COMMONERS BALL GOOOO! Tonight the Grayhope Ballroom has been decorated with colorful cloth streamers strung along the ceiling! There's a warm fire crackling in the hearth. There's a long table full of fine foods that normally only the rich enjoy! There's free booze! (Take one) There's music! There's fun! And to one side of the room is a table laden with pies; Blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry pies! A sign reads, "If you spot a noble, throw a pie at them!"

Magpie is here, of course. The man hasn't made any special effort to dress up, but he's freshly shaved, bathed and spritzed with some fine scents. He's also wearing a fresh, ugly bruise on his jaw from a fight. It adds character, right? The man is greeting folks near the door, "Come in, come in. Please, enjoy. Eat. Try the trivia game! Mingle. Make out! If you see a noble, there's a table of pies just waiting to be thrown at them."

It is maybe a MITE warm for Mayir Grayhope's wool captain's outfit, but he wanted to look dashing, and, well, gosh darnit, this is his Dashing Outfit. "Welcome, welcome!" he is shouting by the door as people file in. "To the finest ball without nobles the commons could ask for! Brought you by Grayhope! Whatever your needs, Grayhope can do the deeds!"

Adriana is dressed in simple Oathlands style blue wool, prim and proper but embroidered with fancy flowers. She wears black ribbons in her braids but otherwise looks wide-eyed and curious of her environment.

Soot, a gray foxhound puppy, 3 Iron Guardsmen, Violet, a shopkeeper, 1 Crimson Blades Lieutenant arrive, following Petal.

Bliss gets Captain Magpie's Banana Sauce from The Booze Box.

Eleanor's escort for the evening is everyone's favorite middle aged King's Own secretary: Narses! He's tugging on his slightly nicer tunic, while Eleanor - looking much more comfortable in her silk and leather - has her arm looped through his and leads him into the ballroom with a bounce in her step and eager smile.

Carmichael Ulbran arrives, following Theodoric.

Merek has come to the ball, though he has decided to dress with black linens that have golden accents. He smooths out his attire, and looks around a bit, as he moves to the booze direct to drink some.

Bethany arrives precisely on time, neither a minute early, nor a minute late. She also arrives unescorted. In the entrance hall, she takes off her black silk cloak and gives it to someone to be put aside until she needs it if there's someone to give it to. Otherwise, she goes in search of a coat closet or other overclothing type repository. Underneath, she is absolutely dressed for a ball in deep blue silk taffeta glittering with glass beads. "Such a lovely home you have here, Master Grayhope." She arranges her fine features in a polite, understated smile that doesn't quite touch her steel blue eyes as she greets Magpie.

Cheryl the Assistant Innkeeper, Scourge, a sweater wearing rat-dog arrive, following Mae.

"Lord Commander!" declares Mayir as he spies Eleanor and Narses. "Aren't we so lucky to have you join us this evening! And with many fewer boulders!" A pause. "So far as I am aware!" With that offered, he bows his head, gesturing her over to the Booze Box. "Please. Do help yourself to a favor."

a huge spotted dog named Fury arrives, following Aksel.

Sina arrives at the ball, wearing garments in common materials, but with an uncommon and understated elegance. The young woman pauses a little uncertainly on entering, glancing around curiously with silvery eyes. She offers a smile toward Mayir as he shouts for people to be welcome, and she scoots out of the way for others to pile in behind her. "Good evening, Master Grayhope," she greets the host for the evening, in her quiet way of speaking, offering a smile to Magpie as well.

Harper slips in, looking distinctly uncomfortable. Her blue gown, slippers and jewelry are definitely more fancy than her usual attire. She starts to tug at her skirt then stops as she spots Mayir by the door and grins sheepishly. Giving him a bob of her head in greeting, she says, "Heya Mayir!" She steps off to the side to look around the room curiously.

Mae steps into the party, decked out in her most common clothing. Plain cotton trousers, a cotton blouse. She's got on a nice vest made of terribly cheap leather, tooled with flowers and skulls. So common!

Is it really any surprise that Bliss Whisper got herself all dressed up for this, despite the relatively dressed down nature of many of the other attendees? Swirling into the door unescorted, the Champion is wearing a gown of darkest umbra, crystalline heels on her slippers, and the skirt absolutely covered in peacock feathers - as the makeup around her eyes also reflects. She's worn this outfit before, sure, but isn't reusing nice things all part of being a commoner, after all?

Petal arrives at the ball while adorned in a mountain Shav gown made from wool and a pair of Aion slippers. She peeks over the ballroom with all this curious interest. A smile is given to Harper and then Mae. Petal looks to Bliss a moment later, taking in her fancy gown and giving the Whisper a smile as well.

New face to the city and certainly a new face to the Grayhope Manor as well. In comes Modi, the bearded and wizened looking man stepping cautiously into the ballroom. He was dressed down in simple linens, a little chattering wristband of bones clinking together as he made his slow stride. Green eyes look from one person the next, taking in all the unfamiliar faces with a slow curiosity. For the moment the man says nothing, nothing at all. He simply wades deeper into the room with stares galore.

Magpie is all smiles, even with the bruise on his face, and as Eleanor arrives his face lights up even more. "LORD Commander. I'm tempted to kick you out, but you're technically not a noble, so we'll let you stay." There's a snicker when Mayir brings up the boulders, but Magpie will sweep over to grab Eleanor into a hug. "Sunshine, it's been too long! I want a dance later!" Then he gives her a kiss on the cheek and offers Bethany a grin, "Thank you! We've been working hard on renovating the place. It's been a lot of work." Sina gets a smile next, "Hello! Hello! Welcome! Thanks for coming!" Then his eyes fall on Harper and he gasps. "Wow. That dress is amazing! Aurora donated that to you? That's incredible!" He crosses to the guardswoman and gives her a long, mildly scandalous kiss on the lips. "I love it."

"Hello, Sina!" declares Mayir as he flits from person to person as they greet him. "And Harper!" The Grayhope underboss reaches out and gives her a quick hug, which is not how one usually interacts with the Iron Guard. He takes a step away, eyes scanning for new people to harass. But as he does, he calls out: "Be sure to pick up a bottle of booze as a favor and a sheet for trivia!" (Look at the trivia object!)

Adriana curtsies for the hosts and comments politely, "What a lovely lovely home. It looks so... classical." A nice way to say old but not run down. She doesn't grab the booze but does survey the food tables.

Merek gets Captain Magpie's Banana Sauce from The Booze Box.

Petal gets Captain Magpie's Banana Sauce from The Booze Box.

Wilhelm the Iron Messenger arrives, following Sparte.

"Captain Mayir!" Eleanor offers him a sunny smile and then a nose wrinkle of half-dismay. "Too soon for the boulder jokes," she tells him with a playful waggle of her finger. "Unless -" Oh, there's Magpie! Sorry, Mayir, Eleanor turns and happily throws an arm around his neck to accept the kiss and return it with a hug. "Creampuff! I'm not and never have been a noble, so don't you dare." With a last cheek peck she releases him to meet other guests.

The Whispers are invading! Saedrus arrives in shimmering silks that shift and play in pearlescent colours as the man moves, from the open tunic to the second-skin silk pants skimming down long legs, with baring splits from ankle to hip. Soft soled sandals don't really mark his entrance with any sound, especially above the excitement of the ball! His hair is braided back, intricate loops through the tail of it, and tight against his the sides of his head like a faux-mohawk. It's brass and bronze jewellery to play off the silvery glimmer of his attire. Coming in he looks about himself with a small smile, evergreens looking out for the hosts, Mae, Magpie or the less known to Saed, Mayir.

It's possible that Aksel come in with a group of commoners earlier. Or it's possible that he's just arrived with another group. Either way, he is here. Gone is his armor and weapons, regardless of what look says, in favor of a simple pair of leather pants, boots and loose fitting tunic. Nothing remarkable about the ensamble.

Modi has joined the A small square table.

Bethany works her way through the ballroom, taking polite interest in details here and there. The stiff silk of her dress swishes against the starched linen petticoats underneath as she walks, giving her steps a whispering quality.

Sina beams a smile to both Mayir and Magpie, grinning at their enthusiastic welcome. "Glad to be here, thanks for throwing a ball for us common folk," she adds, ebfore sliding along toward the booze. She picks up a bottle of something, she isn't sure what, and then makes her way over to the trivia to have a look at that. She glances around as she goes, checking to see if there's anyone else here she knows.

Aksel has joined the a small round table.

Mae turns, just in time to spot Saedrus. "Saedrus, darling!" she exclaims, with a bright smile. Then she steps forward to go to tip-toes and make an honest effort at a cheek kiss. Too tall, but it's a good try. "You look wonderful," she declares. And then what comes next is a quiet little whisper.

Aleksei has actually left his sword at home! And dressed up in things that are /not/ leathers! Well, his pants are leather, but they're the decorative kind that wouldn't protect him even for a second in a real fight. And he's got Saedrus with him, looking far more glamorous, and a bright, sunny smile lighting his face. "I love trivia!" he says when someone mentions the word.

Harper laughs and hugs Mayir back, then waves over to Petal. As she looks round and spies Magpie and her face lights up happily. Pink spreads across her cheeks at his compliment to her dress. After that kiss though, she just laughs and shakes her head, but keeps her arm wrapped around his waist. "Heya, Magpie, thanks. She did a very nice job of it. I'm gonna owe Miss Aurora something big." Looking around she sees Saedrus enter and her face lights up again as she waves to him, "Hello Saed!"

Harlex arrives with Bashira, arm in arm. The mercenary is wearing nothing particularly fine but simple, though well made, black clothes. Bashira on the other hand is wearing an immaculate blue gown with a subtle train and silken slippers. He is marveling at her as they step into the ballroom and speaking low, quiet with his voice fallen beneath the din. There is a bit of skepticism on his hard features. Those cold, green eyes sweeping over the gathered. A look not unlike one of those Menagerie wolves, surrounded by spectators.

"I didn't do it!" Bliss calls to Eleanor when she sees her, a grin on her face and her Lycene accent more rough than it usually is, less affected, the kind of thing you'd expect to hear in a tavern near Tor - not a Softest Whisper. She gives the woman a quick wink, then waves at Petal before wandering right over to the booze and claiming a bottle for herself, before she whistles a sharp greeting toward Saedrus. She walks to Mae, next, putting a hand on her shoulder and leaning down to whisper something in her ear, then right over to Mayir she goes. "Mayir. I feel like it's been too long since I've seen you," she tells him.

Theodoric slides in, accompanied as usual by the tall lanky fellow who is somehow always in Theod's shadow. He is dressed in his completely ordinary, every day attire with perhaps even more mud-stained boots, having trudged up from the lowers to the fancy estate in the uppers through puddles of spring rain. His first order of business seems to be filling a plate, which he has already begun.

"Ten minutes to our first game!" shouts out Mayir as he makes the rounds, making sure that people are taken care of. "Ten minutes to the first game! So grab a seat and get ready for fun! And be sure to get a sheet for trivia! Are you the smartest commoner of them all?"

Harper gets Captain Magpie's Banana Sauce from The Booze Box.

Modi's expression lights up just a bit more at the sound of 'games'. The prodigal saddles himself into a seat. The first one he sees nonetheless, having been scouring for a drink just moments before.

Sparte slips inside, looking around with curiousity on his face. He finds a seat out away from the main focus of the gathering, every bit the social wallflower tonight.

Sparte has joined the A simple square table, not too cozy.

Magpie just grins, then loops an arm comfortably around Harper's shoulders. "I really like the feathers." He waves to Saedrus and Aleksei, "Hey!" Then he's giving others that he doesn't know smiles, "Hi there! Come in! Yes, it's really free. We say fuck all the noble parties that leave us serving them at best. This is for us, damnit. They spend money in our shops and we give it back to all of you. Relax! Feel like the top dogs for the evening. Any nobility come in and you are free to pelt them with pies. No one will stop you."

Petal goes to take a seat as she hears Mayir's words. She looks over to Theodoric as he arrives, having a smile for the man. "I am sure, I am no the smartest commoner, but I can try." She says in the heavy accent of a Northern Shav. She then waves over to Sparte as well.

Sneak sneak sneak. Could the figure trying to creep in just as another group comes in possibly be fooling anyone? She may not be in silks, but.. Isabetta Gilden is definitely not invited to This Party. Still, remarkably, somehow, she is crashing anyway. She seems to have, somehow, seriously how? Made it this far. For a reason she sighs with relief and starts to take in the sight. So this is a commoner's ball. Her wide eyes really give her away if you know, everything else about her didn't. She's mostly dressed in linen, but it's nice linen, she's got wool on too, probably not cheap. Even her slumming it clothes just cry noble. Anyway, she actively avoids people she knows and seems to be trying to make her way further into the room along the walls. Like the most conspicuous way imaginable.

