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

Dame Marra, a limping fennec fox, Disciple Ismay, Gaspard arrive, following Ailith.

Lupin, a small wolf pup arrives, following Ashe.

It's a cool spring night, though not frigid. Blankets with picnic baskets and several wooden tables have been set up on the soft, springy lawn of the memorial park, near the statue to Death. Lanterns encircle the picnic ground, and several disciples and priests have brought candles as well. Bottles of wine and ale nestle in the cool grass around the blankets. The baskets contain cold roasted fowl, fruit, a couple of different kinds of cheeses, boiled eggs, and fresh loaves of bread: simple fare, easy to eat.
Aureth practically glimmers by candle and lantern in the brilliance of his whites, his hair bound in a loose tail at the nape of his neck, and as people begin to filter through the cool night towards the midnight picnic, there are a couple of Templars who have been assigned however temporarily to duty as the Late Knights who are helping escort people from the gates who might not otherwise know the way; Aureth waves them over.

Fortunato slips into the periphery, uncomfortable with both gatherings /and/ food, but trying to be supportive of Aureth and enjoying the dark. He can sit crosslegged on grass and such and such.

Lethe arrives to the event with a smile on her face. She takes a look toward the blankets and the baskets and looks toward Aureth. "Archlector Aureth, it's so good to be here today." She looks around to see who is here and gives a wave to some of the people when they arrive.

Marian arrives at the event, bringing a blanket and basket of goodies. She makes a point of bringing it over to one of the Harlequins to see if they want to add some Northern delights to their meal. If the basket is accepted, then she gives a bow to the Archlector and then heads on over to find a place to put her blanket. The Warchief of the North looks a bit menacing in the candlelight, her scar showing prominently on her left side.

Aureth has joined the a set of brown benches.

3 Thrax Guards arrives, following Jasher.

Shard stalks in quietly. She doesn't look particularly like anyone who might gather for a picnic, or a social gathering in general (especially tonight), but she seems to be here regardless.

Lilith is one such person who doesn't know the way. She follows after the Templars with her hair up in a bun, wearing a a-line white silk dress and comfortable shoes. When she arrives at the park she walks over toward Lethe and gives her a smile. "Hello Lethe," she says warmly, giving her a hug, if she allows. She then turns toward Aureth and bows her head. "Good evening. Lady Lilith Melaeris," she says introducing herself in her soft, melodious voice with her Mourning Isles accent.

Aureth smiles warmly at Lethe with a slight tip of his head in a nod. "Glad you made it, m'lady," he says lightly, and then waves his hand through the air in a broad, sweeping gesture. "Good evening, everyone, and welcome to the Harlequins' Picnic. There's lots of food and drink and hopefully enough light that you can sit without accidentally sitting on any of your neighbors." He smiles to Lilith next for her introduction and says in a slightly less loud and declamatory way, "An honor, Lady Melaeris. I've not seen you at one of our events before, so thank you for the introduction, I appreciate it; Aureth Grayhope, Archlector for the Queen of Endings."

It's far too late for most children, but the toddler on Aleksei's shoulders looks wide awake, his little fingers twined in Aleksei's hair. "See, kiddo?" Aleksei is telling him as they approach the statue of Death, and he lingers there to let Fitz reach out to try and pat the stone with his little toddler hand, studying it closely. Aleksei looks over at the others, his smile a bit crooked. "Hello, everyone," he says, smile lingering particularly for those he knows best: Aureth, Fortunato, Shard. (So far, anyways.)

Raymesin, once he's pointed to the new memorial park, slips in through the gates. He's another one who seems to be more inclined to lurk in the background rather than on the central stage; his dark leathers make it easy to lurk in the shadows, but the pale skin of his face does stand out in the lantern-light. As Aureth speaks, his pale gaze snaps to the man at one particular word; he then inclines his head politely, before looking around the rest of the attendees.

Lethe smiles as she looks to Lilith and hugs her in return. "Hello Lady Lilith. It is so good to see you here. I hope you'll have a good time." She grins as she look to Aureth. "I am too. It's such a beautiful day for a picnic."

A little meandering along the path shouldn't dare cause a disturbance as footfalls are carefully chosen to permit others to pass whenever the Seraph opts to pause and admire or soak in the solemnity of the initial atmosphere. Ailith stuffs her bandaged fingers deep into the pockets of her white religious robes, stepping aside when entering the clearing to glance about for a seat. There's a respectful dip of her head toward Aureth, a solemn smile, before she veers off in notice of someone seated in the dark. "Fortunato," she remarks, in kind. "I thought I'd find you on the edges."

Ashe appears from the woods beside the road leading into the park with little fanfare, a small wolf pup trailing at her heels. The cloaked woman makes her way over towards the park entrance, slipping in among the crowd arriving for the midnight picnic. Once inside, she begins to wander the park with the curious look of one who hasn't yet visited it, lingering at each gravesite she passes.

Marian has joined the a sturdy pine wooden bench.

"I'll come to as many as I can manage," Lilith says with a small smile. "I love the Queen of Endings. It is a pleasure to meet you, Archlector Aureth," she says, repeating the name so as to cement it in her memory. She then looks back to Lethe and touches her arm before walking over to find a seat and to meet new people.

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

Fortunato has joined the a set of green benches.

