The workers are dismissed for the day, so the college is, for once, silent. Or mostly silent. Gianna stands by the huge, dark-stained grand table, opening up a box of cupcakes from The Bakery. There's a glass of Oathlands maple whiskey on the table nearby.

The liquor cabinet and tea cart have been moved from the office out into the main hall, and everything is ready for people to start partaking.

Niklas gets a delicious golden cupcake from a tiered delivery box from The Bakery.

Golden, an Oakhaven bloodhound, Gunther, a Rottweiler, Micana, 1 Saik Guard arrive, following Lucita.

Talwyn gets a delicious golden cupcake from a tiered delivery box from The Bakery.

Harpcase across one shoulder, the Crownsworn minstrel Ezekiel finds his way into the space, offering a bow of his head to everyone, as the clearly lowest member of the social strata. "Good evening," he offers, pleasantly, his head bowing slightly.

Confessor Imori, Confessor Warren, 5 Armed Confessors arrive, following Tikva.

Sabella gets a delicious golden cupcake from a tiered delivery box from The Bakery.

Amari strolls in after she's sorted her small retinue of guards out, mostly. Either her life is especially feared for, or there's been some confusion. She probably doesn't need Tyde guards and Keaton huntsmen following her around, and she seems to be telling them as much. Neither the pair in green cloaks or the trio with the axes seem willing to abandon their charge, so they all get a /look/ before she leaves them posted outside, mildly exasperated. "I seriously doubt I'm going to be viciously-" She's still saying, though she stills her tongue mid sentence and has a look around. She slowly lifts her hand to the assembled, offering, "Hello. I'm Lady Amari Keaton, if we've not met."

Silence is a strange thing to find within the college. Always someone hammering away on a lucimer or a new lute or an old, stuck peg on a recalciltrant instrument. Having abandoned the task of dealing with his own lute, no doubt, Talwyn ventures out now. His handsome coat is worn open, his easy movements hardly suggestive he's been up to work for most of the day. Lots of work, at that. His first stop is a box of cupcakes, because it is essential for the ongoing welfare of the night. He nods to Gianna.

Gianna sets out cupcakes, one by one. Some cupcakes, at least. People are arriving, so she abandons that task and waves her assistant forward to continue in her stead. "Master Ezekiel, so glad you made it. It's been too long. Hullo again, Lady Amari. Welcome. Prince Talwyn, hello to you as well. Please, help yourselves to the cupcakes. They're from The Bakery."

Amari gets a delicious golden cupcake from a tiered delivery box from The Bakery.

Lucita steps into the area, a long glance sweeping round the room and noting every detail. A slow, charming smile grows on her lips and she gives a curtsy as she stpes over toward some of her friends. "Seems music is irresistable to us all."

Lucita gets a delicious golden cupcake from a tiered delivery box from The Bakery.

"You are far too kind," Ezekiel offers with a bow of his head to Gianna, his hands spreading as he offers a deep bow. Lucita and Amari both receive smiles. Talwyn and Sorrel receive slightly deeper bows, the young bard stepping back.

Tikva arrives in a busy flurry of activity, ordering her guards to wait outside and her confessors to do the same, leaving herself with a much more limited retinue as she strides in. Her instrument case is slung over her shoulder, its pale green linen a contrast to the deep, dark crimson of her inquisitorial armor, but she has, at least, made it.

"Baroness," Gianna greets Lucita, one of her faint smiles curving her lips up at the corners. "And Princess. Cupcakes and drinks are here to be enjoyed. If I can pour anyone anything, do let me know. I'm so glad you've all come."

Talwyn raises his hand in greeting to Lucita when she enters. "Baroness-Regent," he salutes her after a fashion. "It should be. Mistress Gianna, we are the richer for your hospitality and Lady Amari, better for your company." He pauses a moment to give Ezekiel a firm, polite nod. "It has been a time. How have your journeys taken you since we met in the Thraxian Ward?" That glimpse of dark crimson armour gives him pause, but Tikva he gives a smile.

Laughter can be heard as Sabella and Niklas enter the building, maybe a little louder than they thought they were being considering there is usually a lot of hammering, "He did not!" she says, hanging on his arm. She gives a bright smile to the room, waving to everyone.

"Gianna Whisper." Amari greets with a smile and with a polite dip of her head to the Nightingale before she claims a cupcake for herself. "Thank you! These are so cute." Which is probably why she admires rather than devours the treat. That and she's too happily chatting away, "Your Highness. Oh, were you both lurking in the Ebb and Flow?" She asks Talwyn and Ezekiel, as if she's suspecting some sort of devious conspiracy. Lucita is then smiled to and with Sabella and Niklas' shared entrance she politely bows her head to the pair in greeting.

