Wash is overheard praising Ian for: For commitment and honor unwavering.

Wash is overheard praising Zoey for: For taking the plunge into the icy waters of Thrax wholeheartedly.

Aethan is overheard praising Zoey for: Best sister in law.

Giuseppe, a kindly old man arrives, following Luca.

Aethan is overheard praising Ian for: He's married!

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

Ian is overheard praising Zoey for: My wife.

Ian is overheard praising Caspian for: For putting all of this together.

Honestly? The arena looks pretty much like it usually does. There's a few new things in the Ring of Valor, and a crate of booze by the door, but that's about it. Low key, simple, and comfortable seems to be the theme of tonight's festivities. Zoey and Ian sit at the ringside table, talking quietly while Caspian runs around doing last minute set-ups.

Titania is overheard praising Ian for: Hazah! He is married!

Caspian arrived a bit early to prepare the free for all, using the staff and his own retainers to set up the ring of valor for the fight. He's getting out pratice weapons and armor for the combatants to use, set aside in racks for the picking, with plenty of weapons of various styles for whatever your preference might be.

But what's this? It seems there are some additions to the ring! Ropes have been tied taunt to reach across the ring, end to end, several of them that criss cross in several ways, all around ankle height. And not only that, hanging from the ceiling are several head sized sandbags, with staff who stand up on ladders, holding the sandbags back. What could be going on?

"Anyone who is particapting in the free for all, remember to come over here and sign up with your name. There is a seven five thousand silver prize, along with an additional prize," Caspian calls out to the crowd.

Titania is overheard praising Zoey for: Hazah! She married my cousin!

Zoey is overheard praising Ian for: For patiently subjecting himself to this spectacle!

Wash glances around to make sure Catalana isn't going to suddenly appear in the doorway and drifts over to put down his name for the free-for-all. He points at Ian, nodding. "I won't make the same mistake as last time."

Zoey is overheard praising Caspian for: For stepping up and relieving me of the minutae!

Ian is at the grand table with Zoey. He has been told he just has to talk to people and watch fighting, and he seems pretty good natured about that. He has a glass of whiskey, but he's been mostly ignoring it. "That's good," he says to Wash, nodding. "You took a pretty brutal beating, last time."

Jonathan enters with a light, humming tune upon his lips and a bright smile for his face. He is dressed in leathers, if nicely-shined and quality ones, and has his large spear strapped to his back. He glances around as he hears Caspian and heads that direction, sparing a bow and a called-out, "Congratulations, Lord and Lady Kennex!" on his way. To Caspian, he declares, "Squire Jonathan Fieldstone, figured I would toss my name in the ring for a bit of good practice."

Titania comes walking into the Hart with her two guards she is in a nice dress for the moment each of the IC guards has like three casses of something and Titania is smiling a pleased look on her face, "I come bearing gifts as promised." she looks to Ian, "Cousin where would you like to put them?"

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

It's like a gentle breeze carries Luca into the room, and the man is sporting a fine, new jacket, no doubt inspired by the chill that Autumn brings with it. After all, southern men aren't known for their love of colder temperatures. There is a haze cigarillo trapped between his lips, at least until he notices Zoey's here already, and he clears his throat, plucks it from the corner of his mouth and dashes it out on a support beam. Maybe she didn't see that. Maybe. No matter, he tucks it behind his ear, beneath his hair, "Hey, is this the wild party I heard about? Something something, Ian marrying way above his usual life's luck..", and it's just teasing that's in his tone, "When I heard there would be swords and alcohol, I knew I had to show up. I guess it doesn't hurt than I'm fond of the wed people.".

Aethan arrives a little after Wash, and while he doesn't take a bottle of whiskey, he does go over to sign himself up for the fight as well, giving Caspian a nod and a murmured greeting as he does. Then he turns toward the couple, and starts that way, a smile touching his face as he does. It may be small, but it doesn't fade as easily as his usual ones. "Ian, Zoey. Congratulations." Wash gets a nod then, too, as well as a wave of his hand.

Titania gets Exclusive Bottle of Raconteur's Implicit Connections from Zoey's Booze Crate.

Lucita steps into the Arena, yes, steps, no longer waddling, and her dress actually fits correctly. She glances around, a smile on her lips. "Congratulations, again, to the two of you, Lord Ian, Lady Zoey!" She calls out as she spots the couple. She smiles and gives Luca and Aethan, Wash and Sorrel, Titania and Jonathan all little discrete waves and nods of greeting!

Ian planting a hand on the table, Ian half-rises, surprised by the sight of the cases of alcohol. He opens his mouth to say something, but the Hart staff are already taking over and taking care of it, leaving a case out beside the cognac, and moving the rest to who knows where. So instead of whatever he was going to say, Ian says: "Thank you, Baroness Fireviper." He nods a greeting to Lucita as he settles back down again.

Zoey smiles as people drift by, murmuring her thanks for their congratulations. "Please don't forget to help yourself to a bottle of cognac. It was distilled specifically for our reception and can't be had anywhere else. Oh! And sign up with Grandmaster Wild if you'd like to fight!"

Ford arrives! A little late. But arrives none the less. He stops just after the door to the arena to get the bearings of the room before heading down deeper.

Titania smiles to Ian, "You are very welcome Lord Ian." she smiles she has not smiled this much in a while, she turns to dismiss her guards and spots Ford, turning she watches him. "Marquis Ford, it has been a while." she smiles.

"I'M HERE FOR THE FREE-FOR-ALL!" Sorrel announces as she waddles into the arena, the broadest of grins on her face. She looks like she's in a fairly good mood, and though she's not armored, she does carry her sword. She waddles over to the head table to offer a smile and a kiss to the cheek to both Ian and Zoey. "Congratulations, you two."

Caspian takes the names of those signing up, having Ren write them down, who sits at a nearby table with a quill and parchment. Though then his gaze looks over to Sorrel, his eyes going a little wide before he grins, "Yeaaaaaah...sorry, you are just gonna have to watch. You are way, way, waaaaay to pregnant to fight."

Ford spots Titania and smiles brightly, "Titania. It's been far far too long." He makes his way over to her and gives her a hug.

Lucita gets Exclusive Bottle of Raconteur's Implicit Connections from Zoey's Booze Crate.

A messenger arrives with a bag and a note. Zoey accepts them and reads before peeking in the bag. "Oh, that was thoughtful." The bag is handed off to a staff member for safe keeping. She smiles brightly then, when she's kissed by Sorrel. "Before Ian has a heart attack, sit down and watch the royale with us."

Luca sweeps through the room, as the Lycene is known for doing, and in the process of his sweeping he manages to find a glass of whiskey to clink up against Ian's, "Congratulations, you lucky dog.", and then he ruffles Zoey's hair, "The Kennex lot are lucky to have you..", and after he's swept right along over to Lucita, where he presses a brief kiss to her cheek, "Luci! Wow, you're looking a lot more thin without two children. I hear it all went well. How wonderful. I'm excited for you. I can't wait to see them..", and then he swivels around to notice the Marquis, "Ford! Who let you into this thing!". He pauses to take a sip of his whiskey, before wandering nearest to Sorrel, "Are you ever going to have those kids, or what? It's been like fifteen months.". There's a mischief-laden smile on his lips.

Sorrel has joined the ringside great table.