Fortunato slides a glance toward Ailith and wings a small smile. "I like the edges. You see more and fewer people see you, ahah!"

Shard turns her head slightly at the sound of Aleksei's voice. She has no return smile for him--no surprise there--though she does regard the man--no, definitely the kid on his shoulders--with a look of lingering consideration before her attention shifts, with a slight start, toward Ashe. Or, as before, it's likely more towards Ashe's companion, because her gaze is much too low to be looking at Ashe herself.

Lilith has joined the a sturdy pine wooden bench.

"Well, anybody who loves the Queen is especially welcome," Aureth says with a laugh in his voice, "because so often what we do here is, more or less, introduce her to people." His eye lights on Ashe and his smile pulls wider when a gleam of the lanternlight catches on her features enough for him to recognize her, but he doesn't shout at her or anything; he just smiles. "Ailith, good to see you out here," he does say.

Marian found a nice quiet spot that's not too close to the action. She spreads her blanket out and sits down carefully. Once she's settled, she glances around to see who else is gathering near her. As Lilith approaches her area, she gives the woman a gentle nod. Her companion, Lethe, gets a look as well. She introduces herself to them, "Princess Marian Redrain."

Lethe has joined the a sturdy pine wooden bench.

Jasher walks in. He could probably have escaped notice, what with his mostly dark attire, but his bootsteps, alongside the ones of his accompaniment, give him away nonetheless. He offers a polite nod towards Aureth before moving along to slip in among the people.

Ailith chuckles, the corners of her lips tugging upward. "Care to teach me your ways, observer of the night?" she retorts to Fortunato, a gaze directed to the ground nearby before her attention is pulled away briefly. A look over her shoulder and she finds Aureth easily by the candlelight. "Thank you for having us."

Lilith walks over toward Marian and her blanket and then smiles at her bowing her head. "Mind if I sit with you?" she asks. "I'm Lady Lilith Melaeris. I'm somewhat new to the capital, in that I've been here before but this is my first extended stay, as they say," she says softly as she kneels down and sits on her feet.

Lethe decides to follow after Lilith and makes her way to where Mrian is sitting. She smiles as Lilith introduces herself before speaking. "Hello, I'm Lady Lethe Tyde and a Harlequin of Death. It is very nice to meet you, and I'm glad you could be here today."

Ashe finishes examining the graves nearest her, and makes her way over towards the picnic proper. A few familiar faces receive pleasant nods -- Aleksei notably, and a respectful nod towards the Archlector who's hosting the event as well -- as she makes her way over to the blankets. When she spots Shard staring, she turns to follow the woman's gaze down to the little wolf cub at her heels, and then she turns back to Shard with eyebrows raised.

For his part, the little wolf just stares back at Shard with his head cocked very slightly to one side. Two can play at this game, clearly!

Ailith has joined the a set of green benches.

Ashe and Ailith also get particular smiles when Aleksei notices their arrivals, and then Jasher, whom he sort of snorts at when he recognizes trying to keep quiet. He blinks down at Lupin at Ashe's side, but apparently decides there are stranger things to worry about. Instead, he wanders over to Fortunato and Ailith's blanket to plop Fitz down onto before joining them.

Aleksei has joined the a set of green benches.

"It's mostly a matter of sitting in the dark and looking around, while no one expects anything of you," Fortunato notes toward Ailith, then waggles fingers at Aleksei as he and Fitz deposit themselves. (He does cast a quick glance at Ashe and her pup. And Shard, for that matter.)

Marian is sitting on her blanket, starting to chat with Lilith and Lethe. She seems comfortable in the setting, surrounded by gravestones. There is something that Lilith says that causes the warchief to laugh deeply and give a nod.

2 Grayson House Guards, Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, Clark, an exasperated guard arrive, following Sabella.

Raymesin continues to lurk quietly in the shadows - or at least, what shadows there are with the garden lantern-lit. He offers an inclination of his heat to Aureth, then goes to find somewhere to sit with his back to something. It ends up being near Fortunato - lurker unity, or something - and he offers the man and those with him a faint smile. "Evenin'."

Raymesin has joined the a set of green benches.

Shard does not engage in any staring game with the wolf pup. As soon as they lock eyes, she looks away, although not quite enough that she doesn't still have the pair in her peripheral vision. After a moment, her gaze moves to Ashe, though she offers no real answer to any silent questions in her own expression. And, after a moment, she turns toward the food, retrieving just a little bit of the meat for herself.

When settling onto the blanket, Ailith adjusts to grant more room for Aleksei and Fritz. Her smile widens in greeting of both, splintered only to smirk back at Fortunato for his reply. "Even I know that," she laughs while retrieving a small piece of paper and writing implement to hand over. "In case that inspiration strikes." Then her bandaged fingers are retucked into her pockets and her gaze travels around the area, pausing briefly at Ashe, then moving along to make out other faces.

Ashe has joined the a set of green benches.

Jasher heads for the food to collect a token amount. He pauses in his regard of the blankets, though. His gaze swings from one to the other before he picks one, which just happens to be one of the more crowded ones. He picks a spot to sit quietly, listen, and snack in the dark barely held at bay by lantern-light.

Jasher has joined the a set of green benches.

Aleksei drops Toddler Fitzcarraldo.

