The silver has been polished and while that bone set is on display its off to the side. It's definitely not being used. Bones are gross! Sabella is milling about, smiling brightly as the servants putter around making sure the flowers look just right and all the food is piping hot. As people start arriving she's saying to Niklas, "I actually am feeling a lot better! I might even try some regular meats tonight or perhaps some cake!"

Bringing with her a vase that is overflowing with the first blush of flowers blooming in the spring, Kalani waves with her free hand as she carries the flowers to set on the table. "I hope no one is allergic," she says as she tugs at a few of the blossoms to arrange them just so. "You're sounding as though you feel better," she adds as she walks toward Sabella as the servants putter around and food is being set out.

A bone set deserves some regard from the young woman headed through the mansion, dressed as a shapely dusken creature, not quite fey. The very thing to do is bring a gift, in this case a very pretty jar of honey taken from last summer's drowsy afternoons in Hawkhold. Not their greatest or most abundant choice at one's disposal -- that would be trees -- but it looks pretty, tastes delicious, and constitutes a lovely choice. Delilah's footsteps are soft as she ventures within. "Cake is the solution to many a problem," she says, daydreaming brightness in her glittering eyes.

Sabella said not to start eating until people showed up. Well, people are showing up! "Good. If you keep eating nothing but sausages, cake and cookies you're going to get scurvy." Even as he speaks Niklas is piling a plate high with roast meats and vegetables. "Try some of the pork," he says, already having put away a slice, a browned turnip making its way to his lips between words. When he's chewed and swallowed he says, "Gods, but this afternoon has given me an appetite.l

"I don't think anyone is allergic--and if they are we'll find out soon enough!" Sabella says with a laugh, "Thank you, Kalani, for bringing those. They are absolutely lovely. And yes! I am feeling a lot better. I have more energy than I've had in a bit and my appetite it returning." She pats a tummy that's still only barely there. "Delilah! I'm so glad you could make it! Please have a seat and have some of whatever you'd like. Niklas here says the pork is good! I'm going to try some of that roast beef myself. And isn't that set interesting? Princess Tikva picked it out from an odd shop the other day. I haven't had a chance to visit myself. Storied Treasures I think?"

"I rather agree, on the cake idea, we should start supper in reverse, desserts and cordials, then the heavier stuff to be followed by appetizers, if anyone has room for it," Kalani suggests with a smile paired with a nod to Delilah. She snags a plate as well, "Your grace, that's an excellent ideas as well," selecting a slice of the pork and some of the beef as well as she samples a little of this and little of that. "What happened this afternoon that inspired such, if you don't mind the question?" she wonders of Niklas while turning a moment later, just in time to see the tummy pat. "The morning sickness has gone away? That'll help."

"I went in there and observed a rather dented cup from the Lyceum. A lovely piece and one that disappeared not long after its existence was announced. However, that one bone set of cutlery begs what inspired it. Perchance the bones originate from some dreadfully spooky story," Delilah cheerfully replies in kind. The day agrees with her, possibly thanks to a nap, and her chaplet of studded irises bruise the sunset length of her thick woven plait. "They are remarkable. She finds the most interesting of discoveries, I commend her for it. Though will she not be here?" A floating question there, not deep in its demand, while she extends her hands to hand over that honey jar. "I like a place that has a story to it, though. Lady Kalani, a pleasure to see you tonight too. I hoped to pull my sister in, though she confesses being quite exhausted moving in the past week. I don't blame her, it can be overwhelming." She flicks a look Niklas-ward, mischief present. "You have her on the stage after ten, I will be sure to send the fees for her child minding to you. She isn't old enough to be out there." A plate will be the next matter to concern her, since she eats precious little, bits and pieces. Thoughts prove the nourishment for her, dangerous wildfire.