Saedrus chortles for Mae's attempts for cheek kisses, dipping some to permit the kiss and press one of his own to Mae's cheek. "So do you, and so does this ball. It is lovely, darling. You have all done well here, careful or Bliss will be sniffing about you in search of a new Whisper at this rate." Saedrus teases. There's another voice and Saed turns, "Harper! Hello dear. You are looking quite the beauty tonight mm? How are you?" A hand rests at Aleksei's shoulder, squeezing when the sound of a whistle cuts the air. "Bliss Whisper!" He half laughs, half sighs. Magpie is cast a little finger wave following a blown kiss. Great party!

Bethany finds herself in possession of a trivia card, and goes to find a place to sit while she looks it over.

Bethany has joined the a small round table.

Adriana is a total wallflower. Cheese and crackers, no alcohol, and a pleasant enough smile as she sees only a few faces she knows. She waves at Aleksei and Petal from her place at the sidelines.

Bashira gives a smile to something that Harlex says and there's a soft dip of her head to him, a whisper in return to him as she gives his arm a squeeze. "I think those our the hosts over there. Or at least who I recognize from the last time I saw them." she tells the Blade as she looks up to him.

Adriana has joined the A large round table with blue tablecloth.

Mayir leans over and kisses Bliss's cheek, smiling at the Whisper. "Far too long," he replies with a wink before he returns to announcements. "You can fill out trivia on your own and drop your answers into the box!" he calls out. "We'll be doing our first game in five minutes! What's the first game, Magpie?"

Petal checked perception at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Mae smiles sweetly to Saedrus. "Whisper House knows better," she promises. Then she turns to look to Bliss, and smiles, and nods quickly. "Of course," she says, to the other Whisper. "Hey, 'Leksei," she says. Then? Does Mae notice any Isabetta's? Nope! She just turns and starts to make her way... over to Sparte!

Mae has joined the A simple square table, not too cozy.

Sparte gives Mae a nervous smile on her approach, saying something quietly as he looks out over the gathering.

Magpie is a little overwhelmed greeting everyone, but Mayir's voice catches his attention, "Oh, whatever you want! How about the big one since most are still on their feet!" He calls back.

Petal waves to Adriana. "Hi!" She says, before getting distracted. "Oh, a noble!" She says, pointing to Isabetta. Petal gets up and heads to the pies.

A pile of food and plate in hand, and a couple of the available bottles of booze sticking awkwardly out of his giant pockets Theodoric briefly stares at the door, glancing between it and his plate as if considering just leaving with what prizes he has already won, but instead finds a seat at what he considers the nicest looking table. He gives passable greetings to familiar faces as he makes his way, but he has already started eating.

Theodoric has joined the A large round table with blue tablecloth.

Modi has left the A small square table.

Saedrus glimpses Isabetta and blinks, eyeing off the pies over there. Oh but it's such a lovely blouse too.

Adriana follows Petal's gaze over. "Oh dear," she says. "Those poor pies," the Oathland girl says timidly.

Harper blushes at Saed's comment but gives him a happy smile as she says cheerfully, "Thank you, Saed! You look handsome as always!" She grins up at Magpie at his comment on the feathers sinks in, "Yeah, she asked me if I liked feathers. I told her I was really fond of birds." Her eyes sparkle teasingly. Her shyness seems to have melted a bit under his attention. She looks curious at all of the talk of games, but catching sight of Sparte she gives him a wave and a big grin, calling over, "Heya Sparte!"

Aleksei trails after Saedrus with the beaming look of a man totally willing to let his better half lead the way. He's offering bright smiles to everyone who greets him, but his attention gets arrested pretty quickly when he hears someone call out a noble. "What! Where?!"

"Just Bliss! Don't need anything more than that!" Bliss calls out toward Saedrus, happily right in the middle of the crowd where she is most comfortable, tilting her cheek into Mayir's kiss and nudging him with her elbow after, before she seems to spot an Isabetta, walking right over to the pies and hoisting one in her hand. "A good weight. What do we have in this one? Is it cherry? Something that stains silk, I hope?"

"Tug of war! We've got the TUG OF WAR first!" calls out Mayir as he makes his way around the room. Some assistants (it's really just Pete and Zavi) are bringing out a long rope and into the middle of the dance floor, for this game. "And we'll have SPECIAL MYSTERY BAGS as prizes!"

Petal reaches the pies. She chooses blueberry one and a raspberry one even as she heads in Isabetta's directions.

Merek checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 25, rolling 14 higher.

Merek drinks as he settles back on a seat, and watches people mill about. He seems content for the time being, then he picks up a pie and twirls it around as he aims. But instead takes a bite from it as Petal moves for the noble.

Somebody large and burly comes ambling through the door. Decked out in expensive clothing, save for the mask made of parchment that is fitted to his face with a single string. "Hello fellow commoners." The big man announces in a voice that sounds too high to be coming from that person. "I am here to enjoy common things."

Harlex shakes his head and there is a quiet laugh to Bashira. "Well, suppose that is fine. So long as you think so." He follows the direction of her gesture and nods. "Seems like there are games about. I must follow your lead on these matters. Not even sure where to start."

Saedrus links his arm with Aleksei's looking to see if the man has his trivia card or not, "shall we find a table?" Oh no, Aleksei's spotted the Noble and Saedrus carefully unlinks his arm, kissing Aleksei's cheek. Party rules are party rules-- right? "I will find somewhere to sit and get us a drink. Oh tug of war--" he distracts. To Harper he chortles, "you are far too kind darling, would you like to sit with us? And Bliss Whisper you will always be Bliss Whisper when you are being a brat." The latter obviously to Bliss. "I have already blistered my hands once this month, perhaps the game will be a little fun." He's SO tough.

"Noble? ... NOBLE!!" Magpie gasps, then calls, "PIES!! Throw a pie at the noble!" Because it needs to be done. Then he gestures, "And if you want to partake in the tug-of-war game, there are MYSTERY BAGS! With a brand new figurine inside, and an extra prize, because I was feeling extra charitable and nostalgic!" Then his gaze wanders to the large fellow in the paper mask. "Huh... "

Sina is busy peering at the trivia paper in her hand, and seems to be thinking really hard about some of the rhymes on it. She does glance around occasionally still, and she eventually spots a few faces that are familiar. She gives a smile to Harper, a nod of recognition to Petal; a wave is given to Aleksei, and she gives a smile to Sparte as well. Eventually, she moves off to a corner though to sit down, and with a bit of charcoal, she fills out a few of the spaces on the trivia paper. She glances up occasionally to see what's going on with the rope on the dance floor, squinting at it slightly. She hasn't taken a drink yet, just holding onto the booze for now, and she's quiet, as is often the case.

Adriana giggles to herself at the Masked Commoner. She moves for the tug of war absently and watches the pies get prepared to be thrown. She's not one for trivia.

Mayir looks over at the large fellow in the paper mask, looking thoughtful. "Seems like a commoner to me," he tells Magpie, seeming untroubled. "I mean, he even said so!" But he has other things to do! "If you want to join the TUG OF WAR, please get in line so we can divide you up into teams!"

Sina peers at the man wearing the commoner's face mask, and looks suspicious, then goes back to filling out the trivia paper. She's not throwing a pie right now. No way is she going to do that. Nope.

Isabetta DOES NOT NOTICE the danger. She's just standing there, like so shocked by all the sights, she is a deer in the headlights. A total not belonging noble who is convinced she has gotten away with something. For the most part? No one is bothering her. Surely this is going- Okay now she totally knows she is spotted cause Magpie starts shouting about it.

"Eek!" Isabetta exclaims and then quickly darts for the nearest table without too many people around it, hiding behind a chair and shouts from behind it, "Noble? Where? Let us jolly folk together get them." Then she ducks, hoping beyond hope there is another crasher.

Saedrus glances at the masked figure with a lofted brow, "on the basis of such a statment, I almost suggest that deserves a pie..." he suggests, HELPFULLY.

"Ooh, yeah, let's get a table," Aleksei agrees with Saedrus, leaning over to nose at his hair a bit. "I've got the trivia card, and -- oh man, tug of war!" He's like a distractible puppy. "I think I know most of the answers, just not sure about one of them..."

Aksel looks up from the small table as Mayir calls out the first contest. "Tug of war." He gives a shrug of his shoulder, "I'm down," he says before dropping his voice to speak to the woman at the small table with him.

Aleksei has joined the line.

Bliss checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 15, rolling 9 higher.

Adriana has joined the line.

Merek has joined the line.

Aksel has joined the line.

Mae settles down next to Sparte, at a table sort of out of the way. She murmurs to him, and if anyone's watching, she looks uncharacteristically anxious.

Saedrus has joined the line.

Bliss has joined the line.

"Gee willikiers, a tug of war?" The very clear Commoner muses, stepping up to the line as well. All not Victus like. "What fun shenanigans."

Saedrus claims a table with a silk purse and then slinks off after Aleksei towards the games, pokinig Bliss in the side as he spies her.

Someone wearing A Commoner's face and definitely not just Victus Thrax in a paper mask has joined the line.

Gia the peregrine falcon arrives, delivering a message to Mayir before departing.

Petal's brown eyes widen as she looks toward the man in a paper mask. "huh.." She says in his direction. She seems a bit confused. "I do have two pies." She says, but starts after Isabetta first, trying to run front of her table shield. Petal then attempts to lean over such and toss the pie in her direction.

And as Bliss is walking over to the tug of war, well, she turns suddenly and hurls that pie in Isabetta's direction. It's a quick thing, a sure thing, but Saedrus' poke might have thrown off the aim as it sails through the air at Isabetta! Who knows if it hits, especially with Petal also on the assault. Thanks, Saedrus.

Bashira looks to the Harlex, "Oh, you're going to be in for a surprise, this if my first party." she laughs. "So following me is probably a bad idea." she winks at him. "Do you think you're up for tug of war? Or is your shoulder still..." she murmurs. Wanting to make sure he feels up for things.

Petal checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Aaron arrives just in time for calls of NOBLE and twists this way and that, peering over his shoulder to try to see who the dirty so-and-so might be. Rolling his shoulders in a shrug, he traipses into the ballroom to join the party. The sight of a line forming gets him stroking his beard thoughtfully.

Bethany says, "s something to Aksel before he gets up to join the line."

Eleanor has joined the line.

Petal has joined the line.

Sina has joined the line.

Bethany says something to Aksel before he gets up to join the line. She's turned her clue paper face down, and some of the color has left her face.

"Master Aaron!" calls out Mayir when he spies the tailor, waving his hand at him. He does a little spin, showing off his captain's outfit. "Doesn't it look fantastic? It's my favorite outfit! Only a shame I get to wear it just when it's cold out!" He's hanging in there to the spring to get through the event. "Just a few more minutes before we get started! If you want to do tug of war, join the line!"

Harlex grins a little and shakes his head, "Well. I suppose we'll learn together." At the mention of his shoulder he looks at the line forming. "Suppose so."

Harper has joined the line.

Sina finishes the trivia thing, hands it off to whoever is keeping track of that, then she gets in line for the tug of war, glancing about.

Isabetta doesn't know what hit her. Like really -really- doesn't know what hit her. She is hit though, twice in fact, so quickly that one might not know which pie hit her first. There is blue berry and there is raspberry and she is struck so fast that one moment she is a head over top of the chair, eyes darting around looking for the danger and the next moment? She is a pie monster. One half of her head is red and the other half is blue and she's blinking, in fact the only real noticeable feature on her face is the blinking eyes.

"Huh?" She asks, pie dripping on her head and face, her hair, once blonde, probably, is now colored pie. There is crust all over her shoulders and down her front. "Oh." She remarks, looking down her front and tries a bit of the pie. "This is pretty good." She remarks and then tries to crawl under the table to the 'relative safety' of the other side. As if she wasn't just clearly tagged.

Harlex has joined the line.

Harper gives Magpie a quick kiss on the cheek and says, "I'm gonna try the tug of war." With a grin she steps over toward the line, calling over to Saed, "I'll sit with you after this, Saed!" Then as Petal is throwing pies, she stops well out of the way and grins before making her way to the end of the line.

Mae watches with decided amusement as Isabetta gets pied. She's smirking, but she's distracted. She murmurs to Sparte some more.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Someone wearing A Commoner's face and definitely not just Victus Thrax in a paper mask before departing.

