Reigna gets Violent Cow Part I - Stage Play from Dark Stained Bookcase.

Reigna puts Violent Cow Part I - Stage Play in Dark Stained Bookcase.

Swiftly the red fox arrives, following Neve.

Samael gets The Legend of the Three Cocks - Children's Story from Dark Stained Bookcase.

Samael puts The Legend of the Three Cocks - Children's Story in Dark Stained Bookcase.

Cheryl the Assistant Innkeeper, Scourge, a sweater wearing rat-dog arrive, following Mae.

The doors to the book fair open, figuratively and literally. There are servants at the door to usher people in and Cristoph is greeting people himself, flitting from one incomer to the next with seemingly endless energy. He probably got into the coffee cart and had too much to drink already. There are shelves set up and people are exchanging or purchasing (if any sellers show up!) books.

Samael gets Peneleas Velenosa's Words on Wine from Dark Stained Bookcase.

Samael puts Peneleas Velenosa's Words on Wine in Dark Stained Bookcase.

Kael Keaton is not with a wife on his arm at the moment. This is likely due to the fact that he is currently carrying a huge stack of books from said wife in his arms, and other than the momentary detour to remark, "Well met, my lord!" toward Cristoph he is soon enough moving further in to place the assortment into the bookshelf where they are meant to be. He'll be there for a little bit, either reaching on high or kneeling low so that he can tuck them in place for any other to pull.

Neve carries a ribboned bow, and quiver of arrows that are also ribboned slung over her right shoulder. Walking in as the doors open, she looks about. "That's a lot of books." Pausing, she looks..left, right, repeating "That is a lot of books. Too many books."

Drifting in, with a jingle jangle of her silly boots, is Mae Grayhope. The dark-cloak-covered woman has in her arms a pair of books, and skittering after her is Scourge the rat-dog, wearing his lovely new sweater. She looks... a touch uncertain, as she squints at the gathering.

Bastien steps into the manse with his leather satchel looking particularly full today. He has an air of generalized skepticism and wariness as he looks about, snorting quietly at something or other. "Yes, hello," he says in distracted not-really-greeting to Cristoph, who appears to be generally in charge. "Fine, yes, I'll sell."

Samael is also not with a wife. He walks over Cristoph and gives him a wide Samael smile. "Hello Cousin," he says. "It has been too long." He looks around the bookshelves.

Reigna is happily walking beside Kael, "Books, books, books!" Can she look any happier? She's practically giddy. Well, in a only slightly subdued fashion. Her grief is still present, but muted, certainly in her happiness at the books everywhere. She waves and offers Cristoph a huge smile, "My lord! What a brilliant idea! I didn't realize you wanted me to hang about here even more!"

Alis can definitely be seen poking around the books, flipping through them, and probably squinting a at a bit of what she reads. She gave her greetings when she arrived, and for now she's just the short knight in the corner watching the goings on.

Neve shakes her head "Ugh. Too many options." She turns on her heel, and walks out of the book fair, overwhelmed by too many options.

Margerie is spouseless, bookless, and altogether looking just a bit skeptical. "Books. The entire fair is about books? Are you sure?" The question is asked of her niece and nephew as she strolls near Reigna and Kael. That skepticism sees her reaching to pluck one of the books from Kael's pile at random and beginning to leaf through it. She opens her mouth to begin reading aloud, ""Of course my lord, my love! I am ... " She cuts off rather more abruptly than is her wont, blinking a bit and holding the book closer to her nose. "I ... but where did you ... " She leans in to murmur something to her niece.

Swiftly the red fox leaves, following Neve.

3 Laurent Guards arrives, following Nicia.

Mae looks aside, as she spots Bastien entering. "What are you doing here?" she asks, putting on a mask of innocent curiosity.

The first thing that Cristoph sees next is Mae's dog. "A rat! There's a rat- Oh, no. It's- Oh, it's that dog again." He looks around and spots its owner, angling towards her as she enters. "Thank you for coming, Mistress Culler. You can place your books along the shelf and feel free to take two or browse or... hold onto them! The choice is yours. It's a bit more chaos of the written word than I thought." He ruffles the back of his head and waves to Kael and Reigna. When Bastien approaches, he blinks at him a moment or two and then nods happily. "Excellent. Let me set you up over here!" And he'll lead the man off to a cleared table and help him get things together. "Samael, good to see you. I'm glad that you were able to make it down."

Tila strolls into the Main Hall where the book fair-goers are gathered. Pace slow, brown eyes wide. With an air that they're taking in all around her, drinking it and turning it over in her brain. She carries no books but doesn't seem to be looking to snag any, either. She /does/ get straight to browsing. And people-watching. The word 'rat' makes her turn her head, start, and instinctively lift her skirt an inch. Lest it be lurking under there. Whens he spots the dog creature, she only looks moderately less unnerved.

Late, late, late. Can you be late in your own house? Nicia certainly appears to be able to be late in her own house as she hurries out into the main hall, looking around to see if she has possibly been horribly, and noticably late.

Samael stands near Cristoph but then walks over to snag some coffee with a splash of whiskey. "Oh, I wouldn't miss it," he says. "Anything to take my mind things. Thank you for doing things like this."

Reigna blinks as Margerie begins reading aloud and then lifts a hand to cover her mouth, stifling a cough -- or is it a laugh? At the whisper from her aunt, Reigna is shaking her head, grinning before answering, "No, ah... those I have had a while..." She scans around at the mention of a rat, and then beams to Mae Grayhope, "Look Kael, it's Be-Scourge!"

"It is indeed all about books," Kael informs Margerie with a hint of something bemused. He glances toward the title of the book that his aunt has snared, snorting softly and rumbling a low, "When I was wounded, I was laid up in the oaken suite for a chunk of time." His voice drops further as he continues on with, "I *tried* to read it, and I could not. It really is horrible." So sayeth he, of the Bethany Whisper, Book 1. "So I read more about the wolves of Arvum. Again." It's when Cristoph is declaring that there is a rat that he rises, most assuredly to take on the noble role of the exterminator, but his sights settle on Scourge... and he snorts.

"I'm here to fleece nobles for silver, obviously," Bastien says in a bland voice to Mae. "What do you think I'm doing here? I'm a writer." He follows Cristoph to one of the tables and dumps his leather bag onto it. He doesn't upend its contents entirely, but he does pull out a number of copies of A Boy and His Spider: A Bedtime Story and The Artist and His Love to stack up. And then, while waiting to see if anyone arrives to get fleeced, he starts eyeing the books gathered for the swap.

"You write?" Mae asks Bastien, blinking at the man. "You sure...?" she asks, furrowing her brows. She stares a moment longer, then blinks a few times, and looks over to Cristoph. She gasps. "My lord, does Guest Right not suggest one ought be kind and courteous?" she asks him. Then she leans down to scoop up Scourge with her free hand. "Scourge holds title. A knight, I think," she murmurs. She then looks to Reigna, and smiles brightly. "My lady, do you give lessons on animal handling?" she asks. "Scourge keeps biting people and I /think/ it's about time I... you know. Learn how to teach him things. My... usual ways... don't quite work," she laments.

