Florian arrives, following Derovai.

2 House Velenosa Guards arrives, following Alessandro.

Atila arrives, following Signe.

It's a brandy release party! The brandy has been released! There are a few bottles on the counter and Ted (poor Ted) is being forced (no, Cal pays him!!!) to pour it into glasses for the people that drift in so that they can taste it before making a purchase. Calaudrin is the absolute worst host on the planet. He has some cheese and crackers out on plates, but his helpers look confused and bewildered by what's happening. And he's sort of standing by the bar, greeting people awkwardly as if he realizes this is a thing people do but he doesn't enjoy it. "Hello, yes. Thank you for coming. Please, try some. Take a seat if you'd like. There's some... chairs!"

"I am just saying," Corban Telmar is saying with his wife as he comes into the Smoke and Spirits with Monique. "If he is a respectable guard -- and he is -- why not have the shop in the Ward of the Compact? Or if the rent is too dear there, at Heron Hall!" He does not come much to the Lowers, if you did not guess. But then he is here and he turns a smile. "Guardsman Calaudrin. Congratulations on this event."

Thena is already present and accounted for, either having helped get things set up or unhelpfully watched other people do it. She's sitting cross-legged on the heavy-hewn worktable, in casual clothes of black and gray, a glass of pear brandy already in one hand.

Sparte is here! And... Not drinking anything. Instead he is second stage to Wilhelm, who seems to have saved up some of their own funds. With excitement sparkling in his eyes and a bright smile for poor Ted, Wilhelm is happily taking the free samples. Ones for himself and ones supposedly for Sparte, which never make it that far.

Oh, Gene? He is busy at the cheese and crackers. Apparently that is enough to impress Gene, who can be heard murmuring about how nice this is.

'It wouldn't be a party without Mia!' is.... not the sort of thing that people say often. Or at all, really. But the brandy does bear her House's name on it, which effectively makes it an impertative for her to attend. A moral imperative, probably, or something equally stodgy sounding and probably a bit dull. But there she is next to the bar -- but not behind, lest poor Ted get even more confused.

Clack, clack, clack. It is hard to not make an entrance when you have a peg leg. The older noble made his way into the bar, dragging along to browse as the party went around him. Not a man to travel, he was a stranger here but still adventurous and wasn't going to let that get in the way of drinking, especially if there was some free tasting.

Congratulations. Calaudrin looks at Corban with legitimate confusion. "Oh, thank you. Yes. It is an event and it /is/ happening. I may do these more often." Is his expression pained? This was /his/ idea! Meanwhile, Ted looks so confused by Mia's presence near him. He keeps sending her furtive glances. Should he be happy that countess is near? Should he ask her for a job? Should he run?

Thesarin makes his way in with Mia, with a big celebratory frown. While some nobles might look out of place in the Lowers, Thesarin... is no more out of place than he is anywhere else in Arx, looing as ever like a well-dressed shav, which might just count for something. Or possibly not. "Master Calaudrin. My thanks for having us; been a time, I think, since we spoke." He looks to the others in attendance, giving low nods of greeting to each.

Signe and her furry companion don't appear to be too out of place within the downscale shop of the Smoke and Spirits. Atila presses his nose at everything in the air, the people they pass who also came with an interest in the goods. The huskey sneezed and the young Shaman knelt down to give his head a comforting pat. "You'll be alright. Let's see what they have hmm?"

As if telling some joke about a man with a peg leg and a woman with a limp walking into a bar Margret is the next to limp into the bar. She is holding onto Alessandro's arm, and she uses him for actual support as opposed to him offering her his arm out of gallantry. They stop where Ted is passing out samples, and Margret takes one to have a taste.

Derovai strolls in, taking stock of the stock, so to speak -- and then of the crowd. He nods Thena's way in acknowledgment and lifts a hand to Calaudrin, but seems content to hang out by the entrance, leaning against the wall and folding his arms. He doesn't move to get a drink or samples yet. He waves Alessandro and Margret to the available seats with a gloved hand, however unnecessary it might be.