Petal giggles as she watches Isabetta, seemingly all amused. "I guess instead of Lady Isabetta, she is Issy-berry Pie now." She says, before darting off to get into the line. Petal doesn't look like she will be very good at tug-of-war though. She is rather small. She also still has the pie. "Oh, I will never get to do this again in my entire, entire life!" She says and tries to throw the blue berry pie a the masked common man who is most certainly not a high lord.

Aaron lifts a hand and tips it in a wave to Mayir, grinning as the man shows off. "That is a fine piece of work," he says, giving a sly smile. For now, he skirts the edges of the dance floor where the tug of war's fixing to take place. All the better to go grab some refreshing libations.

Magpie just snickers as people start going after Isabetta with the pie, shaking his head. "Silks..." He says with a laugh, wandering to the food table to snag some smoked sausage speared with toothpicks. He pops a piece in his mouth, then watches as people start lining up for the tug of war. "Everyone on the winning team gets a Mystery Bag!" He reminds, then goes back to laughing at the dodging noble while Harper slips off to join the game. He'll wander over to Mae and Sparte. "Evening, evening." He says to the pair, offering Mae a polite kiss on the cheek if she doesn't shove him away.

Petal checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

Bashira gives Harlex a grin, "I will watch you, if I slip on this train my team would definitely not win if I went down in the middle of the match." she tells him with a smile. For now, she steps back and gives an amused look to the tug of war about to happen.

Mae doesn't offer Magpie any resistance. Just a strained smile. Something... off. But she gives him a pat on the arm all the same, then leans back over toward Sparte to whisper.

Adriana also giggles at Not Victus. "Oh prizes," the girl asks with a smile. "Exciting!" She looks to her team mates and waves cheerfully. "Hello! I'm Adriana," she introduces herself.

Merek walks to his team in the war, and settles to take up some rope. He seems satisified to participate for the time being, while he rolls his shouulders a bit.

Sparte gives Magpie a small smile when he comes past the table, nodding to him. Hands rest on the table, fidgeting idly as he shoots a brief glance at the people doing tug of war before commenting quietly.

Aaron gets Captain Magpie's Banana Sauce from The Booze Box.

"I don't want to hear anyone using a bad shoulder as an excuse if I'm doing this," Bliss says after her pie also sailed at Isabetta. It's okay. It's a big crowd. She bends down a moment, reaching for the rope near her once she is there. She turns her head to Isabetta, then motions with her head to the doorway. She turns her head to Aleksei as she says, "Hey, if I scream in agony, you'll cover me and pretend it was you, right?"

"Be right back," Aksel says to Bethany. The Northerner rises and heads towards the rope. He's not a trash talker or one with the slight of hands. But strength, he's got that plenty. Well maybe, there could be bad footing, after all.

Especially with pie all over the ground, now.

Isabetta is still pretending like no one has spotted her. I mean, she's covered in pie- well no, not actually, she got nailed in the head, but like there is a -lot- of open canvas left if one catches the drift. She doesn't notice Bliss indicating she should cut her losses and leave. Come to think of it, probably coming in the first place wasn't a good idea. Well, let the bad ideas continue, because she's trying to crawl sneak farther into the room.

"What, and ruin my tough reputation?" Aleksei looks AGHAST at Bliss for even SUGGESTING it. He strides over to his side of the rope and rubs his hands briskly together before picking up his bit.

The man who is not Victus takes his spot at the other end of the rope. "Hello team-mates. I'm a commoner." He announces to them as he takes the length of rope between his rough hands. "I sure hope we win, and that I can continue to do my hard laboring job after the fact."

"All right!" cries Mayir as he makes it to the center of the rope, looking out at the two sides that have begun separating themselves. "On your mark! Get set! TUG! May the best commoner side that does not have a High Lord on it win!"

Bethany smiles to Aksel when he gets up to go join the tug of war. She doesn't rise, but watches with amusement in her expression.

Tug of war! That sounds fun. Eleanor makes her way to the designated side of the rope and gives Not Victus a narrowed eyed look. "You better pull hard," she informs him blandly.

Saedrus slips over with his team and picks up the rope. UGH IT'S HEAVY. He'll try though!

Harlex moves in line to take up his part of the rope. He seems very strong!

Adriana checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Harlex checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Someone wearing A Commoner's face and definitely not just Victus Thrax in a paper mask checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Aleksei checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 44 higher.

Eleanor checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Saedrus checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Aksel checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Bliss checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Sina joins the side of the rope that she's supposed to, which happens to be the same team as Not-Victus. She smiles a bit, then prepares to tug for all she's worth. She's not strong, but she tries!

Harper checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Petal checked strength + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Sina checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Petal tugs and tugs and tries to be all nimble with her small hands. She manages to hold her own.

At the call, Aksel starts to pull for Team 1. Apparently he's not feeling overly strong at the moment, but at least he helps his team. Sort of. Or maybe he's conserving his energy for epic show of strength later. Never know with a slipper floor with pie on it.

Adriana: is a barmaid. She's used to hauling trays and barrels, so despite her girly look she has a considerable tug on the rope as she heaves to.

Merek checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

"Is that all you've got?!" Bliss calls across the room. "My shoulder was /run through/ and I'm putting more into it than you guys! What's the matter? Not tough enough to handle a piece of rope?" Other such banter follows from Bliss as she digs her crystal heels against the floor and /pulls/.

Merek moves to work the rope, even as he looks to the other team, and does some skillful maneuvers that perplexes them hopefully. What's he doing with the rope!

Sina tugs and pulls, or at least, she seems to. She appears to be giving it her all. She makes faces. She makes a grunting sound here and there. She digs her heels in and grips the rope hard, and leans back and makes her best show at appearing to be pulling hard on that rope. But really, it's all an illusion. She's really just a wimpy scholar who can barely lift a stack of books.

Harper rubs her hands on her dress then winces slightly as she remembers that she is in a dress. With a shrug, she moves over and snags a hold on the rope anyway. She eyes the man in the mask and just grins impishly, "Mister, you're the strangest commoner I ever met." But then the contest is starting and she grits her teeth and starts pulling as hard as she can.

Aleksei cackles a bit, but he doesn't bother with trash talking or the like: he's here to be muscle. He grips the rope hard, plants his feet, and /pulls/ -- to pretty productive effect.

"Oh man! Looks like we've got an evenly matched set of teams tonight!" calls out Mayir, adding color commentary to his officiating. "I think the Champion Aleksei's team has a little edge, but others are saying it's too close too call! Let's see what happens!"

Saedrus is probably not helping at all, but he's giving it a crack. "Come on now!" Saedrus jeers in tune with Bliss since he's got nothing else but his voice to offer -- his hands hurt already. "You are pulling like a pack of kittens fighting over a tattered fish!" Go team one!

Adriana has rolled a critical success!
Adriana checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Aleksei checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Merek checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 28 higher.

Harlex leans back on the rope, tight in his hands, pulling it with his feet planted firmly.

Sina checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Magpie speaks quietly with Mae and Sparte for a minute, but eventually just nods, giving Sparte a brief smile. "Thanks." Then he wanders on, moving to where there's a good vantage of the tug of war. "Keep it up!!!"

Saedrus checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Petal has rolled a critical success!
Petal checked strength + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Harlex checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Eleanor checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 52 higher.

Bliss checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 29 higher.

Aksel checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Isabetta is watching the tug of war in awe in all of her pie covered goodness. On the flip side, being covered in pie is apparently a good disguise.

Harper checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Merek continues with the rope, as he moves back and shifts his hips a bit. He also spins a part of the rope onto him, because he's that fervent about this.

Someone wearing A Commoner's face and definitely not just Victus Thrax in a paper mask checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Adriana isn't about to give ground, not if she can help it. She grits her teeth and tugs harder, pulling with all her might.

As the participants give it their all, Bethany, watching from her seat, applauds in a general cheering on sort of way. Who is she cheering on? She doesn't seem to be playing favorites.

Eleanor blithely ignores the other team as she gives the rope a good haul. "You can do better than that," she does call to the back of Not Victus in front of her. Isn't she -- supposed to be heckling the OTHER TEAM?

Aksel starts to put his back into things. Heave-ho, and all that. Yes, this pose is mostly just line filler.

"Oof. This rope sure is a toughie." The high-pitched Not Victus complains, craning his crudely drawn-on eyes to 'look' at Eleanor. "This is almost as hard as when I sow fields. Because I-I, I uh, I work farms, and grow my own food."

As the rope starts pulling heftily to her side, Bliss just cackles, then begins to sing a Lycene sea shanty, giving her team a rhythm to tug to, her contralto voice probably loud enough to even cut over the crowd. "And HEAVE!" she shouts.

"If there's a noble hiding on what could be the winning team, should they still get a prize?" Magpie asks of anyone that will answer. "Because I really can't decide."

Aleksei keeps that solid grip, the plant of his feet seeming to do good work at keeping his gravity centered. He cackles a bit when Bliss starts singing, and he matches his tugs to her rhythm.

Saedrus just chortles, singing along with Bliss -- he even knows the words, how does that work? There's a little huff of a sound, he may even be trying to actually pull!

Magpie gets Pearl Mystery Pouch from Maple Crate.

Magpie gets Seafoam Mystery Pouch from Maple Crate.

Magpie gets Grape Mystery Pouch from Maple Crate.

Magpie gets Tan Mystery Pouch from Maple Crate.

Magpie gets Purple Mystery Pouch from Maple Crate.

Magpie gets Violet Mystery Pouch from Maple Crate.

Bashira applauds for team two, which includes her other half, "Come on Harlex!" she cheers him on. She bounces a little on her feet as she does. She was excited to see him help out.

Sina's performance holds out. She keeps at it, even making herself look like it's even more of a strain (and it probably is), and that she's getting tired. If she recognizes the High Lord's voice behind that mask, she doesn't give it away, though really, who's he fooling? Really? She grins again though and just keeps pulling. Or pretending to.

"Oh! And look at Team Aleksei pulling out to the lead!" calls out Mayir as he sees the rope reach towards that end of the ballroom. "I suppose that if the other team had all true commoners on it, they might do better! But obviously they do, so let's see how this exciting competition ends!"

Aksel checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 43 higher.

Aleksei checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 46 higher.

Petal tugs and tugs. She seems to be doing well for her strength and size. "There is no nobles on our team, Magpie." Petal protests. "He grows cabbages. I use them in my pottage. So we should get prizes." She keeps trying to tug away.

Someone wearing A Commoner's face and definitely not just Victus Thrax in a paper mask checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Sina checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Isabetta exclaims, maybe stupidly and probably getting a little too cheery, "Get the noble!"

Petal checked strength + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Saedrus checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Bliss checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Merek checked strength + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Adriana checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

Harlex checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Harper checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Isabetta then realizes she is well, one of the nobles and flees!

Merek seems to be not too great on his feet this time, but he keeps on trying!

Aaron pops the cork on the bottle of liquor and takes a curious sniff. "Hm." Then, he takes a just-as-curious swig. He rolls the flavor of it around in his mouth, and smacks his lips. "That is...that is definitely a -thing-," he says. But it's a pleasant thing, because after he dashes the back of his hand across his lips, he goes back for more.
One could say he finds it a-peel-ing.

Not Victus pulls. He pulls and pulls all the while, with all of his common bones. "I hate taxation!" He just... states.

Like fine wine, Aksel gets better in time! Not that Aksel would ever really drink wine, mind you, but the analogy works. "Pull!" He grunts putting his back into this thing now.

Eleanor checked strength + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

As there's a sudden pull back from the other side, Bliss's expression suddenly changes as her shoulder is tugged. She holds on. She keeps trying. But she sort of just... slumps over after that, her singing failing as she grits her teeth.

Saedrus makes a hissing sound, those blisters are probably all busted up on his palms again. No more shanty now-- there's a little more concentration on the snowy whisper's features.

Magpie gets Aqua Mystery Pouch from Maple Crate.

While the tug of war is drawing to a close, Bethany stands from her seat and goes in search of something to drink, while the food table is totally unoccupied. She pours two glasses of chilled white wine, and takes them back to her table.

Adriana yanks one more time! Stronger than she looks, the blonde girl plants her feet and pulls. When their team is victorious she practically jumps for joy. She settles on a purple pouch with a happy smile.

Merek gets Marquessa Marigold's Mint Madness from Aqua Mystery Pouch.

