians play in company with the artful fire-performers is a triumphant ballad and blend of styles. While familiar to Arvum, the score is at once foreign. Those with a trained and worldly ear might detect a heavy influence from the Abandoned tribes of the Saffron Chain.


Karadoc turns an even brighter smile on Orathy. "Would that it were so simple, my good man! A little foolish carelessness on the part of Southport. Wouldn't that be a story to go to bed at night with. So comforting! I imagine this a little conjecture on your part, though, hm?" And then his attention turns to Lucita, and he returns a murmur in turn.

Juliana chuckles at Lucita. "I am sure you will find a number of volunteers to keep your face above the water/

Orathy crosses his arms across his chest, "I reckon I be the strongest here..." He notes to the women around him, then peers toward Karadoc, "Aye. Well, the whole lot of you be opening your pockets for Thralls, ain't surprising your own people be figuring out a way to take some for themselves."

Tessa doesn't think the king heard her over the din so she looks up at Orathy, "Alright Wrath, you're with me then. I might be little but I'm tough. I am sure we can kick all thier asses at what ever is going on."

Juliana chuckles at Lucita. "I am sure you will find a number of volunteers to keep your face above the water." glancing at her brother who seems to be distracted at the moment before looking back. "Rath, perhaps you would offer one of the Ladies as partner." attempting perhaps to distract but then Tessa is claiming the man and Juliana laughs softly.

Deacon checked command + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 28 higher.

Orathy swings his gaze back to Tessa, lips curling and growling a short grunt of agreement toward her. "Aye, I reckon I bested many people during a Kings Own competition..." His eyes swing toward them, as if gauging his probability of defeating them now. Juliana's remark is met with a smirk, "Aye, she picked the winner right here."

Monique, being Abandned herself, and speaking Isles shav, looks on this newest spectacle with great interest, her foot tapping along to the wild rhythm of the flutes and fiddles. "This is wonderful!" she comments, above the music, excitement in her tone. "I wonder when the contest starts." Her gaze drifts over Orathy, curious and sharp. "Hm."

"Rath, is it?" Karadoc's eyes are focused and bright on Orathy. "I do hope that if you should find empirical evidence of this resentful uprising, you'll let me know. I do love a beautiful story backed by cold facts, my new friend." With that, he steps back to the little knot of conversation. "I confess I'm not sure what the game is? My lord, my ladies."

Leana, an Igniseri Guard arrives, following Luis.

Corban seems a little bit overwhelmed by the sudden burst of revelry and dancers and the like, his eyes going wide as he watches the procession making its way in. But it pleases the Minx, so it pleases him as well, the Lord Telmar touching Monique's arm lightly as they wait for the games to begin.

Orathy snorts loudly at Karadoc, canting his head with a clear grizzled and wry sneer cast at the man, "Friends eh? Reckon that be a good one, your Lord Silkship." He considers then shrugs, "Ain't my job to be finding missing shit unless someone pays me to do it and even then, I ain't too sympathic of it all."

Juliana glances to Karadoc, grinning. "No doubt one that involves water. Are you participating and do you need a partner my Lord? I do beleive the Lady Lucita is in need of one." picking the cup from Bastian's hand and taken a drink as he match makes.

Tessa steps over to the big tall brute (that's Orathy) and laces her slender arm through his if she's allowed to, claiming him to be her muscle for the games. Tiny though she might be there's a sort of unshakable certianty to the little lady. "Now don't go thinking I'm going to let you 'get to know me' just because I touched you, I know I'm amazingly irresistable and you'll want to but... restrain yourself Wrath." She winks up at the man. "Now shall we get in the pool annd kick some ass?"

Karadoc raises a hand toward Orathy, with a light mien of dismissal. "I don't need your help, friend. But I am glad to know your name." He turns a less edged smile on Juliana. "I will partner with the Lady Lucita, but I am a man of leisure, not a man for combat. Or whatever we are doing, precisely. Failure can be restful, though."

Crimsons and blacks are the colour of Luis's silks and boots, the man appearing as a burning shadow, such is the cut of his clothing, but his face gives the appearance of all things jovial as the man smiles while passing rows of guards and various other part revelers. He looks around as he walks past the dancers, attempting to make eye contact with someone whom he knows. He knows alcohol, it is a close friend, so he will find a cup and a drink as his starting partners and see if he can work his way up from there.

The music finally draws to a close and the fire-performers douse batons and torches now that they've gathered into the light of a grouping of barrels that light the tables with food and drink on them. Deacon takes hold of his nearby fiddle from the gazebo and makes his way quickly over to the tables. A bare spot has been left on one of them and the agile courtesan leaps up onto that spot so that he's visible by all. "May I have everyone's attention, please?" Deacon speaks up, playing three notes on the fiddle to hopefully get everyone's attention. "The games shall begin soon. If you haven't found your partner yet and you're interested in participating, please do so now!" The courtesan smiles over towards Belladonna and her party in the warm pool then. "This song requires just a little audience participation, but I think you'll all pick it up quickly and beautifully. Listen for it and stomp your feet or bang the table like so when you've got the knack!" And with that said, he settles his fiddle in the crook of his arm and stomps the tabletop three times. "Everyone got it? Fantastic."

Orathy looks to the small woman who slides up to lace her arm around his, something that makes him for a moment look like he's going to wrench his arm away. For a moment, until he's staring too long and looking DOWN, because he's taller than her and well, DOWN leaves opportunities for his eyes! "Reckon I ain't partial to restraint little Lady." He passes off the bottle of whiskey to Karadoc, "Hold that eh?" And with a wink to Juliana he nods to Tessa about the pool, "If I be having to get wet, at least make it worth while for me eh? What do I be calling you?"

Lucita says, "Lord Karadoc, I'm not that heavy...I hope." She blushes lightly and quickly lowers her voice again."

Luis looks around, drink in hand as the games are sorted and he gives a small smile, "What am I missing? Are we to be playing something?" he asks, finally spotting Lucita as she meets up with Karadoc. A small smirk playing across his lips.

Oh, there's a glance over in Deacon's direction when he looks her way. Belladonna sends a sunny smile in that direction (how much has she had to drink?) before going back to her conversation, attention swinging between Larissa and the King.