"Count and Countess Riven. Hello, my friends," Corban says to Mia and Thesarin, encompassing them both in his smiled greeting. Even as he checks over his shoulder to make sure no one is taking his coin pouch. "Congratulations. It must be wonderful to welcome this new release to the world. And in such -- well, in such a grounded surrounding, too. I can usually not bear these large gatherings, but we would not miss this one." There is a slight emphasis on the word 'bear,' as if some in-joke among the three of them. "I need a drink." He reaches for a sample.

Monique arrives with Corban, and if he had more hair, she would muss it up fondly at his words. "I can think of better places for your stodgy old ways," she tells the Telmar. "The Lowers is wonderful, and full of life and opportunity. I don't know how you don't see that! Guardsman," she greets, "I can't wait to get drunk off this stuff! Thank you for hosting." She turns to greet Mia and Thesarin, alongside her husband.

Wilhelm picks out a bottle of the pear brandy, paying Ted and attempting to start up some conversation with the twenty something when he isn't busy helping customers. Perhaps Wilhelm senses a kindred soul.

Sparte, his role as a source of extra free samples concluded, has stepped over to Calaudrin to give them a friendly smile. "Lieutenant. Your shop is doing quite the business." Sparte gives a polite nod to the others nearby, though he doesn't seem to be singling anyone else out. This is Cal's moment to shine and be harassed with socialimization.

Alessandro is perfectly happy to have Margret on his arm, whether she needs it or not. He matches her pace without looking like he'd like to go faster, and indeed if anything his movements are languid, even slower than they need to be. Derovai's wave is not unnoticed, and he gives a nod of thanks before starting them that way after Margret has her sample. Corban and Monique get a nod, too, as well as a smile.

"Count Thesarin, thank you for coming. Your wife has already arrived, I believe she's guarding Ted." Calaudrin tells the man, inclining his head towards the bar where said assistant is furiously pouring out samples. He squints at Wilmhelm when he comes back again. Menawhile, the guard lieutenant is watching Corban check for his coin purse and starting to laugh quietly to himself. "Thank you, Lady Monique. Please enjoy. If anyone wants anything else, Ted can get it." Ted glares at him. "Hello Sparte, thank you for coming down. Yes, it's a pleasent surprise."

Monique checked dexterity + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 50 higher.

Whether Mia noticed Ted's staring or not was a fair question. While she certainly wasn't staring back at the shopkeeper's assistant, it's entirely possible that she was simply ignoring it for the sake of 'not making it worse'. "Lord and Lady Telmar," Mia replied, one corner of her mouth quirking upwards. Had she caught the joke? Or was it Corban's reaction to setting foot in the lowers that amused her? "Thank you for joining us in support of Lieutenant Estardes' newest beverage; I haven't even had the pleasure of tasting it myself, yet."

Cyril takes one of the free samples offered and pulls a chair out to sit with his foot stretched but out of the way. He adjusts his prosthetic and settles down to people watch as he sips from his glass.

Thena tosses off a droll little half-salute when she catches Derovai's nod and keeps her seat on the table, a few nods and waves and mid-wattage smiles to people she's familiar with. Her brandy glass is, notably, not a sample size.

Esoka comes here often enough that she isn't out of place. She comes in with a heavy, clomping step, raising a hand to wave and her voice to shout, "Hello, Calaudrin! Am I late? Are there still things to drink?"

"Well, I suppose if we are here, we ought to get at least two bottles. One for the shelf in the study and one for Lady Monique's personal collection --" Corban is saying, then patting his side, to find his purse gone. A heavy sigh and he looks at his wife. "Well, I suppose you will need to get it." But he then turns back to Mia. "Truly? One would think the Countess would have first right. But all the more interesting!"

Calaudrin catches Thena's droll half-salute to Derovai and then begins to laugh quietly to himself in the middle of his conversations. When Esoka arrives, his attention is snatched in that direction. "Everyone is milling and talking. And of course we still have something for you to drink- TED. You didn't give the countess any brandy?" He slaps his forehead. His own forehead.

Derovai mimicks Thena's salute smartly, before he edges himself away from the wall, moving to take a seat as well. Unlike Thena, though, he uses a chair! He even motions her to one at the worktable too. "Polite people use chairs," he calls over to her, leaning back in his own as if the point needs to be made further. His blue-eyed gaze takes in Cyril. "Let me know if you want me to get you something. Save you the trouble of getting up again."

