The botanical gardens are populated with friends and family of Sorrel Thrax. Buntings and sways of pink and blue decorate the tables that hold the food, drinks, table for gifts and the like. A pair of musicians are playing soft music as the group waits. Sorrel's baby shower is just waiting for the woman to arrive. which if you go by Ovelia coming in with an excited look on her face, might state that they are just outside. "They're here" She calls out, even as Alarissa and Sorrel are heading toward the Gardens doors for a "minister meeting"


Arriving only minutes before her sister might have been spied, Clover is within, waiting eagerly and with a smile on her face. Dressed nicely, the duchess looks to the others as Ovelia runs in to announce the arrival of the guest of honor.

Smoothing down a fold of her skirts, Catriona makes her way between tables, smiling and waving at other Thraxes and guests she knows before the real stuff begins. She glances over towards the doors as the arrival is announced. She clasps her hands and smiles with an eye on the door for the very person herself. "Here we go then ..."

Lisebet arrived with good time, ahead of her sister-in-law and the surprise guest(s) of honour. She glances over at the C's, at their reaction and smiles, her own eyes showing her excitement though her expression remains politely neutral. For now. She nods once, maybe holding her breath, because nobody will ever notice that.

Sorrel leads with her gravid belly, waddling a bit but still in good shape due to continuous exercise throughout her pregnancy. It doesn't change the fact that she looks like she's about five minutes away from popping out a prince or princess. "Why are we holding a ministerial meeting in the Botanical Gardens?" she's asking Alarissa. "I mean, it is a lovely place, and it's probably got more room here than one of our offices, but..." She pauses, glancing around. "This is going to be the strangest business meeting ever."

"Because sometimes the walls of thrax can get very.... grey." Alariss points out, a couple months behind sorrel on the baby thing. "I thought it would be a nice change of pace." And then the guards hat preceed them are opening the door to let the pair hrough and instead of a meeting filled with paperwork, likley some arguing and such, there's what is quite likely... well, a partty, with congratulations and as they make their way in, Alarissa stands off to the side so that Sorrel gets the full brunt of what's happening.

Palamon, a supercilious eagle owl arrives, following Ryhalt.


It's not till Sorrel and Alarissa enter completely that the cry of 'Surprise!!' will be uttered by one and all, and perhaps loudest, by Clover. Grinning and clapping her hands, she almost bounces with energy, so excited for her sister. Glancing to Lisebet, she grins a little more, then turns back so she might spy the expression to come to her sister's face when she realizes it's not a horrible minister meeting at all.

Not that Cat would mind a minister meetinb but clearly this is not it. She smiles and raises a hand in a delicate wave to Sorrel as she enters, adding her voice to the call and approaching the pregnant Princess. "Congratulations, Princess." She offers a broad, genuine smile. "Official congratulations. This time complete with party!"

Lisebet grins as she spies Clover bouncing next to her. Almost bouncing? Close enough. It's enough to have Lisebet's breath woosh out just moments before she echoes that cry of "Surprise" with everyone else. "This is so much fun," she says. And then a thought occurs to her, and her gaze goes briefly, thoughtfully to Alarissa, and then mischief flares on her face, before she lets it slowly fade to the pleased expression of a sister in law. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you!" Sorrel says brightly to all of the congratulations when it becomes clear that it's not going to be a ministry meeting after all. "Although we're still going to have to have that meeting, you know. There's so much business to discuss... But a party is delightful!"

"After the tour. When we can all focus and we have seen what the isles needs and it's people need." Alarissa waves that off. "I didn't have one, of these, for Astrid. But you should. So, welcome to your party Princess Sorrel." With family present and plenty of food for everyone to partake of. Alarissa smiles.


Ryhalt is standing behind his wife and beside his sister, smiling his charming bordering upon rakish smile. As Sorrel's words he gives a rich and resonate chuckle. "Oh I am all form a business meeting, especially one where I get trade ships for a whistle and a song. I hear you are so close to your little one wailing its first hangry cries you might actually do so." The last was meant as a jest, a hopeful jest, but a jest none the less.

Ryhalt might get an elbow sliding towards his middle for that comment. From his sister, no less.

