LET'S GET READY TO RUUUUUUUUUUUMBLE!!! Caith arrives! With her guards. And Humphrey. And, of course, the topic of the debate, the puppers with floofest butt, the doggo with the slobberist mouth, the corgi with the cuuuuutest sweater:

PRINCE* (prince prince prince)
STUMPHREY (stumphrey stumphrey stumphrey)
THRAX (thrax thrax thrax)

And the crowd goes wild! Men cheers! Women swoon! Children dance in the streets!

No, not really but Caith bounces in and her dog waddles along beside her and the princess looks like she's fixing for a fight! She points a finger at Saoirse. "I'm here!" she chirp-shouts merrily. "I am ready to put this matter to rest once and for all!"

* No, he doesn't actually have the title of prince. Or any title at all. Look at him! He's licking the leg of a barstool.

Tempest, Atila arrive, following Signe.

Tempest have been dismissed.

Signe picks up Swift Strike Scorpion Whiskey.

Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting, Valor, a small brown and white corgi puppy, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting arrive, following Sabella.

Another entry is on the heels of Iliana, stepping through the door and taking a moment to survey the Black Fox with dark eyes. Prince Talwyn Valardin considers for a moment's slight hesitation before crossing over toward the bar and orders himself a glass of wine. His eyes follow Iliana as she moves over toward her couch, lifting a hand in wave toward her before he turns back around to receive the delivered wine.

Talwyn has joined the A dark wooden bar with leather stools.

Merek seems to have come to observe something happening in the Lyceum Ward, while he has on his cloak and hood up which shadows his features. The Knight looks around a bit as he observes and walks forward a bit, to stand aside.

When the server brings Barric the bottle of whiskey, the Grayson Prince hands over enough coins to pay for it and then sets the glass down in front of him. He opens the bottle and pours himself a glass of the pale amber alcohol that gives it it's 'Gold' surname and then closes the bottle up again. "Princess Caith." He calls over towards Caith, since she is at least talking, "What is this all about anyways?" He asks with a wry smile. If he should catch sight of Signe he would wave her over towards a space beside him at his booth though.

Iliana lights up when Caith arrives and she starts to cheer, raising her glass without managing to spill. She hoots a few times and then settles back on the couch, grinning. She gives Talwyn a brief glance, waving vaguely in his direction before she turns her attention back to the debate at hand.

"Oh, for heaven's sake," Saoirse mumbles under her breath before finishing her glass of wine. "You -brought- him? A dog, in a bar? A dog who -- what is he /doing/?" As Stumphrey continues to lick the bar stool, the princess wrinkles her nose. "I can't imagine Niccolo's going to love that." But eventually the princess looks at Caith instead of the dog and, with just a quick glance at a servant, sees that the Thraxian has wine in hand. Service!

Saiorse says broadly, to both Caith and the room, "I have had quite enough of being cast as the Monster of Arx because I don't like this menace of a dog. I have every intention of proving that he has no business being a messenger dog, never had business being a messenger dog, and should undergo serious obedience training." A beat follows. "Although, if we wander off that topic, that's fine. I also want to open with a question." The young Velenosan takes a long, deep breath, closes her eyes, and then opens them again. She seems to be steeling herself. Oh boy. This must be quite the question!

"Princess Caith... why don't you like me anymore?" Oh god, that's so sad!

"Princess Caith!" Sabella comes in with Valor in her arms looking super adorable in a tiny corgi sweater. She's getting a little bigger, so one ear is now standing up, while the other flops over in a display in a sickeningly amazing display of cute. "I brought Valor in case Stumphrey needed a snuggle!" So now there's two dogs in a bar! How wonderful.

Reaching back, Caith slides a hand beneath her hair and then FLIPS it back over her shoulder. "Well!" she trills to Barric, giving the prince a wink. "Saoirse does not like my dog. My wonderful, ador-.." The blonde begins to spread her arms in a taa-daa display gesture but where is Stumphrey? He is not down by her feet like she expected. She looks around, trying to spot the pooch and he's...

The sweater-wearing corgi is still licking the barstool, his eyes mostly closed like this is the Best Thing Ever(tm). Barstooooooooool. <3

Caith lifts a finger to Barric and then skips over to Stumps, grabs the corgi by his back legs and drags him over to the center of the room. Now! Taa-daa display gesture! "My wonderful, adorable, darling corgi, Stumphrey!" He rolls over onto his back and sticks all four of his stubby wee paws into the air. HI.

At Saoirse's question though, Caith gives a blink and tips her head. "I don't like you anymore?" Oh, this debate is off to a rip-roaring start! Twinkling laughter follows and the Thrax princess flutters a hand. "I like you just fine, Saoirse!"

Signe's gently encouraging Atila, her dog, to follow as they enter the Black Fox. She's not on any sort of mission or direction as she caught on the tail in of quite a few people heading into the tavern. Curiosity lured her in. She caught a wave of greeting coming from a corner booth and headed in that dirction. The shouting between the princesses has become faaar more interesting.

Signe has joined the A corner booth.

2 Armed Confessors, Halle, a very large assistant arrive, following Elara.

Isabelle, who hates you, Elara arrive, following Niklas.