"Wouldn't miss it." Thesarin moves closer toward Mia, giving his wife a slow nod, reaching out for a sample. Monique and Corban get a single nod of greeting. "Lord 'n Lady Telmar; how now. Hope you're in fine health both. Lady Greenmarch, Highness; fine seeing you both again. Sorry again I couldn't stay." Another short nod to Margret and Alessandro, another to Derovai, and to Thena. Esoka gets a smile, though it's a brief one. "Mm. Lady Nighthold, Tempest. How now."

Sparte moves to take a seat and relax while Wilhelm does his unconvincing attempt to win Ted over. Gene, bearing a plate loaded with cheese and crackers, goes to sit with Sparte and take a load off.

Sparte has joined the several chairs by the hearth.

Derovai has joined the a messy rough-hewn worktable.

Monique affects a look of surprise! "Oh, but of course," she tells Corban, handing over the silver from her own reticule. As Monique hears 'Lady Greenmarch' she turns, spying Margret and Alessandro. "Hello, Voice of Greenmarch," she calls out warmly. "And soon-to-be husband of the Voice!"

Cyril looks up, flashing the young man a smile, "I appreciate that, son." The old man's cane pulls out another chair for Derovai, "Take a seat, Mister?"

Signe acquired one of the sampled glasses being offered to everyone. A sniff at first, the strong aroma of pears tickled her nose. Approval came with a small smile then a few steps would bring her into mingling with the others. Approaching Cyril the shaman inclined her head, "How do you find it?" She asked warmly then raised the glass to indicate what she was speaking of. On hearing her name a gaze briefly cast over her shoulder, "Well and good." A reply for Thesarin. "Atila seems to have a sensitive nose for this place. Tempest wouldn't be well suited here."

"Count Riven how lovely to see you again." Margret says in response to Thesarin's greeting, and she gives him a warm smile. Monique gets a bashful look and a small apprehensive laugh. "Lord and Lady Telmar." She says rather formally, and then she releases Alessandro's arm to curtsey.

Thena gives Derovai an exaggeratedly confused look at his remark, like she just...doesn't...know what he's getting at. "This is my table." Though others are permitted to sit at it, it seems. She inclines her head in a little nod to Cyril, when Derovai directs his attention to the man.

Corban looks at his wife suspiciously, as if trying to suss something out in his head. But it is inconclusive, and so he keeps his brandy, turning then to Margret. "Lady Margret. And Your Highness." Corban nods to Alessandro. "No need for the curtsies. We are in hardly the place for it. And besides, we are family."

Thena has joined the a messy rough-hewn worktable.

Mia chortles softly, shaking her head as she does. "I wouldn't make such a demand; better to wait for the release as everyone else has." Though her lips purse, then, and her dark eyes flick back and forther between Coban and Monique, and back again. "Lost your silver already I see, Lord Telmar? I'm shocked. *Shocked*, truly. What thief would be so brazen as to lift a man's purse in the middle of a shop owned by one of the Iron Guard?"

Cyril has joined the a messy rough-hewn worktable.

'Son?' Derovai mouths, a bit taken aback by being called such, brows raising. He's not offended, but he is at least slightly startled. The front legs of the chair he's taken thunk down on the floor. "Already have," he tells Cyril. "How's the brandy? Worth a shot?" And then he glances up at Thena's words. "Not anymore," he notes brightly. "We've taken it over. He and I. Hostile armies; you're outnumbered. Make the tactical choice." And he adds to Cyril, jabbing a thumb at Thena, "Grandmaster of Solace."

WHO INDEED! "Oh, Mags," Monique replies in the face of Marget's curtsey, looking totally innocent in Mia's direction. "Being Voice doesn't mean becoming a totally different person. You're amazing as you were. Oh! Corban, look, Grandmaster Thena is here! I wanted to talk to her, find out how the auction for the books went."