Cristoph raises his hand and waves to Nicia as she comes hustling into the main hall. There's definitely vague amusement on his face at her entrance. "My deepest apologies. Your dog is a fine specimen." But his attention turns to Bastien and helping with the very limited setup that he's doing at the table. Once that's completed, he holds one hand to the side of his mouth and gestures with his other arm before announcing in a loud voice: "This man here is interested in fleecing you for your silver! So if you'd like fresh new books, line up here!"

"I mean, really, the "pooling of molten silver within her belly" thing sounds a bit dangerous doesn't it? I can't think that would be a very healthy thing to swallow," Margerie continues before abruptly and soundly shutting the book. Only after she has managed to hide the snort of amusement at the rest of the page. "A while then, dear? I hope it didn't mislead you overly much about marriage. And if it didn't mislead you, well, maybe best I not know that. But well done, you." Kael's admission of his attempts to read the book leaves her nearly chuckling again as she puts the book back in the stack. Which is when she spies the sequel. "There are /more/? Admit it. You read all of them." Then of course Mae is commenting on biting, and did she hear rat? And don't mind her as she puts Kael and a pile of books between herself and a potentially biting rat dog.

The sight of the dog causes Nicia to pause, blinking a moment before she looks almost like she's going to say something, but then she snaps her mouth closed, buttons her lips and moves towards the drinks. No coffee, or tea, just the extra kick itself gets poured into a glass before she spots the Keaton's, and begins to beeline towards them. There's a quick lift of her glass in salute to Cristoph as he calls for people to come be fleeced, then she smiles at the Keaton's, "Hello."

Samael begins to browse through the shelves, carrying his coffee cup. He comes upon Tila and smiles to her. "Good evening," he says. "Lord Samael Bisland."

"Your dog is horrific," Bastien informs Mae for her stare and furrowed brow. He leans up against the table he's set up shop at, smirking as Cristoph announces him. He's not a particularly focused salesman, though: he eyes up the bookcases for anything interesting.

Alis sidles up beside Nicia, leaning over to murmur something quietly to her. For now, hands are clasped behind her back; is she even here for the books? She DID look at them at least!

Tila is rather busy side-eyeing that thing people are calling a dog, lest it do something revealingly rat-like. So it takes her a moment to register that someone is talking to her. But, there is Samael. She hastily clears her throat and puts a polite smile on her face. Dropping a short curtsy to him. "Ah, Bisland. Yes. A pleasure. Lady Tila Sanna." Double-check that the dog-thing is far away from her. Back to smiling politely. "There's a great deal of variety to read here. Most impressive."

"So is your face!" Mae fires back at Bastien, without missing a beat. Are these two related? Cause, geez, it seems to natural, this fighting. She leans down, and lifts Scourge, then kisses the top of his head. Right on the white tuft of hair. She then turns and starts over near Bastien, and she dumps her two books off on the table. "Duke Cristoph? I have a few copies of my history. It's... I mean, I can give them away for free. But we've been taking donations for them. So-... Anyone wanna buy a history of Arx?" she asks, a little more loudly.

"We certainly do have those who can train animals, I have had some success myself. I would be glad to assist." Reigna offers to Mae, and she smiles to Scourge, offering her old friend her hand to sniff. "I would be glad to." Though, Margerie's words are drawing her attention and she blushes brightly, "Well... I admit, it did ah, color my pre-wedded ideas." When Nicia arrives, Reigna straightens and smiles to the Duchess, "Hello my lady!"

"I did no such thing, stopped at about a... was it a quarter? Perhaps a bit under, way of the first," Kael assures Margerie with a slight twist of his lips. That being said, he peers at Scourge -- or more precisely the sweater that Scourge is wearing a bit thoughtfully. As Mae asks Reigna regarding the proper training of the beastie, he is interjecting with, "Good evening. Do you make those? The... shirt for it?" Ah, but Nicia's arrival, that has him pivoting slightly and dropping into a low bow. "Good evening, my lady!"

Nicia tilts her head at Alis' murmur, saying something quietly in return before she offers a quick smile, then she nods towards Reigna and Kael, "Good evening to the both of you as well." She greets, then smiles at Margerie as well, "You are all finding what you need?"

"Lady Tila Sanna," Samael repeats. "A pleasure. You're a lawyer in the Crown Court of Arx," he remembers. "It is good to finally meet you. I'm a Senior Magistrate. I'm sure I'll see you in my courtroom someday," he says before taking a sip of his coffee. He looks around the shelves, his eyes focusing on one particular book. "Yes, it is impressive. The Laurents are my cousins by marriage. Fine people."

"I'll take one," Bastien says promptly to Mae, holding a hand out to her. He's leaning up against a table with some copies of his own books stacked up for sale while she adds some copies of her history. His gaze narrows, though, on the ratdog in her arms. "Don't get that thing near me."

Bastien has joined the Southern Banquet Table.

Mae has joined the Southern Banquet Table.

Mae says, to Kael, "It was made by Zalika Coldrain, my lord. My cousin Mayir fetched it for me." There's a flash of a smile with it, and then Mae sets down Scourge directly on top of the table. Right next to Bastien's precious books! Mae then sets down her two books, then opens her bag to dig out some more.

Alis sports a briefly relieved expression, her smile bright for the Duchess at whatever agreement they've come to before she steps to the side to pour herself a half cup of hot chocolate and then fill the rest with hot coffee. "Count, Countess. Lady Margerie. Lovely to see you again." A polite nod is given to Samael next, so that she can begin indulging in her drink treat without a twinge of guilt for not being social enough.

Cristoph leans against the table, but doesn't move to take a seat. At any point moment he could probably go wandering off to do something else. He glances between Mae and Bastien before a smile threatens to pulls on the one corner of his mouth. When mention is made of the history books, he picks one up and holds it over his head. He's apparently fine doing all of the loud advertising today, he's good for it. In short: "History of Arx! Anyone want to buy a History of Arx! Come on down! Get your History of Arx here!"

"Princess Alis! So wonderful to see you!" Reigna brightens at the sight of the diminuative Princess-General. Then again, Cristoph's voice booms out and Reigna's head turns, "I want to buy the History of Arx!" And zoom she goes, because that book is going to seel wuick, right? Right! Reigna moves back to Mae and asks, "How much for your book, Mae?"

Margerie peeks across the books to get a better look at this infamous rat once Reigna shows it a bit of affection. "Oh, well that is the most adorable non-rat I have ever seen. Why it would be able to get into all sorts of small spaces to root out pests." She can't help a very slightly smug smile at Reigna's blush and clasps her nephew's shoulder. "Well, perhaps pick a copy again when you've been wed around ten years or so. Might prove a help. Ahh! Your grace." She drops into a curtsey to Nicia and another for Alis. "I wouldn't say need, but I've found material to chat with my niece about for quite some while I think. How are you?"

Bastien takes the copies of the histories Mae hands over and promptly uses them to start shoving Scourge away from his much more important books.

Tila overcomes her fear of the dog-creature enough to raise a hand, when the sale of the history books are called out. "As the lady says, how much? I fear I'm still growing my library and haven't got anything to trade, but I did bring a bit of silver."

