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

Coral, a dour formal thrall leaves, following Karadoc.

Coral, a dour formal thrall arrives, following Karadoc.

The music is playing, servants are wandering around with little trays full of bacon wrapped everything, and Sabella is making sure the last minute things are all in order. Like the cake! Which she fusses over a bit before turning to start welcoming people to the event! "Are you ready to turn another year older?" She asks Niklas with a laugh, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

Sabella drops a festive birthday cake.

"I turned another year older over the course of the last year! You need to be more Islander about these things, Sabella. I survived another year." Niklas gives his chest a slap with both hands, like he's some kind of tough guy. Then he winces because he's definitely not any kind of tough guy. Then he grabs a bacon wrapped scallop and gives it a dubious look. "Are these in season?" But he eats it anyway. "Hm. In season enough! Oooh, Farhaven eggs! Nice!"

Rodrigo, Ximena arrive, following Alessandro.

Gianna speaks quietly with some musicians from the Bard's College, though she doesn't seem to have an instrument herself. Clad in dark silk and adorned with gold, Prince Nikl'as'

Gianna speaks quietly with some musicians from the Bard's College, though she doesn't seem to have an instrument herself. Clad in dark silk and adorned with gold, Prince Niklas' protogee fits right in.

Rowenova shows up in her plain clothes with a messenger bag. Is she here to do her messenger duties? Well, maybe. She does have a written cardstock in hand, but it is not exactly sealed by any lordly noble, either.

With her arm wrapped around Karadoc's own, Melody steps inside the art gallery, slanting a gentle smile at the Saik Lord. "You really went all out with those clothes, didn't you? Very breathtaking," she'd tell the man sweetly, tugging him along further into the room towards the birthday Prince himself. "Happy Birthday, your Highness! And since we haven't bumped into one another since the wedding -- Congratulations." With a smile playing on her lips, the Prodigal went on to dip her head to Sabella. "Hope things have been going well?"

Farrah moves into the party, she smiles softly her eyes move to Melody and Kerradoc, another smile there as well, The Baroness moves into line to wish happy birthday to the new prince.

"Everything is perfection," Sabella assures Niklas with a laugh, turning to smile at Melody and Karadoc, "Things have been going better than I ever could have dreamed, thank you, Mistress Melody! Lord Karadoc, good evening! Glad you both could make it. Please, help yourself to all the food you can eat and the alcohol you can drink so long as you raise a toast to the birthday Prince!"

Rowenova enthusiastically shouts WELL PROJECTED BIRTHDAY WISHES toward the Birthday Prince, doing so in the tumultuous Northern Shav language. She does not exactly realize what it means to queue up and why they are not all up in bear group hug mode, so she starts cutting her way there (unless stopped) and flailing around the unsealed note half folded! In heavily accented Arvani..., "How old are you?!"

Karadoc's linked arm-in-arm with Melody, sleepy blue eyes turning to take a look at her while he gently, languidly chastises her with a click of his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "Nonsense, messere Melody. I needed to become the blank canvas in order to let you shine. Shine you do. A torch in the dark. Or, you know, something equally flowery and poetic." Turning to greet the newlywed Graysons, "Your Highness -- happy birth day. Your Highness -- congrats on the nuptials. Thank you for your hospitality this evening."

Gianna leaves the musicians and rescues a bit of bacon-wrapped bacon from the tray of a passing server. She pops it into her mouth, pleased, and glances about for the means to procure herself a drink.

Alessandro arrives sans escort, but that does not seem to trouble him as there's a smile on his face as he walks through the door. He looks around at the gallery, his eyes moving among the paintings without settling too long on any one, though his expression is suitably impressed -- he's just distracted by the man of the hour and his wife. He turns to Niklas and Sabella then, starting toward them. "Prince Niklas," he says, "happy birthday."

Niklas nudges Sabella with his elbow and gives her a smile. "Does this mean I'm allowed to drink tonight?" He looks around the room, considering the paintings on display. "Master Fortunato has been teaching me to paint for a few months now, but strangely enough it never involves going someplace and seeing his works. It's been a very... procedural process. Going from a blank canvas to a swipe of color to shadow and light. It's interesting to see so much of his completed work." He offers Karadoc and Melody each a nod. "Lord Karadoc, Mistress Melody. Glad to see you both could make it." Though when Alessandro comes in he walks over and claps the man on his shoulders. "Lord Alessandro! It's been ... days!" He laughs and calls out to Gianna, "Tea cart. It has almost no actual tea in it!"

Isabelle, who isn't happy to be doing this leaves, following Niklas.

2 Grayson House Guards, Niklas leave, following Sabella.

Isabelle, who isn't happy to be doing this arrives, following Niklas.

Rowenova finds herself (in?)conveniently intercepted by a couple servers who are apparently distracting her (or trying to) with their goodie trays, one of which she eagerly accepts with hearty thanks to one server as it is taken from them completely with all the tiny foods on it!

Gianna smiles over at Niklas - she's already wished him a happy birthday back when she arrived - and makes her way to the tea cart to collect a glass of something. Alcohol in hand, she makes her way over to her patron and Sabella, inclining her head to Melody on her way. Her gaze flicks to Melody's iridescite pendant for a moment.

Farrah smiles from one face to another "Happy birthday Prince Niklas!" she says "House Whitehawk sends there best and should you need any new furniture or the like do let us know." she smiles a bit before she moves onward to collect a glass of bubbley

2 Grayson House Guards arrives, following Sabella.

Sabella drops a lovely walnut tea cart.

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

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

"Oh Princess Sabella, that's a very generous offer... Fortunately I have Lord Karadoc here to keep me in line." At that, Melody would glance up at Karadoc appraisingly. Doubtingly. "Well, maybe you won't be doing /exactly/ that, but at the very least, I've got my blank canvas here. Allowing me to shine, as you say." After an easy laugh and affectionate squeeze of his arm, she'd slant a smile for Gianna. "How have you been, Mistress Gianna?" And for the others she hasn't met, Melody was already introducing the man she had dragged out with her. "This is Lord Karadoc Saik, the most loveliest of company. I'm Melody, the, uh -- Torch in the dark..?"