Saoirse's expression, which had settled into one of genuine worry and unhappiness, settles back into a more neutral place. "Oh," she says, perhaps with some relief. "So it's -just- the dog. That's --" 'A relief' goes unsaid.

The Velenosan princess switches gears then, now having been reassured that Caith likes her just fine! She looks at Stumphrey with his arms up and his JUNK EXPOSED, and lifts both of her eyebrows. "Look, I don't want to sound like some horrible next door neighbor who complains every time you walk around or let your dog out," she begins again. "My point is just that he is untrained, not that he is at heart terrible! I admit, he has never bitten me, but he -has- caused absolute havoc in my closet." No! Not your CLOSET!

Iliana came to listen to a debate, so each time one woman speaks she gives her the utmost attention. It only deviates once as she glances down at the corgi puppy, giggling softly as she watches his little paws waving in the air. She glances back toward Saoirse and gasps at her words. A woman's closet is sacred.


One never knows exactly what they find find or wander into in this city and such it is that Terese arrives in the middle of a hub bub with a soft clip of boot through the doorway. She slips past a man who seems keen to exit as voices call out through the room, she glances at his expression before her azure gaze sweeps back towards the two women in the midst of it.

A soft chuckle escapes her lips as she breezes in towards the bar. Soft dark tendrils escape the pins in her hair as she moves. A pair of leather gloves curled in one hand is tucked within the waistline of her leather breeches. She pauses at the bar and leans one elbow upon it along with the curve of a hip as she leans sideways to place a quiet order beneath the din.

Simone wanders in, tugging off a small pair of gloves and pauses a moment to let her eyes adjust to the darker interior of the tavern. Seeing all those gathered, she arches an eyebrow curiously, but her expression changes as she sees the collection of dogs in the tavern, replaced with an amused look. Moving over to where Iliana is seated, she asks softly so as to not disturb the proceedings, "Mind if I sit with you?"

Iliana glances up at Simone and she scoots over, patting the couch beside her. "Please do." She holds out a hand not full of tankard and gives Simone a winning smile. "I'm Marquessa Iliana Leary. Who might you be? Can I say that I love your hair, it's such a pretty color!" She realizes that she's burbling and she presses her lips together to give the other woman a chance to answer.

"...pretty sure it's not meant to be to the death, but if it is I'm pretty sure you'd not want to miss that," says Niklas to Elara as he leads his difficult-to-define relative into the Black Fox. Once inside he looks around, eyes narrowing. "I don't think I've ever been in here before, and I thought I'd visited every bar in the city. Do you want anything? I'm going to go get some brandy. No Lyceum bar won't have some lightly poisoned Ostrian brandy."

Simone has joined the A deep brown leather sofa.

Sabella laughs as Valor leans her head up to lick her, wiggling her tiny feet and whining to be put down to go see Stumphrey. "Okay, okay! But then it's back in my lap." She smiles over at Signe when she sees her bring in another dog. "I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought Stumphrey might need some support!" She says cheerfully to the other woman. Then she looks over when she hears a familiar voice and brightens considerably, "Lord Niklas! Lady Elara! It's so good to see you! Are you here to join the debate? I'm not exactly sure what're debating, but I'm rather sure I am on Princess Caith's side, whatever it is."

Barric smiles at Signe, "Yes they certainly are aren't they." He gestures for another glass from one of the staff and then pours a glass of the gold whiskey for Signe, offering it to her before he sets the bottle back down and takes a drink from his own. Catching sight of Terese he smiles, "Princess Terese." He calls over during a space in the 'debate' between Saoirise and Caith, "Would you like to join us?" He gestures towards one of the empty chairs at the booth he shares with Signe, also offering a wave to Sabella, "Cousin!" He calls out with a smile, "Lord Niklas." Well this place is filling up fast!

"Maaaaaaybe you should keep your closet closed," Caith suggests cheerfully, so helpfully blaming the victim! "I mean, many people have animals that carry their messages for them. You never know what will show up! I make this suggestion as a /friend/." The blonde presses her hands against her chest. You know, over her /heart/. "A friend who is very concerned about your closet."

Stumphrey continues to lie on his back but, from this sort of upside down position, notices an upside-down corgi puppy! Valor! Hihihi! Stumps, rather than rolling over and making himself mobile, just starts kicking his legs in the air. You know, like he just don't care.

Oblivious to the antics of her doggo, Caith turns to the room at large now. "What do other people think about animals carrying messages? For or against? I mean, I should point out," -- a glance over her shoulder at Saoirse now -- "..Stumps /has/ been retired from messaging duties and is just a pet now."

Talwyn glances sideways as Terese moves by the bar, offering his sister a dip of his head before he says, "Sister. Interesting to see you here. Did you come to watch the proceedings as well?" He gestures over his shoulder toward where Caith and Saorsie are speaking before taking a drink of the wine before him.

Elara has arrived following after Niklas. Because she is taller she doesn't even have to hurry, nice long steps. "I highly doubt it is to the death," She chides in her soft voice. When he mentions the bar, which of course he does, her eyes move that way. "Wine," Of course it is wine. "White or blue if there is any? Thank you," She turns towards Sabella and her smile is faint but pleasant. "Your highness, it is good to see you. Niklas dragged me along so I really have no idea what is going on. I've been lost in making things for the gift giving."