Evaine makes her way into the Manse with a click of heeled boots. Her bob is coiffed and perfect, her outfit is perfect, and her ice-blue eyes are filled with the ennui of the very bored. In one well-manicured hand is a single book and her eyes rove the room as she moves through it.

Bastien puts A HARLEQUIN'S HISTORY OF ARX V1 in a well-worn leather messenger bag.

Bastien puts A HARLEQUIN'S HISTORY OF ARX V2 in a well-worn leather messenger bag.

Bastien gets The Artist and His Love from a well-worn leather messenger bag.

Bastien drops The Artist and His Love.

Bastien gets A Boy and His Spider: A Bedtime Story from a well-worn leather messenger bag.

Bastien drops A Boy and His Spider: A Bedtime Story.

"I'm...well." Nicia replies after a moment, eyeing the activity at the table with the dogs and the books a bit dubiously, "Been busy with a few things, but I fear that is so commonplace I might question my life choices if I wasn't busy at this rate." She takes a large swallow off her whiskey before she murmurs more quietly to Margerie, "You don't think the dog will...make a mess on the table do you?"

Sebastian wanders in to the book fair carrying no books of his own, apparently there to browse, and to make his way over to his cousin. He approaches Nicia and touches her elbow to let her know he's there. "Evening, cousin," he says and leans over to press a kiss to her cheek in greeting when there is a moment in which she's not occupied. He then gives a bit of a bow to Cristoph, "My lord. It looks like there event is a success so far."

Samael smiles toward Alis after her nod. He then looks toward Reigna, Kael and Margerie and bows his head. "Good evening," he says. "Lord Samael Bisland," he says as an introduction.

Mae grabs Scourge by the collar of his sweater and pulls him back away from Bastien. She then flashes a smile to Cristoph, and dips her head in thanks. She looks to Reigna, then Tila. "A suggested donation of a thousand silver," Mae says, to the noblewoman. "Or, free, if you want," she adds. She might have more to say, but then her eyes snap to Evaine. A look crosses the small woman's features. Is she swooning? Nearly. She lifts a hand and wiggles fingers to the blonde from across the way.

"Do tell. What did you pick up to chat with your niece about?" Alis is a curious person by nature, and having only met Margerie once, she is still positive she is going to enjoy the woman's answer. "I'm well, thank you. Looking around for a book that my husband might like. He's quite an avid reader." Implying that she may not be, but she has at least eyeballed several books with curiusity.

Mae drops A cheap wooden chest full of A HARLEQUIN'S HISTORY OF ARX V1.

Mae picks up A cheap wooden chest full of A HARLEQUIN'S HISTORY OF ARX V1.

Kael nods toward Mae swiftly, offering forth a flash of a smile and a swift, "Thank you. I shall need to look up this Zalika Coldrain." He inclines his head politely before turning his attention toward Princess Alis. "A pleasure, your highness. May you find that which you are looking for." As for Kael, he does not actually seem to be in pursuit of anything in particular, instead he's just keeping an eye on his fellow Keatons and the room as a whole. He might as well be Cristoph and Nicia's hired help. That being said, when Samuel introduces himself, he steps toward the man and offers him a hand. "Well met, my lord. I am Count Kael Keaton," he tips his head, "My wife, Countess Reigna Keaton," and then he nods toward the woman who just clasped him upon the shoulder, "and my aunt, Lady Margerie Keaton."

Mae puts A cheap wooden chest full of A HARLEQUIN'S HISTORY OF ARX V1 in a bright blue messenger bag.

Willen arrives, following Aislin.

Mae puts A cheap wooden chest full of A HARLEQUIN'S HISTORY OF ARX V2 in a bright blue messenger bag.

Mae drops A HARLEQUIN'S HISTORY OF ARX V1.

Mae drops A HARLEQUIN'S HISTORY OF ARX V2.

Cristoph gestures to Bastien once more and says, "This mildly grumpy looking man is also selling books! I'm sure that he's actually very nice!" He smiles brilliantly to the two of them before pushing away from the table. "I'm going to make the rounds. I'll have the servants bring you over some coffee, I think the two of you may be trapped in this spot for a bit." He moves away from the table and gestures to some of the help to make that happen for Mae and Bastien. He passes Alis and Margerie and wiggles his fingers. "Are you enjoying yourselves?"

For once, Bastien and Mae agree on something: his gaze finds Evaine swiftly, too, with a sudden and brightly fixed interest on her. He hisses something back at Mae, but he doesn't take his eyes off of Evaine. "I'm not," he asides to Cristoph when he suggests to the crowd that he might be nice.

"He's not," Mae echoes, after Bastien's words to Cristoph.

"Sebastian." Nicia greets when he leans in to kiss her cheek, smiling at him before she leans in to return the cheek kiss, "I'm glad that you can make it.." She then nods towards the table, "It seems there are quite a few books on offer." When Cristoph wanders close enough she reaches out a hand to pull him over towards the group, "You remember Sebastian, don't you?"

Samael picks up 8 books.

Samael drops 8 books.

Evaine catches Mae's finger wiggle and her lips smooth into a polished smile, somehow managing to skirt the edge between pleasant and predatory. And then Bastien is staring, and staring and they're both commenting and she saunters over somewhere near the two of them and comments to Bastien, "Do you have a lady-love perhaps? I have a very helpful book for just that sort of occasion."

Samael picks up Dark Stained Bookcase.

Samael drops Dark Stained Bookcase.

Samael picks up 8 books.

Reigna looks in her purse and makes a face, "I only have six hundred on me. Hrm. May I give you that now and the rest when you come to get Scourge trained?" Reigna looks back to Samael, "Good evening and nice to meet you, Lord Samael Bisland."

Margerie looks at the dog, the books, Mae, and at last back to Nicia. "Bit late to question life choices once they're chosen, I'm afraid. I can't speak to the dog's training, but let us hope not. Now eating a few holes into the books, that's entirely possible." She inclines her head to the approaching judge. "Oh thank goodness, someone that doesn't make me feel positively ancient as I make these youngsters blush. Well met, Lord Bisland. Lady Margerie Keaton. One moment, if you will.." She reaches out to pluck one of the Bethany Whisper books to hold out to Alis before holding it back. "Do remind me, are you married already? I'd hate to have the Duke think I'm trying to corrupt the innocent." THat last said with a smile towards Cristoph as he approaches.

Samael drops 7 books.

"No," Bastien tells Evaine, studying her intently, although his gaze does slip to the briefest moment to someone off in the crowd. "But I have a commission from the king you could have first choice of the roles for."

Mae's looks up (and up) at Evaine, as she approaches. "I'm pretty sure no woman would have him, sweets," she says. "But-..." She looks over towards a man that's out there mingling. Sebastian! She stares for a long moment, then clears her throat, and dips her head that way. "Been too long," she says, as she looks back to Evaine. But, well, staring at pretty women has to wait. There's business. Mae looks to Reigna, and she nods. "Of course, my lady. Whatever you have, or don't... it's... you know. Common history that everyone forgets. I'm happy it spreads," she says.

At first glance, Aislin Ashford looks her usual self as she strides in: leather adventuring kit, long strides to cover ground quickly, and the usual unsmiling countenance. But on closer glance, the explorer looks to have had better days; there are shadows beneath her eyes, and she has the air of someone who hasn't been sleeping well. But she puts a book down among the others -- a single copy -- before turning her attention to the rest of the crowd.