Arriving late to the event, Barric has a huge cask slung over one muscular shoulder and he carries it over towards where Ian and Zoey sit. Setting the cask down he grins at the pair, "Let's hope this generates as many cherished memories as it's name sake." And then he shifts the cask over a bit with a chuckle, "Congratulations you two. Sorry for cutting in line, but this thing is not light."

Jonathan dips a greeting to all who looks his way, looking relaxed and vaguely amused, up until Sorrel shows up. His growing alarm at the prospect of fighting a very-obviously-pregnant woman is palpable, up until Caspian dispells the notion. He watches each passerby curiously, only recoginizing some of the faces as he waits for the tournament with a glass of something red and alcoholic appearing in his hand.

Ian once again plants a hand on the table and stands, swiftly enough this time that by the time Sorrel gets close enough, he already has a chair pulled out for her. "Have a seat. I'm glad you came." His nods to Luca and Barric are a little bit distracted while he tries to get Sorrel to sit her butt down.

Oh no, so many Kennex. Michael stops at the threshold of the familiar Arena, and lifts his eyebrows as he sweeps the location for someone to attach himself to. At least later, because he has to go and say hi to his dear cousin. AND HE MINDS THE LINE, unlike line-skipping Grayson Ruffians who get a tut-tut-tut from him as they sweep pass with their cargo.

Titania smiles and moves to hug Ford in return, smiling at something and she lowers her voice speaking to the man her head tilted to the side a grin on her lips.

Lucita chuckles softly and gives Luca a little hug back. "I feel fifty pounds lighter though they are such tiny things. They are going to be fighters though, I think my ribs were bruised from the inside and the soreness just passed!" She gives a glance over toward Barric as he arrives, a curtsy given. "Think will decline a free-for all and just watch this time. I'm not quite ready to try a spar or fight yet."

Someone called out his name, Ford looks up and around to find where the voice came from. Ah hah. Luca. He smirks, "Well, there wasn't a sign outside that said 'absolutely positively -no- Fords', so I figured I'd take my chances."

Sorrel settles down in a chair next to the happy couple, resolving any worries that she might actually attempt to participate in combat. That was a joke. The best kind of joke, really, because it made Ian nervous.

Titania smiles at Luca, "Prince Luca it is good to see you as always." she looks to everyone else, "If you will excuess me a moment." she grins at ford giving him a kis to his cheek before walking out.

Wash has joined the ring of valor.

Wash walks down into the ring of valor to look over the weapons, and greet Caspian. "Master Wilde. Or is there a new title? Grandmaster maybe?"

Michael has joined the line.

At Lucita's curtsy, Barric smiles and walks over towards the Baroness and offers her a polite bow, "Baroness Saik. It is so good to see you again." He looks at her and smiles, "I am so glad everything went so well for you. I can't wait to meet them myself." He looks over towards the fighting line, "I should probably go get my steel on, there's a good chance I will be one of the primary targets." He chuckles wryly at that.

2 Iron Guardsmen leaves, following Titania.

Ian relaxes and settles back down once Sorrel sits. He side-eyes her, and after a long pause says: "That was a joke, wasn't it?"

"Grandmaster," Caspian confirms with a dip of his head to Wash as he sits up against the railing to the ring, grinning to him. "Kinda fitting for me, don't you think?" He asks with a chuckle. "Good luck in the ring, my lord. Remember, doesn't matter if you win or lose, just how good you look when you fight!"

Lucita has joined the ringside great table.

As Titania departs to change, Ford makes his way over to greet Zoey and Ian while all the kids play in the sandbox. A shoulder squeeze and a kiss on the cheek for Zoey, and a firm handshake for Ian, "I suppose I shouldn't even remotely be surprised that your wedding reception is at the Arena." He smirks.

"Of course they're going to be fighters! I'll see to that, myself, though I'm sure they had a good start with your organs! You'll be up and sparring again in no time, Luci! You're too tough to keep down for long." Luca calls out, in response to Lucita, and as he's passing Titania, he gives her a gentle nudge, "Hey you. It's been a while.", and then he's on his way over to the railing of the arena, to jump up and perch himself there, drink in hand, sipping it and listening to the people going on around him. What a nice, simple atmosphere.

"If that's the case, Wash definitely has an advantage over some of us," Aethan replies to Caspian's comment as he starts over to the ring, too, waiting for the rules.

2 Iron Guardsmen arrives, following Titania.

2 Iron Guardsmen have been dismissed.

Ian takes a sip of his whiskey and bows his head respectfully to Ford. "It was the only way she could be sure I wouldn't find something urgent I had to be doing." His level voice makes it hard to tell whether he's joking.

"Ian, my breastplate won't buckle without an extender," Sorrel points out to Ian with a cheerful laugh, stretching out a bit in her chair as she tries to get comfortable with her heavy load. "I am not sure I could get my chaussers up high enough to keep them on without falling down. It'd be really awkward to fight."

Zoey smirks at Ford's comment. "That was my idea, actually," she tells him with a laugh. "We both enjoy watching the spars and it gives people pleasure to do." She nudges Ian's shoulder when he jokes back. "MICHAEL!" Suddenly, she's on her feet and flinging herself at her favourite cousin.

Titania had walked out for a few moments in a dress and comes back in her new armor she just rescently had made, she has her helm under her arm and her sword is strapped around her hips with anotehr smaller blade strapped to the thigh area. She is in a good mood and heads down to the arena area.

Once everyone has returned with their things Caspian hops off the railing and claps his hands, "Okay! So we are going to start the fight momentarly. Everyone who is fighting gather in the ring." He backons the crowd to him, grinning. "This is a free for all. Last person standing is the winner of seventy five thousand silver and an extra pize! Though this fight will there will be a twist. Take note of the obsticals I have set up," he motions to ropes that extend ankle height across the ring, as well as sand bags tied above the ring and held by staff, ready to start swinging. "Try not to trip or get struck!"

Lucita takes a seat at the table and a stiff drink. "I'm finally able to enjoy this now!" She grins and takes a sip as she relaxes and watches the preparations for the fight.

Ford laughs, "It's not a bad idea. Combining all three things into the popular passtime. Drinking. Fighting. Weddings." He counts them off on his fingers. "I don't know that I ever had a reception, actually."

Jonathan has joined the ring of valor.

Aethan has joined the ring of valor.

Titania has joined the ring of valor.

Barric also returns now wearing his plane black steel, it's nothing fancy at all, just exceptionally well made. He has his helmet tucked under his arm as he listens to the rules, and then looks at the obstacles. "Well, that's interesting..." He says to himself with a chuckle, "Been a while since I've been in a free for all. Should be fun." He smiles at Zoey, "It was a great idea, Lady Kennex." He winks at Lucita before he clangs one gauntleted hand on Michael's back, "Well Michael. I figure I've got no chance at this one. Good luck."

Barric has joined the ring of valor.

"Hey! Should I use a steel weapon, or are we bringing out the shiny stuff for this thing?" Luca calls out to Caspian, while removing his coat, which he takes great pains to fold neatly and rest on a table near the ring. That might be strange in and of itself, considering his penchant for just tossing clothes left and right. Perhaps it's a magical coat. "Also, clothes, or no clothes? I'm not drunk enough for no clothes yet..", he points out, but then he takes up his drink and tips it back, before climbing over and into the ring.

"We'll be using wooden weapons because I don't want people tripping on a rope and stabbing someone through the heart!" Caspian says back to Luca, motioning to the stack of pratice weapons and armor. "While this is the Golden Hart, I don't want to find out if anyone here does have a golden heart! Any questions? Or is everyone ready!"