Simone smiles warmly at Iliana and sits next to her on the sofa, then speaks quietly, "I am Marquessa Simone Greenmarch." She takes her hand and squeezes it before continuing, "Thank you for the compliment... you are quite lovely yourself. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Debate? Is that what this is? Some people over in the Thrax Ward were saying it was a free-for-all princess knife fight." Niklas shakes his head and collects his commemorative goblet of Ostrian cherry along with a white wine for Elara. "This is why I should never believe drunk Escumans." While at the bar he tilts a head toward Talwyn, "Good day to you, Dragon of Not Replying To Messages." Then he wanders over to Sabella and hands off the wine to Elara. "I actually went to Princess Saoirse's debate on what a joke is, but when I showed up no one was there, so I guess the joke was on me."

With a harpcase across his shoulder, Ezekiel enters the Black Fox. His smile is warm, head tilted deferentially as he takes in the large number of nobles present. He smiles very, very politely before looking towards the bar. Tilting his head, he walks over that way, moving to sit down. "... a brandy, good sir," he says. "If it wouldn't be too much trouble?" He pulls out a few coppers, sufficient to cover a glass or two, at least.

Romina, a silent Mirrorguard agent, 2 House Velenosa Guards arrive, following Niccolo.

Iliana matches Simone's smile, shaking her hand briefly before she reclaims her own. She turns to speak up, letting her voice carry. "Pay people to run messages, people are always looking for employment in the city!" She glances down at the corgi and her brow furrows. "Puppies make adorable messengers, but what if you gave them an important letter and they /ate/ it?" She gives Niklas a slight side eye as his words carry to where she is and she laughs, covering her mouth. "Caith, do you even have a knife?!"

"But people -train- their animals," Saoirse points out. "He may have understood that he is to carry a message from point A to point B, but he certainly didn't understand that my /dead mother's silk slippers/ were not for his consumption." The princess plucks up another glass of wine then crosses the room, standing over top of Stumphrey, who wags his butt wildly. It's obscene, since he is still tummy up. He's really just wagging his business at the princess. Saoirse just stands there, wine in hand, looking down at the dog.

It's a little scary. She's not going to step on or murder this dog, right? Not in front of eighty billion people, right? Why is he so happy? Why isn't Stumphrey panicking? Why is he SO FRIENDLY?!

Finally, Saoirse twists to look at Caith again. "I do appreciate," she says, stepping over Stumphrey, "that he is no longer a messenger. But I still think he should have general obedience training."

Spotting Niccolo, Saoirse holds up her glass of wine in greeting. "A dog was licking that stool," she says, pointing to it. "We're debating whether he is a menace or not. I say yes, and I'm sure Princess Caith apologizes for stool slobber."

Sabella laughs and shakes her head, "It's not a knife fight. If it is, we've brought three dogs and it should not go well for our side." She glances around when she's addressed and waves, "Prince Barric! Good to see you." And then to Elara she says, "Oh! Yes, I will be very busy tonight putting the finishing touches on things. I do wish Princess Tikva had given us a little more time to prepare." As to the question she says to the room, "I think as long as the messenger is trained well it is not a problem." She gives Niklas a long look. "Trained." She repeats.

Niklas does nod at Saoirse's words. "My pelican ate my dead mother's silk slippers, so I can relate."


For the swirl and dance going on within, Terese glances up from the bar as her name is called out. Her head turns in profile and a smile curls upon her lips in return to Barric. "Absoluetly Prince Barric! Just one moment if you would." She turns then to the keep behind the bar and lifts a hand towards the booth out of the way as her other sets a few coins upon the counter. Her attention turns upon realizing Talwyn has snuck up upon her, a grin is given in return. "Just returned to the city actually, thought I'd stop in. How've you been, brother?"

She gestures to him as she slips slowly away from the bar with another soft clip of booted heel to join the booth beyond. She is careful to skirt the animals roaming about as a hand drops to one of the pommels of her swords upon each hip. She gives Caith and Saoirse a glance, "Afraid I'm a little out of the loop at the moment."

Terese has joined the A corner booth.

Elara pauses as Niklas greets Talwyn so enigmaticly and glances between her blond friend and the dark haired prince. There is a brief and polite cursty to the man by way of, perhaps, apology for Niklas' not even bothering to introduce or greet properly. Then she is moving on with her fan out and open and in front of her face. The slow breeze stirs her intricately pinned up curls and braids.

Barric performs a quick introduction when Terese makes her way over, "I'd offer you some whiskey Princess, but I know you dislike it." He then gestures, "Princess Terese Valardin, the Lady Signe Nightgold. Lady Signe, this is Princess Terese." He then looks over towards Sabella, Niklas, Elara, and all the rest, offering a wave in that direction. Then his attention is turned towards Talwyn and he hmms thoughtfully before he shrugs and looks back over towards Caith and Saoirise's 'debate' while having a pleasant conversation at the booth.

Merek moves over towards where Iliana is, and places his hand to his weapon hilt, while he speaks, "Are you finding everything alright while you're here, Marquessa?" he asks, while he looks not interested in the general debate.