Esoka goes to gives Calaudrin a quick smack of a kiss. Then gets her brandy from Ted. Then finds herself a place to sit, plopping down in the midst of Thena, Derovai, and Cyril. "Good eve! Buy lots of drinks! That one's my husband..." She points to Calaudrin. "...so I own half this booze as well. I think." Isn't that how this works? "Anyhow, buy things!" A flash of a smile is given to Mia and Thesarin as she settles.

Esoka has joined the a messy rough-hewn worktable.

Cyril raises the glass to Signe, nodding his head approvingly. He takes another sip and when Signe turns away, he looks over to Derovai and then Thena. Thena's nod raises a glance from Cyril who regards the knight for a moment before turning to the others around him and the newcomer. Cyril sits back, savoring the drink.

"No refunds?," Mia quips in reply to Esoka. At some point, it seems, the lady had spent enough time in the Lowers to learn how these shops work. Or at least how Highway Robbery does.

"Cal doesn't let me stab people in the shop," Thena notes with a curl of a smile, taking a sip from her glass and adding to Cyril, "Well met, my lord." Since Derovai only got half the introduction in there. She grins as Esoka settle herself. "I already got my bottle." She hears her name again. She looks up, offers a little wave to Monique.

Esoka is already a better host and salesman than Calaudrin. He moves over to the bar and takes a bottle and a proper pair of glasses down, pouring drinks for both Mia and Thesarin before sliding them over. "Please, try some. After all, this is your brandy made from your own county. I'm just the person marketing it to the messes." He hears Thena and confirms: "No stabbing!"

Oh, does curtseying in the Lowers make you feel uncomfortable, Corban? Well Margret is just going to do it lower. "Now that I am the Voice of Greenmarch I must be completely and utterly formal, my Lord of Telmar. Alas you can no longer be Corban and Monique to me." Her lips twitch upwards ever so slightly as she tries to hide a grin. Then she rises and sits down at the table she was directed to with Alessandro.

"Countess," Thesarin rumbles out to his wife, "have you met Margret Greenmarch, newly Voice, 'n Prince Alessandro Valadrin, her suitor?" He gives Mia a nod, and another toward the pair. "Countess Mia Riven. My wife. And a healer herself. I've given her practice at it."

"Who indeed." Corban eyes Monique suspiciously as he replies to Mia. "It would have to be someone both brazen and legendary in his -- or her -- skill." Is he playing to a certain Minx's vanity? Never. "Uh. Well. I am sorry to hear our relationship has so deteriorated. But I suppose I will have to treat you as a vassal and all now and not my cousin-in-law." A twitch of a quirk of a smile at his lips.

Derovai looks up towards Esoka's approach. "Fancy seeing you here. Well, not at all, really." He adds, with a shrug at Thena, "I don't know this fellow's name. Only he called me 'son,' so I take it he's significantly older than I am. You're a lord?" he wonders, studying Cyril. "Of where?"

Esoka shakes her head firmly at Mia. With some approval. No refunds, indeed. The Countess knows. She takes a gulp of her brandy, now that her sales pitch via yelling is complete. "I hope you like the Riven stock. I think it's a good vintage," she says to Thena. That flash of a smile is given to Derovai, who she sort of knows. And Cyril, who she doesn't. "I'm called Dame Esoka Greenblood, to the one I haven't met before. And anyone I haven't met before, I guess."

Given a physical answer over vocal the shaman continues speaking at Cyril, "I feel the same. Especially with the ones have a very strong aroma of fruit. Very sneaky if one isn't too careful." Signe remarked as Atila, her huskey, boldly started sniffing at the man's leg which goes unnoticed by the shaman. "Signe Nightgold, who might you be?"

Monique's greeting makes Alessandro's smile widen, and he nods. "I think that title is one I could live with," he says, perhaps of the soon-to-be-husband. "And if we are to be informal, then please, Alessandro." With that, he starts toward the table, though Thesarin's introduction draw a little chuckle. "I'm afraid the 'Valardin' is only wishful thinking," he remarks. "Though once my name is changed, no one will remember that it was Velenosa previously."

Steve, an ungainly pelican arrives, following Niklas.

Niklas arrives, following Jan.

Atreke, a severe-looking scribe arrives, following Rinel.