"Princess Sabella, Prince Niklas," Gianna greets. "Have some cupcakes! Thank you all for coming here tonight. I'm pleased to see everyone here - not all of us have met each other, after all. Please take some time to get to know each other; you all share similar passions, else you wouldn't be with the College. I am grateful for the participation of each and every one of you in the College. Your work and support have meant the world to us, and the College is rising far faster than I had ever dreamed possible."

Tikva scratches her cheek, her smile sliding a little crooked as she strolls deeper into the room, her bright gaze sweeping the assembled musicians with humoring lingering in the flicker of her glance. "It's good to see everyone," she says. "I know there are some new faces here. I mean, new to me, not new generally. I'm sure you've all always had a face."

"I have been most well," Ezekiel offers with a bow of his head towards Talwyn. "Learning, playing. Going out and about." He flashes an easy smile, head tilted somewhat. Then, glancing to Amari, he says, "We met at the Ebb and Flow Inn, while I was out playing for my keep," he offers, a smile flashed to Tikva.

Lucita says, "Gianna Whisper, good evening. It looks as if you are having a wonderful turnout." She drifts over toward Tikva and pats the carryall she has with her, the side showing the faint imprint of an instrument safely stored within it. Her guards and dogs await her outside the entry. "Was unsure if we were to bring these or not, glad to see am not the only one." Her glance travels from Tikva's to her own insturments."

"Nightingale Gianna," greets Niklas warmly. "I would not say no to a glass of my favorite drink, alcohol, but I think I'd rather just listen to the hardest woman I know just say 'cupcake' over and over again. Honestly, I can't imagine that it will ever get boring." Looking back to Sabella, Niklas gives a shrug. "You know how Luca is. Of course he did! Fortunately I had it cleaned and you'll never even know." Upon seeing Tikva, Niklas gives the princess a wave. "Your highness, I had my special chair moved into the dining room as you suggested. Thank you very much!" He doesn't give her a chance to respond to that, instead turning to Gianna, "Where is your chair? I thought I'd see it here!"

"I definitely have no memory of discussing chairs with you," Tikva says with an eyebrow slanted in Niklas's direction. "But I am sure you're not doing anything inappropriate with your butt. I have complete confidence, really." She hoists her instrument case with a slight crinkle to the bridge of her nose. "Do you leave home without it?" she asks Lucita, lightly. "I so rarely do."

Sorrel is here! She's totally here. She wasn't paying attention to anything prior, but there are cupcakes and that's very important, clearly. Clearly! She moves to mingle among the well-heeled and the less well-heeled musicians of the city. "Well, this is the sort of party that ought to have some spectacular entertainment," she says brightly, making her way over to Tikva's side in a cheerful sort of way.

"Your Highnesses." The Valardinian prince pauses in eating that cupcake, not even a bite in, for introductions. He nods respectfully to the pair, and then tries to negotiate the frosting without getting it on his nose. He is partially successful. That's what napkins are for. "I enjoy getting into all different manner of establishments, Lady Amari." Talwyn's tone is warm, rather than smug. "Staying in the same corner of Sleepless Knights would not net me much in the way of conversation after a time."

"I thought about putting it in the office," Gianna tells Niklas, shoulders rising and falling in a vague shrug. "But it doesn't tuck up against the desk well and the whole point of the desk is to be functional." She picks up her glass of maple whiskey again and adds, "Prince Niklas has agreed to be one of the College's Voices. He's steered several people toward hiring the College, and for that I am very grateful. As a Voice, he is of course able to speak with my own authority and deal with cases of membership." She inclines her head toward Ezekiel. "I'm also pleased to announce that the College is going to give stipends to our members who perform for a living; those bards among you will have your first payment at the end of the week. If, for any reason, you do not wish to have that stipend, please let me know and the money will return to the College's coffers to fund projects."

"Just as I thought." Amari confirms, having guessed correctly about Talwyn and Ezekiel's place of meeting. "The sailors in there do appreciate a good song, I've found. That also is very true, Prince Talwyn. As much as I do love the Sleepless Knights." Curiosity gets the better of her, seeing instrument cases, so she asks Lucita and Tikva, after bowing her head respectfully to Sorrel who's just arrived, "Which instruments do you favor?" Then poses the same to the two she's closest to, with a look and raised brow, rather than a repeat of the actual question. She's not brought an instrument herself.