Niccolo holds open the hidden away door behind the bar, and one of his guards comes out with a case of wine. Plunking it down near the group gathered, the guard heads out and Niccolo nods to Saoirse: “Sounds like serious matters are being discussed. I am afraid I cannot stay, but enjoy the wine.”

Niccolo drops Setarco Case of Serpentine Red.

Taking his glass of brandy with a soft smile, Ezekiel returns his attention towards those present. He is smiling as he sips at his drink, one hand rising to brush his hair from his eyes. The harpcase is set, reverantly at his feet. Those eyes flit towards Saoirse and Caith, a brow lofted.

Iliana smiles up at Merek, holding up her tankard of sweet cider. "The staff here are remarkable at making a drink, they even had those little sweet cherries." She looks happy enough. A hand gestures towards Caith and she smiles brightly. "Do you know my cousin? I came to watch her talk, she does a better job of it than I ever could!"

Talwyn is about to reply to Terese when Niklas cuts across and catches the prince's attention. Dark eyes shift to regard the man, his brow furrowing as he studies Niklas as if trying to place the man within his memory. "Excuse me, good sir," he says in a mild voice. "I do not believe that I know who you are. If I missed a message of yours, please forgive me. I am a busy man at times, but I am happy to discuss whatever business we might have now," he says toward Niklas. His eyes shift toward Elara and he offers her a bow of his head in reply to her curtsey before saying, "Good evening, m'lady. Prince Talwyn Valardin."

Simone looks around the bar, following Iliana's gaze as she responds to the question on the dogs as messengers. She chuckles softly at the antics of the dog, seemingly not phased by the display. "Well a good trained dog can be quite an asset... in the right place and time." She turns back to Iliana to continue speaking, an impish grin on her face, "But yes, many do need work so I tend to stay with humans. The corgies are rather cute though aren they not?"

Signe and her companion were mentioned and the shaman perks her head up after slipping a hand around the recently arrived whiskey glass. "Oh, yes." As though she had a leg in the argument. "Very supportive of sweet Stumphrey." The Nightgold lady nodded while attempting to mask the hints of confusion on her face. Atila takes this opportunity to greet the others and he starts by assertively approaching Stumphrey's fluffy corgi booty for a few 'who are you' sniffs.

"I /do/ have a knife," Caith says to Iliana, her grin a bright and luminous thing! "Well, a dagger. But I did not bring it. I prefer to kill people with kindness." And when her cousin speaks in favor of people-messengers, the blonde Thrax woman flutters her hands. "But! BUT! What if you have a super-duper extra-ultra secret message that you want to make sure that only the recipient reads? Animals can't read! It's the only way to be entirely certain!"

Whirling about to face Saoirse again, she can't help but gasp when she sees the tall villain looming over her poor, defenseless, idiot corgi! "No, wait, don-.. oh." She just steps over the animals and Caith's shoulders relax.

"I did apologize about the /slipper/," -- singular -- "..and I do still feel quite bad about that. It was one of the main reasons for Stumps' retirement and I did tell him that he was a very bad dog. I even shook my finger at him." The corgi hears 'bad dog' and muurs? Twisting to look back at his mistress, he lets loose a low, pathetic whine.

"Anyway!" She's losing this debate isn't she? OH MAN. What is the consequence for that? Will Stumphrey be .. put down?! O NOES. "Many people have well trained animals. I don't think Stumps should be considered the benchmark."

Merek looks over towards Caith, and back to Iliana, "I actually do know her through messenger missives, interestingly enough... I've never met her face-to-face however. Though she seems a bi busy at the moment all that sai."

"Thank you, Prince Niccolo!" Sabella calls out and then makes her way over to where those drinks are and pities the fools who already paid for theirs, "It's true," She pipes up in Caith's defense. "Lord Niklas' pelican is the worst!" Then she turns her attention to Ezekiel, "Do you have a pet? Messenger or no?" She asks him as she waits for a glass. "I've just got Valor there, but she's amazing! She doesn't actually fetch anything yet, but she can take a message from point A to point B and while she chews on boots, they're boots people are already wearing so I assume they are not heirlooms of any quality."

Iliana laughs out loud at Caith before she turns to Simone. "They are cute, but I'm almost positive my husband would say no if I asked for one. He's very fastidious about his slippers, and everything else. If a dog moved, messed up or destroyed something he would either faint or toss it out of a high window." Her smile is fond as she mentions the Leary Marquis. "That being said, now I think I might need a dog." She shrugs, drinking deep from her tankard. "I'll have to ask Tomwell what he thinks."

Elara shoots Niklas a narrowed gaze as she pauses and continues to fan as Talwyn introduces himself. There is a shy smile, polite and faint, glimpsed beyond the fan. Now she gives the prince a more proper cursty, "Your highness, a pleasure. Elara Kennex," She says, her voice is soft but sweet. A little melodic. She glances at Caith and Saoirse as their 'thing' goes on. "What bring you to this little get together?" Niklas gets another look. He made her interact with people! Bad hard-to-define relative. Bad.

As Iliana seems to get busy with other conversation, Merek looks to the conversation at hand and considers it, while he takes a moment to settle into a seat somewhere and relaxes a bit for now.