Jules smiles at Karadoc. "I think if you will keep her head above the water, Lucita would be okay." teasing the lady as she matches her up whether she was really looking or not, it seems. A light touch to the woman's arm to make sure she is okay then moves on to stand again by her preoccupied brother watching as other pair up for the games.

Karadoc has no sooner received the whiskey bottle from Orathy than he's set it down on the ground, if in an occupied spot. He offers his arm to Lucita. "I can only do my best," he says, "but the gods know the lady might be better off carrying me." He moves toward the water.

Monique places her hand over Corban's and stomps along to the beat, enjoying this taste of culture thoroughly.

Tessa's brow lifts, dancing? She shrugs and tugs Orathy towards the pool, not that she could actually move him if he doesn't want to be moved. "Lady Tessa Moore, or Lady Tessa or just Tessa. My friends know I'm the Splendifeious one." She notes, kicking off her slippers

Deacon puts bow to fiddle then and begins to play. The song is cheerful and upbeat, played with clear mirth and abandon by the graceful courtesan. After playing a few bars, however, he adds his voice to the music.

"I went into the chandler's shop some candles for to buy,
I looked around the chandler's shop but no one did I spy.
I was disappointed and some angry words I said,
Then I heard the sound of a (*stomp, stomp stomp*) up above my head.
Then I heard the sound of a (*stomp, stomp stomp) up above my head.

Well I was slick and I was quick, and up the stairs I sped,
And much to my surprise I found the chandler's wife in bed;
And with her was another man of most gigantic size,
And they were having a (*stomp, stomp stomp*) right before my eyes.
And they were having a (*stomp, stomp stomp*) right before my eyes."


Alaric has left the hot pool.

10 King's Own Guardsmen have been dismissed.

Zelda, the royal messenger have been dismissed.

Luis moves closer to Juliana as the pairs are partnering up, whispering to the woman about what games are being played and why everyone seems to be readying themselves for something. There's a small smile that seems to grow as he continues to have a quick conversation with the Lady Pravus, but then he is looking at the groupings, "Luci, you realize you're only allowed to have fun tonight, so make that smile bigger!" he calls out to Lucita.

"The... splend-dah what?" Orathy blinks at the woman and grumbles, "Reckon I be going with Tes." Because he can, or so his tone indicates. The song has him turn a glance toward the fiddler, snorting laughter at the lyrics, "I be getting behind that one-" and then he adds in a stomp or two.

Corban seems -- scandalized isn't quite the word, but perhaps not the most at ease with the particular song being rung out in this very polite company here. He does not stomp along, leaving his hand in Monique's instead as she does so.

Lucita gives a wry laugh, nods to Karadoc walks with him toward an area to the side of the pool where she slips into a changing area, reluctant to try swimming in heavy satin and silk and lace and silver embellishments, no need to look a heap of poorly wrung out laundry when an alternate is available. She stomps in rhythm to the song cues though in slippers...or later bare feet, the stomp is quitet definitely muted to a little 'pat pat'.

Standing beside Sebastian as he is busy with business, Jules tips her head to Luis as he whispers to her, eyes twinkling over the rim of her glass. The last exchange bringing with it a laugh and handing the glass she holds back to her brother before taking the Lord Igniseri's hand.

Karadoc chuckles at the song, then ducks into a changing station to re-emerge in robe. "I'm now as prepared as I can be," he tells Lucita after.

Tessa thinks about it, "Yeah Tes works too." She giggles loudly at the words of the song, releasing Orathy's arm at the edge of the pool to pull off her little green silk dress, having an undershift on beneath it. She dumps the silk on a chair and poises on at the edge of the pool folding her arms and looking over Wrath. "Okay. Strip."

Because Sebastian has two hands and Jules has already filled one with a glass, Luis offers the man his as well, so that his free hand will not be jealous. There's a smile and a bow to Sebastian as his hand is taken and he gives Juliana a sideways glance. "Alright, so we're making room for one more team here... even though I still have no idea what it is that we are to do," he admits, but then Deacon's song tickles his ears and he laughs. "Ah... yes... those candle maker's wives. Truly..." he chuckles, though he may note Corban's reaction so he tries not to laugh too much, but his eyes do betray his mirth and he stomps along with the song, pulling and half dancing out towards the pools with Juliana, "Alright, people are dressing down..." he comments, once again looking for clarification, from someone, anyone.


Deacon plays the instrumental 'bridge' of the song, but by this point the drummers have figured out when to add a light *drum, drum drum* to accompany the bawdy song that the courtesan is playing. If nothing else, he seems to be enjoying himself and has a broad smile on his lips when he begins to sing again.

"When the fun was over and done and the lady raised her head,
She was quite surprised to find me standing by the bed.
'If you will be discreet, my lad, if you would be so kind,
I'll let you come up for some (*stomp, stomp stomp*) whenever you feel inclined.'
'I'll let you come up for some (*stomp, stomp stomp*) whenever you feel inclined.'

So, many a day and many a night when the chandler wasn't home,
To get myself some candles to the chandler's shop I'd roam.
But nary a one she gave to me, but gave to me instead,
A little bit more of the (*stomp, stomp stomp*) to light my way to bed.
A little bit more of the (*stomp, stomp stomp*) to light my way to bed."

Again he plays the instrumental bridge, laughing delightedly at his own performance as he dances and *stomp, stomp stomps* on the table.


When Tessa orders Orathy to strip, Juliana almost looses it in the laugh that bubbles out. Her eyes twinkling with amusment as she walks to the pool beside Luis. "Seems they are.. I can either go in, in this silk.. which is airy and light and swirling around her as if alive with even the smallest of breezes. "Or without.. but I do beleive at the end the effect will be the same."

With the King having slipped away, Belladonna does lift a hand to gesture for Samael. It's a quick thing; once she's sure she's been seen, she starts to look back to Larissa. Of course, Deacon's song finally registers, and when it does she laughs, rolling her eyes and flashing a very rare grin in his direction before she takes a drink and clears her troat, looking back to her current companion. There's a gesture Deacon's way with her glass as she notes something quietly, and when her grin fades she's still smiling.

Orathy glances to Tessa, watching with only a flicker of his eyes aside at something else, but mostly it is Tessa and where that silk green dress goes. His arms fold across his chest when she in turn does the same and then orders him to strip. He smirks, "Ayye lassy, coming from you, I ain't be able to say no." And so the big man starts to remove buckles and belts, because he has a ton of those with all his leather gear on. He wrestles out of the pieces one by one, giving Tessa her own private but public striptease, since it even goes with a eyebrow wiggle and suggestive smirk.