Titania wields Storm Breaker, a bejeweled rubicund short sword.

Barric wields Fidelis, a diamondplate longsword.

Aethan wields Gleaming Battle-Axe.

Jonathan hops into the ring, still humming something casual and bright as he twirls his spear, having snatched up a similar practice weapon from the rack. He awaits in his corner of the ring, rocking back and forth with a happy little smile on his face. He gives a thumbs up to signal his readiness.

Jonathan wields Goldenheart, a gold-inlaid crimson steel spear.

Luca wields Viper Riot, the Lenosian dueling shortspear.

Caspian has joined the ring of valor.

Ian hands a slender felt bag to Zoey after hunting through his pockets for it.

Wash wields Intricately forged ancient steel cutlass.

Luca has joined the ring of valor.

Silver Armor Tournament Chest is now unlocked.

Silver Armor Tournament Chest is now locked.

Zoey nudges Michael to come sit as she returns to her seat in time to accept the bag from Ian. She smiles and opens it.

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

Zoey's face softens as she looks in the bag. She looks over at Ian and leans in to kiss his cheek. "Thank you," she murmurs quietly. "It's lvoely."

Ford has joined the ringside great table.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Luca checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 27 higher.

Luca takes minor damage.

Once the fight begins Caspian lets out a whistle, and the staff push their sandbags so that they start swinging through through ring, though normally they wouldn't be too hard to dodge, with the rope at perfect tripping height around the ring this makes things a bit difficult, and one could easily not notice a rope near their feet or a sandbag heading their way as they fight with each other!

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

As he expected, Barric is beset upon on all sides by so many people. He steps backwards parrying, dodging, and his armor absorbs a hard hit from Aethan with a loud CLANG! He does manage to tap Luca though a very glancing blow with the tip of his practice sword, "Oh I knew it..." He says with a laugh from behind his visor.

Wash checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 27 higher.

"Woah, woah. I'm just here to drink.", Luca says, as Barric nicks him with a sword. He steps over a rope that's there, and dances to the edge of the arena, "Ian! Throw me a flask! I'm still sober!", before he's looking back to the combat that's started, practice spear in hand.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Ian checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Ian obligingly comes up with a flask from in his coat pocket, because of course he does, and he gives a controlled toss over to Luca.

Wash checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 22 higher.

Lucita gives a beaming smile to hear the Saik glass was used. "Oh... that looks... " She shudders a moment. "Reminded me of a tentacle swatting out at you, Lord Ian. that looks good practice for some of those odd type fights we get into sometimes, yes?"

Titania takes serious damage.

Titania takes serious damage.

Luca takes moderate damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Luca checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 24 higher.

Barric takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Wash checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 8 higher.

Luca catches the flask, but it costs him, "You're the best, Ian!", and the price of the flask is that SOME SNEAKY SQUIRE squire-sneaked right up on him with a blade! Sneaky squires. No matter, he tips the flask make quickly, makes a face, "The lemon stuff!", then finishes it off before underhanding it back to Ian. Just in time to reach out with his spear and caress Barric.

Ian had been just settling down, but when his flask comes sailing back to him, he rises again enough to catch it. "Forgot to switch it out!" He calls to Luca. Which is a likely story.

Jonathan is about as sneaky as a goat who just had a little bit of wine, really, but he /is/ rather small and only in leather, so he manages to spin close and nick Luca, a little smirk still on his face as he manages to duck a blow from Aethan, offering the man a little wave as he sidesteps.

Zoey laughs brightly at the play between Ian and Luca, her smile megawatt as she observes the sandbags and rope dancing going on.

Barric takes minor damage.

Wash spends most of his time dodging swinging sandbags. He probably shouldn't have made it look so easy the first time. The staff member seems to have taken that as a challenge.

Luca takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 4

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Titania checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 10 lower.

Barric is glad he is in his steel when Luca manages to catch him with a rather pointed poke of that dueling spear. It apparently doesn't pay to focus only on Luca though as Wash keeps trying to get at him as well. "Alright... I see how it is." He says with a chuckle, backing up as he getso attacked by.... everyone. Except for Jonathan, "Thanks Master Fieldstone! You're a sport!" His armor is struck again and again and only Luca manages to get something through that makes him feel it. "I didn't know I was this popular..." He laughs, trying to swipe at Wash but is unable to do anything while beset on every side.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Wash laughs. "Cousin... how much did you pay these people to protect you with the sandbags?!"

Wash checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

Barric grins, "I need every bit of help I can get!"

Jonathan dips to the side as Luca stabs in his direction, tap-tapping the spear with his own as he remarks, "Nice thrust!" It didn't hit him, but polite is polite.

Aethan takes moderate damage.

Jonathan takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Wash checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 29 higher.

A tap for a tap. Luca lunges in and nicks Jonathan with his own steel spear, in return, before dancing past the man. "Not bad, stranger. Not bad.", he assures, and then he's taking the offensive again. Sort of. "Fuck me. I can't get the taste of Princess Piss out of my mouth."

Luca takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 4

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Titania checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 13 lower.

Lucita says, "It is almost too much to keep up with! Look at them! I'm glad I chose to sit this one out!""

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 6

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Barric checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 44 higher.

"Many thanks, Your Highness," Jonathan exclaims, having been brushed with the prince's spear. He proceeds to smack aside the next couple attacks against him, a little grin on his face as he does so, still going strong. But not as strong as Wash. Over there. Right over there, guys.

Luca is overheard praising Jonathan for: This one's taking it easy on me! I can tell!

Barric checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 23 higher.

Titania checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Titania remains capable of fighting.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Aethan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 1 lower.

"Hey, I thought I paid them!" Barric says with a laugh as his practice sword rings off Aethan's armor, having to duck and twist to avoid a flying sandbag and he looks around as the melee shifts about, trying to find a new target with which to attack while defending himself at the same time. "Clearly I didn't pay them enough." He spins on Luca again, trying to land a heavy thwack with the practice sword but it is caught on Luca's spear. "Anyone else notice Wash is the only one who hasn't been hit yet?!" He calls out.

Wash takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 1

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Jonathan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 38 higher.

Aethan does not say anything during the fight -- he is apparently not one to quip while he's fighting. But then, he doesn't really quip at all, ever. So it's probably par for the course. He does seem to be enjoying himself, though, even when he takes a hit, which is a few times from various people. Even when he trips over a rope, a laugh escapes him as he hits the ground, and he's up again relatively quickly, though not quickly enough to get an attack in for a moment or two.

Zoey leans against Ian as she watches the fighting, eyes bright and smile in place.

Wash is an opportunist, flicking around the battlefield and looking for people distracted by the strange environment. "Watch that line!" Wash says, just /after/ Aethan trips over it. Helpful.

"Sorry, Wash. I'll kiss that all better, I promise.", Luca says, managing to sound actually apologetic as he smacks the man with the side of his spear. What is that thing, a staff?! There's a lot going on. The Fox-Prince seems to be taking it in stride, despite the sneakiest squire there is, squire sneaking spear strokes at him again and again. He dodges when he can, parries when he can, but he's look a little too sober still.

