Lindsey, a rosy-cheeked disciple of Petrichor arrives, following Leola.

Bianca stepped through the great doorway, taking in the decor which was oh so different from the Audience Hall she'd already spent most of her day within. In comparison to that of Valardin, the beauty of Lycene design left the hall pale in comparison. She was her usual vision of white, having traded out her summer robes in favor of the thicker materials of leather and fur. Her hair had been woven into a thick plait, its braid trailing forward over her shoulder from beneath a fur-lined cowl. A little bit early to the event she was tentative on her entry, glancing to passing servants dressed in far more finery than herself.

Jaxon, Champion of the Reflection, Tale - The Snow Fox, A Mirror Masked Woman, Calvary -- A Large Fluffy Hound, 2 Velenosa House Guards arrive, following Isolde.

All around the audience hall, servants bustle to and fro to set up the impromptu meeting that the Archduchess has set up on a whim, apparently. Of course from the trays of sweets and the casks of wine being brought out, it looks more like a party than open court. Then again, this is House Velenosa. They could make an execution look like a party. Upon the throne, Eleyna sits, draped in her fancy silks, but looking anything but dignified as she makes faces at a small, dark haired child in her lap. He laughs uproariously each time she sticks her tongue out at him. Near her, Jiacomo delicately clears his throat to indicate that people have started to arrive. The Archduchess manages to pull one more funny face at the baby before pressing her lips into his soft curls and then passing that giggling child to Jiacomo. Her pale blue eyes meet Bianca as the Archscholar enters and she calls out in her husky voice, "Archscholar, please be welcome. Would you like some wine?"

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

Leola makes her quiet way into the open meeting. She murmurs her hellos to the staff on the door, and remains close to the exit; smoothing her dress, and then clasping her hands together at waist height. Stood by her, Lindsey, the two disciples occasionally exchanging quiet and murmured words. Her hair is down, somewhat windtossed, and the commoner-knight keeps a little back; watching the doors

Once acknowledged, Bianca's smile was quick to rise and she brushed back her cowl as steps led her with immediacy to the Archduchess. "That would be lovely. Thank you, your grace. For fear of wasting your substantially precious time I am still compelled to ask... how are you?"

Isolde arrives in a flurry of dark black silks, with a small stuffed animal tucked under one arm. It's pale white fox with oversized, round black eyes and a pretty purple ribbon tied around it's neck. The princess looks harried but cheerful--oddly so even. She's quick to approach Eleyna and bow. "Archduchess. You look lovely tonight. As does the little one."

Estaban comes walking into the hall his guard at one side his large dog at the other, his blue eyes looking around spotting the Archduchess he heads in her direction to give her greetings and to bow respectfuly to her, "Archdutchess, it is good to see you again." he says in his greetings to her.

Eleyna nods to a nearby servant to pour a glass of wine for Bianca and then gestures to pour another for Isolde, making sure it's one of her favorites. She grins in her Voice and cousin's direction, gesturing for her to come closer and then meets Bianca's gaze as a smile curves her lips, "I am well now, for the most part. And please, conversation isn't a waste of time to me. How have you been?" The intense focus on her gaze on the Archscholar breaks momentarily so that she can nod in acknowledgement to Baron Estaban, murmuring, "Good to see you as well, Baron Saik. Please have some wine."

Bianca found herself distracted by the sight of the child, small smile of some underlying maternal inclination touching her lips before attention tipped up to Isolde. A silent dip of her head was granted to the princess, graciously accepting her glass with the lift of an ink-stained hand. A nod was granted to Estaban as well before she again turned to Eleyna. "Busy, but well. It seems the way of many people's status of self these days. I am sure you can commiserate with such sentiments." She chuckled, inclining a bow now that she was in a personal range of the Archduchess.

a nondescript assistant arrives, following Acacia.

Isolde is quite content to walk closer to her cousin, her guards hanging back near the crowd. "It was so boring, months away from you and your dear husband." She quietly teases, settling near the Archduchess. "Though I should save the small talk until after court finishes." Folding her hands in front of her, Isolde takes a moment to study the crowd.