As Sabella and Niklas enter, Ezekiel bows towards the two. And then to Tikva. There's a brief glance at the sheer number of heavily-titled people present and he moves to stand mostly out of the way, the case of his lapharp still slung across his shoulder. He smiles faintly, his head tilting towards Gianna. "Thank you," he says, politely, to the Whisper.

Cupcakes! Sabella heads right for them since she's visibly pregnant now (though not too huge yet), "Did these come from the Bakery?" she asks excitedly as she unwraps one, then nearly chokes on it, looking over to Gianna, "You made Niklas--" she stops and elbows her husband, "You didn't tell me! Why haven't I seen a lot of Niklas Kennex quotes scrawled across all proclamations?"

"Oh my goodness, please don't entertain the idea of giving me a stipend," Tikva exclaims. "Keep your money, gracious." She waves a hand airily. "Anything I do for the College is freely given, of course."

"Because I came to the conclusion that if I made too many comments on proclamations in the College's name I'd eventually find broken glass in my official cupcakes." Niklas eyes his cupcake dubiously, then shrugs and takes a bite. Everyone gets a nod. Well, mostly. And though she's not addressing him, Niklas can't but interject in response to Amari's question, "My favorite instrument is-" Then he stops and for just a moment looks very confused. Finally, uncertainly, he says, "A lute? No. Shit. That's..." He shakes his head and goes back to eating his cupcake.

Lucita says, "Guilty, my friend, quite guilty. I have one instrument or the other with me almost each time I leave home." She gives Sorrel a smile as she joins Tikva and she. "We meet again today! I thought perhaps we would see each other here." She has one of the cupcakes in hand but has been too busy talking with others so far to have started nibbling on it. Her gaze slips over toward each of the others as they speak in turn. "Depends on my mood, I think. I play several but find the easiest to carry around with me are my lute or vielle.""

Gianna does not deny Niklas' statement. She watches him take a big bite of his cupcake for a few seconds. Hopefully glass-free. "They are from the Bakery, yes," she confirms for Sabella. "As for myself, I consider my voice my true instrument, but I also often play a gittern and sometimes a lyre. The gittern is the most likely. I'm still working with the citole." Which is in one of the display cases.

"Today I don't even have a sword with me!" Sorrel declares, patting her dress like she might find something in her pockets. A surprise instrument or blade or something. "It's like I'm naked even though I'm wearing clothes. And I am wearing clothes. This is the dress I didn't wear to the Gala because I had on a Platinum costume instead. It came with a crown and everything."

"Stringed instruments are what I grew up on, personally, but I think I'd have to say I'm primarily a vocalist these days," Tikva says with a wry, crooked smile. She runs her hand back through the fluff of her hair, and asides to Sorrel, "That is a glorious outfit, Sorrel! I didn't-- change after work." She gestures vaguely at the chestpiece of her armor. "So, any fashion disaster I present may be addressed to Laric. It's all his fault. I mean, he had nothing to do with the design, but it's all his fault."

Offering Gianna a smile, the Crownsworn minstrel offers a few whispered words. Then, with a polite tilt of his head, he moves to depart.

Amari grins at Niklas' answer and steps clear of the cupcakes finally so Sabella can get a choice one without going over her. The other answers have her slowly, thoughtfully nod, probably keeping a mental tally. "So many lutes, and stringed instruments paired with voice. Does anyone play the drums, or horns?" She wonders, more curious than anything, if her tone is anything to go by. Gianna's announcement is digested and any stipend idea warded off with a lift of her hands. "I'm sure you don't intend to give me a stipend, Gianna, but if by some accident I'm on the roll please take me off and reinvest in the College. Definitely."

Gianna's brow furrows slightly at something Ezekiel says; she opens her mouth to say something back, but he's leaving quickly. The Whisper sighs, shoulders falling slightly. "The stipend is intended for those whose primary source of income is their music - like him." She reaches up to smooth her hair away from her brow. "Can I interest anyone in a drink?"

Sabella shakes her head at Amari, "I sing but don't actually play any instruments. I focused on recitation and dancing instead. And oh, do you have anything sparkling?" she asks as she unwraps her third cupcake.

Something irksome to be found in messengers, and messages, arriving at inopportuine moments. One such is now. Talwyn barely manages to extricate himself from a constant sea of small letters and details, finally sketching down a lot of words. They go back and forth and back again. No one can appreciate a cupcake so much as that. He tells the dusky Lycene woman, "No more. Anything else can wait back." Pantheon save him. He waves a hand and slips back into company. "One needn't change. The armour you wear," he says to Tikva, "is striking enough."

There's late and then there's Kennex brother late, and Porter is the latter as he enters the main hall of the Bard's College. Then freezes a little when it's full of people. Revelry. Booze. Cupcakes.