Aislin drops THE LIFE CYCLE OF A SOUL.

Cristoph listens to that exchange between Alis and Margerie and then just starts to back away with his hands held up, "You know what, I think I'm just going to go bother my wife." Which is fortunate, because said wife is now tugging him away to say hello to her cousin. "Yes, of course! And it does seem to be going well. We met once at the Pravus Estate and were you at wedding? That entire event was a real blur." So much a blur, he remembers not a single person that was there. Except in theory, Nicia. He probably remembers her!

Alis eyes the dograt a bit warily at mention of it possibly doing unclean things on the table, or eating books. But, she smiles nonetheless. Because why not? It isn't her Manor! Sorry Laurents. Margerie's questionof her marital status prompts a peal of laughter from her; unusual from her, to say the least. "Why yes, I am married. And with one little miniature version of myself crawling around and wrapping all the male relatives around her little baby fingers already." she admits. "Awww, but Duke Cristoph. Maybe your wife would like one of these boo..." .. and he's gone.

Mae gets A HARLEQUIN'S HISTORY OF ARX V1 from a bright blue messenger bag.

Mae gets A HARLEQUIN'S HISTORY OF ARX V2 from a bright blue messenger bag.

Tila digs around in her pockets, passing a donation to Mae. "That should be a little extra. I enjoy history, and if it furthers study of such, it's well worth it. Common history?" She's /more/ curious now. "I'd love to hear how you went about compiling it." She goes to gather her new books, with that.

Aislin picks up THE LIFE CYCLE OF A SOUL.

Aislin puts THE LIFE CYCLE OF A SOUL in Dark Stained Bookcase.

"There's always that one woman though," Evaine says to Mae. "But those eyes sharpen at Bastien's comment. "A role before the King? My, my, my. You must be terribly important, to have a commission from the King of the Compact himself?" Bastien's gaze flickering to the room at large has her shifting her hips slightly, a flash of something in her eyes that is neither boredom nor amusement.

"Oh thank you! I am so looking forward to reading these!!" Reigna is bright and happy again. She has BOOKS! She beams at Mae and scritches Scourge, "I really do like that little sweater, it is so cute on him." Alis' laughter is soon drawing her attention and she grins reflexively, hearing it. Margerie is clearly the source of the mirth and Reigna is moveing towards her aunt. Spying that Bethany Whisper novel, Reigna's cheeks darken, "Aunt Margerie you aren't trying to pawn off that on Princess Alis are you?"

"Yes, we've met once or twice before, though it has been some time," Sebastian says to Cristoph when he is pulled over by Nicia. There's a slight uptick of amusement at Margerie as he overhears the exchanges over in that direction. He looks to the table as Nicia mentions all the books on offer, observing those gathered there with a bit of a smile and says, "I'll head over that way shortly to see what there is on offer. I was looking to pick up something."

"Sebastian, did I ever mention that Cristoph is rather fond of art?" Nicia wonders, curling her arm around Cristoph's arm, waiting a split second before her attention wanders towards the table, the dog, the books. She then tilts her head a moment at the book that Margerie is trying to give to Alis, "What's that?"

Samael smiles toward Margerie and holds up his coffee cup to her in greeting. "A pleasure, Lady Margerie," he says. "You feel ancient?" he asks looking shocked. He reaches down and picks up a book from a bookcase. Peneleas Velenosa's Words on Wine. He looks on the inside over and nods his head. An interest of his, perhaps.

Bastien does pull his gaze away long enough to glare at Mae for a moment. "You are actively repellent," he informs her before looking back to Evaine. "I'm talented, not important," he says archly, as if this was a far better thing to be. "It's a gift for Lord Commander Leona of the King's Own. She's fond of the piece, he's fond of her, and so it's now a /royal commission/, yes." He allows himself a moment's smugness for the fact, ignoring the discussion of his romantic and/or sex life.

Kael quirks a brow as he catches a few words from his wife. In particular, the issue of coin itself. Maneuvering a few steps over toward her, he murmurs a few quick words in her ear before tilting his head. Not audible precisely, but the generality of it was likely, 'how much more do you need?'

Margerie doesn't /quite/ cackle in delight as Alis dives right in to the game of trying to make people blush or find themselves moving in another direction. With Cristoph quite nearly running off, she tilts her head towards the princess to murmur, "We'll have to toughen him up a bit. My late husband could be baited that way as well. As for the little one, I look forward to seeing her. Have you been setting her to lessons in charm and diplomacy so early?" Oh, but she beams proudly at Reigna's question. "Why isn't that the point of the book fair? There are several of them. They must have been well received to have several books in the series! Here, let's get them all from Kael's stack, the better to compare. Maybe a bit later we'll send the men out and we can read aloud from them!" Samael's praise? She puts a hand to her chest. "Only compared to all these young beauties. Why look at them all!"

"Thank you, my lady!" Mae says, as she passes over two copies of the book to Tila. "Read it! Know the history of Arx! Don't be one of the masses that forgets things like, you know... Half our high lords were murdered in the same night..." she says, her eyes flashing big and wide. Then she hands over copies to Reigna, too. "Thank you!"

Aislin peruses the books available for trade with the lackluster air of someone who probably should be getting some sleep. But when the explorer overhears that Mae has selling /history/ texts rather than novels, some actual life returns to her face; she quickly drops the children's book she was examining and beelines over towards the Harlequin. Grief can be momentarily forgotten in the face of new acquisitions for the bookshelf. Mae receives a nod in greeting, as does Reigna and the unfamiliar Tila. "I apologize for interrupting," she notes to the trio. "But I couldn't help overhearing that you have a history text you're offering?"

Alis makes an excellent troublemaking companion; the innocent expression she spent well over a decade perfecting to fool her older brothers comes in very handy. "Unfortunately, it is often my husband who is able to bait me. On occasion, it would be nice to even the score." Which is all why she presses a finger to her lips at Reigna's objections, and then gestures Nicia closer. "Lovely. This should be fun. Perhaps a book club?" she suggests. "A monthly book clup. Where we can read aloud. Compare notes." All with a perfectly clueless tone.

Tila starts thumbing through her new book once it's in her hand. Remembering, a moment later, that she's at a social event. And turning to offer Reigna and Aislin a smile that passes for sociable. "This looks like it's going to be fascinating. Whlie I'm reasonably well-versed in the history of the North, I know far less than I should about this city. This looks like a start, at least."

"I am rather fond of art! I... recently paid entirely too much silver for a painting that lives in our bedroom. I should probably move it out of there." Cristoph clears his throat and looks a bit sheepishly to Sebastian. There's no comment from him on the subject of books that have him running off and away however. He merely looks innocent of his part, rocking on his heels a bit.

Reigna catches Alis' gesture and her expression freezes as the Countess struggles not to give anything away. But then, well, there's Aislin and Reigna's expression loses much of it's former humor. There is a sharp note of compassion, a flare of grief that cuts through the lighthearted games. "Lady Aislin, I -- good evening. Yes, Mae Grayhope has a wonderful set of histories..."