Sabella grins at Niklas, "Of course you can drink tonight! It's your birthday! You can eat and drink and carouse and, ah, paint? I mean, it's your day!" She turns towards Rowenova at her shout and laughs, "Are you sure you're not a Bear Scout, Scout Rowenova? I've never seen you and Princess Agatha in the same room together, you know." She nods to Karadoc, "Lord Saik, it's always nice to see you. How are the Baroness and those two little bundles of joy doing? Everyone getting enough sleep?"

Rowenova actually has the tiny foods on the single tray carefully explained to her before she begrudingly gives it all back. "Forgive me." says she with a nervous smile. She soon recalls what her personal mission was here, then is hollering up/out again! "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Rowenova stops hollering when Sabella speaks her way. "Oh me?" says she in a conversational volume, as if switching down or up was the easiest thing ever! "No, a Ranging Wolf, but it feels great to be associated with such people!"

Niklas DEFINITELY did not mean to ignore Rowenova earlier! "I'm twenty five years old. Which, gods, makes me one of the oldest people in Arx, I think. It's me, Legate Orazio and Lady Oona Seliki. I spent some time with both in the Grotto not long ago and I fit right in." Niklas heaves a heavy sigh, then looks over to Farrah with a laugh. "Baroness. I'm afraid we've got rather too much furniture for the space we have at this point. We may need to look into getting a bigger place than the mansion we share with the Graysons. But if it comes to it, I'll know where to go to fill out our new home." Then Rowenova is wishing him another happy birthday and after wincing, he's laughing again. "THANK YOU, SCOUT ROWENOVA!"

"Keeping you in line? Hardly, messere. I thought I was here as your escort to entertain you on our date -- while you were here to escort me in order to keep me out of the terrible kind of trouble, just thhe good kind. There's good trouble, isn't there?" Karadoc teases, offering a crooked smile in answer, he pats his hand atop hers. "Tsk, dearheart, you are being much too complimentary. Yet, it's a pleasure. All is well at Saik Tower, Princess Sabella, thank you. I will extend the Baroness your regards."

"Well," Gianna tells Melody. She offers a smile to Karadoc when he's introduced, though it doesn't quite meet her eyes. Rowenova is peered at briefly. "You certainly don't want for enthusiasm."

"Days too long," Alessandro replies with a laugh of his own at the greeting, before the admission of the age gets raised eyebrows. "Don't worry," he assures Niklas, "you don't look a day over twenty-four." He catches sight of Melody then, and there's a nod to her as he continues, "Mistress Melody, good to see you again." His gaze moves to Sabella, continuing, "Your Highness, how did you manage to plan a wedding and a birthday party in one week? I applaud your stamina."

"Oh I can assure you, there's definitely a good kind of trouble." Melody trails the fingertips of one hand through the air in a loose gesture, "The hard part is finding a perfect balance." Another smile blossomed at Gianna's comment before she'd turn those dark eyes to Alessandro, dipping her head in a small curtsy. "How have you been, Lord Alessandro? Keeping out of the bad kinds of trouble, I hope?"

Farrah laughs and she smiles to Melody before her eyes turn over Alessandro and then over the gathering she made the offer for furniture, and had a cup of bubbly in her fingers, pleasantries sought out she moves out of the door. Would seem the Baroness is not one for large crowds.

"Well, we had to do something with the flowers and it's possible the birthday cake is just the top layer of the wedding cake," Sabella lists off, grinning at Alessandro, "But mostly I always have a few party plans in my pocket that I can pull out at a moment's notice and I knew that Niklas' birthday would be very soon after the wedding so I made sure that his first one with me as his wife would be memorable. I wanted it to be a surprised, actually, but I am terrible at surprises, so I just hope it was a surprise that I wanted to surprise him at all!"

"Most assuredly a good king of trouble." Karadoc mutters, offering Alessandro a casual dip of his head that's paired with a nonchalant wave of sorts. He waits, patiently enough, until he can seek out interesting alcohols to sample. Although, he ultimately winds up with one glass of Setarco Fire - and one of the Ostrian cherry brandy.

Constantine stepped into the gallery, immediately struck by the cacophony of sensory input and left standing there with his jaw slightly ajar. He slipped around the edge of the room first, observing the various paintings coating the walls before finally turning in search of the man of the hour.

Rowenova definitely has plenty enthusiasm! She grins big to Gianna before then quickly nodding after Alessandro's words about 1 week wedding/bday mashups. "Absolutely incredible!" she directs thusly to Sabella, totally seconding Alessandro's words. To Prince Nikolas, "YOU ARE WELCOME! CONGRATULATIONS, AGAIN!" The first was for his wedding congrats, and this is for bday congrats. Turning sideways to Sabella, "Is he telling the truth?" She impishly inquires.

Niklas looks over at the cake, expression considering. Perhaps he's wondering where to find the closest axe. Rowenova looks like the sort who might have one handy! Alessandro's comment gets a rueful laugh and Niklas reaches up to check himself for wrinkles, displaying enough over the top vanity that it's hard to take him seriously. Calling out to Karadoc he says, "My lord, where is your sister? It's been some time since I've seen her peerless indolence!" When he sees Constantine he offers his little brother a wave. "Oi, Connie! Like the art? Master Fortunato teaches. All it will cost you is a hefty slice of your sense of self-worth!"

Sabella shakes her head at Rowenova, "Prince Niklas is hardly ever telling the truth, but in his age I believe he is. I think the only person older than him is the King who is an ancient twenty six. He would be twenty nine, but you can't have birthdays when you're stuck sleeping for years." She tells the other woman wisely. When she sees Constantine she brightens, "Lord Constantine! Have something to eat and drink! Do you know everyone or do you need introductions?"