Estaban looksover to Leola nodding to her, "Dame Leola, I am happy to see you. Do you have a moment I wish to speak with you on a matter." he steps closer to the woman to lower his vice to speak with her sipping from his coup of wine.

A dark figure slips quietly into the hall, lingering in observation of the growing crowd before drifting unobtrusively to where Leola has posted up near the back. Pushing back the deep hood from his close-shaven head, the Malvici clan's kept blade casts a subdued grin sideways. "Dame." His rasp was low and pulled hoarse; no surprise, the scent of recently-burnt haze clung to his abyssal-black leathers. The sporting expression on his face presaged some further intentions, but at Estaban's arrival he pauses. Deferring to the nobleman with an easy smile and flicking his gaze down the length of the hall to observe the gathering at the front.

The session is likely already well on when Acacia arrives. Moving into the room with a cool confidant stride, the vivacious redhead clad in dark leathers and armed with a rather charming sparkle in her eye lifts her chin to those she knows and slips off to the side to listen quietly, leaning causally against the wall to observed for a little.

"Sword" Leola murmurs to Costas with a flashed smile, politely bowing her head while keeping -just- enough of an eye on the shaven-headed figure. She dips a curtsy to Estaban, as he approaches, deferential "Of course, my lord. At your convenience, always"

In a rare moment of seriousness, Eleyna's eyes meet Isolde's and she murmurs to her, "I'm just glad you are back and well. I'm sure we'll find many ways to make your life more interesting, hm?" Then, the grin is back, the easy manner returned as she looks at Bianca, chuckling, "You know, I knew to expect paperwork and the more boring part of managing things, but I wasn't really expecting world-ending threats to be involved. It makes it all very exciting. Too exciting. Sometimes, I find myself craving the mundane."

"I can certainly empathize, your grace." Another low chuckle left Bianca's lips, stepping slightly to the side so as not to crowd the Archduchess and Isolde. "Though with those words I am hesitant to make mention of my purpose in coming to see you today." She spoke with slight humor in her tone, finally taking the barest of sips of her wine.

"Mmm. No. No hesitation. We are here to discuss whatever needs to be discussed, after all. Also, because I'm horribly behind on meetings and needed an excuse to ask the servants to wheel up a cask of wine." Eleyna grins and gestures lightly. "Hold on, though. I'm probably going to need something to drink." Almost as soon as the words are out of her mouth, there is a glass of wine in her hand. She takes a sip and then looks at Bianca. "Alright. I'm ready."

1 Saik Guard have been dismissed.

Gunther, a Rottweiler have been dismissed.

Artex have been dismissed.

Eleyna's words cause Isolde to raise one eyebrow but the princess stays otherwise silent. With no grievances to air, she is here to listen. And drink some of the wine that is brought over by a servant.

Bianca actually released a laugh at Eleyna's diversion to wine, her subdued demeanor growing vibrant in that momentary release of the confines of etiquette. "It is not incredibly pressing. The immediate is in regards to a mirror Brother Driskell was having commissioned to be fitted to the Carlotta's mast. He indicated you may now bear it and I simply wished to confirm that indication rather than make any assumptions. I am currently posed as the accountable party for the ship's blessings on behalf of the Faith at large. In retrospect, I apologize for not speaking to you sooner. I should have sent letter once the task was given to me rather than relying on others to hold open communication." She paused briefly, her next words given thought before she proceeded. "There is one other topic I wished to discuss personally, but it is a matter of privacy and indubitably will need much more wine."

Leola gives Estaban a small smile as he murmurs a question, and she responds quietly and under her breath, before she straightens, looking to Costas and giving him a wan smile "I can't say the trip is filling me with joy as it approaches" She crooks half a smile "The voyage to Kennex was bad enough. I feel terrible when I don't have solid ground under my feet"

Quenia enters the audience hall with little fanfare, hopefully not too late for the open hours event. She takes a moment to look around, then steps to the side, eyes falling upon the various bits of plant matter and vinery that drapes around the room. A light, sad smile touches her lips for a moment, then disappears. Once she's done looking around she moves to stand near to the others, waiting to see what questions are being asked and answered thus far.