Jonathan hops over the tripping rope as if it was always there, not even looking as he turns to wash and stabs out in his direction, distracting the man so Luca can give him a kiss with the spear. He's an equal-opporunity sneaker.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 1

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Jonathan has rolled a critical success!
Jonathan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 107 higher.

Jonathan does a backflip over the rope, onto the fence lining the arena, and turns to bow low and slow to the many nobles watching, a cheerful grin on his face. And then flips back in, ready to go about the stabbing again.

Sorrel looks impressed at Jonathan's mastery of physics and claps in amusement. "Oh, he's delightful. Who is that?" she wonders, glancing to Zoey.

Zoey laughs with both surprise and delight, clapping for Jonathan. "Squire Jonathan Fieldstone," she tells Sorrel. "He's quite a talented fighter."

Aethan takes moderate damage.

Titania checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 91, rolling 63 lower.

Titania checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 53, rolling 27 lower.

Titania is incapacitated.

Titania falls unconscious.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Luca checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 41 higher.

Ian is overheard praising Titania for: For standing in the ring come the abyss or stormy waters.

Aethan takes moderate damage.

Lucita says, "Oh! Wow, just look at that! What a stunt! That is something some of the professional athletes would envy."

Jonathan takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Luca checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 12 higher.

Barric takes minor damage.

Ford is overheard praising Titania for: Rollin' with the best of em!

Barric takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Jonathan ducks Luca's spear, tap-tapping it in the process, and then lashes out at Aethan on the way past, giving him a solid thump before suddenly running into Wash and not quite being able to roll out of the way, prompting a grunt and a grin. "So popular! Was it the flip?" But thankfully the attention passes quickly, moving to Barric. Where it belongs.

"Listen, why don't we all throw down.. our arms.. and settle this by getting piss-drunk and seeing who can stand for the longest..", Luca suggests, though he keeps his spear up, to swat at the people who are attempting to practice him right out of the arena with their practice weapons. "Especially /you/..", he says to Jonathan, "You want to get a drink later?". There's a wink.

Luca checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 50 higher.

Luca says, "Ian! Why wasn't this a drinking contest!"

Wash steps up, flanking Barric with Aethan and agrees. "A drinking contest. Ian would have won that."

"I'm an Oathlander and married, Your Highness..But if you're buying!" Jonathan shoots back, smirking as he continues to duck and weave.

When Titania folds after landing a hit on Aethan, Barric tsks softly, "Not how I would have done..." He says to nobody and then he is attacked again by multiple people, managing to only fend off some of them as his armor rings out again and again. "Drinking would have been good...."

Wash takes moderate damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Zoey calls out to the ring, saying "Drinking is for -after- you finish beating on each other!"

Aethan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 1

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Luca calls over his shoulder to Zoey, "Drinking is for all times! All times!", as if she's in need of a dire correction. He doesn't take his eyes off Jonathan though. "Hey, who are you related to?", he asks, while casually thrusting at the man. With his spear, of course.

Jonathan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Jonathan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 25 higher.

Barric manages to catch Wash before his cousin slips away, thwacking him with the wooden sword before he blocks and twists another series of attacks, "This would have really been hurting if I'd been getting hit this much without this tin can around me..." He says with a chuckle and tries to tag Jonathan a /hard/ swing, but the leather wearing squire nimbly twists away.

Ian doesn't seem to have an answer for the question of why this isn't a drinking contest. Possibly he just didn't think of it. Or he might be too caught up watching the fight to come up with banter. Because he IS watching, leaning forward a little bit, his eyes always moving. Every now and then he nods to himself or gives half a shake of the head, or whispers a word or two under his breath. So... maybe that's why it's not a drinking contest.

Wash wanders away, backing away from the fight to regain his breath.

"Paige and Adriana! My wife's Genevieve," Jonathan offers cheerfully, ducking the spear and grinning as he manages to stay one step ahead of the others. For now. If only just. Everyone here is /really/ good at what they do and Wash is still over there.

Jonathan takes minor damage.

Luca takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Luca checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 37 higher.

Aethan takes very serious damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 6

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Barric checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 28 higher.

"Adriana.. Adriana..", Luca says, thoughtfully, while attempting not to get murdered. Or as close as one can get to being murdered with practice weapons. "She didn't faint at a duel sometime in the recent past, did she? Something about a man, in a bedsheet?", but then there's combat to worry about, and also the whole 'Why am I not drinking?' thing, too. So he's back to that. "Zoey! How am I looking!". Concern.

Barric takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

"Luca, you can drink if you win the fight," Sorrel calls impishly. "I'll get you something myself!"

"That's the one!" Jonathan declares, ducking Barric's sword by a whisker as he speaks. To Luca apparently.

Zoey grins at Luca. "You look alright," she teases the man. "You probably aren't drunk enough to actually look fantastic."

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Aethan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

Barric has to end up dodging a few swipes while high stepping it over some ropes, "Whew... then again... maybe leathers... would not have been so hot..." He clangs his fingers on the collar of his armor, "Gah, why don't they make steel with elastic bands..."

"Leather does get hot indoors." Wash agrees. "Feel free to take it off."

Barric takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 4

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

"Well, /you/ start drinking then! I'll definitely look better!", Luca promises Zoey. He /must/ turn to eye Sorrel when she mentions he can drink if he wins. "Is that so? Well, I won't argue with a pregnant woman..". He turns and spears Barric, "Hey Barry. I love what you're doing with your hair, these days.".

Wash checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 41 higher.

Barric takes moderate damage.

Ian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Ian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Aethan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 7 lower.

Aethan checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 11, rolling 28 higher.

Aethan remains capable of fighting.

Wash takes serious damage.

Aethan has rolled a critical success!
Aethan checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 30, rolling 93 higher.

Aethan remains capable of fighting.

Zoey winces when Aethan takes a sandbag full force and then when Jonathan stabs him hard with the pointy stick.

Ian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Ian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Lucita flinches as she watches the fight continue. She shakes her head. 'That... practice weapons or not, that has got to have hurt!

Luca checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 27 higher.

Barric takes minor damage.

Barric takes minor damage.

Ian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Ian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Luca checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 12 higher.

Aethan checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 72, rolling 12 lower.

Aethan has rolled a critical success!
Aethan checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 37, rolling 50 higher.

Aethan remains alive, but close to death.

Aethan falls unconscious.

Ian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 1

Ian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Jonathan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

Ian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 1

Ian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Jonathan has rolled a critical success!
Jonathan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 110 higher.

Ian is overheard praising Aethan for: For refusing to fall.

Ian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Ian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Wash retreats from all three of the people remaining as they turn on him. "Hey. Hey. Hey now. This is supposed to be a free for all!"

Ian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 1

Jonathan hops over the rope, using his spear like a pole to twirl around it a couple times, just for amusement's sake before gettign back to the killi-I mean, stabbing.

Jonathan checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 16 higher.

After the sandbag fall, it was all over. But Aethan takes his defeat gracefully, getting out of the ring to go sit by the spectators and cheer on those that are still fighting.

"It's only fair Cousin, you all have jumped me before." Barric says as he gets assaulted several times, his armor ringing from several hits as well as avoiding some more. He tries to wack Wash with the wooden practice sword, along with everyone else, but ends up hitting nothing but air. He twists and clanks around, looking at the others, "Oh fun..." he says to nobody in particular as he realizes he's the only one in steel left.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

"You want a breather Barric, you can sit down over there." Wash suggests..