"...as long as they don't ask me to do any cartwheels it will be fine!" Sabella is saying to Elizabetta as she comes strolling into the park, beaming smiles at people, "Shard! How nice to see you! I feel like I so rarely do these days and Seraph Ailith! Always a pleasure! Prince Jasher, are you looking forward to the contest at the Gilded Page? I have it on good authority there will be at least one book there to your liking!" greetings to everyone else are waylaid by the food table, which she immediately heads towards, "Ooh, how lovely!"

Jasher's expression remains impassive as he continues nibbling at a piece of meat. Of course there has to be meat on his plate.

Ashe skips the food entirely; the cloaked woman and her tagalong companion animal instead make their way over towards the blanket where Aleksei sits. Ashe's attention is clearly on the toddler as she settles down, gazing at him with a sort of bemused curiosity, before her attention turns back to Aleksei.

The little wolf pup settles in beside Ashe, sniffing the air as he does so. There is /food/ here, and he very clearly would like some.

As wine starts flowing and people begin to get the simple but tasty food from the baskets, Aureth eventually speaks again over the general pleasant murmur of conversation. "So," he says. "Many events that the Faith puts on are solemn and dignified, but I hope most of you aren't expecting this to be grave just because of where we are. In honor of the Mother of Beginnings, I'm going to start tonight with a little contest. It's a contest to see who here can tell the worst joke."

Shard glances sidelong toward Sabella as her name is called, though the other woman gets little more than a grunt in return. She fits a few more bits of meat onto her plate--it's not very much for one person really--and then turns to regard the blankets. There's a grimace from her, at what is unclear (maybe at the announcement of the contest), before she moves to take a seat.

Shard has joined the a set of green benches.

Harper slips in quietly and looks around with a curious expression, eyes taking in all the blankets and the abudance of food. She gives Aureth a little wave, then spying Fortunato at the perimeter she calls over to him with a grin and a cheerful, "Heya Fort!" She pauses though to listen to Aureth, as she quietly stands near the entrance. Making her way over to a blanket she waves to Sabella too.

Marian has joined the line.

"Dog - dog - dog - Hello dog." Elloise is here, but she's distracted, heading more or less in Peanut's direction as soon as she heads into the park. She thinks about the contest, considers, and shakes her head. "Don't need a contest to know that the content of my jokes are terrible." She sits, within admiring distance of very large mastiffs. Eyes big, smile bright.

Sabella pauses in piling her plate with more food than is probably polite, "A bad joke competition? I knew I should've dragged Prince Niklas with me." she gives Harper a wave and a smile before turning to survey the seating options and heading over to a bench.

Sabella has joined the a sturdy pine wooden bench.

Raymesin takes a plate and some food, then gets himself a glass of wine before settling back to enjoy the fruits of his acquisition. That's when Aureth announces a bad joke contest. Raymesin blinks, then winces and eyes his glass. Anyone would think he wasn't nearly drunk enough for this.

Fortunato glances up at Raymesin with a faint smile and an "Evening," back at him. He returns a brisk smile to Harper in turn. He is full of quick smiles. He does not attempt to tell a joke. It's usually a bad idea.

Aureth adds, "If we don't get volunteers for this contest, I'm going to just start calling on people and haranguing them into saying dumb stuff, fair warning."

Lilith sits on her feet, kneeling with Lethe and Marian on a blanket in her white silk a-line dress, her hair up on a bun. As Sabella comes to join them she gives her a smile. "Good evening, Princess Sabella," she says. "Come join us. How are you feeling?"

Elloise has joined the line.

Raymesin has joined the line.

Ailith glances around those by the blanket and mutters, "I could repeat the snowman one I told you, Fortunato. Very horrendously bad."

Ailith did raise her hand in greeting to Sabella, commenting, "I'm sure the Princess has collected a wide assortment of puns."

Marian hears the word that there's a joke contest. She decides to get up from her blanket and head on over to Aureth so she can tell the joke. She motions to herself, "I'm ready to tell a joke." She looks around to find her guard that she brought along to help her with her knock, knock joke. She then walks up to a grave, has the guard sit on the other side.

Marian then knocks on the grave, "Knock, knock..."
The guard asks, "Who's there?"
Marian replies, "Death..."

And then the guard does nothing else, just lays there like his life was taken from him. She then stands up, "And that's my joke."

Fortunato notes to Ailith, "You have a gift for awful jokes. You could share some. You certainly should."

Sabella gives Lilith a big smile as she sits, "Quite well today! So, I have been eating as much as I can just in case it is a momentary respite!" she then laughs at Ailith's comment, "It's true, I have, but Prince Niklas has the better delivery." She gives Marian a laugh and applauds, "Very unexpected!"

Sabella has joined the line.

Lilith claps for Marian as is possibly polite. Should she have laughed? Seems to be counter to the intent of the contest.

Aureth applauds gvery gravely for Marian's joke. "Bravo, bravo," he says.

Turn in line: Marian

Turn in line: Elloise

Lethe looks eager to watch the joke contest. She smiles to Sabella. "Hello I'm glad to hear that you're feeling better today." She claps for Marian once she hears her joke.

Marian gives a bow to those that clapped for her and then moves to rejoin Lilith and Lethe on the blankets where they're sitting. She glances around to see who else is going to tell a terrible joke.