Luis chuckles along with Deacon's song, eyeing Lucita a moment before he adds, "Now I know which musician is going to appreciate the lyrics I've got... I should give him my version of the song you wrote last night," he winks at his sister, and then with Juliana's hand in his own, "Well, we could also go... change," he offers as he moves towards the changing areas, taking her with so that they can both change, should she wish to as well. It won't be obviously long, and Luis will return with a bathing robe upon his form, hopefully it'll last at least one dip, he wonders as he looks down at the thin fabric.

Samael is a couple more drinks in now when he spots Belladonna at the pool. He hasn't been staring but he happened to catch her wave so he makes his way back over to the pool.

Samael has joined the hot pool.

"We ought to strip down in preparation," Monique says with a lewd brow waggle to Corban. "And perhaps get you several more drinks."

Tessa checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

Corban arches his brow at Monique when she says that they ought to strip down. "Is that what the games are about? I admit I haven't heard a thing about them." The song continues to make him shift a bit, and so he gets himself -- gasp! -- a SECOND glass of wine.

Tessa studies Orathy intently as the man undresses, watching each othose buckles undone with a bit of a feral smirk, a gleam in her golden eyes. Apparently turn about is fair play. "Much better." She steps back to the edge of the pool, her weight on her toes lightly, her heels actually over the water. She bounces a few times then her arms stretch out and she winks before springing into a back flip into the water, barely a splash as she breaks the surface of the pool.

Tessa has joined the large pool.

Lucita nods to Karadoc as she stands beside him listening to the remainder of the song. "I've swum in silks before but Luis would be disappointed if the 'cat bell' dress got wet and ruined. It is rather pretty." A glance down at the swimming tunic she lowers her voice to speak to Juliana.

After the bridge, Deacon brings the song to a close with a drawn-out note. The courtesan smiles back over the crowd and takes a deep, flourishing bow before addressing them in a cheerful, sunny tone. The bow and the back of his hand are lifted to wipe some sweat from his brow, though. "Again, I'd like to thank each of you for coming tonight." The hand and bow are then shielded over his brow so that he can more physically scan over the crowd, using his entire body to do so. "Now! I would like the teams of two to start gathering around the large pool. This game is a test of strength. One team member will get onto the shoulders of the other. The object of the game is for two teams to square off with each other to try to knock each other over into the water." He pauses a beat. "Pushing and pulling only. We don't want any injuries tonight! The matches will continue until only one team remains standing."

Luis has joined the large pool.

Lucita has joined the large pool.

Karadoc has joined the large pool.

Monique has joined the large pool.

Juliana gets pulled into a changing booth, which gives her time to shed the layered lavender silk and pull the pins from her hair, stepping out in only the dark tresses falling down her back and brrushing her rear before she will follow Luis into the pool.

"Silks aren't something to idly ruin. Unless you want to tease a little bit. Shabbiness can liven up a dress. Or a shirt." With this response to Lucita, Karadoc slides into the pool.

Juliana has joined the large pool.

Orathy only lifts his chin up at the feral turn about look, might even straighten his shoulders a bit, nostrils flaring as if a proud stud. He doesn't stop undressing, although it annoys him to have to do so. They layers come off, until there is nothing left to come off. Yes, so much for robes! He's butt naked, tattoos and all a feast for the eyes. The backflip into the water manages to splatter him with water droplets from the splash Tessa creates, but he otherwise makes a follow up stride toward the edge of the pool, swarthy male making a canon ball into the water.

Karadoc has left the large pool.

Lucita has left the large pool.


Luis arches a brow as he comes out overdressed in a robe and Juliana wearing her hair. There's a small smirk of his lips as he joins her at the edge of the pool, then drops the robe from around his shoulders, "Broguht it in case it was cooler when we get out," he explains, so as not to be too dressed for his partner, "Alright, Lady, are you riding me, or am I riding you?" he asks with a wink and a look towards the other pairings.

Luis has left the large pool.

Monique has left the large pool.

Leana, an Igniseri Guard have been dismissed.

Juliana has left the large pool.

Monique listens and then lifts a brow and looks up to Corban. "Oh, dear. Maybe you should hold off on that drink until after..." She shimmies out of her gown to reveal a black silk slip underneath. Apparently, that'll do.

Tessa surfaces a bit away from where she dove in the pool and laughs, shaking out her mess of now wet curls, she splashes at Orathy lightly as she treads water.

Deacon lifts a hand and announces the teams up first. "First round! Master Orathy and Lady Tessa versus Lord Karadoc and Lady Lucita!" The courtesan hands his fiddle over to one of the other performers who absconds with it and takes it somewhere safe. "Prepare to do combat!"

Orathy surfaces from where he canon balled into the water, shaking out his long wiry hair and slicking it back with a wolfish grin sluicing over his expression, wading toward her as he does grouse, "I fucking hate water... so we better win, Tes."

Orathy has joined the large pool.

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

Karadoc has joined the large pool.

Lucita eyes Orathy and his partner then Karadoc and herself. "this will be excellent practice in ...losing agraciously."

Corban seems a bit hesitant, though he does set his wine off to the side at Monique's request. He strips himself down to just his breeches underneath his trousers, waiting for the pairings. He was not told he should bring his bathing things!

Juliana laughs as Luis disrobes, then without a word smoothly dives into the water, making in halfway down the length before she surfaces and turns to look at Luis on the edge. "I suppose that depends on if you can catch me."

Lucita has joined the large pool.

Karadoc shakes his head once Deacon makes his announcement. "We last more than a round, consider it Mangata's miracle, Lady Lucita. Mangata's miracle." But his shoulders are ready! Narrowly!

As predicted, some business or another stole Sebastian away, and when he returns the games are underway, and so he finds a spot on the grass and settles there with his glass of wine to watch.

Orathy dips down in the water and pivots himself, grousing a little more about water, "If I be making sacrifices to get you to ride me ... supposin that be alright to be in water then eh?" He teases back to Tessa and makes his shoulders readily available for her to climb up onto!