Glancing towards Sabella, Ezekiel shakes his head. "I'm afraid not," he says, his smile a slight thing. "I travel a great deal. My wolfhound passed last year and I've not yet had the funds to procure another one. Perhaps in a time," he says, something distant in his gaze, at least, for a moment. "Forgive me, your Highness. May I inquire as to what is going on?"


Terese pauses before the booth as Barric makes introductions. She gives a slight bow, "Lady Nightgold, a pleasure." To each she lifts her free hand not upon a pommel to gesture towards Talwyn as she looks towards him and the man that was quick to approach and then step off. "Talwyn is my brother. I'm not sure if you've met Prince Barric Grayson and the newly acquainted Lady Signe Nightgold." Lest the original introductions not have made it for words spoken to Niklas.

She glances at the bottle of whiskey and muses, "Never did quite get a taste for it though drinking seems to be a popular enough past time." Even as she settles herself in, slipping her swords to the side her attention roams towards the room and the new arrivals. A server swings by soon enough to deposit a steaming carafe and a few satchels of tea along with a tray of other assorted little bites. A flash of a smile given in thanks.

Saoirse notably has no pets. Ungenerous observers might speculate that that's due to the Velenosa family's ...penchant for poison testing. Perhaps all the pets in that estate end up... Not alive. A kinder listener would assume it's just because Saoirse has a heart of ice and loves nothing and no one.

"So that's a terrible pelican, a terrible dog, I think Arx should just consider a general ban on animal messengers." Yeah right, good luck Saoirse. "Cute does not mean smart or capable. Pretty things with no substance behind them belong on shelves, not performing tasks."

"My pelican has a name and everyone but you absolutely loves her," says Niklas, just a bit tartly, to Sabella. He thinks better of that and adds, "Well, you and Elara. And most of my relatives. And anyone who is indoors when I send a message. And people who don't like the smell of fish." He looks back to Talwyn and shrugs slightly. "All things work themselves out, your highness." And then he's shooting Barric an amiable wave, since he didn't do that earlier.

Simone chuckles softly at Iliana's comment and nods in agreement, "Knowing my husband, Marius, he would likely start trying to teach it tricks just to irritate his sisters." She pauses to look at Merek and smiles at him warmly in greeting. "Ahhh, it is good to see you once more. We met last when you fought my brother at the memorial for Eirlys, yes?"

Talwyn smiles toward Elara, not straying away meeting her eyes over the top of the fan she uses before her face. His own smile is friendly in the face of her apparent shyness, and he gestures toward a nearby seat in invitation for Elara to join him should she wish. As Terese introduces him to the others, Talwyn lifts a hand toward Barric and Signe, then gives each a dip of his head. "Talwyn Valardin," he comments toward the two before adding, "Don't believe anything Terese says about me." Then his eyes shift back toward Elara and he replies, "I came to see the festivities. I thought given the build up that it would at least be entertaining."

"Pretty things with no substance should be tucked away, you say? So where's your shelf then, Saoirse?" OOOOO, BURN. But Caith says it so lightly that it is clearly a joke. Plus, she winks! LISTEN. SHE IS FIGHTING ON BEHALF OF IDIOT DOGS AND TERRIBLE PELICANS EVERYWHERE. The gloves had to come off sometime.

But...

But...

Even though it was a joke, she feels instantly horrible about this! "Oh, I am just kidding, of course. What a terrible joke!" Flinging her arms open, Caith advances on Saoirse. It looks like she is going to hug her.

This got messy quick.

Ezekiel checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Signe offers a warm smile to the siblings, "Well met your Highnesses." The shaman greeted both Talwyn and Therese while hands cupped her whiskey glass. "It is quite entertaining. It could be a theatre performance almost but more items should be thrown about I think, for dramatic flair. A shoe or a coin purse."

Elara stares at Niklas hard for a long moment before returning her gaze, blushing, to Talwyn. The fan hovers in front of her face so mostly just her eyes can be seen. "I'm sorry, Niklas can be a bit obtuse at times," She says quietly. The invitation to join him causes her to glance at her blond-haired relative. Then her gaze is caught by the Princesses about to hug it out. "Certainly," Oh she heard about Steve, that wicked and evil Pelican, and it earns Niklas another glare as she sits with Talwyn. "You're most gracious," She says in a near-whisper before sipping from her wine.

Elara has joined the A dark wooden bar with leather stools.

"A pleasure to meet you Prince Talwyn." Barric says while lifting his whiskey in salute to Terese's brother and then he turns his attention between his table mates.

Carissa, a Malvici bodyguard, Planchet the Lycene maggiordome arrive, following Eirene.

Merek makes his way on after a bit, and receiving a messenger.

Aneka, 3 Iron Guardsmen, Meeka leave, following Merek.

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

Iliana watches as Caith moves in for the kill. The killing kindness, the squishy hug, the emotional embrace. She glances over at Simone and shrugs her shoulders. "I've had people read my messages before. It didn't kill me. It embarassed me, but I'm still alive." She points at Caith. "Imagine her ten years ago, add in ten times more energy and a penchant for throwing mudballs at people who annoyed her." She makes a face and hides her grin by drinking from her tankard.