Elloise loses it, falling backward into a fit of giggling, "That was -- wasn't good, no. But, funny? YES. Oh okay, joke. So. There was a young lord that was really excited to go to his first ball and he was worried about everything going perfectly right, see, and the first thing he did was pick up a new suit of seasilk to wear but there was a line and then he had to find a proper escort and then he had to find his escort a very nice gift to bring and there was a line for that and so by the time he's finally prepared and ready the day of the ball they go there and enter the hall and he turns toward his escort and asks them if they want a drink, and they say yes -- but there's no punch line."

Aureth definitely snorts at that one. It even takes him a second, but he definitely snorts. Maybe even snorfles.

Elloise has joined the a sturdy pine wooden bench.

Aleksei totally brightens when Aureth announces the BAD JOKE CONTEST, and he watches excitedly when Marian steps up to offer the first one. And he cackles aloud at the end of it, like he's possibly the perfect audience for it. More surprising is perhaps the fact that /Fitz/ bursts out in loud toddler laughter, too. Elloise's seems to go a bit too long for Fitz for follow properly to appreciate the joke, but Aleksei does snort a laugh.

After her joke, Elloise beams and skips on back toward a bench. She sits, tugging her hefty bag into her lap in order to fetch a project to tinker on for a while.

Marian gives a low chuckle at Elloise's joke and makes a point of clapping for her. She gives a smile at Aleksei's son who laughed at her own joke. She then looks around to see who else is going to get up to tell a joke.

Raymesin turns to watch the jokes being told, with a faint smile for the first and a blank look for the lack of punch line in the second. He tips the contents of his wineglass down his throat, then rolls to his knees. It makes him as tall as some people get when standing. "Bought some boots off of a Banana dealer," he announces, his Lowers origins announcing themselves loud and clear in his accent. "Dunno what 'e laced 'em with, but I was trippin' all day." And then he's sitting down again in a hurry, and reaching for the wine bottle.

Ashe groans and scrubs her face with one hand in response to the jokes, as if mildly physically pained by them. Still, she applauds; this is, after all, the reaction a bad joke /should/ merit.

Sabella smiles, "Poor Prince Niklas has been very sweet to my bouts of sickness and sudden whims for sausages. But thank you! For the well wishes and good advice! I'm told the worsr of it should be over soon! Well, for this part."

Lilith chuckles at Sabella's comment about Niklas. "He seemed very concerned for you, the dear," she says. "It was sweet."

Turn in line: Raymesin

Aureth takes a long swallow of his wine and gestures to the next contestant. "Hey, I don't think I know your name, could you introduce yourself too?" he asks, smiling brightly.

Aureth has left the a set of brown benches.

Aureth has joined the a set of green benches.

Harper grins at Elly and claps at her joke. Making her way over to where Elloise is sitting she says, "Mind if I sit with you, Lady Elly? Good job on the joke!" She gives her a grin.

Raymesin startles as he's addressed directly by the man in the shiny white who appears to be running tonight's show. "Um," he replies to Aureth, his pale eyes wide, then adds, "Raymesin."

Marian gives a hearty clap for Raymesin's joke, giving a shake of her head on the double meaning. She gives a nod to Harper when she asks to join Elloise, "Please do, there is still plenty of room here." Then to introduce herself to those new to the blanket where they're sitting, she starts off the introductions, "I am Princess Marian Redrain."

"Great! Welcome, Raymesin! Did you have a joke?" Aureth picks up a piece of bread to munch with another piece of cheese. Omnom.

Harper has joined the a sturdy pine wooden bench.

Raymesin blinks at Aureth. "You mean I gotta find /another/? Guh." His expression goes blankly wide-eyed, and then he nods. "What's brown an' sticky?" Pause. "A stick."

"Well, that's accurate," Aureth says with a clap of his hands, and a grave nod. In so far as he does anything with gravity, which is not much.

Turn in line: Sabella

Realizing that it is her turn Sabella stands and smooths down her dress, giving a smile to the crowd, "Many of you know me quite well, I'm Princess Sabella Grayson and I am always trying to make sure I connect with the every day people that go about making our lives easier in all the ways we don't even notice! So, I sometimes go about taking up careers to see what life would be like if I weren't a Princess." She takes a deep breath, "I tried to be a tailor, but ultimately decided I wasn't suited for it. In the end I only did a sew-sew job. Then I decided to try being a gardner, but I couldn't figure out the ground rules. So, I tried my hand at glassblowing, but I had the hiccups and ended up with a pane in my stomach. Don't even ask about my time as a gravedigger, I just don't like to let people down. I really thought I'd make it as a musician, but someone told me I wasn't noteworthy. And no matter how hard I tried as a fisherman, I just couldn't live off that net income." she pauses, "That's probably enough!" and sits back down to her food, grinning.

Elloise bursts out in cackles, "That one's my favorite so far! Sticky."

Sir Alren, Rinel arrive, following Bianca.

Lilith's eyes go wide as she stares on at Sabella's punapalooza. "Oh my," she says putting her hand to her mouth. It takes her a moment and then she allows herself to clap.

Marian shakes her head as Sabella brings out the puns for this joke contest. She does her best to not laugh, there's a bit of smirk there as she claps for Sabella's joke. She makes a point of telling her when she returns to their group, "Your puns are too funny. I think sticky stick will be the hard one to beat." She gives a salute to Raymesin for his bad joke.