Tessa smirks at Orathy and grabs his shoulders, stopping to look at his tattoos before she pulls herself upwards. "Worst pirate ever," she notes with a bit of a smirk, lean muscled thighs coiling around the back of the man's neck. Her hands curl down, fingers twining lightly in his hair. "There's something about yanking on a man's hair that's just fun. I never get to do it at Valardin parties."

Luis chuckles, whistling loudly before he dives into the pool, following after Juliana while the other groups pair up to fight fight fight! He surfaces somewhere near his own partner, but gives a half-hearted chase, as he's also curious to watch how the game goes in the interim.

Lucita says, "Do we get points for performance or a charming style as we do this, Lord Karadoc?" She shakes her head and keeps one hand clinging to the poolside. "Or maybe participation points or good sportsmanship or something?""

"Aye, or it be making me the best if I do whatever I can be doing to stay out of the drink..." he chortles, "Although, cutting ropes be not something to be repeated." He doesn't seem to have any trouble hoisting up Tessa when her thighs coil around him. Her hands in his hair do get him to grunt and curl up his lips a little in a seething 'will deal with this' way. "Pull on me hair all you want lassy... just stay up there!"

That was Orathy's pose ^

Orathy checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

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

Orathy checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

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

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

Tessa has rolled a critical success!
Tessa checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Karadoc checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

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

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

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

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

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

After watching for a bit, Sebastian gets up and goes to find those wine glasses he must have set somewhere, or at least more wine, but he gradually begins to drift toward the periphery and then slips back into the Manor.

Juliana leaves, following Sebastian.

Juliana arrives, following Sebastian.

Tessa is little. Really that's her contribution to the whole affair. She's little and she has no issues with just shoving Lucita, while keeping one hand dug tight into Orathy's hair. She even growls a bit with her very last push, really giving it her all in her effort to topple poor Lucita.

"No performance will salvage this, my dear," Karadoc tells Lucita, and then does his best to carry Lucita to their shared doom. He's barely able to keep her above water even before Tessa starts shoving.

Tessa will stay on indeed, by holding Orathy's hair! The man does grunt once or twice when it's clear she's yanking too hard! However, he helps to contribute to their general success, leaving her to hold on via hair and thighs, as his own hands come out and target Karadoc, pushing at him and ... generally taking advantage of knowing where the weak spots on a person was, such as pressure points!

Jhond makes his way into the Gardens and eyes the stack of people in the pool with a grin, "Ah.. that's familiar.." he remarks and makes his way first to swing on by the food and drink table.

Juliana doesn't run far or fast, so it's not hard for Luis to catch her, then she is turned with him to watch the battle. Cheering for Orathy and Tessa as they fight. Sorry, Lucita.

Monique laughs and claps and dances about from bare foot to bare foot, watching the antics in the pool. "This is wonderful," she chortles, watching poor Corban. "You're going to *hate* it, darling."

Laughing as the fights begin, Luis seems in high spirits, "Well I knew I should have finished training my sister in how to properly swim, this could be bad..." he says this aside to Juliana before yelling to Lucita, "Remember the water won't bite you, just don't breathe it in, and always, we're having fun!" He turns back to Juliana and grins with a dopey sort of look, splashing a little water her way before he stays close and chuckles, "I guess I'll carry you..." he tells her.

Lucita manages to perch on Karadoc without drowning him, She's a performer, not an athlete and singing and playing instruments and sitting at a desk filling out reports really does little to build muscles. Still there is a little style in the way she masks her trepidation behind a fixed smile. An ear makes a good handle to help keep balance but all in all, it does not take long to topple into the water, splashing sinking, eyes squinted shut, spluttering and thrashing about until she reaches the side again. "Lets not tell Estaban about this, yes, Lord Karadoc?"

"And yet I do it for you, my dear," says Corban, drolly, as he watches the antics in the pool with slightly less enthusiasm than the Minx, Monique, by his side. "I hope you appreciate what a statement that it is." He clasps his hands before him, awaiting their turn in the chicken joust.

Tessa giggles and leans over, the big man she's um... riding.. dotting Orathy's forehead with a kiss. "Hahha! I hope Deacon's got prizes for this."

Karadoc barely takes a push, barely balancing as he was. He topples, he inhales too soon, he doesn't quite half-drown. But it's a relief to re-emerge. "I think the courtesan thought a good dunking would be the best beginning." He coughs, and hauls himself unsteadily out of the pool. "Oh, Estaban will hear about it. I think I've had enough party for tonight. What exhausting things."

Caprice is not surprised the party is still going. She comes along the familiar pathways that lead her to the walled gardens. The redhead stops to study the various pools before her lips curve up and her head tilts. "Are they... swimming?" This is really mused to the people that she moves by. A large smile is tossed to Belladonna though before she goes in search of a drink. Her eyes slide over the crowds to see who is there.

Deacon watches the match going on in the pool with greast interest from his perch up on the bare spot of the drink table. The courtesan brings his hands together in uproarous applause to the paired teams of Orathy and Tessa, Lucita and Karadoc. "Well fought! The only prize for tonight is bragging rights, but those last longer than most trinkets and gift wines!" A bright chuckle colors his tone and he holds up a single hand to try to get everyone's attention. "Next up! Lady Juliana and Lord Luis versus Lord Corban and Lady Monique! Contenders, take your places. Everyone congratulate Master Orathy and Lady Tessa for their victory!"

Orathy snorts a little, brows raising a little at Karadoc, "AHH, you be a Saik too? That all be making sense now. Hah. Reckon I beat your Baron in a pool like this a while back. Say hello to the boy for me, eh? We had a good game of cards the other night." Then he's patting Tessa's legs, "Thatta girl Tes. You hang in there." The kiss on his head is met with a snort, "Prize is having my head between your thighs..."

Karadoc has left the large pool.

Lucita says, "Already? But you'll miss the fun of watching the others." She says to Karadoc gently."

Tessa has left the large pool.

Orathy has left the large pool.

Lucita has left the large pool.

Corban has joined the large pool.

Juliana has joined the large pool.

Luis has joined the large pool.

Monique has joined the large pool.

Corban dutifully jumps into the pool, pausing only to murmur something to Monique before he does. He dips under the water, waiting for her to slide up onto two her shoulders, looking across at their adversaries. This may be silly, but he does like a good contest.