Merek gets Exclusive Highway Robber Figurine from Aqua Mystery Pouch.

Adriana gets The Artist and His Love from Violet Mystery Pouch.

Merek goes on to collect his prize once the other team is on the floor, and then seems to smile as he nods with satisfaction.

"Congratulations to Team Champion Aleksei!" calls out Mayir, cheerfully as the tug of war comes to a close. "If you could please come on over and pick out a VERY SPECIAL MYSTERY bag!" BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE! "We also have an individual best-effort prize for the not-winning team. That goes to ..." His eyes stop on Not Victus for a moment but he shakes his head. "The Lord Commander Eleanor Allenatore!"

Bliss checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 30, rolling 3 lower.

With her victory complete, Bliss claims her pouch, lofting it into the air in celebration, before she heads over to the pie table and grabs one. She lifts it. She sniffs at it. And then she walks over to that tall, masked man. When she is next to him, she just asks, "So, Victus, what's this I hear about you being a god and beating the Lyceum at a game of cards?" Just casually. Subtle like. Definitely pulling this off.

Harlex finds himself putting a little more effort into it right there at the end. But it doesn’t help. The rope pulls against his palms roughly and he is going forward with the others in Team 2. Forward unto defeat.

Sina keeps on trying to tug and give it her best. But it's just not enough, and the other team wins. Her sandaled feet skid across the floor was the rope is pulled from the other end. At the last second, she lets her hands go though, a mischievous grin on her face, and she slips away toward the table with the pies. She tries to blend a bit, trying to be a bit sneaky about it as she moves to take a pie from the table and hide it behind her back.

Adriana gets Exclusive Highway Robber Figurine from Violet Mystery Pouch.

Bethany sets a glass of cool wine on the table in front of Aksel's pushed back chair, and sits down again with her own. She sets the glass down gently, soft enough that the glass makes no noise as it touches the wood, and takes a moment to arrange her skirts. There are a lot of layers of thick silk taffeta and gauzy starched linen to put in order.

Someone wearing A Commoner's face and definitely not just Victus Thrax in a paper mask checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 30, rolling 27 lower.

Sina checked dexterity + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Harper growls but then her heel catches the edge of her skirt, and only a bit of quick shuffling of her feet keeps her balance. Recovering, she pulls hard on the rope throwing her entire body into it, though unfortunately she's small so that's not as much as it might be for some. But it's just not quite enough as suddenly the rope starts yanking forward and slipping right through her hands. Stepping away from it she moves out of the way to watch.

Magpie cheers. "Great effort everyone!!" He points to the mystery bags, watching carefully to make sure no one is snatching anything they shouldn't be." Then he grabs a tan one and tosses it to Eleanor. "Nice job, Sunshine!"

Saedrus checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 30, rolling 30 higher.

Adriana checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Aksel goes and collects his prize and goes and takes a seat back at the table. He doesn't open it just yet.

Not Victus went down wit hthe rest of his team. "Aw rats, we lost. Oh well, at least we have our pies and grog to go back to." The big commoner muses for his fallen teammates, before turning his parchment visage to Bliss. He snorts and rolls out in a thick, Islander accent, "It ain't me ya' fool."

Saedrus sees the other team go down and manages to stop himself from making some undinified sound that would probably have been squeal or the like. Instead there is a clap of his hands, "well done!" which he winces for and immediately regrets peering at his hands. With a blink though his attention turns to Bliss and-- he sighs.

Harlex rubs the back of his neck and moves to return to Bashira. He gives a small grin, from the corner of his lip. "Did it look heroic at least?"

Adriana gets a figurine! And a story. She reads the story and starts to look disturbed. Very disturbed. But she quickly hides that and shoves the story back into the bag.

And -- HEAVE! Aleksei's grip is unrelenting, his muscles corded with effort underneath his nice clothes and everything. And then the other team goes over, and he looses a -- yup, "WOO! Also, ow." He looks down at his hands, now rubbed a bit raw. He trots over to get his prize, opening it curiously.

Adriana puts The Artist and His Love in Violet Mystery Pouch.

Adriana puts Exclusive Highway Robber Figurine in Violet Mystery Pouch.

Bashira gives a chuckle when the winner is declared and then she sees Harlex go falling forward, well, that won't do. She heads over to the Crimson Blade, as he's moving towards her, "You did good!" she tells him with that big grin of her. "Very heroic my love." she grins as she leans up to kiss his cheek.

Eleanor is busy smiling congratulatory smiles over at the winning team, when she hears her name. "What?" She blinks brown eyes at Mayir. "Oh!" She brightens up, much like - well, sunshine. She catches the bag from Magpie and wanders toward him. "What's in it?" She could just open it, of course.

Bashira gets Captain Magpie's Banana Sauce from The Booze Box.

Mae says a few words to Sparte, then she's hopping to her feet. And then? Sneaking. Not crawling on the floor, but moving with casual indifference. Blending in amongst her fellow Commoners. All as she makes her way toward Not Victus.

"Do we need to re-enrol in charm studies, dear?" Saedrus lilts Bliss' way as he strolls up and takes one of the prizes, "thank you Mayir, and Magpie." Saedrus brightens, "that was rather fun!" And off he trots to go find a table and watch the beloved trainwreck that is Bliss. There's one more glance at his trivia card before he drops that off as well on the way to his seat.

Binky, an asshole crow, Gregory, an unassuming disciple arrive, following Aureth.

Saedrus has joined the A simple circular table of decent breadth.

Aleksei has joined the A simple circular table of decent breadth.

"Of course. My apologies, High Lord," Bliss says, giving not-Victus a quick bow and not even trying to hide the smirk on her face even a little. Definitely pulled this off. She lifts her pie, then at Saedrus's words, rolls her eyes and turns her head to look at him. "I'm /working/ on it," she tells him, really just sounding not like a Whisper at all tonight. "I know where you sleep! Roughly!"

Aureth strolls in late /as fuck/ because whatever he was doing out there in the world was more important than showing up to a family party on time. He does scan the crowd with a good-natured, crooked grin, and then begins to wander amongst the people. "Place looks great, guys!"

Aaron claps (with not-optimal efficiency, since he's holding a bottle of booze) as the contest comes to an end and the winners are announced, and given their spoils. "Well done," he says, though his eyes rove over all of the competitors as he says so, to apply that sentiment.

Sparte straightens up and looks around with alarm when Mae bounds out of her seat. He sees what is going on and with realization, he slumps back into his seat with a smirk to watch.

"/I/ know where he sleeps," Aleksei tells Bliss cheerfully as he settles over at a table with Saedrus. And a /drink/.

"And trivia is closed!" announces Mayir as the last slip goes into the box. "If you are enjoying our fine get-together tonight, please do consider saying nice things about Grayhope! Your good word on the street makes our business possible! Grayhope: All your needs, met." He's still workshopping the motto. "Magpie will be announcing our BIG TRIVIA WINNER shortly!"

Mayir is overheard praising Grayhope: Grayhope: All your needs, met.

Mae checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Harlex dusts off his sleeve and at the kiss to his cheek, he winks. "Good enough for me. Think I need a drink." His voice is low as he mutters something, walking with Bashira.

Saedrus is overheard praising Grayhope: The Best of Fun!

Bethany is overheard praising Grayhope: Such a nice party.

Someone wearing A Commoner's face and definitely not just Victus Thrax in a paper mask checked perception + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 11 lower.

"Hey, can we eat these pies or are they just weaponry?" Aureth asks.

Sina sidles around to a place where she has Not-Victus in her line of sight, gauging the distance with one silvery eye while she holds the pie behind her back. She waits for a good opportunity, not wanting to hit anyone else when she finally does the terrible deed.

Adriana has had her party mood dampened a little after reading that Story. She goes back to sitting alone and nibbling party foods, not bothering with alcohol.

Aleksei is overheard praising Grayhope: Great party!

Mae checked dexterity + legerdemain at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Petal is overheard praising Grayhope: wonderful party

So casual, such blending in, so sneak. Mae makes her way up right behind Not Victus, then hops up way high into the air to try to snatch the big man's mask off!

Harlex is overheard praising Grayhope: Appreciate the festivities.

Eleanor is overheard praising Grayhope.

Aleksei has left the A simple circular table of decent breadth.

Keso, a totally legit assistant have been dismissed.

Peanut, an oversized mastiff have been dismissed.

Not Victus smugly nods over Bliss' way. If one could smug without any emotion whatsoever. Though as he's watching her leave, his mask, held together by all the strength of a twisty piece of string and a single clip of iron. The mask is seized. Not Victus is revealed to be VICTUS ALL ALONG.

Someone wearing A Commoner's face and definitely not just Victus Thrax in a paper mask checked charm + manipulation at difficulty 50, rolling 45 lower.

Someone wearing A Commoner's face and definitely not just Victus Thrax in a paper mask says, "WAIT, IT'S NOT ME"

Aureth shouts from nearby, "GET HIM!"

Bliss checked dexterity + manipulation at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

Sina checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 16 higher.

Magpie is over at the box with Zavi, sifting through the papers and tallying up the results. After a few minutes and a few more drinks of booze, the Grayhope sailor calls out, "OK!! There are some entertaining answers in here. FIRST. No one got all the answers! No one. I threw in a couple of tough ones to weed out ties." He clears his throat. "In second place, with fourteen correct, was Lord Commander Sunshine! Nice job." He politely claps and just snickers as chaos abounds around Victus Not Victus. "NOBLE!!!" He yells.

Then Magpie gets back to the trivia. "THE WINNER! With 19 answers!! ALEKSEI! Congrats! Come get your prize, Lucky."

Magpie gets Rust Mystery Pouch from Magpie's Sack.

"Noble, noble!" Mae shouts, and points! And promptly ducks out of the way before pie starts coming her way.

Saedrus blinks up from his drink at all the commotion and looks about to Totally Not Victus. "Oh dear," he chortles and ducks a little behind Aleksei. Pies are about to go EVERYWHERE. Eek but his body shield is going to collect a prize.

Aleksei throws up his hands. "WOO! It was fucking number two, wasn't it, I still don't think my answer to that was right--" He trots over to get his prize from Magpie.

Sina laughs as Mae sneaks up and snatches the mask away. "Noble, noble!" She yells along with all the rest. Then, in a shocking display of unusual not-decorum, she hurls her pie in Victus' direction.

And with the revealing of not-Victus as VICTUS ALL ALONG, Bliss turns to him and gives a mock gasp, heaving her pie back as if to aim it at the Thrax High Lord's face! Oh no, so easily dodged, so expected! But at the last minute, the Champion suddenly twists and bends - it was a feint all along! Her hand goes not toward the Highlord's face, but towards his groin, and she presses the blackberry pie right against the front of his pants, taking a step back and giving him a quick wink as she leaves a definitely dignified stain. Such decorum. "You had me totally fooled!" she claims to him.

Someone wearing A Commoner's face and definitely not just Victus Thrax in a paper mask checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 99, rolling 30 lower.

Saedrus cheers, "well done, Aleksei!"

Eleanor picks up a pie with positively inappropriate glee and throws it at Not Victus. "Wait what?" Her name being called distracts her from viewing the result of her throw and she beams over at Magpie. "Yay!"

Eleanor checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 36 higher.

Saedrus is overheard praising Aleksei: The Smartest Commoner, I never doubted it.

Victus drops A Commoner's face and definitely not just Victus Thrax in a paper mask.

Saedrus is overheard praising Magpie: Wonderful Host

Harper looks down at her hands where they were rubbed a little raw from the rope and grins wryly before making her way over to the drink table to snag a drink. As she catches sight of Aureth, she waves over to him with a grin. Then continuing to make her way back over toward a table, she spies Mae dart up and pauses to watch her curiously. Seeing her head for not-Victus she chuckles and sips her drink watching the antics unfold. As Victus is revealed a huge grin spreads across her face, and she calls over, "I hope you like pie, High Lord!"

Saedrus is overheard praising Mae: Little Sneak, but lovely Hostess

Bethany sips her wine and talks politely with Aksel for all the world as though there wasn't a bunch of yelling and throwing of pies happening nearby.

Saedrus is overheard praising Mayir: Excellent party thrown! Thank you!

Adriana is overheard praising Mayir: Prizes and pies.

Petal is overheard praising Mae: great hostest

"I know shit!" Aleksei says loudly. And then he realizes that there's a whole pie fiasco about to happen. "Oh shit."

Petal is overheard praising Magpie: great party

Petal is overheard praising Mayir: great party

Petal is overheard praising Aleksei: smarta and strong

Petal is overheard praising Victus: Not Victus!