Aleksei's eyes just go wider and wider with each pun Sabella adds to the pile. By the end, he's applauding loudly and hollering his approval. "Encore!" he yells.

Aureth laughs out loud and goes, "Gods, that was a lot of puns all in a row. All right. Everyone!" He raises his glass. "Pick your favorite terrible joke and tell me who you think won the contest!"

Bianca stepped into the park with Rinel in her wake along with the ever vigilant Sir Alren. She paused to take in the park and its contents along with the array of individuals in attendance. A soft smile graced her lips before she proceeded forward, "Am I missing another competition of wit?" She chuckled as she approached the group.

Ailith chuckles at the round of puns, applauding at each use. The groans.

Ashe applauds for Sabella's cavalcade of horrible career puns, wincing even as she does so.

Sabella grins at Aleksei, "Don't tempt me, I do have more! But I like all of you too much to inflict them upon you."

"The ayes have it!" Aureth puts his fist in the air and says, "Master Raymesin has won the terrible joke contest, and so wins this small sack with something random and surprising in it. Princess Sabella, Death loves you and she loves those jokes; the Harlequins love nothing better than puns, I basically consider them an act of devotion."

Lethe is overheard praising Raymesin.

Marian is overheard praising Aureth: Great event

Ailith applauds the winner. "That was the most pointed terrible joke, stickiness and all. Congratulations Goodman Raymesin."

"So, I've got another stupid party game that I can inflict on everyone in the dark if you like," Aureth says with game good cheer, "but before we do any of that, I'm wondering if anyone has any questions about the Mother of Beginnings, or about our services, or about anything else off the top of your heads, why not."

Marian claps hard when it's clear that Raymesin is the winner. She does quiet down when Aureth asks if anyone has any questions about the Mother of Beginnings or their services. There is nothing volunteered on that end. She settles back and watches to see if anyone else has questions.

Raymesin, having run out of paler to go, flushes instead at the news of his victory. "Um," he says. "Thank you. An' thank you for th'food, an' all." And then he's no longer in Aureth's focus and he sags, edging a few inches further away from the light.

Sabella claps fpr Raymesin, giving him a big smile before turning it on Aureth. "Thank you!" She then raises her hand at the prompt for questions, "Do you offer blessings to expectant mothers? And fathers!" she adds quickly, "Who suffer from their own set of trials throught no doubt."

Lilith fights away a yawn and then stands up from her blanket and looks toward those around her - Lethe, Elloise, Marian, Sabella and Harper. "It was a pleasure to sit with you all. It is nice to come together and reflect on the Queen of Endings. I look forward to attending more events like this. But it is getting quite late for me. I hope to see you all soon. Perhaps we can get some tea and you can show me around Arx and introduce me to your friends," she says with a small smile. "Now to see if one of these Templars will escort me back to the city. Good night."

"We do!" Aureth smiles, crookedly. "Several of our Harlequins have had training from the Physicians or Mercies specifically to help as midwives, and Seraph Ailith actually penned quite a lovely blessing for new mothers that we've incorporated as part of our canons. One of my favorite services to offer in the Shrine--" he tips his head at Sabella as he says so, "--is prayers of blessing for prospective parents." Then he smiles cheerfully and says, "Good evening, Lady Lilith, it was lovely to meet you and I look forward to seeing you again."

Bianca neared Ailith's side with a small smile to the Seraph, offering the woman a sidelong embrace as she selected a place beside her, turning attention to Sabella at her question and then to Aureth on his reply. She nodded farewell to Lilith as she moved to depart.

Lilith waves to Aureth and bows her head. "This was lovely. Thank you. I had a great time and it was a pleasure to meet you," she says.

Lilith has left the a sturdy pine wooden bench.

"We shall most certainy have tea and I will take you around to see the sites!" Sabella says to Lilith, offering her a wave before nodding to Aureth, "We shall have to stop by the Shrine then! Thank you."

Jasher lifts his head to watch Lilith go. Yes, he's smirking, undoubtedly at something funny around the blanket he's parked on. But he schools his face to stillness and ducks back down.

Bianca has joined the a set of green benches.

Ailith tugs on Bianca's hand to guide the Archscholar to the blanket, returning the sideling embrace. To the comment by Aureth, she adds, "I had heard from Harlequin Mae of the possibility last spring for a celebration or group blessing of the children. Will that be expected this season as well?"

"Uh," Aureth says and he looks vaguely baffled for a moment, and then says, "Possibly?"

Captain Teemo, a mountain lion cub arrives, following Leona.

"Huh? Uhm, married life is very much like life before, your Highness." Elloise tells Sabella with a shrug of her shoulders, "Only it's with another person instead of by yourself. But it's provided excellent opportunities for our Houses and Edward is very nice. I can see myself growing very fond of him." She blinks, "Oh, darn the socks, I need to get going. I forgot a thing -- a project thing -- that I was supposed to take outside instead of leaving it inside -- and my poor beetles. It was nice to meet everyone!"

"I will write, Lady Lethe!" Elloise shoulders her bag as she bolts.

Elloise has left the a sturdy pine wooden bench.

"Glad you could make it, Baroness!" Aureth calls as Elloise zooms off.