Cyril smiles politely to Thena, also bowing his head. He cranes his head to Cyril, "House Melaeris." The old man says, taking a sip of his drink. Cyril turns away to order a bottle of what he was drinking before turning back to Signe and nodding to her.

With just the one bottle in hand and having struck out with Ted for more free samples, Wilhelm makes his way over to Sparte and Gene. A brief discussion that isn't hard to figure out - Wilhelm wants Sparte to loan him cash for a second bottle. There is a snicker from Gene, Sparte facepalms, and in short order the trio are on their way towards the exit.

"I'm about halfway through the first bottle," Thena tells Esoka blithely, and the fact that she hasn't vanished as the shop fills with people might speak to half a bottle's effect on her.

Monique is moving over to Thena now - she can't hear you, Corban Telmar! Or, she's very innocently ignoring the implications. "Grandmaster! How are you? I think I can safely guess that the auction was an unmitigated success? I was beyond boggled that some of your members had the funds to bid two hundred thousand silver for you! Worth every bit, of course." She smiles aside in greeting to Esoka. "Dame Esoka. You look lovely as ever."

Mia nods her tanks to Ted for the drink, cradling it in both hands for a moment. Taking in the scent, and about to take a sip, she stops when she suddenly finds herself in the middle of an introduction. "I've not met either, no. A pleasure to meet you both; I'm quite fond of the Greenmarches, or at least the ones I've met. One I've met. Who is now a Telmar." A pause. "Please forgive me for not curtseying. I've been hearing we're not supposed to?" A quick glance around for confirmation. Didn't someone just say that?!

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

Sparte has left the several chairs by the hearth.

Wilhelm the Iron Messenger, Gene Erique, Guardsman leave, following Sparte.

"That's not a where; that's a what," Derovai tells Cyril a little briskly, although a smile softens the words just at the last moment. "Pleasure to meet you then, Your Lordship. What brings you all the way here? Tell me something more interesting than 'just the brandy'," he suggests.

Niklas follows Jan in to the event. "...love of the gods, Jan, I was kidding! I understand how swords work. They aren't complicated. But then the princess corrected me and then what was I going to do? Admit it was a joke? No. Swim down. Get more and more ridiculous and hope eventually they get that you're fucking with them." Niklas pats his chest. "Better to look like an idiot than admit when a joke isn't landing." He raises a hand and waves to Rinel when he sees her. "Scholar! It is good to see you. So sorry I didn't die at sea and leave Steve to you, but there will always be other opportunities!"

"Unmitigated, Lady Monique, and I'm doing well; I hope you are. I was boggled myself." Thena lifts her shoulders a bit self-consciously. "I certainly don't pay Sir Daemon that much. Thank you again for the books, they were very popular. And Lord Michael got both of them so I understand he's being pestered to give up at least one."

As a new wave of people wander into the shop, Calaudrin detaches from the bar and heads in their direction. He nods at Niklas, Jan and Rinel. "Hello, welcome. Stop by the counter and get some samples of Riven's newest release. I'm sure that you'll enjoy it."

"Alas that is the way of the world now." Margret says to Corban, and her lips curl upwards into a full grin. When Mia is introduced to her that mischievous grin is replaced with a softer smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Countess Riven. And cousin Monique is a good representative of us. Even if she is a Telmar now." She says to Alessandro teasingly, "I'll remember you're a Velenosa when I'm annoyed with you and remind you."

Cyril raises a brow, looking at Derovai down his glass as he drinks more brandy. He sets the glass down and nods, "It is just a little place, you probably haven't heard of. A little jewel called Astarrea."

"Lady Monique." The smile Esoka gives the woman in return is bright and toothy, as ever. There is a side look at Calaudrin after. Maybe judging his hosting work. It earns a snort, however she deems it. "The duel between Sir Jeffeth and Princess Reese earlier was very spirited," she says to Thena. "The Princess drew first blood and came out the better, but they both put on a fine showing for Gloria. He did the Solace quite proud." He listens as Cyril talks of his home, with some interest is not recognition.

Jan rolls her eyes. "Is it? Is it really better?" she asks of Niklas. She thumps his shoulder once, amiably. "You are ridiculous. Sometimes I just wonder how ridiculous." She inclines her head to Calaudrin, heading toward the bar.