Wash checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 12 higher.

Jonathan takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

"Hey, Ian?", Luca calls out. He's not sweating, but then, he's Lenosian. They don't sweat. He is breathing a bit harder than he'd like, however. "Is Sorrel admiring me? I feel like I can feel her admiring me. Does she look hungry? Because I know her cravings have been weird with the pregnancy. Tell me if she's admiring me or if she looks hungry.".

"I don't know why you're asking -me- these things," Ian calls back.

Titania has tried her best but when your in the arena with the big boys it gets hard, she does her best and is in for a while but she just can't keep up and is down, she gets up slipping her helm off shaking her head a bit as she moves up to where the rest of the people are.

Wash checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 31 higher.

"She does seem to be looking at you with some hungry eyes! I'd be warry of her, make sure she doesn't have a key to your room!" Caspian calls out to Luca, the man currently leaning against the railing of the ring, watching the fight with amusement.

Wash takes moderate damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 4

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 1

Wash should know better than to get anywhere near Luca's spear. He thought he had a moment and he was wrong. So wrong. He staggers back, clutching his chest.

Jonathan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 17 higher.

"Oh, my gods, someone get me some cake," Sorrel grumbles, shaking her head slightly. She puts her hands on her belly and just watches the fight for the moment, not answering the question.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 6

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Barric checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 10 higher.

Aethan winces when Wash gets Luca's spear to the chest, though he looks over at Sorrel at her question, before he gets up, apparently to go oblige her. Because yes, soon enough he's back with a plate of cake, which he hands to her without too much ceremony, going back to watching the fight.

Zoey laughs at Sorrel's grumbling and motions to one of the servers. "Could you bring Princess Sorrel some cake, please? Thank you."

The server points to Aethan's cake. Zoey just nods. "Yes, I know. But she's eating for two. Now hurry back."

Jonathan's spear is bigger than Luca's. The wooden one, obviously. But he handles it well, thrusting at any and all who get near to him in a desperate bid to stay afloat in a sea of really quite excellent fighters.

For all his being the only one in steel left, it certainly is protecting him as Barric swipes at Jonathan, tagging the acrobatic knight lightly and then he twists to tap Wash as well, though less hard as it is only a graze. "I like where I am Cousin, thank you." He chuckles and whirls back into the thick of it!

Jonathan takes minor damage.

Wash takes moderate damage.

Sorrel props her plate of cake on her enormous baby bump, blows Aethan a kiss, and digs into the cake with a measure of delight, enjoying her dessert.

Luca calls out to Zoey, "Let's not be hasty. She could be eating for three! We don't know!".

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Luca checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 24 higher.

Ian nods to Aethan when he returns from the fighting ring, although he's too distracted by the fight to do much more than that.

"If there are two of them in here, I'm going to kill Galen," Sorrel mumbles between bites of cake. "One is plenty. Plenty!"

"True, Nimble. True..." Zoey peers down at Sorrel. "Are we positive it's just one in there? Any chance it could be two?"

Wash is heaving heavy breaths now, and trying to avoid the longer reach of his enemie's weapons. He tries to keep Barric between him and the spear-wielders. "A little ot the left cousin, if you please."

Barric takes moderate damage.

"Shit, you guys are still going?! Y'all look like you can barely stand on your feet!" Caspian calls to the group in the ring with a wide grin given their way. Looking over to Sorrel he tells her, "At the rate nobles have twins, yours will be twins. I swear only twins have been born lately!"

Luca laughs, "I meant for me. She's eating for me, also. Gods save us if the woman has two of Galen's children.".

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Wash checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 30 higher.

Wash checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 18 higher.

Barric winces as he gets his bell rung by Luca and he staggers back, out of the way of Wash and Jonathan as he tries to smack Jonathan in passing, "I don't think I want to be anywhere near any of you right now... Luca's hardly touched..." He chuckles, "Clearly we need to work together cousin."

Titania has left the ring of valor.

"I think it's too late for either of us." Wash answers.

Jonathan takes moderate damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 4

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

"What are you talking about. Everything thinks I'm at least a little touched.." Luca calls over to Barric, playing with the words. They say you should never mix swordplay and wordplay. But the Lycene has a spear. No sword here! "Sorrel! Did you get your cake, dear?", he shouts, attention still fixed on the melee.

Titania rolls her eyes at Luca as she moves to join the others at the table.

"Oh I don't know about that..." Barric says with a chuckle, "It's not like we're /that/ close to dropping..." He clangs around in his steel armor, swiping at Jonathan again but unable to land a telling blow in the general melee. "Alright..." He flips his visor up a moment, sweaty, "Can't see with that thing down anymore..."

Titania has joined the ringside great table.

Jonathan takes serious damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Luca checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 40, rolling 31 higher.

Jonathan checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 23, rolling 23 higher.

Jonathan remains capable of fighting.

"Caspian, if you somehow curse me with twins at this late date, I will hunt you down and murder you," Sorrel says, brandishing a fork at him. "There is one child in there, and that may be too many for the world, because it is unquestionably Galen's child. It kicks me the way Galen's child would kick me, and before long, it will be jumping off of things and wrestling strange sea creatures. One is plenty."

Luca takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Luca checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 20 higher.

Jonathan takes a ringer across the cheek after avoiding a slicing blow from..Someone. It's getting a little blurry with all the sweat in his eyes, but he shakes it off, his grin undiminished as he wades back into it. Just to get hit again, solidly. Only to shrug it off once more, a little slower this time. "So..Very popular...When Luca is standing all pretty..." He wades back in though!

"Well, they both know I'm one hit from unconscious." Wash answers Jonathan.

Luca takes minor damage.

Luca takes minor damage.

Wash takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 4

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Wash checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 59 higher.

Wash takes minor damage.

Wash isn't as fancy as Jonathan, but he does have a certain familiarity with lines that might otherwise trip him, so when snags around his foot he flips it up with a kick and slips through it.

Jonathan checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 33, rolling 39 higher.

Jonathan remains capable of fighting.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Wash checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 36 higher.

Barric takes minor damage.

Luca takes serious damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Wash checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 2 lower.

Luca takes minor damage.

Wash takes minor damage.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 4

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Luca checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 38 higher.

With Luca now raning hits down against his armor, Barric turns his attention from nearly dropping Jonathan to trying to bring down Luca instead!

Luca checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 19, rolling 72 higher.

Luca remains capable of fighting.

Jonathan checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 53, rolling 0 higher.

Jonathan remains capable of fighting.

Luca checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 60, rolling 30 higher.

Luca remains capable of fighting.

Michael finally makes his way from around the main event to track down the lady of honor, she of much beauty and elegance. He was here the whole time, honest. "Lady Zoey Kennex." He makes a fake-face about it.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 1

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Jonathan checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 23 higher.

Luca checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 100, rolling 13 lower.

Luca checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 60, rolling 37 higher.

Luca remains alive, but close to death.

Luca falls unconscious.

Barric has rolled a critical success!
Barric checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 39, rolling 24 higher.

Barric remains capable of fighting.

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 3

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 6-sided dice: 5

Caspian has rolled 1 3-sided dice: 3

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Lucita is flabergasted that some of the combatants are still on their feet. Her lips part to form a soft, low whistle of admiration.

Barric checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 28 higher.