Bianca settled down without question at Ailith's tug, extending her legs and adjusting weaponry for comfort before finally leaning back on her palms for support. Pale gaze continued shifting between speakers in her usual state of quiet observation.

Leona is late to the party, as she sometimes is. That doesn't stop her though, not on a beautiful night like tonight. "I was dying to be here," she says to Aureth by way of greeting, "but I was detained. I hope you'll forgive my late arrival." She gives a wave to Ashe by way of greeting, and to other familiar faces, even as Teemo zeroes in on Ashe's new companion. He pads over and looks at the little wolf pup assessingly.

"Forgiven," Aureth tells Leona cheerfully, "but I have to tell you that Master Raymesin already won the bad joke contest, so I can't give you a prize for that."

Harper tilts her head listening quietly to all of the conversations. As Elly gets ready to leave, she waves, "Take care Lady Elly!" She moves to stand up and bobs her head to the others. "I ought be going too. Got more kids to get settled today. Nice meeting all of you!" She grins and bobs her head, then tosses waves to Aureth and Fort.

The little wolf pup beside Ashe turns his attention from Shard to Teemo, straightening into a very proper sitting position; one gets the sense that if the little wolf could salute the mountain lion, he very well might. Upon spotting Teemo, Ashe turns to see Leona; the former Lord Commander receives a smile and a wave in greeting as well.

Harper has left the a sturdy pine wooden bench.

"Say hallo to my terrible cousin for me," Aureth asks Harper as he retucks his folded legs beneath him on the blanket. He takes a bite out of a piece of fruit, and then says, "Any other questions? I haven't got a prize for the next game unless I find something random and ridiculous in my pockets, and it's only very /loosely/ theologically justified."

Shard starts to say something, but instead her lips pinch. She glances briefly toward Ailith, and then back to Ashe and Lupin. And when Teemo arrives, she regards the little cub with some measure of distinct suspicion, even if she doesn't actually move from her spot on the blanket.

Raymesin, one way or another, has edged further off the blanket until he's effectively vanished into the night, leaving behind an empty wineglass and plate. The observant might notice him making his way out between the gates and back towards the city, moving near-silently in the night.

Aureth is overheard praising Raymesin: Apparently he's very funny! Huzzah!

Aureth is overheard praising Ailith: A generous spirit, as always!

Raymesin has left the a set of green benches.

"I once heard a story about someone that kept a very valuable ring in their pocket," Sabella notes idly while tearing apart a piece of bread into small bites. "I never understood why he didnt just wear it all the time. That's what I do with my rings."

"All my jewelry is Arterius original and I'm not giving /that/ away." Taking another swallow from his wine glass, Aureth stands up and settles in a relaxed way on his heels. He's taken his shoes off and lets his heels dig into the cool grass. "So," he says. "Sometimes, when you walk into this life, you find yourself unexpectedly tied to a story that you don't know, or to people that you have no idea what to do with. Part of what Death asks of us is to find ways to find our own path, but never to be afraid of embracing the ridiculous in so doing. Our next game is -- for the fearless among you -- a race by lantern light that contemplates that, and embraces just how silly it can be. Step right up, compete for a mysterious prize, and we'll see how well you can run in tandem with a really unexpected burden."

Lethe has joined the line.

Marian has joined the line.

Aureth has joined the line.

Sabella has joined the line.

Lethe stands and decides to join in. "I'm willing to give it a try. It sounds like fun."

Leona laughs, bowing slightly to Aureth. "I would be devastated if you didn't," she says, "and while I'm sure I would have been dead set on winning the contest had I been here, I will save my jokes to slay a crowd for another time, no?" She then moves over to where Lupin and Teemo are looking at each other over and smiles at the assembled group there. "And while a race sounds like fun, SOME people can't be TRUSTED in races." She looks at Ashe and there's distinct laughter in her voice, barely hidden. "He doesn't bite within the city limits," Leona says mildly to Shard.

Leona has joined the a set of green benches.

Jasher sits back on the blanket, apparently having decided to be a spectator for the occasion.

Aureth is overheard praising Leona: You're killing me here.

"I only cheat when I need to; after all, it doesn't do to come in /dead/ last," Ashe points out to Leona, with laughter in her own tone. Still, the cloaked woman does not immediately rise to join the race either; instead, she turns back to Teemo and Lupin, watching the two of them with mild amusement. To Shard, she adds, "Dame Leona might be better able to explain than I am what the Protectors of the Gray Forest are."

Marian makes a point of standing up with Lethe, also volunteering for the run. She doesn't seem at all concerned about running in a graveyard at night. She looks to her companion, "Yes, it does sounds like fun."

Shard looks from Ashe to Leona, eyebrows arching--expectant? Maybe? "What a relief," she says, flat and dry.

Sabella stands along with the other two women at her bench, "Might as well get some exercise in after all that food! But fair warning, I am terrible at most any sort of sport."

Bianca has left the a set of green benches.

It seems that sometimes even nocturnal toddlers get fussy. It's unclear what the actual /problem/ is that set Fitz off, but Aleksei is soon having to mutter quick apologies as he hoists the toddler back in his arms to make off back towards the city.

Aleksei picks up Toddler Fitzcarraldo.

Aleksei has left the a set of green benches.