"A sad price for a place by the Saik fireplace, but my revelry is limited tonight." Karadoc so responds to Lucita while wrapping a towel around his waist. He turns a glance back at Orathy. "Yes, a Saik. We are, as a house, good at cards. Until next time, then." He whispers back to Lucita, and seems about to leave, towel and all.

Tessa smirks and pats Orathy's head, like he's a good pet, "You enjoy it then Wrath. They are some of the nicest thighs in the Compact or so I'm told."

Whatever Corban has muttered to her before jumping into the pool has Monique barking out sharp laughter and splashing in after him calling out, "Cruel, cruel man!" When he goes under, she wraps her legs around him, shoving down on his head for good measure.

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

Corban checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 46 higher.

Corban checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.


Luis catches the tail end of Orathy's comments and he asks, "Oh, were you playing a game just like this too? It seems like a common tradition around these parts." He laughs, and then he moves towards the 'staging' area as he will nudge Juliana along before gripping her by the waist and lifting her up and over his shoulders, making sure she's settled before he grins towards Corban and Monique, his arms stretching outwards so that he can settle Juliana on his shoulders properly. That done, he holds out his hands, ready to fight, or whatever it is that they're going to do. "Just let me know when you've got a good hold on them," he teases Juliana, but then steps forward.

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

Luis checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Luis checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

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

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

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

Juliana checked strength + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Juliana checked strength + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

Juliana checked strength + brawl at difficulty 15, rolling 10 lower.

Belladonna has left the hot pool.

Juliana waits for Luis to dip down far enough so she can slide onto his shoulders, eeps a bit as she is hauled up and set in place. With bare legs hanging down his chest and one hand settling in top his head. The young woman leans down to whisper something in his ear before she straightens up for the battle.

Orathy receives the pats with a growling grunt, like a feral dog might when he's being pet for the first time! Although he does turn his mouth and seemingly place a speculative nip to a thigh, because they're right there! "Reckon that they are!" He doesn't seem to mind that she stays up there, eyes turning to the other competition although Luis' remarks are met with a snort, "Reckon I were playing the game of make the Iron Goat pass out, ever play that one?"

Belladonna takes her absolutely shameless self right up out of the water. There's no hesitation in walking the few feet over to grab up a towel, a quick pat happening before she snags one of the robes and pulls it on, finally covering herself. With a quick smile back towards Larissa and Samael, the little blonde (with her drink) makes her way back for the house, hurrying on bare feet inside.

Aida leaves, following Belladonna.

Corban is really just a rock for the Lady Monique, a very stable base for which to do her pushing on his shoulders, his hands grabbing her legs as he does. He doesn't seem the most thrilled for the game, honestly, but if he's doing this, he's doing this to win.

Monique is highly competitive. Highly, highly competitive. If this were a contest one could cheat at, she would cheat. Gleefully. As it is, she throws everything into it. It's not spectacular, but it's tenacious. Her thighs might very well cut off circulation to Corban's head with how tightly they grip his neck. She's going nowhere.


As Jules get's settled, Luis waits, thinking she'll be settled any time now, and then he realizes she genuinely is never going to stop moving completely and he sighs, stepping forward as it seems a bit unwieldy, trying to wrestle with Corban, but even then He manages for a little while to hold it together, but then it's too much, movements, shaking, everything, and they're going over, he finds himself underwater and taking Juliana with a big splash, before he surfaces a moment later, laughing uncontrolably. "That tickles!" he exclaims, but bows to Monique and Corban for their win. "Well played!"

Alaric has left the hot pool, found one of those robes Belladonna got, and has always been spectating the flailing about in the pool that serves as the athletic competition in a robe with his drink in hand, obviously. He's cheering when it seems appropriate and drinking when it seems appropriate (the latter is pretty much all the time). "Don't strangle poor Lord Corban!" he sideline-coaches helpfully. Or not-helpfully.

Tessa claps and cheers, really for no one in particular, she mostly just likes making noise. She does mutter something in her ride's ear.

Jules can't stop laughing, she tries really.. tries to be serious, even holds her breath at one point as she squirms on Luis' shoulders. When they go down the Lady comes back up in a fit of giggles, giving sort of a salute to Monique and Corban at their win.

Luis looks to Orathy after he pulls himself from the pool, "No I ain't played that one yet, or at least not by that name," he adds.

Caprice finds a drink and wanders a bit closer to watch the pool antics. There is a laugh, even as she's trying to figure out the game, and then she gives a long wolf-whistle to cheer on all the participates.

Deacon makes broad gestures with his body language and constantly pans his attention over everyone in the party to regard them with warmth and welcome. "Remember, my dear friends! This is all for fun! To celebrate the Liberators and the end of the Summer." He winces as he watches Luis and Juliana get bowled over by the combined efforts of Monique and Corban. Again he brings his hands together in applause. "Well fought, well fought! Lord Luis, Lord Juliana you are wonderful sports. Thanks to you, Lady Lucita and Lord Karadoc for being graceful." To honor the fallen, he gives another low bow before standing straight and raising an arm. "And now. A match against titans. An exciting conclusion to our games tonight with one final battle...unless there are any surprise challengers." He pauses for dramatic effect and then motions to people as he calls them out. "Everyone put your hands together for the Marauders of the Pravus Pool! The Savants of Splash! Master Orathy and Lady Tessa versus Lady Monique and Lord Corban!"

"He'll be fine!" Monique calls back to Alaric, tossing her arms up in glee when Juliana and Luis go under. There's a fierce grin and a dip of her fiery, somewhat sodden head. She eases up on Corban. A little.

Jhond manages to grab himself a handful of food to snack upon and a drink from his other hand before he too manages to get himself into a spot to watch the competition in the water.

Tessa has joined the large pool.

Ryder the falcon arrives, delivering a message to Monique before departing.

"Oh, excellent, we won," says Corban to Monique, and he's only half disappointed at that fact. But he does not have to leave the pool for the final battle, instead keeping Monique on his shoulders as he waits for the Culler heavy and the significantly less heavy Lady Tessa to join them for the FINAL SHOWDOWN.

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

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

Orathy checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

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

Corban checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 50 higher.

Corban checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Tessa checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

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

Tessa checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Juliana has left the large pool.

Luis has left the large pool.