"Is this the Lady Evonleigh? I met her very briefly the other day. Michael sent me a message asking me and Niklas to look after her and introduce her around, but I haven't had the chance to formally discuss things with her," Sabella says to Delilah, having herself a seat and then laughing again at Kalani's suggestion, "I like the way you think! But if I should start with the cakes I fear that I wouldn't even have room for cordials. However, I am not my mother and thus if my guests would like to start with dessert I shall pay no mind nor make no comment except to say what a great idea that is. As for the cutlery, I'm not really sure what the story there is. I'm a little...I find their history fascinating, but the objects not so much. The fact that they are bone makes my skin crawl. The bones of what, I wonder?"

Niklas missed his pose because he was stuffing his face in a most ungentlemanly manner. Eventually he stops, realizes there are people here with manners and clears his throat, sits up straight and holds out his pinky as he carefully cuts his meat. "I sent Isabelle with message for lady Evonleigh. We should make an evening of it. Show her the best places to eat and tell her the best theaters to avoid." Niklas glances to the cutlery and makes a face. "Probably elves, right?"

2 Ashford House Guard arrives, following Olivia.

"I always thought 'bone china' was just a phrase, to imply bone white and delicate. No so much made of actual bone," Kalani wonders this as she sets her plate down and goes back, fetches desserts instead and a glass to add wine to, carrying all of it back to her place at the table. "That said, bone handles could be used for utensils, sure, or slivers of it pieced together with some sort of .. I don't know. Glue?" she wonders as she grins at Sabella, "Personally, I'd never let my mother catch me eating dessert first, either. I don't care how old I eventually get, still not going to let her catch me doing this," because she does indeed use the nearest fork to dive into a slice of cake.

Whilst Niklas goes looking for slicing up his meal, the eldest of the Whitehawk sisters -- and by far their most tilted to the dusk hour, while her siblings personify the march in the opposite direction to daybreak in looks and temperament -- utters a warm, trilling laugh. "Leighlee, yes." The appellation will no doubt have the actress squirming somewhere, exactly why she uses it. "Away from the elves, as you care, for they're more my bailiwick than hers. Father will be horrified to see her anywhere near the stage, so it suits. I thought perchance the Empyrean, see if she takes to any boards." The smile is all thanks, for all her gaze carries that singular inclusion of concern. With Kalani supposing over things, she dips her head in that direction. "Possibly drilling into the bone, too, allowing for a mounting screw. If they were really clever, they might cover up either side with a bone cap and hammer it in lightly enough. We might be able to convince someone to try and recreate one in the event we need a proper spoon for a little one." Her fingertips tap her lips. That cake is looking awfully good, but someone said cordial and cordial it shall be.

"She ought to try the Bard's College if she plays any instruments or sings. Or the Arts Center that Prince Niklas is starting up," Sabella advises, cutting into the perfectly cooked roast, though she looks jealously over at Kalani's cake. "I think if I were to do that my mother would appear like a ghost from Bastion, only one that could still twist my ear in that perfectly painful way. And I wasn't going to mention elves but yes. That's my fear. And thus I don't really want to touch them." She says of the silverware. Everyone is sitting down to have dinner! Or dessert. Everyone's eating! Or drinking. Sometimes both. "They seem like something taken out of a story where people unknowingly buy cursed items from a store. I do not intent to be haunted by a fish fork."

Olivia arrives maybe nearly on time, give or take. As ever she's a little cautious of barging in on the grandiose affairs of her liege house, and seems somewhat mousy even meandering through their halls. Especially without family backup. But once inside, she does dip a curtsey toward the hostess and those in her company. "Its good of you, as ever, to host something like this, Princess Sabella." There is a slight canting of her head as she takes in some of the present conversation, although no doubt a fair bit wooshes right overtop!