Lucita is overheard praising Ian for: A married man at last!

Lucita is overheard praising Zoey for: A lovely bride

Sorrel eats her cake in a possessive sort of way, like she's afraid someone might steal from her.

After a brilliant display of swordplay... that is really not two very tired men trying to swing wooden toy weapons at each other, Barric finally manages to take Luca down with a few hard hits as his steel absorbs more and more damage, until Jonathan comes up behind him and clocks him in the back of his head and nearly drops him!

Barric checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 46, rolling 31 higher.

Barric remains capable of fighting.

Jonathan checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 55, rolling 1 lower.

Jonathan checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 24, rolling 17 higher.

Jonathan remains alive, but close to death.

Jonathan falls unconscious.

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Wash checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 61 higher.

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

With Jonathan down, Wash does his tired best too make the act of dancing with the sandbags look good. Mostly he just sways to an abrupt stop.

Wash checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 7 higher.

Luca's down. That much is obvious. Down, but not out. He hits the sand, tosses his spear to the side, and begins crawling toward the edge of the arena. When he reaches it, he comes creeping over it, just his fingers first, then his face, with a grunting sound. "Alcohol..", he whispers hoarsly to Sorrel, "Alcohol, have mercy..".

Wash checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 2, rolling 56 higher.

Wash remains capable of fighting.

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Wash checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 30 higher.

Wash checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 4, rolling 36 higher.

Wash remains capable of fighting.

Barric checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 61, rolling 4 higher.

Barric remains capable of fighting.

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Wash has rolled a critical success!
Wash checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 44 higher.

Wash checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 16, rolling 18 higher.

Wash remains capable of fighting.

Jonathan gives it his all, he really does, but in the end, he just can't keep going for this long with these kinds of partners, and ends up flat on his back, chuckling hoarsely and with no apparent sign of being upset he lost the bout. He slowly wriggles away from the two men fighting until he's pretty sure he won't get clocked again, then rises wearily to his knees, clutching the rail and hefting himself up with a cough. "Okay...That was fun..Do me proud, Wash.." Because showmanship is important, apparently.

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Wash checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 17 higher.

Wash checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 26, rolling 3 higher.

Wash remains capable of fighting.

Sorrel pulls out a flask of rum from her bag, and why does a pregnant woman have a flask of rum? Some questions are best left unanswered, but she tosses it helpfully to Luca so that he can be revived. "Rum," she tells him. "Galen's rum."

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 2

Caspian has rolled 1 2-sided dice: 1

Barric has rolled a critical success!
Barric checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 72 higher.

Wash checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 48, rolling 15 higher.

Wash remains capable of fighting.

Barric checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 77, rolling 23 lower.

Barric checked stamina, willpower + survival at difficulty 42, rolling 27 higher.

Barric remains alive, but close to death.

Barric falls unconscious.

Zoey beams at Michael. "Come sit!" She motions to a chair beside her. "There's plenty of cognac or whiskey at the table right now, but I can have someone bring you an ale?" And then, oh my goodness. "WASH!" Zoey seems elated that Wash is the last one standing.

Wash is not as nearly as graceful at the end of the fight, swinging sandbags, and flipping ropes are parried, ducked, and his earlier spins and grace are lost as he practically bearhugs his cousin at the end.

"Oh, rum. The nectar of the sea. Sorrel, you're a beautiful creature..", Luca says, after catching the rum, but just barely. He cracks it open, so he can pour some of the sweet revival beverage into his mouth. It's one of those high-up pouring sort of things, not caring too much if just a little goes amiss. He could be a castaway, having his first taste in this very moment.

It was dodging that last sandbag, trying to high step over the ropes in the sands while wearing /that much steel/ that finally seals Barric's fate... at least for the general melee. Even after he managed to whirl on Jonathan and hammer the acrobatic squire into the sand with another swipe of that wooden sword, there is only Wash, and Barric left. Both exhausted. "Alright Cousin..." They swing and hammer at each other like they were training dummies, but as tired as he is Barric's swings have no weight to them, and in the end he just can't stay up. One more light hit taps him on the helmet and his knees buckle with a clang, and he spills onto his back on the sands like a poor turtle unable to move.

When it becomes clear that Wash has won, Aethan grins widely -- a shocking thing in itself -- and stands up, sticking two fingers in his mouth and whistling loudly. "Kennex!" he calls, reaching over to shove Ian's shoulder in his obvious excitement. It's definitely quite a display, considering the source.

The last two are up, and Caspian leans across the railing, watching with intense interest, and then finally Barric is delt the final blow. When it's over and the man has yieled Caspian vaults over the railing and runs to Wash, "We have a winner, everyone~! After a long and brutal slog Lord Wash has come out the winner!"

Jonathan flops gracelessly into a seat, chuckling all the while and summoning up just enough energy to bring up two fingers to whistle for Wash, joining Aethan in the cacophany. "Good bout! Well...Well done." And he sags back, chuckling quietly.

Ian stands up when Wash ends up the last man standing. He doesn't clap or cheer, but there was a moment where a bolt of energy propelled him to his feet. He's thus able to shoulder-bump Aethan.

Titania claps her hands together and whistles for Wash as he is the last one standing a grin on her face.

Michael has joined the ringside great table.

Caspian is overheard praising Wash for: He is the last man standing after a brutal slog of a fight!

Aethan is overheard praising Wash for: The winner!

Wash seems too tired to celebrate properly. He lifts an arm tired and lets the practice sword drop to the sand. He takes a slow turn, still not clear why everyone is applauding him. He reaches down to heft the heavy Barric back to his feet. "Well fought cousin. You took Luca to the wire. Well fought."

Ian is overheard praising Wash for: Definitely different than last time.

"Nice fighting there, Wash! That was quite the fight, I've got to say!" Sorrel calls brightly.

Lucita claps for the contestant. "That was a wonderful fight to watch!

Barric is overheard praising Wash for: I'll get you next time, my pretty!

Michael is overheard praising Ian for: For obviously choosing the right girl.

Caspian is overheard praising Zoey.

Caspian is overheard praising Ian.

Sorrel is overheard praising Wash for: Awesome fight!

Sorrel is overheard praising Zoey for: Beautiful bride!

Sorrel is overheard praising Ian for: He finally got married!

If there's a reason to take a break from pounding the rum Sorrel gave to him, it's so Luca can cheer for Wash, which he does, "Waaaash! You beast! I'm writing a letter to your wife about this, right now!", and then he pauses for a moment, before adding, "..right now.. after I finish drinking..", and then he's sort of half-crawling, tired, over the railing, to sit at Sorrel's table. "Hey, where did that cake you?", he asks, not hopefully.

Barric chuckles as he pulls himself up to his feet with Wash's help, "You used good tactics there Cousin... well fought." He then grins, "Well fought everyone!" He winces, "I could use a drink, and a soak, and a..." At least he stops rattling off the things he could use before it gets out of hand.

"If you tell her all about this, I can't make up wild stories about the bruises you gave me." Wash retorts to Luca. "A drink then. Whiskey or rum. Something stout."

Wash has left the ring of valor.

Jonathan has left the ring of valor.

Jonathan has joined the raised seating.

Pulling out a pouch of coins and a sheathed sword, Caspian hands both of them over to Wash. "Your prize. Try not to spend it all in one place!" He turns to the crowd, "Thank you all for participating and watching! Give it up for all the fighters! As for me, I'm going to bed, this Champion needs his beauty sleep!"