Carissa, a Malvici bodyguard, Planchet the Lycene maggiordome leave, following Eirene.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Sabella tells Ezekiel with sincere sympathy. "I've only had Valor a few months and I would be just heartbroken should anything happen to her. If you need help in finding someone new, I recommend you talk to my cousin, Prince Aiden. He's incredibly great with animals and would make sure you were well matched!" She gets a glass of wine that probably isn't poisoned and has a sip, "I'm honestly not sure exactly what is happening. I thought it was going to be a debate about which Princess would make the best patron, in which case that's me if you need to pick a side, but now it seems it's about whether or not animals should be messengers? Or perhaps shoes? It's kind of hard to follow." She gives Niklas a sweet smile, "I like Steve well enough now that she delivers messages to my feet rather than my head."

Teonia Redreef, Aryka Wyrmfang, 4 Thrax Guards arrive, following Sorrel.

Romina, a silent Mirrorguard agent have been dismissed.

2 House Velenosa Guards have been dismissed.

It's probably a good thing Saoirse isn't a judge at any hugging contests. She stands RIMROD STRAIGHT as Caith advances, glancing from side to side as if she has no idea what is happening. Iiiiit's entirely possible this chick has never been hugged. Ever. And based on her complete lack of embrace back, that's a very reasonable conclusion indeed. And so, while Saoirse makes no effort to STOP Caith, she definitely doesn't seem to know what to do. Is this the worst hug of Caith's life? Probably. Is it the most awkward thing to happen in this bar ever? Yes.

But even this hug hasta end sometime and whenever Caith releases Saoirse, the tall princess takes one tiny step backwards. "The joke debate was last week," she says emotionlessly. What a weird reply.

"That-" Saoirse looks at Sabella, overhearing something. She turns back to Caith. "That's a better argument. Who is the better patron." And one with fewer hugs, hopefully.

Niklas grunts at Elara, "I'm many things, most of them bad, but I'm never obtuse." He looks from her to the prince and shrugs, then wanders over to where Sabella is talking to Ezekiel. "If the question is whether animals should be messengers or shoes, then I'd definitely have to go with messengers. Though it depends on the animal, I suppose. Cattle eventually make better shoes than messengers, pelicans make better messengers than shoes and dogs can probably go either way."

"Caith, obviously!" Sorrel interjects just as she walks through the door, a wide grin on her lips. "Go, Caith!" She makes her way around the edge of the room carefully, her silks whispering as she goes to find herself a seat on Caith's 'side' as it were.

Simone grins as she watches Caith advance on Saorise for a hug. Nodding aside to Iliana, she speaks softly, "I haven't had the pleasure of meeting either of them I don't believe, so I take your word for it. As to messengers, there are skills to be taught to help them know how best to blend in and avoid being seen to help prevent just such issues. But yes, anything written definitely cannot be considered secure I should think." Her smile widens as she watches the hug, "I'm sincerely not certain who I am cheering for here... but I'm leaning towards the corgi simply because he is cute."

There is a bit of a smile from Ezekiel, but, a hint of something mildly uncomfortable stretches his brows. A strained look as he realizes the social nature of those present. A calming breath follows and he takes another long swallow of his drink. He tilts his head towards Sabella. "Perhaps in time. I need to find a patron in the near future, before I'll like be able to afford such." There's a hint of a smile on the man's lips, his head shaking briefly. He drains his brandy, nodding. "I should check on something," he notes.

"In a few minutes, anyways," Ezekiel adds with a grin. "I am Ezekiel, your Highness. Troubadour, occasional Champion and, from time to time, courier in far off places." His hand sweeps outwards in a graceful wave. "Harp, song and storytelling, mostly."

"I'm team Caith all the way. Family sticks together." Iliana says, pantomiming a grumpy expression as she nods at Simone. It doesn't last long and that sunny smile makes a reappearance. "Puppies are the best. We should always cheer for the dogs."

"It just so happens I think there will be a number of people looking for proteges in the near future. This is Lord Niklas Kennex, who is my protege," Sabella tells Ezekiel, gesturing to the other man, "And I am Princess Sabella Grayson. I think I'll put together a fair for those looking for patrons and proteges. It seems like a good idea for people to get to know each other. Know who is looking, anyway. And you had me at storytelling. I love the theater! Lord Niklas is a brilliant playwright. See what I did there? I promoted my protege." She grins at the two of them and raises her glass, "Best patron!"

Oh no, you are so very wrong there, Saoirse. The Who Is The Better Patron debate is /all/ hugs. Like, 100% hugs. No, 110% hugs! AND corgis. Hugs and corgis. I mean, isn't that what patronage is all about? Duh.

Anyway.

Caith hugs Saoirse and it is an awkward thing. It's like .. the Velenosa woman is completely unfamiliar with mutual physical contact or human affection. The bubbly blonde throws her arms about her and it's like hugging a tree. "Oh, you need to loosen up," Caith tells her and pulls back a little, grabbing Saoirse's arms and .. wiggling them.

Wiggle-wiggle-wiggle!

"That's it! Move around a little! Okay, try again!" She goes it for another hug. She's met by another tree. Caith squeezes harder. Tree. Caith squeezes wigglier. Tree.

"Man," she says, wrinkling her nose. "You are a tough nut to crack." You know what she needs?

Reinforcements.

"Sabella! Come here and help me hug Saoirse!"