Niklas glances sidelong at Delilah. "A fan of elves and an adventurer? Hm. Maybe you should go ahead and eat your dinner with them." Niklas nods to the food and raises his eyebrows. "And if you break them, we can blame Luca. No one would doubt us. Not even Luca, really." Niklas eyes the cakes. "Elara and I used to steal cake all the time. Well, I did and I'd rope Elara into it. Mother couldn't punish her since she wasn't really her daughter. The perfect partner in crime! Of course, she'd still hit me with a wooden spoon later, but the pies were worth it."

Kalani eyes Delilah for a silent moment, the fork pausing between plate and mouth, she studies her before a smile forms again. "You've put some thought into that," and eyes the fork she's holding then shrugs and continues her assault on the desserts on the plate in front of her.

"Lady Olivia!" Sabella greets brightly, gesturing to the table and empty chairs, "Please come join us! We were just about to play the game we always do at these dinners. It's nothing that you need any skill for," she adds quickly, "We just go around and say interesting things that have happened to us recently or what we've been up to. Or plan to be up to! It can be anything really. Just something to give everyone a better idea of our family and friends. Then you choose the next person to go. So! I will start. I have been very busy helping Lady Monique with a part of the Gala that has been most entertaining--taking on the role of Queen Alarice! I held court as her just the other night on Judgment Green and everyone played along beautifully! Princess Berenice won the token I had and will sit on a throne at the Gala itself. I'll be reprising the role of Queen Alarice for the night so you should all come to see it! And also to enjoy the whole thing as Prince Tyrval is a sponsor and we should always support family no matter how old or odd. Now..." She looks around the table with a smile. "Lady Kalani! What have you been up to?"

Delilah's gaze ticks to Olivia as she enters, a warm smile alighting her expression for the newcomer. "Good evening to you. Isn't she the very best? We are fortunate to have such a warm-hearted princess, and the good company. I wasn't sure that I could brave Priness Coraline's games, in truth." That hopeless laugh simmers away, unspooling just at the threshold of audibility, ticked up when the notion of a haunted fork tickles her fancy. "Now you have me concerned for necromancy performed on objects of the sea. Scrimshaw doomed by a Thraxian crew, which end sup mistakenly as ladies' hair ornaments or combs, causing all manner of mayhem when unattended." She sounds utterly serious as she says this, but wheels churn in order behind her lowered lashes. Oh, don't get her going in that direction. "Do you think me utterly mad? The elves would find me dull as a forest puddle and nearly as shallow. I rather like existing as I am. On the other hand, if you truly dread they're going to cause a diplomatic situation, fling me into their midst, say 'They know where the shining thing is,' and watch all of us tear down the inner peace of two centuries in search of it. I expect that pig ought to win." Her tone is light, merry for all that she pours port fo rherself. Now, then, to catch up.

Setting her fork aside, Kalani's expression takes on a not quite embarrassed but slightly guilty expression all the same. "I'm planning, with Kaldur's help, a way to scale the exterior of the clock tower. A great deal of math is involved, mostly in the amount of rope and the weight of the rope we'll be hauling along with us to make the descent a great deal faster than the ascent. And there's a question as to whether or not we might get arrested for the attempt, successful or no. But it promises to be fun."

Olivia quite readily takes a seat when offered, and probably looks relieved to realize that the dinner is not as heavily-attended as some. The crowd is far more managable at this size. Swooping up her skirts to sit, she does look briefly worried by the mention of some 'game,' but again relaxes as it seems to be something more trivial. "Your acting was very convincing," she tells Sabella, of her recent performance as a resurrected Queen. "Or at least I thought so. I suppose Crown Prince Tyrval and- erm, that the Prince would be the only one who could accurately judge it." And a nod at Delilah. "Princess Sabella is always a wonderful hostess. As for whatever she's been up to, she admits: "It is mostly what I always am, tending garden at the new Ashford orangery, and working on growing larger stocks of certain beneficial plants. The gathering we had there went very well. I suppose in more... challenging matters, though it is not quite yet, I will be doing what I can to help Dame Leola defend the Lodge... although with the Crown's recent ruling that whole matter is a little confused."