Zoey is overheard praising Wash for: Yay! You didn't fall over!

Wash wields Sky Render, a dusky blue steel scimtar.

Caspian has left the ring of valor.

Lucita is overheard praising Wash for: Outstanding fight.

Aethan is overheard praising Caspian.

Titania is overheard praising Wash for: He is the last man standing!

Wash has joined the bar.

Zoey glances over at the crate full of bottles. "Did everyone get a bottle?" she asks curiously to those still gathered.

"A bottle?" Ford asks.

Luca gets Exclusive Bottle of Raconteur's Implicit Connections from Zoey's Booze Crate.

Sorrel gets Exclusive Bottle of Raconteur's Implicit Connections from Zoey's Booze Crate.

Jonathan gets Exclusive Bottle of Raconteur's Implicit Connections from Zoey's Booze Crate.

Zoey nods at Ford. "We had some cognac made specifically for the reception. It's been aged in whiskey barrels."

Sorrel gets Exclusive Bottle of Raconteur's Implicit Connections from Zoey's Booze Crate.

Ford gets Exclusive Bottle of Raconteur's Implicit Connections from Zoey's Booze Crate.

Wash gets Exclusive Bottle of Raconteur's Implicit Connections from Zoey's Booze Crate.

Jonathan manages to drag his bruised and sorry self over to the crate to snatch up a bottle, turning to bow to Zoey and then Ian and then /all/ assembled as he clutches it. "My many thanks, it was a lovely reception. Best of the Gods' blessings to you both, My Lords." And then he's turning, limping his way off.

Barric gets Exclusive Bottle of Raconteur's Implicit Connections from Zoey's Booze Crate.

Ian bows his head to Jonathan when he starts to leave. "Well fought." There's real feeling behind those words. Not a lot, but there is.

Zoey smiles at Jonathan. "Thank you for coming. Be well, Master Fieldstone."

Making his way off the sands and to the tables with slow clanks, Barric starts pulling off some pieces of armor and handing them to his attendant, Eugene, who waits to take them for him. "Well fought Master Fieldstone, you've improved quite a bit from when we first met." He says with a smile and then goes to get a bottle for the occassion before moving to sit down next to Lucita. "Ah well... was close, very good fight all around."

Barric has left the ring of valor.

Barric has joined the ringside great table.

When Jonathan takes his leave, Aethan turns to lift a hand to the man, and adds his own, "Very impressive." His own tone is a little bit flat, but Wash's win seems to have livened him up a little bit, so it's not as flat as it might have been otherwise.

Jonathan pauses as Lucita murmurs something to him on his way past, and he simply..Shakes his head to her, a melancholy little smirk on his face as he replies quietly, "Not really, My lady. But I /did/ get married myself, so really, you win some and lose some!" And with that, he is off.

Jonathan has left the raised seating.

Ian nods to Barric when he returns, as well. "That was a long time to fight in armor that heavy."

Lucita says, "It was indeed, very close, all of you so skillful!" She gives a little wink and a smile that encompasses them all. "Glad you are on our side, right Princess Sorrel?""

Ford slides from the table, "Unfortunately, I've got to see myself off." He makes his way around the table to shake Ian's hand again, a shoulder pat for Wash and a kiss on the top of the head for Titania, "I'll see all of you soon, no doubt."

Wash waves to Jonathan, "Sir Fieldstone. Good to see you again." Wash nods to Ford. "Good to see you Marquis."

Zoey smiles at Ford. "Thank you for coming."

"All in favor of a drinking contest next time, say aye!", Luca says, "Aye!", and that seems to be the only vote the man needs. He trades his rum out for whiskey, pouring a glass of the stuff and lifting it toward Ian, "Wonderful thing, you put together, here! I always like to see Barric sweating profusely! Those damn Princes should have to work sometimes..", he mentions, like he's not a royal himself. Then he tips his whiskey back for a drink of it.

Ian shakes his head to Luca. "I didn't put anything together. This was all Zoey and Master Wild."

Titania looks to Ford nodding her head, "Gods keep you safe Marquis." she looks to the otehrs around the table her eyes fall on Luca watching him.

Ford has left the ringside great table.

Wash has left the bar.

Wash gets a pitcher of something from the bar and brings it back to the table where everyone else is. He fills a tin cup and holds that to his head. "I only wish Catalana had been here."

Wash has joined the ringside great table.

Aethan has left the ring of valor.

Aethan has joined the ringside great table.

Luca has left the ring of valor.

Luca has joined the ringside great table.

"I wish Galen had been here. He'd have had a grand time. Although the spiced rum I gave Luca might already have been gone," Sorrel remarks.

Ian leans towards Aethan when he sits down nearby and lowers his voice, resting a hand on his shoulder as he talks.

"Sounds like we'd all have liked someone to be here, except for perhaps Lord Ian and Lady Zoey." Barric says with a soft chuckle, "Who probably have all they need from here on out. I hope." He lifts his drink when he gets one, "Congratulations again. Gods favor you both."

"I'd give up spiced rum to have Galen here. But don't tell him I told you that. I can't have him knowing that sort of thing..", Luca tells Sorrel, before turning his attention around the gathering. There's Titania, her eyes on him, and he waves the woman over, "Titania! What are you doing over there!".

Lucita laughs at Luca's comment. "Lady Titania, you did so well to get in the ring with them and try. It was such a different fight to watch." She shakes her head. "I can't handle drinking the way you men do. I learned that early on." To Sorrel she nods. "He would have enjoyed it."

Aethan leans slightly toward Ian, and whatever is said to him gets a nod. He murmurs something back, before he straightens up again and looks to Wash. "Well fought," he says, still with a wider smile than normal, before turning to Barric. "And you, Your Highness. Impressive that you could dodge all those obstacles in your armor."

"The sandbags and ropes were a nice touch. Felt like dueling on a boat deck." Wash admits. "My wedding gift to you, a painting of the Bounty." Wash says. "Where you were married."

Titania chuckles, "I am sitting down enjoying a drink with my cousins and friends and what are you doing over there Luca." she grins a twinkle in her eyes and she looks to Lucita, "Thank you Baroness, I am a bit rusty from not being able to do much for nine months but I am getting back into it, I have taken harder hits before try behing hit repeadly by his grace Prince Victus."

"Been there, done that," Sorrel says brightly. "I'm looking forward to getting back into fighting shape after this baby comes. Two more weeks. Which is like, forever."

Ian nods to Aethan and then finishes off his whiskey. "When you're ready," he says to Sorrel, "I'm willing to help."

Barric smiles wryly at Aethan, "It was... an interesting series of events. I think I got lucky more than skill there. It was an incredibly exhausting fight." He nods towards Ian and smiles wryly, "I am glad for all the effort I have put into my stamina but... I still have a little bit of work to do it seems." He chuckles at Luca, "That was play, not work. So I am still work free on that account." He speaks quietly to Lucita afterwards, smiling towards her.

Lucita laughs again, leaning back in her chair as she says to Titania. "You are speaking to a person who has never won a single spar. Come close, down to who would land the next blow, but I seem to tire quickly and it does not end well for me.