Also, someone calls out 'go, Caith' and this causes her to pause and look around. "Sorrel!" Hand shoots up into the air! Waves! "I'm winning!" She isn't.

Talwyn nods his head at something that Elara has said to him, chuckling as he replies and takes a drink of the dark red wine in his glass.

Elara is keeping an eye, and ear, on Sabella and Niklas. Even as she is being polite and courteous to Talwyn. Sipping her fan she sits at the bar, fan hiding her face even as it stirs the air around her. Suddenly she is blushing red and ducking her head, the fans speed picking up slightly.

Meanwhile, Stumphrey has rolled over and has waddled back over to the bar. Reunited with his barstool, he resumes licking it. Tru luv. <3 <3 <3

Signe watches the hushed discussion between Talwyn and Elara, "What's so funny? What did I miss?" There was a lot going on around the tavern.

Ezekiel has joined the A dark wooden bar with leather stools.

Sabella has joined the A dark wooden bar with leather stools.

Niklas has joined the A dark wooden bar with leather stools.

Simone turning back to Iliana she smiles warmly, "Well I have to be on my way again. Plus I should likely escape before this turns into a festival of hugs." She winks playfully at Iliana then composes her face once more, "I have another meeting, but it was a pleasure to meet you. I hope we can meet again soon... if you find yourself near the Valardin part of town, please feel free to vist Greenmarch Lodge sometime." She stands and carefully tries to pick her way past the two princesses as she heads for the door.

Simone has left the A deep brown leather sofa.

"Ah," Ezekiel remarks, nodding towards Sabella, his smile warm. "I have a few interesting tales from my travels in the Lyceum, most recently. I was aiding in resolving a few minor disputes for, hmm, borderlords," the man admits, setting the brandy to one side. Looking down towards Stumphrey, there's a warm smile that stretches his lips. He extends his hand to offer loving scritches. Because it's a pupper. And Ezekiel has a soul.

Iliana waves to Simone as she departs, sitting back on her couch, tankard in hand. "It was a real pleasure to meet you Marquessa. Have a good afternoon!"

This went so, so wrong. Saoirse, who is now the dark horse in the protege race, is being force-hugged over and over again and she seems just miserable. "I," she starts, holding up her hands and backing away. "Wait, what?" A cursory glance around the room shows... holy crap, not one single Velenosa. Nobody to save you now, Saoirse! Sort of pitiably desperate, she mumbles, "The Salon rules are very clear about debates and touching. This isn't an effective debate tactic!" What a nerd.

Atila, a very fluffy husky, is running up to Ezekiel as it was his turn to be loved and adored. He needs pets too. Pet him.

Sabella glances over at Saoirse and Caith when the latter calls for reinforcements, "I would, but I think we might kill her and I'm already in enough trouble with everyone without having to try to cover up a death by hugging in the Lyceum. Imagine the rumors!" She pauses, like that might be enough of a reason to do it. But then she waves a hand, "I'm pretty sure whoever brings up debate rules first loses, though. Isn't that a rule? It should be. Rules are boring things to talk about when there are so many opinions to go on instead!"

Elara stammers something in embarassement before her stool is being licked. That draws her rather startled attention to the corgi at her feet. "Ahh.....ummmm..." She glances about and then reaches down to scritch the dog between his ears. "Nice dog?"

"We're not really in the Salon, though. So maybe everyone should get in on the hug. Make it the biggest group hug in city history." Niklas gulps his sipping spirit, then muses, "If I'm the only one who showed to the joke debate, does that mean I won? I was planning to argue against."

Simone pausing on her way out the door and taking pity on Saorise slightly, Simone leans as close as she dares to the hugging princess and says softly so Caith and Saorise can hear, "I think perhaps your dog may need a nice grassy area? I am no expert of course." Not knowing if her aid helped or not to disrupt the hug fest, she continues on her way out the door a slight smile hovering on her lips.

Is that another pupper? Yep! Ezekiel's at the pettins. He's got two hands for pettins. And scritches. The young Crownsworn is thoroughly distracted by animal / domestic bliss. "Who's a good doggo? Who's a good doggo!" There's a grin from the man.

Signe smiles as Atila goes about his thing to be social. "How sweet that Atila is making friends. He always tries to be the center of attention." She commented on how eager Atila was to be adored by Ezekiel.

Romina, a silent Mirrorguard agent, 2 House Velenosa Guards leave, following Niccolo.

Iliana gives Stumphrey a look, as if she's trying to judge whether or not he might be about to water the floor. "I'm not sure if that is the sort of thing that gets you kicked out of a bar or not nowadays." She takes a drink of her tankard and gets to her feet, moving back towards the bar.

Oh the scritchings. So. So many scritchings! Even more scritches then that. Is the troubadour in a puppers fugue? He might, might very well be. Still, Ezekiel grins at it. Fluffy puppers.

Oh, but doesn't Caith look crestfallen when Sabella declines to board the Hug Chug, choo-choo! "But.. we wouldn't have to actually kill her.." she says, as if that actually /was/ on the table. Although she does tap her nose when the Grayson points out that the nerd who quotes rules instantly loses. Throwing both arms up into the air, she cheers!

"I WIN! THRAX WINS! VICTORY!"