"Misspoke, Highness. My apologies." Thesarin gives Alessandro a slow nod, and a low grunt as he takes the first sip of the Riven brandy. He nods slow, approving, and moes to take a slow seat. "And I reckon princedom is something gets remembered." Jan and Niklas get a raise of his chin in their direction and a lift of his glass.

"Did he?" Monique replies to Thena. "Spirits, I thought he'd try to pick up one for my cousin Ianna, but certainly not both. I'll have to remember to scold him," she chortles. "He needs to keep some money for her to spend after they wed, after all! Rest assured, there will be no more copies of that book made, so he's made a good investment. Have you given a thought to what the Knights of Solace will do with the funds made at the auction? Anything specific for the orphans?"

Rinel laughs at Niklas. "I'd prefer that I see Steve on occasion, not daily. She's a lot of pelican."

Monique has joined the a messy rough-hewn worktable.

Porter opens the door and flares his nostrils as he takes in all the wonderful smells. If it doesn't only smell like seawater and seaweed and wet wood, it's a wonderful smell. Yea gods, but the shop is doing a solid custom. "Did that half crazed messenger come by here?" Porter asks, suddenly quite close to Jan and Niklas. Where did he come from?

Derovai checked intellect + streetwise at difficulty 30, rolling 20 higher.

"Wise," Jan tells Rinel as she goes. A tip of her chin to Thesarian, and then Porter's there. Suddenly. Vastly. "I did," she tells him. "Of course I'm going. Why would you even need to send a messenger to ask that?"

Signe turns about as there were more faces and discussions coming around. "Miss Tern, nice to see you again. Have you sampled the brandy yet?"

"Is it alcoholic? I'll like it. Is it brandy, then my good man, I will love it." Niklas waves to Jan, "Supremely ridiculous, but at least I'm never boring. And only occasionally tedious. When it's been a few hours and you really just want to go home and rest but I'm all 'let's go to the Redrain bar and mix coffee with whiskey and pour it into our eyes!'" He swings by the counter and grabs samples for himself and Jan and, upon being swallowed by Porter's shadow, one for his enormous cousin. "Good gods, another Kennex. Will this city ever know any end to its suffering?" Looking back to Rinel he grins, "She does love you, though. More than I can say for myself."

"There are far worse things that Lady Margret can call you when she's cross, Your Highness," Mia advises Alessandro before she finally -- finally! -- takes a sip of her brandy. And not enough time for it be a thoughtful one, either, as she soon adds, "As my own husband learned the day that he realized I'd learn more than a fair few number of insults to fling in the dialects of the Crownlands' shav'arvani -- from him, whether he'd meant me to or not." There's a devilish spark in her eyes, which swivel to their corners to glance up at Thesarin.

"A Thrax land holding anyway," Derovai replies, not missing a beat. "I know plenty of places. And plenty of people in plenty of places. But I haven't met you before, so it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." He glances towards the conversation of the three women beside them, but makes no move to insert himself in it. "New to the city, then?"

Alessandro grins a little cheekily at Margret, and says, "I''m sure you will." He waves off the apology, though, adding to Thesarin, "It's quite all right. I'm sure there are some who wish it had been true." He leans in to murmur something to Margret, before Mia's words bring his eyes up to her, and another chuckle escapes him. "I have no doubt of that," he says. "I'm sure that marriage will bring out many exciting insults from both of us."

"Maybe one is for her. Maybe both," Thena muses to Monique over the rim of her brandy glass. "Some of Gild's disciples are looking at where the money will make the most impact; it will probably depend on the need of each individual orphanage. And the field agents can make sure it's going where it's supposed to go." She blinks at Esoka and frowns a little. "I hope he get himself tended to instead of rubbing dirt in it or something."

Calaudrin has joined the a bar with with mismatched high backed chairs.

The large Kennexian sea captain shrugs his granite block shoulders. "Do you remember how I told you I avoided messengers? I had to go out the door today and they were hounding me. It's like they don't eat if I don't give them something to carry to someone else," Porter replys. Of course, then he makes a face at Niklas. "I don't know, Lord Kennex. I think the city is doing quite all right. It could use a few more Kennex..es? Kennexians? Kennexers? Hey, Niklas, what is the proper plural for Kennex anyway? Or do we have a collective noun? A shipload of Kennex?"