"Oh, I hope not to have a business meeting until I know the business I"m supposed to be performing," Catriona says, also jesting, though she really does have A LOT to catch up on. She smiles at Sorrel. "I expect business will be easier for both of you when the babies have arrived." She chuckles.


"It both will and won't." Clover adds to the comment from Catriona about business getting easier after the delivery. Leaning into her husband, she glances to him, offering a tender smile to her husband before looking to the pile of gifts and food on the tables. Anyone a pregnant woman could want!

Sorrel heads over to get herself a slice of cake and a cup of tea, because baby showers are heavy drinking parties. "Well, this is very nice. And quite unexpected. I'm not sure what to say," she admits with a cheerful little smile. "But thank you all for coming. I appreciate the effort."


Ryhalt smirks as he wraps his arms about his wife, only grunting when his sister's elbow connects much lower than she perhaps planned, inside of his hip and a little *too* close for his comfort. He gives Lisebet a look after that, thinking they need to get her raised clogs if she was going to continue to do so. He shakes his head and he smiles again. "Twas no effort at all, and a pure joy and honor for me to be sure. Also there was free food and drink, something the cheap person in me would never turn down."

"Nanny's and nursemaid make things far easier" Alarissa assures. "And we have plenty on hand at the estate." Peope start to disperse to their corners, and get food, hard drink, or non-slcoholic ones. "How is Ivy? Duke Ryhalt, a delight to see you." The faintestroll of her eyes at his comment. "I have been keeping your sister company of late while you are gone."

"It's good to celebrate new life," Cat replies witha bright smile as Sorrel goes to get herself her cake. In fact, cake sounds great. Cat goes for some too, though she pauses by Clover and Ryhalt and smiles at the pair of them. "I'm not sure we've met, if so it hasn't been more than in passing. Princess Catriona - it's a pleasure."

Lisebet doesn't even offer Ryhalt an apologetic glance for that elbow. Hrmph. She inclines her head as Catriona introduces herself, smiling briefly. "Lisebet Farshaw" she puts in. "And I will leave you to my brother and sister-by-marriage, please do excuse me. It is nice to meet you though." She detaches herself from her family and heads over to discover what treats there may be on the table. Cake! And drinks. That works.


Clover chuckles softly, staying near her husband, even as Lisebet moves off to find refreshments. To Catriona, she dips her head, "A pleasure to finally meet you in person, Princess Catriona. I have heard your name off and on." Still bouncing a little, Clover shows her excitement so in excess energy.


Ryhalt turned to Catriona and while he is not one to stand on formal ceremony, with Princess Alarissa present best to mind his manners than to act too familiar. "A pleasure, you Highness to meet you. I am Ryhalt Farshaw, and this is my wife Clover, formally of House Wyrmguard. We are now the Duke ad Duchess of Westrock Reach out west and vassel to the Oathlands."

Catriona chuckles, eyes glimmering with genuine humour and enthusiasm for Clover's energy. She inclines her head to both Duke and Duchess. "It's good to meet you both. I hope anything you've heard about me has been good." She chuckles quietly. "Will either of you have food? Anything to drink?" She glanes over at Alarissa, maybe extending the invitation also to her since Lisebet and Sorrel are already over at the tables. The food is right there, but it's nice to be polite.


"Both would be nice, but I figured I'd let Sorrel get the head start... you know how pregnant women can be if you get between them and their food, hmm?" Yes, she's throwing a joke at her sister, and perhaps even the pregnant Princess, and acting extremely innocent about it, as if she wasn't in their place not too long ago! "It's all very lovely.." She does say, as to decorations and all that's been set up for the little surprise party. Perfect. As it should be for her sister!

"Oh I'm fine," Alarissa waves off food even as dolls are being brought out by some servants, and stacks of diapers. "It would seem it's time for the game though." There's a smile. "I was told this one is popular? Changing the nappies of the baby. OR so spoke Genaile." Astrid's nanny. "Prize is crowing rights to having changed the nappy the fastest."

"Any bets on Ryhalt winning?" Lisebet slides in, amused. She has both cake and wine, but smiles over towards Alarissa as she tongue in cheek suggests her brother might win.