"We should dance later when we talk someone into singing," Sorrel says to Sabella with a broad grin, hands on her hips. She winks at Tikva. "I feel glorious. And you're allowed to come as you are. Certainly, I think we do our best singing in armor."

Niklas recovers from his momentary spell of confusion, looking to Gianna and saying, "Uh, I'll take whatever. Something alcoholic." He takes a deep breath and glances sidelong at Sabella, "I should teach you the lap harp. I taught Elara and it only took a couple of months. And she was a bad student anyway. Big head." Niklas points to his head and emulates it listing to the side. "She couldn't keep it up for long enough to learn all the notes in one lesson."

Tikva has strangely not gone for any of the cupcakes, but she has dropped herself into a seat and stretched out her legs, angling herself into a lounging drape upon the seat. Her teeth flash in a grin and she says, "Thanks, I think. We do try to look the part." She rubs her thumb along the curve of one eyebrow and adds to Sorrel, "It sure would be a lot dumber /without/ the armor, hah. A drink seems like a good idea," she adds, almost musingly. A drink? What a good theory that seems to be.

Gianna sets her own drink aside for the moment and heads for the liquor cabinet, selecing various bottles. She names some vintages and begins pouring for the guests. Gianna inclines her head to Porter as he walks in, one brow arching for just a moment. "I'm hoping to hold a concert for the grand opening, which is coming sooner rather than later. We're finally beginning to see the end of construction, and there will be a final push soon. But to just play together informally? That would be lovely."

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.

The biggest Kennex smiles at Gianna and gives a meaningful nod to his cousin, Niklas, moving in the general direction of those lofty movers and shakers: the bards of Bard's College. "It looks like I'm just in time for..." Porter fishes, clearly not actually on time for anything and also just as happy to see everyone. He knows almost everyone, actually, if you discount the attendants and retainers.

"You do have a wonderful voice." Amari smiles to Sabella, before smiling even more at Sorrel's suggestion, "You two should dance. There's just a decided lack of dancing in Arx. It's a shame, I think. There's some agile people here, but they dedicate all their fancy footwork to wailing on each other with sharp pieces of metal." Sigh. When Porter arrives, she lifts her hand in greeting. "Cupcakes?" She gestures to the spread of treats that Gianna and her assistant have set out.

Porter gets a delicious golden cupcake from a tiered delivery box from The Bakery.

Lucita says, "My sister in law, Countess Arcelia Navegant, is a talented dancer if you are seeking dancers, and Nisaa Whisper is mesmerizing when she dances."

"Speaking of plays together, I believe Nightingale Gianna and I are coming up on the end of our first draft for the musical adaption of my play The Good Duke of Gemecitta. I am hoping that within a month or so of the grand opening we should be able to put on the first play the Bard's College has seen, and my, if I do say so myself, and I /do/ say so myself, highly anticipated followup to The Playwrights." Niklas walks over and pours himself a glass of something whiskey-y. "So there's that, as well."

Georgette arrives, delivering a message to Niklas before departing.

"There is a criminal lack of dancing in Arx. And judging of bad dancers. Unless that were to be the actual event--oh, cupcakes," Porter says, looking through the box to find just the right one while continuing to talk. "I never particularly liked talent shows, but if you held an event where the point was to show off one's own talent--" Porter takes a thoughtful look at the cupcake, but keeps talking instead. "Then you could use their performance as a way to headhunt. Do they do that? Talent shows, I mean."

Gianna pours a few more drinks and delivers them to the others, Whisper-efficient. "I hadn't given much thought to dancers, to be honest. But then, I hadn't anticipated actors and plays, so..." Her lips curve up slightly at the corners. "I suppose we'll have to see. Master Wild mentioned something about a possible talent show, actually. I'm not sure where he is with those plans, but he's interested in doing something with the College. We do have another engagement coming up - there's Duke Cristoph's ball, though I still have to meet with him to discuss what he'd like."

"Why, Lady Amari, my swordwork has been criticized for being too predictable, because I dance with my sword when I ought to be more unpredictable about my motions," Sorrel admits in a jovial sort of way, miming a sword for a moment with a cupcake instead. No one gets the frosting'ed end, though.

Zephirine leaves, following Talwyn.

Lucita says, "Sometimes a dancer seeks musicians and singers to give them the music to which they can indulge in their lovely footwork."

Lucita glances toward Tikva and Sorel as she adds. "Caesar Whisper and I used to play for Nisaa to dance sometimes."

Gianna inclines her head to Lucita. "That's a very good point," she says. "Dances. I'll have to think some more on that. Perhaps we could hold them in public venues - not necessarily ballrooms. Accessible events."