Petal checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Saedrus looks about ready to hide behind a chair, but completely unable to help the chortled laugh at Bliss' antics and poor Victus.

Mae is overheard praising Victus: Pie Lord Victus Thrax

Petal is overheard praising Eleanor: best effort and also very smart

Victus is buried in pie for his treachery, the Thraxian being usurped in a flurry of baked goods that pelt him one after another. His cries of anguish could scratch the surface of the sky as they howl out between every cherry, blueberry, and deliciously thick crust that breaks itself upon his mortal body. So many curse words fall out of his mouth that he's eventually swearing in complete gibberish, before slipping and falling into the horrible amalgamation of pastries that have accumulated at his boots. Fin.

Petal goes to a pie, because she has just to join in the pie tossing. She darts closer to victors and throws. Its not a horrible attempt. She might make contact.

Adriana checked luck at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Bethany is overheard praising Victus: It was an almost perfect disguise. Almost.

And now? Magpie is just howling with laughter at the take-down of Victus, tears in his eyes from his mirth. "Oh man, someone give me a pie! I need to get in on this!" He calls.

Adriana just happens to be close enough to get a little pie splatter on her dress- and not her blouse which is good since the blouse is white but the flowers on her bodice will hide the cherry red.

Merek is overheard praising Mayir: Great ball!

Sparte has left the A simple square table, not too cozy.

Merek is overheard praising Magpie: Great ball!

Aksel glances towards the now revealed Victus and gives a shrug of his shoulders before turning back to speak quietly with Bethany.

Bliss is overheard praising Mae: Harlequin of Revelations

Sina laughs so hard as the pies go flying at Victus, that tears stream from her eyes. She lifts her hands to swipe them away, and her expression is all scrunched up with amusement. She holds her hand to her stomach as she turns away, leaning on the table for a moment to catch her breath as Victus goes down. Then she takes up that bottle of booze she hadn't had a drink from yet, and takes a drink from it. Then, setting it down, she clears her throat and straightens up a bit. She straightens her skirt, and moves as far away from the pie table as she can get.

Harper is overheard praising Grayhope: Best Ball Ever!

Sparte gets up from his seat, starting the process of digging in the pack under his cloak as he heads over to where Victus has been upended. "That is an awful lot of pie." He doesn't get in the way, stopping a safe distance away while he fishes out what he was looking for.

Sparte gets a wild berry Shav pie with a flakey crust from a canvas backpack with leather accent straps.

Aaron snickers as the expertly-camoflaged noble is exposed and drenched in all manner of pie. He shakes his head, eyeing the pies for a moment, but seems to decide not to en-crust the unfortunate man any further. "Yeah, that'll teach him," he says, taking another smirky little drink of booze.

Saedrus, now content he won't be in the firing line of pies, slips from hiding to perch himself up on the table. Sipping at his drink. "I think the poor Prince has been pied enough, mm?" probably thought aloud rather than to anyone in particular.

Mayir claps for Aleksei, the winner of the trivia contest, and then spies Aaron over wherever he is. "Master Aaron! I need to talk to you! Or, well, I should talk to you! I'm doing something that you would be interested in!"

Sina is overheard praising Grayhope: Funnest. Ball. Ever.

Aaron is overheard praising Grayhope.

Theodoric is overheard praising Grayhope: It's a pity you've only the one ball.

Aaron is overheard praising Mayir.

Aaron is overheard praising Magpie.

Aaron is overheard praising Mae.

Magpie looks over at Saedrus, "NOT YET. I didn't get to throw one." He goes to grab up some blueberry and saunters over to the pie-coated high lord. "Hey man." Of course he'll try to wait for Victus to look up before aiming that blueberry for the man's face.

The line has been dismissed by Mayir.

Bashira gives a look to Harlex, "Let's get a drink." she nods to that after she's shaken herself from some though. "I got a favor as well." she gives him a smile as she wiggles the bottle at him.

Mae's flicking pie off her sleeve as she finally makes her way toward the center of the room. "Hello everyone!" she calls, loudly. "I'm Mae. Hi, to everyone who doesn't know me. Thank you all so much for coming out! We are, of course, celebrating what makes Arx great... us. The commoners. The men and women who patrol our streets, who feed our poor, who run our shops, and... well... keep our beloved King whole," Mae says, with an affectionate smile. "We have one last event for tonight! In the spirit of celebrating the greatness of commoners... We are going to select who has the BEST OUTFIT! Because, well, commoners do it better! And let us remember that!" Beat. "So, if everyone who would like their beautiful outfit judged could please step AROUND the pie and come over here by me, I would appreciate it!"

Merek is overheard praising Grayhope: Wonderful people.

Victus is splayed out in the pool of pie filling. He hasn't moved since falling over. "What do you want, Mags?" He rumbles up to him. "I'm clearly dead over here."

Aleksei tries to shove Saedrus forward for the FASHION CONTEST.

Saedrus has joined the line.

Sina has joined the line.

Adriana wipes the pie off her dress and hopes it won't stain. "Oh dear...." she isn't about to beat a Whisper but she still gets up.

Magpie just aims to smush more pie in Victus's face. Because he can. "It's blueberry."

Tossing her used pie to the side - and probably getting hit with some of the splatter but she is in UMBRA who cares maybe she had this planned - Bliss lifts her hands and claps rapidly for Magpie at his attempt, before she steps away and looks around, trying to figure out what might be next. Casually, she walks over to the table where Saedrus and Aleksei are seated, claiming a spot next to her fellow Whisper, taking a bit of pie dripping from her gown, and just flicking it at him. Flick flick flick, flick flick. Rude. Then Mae is calling for the best outfit, and she stands and heads right back over there. Are peacock feathers IN? Who knows.

Adriana has joined the line.

Bliss has joined the line.

Petal has joined the line.

Merek has joined the line.

Merek is overheard praising Mae: Great host!

Saedrus has rolled a critical success!
Saedrus checked dexterity at difficulty 10, rolling 24 higher.

Bliss checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Harlex eyes the bottle with a grin. "Now you're talking." As they chit-chat, he looks toward Mae at her speech and nods. Pleased with what he heard. To the mention of a contest, however, he looks to Bashira.

Eleanor has joined the line.

Victus is smushed with even more blueberry pie. At this point, it's just some extra blood coloring in the rainbow pile. "I'm gonna kick your ass later."

Saedrus omphs, as he is shoved off the table. "Bliss Whisper!" Saedrus hisses as he narrowly avoids pie! Likely side by side as they stroll up for the fashion contest to which is eyes his peer with a little grin, "you are wearing my colours, by the by." Saed chortles, even though he's not in his peacock skirts now. Who does peacock better?!

Aureth has joined the line.

Merek is in such simple attire, but he does wish to participate as he moves to the other thing that people are doing. He seems happy to be out and about.

Bashira gives a smile to that, "I think we can sit it somewhere in the house." she tells him. Then there's a tilt of her head as he whispers to her and there's a faint blush. Though she gives her head a nod and then gives his arm a squeeze as she parts from him to go up.

"You'll never catch me. I'm faster than you." Magpie taunts Victus, laughing more. Then he reaches to pat the leader of Thrax on the gooey cheek before straightening and licking at the filling on his fingers. "Mmmm."

Bashira has joined the line.

Sina takes another drink from the bottle she has with her, then she sets it aside again as Mae introduces herself and announces the outfit modeling thing. She considers for a moment, glancing down at her outfit, plucking at her skirts a bit uncertainly. Then she shrugs, and makes her way toward the line with a quiet grace. She does glance, briefly, over toward Victus through her lashes, just to make sure he's okay. Then she's in line, waiting with the others.

Sparte unwraps the bundle from his own backpack to reveal a mostly intact pie. He seems to be having second thoughts about hitting Victus with his pie. He takes a moment to inspect it, click a bit of lint off a corner. Pulling a broken piece off to pop in his mouth, sampling it. A small nod of appreciation, then Sparte carefully grabs the pie by the tin and does an upwards gesture, sending pie sans tin to tumble upwards in a lazy arc before landing on Victus. "House rules and whatnot. Shame, was a good pie."

Bliss looks at Saedrus, just holds her gaze on him, and reaches up and directly smears a line of blackberry right across her fellow Whisper's forehead. "I'm trying to help you. Magenta is very fashionable, it's been claimed! Besides, didn't I tell you it's just Bliss already?"

Eleanor scrunches her nose up fondly in Mae's direction. Upon the announcement, she slides a hand down the side of her leather pants - complete with diamond cutouts - and then gives a sort of 'well why not' shrug and wanders over to join the group near Mae. "Leona made them for me," she tells - well, whoever is nearby and listening.

Saedrus' jaw drops a fraction. She //did not// just do that. Lifting one elegant, though blistered, hand he wipes the smear of berry goop off his brow (though there's likely a little staining) and purses his lips. "Terribly fashionable." He says and returns what's left on his hand to Bliss' cheek. "So best we share it, mm?"

Mayir is overheard praising Grayhope: No way are the Crimson Blades better than us!

Mae steps forward first and steals a quick hug from Eleanor. Totally how you greet the Lord Commander. Then she steps back. "Okay, so... since we are COMMON! Here's how we are going to do this. I will step next to each person, and you all just YELL if you think they have the best outfit. Got it?"

Aaron lifts his brows as there's now a fashion contest announced. "-Well,-" he says, and folds his arms across his chest, watching the proceedings with great interest and an appraising eye...or starting to, until he remembers that someone had said his name a moment ago. With a 'Who, wha?' he turns and looks about for the source (Mayir).

"Best we share it!" Bliss agrees, not even backing away or flinching from him in the slightest as that hand goes to her cheek. She nods once, firmly accepting what Saedrus has done to her, before she lifts herself a little higher and gives him a quick peck on the cheek. Aw, the Softests like each other. Then she turns and smiles at Mae, nodding her understanding, but asking, "Do we get to yell, too?"

Merek pulls out his fireweave scarf, and puts it on, made with lace and velvet, decorated, it also has his sigil embroidered with fine duskstone.

Sparte gets a clothe hat shaped like a paper sailboat from a canvas backpack with leather accent straps.

Sparte dolls himself up as well, putting on his fanciest hat.

Magpie nudges at Victus with his foot. "Before you die of pie, make sure to yell when Harper's name comes up."

Adriana takes a step back as this gets to be a popularity contest. The girl seems to have nerves now, especially with the beautiful Whispers to contend against.

Victus slowly, slowly sits up through all the goop. Though not before he plants one big mitt on Magpie's face and /yanks/ hard to try and force the man down into a slippery pile of baked goods himself. "My vote doesn't count, dunderhead. The veil is lifted. I have no power here."

Harper shakes her head, grinning and watches Magpie smash more pie into Victus' face. She turns her attention to Mae, and grins a bit but just stands there sipping her drink as she watches all the people start wandering over. As Bliss smears pie down Saedrus' face she laughs and calls over, "Have her at least paint it into something pretty, Saed!" She grins and heads over to get in line too.

Harper has joined the line.

Saedrus chortles and returns the kiss to Bliss' cheeks, then preens -- berry juice on brow and all. There might be a readjustment of that silvery open tunic and a flattering hand along one thigh. At least there's no berry stains on that! "I would not tempt her!" Saedrus chortles Harper's way as she joins the fashion display.

Magpie checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Mae looks momentarily distracted, as she's glancing at Bliss. She grins. Then... "Okay! First up is the Softest Softest Whisper, the ever beautiful and handsome and wonderful SAEDRUS WHISPER! Make some noise if you believe Saedrus to be the best dressed!"

Turn in line: Saedrus

Sparte glances to Victus with a grin while adjusting his sailboat hat. "That is true, but you are pretty loud."

"I like how you think!" Bliss calls toward Harper, but for now, Saedrus is up!

Sparte has joined the line.

Bliss shouts from nearby, "Saedrus!"

Aureth shouts from nearby, "Yay, Saedrus!"

Petal woots and cheers for Seadrus.

Merek is participating, but he cheers for Saedrus all the same.

Sina shouts from nearby, "Beautiful Saedrus!"

Eleanor shouts from nearby, "Woo, Saedrus!"

Saedrus takes a delicate step forward with a gracious bow and twirl about to show off his outfit.

Petal shouts from nearby, "saedrus"

Harper shouts from nearby, "Saedrus!"