Acacia gives a little smile at Leola's comment but offers no thoughts of her own. A passing servant with a tray of drinks is so very helpfully unburdened of one of the glasses as Acacia liberated a drink with a little wink. Taking a sip, she returns to listening.

"Yes, I received a mirror from Brother Driskell at my request. I had received communication from Master Voducce regarding his desire for blessings from all of the Pantheon to be bestowed upon the Carlotta. I had thought of Mangata, but not the others, so I thought the idea was brilliant. I asked Brother Driskell for the mirror since his patron is my husband. I meant to pass along the mirror to be placed on the ship, but I hadn't had a moment to make my way to the docks. Though, I do wish to clarify... have you been given the task by the Faith or was Master Voducce responsible for such a task?" There is a sharpness to her pale gaze as her delicate mouth flattens into a faint frown. "I'm just curious because I was not informed about any efforts by the Faith itself to offer blessings."

Isabetta arrives from deeper within the Velenosa estate, seeming a touch surprised at the goings on and decides to take a place amongst those gathered, apparently to experience court. She's not dressed for it, in leathers instead of fineries. Maybe she can blend in with the Velenosa guards or just not blend in at all and hang out near the back. She remains quiet and attentive to the goings on and at least is neatly kept, having apparently not had a chance to get into any trouble yet.

Costas smirks faintly as he turns back to Leola from the low conversation he'd struck up with a passing serving girl. "Ya, well.." The rogue breathed out coarse chuckle. "By comparison I suppose we'll find this destination significantly less on fucking fire." Then, catching the mention of his own surname he wags a parting nod and drifts forward through the assembled court, making himself known at the front of the crowd.

As the Archduchess holds her Open Throne Hours, there's a small, shadowed corner that seems to be slightly darker than usual. A servant walking through looks up as she almost walks through it, and looks startled and then instantly pales. There is movement from the corner, and then nothing more. The servant continues on, but her hands shake slightly.

"After speaking to Master Voducce it appeared both he and the Faith's idea for further ensuring the Carlotta's protection were born in the same moment." Bianca confirmed. "While it was a discussion amidst the leadership of the Faith when it was brought to the attention of the Captain he had already held similar sentiment and I believe was in process of the request? To be honest, I was the one that had asked my fellow Archlectors and the Legate of the precautions taken and when hearing that the Carlotta had not been sealed against the Abyssal as many flagships of the Lyceum and the Isles now have been, I volunteered for the task as I have experience with such a process."

"I don't know. It's meant to be somewhat inhospitable. Whether that means fire or storm, I can't really say" Leola offers a touch of a grin to Costas, chattering away comfortably and keeping her hands held demurely together "I'm only really coming as I think the Legate wishes some good fortune, and for some reason things I manage that occasionally" She gives a soft chuckle, before she frowns and glances around; dark eyes blinking a few times before she tilts her head

The ember haired girl casts a nod Isabetta's way as she arrives and then resumes leaning casually on the wall in the back. Close enough to hear, but not near enough to be intrusive. A little glance is offered Quenia's way as she arrives without pomp and circumstance and the gaze moves on to Bianca as she speaks of blessings of the ship.

Acacia said this. Sip.

"My only concern is that the Carlotta does belong to House Velenosa, which means that either myself or my Voices," Eleyna nods to Isolde before glancing at Bianca, "should be informed of what is actually happening to said ship. Of course, I have no disagreement with the idea of blessings, but I do find it somewhat disconcerting that suchs things are being discussed and undertaken by the Faith without any notice to me." Eleyna's pleasant tone of voice nor her demeanor slips an inch as she continues in that same husky tone, "Of course, times being what they are, these things can slip through the cracks. I just hope we can avoid that in the future."

Leola wields a pair of rubicund diving hawk hairpins.