Ryhalt unwraps his arms from about Clover so she could indeed move to get the food. "Oh yes, I have more than a few scars when I would eat before Clover when she was carrying Ivy." Then he hears Alarissa proposed contest and the man turns pale, and he starts to look for a way out of the gardens, or a bush to hide in. It was his nemisis, his one true fear and weakness, changing nappies!


Turning so she might playfully snap her teeth at Ryhalt, Clover merely grins a little at her husband before stepping away towards food and drink. That is, until mention of the game is brought up, "Oooh! Yes! Too gleeful is she, especially when Lisebet suggests Ryhalt take part in the game, "HE should be part of this as well..."

Catriona glances left. Glances right. Suddenly she feels a bit like hiding in the bushes with Ryhalt. She has no experience with babies and it will become very obvious right here, right now. Maybe her cheeks darken a bit. But then ... she can't /not/ participate. She takes a deep breath. "Well!" She dusts off her hands. "Good luck to all then... right?"

Catriona checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 7 lower.

Ryhalt checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Catriona checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 7 lower.

Ryhalt checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Lisebet checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

Lisebet checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Alarissa checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 8 lower.

Alarissa checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

"I don't intend to change nappies!" Sorrel complains, having her bit of cake and waggling her fork. "I am just here for the cake, I swear! Also because the baby is coming very soon. Please let the servants change the nappies! Isn't that why we have them?"

Clover checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Clover checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 6 lower.

"That is not the point of the game Princess Sorrel." But alarissa doesn't force the other woman, let Sorrel eat cake.

And then she moves to join the others at the table as everyone's given a doll with a diaper and a new diaper. Servants at the ready to yell out start even as people gather and... start to change the diaper on the dolls.


Taking a seat once a doll is handed to her, Clover will set the extra nappy to the side, and when time is called, begins to change the nappy. It's a hilarious scene then as she races Ryhalt on who can manage the change faster, and better. She even goes so far as sticking her tongue out at her husband. Little does she realize, her sister-in-law is going to whip all their butts at doing this!

Lisebet also takes a doll, and she laughs softly. "C'mon, Ryhalt. You have to stand up for all the brave men who couldn't make it today," she teases. She looks over to Alarissa, curiously. "How are you going to tell who wins?"


It is with some...no scratch that, great reluctance he does this. "I am only do this, sister mine, if you tell Clover who made you the dress you wore to the family feast near two weeks past. As for you my lovely if treacherous wife." Ryhalt leans in and whispers what he is going to extract from her. It is not for everyone to know. What happens in Arx stays in Arx. He next gets with everyone and does his best. It is very funny at how he clearly is better than his wife, and all the other females save his sister at this.

"Whoever manages to actually get the daper on the baby." Alarissa points out. "And the neatest, and the fastest." Which might explainw hy as she's doing this wih lisebet and Clover and Ryhalt, alarissa is clearly... inept. They've found something she's not good at, no at all and she's looking over the crowd till she finds Ovelia. "Ovelia!" A hurried gesture with her hands and stepping back, points to the diaper. 'help me. Quick. So Catriona does not beat me!"

1 Saik Guard arrives, following Lucita.

Most everyone is gathered around a long tabe, stacks of diapers and dolls as there's a diapering showdown happening in the garden. The woman of honour is eating cake and watching and others mill about the garden.

Lucita is late, like usual, but she did get there! She steps in, a basket resting in her arms and glances around the area.

The large form of Jeffeth Bayweather is approaching in his slow, lumbering way. The big man has his wrist wedged between his waist and the pommel of his sword. Slowing in his pace, the big man blinks at the dolls. The diapers. The people. Back to the dolls. The diapers. His eyes widen slightly. Jeffeth turns around and starts moving the way he came. Aaaaaa!

Lisebet probably wouldn't get away with this if it was a real baby. But it's a doll. So upside down and sideways works. Seriously. Lisebet is quick and reasonably neat, but the baby would have been screaming if there was one. Also, she's only good at this in comparison with the others. Seriously. "I'm the youngest," she protests, giggling. "How do I know how to do this. Here, I think I'm done." Jeffeth's entrance is noticed briefly, but it only brings laughter to Lisebet, her composure broken finally.