Magpie's blue eyes are back on Harper, watching her with adoration in his gaze as she drifts to join the line. Then the man shrieks (almost like a girl) as he's grabbed by the *FACE* -- so really it's a muffled sort of yell -- and he falls to the mound of pie filling. It's slippery and gooey and he's face-first in it with a meaty Thraxian lord shoving him into it. The bird just flails.

Aleksei shouts from nearby, "WOO SAEDRUS!"

Merek shouts from nearby, "Saedrus!"

Mayir taps Aaron on the shoulder and gestures over at one of the nearby tables. "We should tak over here!" he says cheerily, going and plunking himself down in a chair as the judging goes forward.

Mayir has joined the A small square table.

Adriana checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Aaron has joined the A small square table.

Adriana is gone before she can be called. She's not about to compete with the Whispers, oh no.

"You are decidedly lovely in every way, Saedrus," Mae declares, with a bright smile. She moves down the line. "Next we have Miss Sina! ... Who smells good enough to eat, I'll add!"

Turn in line: Sina

Adriana has left the A large round table with blue tablecloth.

Saedrus shouts from nearby, "Hurrah Sina!"

Petal shouts from nearby, ""Yay, Sina!""

Merek shouts from nearby, "Sina!"

Saedrus steps back into the group of fashionable beauties and watches the others, with a few calls of his own.

"Certainly," Aaron says, and drags out a chair and plunks himself down into a seat beside Mayir.

Sina smiles at Saedrus encouragingly as he receives all those cheers. Then she dips a little curtsey as she's introduced, and twirls a bit in her black on smokey black. She doesn't have the reputation of a Whisper, but she does have a grace that would suit any one of them. She smiles at the few shouts toward her, and blushes a little.

Bliss shouts from nearby, "Go Sina!"

Aureth gives Sina's outfit a long and considering look as he stands there with his hands in his pockets. "I wasn't going to compete with myself anymore, but I really am just into those hair beads a lot," he says, and then fills his lungs to add a cheerful bellow.

Aureth shouts from nearby, "Yay, Sina!"

Sparte shouts from nearby, "Huzzah for Sina!"

"Thank you, everyone! Did I hear you're to be taking oaths, Miss Sina?" Mae asks, playing hostess rather masterfully. Almost like she's used to being in front of an audience. Who knew. "Alright, next we have the Loudest Softest Whisper! Champion Bliss Whisper!"

Turn in line: Bliss

Petal shouts from nearby, ":woots "Bliss!""

Merek shouts from nearby, "BLISS, GO BLISS THE MAGNIFICENT."

Sparte shouts from nearby, "I'm voting for Bliss because she knows where I sleep!"

Saedrus shouts from nearby, "Stop being so loud! Also, go Bliss!"

Harper looks over at Magpie and Victus and blinks in surprise, cringing slightly as Victus drags Magpie down into the middle of the muck. "Well damn there went my dance partner," she mutters and shakes her head. She turns and watches the others as they step up in the line before her, starting to look nervous as she realizes where she's at, but then Bliss steps up and she shouts out for her.

Sina dips her head to Mae. "Yes, indeed. I suppose this is a bit of a last hurrah for me," she says, with a little grin, "you know, before I have to get all serious." Then she steps out of the way for Bliss and her magnificent gown, smiling at the Champion on her way toward the food table. From there, she gives a shout of approval for Bliss as well.

Sina shouts from nearby, "Yay Bliss!"

Stepping out with her arms lifted, a bright smile on her face, and pie and peacock feathers everywhere, Bliss motions upward as she hears the shouts coming, doing a slow spin as she is, actually, quite silent for now!

Harper shouts from nearby, "Bliss the Beautiful!"

Harlex is rifling around inside the booze box. He mutters something under his breath, taking out one of the bottles.

Aureth says in a considering tone like he's, I don't know, some kind of fashionista, "You know, I get it, I do get it, but really, is this /Bliss/ enough? I'm not sure I'm really feeling that there's enough Bliss going on in this Bliss outfit for me to vote."

Harlex gets Captain Magpie's Banana Sauce from The Booze Box.

Victus relents, letting up Magpie before he is to drown in pie filling. Delicious death, but death is not on the menu tonight. "You can still have him. Here." He holds the man by his collar in Harper's direction between all the shouting. "Just gotta brush 'em off and he'll be good to go."

Saedrus leans to Aureth's side, "needs more pie, perhaps?" he teases.

"Bring it on!" Bliss says as she turns her head to Saedrus and Aureth, openly encouraging this turn of events. "But you're right. My Masquerade costume is better."

"I'm not saying I want to start smashing stained glass windows here," Aureth returns with an airy wave of one hand, the charms on his bracelet rattling. "And everyone knows I can't aim, I mean, really."

Mae bats at some of Bliss' feathers as she moves behind the woman. "Thank you, Bliss, dear," she says, affectionately. "Next up, we have a woman that has shown the Compact that Prodigals know a thing or two about cutting cloth. Miss Petal!"

Turn in line: Petal

Aureth now wonders, "If I paid someone at her shop to make my clothes, does that mean she wins if I win?"

Merek shouts from nearby, "Yay Petal!"

Sparte shouts from nearby, "Petal!"

"I think I have that same gown," Bliss realizes as she looks at Petal, then gives a sharp whistle and a shout. Because of course she does after that.

Bliss shouts from nearby, "Petal!"

Saedrus glances at Aureth, "I do not think it works like that, mm? Nice try though. They are terribly lovely." Said as he tips his head to considere Aureth.

Saedrus shouts from nearby, "Petal!"

Harlex shouts from nearby, "You look very nice, Petal!"

Bashira shouts from nearby, "Petal!"

Petal steps up while wearing a shav-themed woolen gown and Aion slippers that she probably made herself. She peeks over to Merek and Sparte, giving them both a smile when call their name. She then has one for Aureth at his words. Her attention is then upon Bliss. "I couldn't help it." She admits a bit sheepishly for some reason. She does a little twirl and then slips back. She also smiles to the others too."

"It's cute but it's a bit busy for me," Aureth says, laying his hand over his heart. This from a man wearing cherry blossoms and skulls.

"I'm not dancing with you anymore," Eleanor calls across to Magpie. "I'm not getting pie on these." She pats her clothes. "Your NEW FRIEND can have you." She gives him a stare. STARE.

Aksel shouts from nearby, "Petal"

"I love the thistles, sweets," Mae says, to Petal, with a smile. Then she moves down the line. "Arx's finest Merchant-Knight-Scholar-Explorer... Uh-... Yeah. Sir Merek! Give a hoot for Sir Merek!"

Turn in line: Merek

Sparte speaks briefly with the person covered in pie that may or may not be a Highlord, grinning ear to ear. Then he heads over to get a slice of pie from the surviving pies, carrying it in hand as he makes his way towards the fashion contest.

Merek spins around with his fireweave, the light in the room shifting along with it. He flexes one of his arms, as he winks to the people in the crowd, "Admiral too."

Petal shouts from nearby, "Merek!"

Magpie is spitting out pie to the floor, his feet slipping and sliding for purchase as Victus drags him back up. He wipes at his eyes but it does nothing to improve his vision at first. "I need a towel. Someone tell me when Harper is up. Wait, is that Sunshine? No dance?! Oh man.. Victus..." He shakes his arms to try and flick off some of the filling. Woe to anyone too close by.

"There is so much," Saedrus says looking over Merek. "Lovely hues, but so busy."

Sina shouts from nearby, "Yay Petal"

Merek just sighs.

Sina shouts from nearby, "Yay Merek!"

"Lots of black," Aureth says judiciously, "and for me, you know, I gotta say I have no idea what's going on with the helmet." He flicks his long loose hair back with one wrist. This has now become an 'Aureth comments on everyone's outfit' event, apparently. Maybe he and Saedrus can have a show.

Sina seems content to just hout everyone's name, while she nibbles on bits of food.

"There's a reason my family name is Black," Merek admits, while he moves to make room for others in line, content for now to have participated and say he has. "It's a fox."

Sparte shouts from nearby, "Huzzah for Admiral Merek!"

"There is nothing wrong with a set of dark attire," Saedrus points out warmly, chuckling Aureth's way. No hair flicks here, the mane of white is braided back into a fuax-mohawk after all. "A few pops of colour though."

"A bit dark for our tastes, it would seem, Sir Merek. And fireweave? We can't all be so rich," Mae says, with a soft laugh. She steps further down the line. "Next up! The First Sword of the Silver Swords! The Guardian of our Majesty! The Lord Comamnder of the Kings Own... Born so terribly common, like so many of us... Eleanor!"

Turn in line: Eleanor

Magpie shouts from nearby, ""I can't see you Merek but it sounds badass!"

Petal goes to find herself some food and a place sot sit.

Aleksei is mostly drinking and grinning from his table, but he is LOYALLY quiet for all the other competitors after Saedrus.

"Is this a problem for you?" Victus asks of Magpie, the extra pie being flung in his direction not phasing him considering he is already the Pie Lord. "Look she's going on next. Get up and scream at her." He makes some fruitless efforts to shove him along. "I need to go get a bath."

Aureth shouts from nearby, "Yay, Eleanor! Sunshine? I don't know. Magpie keeps saying that."

"Hardly, I saved up for ages for just a piece, it's pretty though," Merek admits, then he looks to Eleanor.

Merek shouts from nearby, "Eleanor!"

"She's killing that leather, and the handkerchief contrast really pops," Aureth approves with an airy wave. "I need another drink."

Petal shouts from nearby, "yay, Eleanor!"

Magpie finally blinks enough of the goop away and stumbles as Victus shoves him but gets his footing. "There's a moat outside. It's kind of gross though. I wouldn't jump in it. I've pissed into it a lot." Then he grins. "SUNSHINE!"

Eleanor is laughing at Mae's introduction as she steps forward. Bluey-greeny, tight leather, nearly shear top but with a stylishly practical leather jacket. It says 'I'm sexy but I'll still kick your ass if you touch the King.' Or something.

Sina sees Petal going to sit down, and goes over to join her, taking a plate of food with her. She murmurs something softly to the seamstress while she continues to take a nibble of food once in a while, or a sip of her drink.

"The teal laces. I adore teal." Saedrus brightens. Evergreens glance from Eleanor to somewhere with drinks.

Bliss is jsut studying Merek's outfit quietly, canting her head, before she looks at Eleanor, giving her a bright smile as she looks over everything, nodding to herself as she does. "So many good outfits tonight," she says happily, lingering in the line. Finally, she lifts her voice.

Bliss shouts from nearby, "Eleanor!"

Saedrus shouts from nearby, "Lovely Eleanor!"

"Thank you, Ellie!" Mae says, quickly stepping away. "Next up we have a huckster who used to dupe nobles out of their silver! A man who was good at telling a convincing story and selling it with a smile! A fellow ex-innkeeper, and a beloved figure of the Lowers! ... And he recently got a new job I think. Aureth Grayhope!"

Turn in line: Aureth

Merek shouts from nearby, "Work it Aureth!"

Petal shouts from nearby, "yay, Aureth!"

Sparte shouts from nearby, "Lord Commander Eleanor!"

"Wait, what's Aureth's new job?" Aleksei wonders blankly.

After Aureth's commentary on her? Bliss just grins at him as she crosses her arms, looks him dead in the eyes, and says impishly, "I don't know, is it really Aureth?" she asks with a cant of her head. "I'm not - I'm just not quite sure, you know?"

Petal murmurs softly with Sina, but she still takes a moment to cheer for Aureth.

Saedrus takes a step back considering Aureth closely. "Those pants are truly something though." he chortles. He's eyeing the buttons of those shoes but just grins a little.

Sina glances over as the line of models continues, and she smiles and claps for Eleanor. Then she yells again Aureth's name, before turning back to her quiet conversation with Petal.

Sina shouts from nearby, "Yay Aureth"

Eleanor's nose wrinkle reappears to direct a warm gaze at Mae before she steps to the side.

"I still have that outfit of yours, Aureth. I'm pretty sure." Magpie comments, finally getting a towel from Zavi to start wiping the pie off his face.

Saedrus shouts from nearby, "Being so fashionable I think is in his blood! Aureth!"

Strolling forward so as to show off his pink and white, Aureth says, "I think she probably means the Harlequins, buddy." He does a little pivot on his dancing shoes, like maybe he should be dancing right now. "You mean the leathers? That's good! I'm glad they went to a good home." He grins, crookedly.

"Why would I pass by a random moat and jump into it?" Victus inquires, head tilted to the side. "Especially one you just said you pissed- Nevermind. The pie-fumes are makin' me dizzy." With some grumbling and some careful steps so he doesn't outright slip and fall on his ass again, Victus begins making his way for the door. Slow and steady, and dragging a field of smashed pie behind him.