"Not me.", Luca assures Sorrel, after Ian's offer to help her get back into fighting shape. "I'm going to nap for about ten years, after that spar. To warm up for the real nap I'm going to need.", and then he lifts his whiskey against. He kisses the rim of the glass and blows the kiss over to Titania, before turning his attention over to Barric, "You're a better man than I am! That felt like a lot of work, to me!" Then, he drinks.

"Oh! Lucita! I forgot. I'm supposed to get you to talk to my sister Duchess Clover about potential trade routes," Sorrel says to Lucita as if she just remembered. She pats a chair next to her. "Come sit and take a nap on my shoulder, Luca."

Ian shakes his head to Barric. "I'm not sure that a person could ask someone in metal armor to keep going longer than you did."

"Well, Ian's been my tutor. I'd know more if I'd taken him seriously when we first met, but he was fifteen and I couldn't duel a fifteen year old boy." Wash says. "You know that story, right Zoey?"

Zoey looks over at Wash, arching her eyebrows with a small smile. "I don't think I do," she comments softly.

Ian blinks as he looks over at Wash and Zoey. "I never told you that one?"

The mention of the story gets a little huff of amusement from Aethan, and he shakes his head, reaching for a glass of water that has been so helpfully brought to him so that he can take a sip. He doesn't offer to tell it himself, but he does listen.

Zoey thinks for a moment and then slowly shakes her head. "Not in the form of a story," she muses, looking back at Ian. "I know you used to spar with him..."

"That's the best idea I've heard all night. I wouldn't even have gotten into the ring if I knew it was an option.", Luca assures Sorrel, before tipping back his whiskey and finishing it off, as he rises from his chair. He meanders around the table, to the Queen of Cake, and slips into another chair. There goes his cheek, right onto her shoulder. "Wow, you are really comfortable. I never knew..", he murmurs.

Titania sticks her tongue out at Luca and raises a brow at him she leans back in her armor best she can and drinks down her glass and then pours more.

Ian shakes his head. "This was before all that. This was the day we met." He pours a little bit of cognac into his glass. "I don't come off great in that story, so I guess it makes sense that I never told you."

Wash grins, and whets his whistle with the iced drink. "Well, I had already challenged Porter and Aethan to a duel that day, and I went into a bar with Porter's sword, different story, and there was Ian drinking with Aethan. And the young man tried to challenge me to a duel. Naturally I refused. Until he badgered me into it incessantly. So I agreed for the third time to a duel that day. But I didn't actually fight any of them."

Lucita says, "Alright, I'll be glad to talk with her about that!" She says quite agreeably to Sorrel. She goes quiet to listen to Wash's tale though murmurs an aside to Luca. "Pregnancy does make one well padded in some areas." Tactfully she does not mention which ones."

"And you didn't -actually- intend to fight me, either," Ian grumbles. "Which I found out when all of us met up in the alley we'd chosen." He looks to Zoey. "Porter was standing around demanding to know what was going on, and I'd just completely lost my temper with Wash, and Aethan was over leaning against a wall, laughing so hard he popped the stitches in his shoulder." He takes a sip. "And then Wash said 'Fine, I'll fight you both' and drew his sword."

As Wash tells the story, Zoey's eyebrows rise slowly. Eventually she looks to Ian and grins. "Oh my."

"It was not a very good blade. I'd pawned Porter's sword for it." Wash explains.

Barric chuckles softly as he settles in to listen to the story. "So many duels... I've only ever been able to fight a couple duels, and always during war time." He says to Lucita softly so as to not completely interrupt the story telling. "I've always had to hire people like Luca."

Ian sips his drink. "He's only repeating that part because Porter's not here. He's still sore about that."

Sorrel reaches up to stroke Luca's hair in a fond sort of way, protective almost. "You are used to thinking of me as a fierce fighter, not a soft woman," she points out.

Aethan apparently can't help but interject here after Ian. "He drew the sword, but it was clear he had no idea how to use it. Which end to hold, maybe, but that was about it." He takes another drink from his glass then, apparently satisfied with his contribution. "No one was about to duel him after we figured that out."

"We were all young men back then, eager to make our bones. I'd just been released from my position as an oarsman. Felt like a noble Prince again for the first time. Shaved for the first time in two years." Wash rubs his chin. He's never had an impressive amount of facial hair.

Ian looks sidelong at Aethan. "... I would have," he admits. "Probably. If you hadn't said that none of us would."

"You're still a fierce fighter. You're just a fierce fighter trapped under a soft woman right now." Luca counter-points, seeming to soak in the feeling of fingers in his hair, all too much like a cat. But the rest of the conversation isn't lost to him. He calls over to Barric, "Just join the Champions, Barric! You can duel all the time! I know a lot of doll collections in need of defense. I'd trade you, but I already dodged being a Sword twice. Best things I ever dodged..", and he laughs, quietly. He seems a little drunk, a little tired. A little way into considering Sorrel's shoulder as a permanent resting place, or maybe a burial site.

Lucita takes a sip of her drink, hiding a grin behind the rim of the glass. It is clear she enjoyed the story being told.

"Aw, you're so sweet," Sorrel says cozily to Luca, petting his hair and stroking his back in a comfortable sort of way. "Just like a kitten, except you're too big for my lap, and I don't have any lap left."

Aethan cuts a look at Ian, but after a second he has to concede, "Yes, you would have." There's a little smile again, before he adds, "But Wash wouldn't have let you. In any case, no one dueled anyone that day. Wash and I didn't get around to it until some years later."

"A few months ago," Ian supplies. "At one of the fighting events Princess Valencia holds." His voice takes an... odd note, as he recounts this, and for a moment he looks a little bit bewildered.

Zoey glances at Ian for a moment. "What about a few months ago, Darling?" she asks curiously

Ian shakes his head a little bit and takes a sip of his drink. "That was when they had the duel."

"We did. I got lucky on that one. Recently he gave me a tumble at the Sailor's Ball that I guess I repaid tonight." Wash says, saluting Aethan.

"Not my thing Luca." Barric answers at the comment of joining the Champions, "I can fight as well as anyone else, better than most everyone else, but a performer... I am not." He smiles wryly at that. "There's a lot more to being a duelist than knowing which end of the sword to hold." He murmurs something softly to Lucita afterwards.

Aethan lifts the glass at Wash's salute, and he replies, "That you did. But I'll get you next time." There's a brief glance at Ian as he takes another drink, before he falls quiet again, leaning back a little bit on the bench.

"You don't gotta perform. Just show up drunk like I do, and spend a couple minutes trying to figure out how to draw your sword, Barry. It's great fun." Luca suggests, but there's something in his tone that might betray that it isn't great fun at all. Or maybe he's just sleepy, and laden with alcohol, and there's that nice woman letting him use her shoulder for a pillow. His dark eyes aren't even open now, despite listening to everyone, all of the conversation going on around him. The feline, at rest. No doubt working on his sixteen mandatory hours of rest, even.

Ian falls into a pensive silence. Or maybe he's enjoying his drink.

Zoey has left the ringside great table.

Titania has left the ringside great table.

"That's always good for a laugh." Wash agrees with Luca. "Especially if you can actually wield a sword with any skill."

Sorrel is, after all, petting Luca like he is in fact an overlarge cat. It's very fond, and she eats cake with her free hand.

"If you show up too drunk, you might not be able to perform at all, much less draw your sword," Porter says helpfully, leaning on the back of Ian's chair and grinning like a wag. Where has he even been? He seems in good spirits, and keen on the cake that Sorrel is holding with her free hand.