Monique checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Monique checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

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

"Ah, Mistress Caprice," Alaric declares as she joins the ranks of the pool antic spectators. "What do you think, should I find somebody willing to sit on the royal shoulders and challenge the grand champion? Obviously, we'll lose horribly, but it should be fun," he proposes with a negligent wave of his free hand.

Karadoc finishes a low conversation, waves to Deacon with an, "Entertaining game," and off he goes.

Climbing out of the pool with Luis, Jules finds a couple towels tossing one to the Lord before wrapping the other around herself. Perhaps it is a Pravus thing to be totally shameless before she tucks the edges of the towel under her arms, then claps for those fighting the next round.

The Lowers ruffian taken in by House Pravus supports the Lady Tessa on his shoulders. He looks quite determined and nothing seems to be literally for fun when it comes to combat. He doesn't hold Tessa at all and focuses all his attention on Corban with both of his hands shoving and wrestling to get a grip, not to mention trying to trip the man underneath the water! All is fair in water wars!!

From the moment he pulls himself from the pool, Luis chuckles, watching the others get ready and he will help Juliana as well, bowing a goodbye to Karadoc before he finds himself standing there, in plain sight. He gives a grin, but hten moves towards the hot pools, passing some people along the way, they're welcome to gaze, he won't stop them, and he'll slip into the closest hot pool, to relax and drink wine, and watch the outcomes.


Luis drops the offered towel atop Lucita as he walks by her, "Here, dry up," he adds, shooting Juliana a wink, /then/ he's in the pool.

Really, Corban does his bit for this battle. For sure, the Culler fellow is pretty strong, but the Telmar Voice holds his own against him. Up top, though? Well, it does not seem as if things are going so well. "You really ought to see Marian about that training!" is what Corban is in the midst of saying before he splashes back into the water.

Luis has joined the hot pool.

Tessa eyes Corban and Monique as they get ready for the final, epic battle. She curls her legs tight around Orathy cause he doesn't need circulation to to his brain right? And gets her hands up ready to push and shove with all her 90lb might, knocking at Monique every chance she gets.

Caprice turns and beams a smile towards Alaric and then looks at the pool. "Well, My Dearest..." She gives him a look as she leads off and does not finish with his name, or any other name she may have monikered him. "I think that as King, you should do whatever delights you. Sometimes it is far more fun to get wet and lose then it is to be a champion of a battle." Caprice lifts a hand to touch Alaric's arm lightly as she /feigns/ looking serious. "I mean what man or woman... or beast would not desire a perch upon such royal shoulders?" She nods her head lightly and looks around. "You should do this. I would like to see you within the waters, I think." She teases lightly with an impish grin as her hand moves away and she takes a sip of her drink.

Orathy has joined the large pool.

Monique was by the side of the pool on Corban's shoulders, waiting for the Battle Royale to begin, and as she waited a messenger slipped up to her, murmuring to the Minx. Whatever he said must have shaken her, for it's not the same woman who battled moments earlier. The fire has gone out of her and she squares off against Tessa, watching the other woman almost quizzically. It's easy enough to shove her off. SPLASH! Over she goes, and comes up soaking wet, slip clinging to her joyfully.

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

Lucita scowls at her brother and twists the towel with the intent to pop him on the rear as he passes, but it seems he is too quick for her. She ...drips then just squeezes the excess water from her hair and hem of the swimming tunic. A dry towel is found and used. She shakes her head and stays where she is at poolside, a spot from which she has a good view of the remainder of the game.

Juliana follows Luis along to the heated pool, pausing to claim a chilled wine before the reach the edge. Letting her towel drop before she will slip into the steaming water at this side. Before glancing back over towards those that are still battling in the salted water of the larger pool.

Orathy gives a triumphant roar and smack of his hand against the water surface, pumping a fist as he pats Tessa's thighs when he sees Monique going down and Corban going with her! "Hah, good fight Tes."

Juliana has joined the hot pool.

Tessa throws up her hands and beams. "Ahaha!" She then unhooks her legs from Orathy's back so she can slide down off of him. "See water isn't so bad Pirate!" And lazily swims over to the edge of the pool to get back out.

Corban hauls himself out of the water, his breeches clinging to him for a moment before he wraps himself in a towel and tries them out the best he is able, getting back into his outfit as fast as he can. He murmurs something to Monique, but then goes to get that second glass of wine he had promised himself.

"I don't think Duchess Belladonna allows beasts in the pool," Alaric observes dryly to Caprice. "I do think the pool of entrants has otherwise dried up, however. Pity." He pauses to applaud and cheer as Monique splashes into the water before taking another drink and shrugging nonchalantly and glancing over his shoulder. "Well, if you're a watcher instead of a flail-- sorry, a dignified rider, I'd best claim a spot in the hot pool before they're all gone."

Monique doesn't waste any time whispering something to Corban, her frown pensive. As he mutters back to her, she nods her sodden head, then dips it to the winners. She follows the Telmar out of the pool, not bothering with her gown. Apparently a sodden black slip will do.

Corban has left the large pool.

Orathy squats down in the water so she can get down with more ease, "Aye, you be making it enjoyable eh?" He watches her go, unaware of any other competition, and aware that he was butt naked in a pool, without the warm press of thighs around him. Expression turns miserable.

Caprice laughs towards Alaric. "Oh, my dearest... King. I shall ride you any time you wish." She offers it with such a feigned innocence that it's all joke. She offers towards Deacon. "We want to play too. The King and I shall win against the champions." By win she means lose horribly. HORRIBLY.

Monique has left the large pool.

Monique has joined the hot pool.

Tessa's head lifts to look over Alaric and Caprice, "Oh your royal handsomeness. You're going to have to forgive me for we will be defeating you." She announces and then looks back to Orathy and laughs, "Come here.... you look like a wet cat."

Luis settles into the hot pool, finding himself with others, and starting to converse in the interim. They drink wine, but he raises his glass when Tessa and Orathy win the bout, "Well done!" he exclaims to the winners, but notes the sour looks from Monique and Corban and his cheering dies a little, but he'll still give the winners a cheer, even as the King seems to be taking to the idea of going in, "Well that's going to be all sorts of interesting..." he adds, watching the King a moment, because well, there's history.