"I still feel young as long as I keep away from shiny surfaces," Samael says toward Margerie. "And you should too. We've got life yet to live. Youth is wasted on the young."

"Mae," says Evaine with just the softest cluck of her tongue, "you really shouldn't let him talk to you like that." And then she shifts again, giving Aislin room to step to the table as she moves around behind it to slide one finger across Bastien's shoulder, dropping her voice to add softly, "even if he is /talented/ with a commission /from the King/ for no less than the /Lord Commander of the King's Own./ So very important, you are." Her tone is sharply amused now, even as those ice-blue eyes stare, not at Bastien directly, but out at the room at large, looking for something.

With whatever it is that Reigns murmured to him, Kael is nodding and then moving into the vicinity of Mae... or more particularly, of Scourge. He eyes the little beastie, still seeming more bemused than not, and thereafter shakes his head before murmuring a few swift words to her. Words are great, but he follows up with an offer of silver, presumably to cover the rest of his wife's tab.

"Perhaps the next time that I have a show, Nicia will bring you along with her, then," Sebastian says to Cristoph. He glances to Nicia at the mention of the painting and raises a brow. "I recently parted with most of what I've created recently to make room in my studio to create some new works and perhaps show a different collection next time, something a little more appropriate for the autumn and winter season." He then says to the pair, "Though, Nicia mentioned perhaps being interested in something for the house. Maybe later we can talk about preferences." He then leans over to murmur something to Nicia briefly, nodding in the direction of the books.

"Let who talk to me like what?" Mae asks, flashing a sweet smile to Evaine, and apparently ignoring, well, Bastien's existence. Despite the fact that she's standing just beside him. Mae then turns her gaze to Aislin. "My lady," she says. "Swhy I write you and ask you so many tricky questions," she says, and she gestures. "Last two copies I have here. Mags sells 'em at the Highway Robbery, a thousand coin a piece. Of course, it's... all for charity... I don't get paid for the stuff I do. Besides, uh, running the inn. Sometimes we make a little extra silver..."

Alis turns at the sound of Aislin's name. And for a moment, her expression turns from mischief maker to one of sympathy. "Lady Aislin; may I offer my heartfelt condolences. Please know if you or your brother need anything during this time, I will do whatever I can to help." The words spoken quietly, but obviously genuine.

Mae then looks to Kael, and flashes a smile. She listens, she nods. "Thank you, my lord."

"Yes, yes," Bastien says impatiently, shoulders twitching a bit at the slide of Evaine's finger. "Whichever of those is enough to pique your interest. I want you for the piece. Five of the six main characters can be played as any gender, but I think you'd be particularly good as the Lycene. I think I have a copy of my last full draft..." His gaze drops now as he starts digging in his leather satchel.

Margerie hears the rise and fall of conversation, even as the pays closer attention to those near her. Art. She keeps hearing art. And something about commissioned performances? The former countess gets a bit distracted from the talk of youth for just a moment, holding up a hand towards Samael as an idea ticks in her head. "You know, if we knew the author. Hmm. I wonder." With Alis and Reigna suddenly gone more serious, she trails off a bit. Less scandal, more serious. Not wishing to interrupt the words of condolence, she leans to the judge and murmurs, "Do remind me I had an idea about illuminated texts and perhaps getting a play written. It might be quite profitable."

"Countess," Aislin offers Reigna, "Good evening." There's a sort of silent thanks in the way she tips her head to the Keaton noblewoman. And then then Alis speaks, and Aislin's expression seems to shift. She won't grieve here, not in public, not right now. So she simply nods to the Valardin princess. "I appreciate it. I think, sadly, there's little to be done. I've dispersed the things he asked be sent to specific people in his will, and now I just need to figure out what to do with everything /else/." Even as she speaks, though, she puts down four thousand silver for Mae, evidently planning to buy those last two copies before anyone else does.

Aislin picks up A HARLEQUIN'S HISTORY OF ARX V1.

"I'd be more than happy to join." Nicia replies to Alis' suggestion of a book club, but she doesn't move away from where she's standing around. She tilts her head at what Sebastian says, glancing towards the table with a nod, smiling at him.

Aislin picks up A HARLEQUIN'S HISTORY OF ARX V2.

Juliana Pravus steps into the hall, pausing just inside to take in the display and search those gathered for familar faces. It doesn't take long for her to find the face she is looking for, though her attention does stop on others that she recognizes as well. A wave and smile to Samael, nose wrinkling with a teasing smirk to Bastien if she catches either's eyes before the Lady starts across the hall with not quite a bee-line towards Sebastian, as there is need to stop for coco first.

Kael inclines his head deeply toward Mae and thereafter is moving on the perimeter of the room. This allows for him to acquire some hot chocolate that is soon enough given something extra for further warming. As he travels he is looking around the chamber as a whole, taking note of this person and that. The Keatons -- both, in fact -- is where his focus usually winds up in the end. That's also where his step shall eventually take him.

Samael spots Juliana's wave and returns a smile, holing up his cup of coffee. How nice to wave. He turns back toward Margerie. "I'm not sure there's any money in writing plays, my lady," he says with a smirk.

"I would love to come along next time. I'm afraid I was busy in one of my meetings and she had to go without me." Cristoph sighs. Probably for the best, for his wallet anyway. "I'd definitely like that, I'd be happy to talk about preferences sometime. This room is rather devoid of anything interesting. Unless you're deeply in love with the color yellow." He's at ease making a little tease at the ancestral homestead.

Alis simply nods with understanding at Aislin. "Of course." She's really not very good at these things, so her attention turns back towards Margerie. "Illuminated texts. You mean, drawings to be placed in the books?" Both eyebrows lift at that. "I would say I'm positively scandalized right now, my lady. But, I am in fact very amused by this idea. Perhaps the book club should include a 'favored drawing of the month' as well." She polls the other ladies there, with raised eyebrows.

Mae takes the coin from Aislin and flashes a smile. "Thank you, my lady. Uh-... I'll come visit soon!" she says. She then eyes her lack of books. "Well, that's all the copies I had so... think it's time for me to go." She leans to the side, and shoulder bumps Bastien. Then she turns to Evaine. "You'll have to lean down if you want a cheek kiss, sweets!"

And Juliana will need to stop for her own cocao before she gets to Sebastian if she wants a sip, as he has no drink in his hand to be stolen for the moment. He spots her approach, and then turns his attention back to Cristoph, "I'll be in touch then. Perhaps we can have dinner and come up with some thoughts on how to compliment the proliferation of yellow." His smile is a little bit amused, and he dips his head to the pair. "I'm going to go take a look at the books." He then draws away from the pair and begins to make his way over to the shelves and the table.

Reigna nods to Aislin, a certain message offered silently in her gaze before she clears her throat and moves to lean in against Kael as he approaches. There is a quirk of her brow and a look to Margerie, "Illuminated texts? Which in particular, I know a scribe with a talent for coloration..." Reigna takes in all the people milling about and seems to calm, losing that sharper edge of grief as she soaks in the presence of her husband. Her focus shifts to Alis, "Wait, was someone saying something about a book club? Like we all read the same book and speak about it?"