"Oh, of course," Alessandro replies to Melody. "I have gotten myself into enough trouble recently. I should probably wait at least a month to get into more." He reaches to take a glass of wine, and drinks from it -- without even being wary! He truly is a Valardin now. Or maybe he just isn't afraid of Sabella poisoning him, one or the other. The Grayson Princess' words have him turning back to her, and he adds, "Well, you have outdone yourself. Next year, I shall expect you both to stay home without inviting anyone over at all." Karadoc's nod is returned, and Alessandro lifts his glass in greeting to the other man, though his gaze shifts to Rowenova at her words. His eyebrows raise, but while he still seems amused, it's a friendly sort of amused.

Reluctantly, Melody allows Karadoc to unwind himself of her arm and move for the drink. "Some things never change," she mumbles out in jest; a corner of her lip tugging upwards as she watched him find a suitable drink. Constantine's appearance was met with a wave and a beckon over. "Good to see you again!" And at Alessandro's remark, Melody only laughed. "An entire /month/ to wait for things to still? Surely you'll tire and desire some excitement after a couple of weeks, no?"

Constantine chuckled at Niklas comment, heading that way, "I have plenty of that to spare. I suppose I could sacrifice a little in the name of art. When he neared, he dipped a small bow to those gathered. To Sabella, "I do need introductions. Aside from the lovely lady over their who I crossed paths with just this morning.." He gestured to Melody as well as offered her a little wave before turning back to Sabella. ".. I am at a loss."

"Hmm, Prince Niklas, it's evident that --" Karadoc scratches at a stubbly chin "-- that Nettie is best described as estranged. Also, strange. Who willingly chooses to join the Inquisition, right? Anyway, I'll be your libertine layabout in residence for this party. I also attend funerals AND weddings if poked with a very sharp stick." When he returns to Melody's side, he offers out both glasses and allows her to choose.

Sabella gestures around for Constantine's benefit, "This is our best friend, Lord Alessandro Greenmarch, who most recently married Lady Margret Greenmarch, who is also our best friend! This is Lord Karadoc Saik, a possible best friend in the making, Mistress Melody, a fellow Bard's College enthusiast and kindred spirit, and Scout Rowenova whom we have only just met but who I like very much already!" She beams to each one and then grins at Alessandro, "You must be joking, Lord Alessandro, for it is tradition to have a parade in Bastion on your first anniversary as a Grayson! Though we're thinking of having one in about a month's time to introduce Prince Niklas to the populace back home."

"Ennettia has always been a vital part of my Serious About The Inquisition scale! It goes from Ennettia to Prince Gareth. Duchess Ann is three Ennettias while Inquisitor Neb is three quarters of a Gareth. Princess Tikva is six Ennettias shy of a Gareth while Duchess Grazia is one and a half Ennettias. Honestly, it's an intuitive scale that everyone should use." Niklas gestures to his brother. "Well, should you take up painting just watch that you don't turn into bugs, hey? Ian's afraid it might run in the family." When he oerhears Rowena's question Niklas puts a hand to his chest. "I never lie. I just sometimes improve on the truth."

Rowenova giggles merrily after Sabella's explanation, but the one part about the sleeping King is incredibly interesting. "Is he ok?" she curiously inquires. Then, she looks over to Lord Alessandro, "Any directly woven relation to the famous writer: Lady Monique Greenmarch?" Unless dodged, Rowe shoulder clasps Sabella carefully (not too much).

Constantine dipped a nod to each in turn as they were introduced, making a mental note of names and affiliations as Sabella went down the line. At the mention of a parade, a small smile again graced his lips and a glance drifted to his elder brother though that smile dampened a touch at mention of the bugs. "Ah." He said simply in acknowledgment, a hand rising to brush back his coat and settle in the pocket of his slacks.

"I'm a kindred spirit?" Melody would ask Sabella, placing a palm over her sternum as she considered the Grayson princess. "So, Lord Karadoc," she plucks either of the two glasses out of his hands, "How have you been lately? We never really get to hang out anymore." Rowenova was given a curious glance shortly after, and she'd comment, "The Greenmarch are all so wonderful, are they not?"

A chuckle escapes Alessandro at Melody's assertion, though after a moment, he admits, "Probably." He knows himself. He turns to Constantine at the introduction with an inclination of his head, "A pleasure to meet you. It is certainly high praise to be considered one of the best friends of Princess Sabella and Prince Niklas." He smiles at the former, before his attention is caught by Rowenova's question. "In point of fact, I am her cousin-in-law," he says. "And I may be biased, but I do agree that the Greenmarch are all quite wonderful. I am probably the least wonderful out of the lot, but to be fair, I only became one recently, so I would like to give myself time to catch up."

Karadoc considers the scale as outlined by Niklas, and he very clearly stops paying attention by the second mention of his sister's name. Instead, his eyes lid and he nods idly - drinks and nods. Eventually offering Niklas an indolent smile, "Well. For indolence. I defined it, she copied it. Younger sister." He passes the cherry brandy, keeping the Fire for himself. "We've not spent time with one another very much at all, messere Melody. It will be corrected in the future."

Warrick steps into the room in a manner appropriate to the hoi polloi. He may not know the birthday highness, but he certainly knows where he heard he could get some free bacon-wrapped scallops, so his course takes him in the direction of the food table right away. Without interrupting this passage, he does spot Princess Sabella before he's halfway across the room, and takes note of the faces of those she's chatting with. But the object of his journey does not change.

Alessandro's chuckle wasn't ignored, and Melody waggled a finger at the Greenmarch Lord. "I'm absolutely positive you're wonderful company. The use of the word 'wonderful', admittedly, varies from person to person." That smile only widens as she lifts her shoulders to her ears in a shrug. "Music to my ears, Lord Karadoc."

Sabella smiles at Melody, taking a small plate and filling it with bacon wrapped who cares it's bacon! "I should think so! We have many of the same interests, it seems!" She appears to be about to add more when she notices Warrick, "Master Morgan! So kind of you to make it! Please, fill a plate and then allow me to make introductions for you! And the Greenmarches are all extremely wonderful! They are constantly vying for the place Kennex holds in my heart, so if you two want to fight it out just let me know and we can clear away the artwork," she gestures between Constantine and Alessandro then nearly drops her place when Rowe claps her shoulder. Even gently, Sabella's not used to anything stronger than hugs! "Oh! Yes. Lady Monique is wonderful. I was thinking of entering her story contest."