Clover gets it done. Barely. Only because she's changed a few when Ivy refused to allow the nanny to deal with her, wanting only mommy. That Ryhalt manages better than her, has her giggling, "Go husband mine!" She misses Jeffeth's arrival slightly behind her, having too much fun of it. It's then she glances to her other side, seeing Lisebet's efforts, "Hey.. have you been practicing with Ivy since we got back?" It's the only explanation, right?

Alarissa is overheard praising Jeffeth for: For fleeing.

And Jeffeth nopes along all the way out of the gardens.

Sorrel is giggling like she's drunk now, watching her friends and family 'diaper babies.' "Oh, by the gods," she says, beside herself with laughter, utterly amused. "This is amazing. It's a damn good thing we have servants to do this, because this is..."

3 Thrax Guards, Olenna leave, following Catriona.

Lucita cannot help the giggle slipping out as she watches the various dipering efforts and moves up to near Sorrel. "not long now! Nannies do help if you get a good one." She hands a basket over to Sorrel discretely.


Ryhalt looks to his wife and actually sticks out his tongue at her. "Thre are some things I am better than you, wife of mine. Stones, archery, and now nappy changing, though I am in full aggrement with Sorrel, if the fate of Arx depended upon us changing diapers, Arx would be doomed." Seeing Jeffeth come in and witness what was happening, and fleeing because he had easier access to the exits did cause him to raise his fist in the air at the large man's departing form. "Coward, take me with you!"

Lisebet, while giggling madly at Jeffeth's expression and his departure, now has a chance to look at the state of the nappy nation, and it's not pretty. But it is amusing. Then Ryhalt's voice comes with that demand - and Lisebet loses it again.

"Ah, Lucita, can you imagine trying to diaper your two wiggling twins?" Sorrel asks, putting an arm around Lucita's shoulders, still laughing. She can't help watching Jeffeth's rapid departure with great amusement.

Alarissa's is pristine. But that's only because you know, Ovelia is the one who's finishing it up and so Alarissa's disqualified. But Lisebet's teh clear winner here and as everyone steps back from their dolls, it's clear who is the winner, and who... well, needs some more experience.


Narrowed eyes are shot at Ryhalt as Clover hmmphs at her husband, "You..." Well, she leaves it there. There are some things better shared in private. Later. Shaking her head as she lifts her doll with it's sagging loose diaper, she hrms, only to blink when it starts to slide off, but stops. Barely. Okay, so half the doll's backside is showing, and clearly wouldn't work if the doll had a major accident, it's still on!!

"Alarissa, I think you are cheating," Sorrel points out, even though she declined to play. She's still laughing heartily though. "Clover! I think you have to wrap it around both legs somehow! That's the oddest dress."

"I think I am lucky this was not a real baby," is Lisebet's comment. "But that was a lot of fun, most definitely." She looks over at Clover's, now that she's stopped laughing and barely manages to not laugh again. Poor babies all around. She looks around, finds her wine, and her cake, and goes back to it. Sorrel's commentary draws another smile th ough.

"There were no rules about tapping in help!" Alarissa points out.

Lucita gives a merry laugh and hugs Sorrel back. "There are times I have had to make do and it has been less than successful, They are so wiggly and kicking and just when you think you are done, they get messy all over again." She says then looks toward Alarissa, a beguiling smile given and a curtsy. Clover and Rhyhalt and the others are given gentle smiles. "Good natured fun and a learning experience at the same tiem, yes?

"If Astrid were involved, there would have been a chase scene," Sorrel points out with a little giggle, amused. "Anyway, thank you for the party. It's been lovely."


"This was fun.... " Clover announces before speaking up to Sorrel and Alarissa, "Could we take a doll home and some nappies? That way, Sorrel can practice.. and her husband." Oh yeah, gotta get the poor husband in on things, even if he gets to do so in the privacy of his home instead of before the rest of the ladies at the party. Lucky guy.

"Oh please. Do take one home Sorrel and see if Galen can figure it out. You can champion him." Alarissa smiles. There will be some other games. Wagers placed on the gender, tiny individual cakes to nibble further, gifts to be opened. But all in all, it is a loevely fall afternoon for he baby shower for Sorrel.