"Does it skewer the people in power and champion the oppressed? Does it speak to the heart of all men and women of righteous moral..whatever?" Evaine leaves Bastien to his search to move behind Mae, dropping the book into her hands with a sly smirk. "In case you decide to acknowledge his existence in the future, I suspect you need this more than I." She looks at Aislin as she carefully doesn't grieve in public and says, in her most sincere voice, "I do hope your - relative, I assume? - gets better soon."

"Maybe not writing them, but a bawdy tale to titillate the masses?" Margerie looks down at the slip of a book in her hand thoughtfully. "You never know what might draw out the crowds. It is easy to think with the sensibilities of our Oathland upbringing, but! A new city means new lives, new ideas, do they not? You see?" The question is asked of Samael as she gestures towards Alis. "Perhaps if the idea took off and we saw some profit, we could give some to charity! And I hope that you are scandalized only in the most amusing of ways. Why the books we've been discussing, Reigna! Would drawings have made you swoon in your youth?" The youth of only months ago, of course.

"Skewer, yes," Bastien says to Evaine in a distracted voice as he digs in his bag. "Champion, no. Righteous morals, no. I don't deal in those things. I deal in hypocrisies -- hah!" He pulls out a battered notebook, the scribbles in this one far less neatly-crafted than the books he came to sell. He holds it out for Evaine, though, even as his offers her -- well wishes? -- to Aislin.

Mae takes the book, and uses that moment of Evaine leaning down to kiss her cheek. "Good to see you again, sweets," she murmurs. Then she eyes the book,a nd the title. "Oh, geez! If I bring this home Magpie will-..." she just shakes her head. She passes the book on to Bastien. "There ya go!" she says. Then she scoops up Scourge before turning to... Walk over to Alis! She steps to the other small woman and whispers.

Coco in hand, it doesn't take long before Juliana is carefully makeing her way to follow Sebastian towards the books. A momentary pause to blow a kiss towards Nicia. The cup held so that she can breath in the scented steam of the mug. Stepping up to Sebastian's side, to peer at the books over his shoulder as she takes her first sip. "Figure if we are going to go find them, then I should at least start paying attention." teases.

Alis side-glances at Reigna there, lips pursed together so that she doesn't ruin this whole thing by laughing. Fortunately, Mae stops by to give her a momentary reprieve as she whispers back and forth.

Aislin slips her newly-acquired books into the satchel she carries, offering Mae a half-smile in thanks as the Harlequin moves away. She seems about to say something more to the departing woman, but then Evaine's words clearly strike a nerve; the Ashford explorer stiffens very slightly as she turns to regard the other woman. "My cousin was killed recently, defending the city," she notes. Evidently she considers 'dead' to be a state people don't generally 'get better' from.

Nicia lifts her glass in greeting towards Juliana before she leans in to murmur something quietly to Cristoph, a smile quickly passing over her face before she settles in to quietly turn into a wallflower.

"I suppose so," Samael says to Margerie as he hands the book on wine off to Anya, his young assistant. "I enjoy the theater but it never seemed to be all that lucrative. I'd be interested in helping to fund a production. I won't hold my breath for a return on investment though," he says with a smirk.

"You want to illustrate the Bethany Whisper stories?!" Reigna's eyes widen and she looks at Margerie her cheeks so very rosy. The Oathlands lady is aghast, perhaps not aghast, but there is something embarrassed there. "But who -- er, I mean, who would illustrate, what would be illustrated?" Reigna's brain is circling the tracks as though stuck in an embarrassment loop.

Sebastian makes his way over toward the table and its books, and those there, just in time to note Mae's departure. There's a glance over toward Evaine and Bastien, but he doesn't interrupt their conversation. Instead, he is distracted by Juliana's voice over his shoulder. "Find them?" he asks her, one brow lofting just a little bit. "What are we finding?" Then he glances over toward Aislin and says to her, "My condolences, lady Ashford. I met your brother only once or twice, but it was a pleasant memory."

When Reigna is leaning in against him, Kael comfortably wraps an arm around his wife, taking care with his fresh hot chocolate with kick. Seems the Count has developed a taste for whiskey, and he's absolutely lowering the mug to Reigna so that she can have a drink or two as she likes. He's also got the senses that when she sputters, he lifts the mug so that there's no accidents with hot liquid.

Evaine is looking at the play Bastien hands her and starts to page through the draft when Aislin corrects her. She raises her head and looks directly at Aislin, letting the silence spin between them. And then she says only, "Oops." Then she's paging through the play and adds absently, "I'm sure he was very brave. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this difficult time."

Cristoph waves to Sebastian as he moves away to go look at some of the books. "Thank you for coming, I hope you find something that you like." He's listening to something that Nicia says to him quietly before he spots something troubling across the way. "Yes, it is. Certainly better than holding a giant fair outdoors like we did the last time. Excuse me, love?" He asks before dropping a kiss onto her forehead. He moves through the crowds until he reaches Aislin, dropping a hand lightly and briefly onto her shoulder. There's a polite smile for the others clustered there. "Lady Ashford. I saw you drop off a book, I'm glad you were able to make it. Can I interest you in something to drink?"

Margerie throws her hands in the air with a cheerful who knows sort of expression. "Well I've already gotten us an investor to fund a production, so that's less expense at our end. We just need to find a playwrite and an illustrator now! Surely you know some artists we could inquire with about drawing pictures. I mean I've only read a paragraph or two, but... Did you hear Lord Bisland offer to help with the funding? So generous of him!"

Mae whispers a few more words to Alis, then she drifts away. There's a little wave to anyone elft, then Mae goes. Jingle, jingle, jingle.

Mae has left the Southern Banquet Table.

Cheryl the Assistant Innkeeper, Scourge, a sweater wearing rat-dog leave, following Mae.

"I know an artist, yes," Samael says toward Margerie and co. "Jayanthi Hawkeye."

Aislin looks like she's uncertain whether or not she should take offense at Evaine's words for a moment. In the end, Cristoph is approaching instead, and Aislin offers Evaine a simple nod. "Thank you," she says, before turning her attention back to Cristoph. "Duke Laurent, it's good to see you again. And yes, I did; I think you might actually rather like the book I dropped off. And I appreciate the offer, but... no, I think I'm done drinking for the night." Her tone shades towards wry as she adds, "Everyone has offered me drinks lately; if I accepted them all I'd barely be conscious."

Bastien looks down at the book Mae shoves at him, lip curling into a sneer. "/Self-help/," he says with utter disdain and drops it onto the table out of his sight. His gaze slips past Evaine to Sebastian as he draws nearer, lingering on him a moment before returning to her to watch intently as she flips through the play draft. "I'm working on a new one," he adds.

Alis looks positively delighted that Samael is playing along her, and inclines her head towards him. Her expression, she continues to try not to devolve into full-on mirth. "Do not forget me, Lady Margerie. I wouldn't mind investing some silver. Think of the distraction it would provide for the masses." Sorrynotsorry, Reigna.

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

"How about coffee? Then your body won't know if it wants to be asleep or awake." Cristoph offers to Aislin, tipping his head to the coffee and hot chocolate carts which are a few paces over. "And would I? I feel like there's so much here and I've barely managed to look at it myself. There's a lot of talking involved at these things." And he gestures to the different groups that swirl around. He doesn't seem put off or bothered to be hosting, more a kind of mildly surprised reaction to the turn out.