Deacon delights in the battle, watching with interest as both teams battle for balance in the bouyant waters of the larger pool. Again there is a wince on his face when Monique splashes into the water, but he applauds the both of them anyways. "Let's hear it for Lord Corban and Lady Monique," he announces, smiling down to both of them from his perch atop the table. "Well fought, both of you!" His attention then turns towards Orathy and Tessa, motioning with a hand towards the both of them. "And let's hear it for our current Pravus Watery Battle champions! Lady Tessa and Master Orathy! Go ahead and take your victory lap, you two!" Again, he brings his hands together in applause. When the King and Caprice start heading over and announce their entry, Deacon makes a dramatic, sweeping gesture towards them. "But O! Do not celebrate too quickly, Lady Tessa! Master Orathy! A new challenger has entered the field of battle." Deacon poses boldly and presents Alaric and Caprice. "Our beloved monarch, King Alaric Grayson the Fourth and the silk maiden, Mistress Caprice Artiglio!"

The Culler hears there is more competition and then gets called a wet cat. He snorts but moves over to collect his rider! Orathy glances to the King, his dark eyes thoughtful as the man intends to participate against a Lowers thug. The differences couldn't be more vast! In fact, Orathy bleats, "Oy, Kingly SIR guy man person... You reckon if we be winning against you, I be able to try out to be a Kings Own ...? Reckon I won a Kings Own token before... You all about Thralls finding work, reckon there be folk like me, needing it too. Pravus be kind and all, but them," he indicates toward the Kings Own, them be a boys dream who grew up on your streets, aye?" Then he squats down again for Tessa, "Up you go lass."

Alaric shrugs agreeably and kicks back the rest of his drink, only swaying just a -little- bit. He's been hitting the hard stuff it would seem. "For a certain definition of winning," he declares confidently, passing his empty tumbler to a passing servant and dropping his robe to jump into the pool with a splash and without any swimming garb. When in the Pravus estate, etc etc. He pops back up to the surface and thankfully his tipsiness doesn't seem to be impeding his ability to not drown any. "Lady Tessa," he declares intrepidly, "you may be the 'victor' according to the 'rules', but a King is never defeated as long as his heart is full of spirit." Or his stomach is full of spirits. Both of those are probably true.

Juliana nods to Samael, smiling over her glass to him. "We have met my Lord. Though I have learned recently that I am easily forgetable, so no harm done." chuckling with a side ways glance towards Luis before she glances back towards the larger pool, arching her brow as she watches Orathy for a moment, teeth catching her lip. Turning back smiles to the others in the pool. "Everyone is enjoying themselves I hope?"

"Well Sire, I think we can all say getting to see your royal rump makes us all victors tonight!" Tessa blows the king a kiss before she hauls herself back up on Orathy's shoulders once more. Her golden gaze settles on Caprice. "Don't choke him when I knock you off alright?"

Alaric also focuses a little fuzzily on Orathy, sizing him up a moment. "Lad, it's a fine dream you have, but I'm not -nearly- drunk enough to sponsor anyone for the King's Own based on a... whatever this pool thing is," he declares authoritatively.

Caprice is shameless about dressing people in silk or slinking out of it. She downs the rest of her liquor and shimmies out of her clothing. There is a cannonball into the water. Of course, this has Caprice coming up and sputtering like a cat that walked a little too close to the bath water. She studies Alaric for a moment and then puts her hands on his shoulders to attempt to propel herself up. She doesn't give a thought to being nude. At Tessa's words, she laughs. "I can make no such promise. I can only promise that ... actually f'ck that. I can't make any promises. I swear we'll have fun. Oh.. and sorry not sorry if my hands linger anywhere on you." A wink as she mounts up on the King.

"Pravus Water Battle, your Majesty," Deacon asides to Alaric in a stage whisper, helpfully.

"A Pravus Water Battle," Alaric expounds smoothly.


"A mistake I shall not make again," Luis comments to Juliana's comment, but then adds, "Actually..." then he laughs as he gives Juliana a look. "Looks like the King's going in. One second," he turns his head and just before King Alaric is able to enter the water, showing off his royal backside, Luis produces the most on-key, loud and obvious cat-call possible. Then seeming pleased with himself, he goes back to drinking and watching the others.

Orathy snorts at the King, "Aye well, then I supposin if the inquisition be coming down on me for bruising your royal flesh, tell 'em it was cause you weren't drunk enough to get out of the way!" He grunts again when Tessa goes abck to her spot, likely because of the hair holding. The matter of the choking has him snort, "Reckon you don't choke me up there aye? Squeezed too tight before!"

Lucita:simply stays quiet, watching the preparations and gives Luis a smirk before looking back at the pool by which she sits.

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

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

Orathy checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Samael holds up his drink to Juliana as an excuse. "That's right, Lady Juliana," he says remembering her name. "Apologies," he says before taking a sip of his drink. He looks over toward Alaric as he jumps into the other pool and grins before turning back toward Larissa.

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

Tessa checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 0 higher.

Tessa has rolled a critical success!
Tessa checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Tessa looks down at Orathy, "Oh I did that on purpose Pirate."

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

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

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

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

Alaric ducks a little to let Caprice assume her position and hooks his elbows around her thighs to get her situated. "It's all right to choke him, Tessa," he proclaims before reaching up and behind him and spanking Caprice one in what is presumably supposed to be some sort of motivational gesture. "With me, Caprice! We're going to bloody well Pravuswaterbattle them so aquatically they won't know what splashed them!"

Alaric checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

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

Alaric has rolled a critical success!
Alaric checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

"Larissa, good to see you." Jules answers with a smile before laughing at Luis' wolfwhistle, then witout stopping to find out if it is okay, moves through the water to set herself sideways in the lord's lap so she can sip at her wine and watch the battle unfold.

Caprice wraps her legs around Alaric to hold on. Then she frowns at the man across from her. "When a woman has her thighs wrapped around your neck or head, it is proper to not complain, just say ... please more." Then she almost falls off Alaric's shoulders forwards when his hand finds her butt. "With you! Let's Pravuswaterbattle like it has never been Pravuswaterbattled before!"

Tessa gets into her shoving match once again, and poor Orathy's hair gets pulled more, and his neck gets thigh crushed. She tumbles down once but after that... well she unseats Caprice into the drink, giggling delightedly. "Victory!"