"It is. Though I doubt I'd be able to hold my own against a man of Greenmarch, married in or not," Constantine concurred with Alessandro and Sabella both before turning more fully to the couple mentioned. "Unfortunately, I am unable to stay very long. I wanted to be sure to stop by and offer a happy birthday, though, Niklas. I pray for many more to come." The rather reserved Kennex stepped forward toward Niklas... oh my gods, was that an offered hug? It was indeed!

Rowenova smiles brightly about the new information concerning Greenmarch fam, and she carefully steadies Sabella before quickly letting go to not break her. She brings around her messenger bag from which she pulls a library book, the... B O O K OF B L A D E S by Lady Monique Greenmarch. "Excellent read... have you ever read it? I got it at the Gilded Page!" Northerners actually read?! Indeed! "You should!" She smiles back to the others who have addressed her and nearly replies but then a messenger person quickly addresses her!

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

Rowenova is a messenger getting messages from another messenger... oi!

"Unfortunately, I am likely going to drink this --" Karadoc gestures with his glass "-- and take a messenger from Coral and that will probably be something that I will need to see to, messere Melody." He leans in, politely, to add: "It was simply an easy excuse to see you in one of my designs. Ravishing, I think."

Spirit, the Sleepy Brown Fox arrives, delivering a message to Rowenova before departing.

"You pray for more to come? Goodness, that sounds ominous! Then again Duchess Margot once said to me that she found me very funny, then intoned that we would need people who could make us laugh in the dark days to come. It was one of the grimmest things anyone has ever said to me. Then a seagull landed on her shoulder and she completely lost it. So... maybe that's what she was talking about?" Niklas eyes Constantine for a moment, evidently surprised, then he laughs and moves in to get a hug from his brother. Then he sees Warrick stealing scallops! Those are his scallops! "Hello, Master... I don't believe we've met! Welcome to my open-to-everyone party! Save room for cake. There's... there's so much cake."

1 Greenmarch Guard arrives, following Margret.

After enjoying a sip of the cherry brandy, Melody tipped the glass Karadoc's way. "Well as much as I'd like to keep such a busy person to myself, I /guess/ I should let you free. This is a good drink, by the way." She'd give her drink a gentle shake before adding, "And this is the most wonderful design I've ever laid eyes on, honest. Thank you so much. Let me walk you home?"

"Thank you, Mistress Melody. I certainly appreciate the compliment. It is not often that lawyers hear themselves described as wonderful." Though Alessandro does sound like he's joking -- mostly. Even though there's probably the truth. "Though I believe I shall not fight Lord Constantine for the place, unless the fight is to be a greater knowledge of Arx law. And even then, I would not trust myself against the brother of the Chief Magistrate." He looks over to the book Rowenova produces, though, and says, "Oh, yes. That is a good one. Though I admit I did not get as much out of it as someone might who knows how to hold a sword."

"Thank you for coming, Lord Constantine! Tell the Marquis I'll send the birthday boy by later for more drinks!" Sabella promises, then looks over the book Rowe produces curiously before lighting up, "Ah! I have read that one! It was very informative to some research I've been doing lately. Are you interested in swords? You said scout and I assumed," she mimics shooting an arrow badly since one had has a scallop in it, "archery!"

Constantine gave Niklas a light pat on his back, despite generally appearing stiff in his poise he was a pretty good hugger! He stepped back as his brother's attention was drawn elsewhere, hand lifting aside to gently squeeze Sabella's shoulder as he withdrew. To Alessandro he chuckled. "Ah, Octavia does love pontificating on the finer details of the law. I have picked up quite a bit indeed." After that he slipped away, heading for the door though as he went a glance and small parting smile was offered Melody's way.

"I will allow you to walk me home on the condition that I am permitted to grace your fair hand with a kiss -- or a squeeze -- or you are also allowed to swat me for using this an an opportunity to leave." Karadoc glances aside toward Melody, smirking. The expression drops, briefly, "Honest that it looks better on you than -- well. Long list. Come," he sets his empty glass on the nearest flat surface to offer his arm to Melody.

Warrick finds himself interrupted just before he gets food onto a plate, and by no less than the birthday prince. He puts the scallop in his hand back down. Hopefully he'll remember before he goes which one he already touched. "Oh, well. Very generous of you to welcome in everyone. I'm called Warrick Morgan. With the guard? Newly." He cranes his neck to scan for cake. "What kind of cake was it you had?" he wants to know. "Your highness," he thinks to add.

Rowenova must be a busy person. A second messenger comes up, and she reads up right there whether it is really polite to do or not really? She does not know but actually gets through the written parchments without much ado. Afterwards, the Scout hmms. "I do not mean to be a party pooper, but I should probably go, BUT! It was wonderful to meet you all! I hope we meet again!" To Sabella, "Well... I am actually terrible with weapon play, but I will eventually learn the brawling techniques from the Northlands! It was good to see you again!" Putting away the book and messages, she quickly passes her own card to Niklas, unless he is otherwise preoccupied. If he is, she tries to tuck it on him, or under his arm, or on his plate. Or... just anywhere he might see it sometime.

Coral, a dour formal thrall leaves, following Karadoc.

Coral, a dour formal thrall arrives, following Karadoc.

Melody's not the kind of person to let a drink go unfinished, so she lingered for just a moment longer to down the remains of the drink before wrapping an arm around Karadoc's. "I think we can manage that." Tossing a wave out to the others, and making sure to stop by Niklas to offer another "Happy Birthday!" She'd make her escape with Karadoc.

Coral, a dour formal thrall leaves, following Karadoc.

Karadoc leaves, following Melody.

Margret steps into the gallery and starts towards the small gathering near the table set up for a birthday. "Prince Niklas! Happy birthday!" She cries out enthusiastically to Niklas as she makes her way towards Alessandro, and leans in to kiss his cheek before turning to gush over the Grayson couple. "This is so lovely did you arrange it, Princess Sabella?"