Looking from person to person while pushing more pork and roast root vegetables into his mouth, Niklas awaits his turn. When it finally gets back to him, he totally listened and didn't just wait to talk, promise, he says, "I won the first legendary medallion so I'll be sitting in Pena's throne at the Gala. And my protege will be there singing a song Sabella wrote for her, which she should have mentioned but is too humble to bring up, but I am anything but. Ah, we also recently won a dancing contest at the masquerade, and Sabella's costume came in second. More achievements of hers, I'm afraid!" Niklas spears a lump of fresh cheese along with a cherry tomato. "Ad for me, I've been made the Voice of the Bard's College, where I hope to soon put on my next play, a musical adaption of my first true hit, The Good Duke of Gemecitta."

In the future lies the prospect of a haunted fish fork, thanks to Sabella. Until that dread hours come to pass with the clamouring of a hundred small bells from a hundred small towers in a city full of greater and lesser spires, there will be cake. Delilah is on her way to finding a piece to slice for herself, the perfect accompaniment to a meal of port. "Climbing a tower with a rope is brilliant. Do send me a message when you mean to do it? I want to watch, and I can charm any guards if it comes to it." Any assistance needed by their fellow guests, she can manage; not too proud to top off glasses or bring over an extra plate, if requested, that blithe, tall girl. "I am truly heartbroken not to have seized that throne -- or that token -- for being so very, utterly close, but I'll make do another time. The gods clearly do not want me being a wicked man in bright shades. Which is good because I doubt that one can afford tarnished seasilk. Wrapping myself in a kind of foil or Silas' cast off armour might be less difficult." Her mouth tips up at the corners in a brighter grin. She gives a smattering of applause for their achievements and, if nothing else, the orangerie. "To be surrounded by such sweet-smelling flowers is a blessing. That they're useful, even the better. As to I? Far less exciting, I fear. Trying to educate myself on a few matters, until I can find some way to make myself useful: the Eurusi kingdoms, the best wines, an elusive historical figure or two. Failing to win gala tokens. Otherwise, troubling various poor souls."

Sabella pauses with her fork halfway to her mouth when Kalani mentions the clock tower, "Have you talked to Prince Laric about it? I've heard...well, I've heard very strange things about the clock tower. Prince Niklas, Scholar Oswyn and I were once going to go inside of it, but thought better of it. It's a strange thing, isn't it? I'm told that the Crown had it built. I don't think you ought to get in trouble with anyone for doing so if you make it clear you're not intending to harm it." When Olivia mentions the orangery she gets a bright smile, "That party was lovely! I may steal Whisper Saedrus' idea of that card game to ice break at other gatherings. And thank you for your compliments on the performance. I must admit to being a little nervous about what Prince Tyrval might think. I've done a lot of research to try to get her mannerisms just right. As for the Lodge..." She pauses again, "I feel like I know a little bit about a great many things, but not enough of anything to actually be useful. I know there are a great many people that have sworn to defend it. And I know that it would be a great disaster for us if it should fall. But beyond that I'm not certain what might stop the creatures that are advancing towards us." When Niklas takes his turn and mentions some of her accomplishments as well her cheeks flush a bit, "I've never written a song before so I'm not sure you should build it up quite that much." She cautions modestly. "You and the Nightingale are much better at the song writing and that musical is going to be amazing! And there's one more Gala token out there," she tells Delilah, "I think Lady Orelia has it. So haunt her if you can find her."

Olivia has to admit, "I am a little dissapointed Pena's was gone before I'd even heard of the event in the first place. That's probably the only one that holds interest for me. But I suppose it's all just for fun at some party." Which perhaps holds less interest for lady green thumb. With talk turning back to the lodge, she frets a little with her hands, clasping and unclasping them. "Yes, I suppose there are many things going on and I barely have a notion of all of them. Only very small parts. I have been doing some work that... might prove useful? But it is hard to say. It seems our enemies are unpredictable, always with some new kind of menace when you've prepared for the old ones." Toward Delilah, she remarks, "I have been hoping to find a group to do more research with, so perhaps it is something we could speak with. I have projects I'd like to research, but I wouldn't mind helping others with theirs, if I could find a consistent bunch of people to work with. It's very hard getting anything done otherwise."