Quietly, Leola moves to take the pins from her hair, holding them lightly and letting out a slow breath; rolling the long rubicund pins between her fingers, weighing them gently as she continues to chatter to Costas; eyes flicking and her attention distracted to Eleyna

The conversation of blessings continues as Isolde looks through the crowd. Acacia is given the smallest of smiles, a silent welcome. Otherwise the Princess is silent and proper, standing by her cousin's side. A bow of her head is given to acknowledge Eleyna's nod.

Bianca dipped her head in a low bow of her neck. "My deepest apologies, your grace. I take responsibility for not being more transparent sooner. In truth, I held some confusion in the proper protocol. Now that that has been cleared up I will not commit such a misstep again and I will be sure to instruct my peers and superiors as well of the proper procedure regarding the Carlotta should they also be unaware." Her gracious demeanor continued throughout the apology even as gaze re-lifted to match that of the host.

Quenia allows her gaze to move around the room as people continue to talk. Her eyes narrow ever so slightly at one particular corner of the room, and a concerned frown comes to her lips. She starts to slip through the crowd, walking to intercept the servant.

Acacia scans the room a little more but something catches notice. Like a tickle at the back of her neck, and if she where a cat her tail would be twitching as her big brown curious eyes fall on the dark corner yet again. She grinds her jaw a little and then sets off to investigate, eyes flickering softly and moving with a feline's graces she ambles to the towards the corner to investigate. Setting the glass aside as she causally goes, and resting a hand on her blade.

Hiss, the Lenosian viper, Sybilla, the Lenosian courtier, 2 Velenosa House Guards arrive, following Talen.

Something out of the corner of his eye briefly draws his attention aside, and a moment later Costas seizes on the conversational opportunity to clear the distance from the crowd's edge and the dais in long, quick strides. Mounting the dais and dropping into a fluid half-kneel beside Bianca and at Eleyna's slippers. "Your most adored Grace.." Boldly, the Malvici retainer slips a heavy hand beneath the Archduchess', lifting her knuckles to his lips in a gesture of respect and courtly devotion. "If someone must bear the weight of your displeasure, let it be this servant of yours." His dark, stormblue eyes flick upward to her face, and the hint of a wolfish grin tugs at the edge of his mouth. "Punish me alone for the oversight. But use the cruelest of your scourges, I beg, for any wielded by your hand would fall upon my back with the feather-lightness of a paramour's caress."

Through the passageway that leads down, through and throughout the paragon wing, Talen arrives at a casual pace. Leaning in the archway as he observes the proceedings, the Archduke casually sips from a silver goblet, as if he's impatiently checking in. "How much of a faux pas would it be to queue for my own wife?" he asks casually to his retained courtier, Sybilla, who can't be far.

The approach of Costas lifts Eleyna's brows, but a slow, silken smile curves her lips as he kisses her hand. Those words force an indelicate laugh from Eleyna's lips as she smoothly tugs her hand away and says in a low voice, caught somewhere between amusement and exasperation. "Captain Voducce. As ever, your words almost, almost stir the unmoving stone of my heart. And, rest assured, if I choose to have you flayed, I would save my cruelest scourge for you." Her voice drops, almost a purr as she murmurs those words and then, quick as a fox, she shifts back into an easy grin and waves a hand to Bianca, still smiling. "Protocol can be difficult to discern at times. I just want to make sure that we are all on the same page regarding what's happening to the Carlotta, especially given the reports I'm hearing about things occuring out on the seas as well as the journey that the Carlotta will soon take." The Archduchess sips her wine and then continues, "As to this more private matter, Archscholar, we can speak after the open court, if you are available?" She is momentarily distracted by whatever is happening in the corner. She leans in to Jiacomo, suddenly looking a bit paler than usual, as she murmurs loud enough to be overhead. "Did Oleander get out again?"

Acacia doesn't seem to bother with the crowd now. Not even Talen's arrival is noted as she moves, hips swaying gently, her gait lithe and light-footed, as he prowls her way towards the strange darkness.

Leola had slipped in Costas's wake. She does not approach the dias herself, remaining stepped back from it; but her eyes flick to a corner, her torso twisted away a little as she glances between it, and Costas, her movements sleek and deliberate, precise, a certain tenseness in her figure.