Victus picks up A Commoner's face and definitely not just Victus Thrax in a paper mask.

Harper shouts from nearby, "Aureth looks handsome!"

Sparte shouts from nearby, "Good enough to die for!"

Magpie is overheard praising Victus: PieLord Thrax!

Bliss is overheard praising Victus.

"Oh, that's right!" Mae exclaims. "Right, right. Voice of the Goddess Death, Archlector of the Queen of Endings and Mother of Beginnings," Mae says, with a ridiculous smile sent over to Aureth. "Next up! We have Miss Bashira! Who I actually don't have a long winded introduction for, but she is quite lovely and I /think/ she's in Thrax fealty. So let's give some support for her disadvantage!"

Turn in line: Bashira

Sparte shouts from nearby, "Woohoo! Bashira!"

Petal shouts from nearby, "yays, Bashira!"

Sina shouts from nearby, "Yay Bashira!"

Aureth kisses his fingertips and blows Bliss a kiss, and then returns to his spot, leaning backwards slightly on one heel in a hipshot pose. Do models do this? I don't know. Aureth is doing it. "Nice lace," he says.

Harlex shouts from nearby, "Bashira! Beautiful!"

Aureth shouts from nearby, "Yay, Bashira!"

Harlex also whistles, loudly. And then claps, too!

Mayir glances up from where is sitting with Aaron at the small square table, waving to the pie-covered Grayhope boss. "Hey, Magpie!" There is an excited gesture of waving. "Come on over here! I've got someone I want you to meet!"

Bashira gives a smile as she is called up, the Shaman doesn't really wear dresses usually. But hey, we all change our minds when leathers get to be too much. She gives a little twirl so the dress can flare and all of that. Then there's a wave, "I am in Thrax, yes." she tells Mae with a dip of her head to that. Then she looks to Harlex and there's a blush.

Harper watches Victus head toward the door with a chuckle at the trail of pie left behind, and calls over, "Don't slip on pie on your way out High Lord!"

Magpie shouts from nearby, "Ooooh, I like the Thraxian!"

Sina glances up from her conversation with Petal briefly to gaze at Bashira's outfit, and her features brighten. "Beautiful," she murmurs, before shouting her approval. She then turns back to petal to murmur softly with her.

Merek shouts from nearby, "Bashira!"

Magpie hears his name and gives Mayir a nod, slowly plodding in that direction with his steps squishing. He leans on the back of a chair, offering a sticky hand out to Aaron. "Magpie Grayhope."

Magpie has joined the A small square table.

"I'm sorry," Mae says, to Bashira, but not without a grin. She then steps down to the next contestant. "Next up... We have the most, um... tactical sized Iron Guard! A defender of the Lowers and a champion of those that have not. Miss Harper!"

Turn in line: Harper

Aureth shouts from nearby, "Yay Harper!"

Sina shouts from nearby, "Yay Harper!"

Merek shouts from nearby, "Harper!"

Aureth says, "Not everyone can pull off a bustle in this day and age, you know. Love the feathers."

Magpie shouts from nearby, "OH IT'S HARPER EVERYONE YELL FOR HARPER! SHE'S GONNA BE THE MOTHER OF MY KID!"

Aleksei startles. "Wait, what?"

Saedrus shouts from nearby, "Go Harpe-- what?!"

Aureth starts to cackle.

Eleanor shouts from nearby, "Harper!"

Sparte shouts from nearby, "Harper! I'm so sorry!"

Aaron is waggling a bottle of Captain Magpie's Banana Sauce as if for emphasis on something. As Mayir calls out, he lifts said bottle and takes a hefty swig before lifting it to the pie-touched man in a brief toast. "Aaron Blackburn. Pleasure to meet you," he says, hesitating a bit, but taking Magpie up on the handshake. Aaron licks his fingers off afterward.

Eleanor shouts as requested, but she's giving Magpie that Stare again. STARE. STARE. STARE.

As her name is called, Harper goes from relaxed to tense, and gets wide-eyed. almost as if she'd forgotten that she was still signed up for this. Caught off-guard, she steps up by Mae with a little grin. Trying hard to avoid looking around at everyone so she doesn't panic outright at all of the attention on her, she says to Mae a bit over-cheerfully, "Thanks, Mae. Nice party!" She glances over at Magpie then and laughs, a pink blush spreading across her cheeks. "Gah!"

Bliss winks at Aureth, clearly in good humor about the whole thing. She studies Bashira and the gown for a while, nodding in approval, but - she's been shouting a lot, really. She seems to be about to say something, before she glances at Magpie, then at Harper again, and if she were about to open her mouth to shout - the surprised look on her face and lofted eyebrows might explain why she's not.

Aaron shouts from nearby, "OH WELL GO HARPER THEN!"

MAgpie is a little distracted, sorry Aaron. Then he realizes what he said. "OH! .. No.. Not like that! We're adopting a kid! From the Tragedy!" He clarifies, then blows the guardswoman a kiss.

Petal shouts from nearby, "Harper!"

"Congratulations on your pregnancy, Harper!" Mae says, brightly. "Taking a step that some of us are just too ... skittish ... to take," Mae decides. "Next up, a man we all know for his painted rocks, his paper boats, his never being the Iron Guard that's beating up your poor neighbor because he really is very nice... Master Sparte!"

Turn in line: Sparte

Mayir shouts from nearby, "Harper! Yay!"

Bashira goes back to the line and there's a bit of a smile to those that yelled for her and a dip of her head to Mae at her joke. Was it a joke?! She was hoping. Then there's a look to the announcement.

Sparte is dressed exactly like he usually dresses, which is as a commoner that doesn't own fancy clothes. The one addition to his outfit is that silly paper sailboat looking htd he has on his head that some might recognize from last year. Assuming a hammed up admiral pose, he holds up the slice of pie in one hand like someone might who was posing for a fancy portrait. But with pie. "There are many Admirals of Tea, I stand before you as the Admiral of Pie." Sparte breaks into a goofy grin first at Mae, then at the rest of the room as he loses his composure. He lowers the pie, taking a bite out of it and talking with the food still in his mouth as he steps away. "My fleet is delicious."

Petal shouts from nearby, "yay, Spart, bestest hat!"

Merek shouts from nearby, "Sparte!"

Bashira shouts from nearby, "Go Sparte!"

Harper grins over at Magpie and shakes her head, laughing at his correction then moves back over to the drink table to secure something else and definitely stronger after that. She pauses though and looks back over with a chuckle at Sparte, then calls over a vote for him.

Bethany sets down her glass of wine and turns away from her conversation with Aksel momentarily. She cups her white gloved hands around her mouth, and shouts:

Bethany shouts from nearby, "Sparte! Nice hat!"

Harper shouts from nearby, "Officer Sparte and the hat!"

"I don't really get it," Aureth asides to Saedrus in a voice that is not at all sotto. What are jokes?

"Oh, well that's almost even better, isn't it? Congratulations to both of you!" Aaron says.

Sina breaks off her conversation with Petal again briefly, and smiles, before raising her voice to shout for Sparte too. Then she's back to that quiet conversation with Petal.

Saedrus chortles a little, "which? The first aid pouch? The rucksack? Or the phantom pregnancy?" asked towards Aureth. "But truly, where are the drinks."

Sina shouts from nearby, "Sparte!"

"I'm not sure I'm that comfortable drinking Magpie's banana sauce," Aureth tells Saedrus very seriously.

"I-- no." Saedrus frowns a little, no Magpie juice pls. "Surely there is wine."

"Thank you, Commander Sparte!" Mae says, cheerily. "Alright, folks! As the totally unbiased judge of this context... I must say, without a doubt, it was Miss Harper that received the most applause! As she should, with that gorgeous gown!" A pause. "Ummm... I think we have a prize or something...?"

Saedrus looks up when the winner is announced and he cheers with a (careful) clap of his poor hands. "Rightfully won, you look lovely Harper!"

Harlex is pouring himself a glass of whiskey over at the drink table. He watches the stage, on occasion, but it seems his days of shouting are over. The grim-faced mercenary falling into his old taciturn habits; drinking steadily and standing off to the side.

Harper wanders over to the table with Magpie and Mayir, still rosy cheeked, but stops as Mae calls out her name and turns around looking wide-eyed again. "I did what?" Her cheeks turn even more pink, and she grins at everyone, "Aww thanks! Everyone looked nice though!"

Lifting her hands, Bliss applauds Harper's win with a quick shout as she turns and wanders toward Aureth, Aleksei and Saedrus - though she slips by somewhere to grab a glass of wine, draining it, then getting a second one after. This one she sips, theoretically, as she meets up with the others. "Ah, well. It was a truly beautiful gown. I need to start designing more of my own clothes, I think - you are right, Aureth, this is entirely too tame for me."

"Wait, Harper won?! YEAH! GO HARPER!" Magpie calls, excitement in his voice! He pulls out a pie-smeared, colorful mystery bag and holds it out for her to collect. "Of course you won because you look amazing."

Magpie gets Rainbow Mystery Pouch from Magpie's Sack.

Aureth cheers for Harper and then goes to collect wine for him and Saedrus too, because that's just polite since they were critiquing fashion together. Coming back, he's just coming back with a bottle. "Here we go," he says. "They're going to be really cute parents," is his contribution otherwise. He grins at Bliss. "You look very attractive but really you always do."

Sina glances up from her conversation with Petal as Harper is announced the winner, and she smiles and cheers and claps. "Yay, go Harper!" she cries, giving her a happy look.

Aaron glances up as the winner is announced and, hearing who it is, claps happily. "Congratulations, Harper!"

Saedrus slips off, heading back to the table with Aleksei to go and perch himself in the paladin's lap. Aureth shows up with a bottle and Saedrus cheers brightly, "perfect! And of course she does," he says of Bliss, "she is the beauty of the House." Saed warms leaning back against Aleksei.

Sparte keeps working on eating his slice of pie as he makes his way. He smirks at the annoucement that Harper won, but seeing Magpie with the prize Sparte rolls his eyes. Whatever comment he was going to make... He just keeps eating his pie instead. Mmm, pie.

At the award of the final mystery pouch, Mayir hops to his feet and calls out again. "Congratulations, Harper! We're so happy for you! That's all of the formal events we have for tonight, but do feel free to have a drink or eat a pie or whatever else. And remember: Grayhope! All your needs, met!"

Merek says, "Gats!"

Merek says, "GRATS!"

Mae claps merrily for Harper, flashes a bright smile, then drifts right away. Right on over to Bliss. And she just stands there, waiting for the Whisper to notice her.

Aleksei has joined the A simple circular table of decent breadth.

Aureth has joined the A simple circular table of decent breadth.

"There will be music and food all night! I still want my dances!" Magpie calls. "Thank you all for coming though!"

"Congratulations, Harper." Bashira states to the woman. Then she's heading back off to find Harlex. He's not too hard to find. She finds him where the whiskey is. There's a moment taken to watch him and then she settles in at his side, "How about we get out of here after you've finished your drink?" she gives him a warm smile.

Applauding for Harper, Eleanor drifts after Mae. But then Mae is waiting for Bliss, and it would get weird of Eleanor were waiting for Mae who was waiting for Bliss. So she changes course to find Magpie. "I'm not dancing with you," she tells him again - from a safe distance. "But." Stare. "We should TALK soon. It's been TOO LONG." Stare.

Merek is overheard praising Harper.

"Oh, I don't know, we have Lumen, Amanda, Nisaa and you as competition," Bliss says with faux humility, batting her lashes at Saedrus as she does so. "But I could probably talk any of you into whatever I wanted if I just pouted a little, so maybe you're right!" she says happily, smiling and nodding at Aureth's comment. "I actually love the outfit - all of Her symbols really do appeal to me." And then there's a Mae nearby, and she turns her head to look at the Culler, a soft smile growing on her face. "Hello, darling," she says to Mae, motioning her closer.

"Pouting gets you nowhere with me darling." Saedrus points out. Tyrant Whisper for the win.

Harlex is watching her approach. He offers a smile, "Did you hear me from up there?" He asked, teasingly. That same, low and quiet voice ever his tone. Though, when she brings up leaving, and smiles at him--well, he knocks back the whiskey in a single smooth line. The glass is set upside down on the table. "How about that. Seems my drink has vanished."

Mae does not step forward. Instead, when she has Bliss' attention, she asks, "Bliss Whisper, would you join me in a dance?" And yes, she'll just rudely ignore whomever else Bliss was talking to!