"Now you shall all have the dubious pleasure of seeing me perform this feat, since there are only three other volunteers," Aureth says with a laugh. He directs Gregory to lead a fleet of people to hold up lanterns along a stretch of open grass, and it gleams bright across his aeterna in the dark. He pulls out a silver coin from his pouch and moves to flip it, so that he can use its assistance to determine who shall be partnered with whom for this. "Now," he says, "my assistant Gregory will be so good as to tie our ankles together for this race, so that any athleticism will immediately be undercut. . ."

"A small group of like minded individuals - of the animal pursuasion - that move through the Gray Forest and do their part in protecting it from the Traitor's predations." Leona watches idly as the participants line up, but Ashe's sally gets a wink. "Which you would have," she says to Ashe. "But I'm pretty pleased with how it all ended," she deadpans. Aleksei gets a wave goodbye, cheerful enough, with a wave for tantruming Toddler as well. Turning back to Shard she comments, "they wear black bandanas, as you see." Indeed Teemo is wearing one right now. And as she says that, he turns and looks at Leona expectantly. Leona nods gravely and pulls out a bandana from a pocket somewhere, and hands it over to Ashe. "Perhaps you'd like to do the honors?"

"Princess Marian, Lady Lethe; Princess Sabella and myself. We have thirty seconds to try to figure out how to work in tandem, and then it will be off to the races," Aureth announces at high volume. NOTHING SILLY ABOUT THIS AT ALL.

"Wait," Sabella says as if it is just dawning on her what this is as her ankle gets tied. "All of us?!"

Lethe waits as her ankles is tied to Marian. "This should be quite the challenge."

Ashe undoes the temporary neckerchief that Lupin has been wearing, affixing the proper midnight-black one -- of a finer material -- to the little wolf's neck with all due gravity. Lupin sits there as proudly as he possibly can, glancing first to Ashe and then to Shard. See, food-sharing woman? He is a True Warrior, his rank now formally denoted. As for Ashe, she ties the black material in place with a flourish, then lowers her voice to speak at the blankets.

Aureth checked wits + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Lethe checked wits + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Marian checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 23, rolling 27 higher.

Sabella checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 15, rolling 1 higher.

Aureth makes a pretty ridiculous athlete and he'd be the first to admit this. However, he is also game for a try, and after a brief conference with this princess he just met, they bobble awkwardly forward over the grass! And don't fall down! Yaaaaay!

Jasher is silent as he continues to watch. His head is slightly cocked as he finds another piece to snack on from his plate.

Marian is a decent athlete but has little in the way of empathy. She's glad when her partner starts to explain who they should work together. She gives a nod and murmurs softly to make sure she understands what Lethe can do. Then once the mark is made for it to begin, she uses her atheleticism to bring them in the lead on this first round of steps, giving Lethe a grin as if to tell her that they've got this.

Lethe figures out a good rhythm to run with Marian. While she is not as athletic she works well with Marian.

Sabella and Aureth might not fall down, but they are definitely not as fast as Marian and Lethe, "Sorry!" is a common comment from Sabella as they more walk forward than run. Is there some skipping happening? "I'm honestly surprised I haven't tripped!" she confesses, sounding pretty cheerful considering they're gonna lose!

Marian checked wits + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 4 lower.

Sabella checked wits + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Aureth checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 37, rolling 18 lower.

Lethe checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 49, rolling 16 lower.

So far so good, but as they reach the end of the grassy stretch and have to turn around and come back, confusion reigns! Aureth kind of staggers and tries to veer in the opposite direction than the one Sabella intends and in the ensuing baffle of directions he staggers and flails, the results being that he very nearly not only brings down Sabella with him but also knocks over the lanterns set up nearest them on the side of the racetrack. His "ack" at least comes with a good deal of cackling like an idiot, so the spirit of competition appears to at least be just as ridiculous as what he's trying to do here.

"Are you left footed or right footed?" Sabella asks as if this crucial piece of information might be the key to all this limping along. "I think th-" and then she's toppling over with an 'oomph' and a laugh down in the grass, "I really thought that would happen sooner, Archlector, so, great job this far!"

Marian is doing great until they get to the end and have to turn around. Communication starts to break down, Marian tries to pull them in one direction just as Lethe goes in another, it's a hot mess as they try to figure out how to turn around, "Balls!" It's clear that Marian is a bit frustrated as she tries to figure this out. They end up in a pile near their competition. All legs and limbs.

Jasher checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 2 higher.

Leona watches the race, seeming reasonably amused at the cheerful three-legged event. "You can do it," she cheers loudly, but it's impossible to tell who, exactly, she's cheering. And then she leans over and bumps Fortunato with her shoulder, murmuring something quietly to him, her expression sobering.

Jasher watches the beautiful carriage wreck of arms and legs. His face may as well have been carved out of one of the headstones for all it's expressing.

Aureth checked wits + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Lethe gets confused when everything seems to happen at once. There's lanterns being knocked over and before she knows it she is down on the ground with the rest of them.

Lethe checked wits + empathy at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Marian checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 25, rolling 36 higher.

Sabella checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 7, rolling 15 higher.