Flagging down a passing servant, Isolde hands off her glass of wine. It seems the actions of a few of the guests have caught her attention, even if the shadow had gone unnoticed by the princess. She's about to follow Acacia but then Eleyna pales and Isolde pauses. Her hand slips to where the hilt of a sword might be--if she was only wearing one. A frown flickers across her lips. Walking closer to Eleyna, Isolde leans in to whisper.

Once Acacia moves into the darkened corner, the shadows seem to close around the red-haired woman, yet, suddenly, the darkness seems more easily penetrated by the lanterns and candles that fill the room whereas it has seemed so much more opaque before. There nothing in the corner but those lingering shadows. Across the room, the servant that had looked in that direction looks shaken, eyes wide and skin pale beneath the perpetual Lycene tan.

Bianca's glance drifted aside to the animated motion of the man mentioned not moments ago, stepping lightly aside to make room for the fluidity of movement and finally allowing her to better take in the hall on the whole. "I will await your word and good luck with the continuance of the --" She paused briefly, "-- the fruition of court."

Quenia finally reaches the servant who had passed by the corner and she lowers her voice, quietly asking if something is amiss, and if so what she might have seen to cause her such a fright. She does occasionally look to the corner when addressing the servant.

"I can hear you, Costas, you can stop trying to get beaten by my wife for your own jollies," Talen booms from his space in the wings, though he doesn't seem particularly ready to accost the Vodduce for his dramatics, rather paying attention to the distractions amongst the crowd. With a snort, he pushes away from the wall and starts for the center of the room, joining his sister and wife at the dais. "I thought you were holding open throne hours, not giving everyone a healthy dose of something hallucinogenic."

Isabetta makes note of Eleyna and Isolde, but not Acacia. She frowns a bit, taking a tiny step forward, but then slowing and just watching the dias in silent observation for now.

The woman stops when Quenia reaches her. The servant quivers, her eyes wide as she keep glancing to that corner, muttering to herself before she's aware that she's speaking out loud, "How is he even here? How can he be here again? He should be-" Then, awareness sets in. The servant closes her mouth, glances toward Talen and then at Eleyna and Isolde before she murmurs in a quivering voice, "My apologies, my lady. I am not well. If you need something, Luigi can assist." She gestures at the nearby servant in Velenosa livery as the woman tries to escape while Quenia is distracted.

Rising to his feet and stepping just a few paces away from the Archduchess, Costas takes up a position still interposed between the the dais and the rest of the hall. Putting himself in an intercept for Talen's path. "That is the curse of the unbeatable, Prince." The swordsman rested hhis offhand atop pommel of the slender blade at his hip, dragging his posture into a rakish lean. "The lengths we must go to for a good thrashing."

Eleyna offers Isolde a smile and leans in to murmur before she glances between Talen and Costas, drawling smoothly, "If you're going to fight for my favor, I demand a proper challenge. It's been ages since anyone has fought for my favor." The Archduchess mocks a forlorn sigh before she glances toward the corner, shrugging. "I mean, when a Velenosa is offering wine, a bit of a hallucinogen is the least of one's worries."

Bianca moved out of the way! Heading back down the few steps so as not to intrude upon further interactions. She would retreat back to find a quiet spot, observation again turned to the greater hall.

Leola gives a wan smile; relaxing a touch as people retreat. She lifts her hands, quietly pinning her hair back once more; mimicing one of the more current styles of the nobility, rather poorly, it must be said, her fingers smooth and quick as she settles, letting Costas chatter. Talen gets a wan smile, and Hiss a rather more amused one.

"Mm," Talen provides in noncommittance as he studies Costas with a long, lingering stare before tearing his eyes off, making better use of his attention for the room. "It's been ages because everyone knows that fighting for your favour means fighting me and I don't do it clean." Raising his voice, marginally perceptible, he adds: "Some people actually go out of their way to help you, hurt you by accident. Otherwise go out of their way to hurt you, under the facade they're helping," he quips, before lowering his eyes from the walls to the room and its audience again. The glance from Leola to him, his retainer and the accessory-snake Hiss causes him to glance between them. "Mistress Allenatore, how do you do."