Magpie spins around from quietly speaking to Aaron, "What if I go change really quick? I mean, I have clothes here. It's Grayhope's house." He says to Eleanor. "Or .. we could talk. Talking is pie-free." He says with a grin. He starts to reach for Harper, but catches himself. He doesn't want to stain her dress.

"Do you even know how to dance?" Aureth asks Mae, as long as she's being rude he might as well be rude too.

"With the right partner, one does not need to." Saedrus chuckles with a look to Aureth, evergreens canted Bliss' way in the next moment.

"Oh, you know, I usually charge to escort people to these things," Bliss says to Mae, but she just shrugs at the others and offers her hand to Mae, stepping forward with her. "I'll make her look good," she assures the Archlector. "Don't worry, we Disciples have to stick together."

"There's dancing?" Merek asks, looking around afterwards. He doesn't know what to do however, so he moves to dance by his self, as he smooths his linens and places his scarf up.

"Nope," Eleanor responds brightly, the P popping. "Besides, as fun as this is, I probably should get back." She edges in close enough that if she leaaaaans she can peck a kiss to Magpie's cheek without getting any pie on herself. Well, minus her lips, which she licks away. "But tomorrow." She risks a poke to his shoulder. "We're gonna chat."

Harper looks over at Magpie and chuckles shaking her head. Her cheeks are even more rosy from the blushes and whatever it is she picked up to drink, which is definitely stronger than she's used to. She eyes the pie all over him and chuckles, "The high lord made a mess out of you!" Taking a seat next to him, she bobs her head to Mayir and Aaron with a grin. Then says to Mayir, "You did a real good job with the party tonight."

"The grace of Limerance knows no bounds," Aureth says with an elaborate bow before he drops into the seat nearest and puts his feet -- in his dancing shoes -- up on the nearest empty chair.

Mayir has left the A small square table.

Bethany is overheard praising Sparte: Nice hat.

Merek is overheard praising Sparte.

"I did hear you. It was very appreciated." Bashira tells him with a grin. "I'm not sure I'll be doing it again, but I had fun." she admits. Then there's a look as he downs his whiskey and there's a grin, "Well that's something." the woman laughs. Then she offers her hand to him, "Shall we?" she gives him a soft look.

Bashira is overheard praising Grayhope: Thank you for the party!

"Yes indeed," Aaron says, agreeing to something and looking up from a quieter conversation at the table as the crowd starts to thicken around where they're sitting.

Theodoric has left the A large round table with blue tablecloth.

Carmichael Ulbran leaves, following Theodoric.

"I do a mean duck dance," Mae assures Aureth, ever so sweetly. Then she takes Bliss' hand and carefully steps backwards, jingling faintly with each step. She'll head right for the dance floor.

Sparte finishes off his pie while relatively close to Archlector Aureth, turning and giving the Archlector a friendly smile surprisingly free of mess. "Blessed Aureth. I had a question for you, if I might be spared a moment of insight?"

Aleksei slips Saedrus out of his lap so that he can take his hand and tug him towards the dance floor, where they are /clearly/ going to have some sort of dance-off with Mae and Bliss.

Magpie checked dexterity + woodworking at difficulty 19, rolling 46 higher.

Magpie drops bitchin' dance floor.

Bliss has joined the bitchin' dance floor.

Aleksei has left the A simple circular table of decent breadth.

Aleksei has joined the bitchin' dance floor.

Sina finishes her murmured conversation with Petal, and smiles, rising to her feet. "Be well, Mistress Petal. I hope we'll have a chance to speak again soon." She dips her head in parting to others that she recognizes. Bashira gets a quiet smile, and Sparte and Harper a nod of the head. She does take a moment to speak with Magpie. "This was a fun party. I'll never forget the Lord of Pies," she says, with a large grin. "Take care," she says sincerely. Then she quietly slips out of the party, heading back home.

Linking an arm with Aleksei Saedrus saunters at the man's side to the dancefloor. Bring it.

Harlex slips his hand into hers, leading the woman from the festivities. "Haven't seen me drink in a spell, huh? Well, besides fighting. I guess it's what I know how to do."

Saedrus has left the A simple circular table of decent breadth.

Saedrus has joined the bitchin' dance floor.

Aureth cracks open the wine bottle by sliding his knife up the side of its neck and popping the cork out, and then takes a pull right from its mouth. "I don't know. Depends on what your question is," he says.

Vald leaves, following Sina.

Mae has left the A simple square table, not too cozy.

Mae has joined the bitchin' dance floor.

Aleksei checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.

Saedrus checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Mae checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Vald arrives, following Sina.

Bliss checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 48 higher.

Aaron returns Harper's nod with a friendly smile and offers, "Congratulation on the win, and on the adoption. A good deed and a happiness for everyone, there."

Magpie is distracted again, having Zavi get space cleared and pie cleaned up so people can dance. Then he pulls out a chair and sinks into it, finally relaxing a bit now that people are settling into conversation and their own entertainments.

Petal peeks over to Sina, giving her a gentle smile. "Take care." She says softly in her direction. She gets to up to dance by herself too.

Petal has rolled a critical success!
Petal checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

6 King's Own Guardsmen, Narses leave, following Eleanor.

Bashira gives a look to Harlex, but there's a soft shake of her head and nothing said as she leads the gloomy mercenary out of the ballroom, "Thank you for the lovely evening!" she calls to them on the way out.

Petal frolics and twirls around hyperly over the dancefloors. She doesn't seem to know any Arx dances, but she is so graceful and nimble despite such.

Merek walks on his way for the time being.

Saedrus spins about when they reach the floor, linking his arms about Aleksei's shoulders and neck with a smile. Elegance, certainly, but the male Whisper is a touch distracted to be putting on a show. He has an Aleksei and a dance floor and he's clearly forgotten about Bliss and Mae nearby -- they're probably putting on a real show for the remaining party goers.

Taking Mae's hand and heading right off to the dance floor, Bliss turns her head and smiles at the woman, taking a moment to listen to the music for a moment to get the sense of the beat. Then she asks, "Lead or follow?" as she is, apparently, comfortable with either. Once she starts moving, though, it becomes clear that the woman is nothing but sure on her feet. Even in those heels, her body moves with a sinuous grace, the gown no hamper to her as she glides against Mae, trying to determine what the other woman is capable of, what style they should take on.

Aureth shrugs animatedly as he takes another pull from the wine bottle, and tilts his head back as he closes his eyes. He inhales deeply, and then answers in a low voice.

Harper grins at Magpie then reaches up and tugs a bit of pie out of his hair, "You did good, Magpie. This was nice." Glancing at the dance floor, she adds, "And your toes have been spared by pie." Grinning she holds up the bit of pie to show him. She looks over at Aaron and chuckles, "Thanks! I grew up there, so it's nice to help out. And Pie's a real good kid."

Harper has joined the A small square table.

"Lead," Mae says, with confidence. Though she's not quite as good as Saedrus. She does look that way, to see if the other pair of dancers are doing it /better/. But soon she's moving with Bliss, and everyone else is forgotten. She is, without a doubt, light on her feet. No Bliss, but she can follow the woman very well. A natural performer, this Mae! And as they dance, she whispers, now and then, to the woman with her.

Vald leaves, following Sina.

Aleksei holds Saedrus close, hands about his waist and back, foreheads touching as he grins. He's not quite the performer that Saedrus is, but he moves with dextrous grace. Mostly he just looks like he's being a bit sappy romantic and not worrying too much about fancy footwork.

Sparte nods to Aureth, looking thoughtful before responding in a quiet voice. He smiles at the end, bowing his head respectfully and stepping back. It is around then he remembers the silly hat, taking it off and carefully folding it to stow away again.

Sparte puts a clothe hat shaped like a paper sailboat in a canvas backpack with leather accent straps.

Leading Mae without hesitation as she's instructed to do so, Bliss begins to move the woman along with her, seeming to know how to move just right so that her gown flows along with her - and so that she can correct any of the (honestly small) mistakes which Mae might make, absolutely hiding them from view of any of the others. Her hand lifts, raising Mae's into the air before sliding down the thin Harlequin's forearm, stepping in close and holding eye-to-eye with her. Seemingly lost in the moment (though she never comes close to bothering any other dancer) as she murmurs something quietly to her in response to the whisper, a smile on her face.

Petal finishes her dance and then quietly slips out, dancing toward the exit.

Soot, a gray foxhound puppy, 3 Iron Guardsmen, Violet, a shopkeeper, 1 Crimson Blades Lieutenant leave, following Petal.

In one another's arms, and being total saps, Saedrus and Aleksei move across the dancefloor with an effortless sort of grace. There's enough space certainly, but they never bump the other couple on the floor -- two little worlds entirely seperate from each other. Saedrus' hands end up tangled in the dark fluff of Aleksei's hair, whispers shared on smiling lips.

Sparte slips out, looking embarassed for some reason. He seemed to be doing so well, too.

Wilhelm the Iron Messenger leaves, following Sparte.

Mae continues to drift along with Bliss, following her rather effortlessly, and looking positively masterful on the dance floor, with Bliss leading the way. They get close. Quite close. Intimately close. And then, is that Mae kissing Bliss, right before a twirl?

It does seem to be one! Bliss returns it, twirls, and pulls Mae back in close, their movements becoming slower and more intimate, head tilting and murmuring being the only things that might break eye contact between them.

Aksel doesn't care if it is! He's quietly chatting with Bethany.

Aureth has left the A simple circular table of decent breadth.

Binky, an asshole crow, Gregory, an unassuming disciple leave, following Aureth.

Bethany looks a little surprised by what Aksel asks her, but it's a pleasant surprise, whatever it is. "I'd be delighted. We'll see if I can protect my feet."

Mae doesn't quite water for the song to end. Her close embrace with Bliss abruptly shifts to her drawing back, hand wrapped around the Whisper's. Over her shoulder, she blows a kiss toward Aleksei and Saedrus, and then she's leaving the dace floor, and then leaving the ballroom altogether. "Good night!" she calls out, to anyone still present and paying attention. Then it's just a hop, skip, and jump over chunks of pie, and she's leading Bliss out of the ballroom.

"That's fine, perh.." pauses, Aksel tilts his head looking towards Bethany. Apparently whatever he asked, he didn't expect that response. He shakes his head and smiles slightly towards her as he rises. Offering her his hand he says, "Reckon we should do this before I lose my nerve,"

Mae is overheard praising Grayhope.

And as Mae begins to pull her out, Bliss laughs and twists at her waist, waving to everyone there and calling out, "Thank you for the wonderful party, everyone! You all did a fantastic job!" Then she is moving extra-quick to keep up with Mae, pure amusement in her eyes.

It looks like Mae and Bliss aren't the only couple leaving: Aleksei and Saedrus have been whispering all through their dance, and now Saedrus is leading Aleksei from the dance floor. "Goodnight everybody!" Aleksei calls out. "Good party!"

Magpie is overheard praising Grayhope.

Bethany laughs, light and musical. She lofts her hand to let Aksel take it and guide her towards the dance floor.

Bliss is overheard praising Grayhope: What an absolutely splendid party. I do miss my own people sometimes.

It seems like the dancing duos are all danced out! Or they suddenly have somewhere else to be, maybe. Saedrus is taking Aleksei's hand to lead the man off the dancefloor and apparently out of the ballroom altogether. He's close by Aleksei's side as he moves, smiling up at the paladin. "Thank you for a wonderful night!" He calls brightly after Aleksei, snagging a bottle of wine on the way out.

Mae has left the bitchin' dance floor.

Bliss has left the bitchin' dance floor.

Cheryl the Assistant Innkeeper, Scourge, a sweater wearing rat-dog, Bliss leave, following Mae.

Aleksei has left the bitchin' dance floor.

Keso, a totally legit assistant, Peanut, an oversized mastiff leave, following Aleksei.

Saedrus has left the bitchin' dance floor.

Bethany has left the a small round table.

Bethany has joined the bitchin' dance floor.

Aksel leads Bethany to the dance floor, hand never leaving hers as he draws in front of her. He looks down at her a moment before placing a hand on her hip. There's a slight pause as he listens to the rythm of the music, and when he senses the moment is right he leads her in dance.

Aksel has left the a small round table.

Aksel has joined the bitchin' dance floor.

Bethany steps lightly around a smear of pie on the floor on the way over to the dance floor. Her carriage is almost regal as she smiles to Aksel; she takes his hand with one of hers, and uses the other to control her skirts enough to avoid risk of tripping on them.

Bethany checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Aksel checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.