One had freeing from the mug, Juliana gives Sebastian's arm a hug, then lets him go so he can continue to look through the books. "Books." said idly as she sips the chocolate and lets her gaze slide around the room, pausing on Bastien for a moment, watching his conversation with Evaine before sweeping the room.

Evaine is reading Bastien's play and she starts chuckling almost immediately. Chuckles turn to laughs as she continues, and by the time she gets to the tragic revelation of the one soldier not making it back, she has a hand on Bastien's shoulder, pressing on it to hold herself steady. "Oh, oh. Goodness. This is the funniest thing I've read all month. Three thumbs way, way up." She hands it back to Bastien then, reaching up with her finger to wipe the tears of laughter from her eyes.

Aislin considers the coffee for a long moment, and then inclines her head. "Coffee, then," she agrees to Cristoph's offer. "Though honestly, I already feel like I don't know whether I'm asleep or awake; I had no idea Killian had so many /things/ to sort through."

Reigna's cheeks are red to the tips of her ears. She's looking back and forth between Alis and Margerie and she squeaks, "Do you think that such a thing would have an audience? Should you not... I mean, what about the author?"

Kael looks from one person to the next in a most peculiar manner as though he was attempting to figure out what, precisely, he was missing here. "Make an illustrated version of the *Bethany Whisper* series?" he asks with a hint of something incredulous. "I..." He looks from one face to the next (again) and with a furrow of his brows, mutters to himself, "I suppose I should attempt to read it again."

Margerie holds out her free arm to Reigna, attempting to capture the girl by the elbow. "You see? Lord Samael has an artist in mind and funding. We'll even have the backing of the Princess! Pay back the investments, make a bit of profit, give some to charity! We just need to find this Bethany Whispers! Perhaps we might even hold a reading to make funds and perhaps draw the author out. I mean, a play like that certainly wouldn't go over well at /home/, but here in the city it might prove the perfect diversion don't you think? I am so delighted you're interested," she tells Alis, arbiter of good taste. For Kael? An impish grin. "Tenth anniversary, dear boy. That's about the time."

"A boy and his spider, and the artist and his love are two of my particular favorites," he tells Juliana, "But you've read the spider, I think. Have you read the other?" And while he watches the interaction between Bastien and Evaine with some interest as she reads over the play, his attention also shifts toward teh bookshelf nearby. "Have you read any of these?" he asks her as he peruses a couple of the horror stories.

"What is this book about that I'm funding a play to be made?" Samael asks finally raising his brow looking from Alis to Margerie. "Romance?"

Cristoph inclines his head to the cart and then leads the way, waiting patiently on the short line until they eventually get to the front. "When my father passed away, I found that was something we struggled with as well. Plenty of things of course, stayed with our family. But then there were so many other items of a personal nature that needed to be sorted. It can be grueling." When they get to the head of the line, he gestures for the young man to take Aislin's order first. "He was an adventurer like yourself?"

When Evaine first begins to laugh, Bastien doesn't think much of it. As she continues at that level of /enthusiasm/, he begins to grow suspicious. When she actually hands the draft back to him with tears of laughter, he declares archly, "It's not a /comedy/." He clutches the notebook to him, possibly rethinking his earlier request of her. Although enough mentions of FUNDING for STAGE PLAYS finally draws his attention, but only so he can publicly scoff at it. "You can't put that /garbage/ on the /stage/," he says to the group currently planning to do just that: Margerie, Alis, Samael, et al. "That is where /art/ belongs, not smutty /dreck/."

Alis glances over at the books, and then at Samael. "Yes, exactly. Romance." she agrees, giving a quick nod of her head and then looking over at Margerie as if to confirm. "Hmm. To each their own." is the reply to Bastien.

Reigna is still reeling from the back and forth, though when Bastien offers his opinion, there is, briefly, a wounded look in Reigna's eyes, for whatever reason, though she is soon muttering, "It's *funny* dreck..." There is a shake of her head and a look to the others, "You are all ridiculous and I am glad I know you, though I kind of have to side with that grumpy man over there. I don't really think -- I mean, did you read the second one? She runs off with the pirate that kills her husband!"

"I don't think so, I normally just read whatever you have laying around when I get bored watching you work." Jules answers, peeking over Sebastian's shoulder. Her attention quickly grabbed instead by the calls going back and forth and the look of distress that seems to be growing on Bastien. "Bas?" say quietly, with a nudge to her brother, though she is instead watching the playwright now.

"Oh you're wrong there, sweetcheeks." Evaine holds his gaze as she says that, ice blue eyes meeting his own. "It is most assuredly comedy." There's a sudden malice just underneath her words and those eyes are mocking. "You should be pleased. It's not often someone amuses me so much." Then she pats him on the cheek once, twice, and turns to go. "Until next time!"

"An adventurer, yes, but also a knight." Aislin turns her attention to the coffee cart, giving her order -- something strong but sweet -- before turning back to Cristoph once more. "He was one of the five paladins who fought Tolamar Brand during the Silent War, and he always fought to protect others." But then her attention is drawn back in the direction of Bastien at the man's sudden outburst, just in time to see Evaine's behavior -- and impending departure. One eyebrow quirks upwards, as she glances over to Cristoph. "Who is that woman, do you know?"

"Smutty dreck you say?" Samael says looking toward Bastien with his eyes growing wide. He takes a dainty sip of his coffee. "Why I never..." He looks toward Alis and Margerie. "Certainly, think of the art, like this fine gentleman." He looks back toward Bastien. "Say, did the theater teach you your social skills?"

Margerie tilts the book so that she can look at the spine appraisingly, the better to answer Samael "Again, I've not read more than a few sentences, but it might be called romance. Of a sort." She glances at Alis, that spark of mischief not going anywhere. "I am sorely tempted to ask you to read aloud from it, but even I know that likely isn't appropriate. Not outside the confines of book club, of course. But perhaps, did I hear there is a performer or actress in attendance? Even if," she says with an exaggerated gasp, "Even if Reigna has spoiled the ending!" For Bastien? Well. There's no immediate response, just an amused waving of the book as others debate its artistic merit.

Bastien swats at Evaine's hand as it tries to pat his cheek, glaring fiercely at her as she leaves. "No," he replies flatly to Samael's question, a tense malcontent lingering in his frame.

Bastien puts Emotionally Unavailable Men and the Women Who Change Them in Dark Stained Bookcase.

The discussion about smut catches Nicia's attention, and she finally moves towards the group talking about the Bethany Whisper book, a brow lifting upwards, "What is it that you are talking about?"

Alis leans over toward Margerie then, to murmur sotto voice. "I feel a sudden craving for snacks. Like for a show." as Samael addresses Bastien. "I suspect poor Duke Laurent might choke on his drinks were I to read aloud from any of those books right here and now. But a book club, yes. That would be.. alright, still inappropriate." she agrees, with a mit of mischief. "I'm afraid I couldn't say much about the ending of the second book. Perhaps the woman will be redeemed in the third? One might hope, at least."

Aislin gets Emotionally Unavailable Men and the Women Who Change Them from Dark Stained Bookcase.