"How is who here?" Quenia asks the servant, and then she's briefly distracted when Luigi is mentioned as being able to help. Her concerned frown is more than visible now. "Wait, please. Who is here, and should the guard be called to protect the Duchess?" she tries her best to keep up with the escaping servant, still trying to keep her voice low but people nearby can probably hear them now. She's not much one for fighting; supernatural or otherwise, but she can call the right people to the situation if needed!

There's something in the redhead's as she slides into the shadow to make a study of the space, her body nearly languid as she meanders without pretense as she pokes about. She drifts out of the shadow again and moves to settle against a wall again. Casually leaning back, her hand slips subtly down to her side and she lifts a small round object into the palm of her hand and idly fidgets as her eyes seem to drift back to the conversation.

The servant shakes her head at Quenia and slips free of the audience hall, deeper into the labyrinthine corridors of the Estate.

"How do you do, Minister" Leola curtsies demurely to Talen, bowing her head politely. She nods to Costas, with a relieved look, settling down in turn

Isabetta seems to be distracted by something, but vanishes deeper into the estate discretely.

Responding to the Consort's stare with a coarse grin, Costas dips his head in deference to both the heads of state and then drifts backward into the general crowd once more. Now without some specific task to fix his focus the audacious blackguard naturally gravitates toward the nearest passing source of alcohol, plucking up a glass of wine and wandering back to fall once more into Leola's orbit with a cheeky lift of his refreshment.

Running a hand through her thick black hair, Isolde listens to Eleyna's words. The frown deepens every so briefly before being replaced by a polite smile. "Talen, I just return and you're already getting into fights?" She teases, still giving the corner of the room a concerned look.

Quenia does not follow the servant, it's not her home or her place to do so. However, the disturbing experience leaves her unsettled, and she moves back toward the crowd with a wary eye on the shadowy corner. An air of uncertainty settles about her, as well a look of indecision; like she's warring with herself inwardly.

Rogue, a black falcon arrives, delivering a message to Quenia before departing.

Eleyna checked charm + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

"When am I not in fights, sister?" Talen responds to the younger Velenosa, his gaze intent upon the room. The interaction between Quenia and the retreating servant is noted now, as he purses his lips, having not heard what was said and left to guess. "Are you done with your audience?" he asks Eleyna, before casually flinging a little piece of lint off his doublet at Isolde in an effort to antagonise. "Welcome home, Isolde. Settling back in alright?" he asks, while casually lifting his chin across the room - to Acacia.

Eleyna glances toward that corner herself and slowly rises from the throne. She raises her voice, a smile fixed on her lips as she says with charming grace, "Thank you all for coming. If you'll excuse me, I have a future Archduke that insists on being sung to sleep. Please, continue to enjoy the wine and snacks. If I'm needed for anything further, do not hesitate to reach out." Still smiling, she reaches her arms out for little Donato and hugs him close to her as she sweeps towards the doorway that leads deeper into the Estate, though this one toward the family rooms instead of the servants' quarters. Jiacomo follows in her wake, frowning as he looks over his shoulder.

Acacia quietly watches the room from her vantage point. Nothing further seeming amiss, the curvy redhead seems to return to a more languid watchfulness, the sparkle returning to her eyes as she relaxes her back against the wall and listens. A little ghost of a smile is offered Talen's way an the upnod returned.

Bianca crossed the room after observing the distant Quenia a moment, her pace soon to lead her toward the woman caught within internal debate. "Marquessa Quenia Igniseri, correct?" She offered. "I do not believe we have been formally introduced. Archscholar Bianca." And she dipped a small bow to the woman. "I believe you and I are on parallel paths today." Though as Eleyna spoke out in regards to seeing to the child, her head turned thataway.

"You're about to be in another one." Isolde mock huffs, picking the Talen lint off of her silks. When Eleyna gets up to leave, the princess pats her brother a little more roughly then needed on that back. "Go help your poor wife." She murmurs before walking after the Archduchess. Just long enough to whisper something to her and hand off the stuffed fox.