Alessandro nods to those who are leaving, though as they do, he sees Margret enter, and his expression softens from amusement to a sincere fondness. "Margret," he says, leaning down to accept the kiss, and he reaches for a glass of wine to hand to her as well. "I am glad your duties in the clinic did not keep you too long. Another Greenmarch," he says to Rowenova, "the Lady Margret, if you have not met her yet." Warrick, too, gets a friendly nod on his arrival.

Niklas offers waves to Constantine, Melody and Karadoc as they each take off. Well, two of them take off together. When Rowenova offers him a card he laughs with surprise and has a look at it. "Well thank you, Rowenova. I truly appreciate it." Calling out to Warrick he says, "Looks like a custard cake. Honestly, it looks good, just big. Plenty to go around. Wait. Wait. Morgan? Are you related to Bl- er, Master Aleksei?" He squints at the man, looking for family resemblence, but gives up after something less than two seconds and moves to greet Margret. "Lady Margret! I'm happy you could make it. Well. It's not the busiest party, but I've got the best people in the city here." And Warrick.

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

"I did!" Sabella says to Margret with a big smile, "Though I think I might've made it too private and out of the way. I don't think many people know their way around any of the boroughs. Well, except the people that live here! This is Lord Warrick Morgan, brother of Master Aleksei! This is my husband, Prince Niklas Grayson, the Lady Margret and her husband Lord Alessandro Greenmarch, and Scout Rowenova of...Redrain, right?" She guesses. It's not a bad guess!

Warrick steps back to give Margret more room to greet Niklas, which only coincidentally puts him closer to the food table once more. But he doesn't quite have time to reach out again before there's that question from Niklas that is just a little awkward because of its false start. "That's right," he says. "My brother." He smiles warmly at Sabella, and nods to Alessandro, adding a nod for Margret, since she's being introduced.

Rowenova smiles brightly to everyone here. The gifted card in Niklas's hands is rudimentarily drawn with a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY in 2 different languages, one on each flap inside. There are so many drawings of woodland critters, too, like bears (for example), wolves, wildcats, and so on. Plus, trees and mountains along with storm clouds and everything wonderful from Rowenova's PoV as a Northlands born. After Sabella's inquiry, Rowe thusly clarifies, "I am simply Scout Rowenova in the Ranging Wolves, who is a loyal companion to the Halfshav family who cared for me ever since I had my first memories and before then! Indeed, Redrain is our fealty. It has been my honor to meet you Lady Margret and Lord Alessandro!" She offers out calloused handshakes all around!

Rowenova also does not forget Lord Warrick, even though her loopy player has totally missed a few things here. "And, Lord Warrick!" He also gets shakes, unless he does not want those, too!

Margret takes the wine from Alessandro with a grin before she teases him, "Another Greenmarch, huh? We've been married a month and I'm another Greenmarch." To Niklas she says, "I'm glad I was able to get out of the Clinic early enough to make it." She nods to Sabella, "I don't think I've ever been in the upper buroughs until now, actually. But I don't think it was a bad choice. In fact, I enjoyed the walk." As everyone is introduced she says, "It's lovely to meet you." She shakes Rowenova's hand in return.

Niklas' inquiry has Alessandro looking at Warrick with a little more scrutiny, as well, though luckily he does not have to scrutinize too long, since it's confirmed by the man himself only a moment later. "Ah, a pleasure, Master Morgan." He accepts the handshake from Rowenova, as well, adding, "Have a good evening, Scout Rowenova. Very nice to meet you." Margret's words, though, elicit a laugh, and he says, "We were speaking of Monique before, which is why you are the 'other,' though first in my mind, of course." His tone is teasing, but with enough sincerity to make it clear that it's the truth. He turns to Niklas and Sabella then, adding, "The good thing about representing Master Culler is that I was given quite accurate directions."

Emmelline strides in at a leisurely pace, taking in her surroundings as she does so. Spotting Niklas and Sabella, she walks over to the pair. "Happy birthday your highness," she says curtsying to Nicklas. "And I am so glad you both have not caught cold from the winter festivities," she says with a soft chuckle.

"Well then, Master Morgan, good to meet you. I'm not sure I'd call your brother a friend, but he's someone who was of a great help at some parts of my life." Niklas smiles at Warrick and grabs a shrimp off of a passing plate. He gives it a dubious look, still not entirely convinced that it's in season, but eating it nevertheless because shrimp are delicious and these are marinated in yogurt, dill and mint. When Emmelline approaches he laughs and says, "Thank you, Lady Emmelline. Nothing got permanently damaged except perhaps my ego, and honestly, it's not the first time I've lost my trousers in public."

Sabella makes a bit of a face at the mention of Master Culler, "Sorry, I don't mean that for Master Orthay, but the general whole matter, which appears to only get more complicated by the minute. I saw that the Master of Questions himself got involved," she shakes her head, "Apologies, I should not bring up such things at a happy celebration!" She gives another smile, this one maybe a little forced. "Lady Margret, how is the clinic? You must see the most interesting patients coming in and out." When Emmelline arrives her smile becomes a little less forced, "Lady Emmelline, thank you for coming! And yes, we got warmed up very quickly so none the worse for wear." As explanation for the rest she says, "We had a slight sledding accident. Sort of. The sled kind of had nothing to do with it, which was the problem."

Rowenova finishes up her hardy handshakes then back pats Prince Niklas in a sturdy fashion before trotting off toward the yonder door. She would like to really stay but all these other messengers keep flooding through at her here, so... she is probably needed somewheres.

Emmelline smiles brightly upon seeing margret, before turning to the happy couple, hitting Niklas with a dubious expression on her face. "it... is not your highness?," she asks, before turning to Sabella, another chuckle escaping her at Sabella's words. "if it is any consolation your highness," she says with a smile, "it was devillishly amusing to watch. That, and you shall forever be remembered. At every winter festival." It is clear by the merry twinkling in her eyes, that she only gests.