Stumps pauses mid-lick, his tongue on the leg of the barstool, and looks over at Caith for a moment befooooooooore .. resuming his love affair with the piece of furniture.

But then Niklas! OH NIKLAS! Like a gift from the heavens, he comes up with the most brilliant of all brilliant ideas that ever brillianted. "Yes!" Caith near-squeaks with trembling glee. "Group hug!" She starts to bounce around the room, urging people out of the chairs! Come, Signe and Iliana and Sorrel! Join in, Elara and Barric and Talwyn! Don't be shy, Ezekiel and Terese! Holding out her hands to Sabella and Niklas, she urges them to come.

Hug Saoirse.

GROUP HUG.

Finish her!

Saoirse checked composure at difficulty 7, rolling 6 higher.

Elara has rolled a critical success!
Elara checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

Elara is not moving. She smiles sweetly at Caith, lowering her fan, and says, "I've a cough. I would hate to get anyone ill." Maybe that explains the fan for it rises again and she simply bats her eyes sweetly at the princess. Then there it is, a polite and lady-like cough.

Iliana is on her way to the bar so it's nothing to stop and hug her cousin, and then give the unfamiliar Velenosan Princess a brief friendly squeeze. She pulls away before she's stabbed and continues to the bar, setting down her tankard. "Refill!" She says, beaming a smile at the barman who comes to her call. "Cherries again please." She sets some silver down on the bar surface and takes a seat while she waits.

Iliana has left the A deep brown leather sofa.

Iliana has joined the A dark wooden bar with leather stools.

How can anyone resist an enthusiastic person like Caith? Sabella can't, so she laughs and gets up, grabbing Niklas' arm to pull him along. "All right, all right. Just not to the death!" She says, still laughing as she approaches Saorise from the other side. HUG TRAP! "Perhaps Princess Saorise can be the first to say who hugs better between the two of us. All debates should end with a group hug regardless so everyone knows there are no hard feels after the fact!"

This is it. This is how Saoirse Velenosa dies. In a group hug with a shitload of dogs (so many people brought their dogs to a bar, what is this, Los Angeles?!) and an effervescent Thraxian princess. Why. Why. Oh the humanity. Saoirse just stands there as people pile on at Caith's urging, though she does whisper to herself, "My darkest hour."

Sorrel is a Thrax and thus obviously on Team Caith. She's also quite cheerfully willing to hug anyone that her cousin-by-marriage needs hugged, so she hops out of the chair she was just sitting in, not far from the one that the dog is enthusiastically licking, to offer hugs. "Go Team Caith!" she cheers delightedly.

It was his suggestion, so who is Niklas not to get in on the biggest group hug in the city's history. If Nik and Caith can get this done, they're going to get statues at the hall of heroes! The first statues made of that new soft bronze that hugs you back that probably exists! The least beardy people in the Thrax Wing! So Nik gets to his feet and grabs both Sabella and Elara by hands that aren't holding booze or fans. "C'mon! It's hug time, ladies! HUGS IN OUR WAKE, BUT ALSO AT OUR WAKE, BECAUSE OUR LOVED ONES WILL NEED COMFORTING!"


Terese glances up as Caith voice carries in a shout through the entire room. She seems to have missed half of the goings on only to see the woman holding out her hands as if to everyone. She tips her head to her companions and can't help but chuckle, "Has she been drinking?" There's no malicious in the quip and here one never knows. Long sooty lashes blink as Niklas however clarifies the intent for the room with a bit of a twist.

Talwyn also does not rise to join in with that group hug. He watches politely from where he sits, but perhaps he thinks that all of the animals and animal lovers will get him dirty or something. He tilts his head toward Elara and says, "Sitting this close I have likely been contaminated. I don't want to get you sick by extension." There is a joking smile on his features, however, and he gives a clap or two as he rests back against the bar.

Elara lets her hand slip out of Niklas' as he tries to pull her away. Slippery thing when she wants to be. And so remains sitting at the bar, waving that fan. Talwyn's comment about her cough just makes her blush and finish off her wine. Setting it on the counter she nods for a refill. It could be she is shrinking more into that chair.

How did things go so, so wrong for Saoirse? Probably the moment she had the thought ' .. versus Caith' because, really, if she had given it any bit of thought, she had to have known it would end this way:

In a cuddle puddle in the middle of a bar.

As more and more people pile into the hug, Caith laughs. Brightly. Merrily. Happily. It's a sound of pure delight. "Okay, all together now. One! Two! Threeeeee!"

At the sound of his mistress' laughter, Stumphrey abandons the barstool that he is so in love with and gallumps around the crowd of group-hugging people. Have you ever seen a sweater-wearing corgi gallump? It's adorable.

Iliana gets to her feet and she sneaks out while Caith is involved in hug-mageddon. She steps over two dogs and around several handmaidens and guards. Woo it's crowded in here. She finally makes it to the door and lets out a huge sigh of relief as she steps out into the nice summer weather.

Iliana has left the A dark wooden bar with leather stools.

Barric has left the A corner booth.

Synder The Wolfhound leaves, following Barric.

Sabella has left the A dark wooden bar with leather stools.

Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting have been dismissed.

Valor, a small brown and white corgi puppy have been dismissed.

Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting have been dismissed.