Porter smells a little like lemonade and vodka.

With everyone seeming to be well entertained on their own, Calaudrin finds a place at the bar where he perches! It's safe there in one of those chairs and he makes motions at Ted. Like please, pour some of that stuff you've been pouring out all night long to other people. Please!

Jan gratefully takes the sample from Niklas and has a long, long sip, and when she lowers her cup, she glances down into it like it might reveal a secret. "I like it," she announces, nodding in Calaudrin's direction.

Cyril relaxes his seat with his bottle of brandy, drinking more of it. A grin flashes from the old man toward Derovai, and he nods, "Tyde vassal, would be truer. We have always had our differences."

"Kennexes, with a long e there at the end. Like how the plural of goose is gooseese." Niklas offers friendly waves to Alessandro and Margret and then a regular wave to Derovai. "Master Voss! Shall we cut a rug, friend?" Niklas knocks back his brandy and gives it some thought, then nods and gives his now empty glass a nasty look. "The best thing about a free sample is the free part, the worst is the sample part."

"He seemed all right, and there are healers on hand for those sorts of things," Esoka says merrily to Thena. She does not seem overly concerned about Jeffeth bleeding out. She /beams/ at Jan, at the pronouncement about Calaudrin's booze. "He's better at selling things when he's not actually trying to sell them," she observes, to no one and everyone.

"My mistake," Derovai replies readily. "So what brings you to th -- " And there's Niklas. He looks up, and for a second seems about to sigh, but he checks himself. "Cut a rug? Don't tell me you're inviting me to spar with you again. You saw what happened last time," he states crisply to Niklas, before adding, "Master Voss, hello," to Cyril, with a little resignation for whatever reason.

"Can't think of where you might've picked 'em up, Countess. Fine that you did, though." Thesarin shakes his head and has a long, slow pull of the brandy. "No slight to the tongue, but Arvani insults got no... sting to 'em. No music to the curses." He mutters it low, and then turns toward Monique with a snort and a shake of his head. "That boy's to be Duke Bisland, one day. Don't reckon Ianna'll hurt for coin."

"Lady Monique is truly a wonder at finding this knowledge and compiling it, is she not?" asks Corban as he comes up next to his wife. "The Gilded Page has been a fantastic venture on her part."

Porter nods at Niklas's observation. "Good. Kennexes."

Jan nods to Esoka, because why not? "Sometimes it's best to let the product speak for itself," she announces. And then she's not really trying to cover up a sudden yawn. It's the vaguest of attempts to conceal her gaping maw and tonsils and it doesn't really work.

Cyril nods politely to Derovai after learning his name but does not say much, instead he studies the men; Niklas and Derovai. Curious if a fight is going to break out. The lord had heard of this part of town before he got here.

"You just want your silver back," Monique tells Corban as he comes up with his charm and compliments, leaning over to press a kiss to his cheek. "Oh, look, Mistress Rinel! We ought to go greet her, too." She loops her arms through Corban's, tugging, smiling in farewell to Thena and Esoka.

"No dancing in here!" Calaudrin calls from his spot at the bar. And just to make certain, "Or stabbing!" Again.

Octavian, a silken spaniel arrives, delivering a message to Mia before departing.

Margret stands up from her chair to go to the bar and get a bottle of the brandy along with some glasses. She comes back to sit down next to Alessandro and opens the bottle to pour out some brandy into the glasses. "If he doesn't bankrupt his house first." She says to Monique and Thesarin. "He told me he wants to give her a steelsilk gown if he marries her." She picks up her glass to have a swallow of the brandy and laughs a touch at Mia's words. "Goodness I'm going to have to get creative with my swearing." She says aside to Alessandro. Niklas gets a raise of her glass, "Lord Niklas! How are you?"

"Yes, but if he doesn't want to hold still for them, there isn't much they can do," Thena notes to Esoka, smiling and waving off Monique and Corban. Then she nurses her brandy quietly.