Warrick bobs his head at Alessandro. "Good to meet you," he says. Then he gives Niklas a half-smile. "I don't always call him a friend, either," he says, but with a note of humor rather than acrimony. He finally finds a moment to snag a scallop and pop it into his mouth. He pauses only briefly in his chewing: always gets the gritty one.

"Ah, well if it's about Monique I suppose it's understandable." Margret says in that same teasing tone to Alessandro. She offers Emmelline a smile in greeting, "Hello Lady Emmelline." She smiles a little tightly at the mention of Inquisitors and Cullers, but doesn't remark on it. Instead she grasps onto the subject of the Clinic. "There are a lot more stabbings in the Commons than other parts of the city. And bludgeons. And crushings."

"Of course," Alessandro says with a nod to Sabella and an apologetic look, and he says no more on the matter; instead he turns back to the gathering, his smile never wavering. He takes a sip from his wine, letting the conversation wash over him for the moment, though Emmelline's arrival is noted, as is her greeting to Margret. He inclines his head to her, and says, "Lady Emmelline. Lord Alessandro Velenosa."

Emmelline curtsies respectfully to Alessandro. "it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance my lord," she says with a soft smile. "lady Emmelline Harthall."

Sabella pales just slightly at the mention of stabbings showing up in the clinic, reaching out to accept a glass of alcohol from a passing server, "Yes. I ah, can imagine that is the case." Then she DOWNS it in one go, eyes watering. "...I thought that was champagne and it was not." She wheezes, turning to find a napkin to wipe her mouth with and cough politely out of sight. Nnngh.

"To be fair to me, Luca loses his pants two or three times before lunch. And this is the first time in some time. My sister Renny and I used to get up to some stuff, though." Niklas grimaces. "We'd get up to stuff and I was the one who got in trouble. It's weird how many of my memories of Renatta involve us doing something stupid, and me getting injured or jailed. Or waking up in a menagerie, sharing a cage with a pod of seals." Niklas leans over and kisses Sabella on the cheek. "I enjoyed our sledding adventure. I could have done without getting snow packed in my... trousers, but other than that it was fun." To Warrick he says, "Have you ever seen any of Fortunato Grayhope's work? The man is a genius, but kind of depressing."

"I originally specialized in difficult births, but I think I've gotten quite good at trauma." Margret remarks as she takes a sip from her wine. "It's difficult and exciting, and emotional of course. There is the wound to think, of course, but also to be the victim of violence hurts the spirit as much as the body. So how do we tend to the body and the spirit when such grievous harm has been done to the body?" She smiles apologetically to Sabella. "I'm sorry I could prattle on and on about this since it's been on my mind for a while." She mentions to Alessandro, "Lady Emmelline is our newest apprentice in the Guild."

"Waking up in a menagerie?," Emmelline asks, her brows rising slightly with curiosity at Niklas's reply. "The things a prince gets up to," she says with a soft chuckle.

"Can't say that I have," Warrick replies honestly to Niklas, eyes flicking to the gallery walls as if to guess whether said work would be paintings or something else. Ooh, shrimp. Warrick plucks one off a plate and immediately eats it. A vague amusement hovers at the tale of menagerie hijinx, but he's certainly not going to comment on a prince's encounter with captive seals.

Alessandro goes a little bit gray at the mention of stabbings, etc, as well -- though not quite as much as Sabella, considering he's probably used to it by now. He laughs too, though, shaking his head as he squeezes Margret's hand. When she mentions Emmelline's addition to the guild, though, his eyebrows raise as he looks back to her again. "Ah. Congratulations -- that is no small thing. We are lucky to have such talented healers in Arx."

"Thank you my lord," Emmelline says with a soft smile at Alessandro. "I am not as talented as all that. I have only just recently joined."

"I was merely a lord back then," protests Niklas. "And perhaps somewhat stupider than I am now. Perhaps. Maybe. I mean, I'm pretty stupid now." He looks over when Margret talks about her work, then shakes his head at her apology. "Margret, I honestly find what you do incredibly commendable. I'm sure it's not always the cheeriest of work, but you're doing something few would." He nods at what Alessandro says, looking to Emmelline. "Joining at all indicates a selflessness that is itself a talent as important as anything else."

Emmelline chuckles softly at Niklas's words once more. "Does that mean your highness," she gently teases, "that since I am not a princess, and merely a lady, that I could get up to the same sort of antics that you did?"

"Really?" Sabella asks Margret with surprise, "I don't think I knew that! Well, I should hope that we wouldn't need your specialized services, but hopefully here in a bit we'll need a midwife's services. After all, we are contractually obligated to produce children! Which...doesn't sound like a very romantic way to put it when I'd definitely like some! And Lady Emmelline, you are a woman of many surprises! Sledding and healing? What will you let us know you do next?" She teases with a smile.

Emmelline chuckles and smiles back at Sabella. "No your highness, I am not so talented as that. It was Prince Barric's superb athleticism that saved the day. I am afraid, I did not help much at all."

Margret nudges Alessandro a little before she leans over to kiss his cheek again quickly. "Even when it isn't cheerful I'm glad I can do it." She says to Niklas with a gentle smile. "I hope you won't, either.

Margret adds to Sabella, "But if you plan on getting pregnant soon we should talk. I have...opinions." She laughs a little after she says opinions.

"Oh, Lady Emmelline, I plan on getting up to even worse antics now that I'm a prince. It's too late for Grayson to do anything about it at this point." Margret mentioning pregnancy gets a wide-eyed look from Niklas. "It doesn't have to be soon. Not too soon!" He looks from her to Sabella and back. "I'm only twenty five, after all. I've got two or three more years before the hot flashes start up!" He looks between Margret and Alessandro. "Then again, you've been married some time longer than us. I imagine people are already being ... annoyingly inquisitive."

"All you married women, shall make me very envious," Emmelline says ina teasing tone. "or more like, it will make my family send me more missives, asking me about the progress on my trying to get married," she says wit a soft chuckle. hearing Niklas's words, she asks with a soft smile, "Well it is good your highness, that there should be a Prince who intends on getting in trouble, rather than worrying about all the political implications behind it."