"Reckon it be my pleasure to... square off against the King... not many commoners get this close..." Orathy notes with a sneer and then when it seems he's holding back and trying to gain leverage against the King, in the end, the Culler shows his strength in a surge at the last part of the match. His face gets thigh nudged and his neck squeezed, but he relies on his partner up above him to know what she's doing as he fights for victory below, shoving at Alaric, until someone spills in the water!

Lucita laughs softly, trying to hide her amusement behind the sip of wine she takes. Her gaze is locked on the battle in progress. "Missere Deacon, Why aren't you creating a ballad about this with splash by splash accounting of the battle?

Luis looks up from the pool to watch the end of the battle, shouting out, "Well fought again! Even the King!"

This time... Orathy FALLS backwards after the match is declared, so that Tessa... gets dunked!

Alaric certainly wades into the battle with a combination of alcoholic and regal confidence, but in the end their hot start is all for naught as in a burst of critical athletic creativity he decides totally independently of any context that nobody will ever see the old spin move coming. This is in fact very athletic, and also not very good for their collective balance as he overrotates and pitches over. "Hahaa--!" is his final shout before going under.

Caprice is actually suprised when they win the first round. It registers on her features like dufaq? However, that was a hollow victory because she's shoved and her surprise ends up putting her off balance as she tightens her thighs. Then there is a rotating man and she's falling backwards. Team Rocket blast--- "You got them.." She offers to the King before she finds herself looking up at water and trying to scramble around the King. All things awkward in the water. However, she looks to laugh before she has to hold her breath.

Tessa sputters and splashes as she tumbles back with her mount, any further giggling taken down into the water with her. Her wet blond head pops up again and she'hs grinning brightly as ever, a positively joyfilled glow about her. "I hope all Lyceum parties are this fun"

Again, Deacon applauds the contenders with the same mirth as before. "Well fought, everyone!" he announces. "Just as a reminder, this is just a bit of fun! A last hurrah before Summer's end!" His attention turns mainly to Alaric and Caprice. "Well played, your Majesty! You as well, Mistress Caprice. The most exciting and riveting match of the evening. Thank you." He then turns to Orathy and Tessa to applaud them. "Well played and congratulations! You've won this year's Pravus Water Battle!" A happy laugh rolls through him as he applauds, but he eventually quiets his applause. "I'd like to thank you all again for attending this evening. It has been a sincere pleasure to share this warm evening with you, as we've not many left before the leaves turn the color of flame." One of the performers hands Deacon a drink then, which he raises as he pans over the partygoers who remain. "To all of you and creating happy memories." The courtesan then tips his glass back to his lips for a sip of golden liquid.

Aida arrives, following Belladonna.


"To happy memories, and thank you Master Deacon, it was a pleasure!" Luis tells the man, as he seems to be wrapping up the evening with a toast. He waves from the hot pool, but seems to be staying there for the moment, allowing the winners their due.

Alaric thrashes around in the water a bit as he works on reorienting himself correctly but fortunately he pops up above the surface of the water before anybody inadvertently kicks the King of the Compact in the head. He vigorously shakes his wet moppy hair side to side because wheee buzz and also just to spray anybody in his general vicinity with water. "Well Pravuswaterbattled!" he proclaims sportingly to Tessa and Orathy before turning to Caprice. "I'm absolutely convinced we looked amazing, so as far as I'm concerned it's a victory for us as well."

As Orathy comes up, he slicks his hair back, shaking out some water from his ears and grousing in low tones over it. His eyes turn toward Tessa for her sputtering and laughter subsequent to it, "Ain't going to be all this fun, not without me, reckon not." He starts to head toward the edge of the pool, in all his naked fighting glory.

"Well done Orathy!" Juliana calls from her place in the hot pool, lifitng her glass towards the rogue with a whistle. Then taking a drink she, turns back to look at Samael and the others. "Yes, I believe the Lady just tried to drown me. I think there are few as intimate introductions." teases Monique as she shifts slightly in Luis's lap to be able to speak to the others rather than watch the battle.

Aida leaves, following Belladonna.

Tessa grins to Alaric as she climbs out of the pool, waving for a servant to bring her a towel or robe, "Indeed Wrath, well you'll have to give up your path of piracy to become my escort to parties then." She winks as she wrings out her mess of soaked curls. "Thank you Deacon from hosting such a lovely party!"

So there is one thing she manages to do well.. sadly it's not that good. In the commericals how women toss their hair perfectly in a cascade behind them, Caprice manages that. Her copper-gold hair half-circling behind her as the breaks the water line with a laugh. "Well fought. Well fought." She offers to the others before coming closer to Alaric. This is partly as she's not too good in the water. "I agree fully with you. It was that spinning kick and us just being that awesome that did it. True victory. The King says it, so it must be true."

Samael is overheard praising Deacon.

Larissa smiles at the gathered crowd in the little pool "Ahh, that will be Aida showing me to my rooms for the night" she said "My Lords and Ladies, a pleasure as always. Please enjoy the rest of your evenings" she murmurs as she stands and reaches for a robe to tie around her. She blows a kiss to Deacon in passing and murmurs in his ear before stepping into the manor and out for the evening.

Samael is overheard praising Belladonna.

Tessa is overheard praising Deacon.

Tessa is overheard praising Deacon.

Samael is overheard praising Deacon.

Samael is overheard praising Deacon.

Larissa is overheard praising Deacon for: A magnificent party!

Lucita claps for all the contestants, win or lose. She gives a smile and rises from her seat by the pool and heads back behind the changing curtain to don her 'cat bell' garments once more, cheerful little clinks and metallic tinkling sounds giving an auditory signal of her progress. Eventually she steps out once more.

Luis is overheard praising Deacon for: For such a wonderful rousing set of songs and a great party as well!

Orathy is overheard praising Tessa for: Best Thighs.

Lucita is overheard praising Deacon for: good moon-lit party!

Caprice is overheard praising Deacon for: For getting everyone wet!

"I ain't no pirate," Orathy shoots after Tessa, as if to correct her, although he does well to look like a pirate, doesn't he?! He slogs out of the water and grabs one of those robes, because crawling back into leathers all soggy and wet, wasn't a fun ordeal. "Ain't so sure you want me as an escort... Tes," he notes back to her as he barely does up the sash on the robe.

Larissa has left the hot pool.