"I definitely expected to eat shit sooner or later in this contest, don't worry." Aureth manages to regain his feet in a kind of awkward fumbling. "Gregory, get the lantern!" he calls, as he offers the dubious aid that is all he's got to Sabella getting to her feet alongside him. Once they're more or less up it's onward and hobbling, while gigglesnorting without dignity (at least in his corner), as they head to the finish! Noticeably behind, but with forward momentum! Some of it!

Sabella is laughing so hard it is a wonder they don't topple over again. But they don't! "I'm going to take a page from my husband's book and tell everyone I came in second in a footrace," she tells Aureth with amusement. "Did you know he once tilted against the King and walked away with a trophy for jousting?"

Marian manages to get them off the ground, helping her partner with a little more cooperation. She pauses to let Lethe give direction on how to regain the momentum they lost in the last round, and then they start heading to the finish line. This time it's a bit harder, the shifting bandage is pressing their legs together in an odd place. They manage to pull the victory away from the Archlector and Princess. Marian laughs as they make it across the finish line first.

"If the race is meant to represent life," Shard asks blandly, as the first pair cross the finish line, "does that mean those two died first?"

Jasher rubs his chin. "Maybe."

Ashe hms. "Or maybe it means they were reborn first."

"I had no idea, but it's delightful," Aureth says with a bright and slightly wheezing laugh. "Ahhh, thank you for being a very helpful support," he adds, and then says, "and congratulations to Princess Marian and Lady Lethe on their victory. Gregory, please untie us. Thanks."

Fortunato asks, "Is it necessary to race to be reborn? What if you're tired?"

Lethe laughs happily as they finish the race. She looks to Marian. "You were an amazing partner, and that was so much fun."

"It's not a perfect metaphor," Aureth says gravely, as the older man looses him from Sabella's ankle and then moves on to help untie Marian and Lethe. "Anyway, thank you all for humoring me. Time for more wine!"

Marian makes a point of standing still until Gregory is unable to untie them. Then she turns to Lethe, "Thank you for being the spirit of collaboration. I would definitely partner with you again on such a race." She turns to Aureth, "And thank you Archlector for running the races. I have been inspired by the events this evening." She does look off in the distance, "I am afraid I must take my leave. Thank you for the excellent games."

Leona leans her head on Fortunato's shoulder as they sit there watching the race. It's an odd pose perhaps, but there's a sense of peace that emanates from the woman, as Teemo and Lupin make each other's acquaintance and the ridiculous race comes to a conclusion.

"My one regret is that I shall never know what you kept in your pocket, Archlector." Sabella says with another laugh, pressing a hand into her stomach to try to catch her breath. "That was fun! Thank you for holding this event with so many fun contests! Amd congratulations you two," she says to Marian and Lethe, "Excellent teamwork!"

Marian has left the a sturdy pine wooden bench.

Lethe nods to Marian. "Goodbye. It was great to race with you." She looks to Aureth. "Thank you Archlector. This has been a great picnic."

"Indeed!" Aureth resumes his perch on the blanket near his brother and Leona, and gives a crooked smile across the grass in lantern and moonlight. "Thank you all for coming; I've no more planned entertainment but anyone can stay and drink and eat or go home and go to bed or whatever you'd like, as you choose."

Jasher rises to his feet. He stops to shake out his legs, one after the other, and offers a respectful nod Aureth's way. "Thank you," he simply says before making to head off.

Jasher has left the a set of green benches.

Ashe applauds for the racers -- and for the host of the event -- with enthusiasm. And then she moves to rise from her seat on the blanket. "I'm afraid I /do/ have a few minor matters I need to still attend to, so I'd better be on my way." She draws little Lupin away from the plate of celebratory sausage slices that Ailith offered, perhaps to the little wolf's chagrin; indeed, there's another soft whine that sounds vaguely like 'food' as he tries to scarf down all the remaining sausage bits.

Shard settles back, and resumes eating what little meat remains of what she picked out from the refreshments. She's slow about it, almost picky, and there's a slight twitch in her expression that doesn't quite go away. As Ashe makes to leave, she lifts her chin toward the other woman, and gives the wolf cub one last careful looking over.

Ashe has left the a set of green benches.

Leona smiles at Ashe. "I'm sure you'll see Teemo a little more regularly now that the Corporal is in need of training. Be prepared for disappearances at all hours of the day and night," she says with a soft chuckle. "The Protectors go where they please. They're very hardcore." That last word is said quite fondly indeed, but she doesn't let that smile turn into laughter, oh no. She is very seriouss. Being hardcore is serious business, apparently.

Ashe grins at Leona. "No doubt." She glances down to Teemo and offers him a somber little nod -- respectful of his service. "I'm sure you'll have him properly trained soon enough. In the meantime, though..." She offers one last wave to everyone present, and then sets off towards the gate once more.

Sabella goes to dispose of what is left of her plate and then offers smiles and waves to those left, "Thank you for the fun, informative picnic! Prince Niklas and I should be stopping by the Shrine within the next week or so I'd think. And thank you for your wonderful conversation," she says to Lethe and Marian as she turns to go.

Aureth is overheard praising Sabella: A wonderful race partner with terrible puns!

Sabella has left the a sturdy pine wooden bench.

2 Grayson House Guards, Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, Clark, an exasperated guard leave, following Sabella.

Ailith is overheard praising Sabella: The punniest pun master this side of the park.

Lethe looks to everyone with a smile before she goes.

Lethe has left the a sturdy pine wooden bench.