Sabella grins at Margret, "Opinions on doing it at all or how to do it? Because Lou has already had that talk with me on the part of the latter, I assure you." Emmelline gets a sympathetic smile, "Trust me, I know exactly how you feel. My marriage was a long, hard fight but well worth it in the end. It's never fun to think you won't have a say in such a thing or that it will be thrust upon you. And he better not get into too much trouble, for he is a Grayson now and our Voices aren't as understanding or indulgent as his older brother was of his schemes." She warns, though with another smile.

Niklas' words get a nod from Alessandro, and he adds his own after. "As Prince Niklas says, it takes a certain type of person to do the work you do, and we are certainly glad of it." A little smile pulls his lips up again, and he adds, "As for the antics, my brother and I got up to plenty, and back then I was a prince myself, so I suppose that troublemaking is a trait found across social ranks." He looks over at Sabella then just as Margret offers this in reply to her, and he laughs, shaking his head a little bit as he turns to Niklas with a look of feigned horror as well. Though not completely feigned. "So far, it has just been my brother demanding we have half a dozen, and my uncle wishing us, ah...productive?" He looks to Margret for confirmation of that. "But I am nearly twenty-eight, and so therefore nearly past my prime, so I assume that it will come soon enough."

"Oh no your highness," Emmelline says with a shake of her head at Sabella. "I truly wish to marry. To have what you all share," she says gesturing towards Sabella and niklas along with margret and Alessandro. "So nothing is being thrust upon me, but I have yet to find a suitor." Alessandro too, receives a smile as she says, "Thank you my lord, I do appreciate it."

Warrick finds himself drifting back from the talk of midwives and hot flashes in favor of some of the passing plates of food that he has not sampled yet. Though a few run out before he catches up to them, there is plenty more free food to help himself to, and he aims not to pass up the opportunity.

"Sabella still talks about having twelve children, but I'm at a point where I'm pretty sure it's just her attempting to disturb me. Though it still works every time." Niklas glances sidelong at his wife. "What she doesn't realize is that any children after two I would insist on naming after Ford. Just all of them named Ford. Ford. Ford 2. Ford 3. Ford 4. He'd be so pleased! Maybe toss an Octavia in there. Maybe for Ford 8." To Emmelline he says, "You'll find the right person. Arx is a good city for it. So many eligible nobles, so many alliances desperate to be made."

"We have been given leave by my cousin the Marquis to wait a year to focus on our careers, thankfully." Margret says in response to Niklas," But when I do get pregnant? I'm just going to start wearing baggier dresses and you'll all just think I've gotten fatter." She jokes before she adds to Alessandro, "I won't even tell you. I'll just start eating more." She says to Sabella, "How to do it, but from the medical perspective. Well, not getting there, of course. I'm sure most can figure that out without a physician's aide." She nods her head to Alessandro, "You've gotten it more than me I think."

a lithe, dark-cloaked Lycene woman arrives, delivering a message to Jeffeth before departing.

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

"It would be easier to call them all for supper," Emmelline says with a soft chuckle. "All you need yell is Ford!!! And all of them would come running."A contemplative look enters Emmelline's face at niklas's words about there being many eligible nobles. "Perhaps I should throw a ball," she says in gest.

Sabella laughs and leans in to give Niklas a quick kiss, "Maybe I'd be content with nine. Maybe." She replies, still laughing. She waves her hand at Emmelline, "Don't encourage him! It starts as a joke but then he starts thinking that it's a great joke and then the best joke and then something that has to happen! And I love my brother-in-law, but Ford isn't...I mean. It's so short!" She says with a wrinkle of her nose.

Niklas calls after the lithe, dark-cloaked Lycene woman. "There are bacon wrapped scallops!" But she doesn't listen and goes running off on her next mission.

Emmelline laughs out loud at Sabella's words, her laughter high-pitched and musical. "Oh well then, no encouragement," she says still laughing. "But no? Should I not give a ball? i could borrow the great hall at our keep with the Marquis's permission of course. All eligible noblemen?," she asks, still chuckling, and still in gest.

"I am sure your brother would be so pleased," Alessandro says with a widening smile. "Though you may have to throw soething else in there for Grayson. Alaford, perhaps." He looks to Sabella with wide eyed innocence, as though for her approval, but he can't keep the look for very long. Margret's words, however, get a little affronted noise from him. "I should hope I would notice my own wife being pregnant. I am not quite as lost in my books as all that yet."

"You know what would be a pretty name for a girl? Tikford. Really make both of our contract signers very happy." Niklas grins when Sabella kisses him and turns to look at her. "Do you think it's time to cut and dish out the cake? Do you have an axe? And Master Fortunato's permission to get custard all over his mastworks?"

Something Alessandro has said earlier occurs to Emmelline, and she leans close to him to speak to him confidentially if allowed.

Sabella rolls her eyes dramatically, but fondly. "No axes, but the cake is ready whenever you feel like making the first slice, my love! And I should hope you'd notice too," she says to Alessandro with a laugh, "Should she suddenly start craving sweet things like chocolate chip muffins and cakes and forgoing usual drinks for lemonade and tea." She then asides to Niklas, "Please try not to fling cake everywhere. Master Mayir did take a security deposit." And finally to Emmelline she says, "There's to be a singles ball at the Empyrean something in the near future! And I know a certain Duke Ashford that's always looking for the perfect bride!"

"A duke Ashford?," Emmelline asks with interest to Sabella. "What sort of gentleman is he? I would love to be acquainted with him."

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

"You could have a Garford and a Barford for both Prince Gareth and Prince Barric." Margret adds in helpfully, and with a little laugh. She grins to Alessandro, "I'll never tell you. It will be a daily guessing game of is my wife pregnant or fat? Until I present you with an infant. Or a pastry of some sort. A sugar baby."

"Perfect. Tikford does have a certain ring to it." Alessandro nods once, as though the matter is decided, before whatever Emmelline says lowly to him distracts him. He leans in, and responds in kind, before straightening up with a smile to Margret. "And now I will know what to look for, so I shall be watching you even more closely," he says in a normal tone. "Can one claim sympathetic cravings? Chocolate chip muffins, cakes, and sugar babies all sound excellent at the moment." Oh, hey, there's a cake!