"I'll put you on the list," Kalani promises to Delilah with a grin. "Kaldur and I have been talking about it for a while now so we've sort of made a bit of a.. following over it. Mostly just people who want to be on hand while we make the climb and, hopefully, a safe descent. That doesn't end in a splat on the pavement," she reaches for her glass of wine and shakes her head slightly at Sabella. "Not as of yet, no. Mostly I've been doing math and walking the area around it, determining which side would be the best for the ascent, depending on time of day and corresponding weather. No sense trying to make the climb in a screaming gale and sleeting rain. Prince Laric, you say? Do you suppose he'd be willing to talk to me? Well, us, that is? Probably me," a mild eye roll of humor. "Ooh, you were at the Masquerade as well? You two won!" her eyes spark as she finally puts faces to the costumes. "You two are wonderful dancers."

"Prince Laric is a fantastically busy man, but responds to messages eventually, so that may be your best bet." Niklas finishes off his plate, having done right by Petrichor and devoured four different types of animal in one go. "And thank you. Sabella designed our amazing costumes, though Mistress Petal brought them to life. I keep telling Sabella that she should be one of those mystery designers Mistresses Petal and Mirari are always advertising, but I think she needs more convincing." Niklas glances toward Sabella with a smile. To Olivia he says, "Well, if anyone deserves a minute in Pena's throne..." He trails off for a moment, then shrugs. "Well, stop by during the gala. I won't tell anyone if you won't." Delilah gets a narrowed eyed look. "We should speak with Mason about Eurus. He owes me a few more answers anyway."

"Should you wish to help with investigations, I can offer you a plethora of them." Olivia receives that broad-beamed smile, the way it ignites a certain mischievous flame in those vast summer-sky eyes and the illumination takes over Delilah's visage. She sets her fork edge on into the cake, and scoops away a morsel to eat. The clock tower is too much a simmering temptation, and that she almost vibrates in curiosity takes no effort whatsoever to distinguish from the surrounding distractions in their abundance. "You also leave me to regret I could not make that party. I can offer insights to various scholars, depending on your interest and where you wish to contribute. There is endless work to be done." The sigh almost ought to have her swooning out of that chair in a sidelong heap. Kalani does not help this, the appreciative laugh out of her. "I assure you that the Master of Questions may live up to his title. Should he not, I will owe you a glass of wine." She raises her port thus. "To dancers, to the flowers and the woods, and to very, very good ascents of clocktowers. As for me," she nods to Niklas, "I sent him a message. He is heavily wrapped up in personal matters, the children and such. You corner him, I'll wander by by accident, holding Sabella's newest dress you ordered that I absolutely never told her about in earshot." Innocence is a halo. She's a demon by that measure.

Sabella smiles at Kalani, "Thank you. We did have fun dancing, though we paid for it in soreness the next day. That was a long competition!" She turns to Olivia then, picking up a cupcake and unwrapping it delicately, "If you should ever need help researching something let me know. Elizabetta and Lily both are rather good at scouring the archives--I give them enough practice since I'm not very good with books. But if you should ever need to talk to someone for more information on something, I can certainly help with that! If you haven't noticed, I love talking." She reaches out to take one of Niklas' hand, giving him a very fond smile, "If I didn't know any better I'd think you were my patron, what with singing my praises all night. I adore you, you know." When Delilah makes her toast she raises her own glass, "And good family and friends!" She adds.

Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting have been dismissed.

Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting have been dismissed.

2 Grayson House Guards have been dismissed.

Clark, an exasperated guard have been dismissed.