Cristoph's attention is split between Bastien and Evaine as well as the other group when the author has his outburst. He glances to Samael and holds his breath before cutting his focus back to Aislin again. "I've never met that woman before in my life. She came in and attached herself to Mae Culler and that other gentleman. She seems... odd." He admits at the end before shaking his head. "I'd heard of his deeds, yes. Again, if there's anything that I can do for you, even if it's a distraction, simply let me know." Cristoph drops his chin to say something a bit more subdued.

"I am very certain that it is not like a fine wine," remarks Kael in turn toward his aunt, regarding the ten year mark. He shakes his head in a most rueful sort of manner, and yet he silences thereafter. Bastien's outburst earns him a brief glance before he hones in on one particular point. That there's the death of the 'heroine's' husband in the second one, and she runs off with the murderer. "Why would a woman ever do that?" he asks in shock before eyeing the shelf, and Volume 2 of Bethany Whispers in particular.

Aislin puts Emotionally Unavailable Men and the Women Who Change Them in Dark Stained Bookcase.

Reigna gets Emotionally Unavailable Men and the Women Who Change Them from Dark Stained Bookcase.

Reigna puts Emotionally Unavailable Men and the Women Who Change Them in Dark Stained Bookcase.

Sebastian's aware of the exchange going on. He's been watching it even as he takes a book or two down from the shelf to peruse it. But it's Juliana's inquiry that has him shaking his head slightly to her and he leans over to murmur something quietly to her. There is, however, a press of his lips into a thin line as he watches Evaine. He then says to her, "A fine example of how behaviour can make even fair, foul." He then turns away from the shelf and makes his way over toward where Bastien sits. He glances over toward Samael and the others and says, "Some are entertained by light romance, and some by heavier topics cast in harsh light. There's an audience for both."

"She's the head of the Black Rose Mummers," Bastien says to Cristoph with just a hint of scoff that he /didn't know/, as if everyone else's lives must revolve around the theatre as much as his does. HOW COULD YOU NOT KNOW. "Some people are entertained by dogs fucking," he says archly to Sebastian. "That doesn't mean it belongs on stage."

Margerie uses the book to try and wave that colorful writer fellow over. "Yoohoo," she calls out to Bastien. "Would you care to join us in a discussion of art and commerce, and entertainment, and where they should and should not intersect? Perhaps with a bit less canine fuckery in the discussion, but still." Wait. Did she just take the smut discussion highbrow? Well hey, there may be more than froth and champagne in there somewhere. Nevertheless she leans towards Alis. "We are absolutely going to need to get together to have wine and discuss book club options.

Jules, tips her head to listen to Sebastian chewing on her lip as she watches Bastien. Then when Bas heads towards the playwright, hanging back a bit as she sips at her coco. Then slowly the girl trails after, watching the conversation, now not only Bastien's upset but Sebastian.

"Huh." Aislin shakes her head, taking in Bastien's comment. Instead, she offers a nod to Cristoph. "Thank you. Though as I've told everyone else, I'm not sure there's much to be done. I need to finish sorting his things, and..." She gestures sort of vaguely. "Hold the wake." Saying this, she stifles a yawn. "And, I suppose, catch up on my sleep."

Samael leans closer toward Alis and Margerie not wasting another word on Bastien. He says something quietly and then smiles. He dips his head and bows out. He gives Sebastian a nod and then walks over toward Cristoph and thanks him and wishes him well before leaving.

Nicia leans towards Alis, murmuring something quietly, a brow lifting a fraction. If people are upset by things she doesn't seem to register that there is upset, yet. This whole bookclub thing finally sinking in has her a bit distracted.

"I suppose whoever owns the stage and takes the silver for the show might disagree with you," Sebastian says to Bastien with a little smile. "I personally prefer your work, but I would imagine there are those who will produce anything for a profit." He then chuckles at Margerie and says, "People fuckery is easier to direct, I'd imagine, though canine fuckery would require less." He doesn't actually seem upset at all as he leans up against the table not far from Bastien. Though when Juliana gets close enough, he steals her cocoa and takes a sip. Turnabout is fair play.

Alis is sipping her drink when the canine fuckery comes up. And maybe, just maybe, there's a sputter hidden behind the rim of the mug. But, there is nothing of it in her expression when she's done taking that drink. Rather then engage, though, she nods sagely at Margerie. "We most certainly should." And there is a quiet murmur to some other companions there before she smiles. "But, for now I should probably return home. Before Ellara is heard all the way over here in her efforts to find me before goodnight hugs."

"That's nice." Cristoph replies over to Bastien in a particularly mild way, a sort of mildness that gets even more mildly as he begins to speak about dogs fucking. A tight smile is turned onto Aislin, the kind that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I understand completely. Come by for coffee again if you decide you need it in stead of sleep. Myself or Nicia are almost always awake." With that, he nods his head and wanders towards Bastien. He gives the man a chipper smile, "Master Bastien. I'll help you pack up your things, thank you so much for coming by."

Aislin nods to Cristoph and slips out, her new books in hand.

Willen leaves, following Aislin.

Sebastian is overheard praising Cristoph for: It is good to see the support of the proliferation of knowledge and literature of varying types. The book fair was an excellent idea.

Reigna is overheard praising Cristoph for: BOOK FAIR! You genius!

"Art is meant to /mean something/," Bastien insists to Margerie. "Even crowd-pleasing comedies should be /smart/. There should be some sort of /commentary/ in it, /something/--" He cuts off when he finds Cristoph at his table, and he huffs a sigh. "Yes, yes, I get it," he mutters, sweeping up his books and stuffing them back in his bag.

Kael is overheard praising Cristoph for: Excellent book fair! Speaking of the Laurents, have you heard they are starting an agricultural college...

Margerie glances sidelong at Sebastian and asides, "Well, being from a family renowned for its kennels and having been sadly bereft of much arts education, there's room for debate on that. My family might faint dead away were this the place for it, though." Just a bit of a smirk before she curtseys to Alis. "I was completely charmed in getting to know you just a bit more this evening. My best to your little Ellara." And then Bastien is holding court. The woman bereft of an arts education but gifted with a blithe little tongue goes quiet to actually listen to him.

Margerie adds, "When is one of your works next being shown? I should like to see it and perhaps continue the discussion."

Margerie is overheard praising Cristoph for: A much more liberal appreciation for different sorts of arts than I had expected! Thank you for the opportunity to broaden our horizons

Juliana gives up the coco easily letting Sebastian take the drink and taking it back when he hands of over. "Yes but it means different things to different people. Isn't that the reason for art? To find what it means to you?" eyes meeting Bastien's with a smile.

Kael is overheard praising Nicia for: A wonderful book fair! As wonderful as the agricultural college shall be!

"Perhaps because it was... unexpected and not to be taken seriously?" Reigna's voice is pitched up at the end making it a question. She looks to Bastien and says, "Is there not a difference between art and entertainment? Perhaps, well, fare well!"

Cristoph is overheard praising Bastien for: He shared his illuminating works with us! And for being the first person I've needed to escort out in years.

Reigna is overheard praising Bastien for: Everyone is a critic!

Reigna is overheard praising Margerie for: You are a visionary. Truly.