"There's also Lady Margerie. She's always looking to set people up and make connections. And then there's your Marquis! I'm sure he's got a list of houses he'd like to make some treaties or trade pacts with." Niklas wanders over his cake, sizes it up and pulls out a very ordinary knife. "Aw." Still, he stabs the cake like it killed his father and starts cutting out pieces. Margret gets a nod. "Fordsley. Flark. Foruca. The options really are endless."

Emmelline smiles and nods at both Niklas and Alessandro. "If you would excuse me, your highness, I must take my leave," she says curtsying respectfully to Niklas and Sabella, along with Alessandro and margret. "I shall return if time allows me to," she calls out, it seems the lady is in a hurry by the way she quickly walks out.

"Duke Harlan Ashford is lovely," Sabella assures Emmelline, "He frequencies the perfume shops lately, you might run into him there. But Prince Niklas has the right of it in that your Marquis might also have a list of people he's already considering. I'd get ahold of that as soon as you can and start deciding who you like best so as to push in that direction." She gives Niklas a bit of a look for a second, then grimaces at all the names being thrown around, "Ahhh! No! I'm going to put my foot down and then I get all the name choices like Keskeletta."

"Forlaric would be nice, too. I think Laric would appreciate the thought." Niklas starts serving up differently sized slices of cake onto plates and passing them out. To Alessandro and Margret he says, "Prince Laric recently confided in us that he'd been avoiding Grayson family dinners because of me, then went off to me on how terrible every member of my family is. I think he managed to sugget Cecilia was dealing dust in there."

"Happy Birthday!!!!" Comes the booming shout, Jeffeth Bayweather has arrived. He didn't arrive two hours ago and fall asleep. No! He's getting here just now. The large man stomps into gallery, a luminous radiant smile on his lips. Just in case no one heard him yelling, it comes out again. "Haaaapppy Birthdaaaay!" The giant knight bellows over the gathering of celebrants.

Emmelline's departure gets a wave from Alessandro, before he turns back to Niklas, just in time for the recounting of Prince's Laric's reception to him. His eyebrows raise, and the smile fades from his face into an incredulous look. "Well, on that he is quite incorrect, for I have it on good authority that Master Magpie Grayhope is the only purveyor of Dust in Arx." He pauses, then amends, "The only one worth going to, that is. So Lady Cecelia must work all the harder." He looks over at Margret for confirmation of that, but just then, Jeffeth arrives. Or perhaps Arrives. "Sir Bayweather," he says. "Nice to see you."

"I am rather partial to Flark myself. If it wasn't bad luck to name Greenmarch babies anything that doesn't start with M I'd steal it, and I've never even met Princess Lark." Margret takes some cake with a smile and a murmured thanks. Niklas's statement causes her mouth to open just a little bit in astonishment. "Dust? Oh. Well." She rolls her eyes at the mention of Magpie's dust before she says, "I'm telling you Dust is not safe. I don't care if Master Magpie smok a whole chamberpot full of it." Apparently she has feelings regarding that. Jeffeth's arrival earns a polite smile from her.

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

"Laric is...a man under a lot of stress," Sabella starts to say, then shrugs a shoulder, "But he was wrong about everything he said of the Kennexes, which....well. I suppose if he's going to be wrong about something that's the more harmless of anything he possibly could be." She decides, taking a plate of cake from Niklas and holding it out to Sir Jeffeth along with a big smile, "Sir Jeffeth! I'm so glad you made it!" She listens to the back and forth about dust with no real comment until Margret mentions its not safe, "How do you mean not safe?"

"Well, I'll tell my little sister that she has competition. She can be quite vicious." Niklas is probably kidding. Then again, no one has ever seen the mysterious Cecilia, so who knows. Perhaps she's a white knuckled knife fighter and cutthroat. "I'm kidding about the dust. He did lecture me about Ford and Wash, though. All of which I've heard before and ignored. Though it's a little more awkward given that I now Live with the man." Niklas just shrugs and sits back with a plate of- HAPPY BIRTHDAY! He looks over expectantly then sets down his cake and runs over to Jeffeth. He throws his arms around the big man and...

Niklas has rolled a critical success!
Niklas checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Jeffeth checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 64 higher.

...lifts him have an inch off the ground before every muscle in his body demanded to know what the fuck it is he thinks he's doing.

half an inch dang it

Niklas rushes forward and collides into Jeffeth. With such speed, such force, such veracity! It's so powerful that Jeffeth's whole body rocks from his toes to his heels and his foot does indeed lift up perhaps a whole half inch. It's a very impressive display of physical prowess. In return the huge knight is throwing his arms around the smaller man and lifting him up, up, up, off of his feet. "Happy birthday!!!" He bellows again, smiling bright. Holding him up there for a few moments he eventually goes to set Niklas back down.

"He was indeed," Alessandro says more seriously with a nod at Sabella's words. "I shall hold my opinions of Prince Laric to myself, except to say that you are a treasure, Prince Niklas." He takes a sip of wine, but the very impressive display of strength gets raised eyebrows, and he sets the glass on a nearby table to applaud.

Sabella looks a bit alarmed when Niklas lifts Jeffeth up even that little bit, "Niklas!" There's some relief a moment or so later when Jeffeth is the one doing the lifting. "How about we just sit and eat cake and nobody breaks any bones or doesn't have a birthday next year due to crazy stunts?" She suggests with a laugh, starting to dig into her cake. "...this is really good!"

Niklas is swung around by Jeffeth. "Wheee!" and then is set back down. "It's every bit as wonderful as it was at the wedding. Thank you, Sir Bayweather. It is no wonder all the children love you. Though if you throw them into the air do watch out that you don't forget one is up there before you throw the next." He offers up Jeffeth a slice of cake, quietly giving Sabella a look that says 'I may have hurt my back' as he fetches the slice. "I just want to say thank you to you all for coming and sticking around. It makes me happy that my closest friends are the ones left when others have wandered off."