Niklas laughs at Derovai's words and shakes his head. "Gods above, Master Voss, no. I meant dance. I do remember the last time you tried that. Admittedly, you did better than Princess Saoirse, so you have that going for you!" He considers Derovai for another moment, then turns and smiles to Margret. "Good to see you, my lady. Congratulations are in order, I understand!"

Signe puts a bottle of Riven Reserve pear brandy in a half-moon satchel carved from a fine wolf pelt.

"And his products are good! You should buy lots of them! And tell your friends to, as well!" Esoka's saleswomanship involves a lot of yelling things, but she does it with a smile to Jan. She turns to bid a quick good-night to Monique and Corban. She tops off her own brandy with another few fingers from the bottle she's acquired.

Niklas' wave catches Alessandro's eye, and he turns, lifting a hand to return it in much the same manner. "Lord Niklas," he calls, "if you're looking to fill your glass, please join us." His gaze moves among Niklas' companions to include them in the invitation as well. "And thank you. Though Princess Sabella's proposition was one I considered, ultimately I felt I had to decline it."

Cyril reaches for a message and slowly reads it before shoving it into his vest pocket. He stands up with a groan, "If you all will excuse me. I have some house business to attend. A pleasure to meet you'all." The lord bows his head politely to those around him and bids his good byes.

"So you DID take it," says Corban, as if the mystery has been resolved. (As if there was any real mystery to begin with.) But nonetheless, he dips his head to Esoka when she bids farewell. "I had best be getting back myself, to be honest. But it was quite good in joining you all."

Jan nods mutely to Esoka and turns toward the door. "I need a nap," she announces to no one in particular. Maybe Porter, if he's nearby. "Long day. Oof." Thrusting her fists over her head, Jan stretches as she walks. It's just economical.

"I'll walk with you. I was just curious about the noise as I was on my way home from dinner," Porter says. It is far too late for dinner. Unless he's having second dinner.

"I didn't try," Derovai responds to Niklas, making no move to rise. His shoulders roll, and he returns to his previous question: "What brought you to the city, Lord Melaeris?" he finishes his previous question. But then Cyril rises, and he shrugs, watching as the man rises and offering him a nod. "Be well; Gods walk with you." His gaze drifts to the brandy.

Monique gives Corban a lingering kiss before he goes, because this is the Lowers! It's okay to kiss here! Right? Right! And then she's making a beeline for Rinel, checking for broomsticks first. "Mistress Rinel," she turns to her companions. "M'lords."

Signe made a purchase of one of the bottles then leaned down to whisper at Atila. The poor thing still caught in a sneezing fit. The pair of them were making their way out, to leave the shop.

Atila leaves, following Signe.

"Sure," Jan tells Porter amiably enough. They head on out.

Cyril has left the a messy rough-hewn worktable.

Porter leaves, following Jan.

"Keep well, Lord Corban," Thesarin says with a slow nod toward the man. He leans back against the bar, watching the people as he steadily drains his glass, watching the friendly people talking and being friendly.

"It will never cease to amaze me, the things that people will pour their silver into. But, better a generous and doting husband than a cruel or indifferent one," Mia says, her lips pursing for a moment. It's then that the door opens, and a page wearing a baldric with the House seal steps over to her, bearing in his arms... well, not a parchment, but a dog with a parchment tied to his collar. Mia gives the young man an odd look, but takes it all the same. "Goodnight, Lord Telmar!", she calls out, her eyes focused on her letter.

Captain Reedy, a Telmarine military aide leaves, following Corban.

Thena drains her glass and slides off the table. "Should be going." She hands the empty to Ted and slips out the door.

"Good evening cousin." Margret says to Corban as he departs. "Thank you. And yes please do join us." She says to Niklas. Alessandro's comment earns a murmur from her. At Mia's remark she nods her head in agreement, "I suppose it is preferable to that, but...well..." Whatever her thoughts are on it she doesn't voice them.

The bulk of the people coming in to see brandy released are here! Calaudrin has greeted them, done some level of socializing and is now trying to keep afloat as he drinks and drifts around the building.

Derovai looks up towards Thena as she starts to head out, and pushes himself to rise. "A minute, Grandmaster? Just a minute, I promise."