Porter finds a companionable place to sit down after... helping himself to a delicious helping of imported mango vodka. "Formal dances or talent shows? I suspect the latter is a good way to find talented protoges."

"I'm planning an outdoor dance at my next party, to go with the roast boar and the summer bonfire," Tikva volunteers as she takes a sip from her glass. "I suppose it will have to be at least a little formal as dances go since it will be a Grayson-sponsored affair. In terms of actual dance /performances/, though, as opposed to opportunities for courtly people to dance with each other, I can't recall the last one I saw."

Amari frowns thoughtfully at Sorrel, mirroring her sword mime with her own cupcake. Her slash is far less practiced. "Truly, Princess Sorrel? I suppose that makes sense. I thought swordwork was very practiced and formalized. Attack, counter, repeat." This from a lady that doesn't look like she knows which way to point a sword exactly, so at least she sounds suitably uncertain about it all. "And that's very true, the Whispers undoubtedly are without peer in the art of dance." With the talk of various opportunities she brightens, "So, a new play by Prince Niklas, Duke Laurent's fancy ball, and a potential talent show... and a dance, possibly. Does anyone have their hearts set on performing in any or all of those?"

Gianna arches an eyebrow and says, "There are the Whispers as well. Softest Bliss sent her regrets she couldn't make it tonight, but perhaps I should speak with her about dancers and dances." To Amari, she says, "I intend to either perform at or be involved with them all. Has anything caught your interest?"

Sunrise, lilac breasted roller arrives, delivering a message to Amari before departing.

Lucita quietly mingles with the others then says. "Unfortunately I can not stay too long this evening. I have a few duties needing to be done back home. It has been quite nice though, getting to see everyone."

"I look forward to hosting tryouts. With singing and dancing being as important as acting, we should see quite a talented turnout. And it does seem like far more people in Arx are interested in singing than they are in acting, so that might not be a bad thing for our numbers." Niklas offers Sorrel a nod as she leaves, though for just a moment, as she goes, his expression is flat. Then he has a slurp of his drink and turns back to the others, smiley as usual. "For those interested in pure acting or stagecraft, though, Sabella and I will be picking up our free children's plays in the lowers as we head into summer."

"Well, it's not as though anyone would have to compete directly with the whispers... and quite seriously, it would be a pretty gawdy display if they were competing against talented amateurs and aspiring professionals. I may not be a paragon of etiquette, but would they really be so bold as to do that? I have to believe they wouldn't," Porter demurs around his mango liqueur.

Golden, an Oakhaven bloodhound, Gunther, a Rottweiler, Micana, 1 Saik Guard leave, following Lucita.

"I didn't mean to imply the Whispers would have anything to do with a talent show," Gianna tells Porter. She inclines her head to Lucita, stating, "Thank you for stopping by." Another faint curve of her lips. She has a sip of maple whiskey and nods to Niklas. "Princess Sabella came by earlier to pitch the idea to me. I agreed."

"I'm happy to help with anything," Amari replies to Gianna, with a quiet disclaimer, "but I'm not very skilled at any sort of performance yet. I'm still finding my feet. I'm sure Duke Laurent would enjoy me singing off key or tripping over myself in an attempt at dance though. I just wouldn't want to embarrass you and the College in general." She seems to like the idea that Niklas mentions as well, "That'll be so fun and instructive. Children are so honest about what they like, and don't."

Porter smiles happily, "I didn't think you had. I was just voicing my support for them." Porter seems keen to listen to the actual artists talk, though.

"Perhaps the performances for the children, then, yes," Gianna tells Amari. The drinks are poured, and there are still cupcakes to be had. Gianna carefully selects one with a big, ripe berry. "I have my sights set on opening, mostly. We'll certainly be busy in the days to come. Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight."

4 Thrax Guards arrives, following Fatima.

"We did an excellent series of plays last year. My favorite was Buttercup the Bear, where Sabella dressed up as a bear and the kids all screamd at her." Niklas pauses, then adds, "We did get some complaints about that one. Some parents felt that a kids' play shouldn't have so much blood. But gods did the kids love it." Niklas tilts his head toward Gianna. "I understand the Mummers will be putting on the Mean Old Bear as a fable this year, so I think we'll avoid a repeat. Hopefully they do the song justice. Kids love it when you start singing about the different people who get eaten." He rolls his eyes as he sings, "And the first one she ate was the MAGISTRATE!" Then laughs. "Fuck, I love that dumb song. Renny and I used to sing it to Elara, because she haaaated it and we were kind of assholes."

There is alcohol, and tea, and cupcakes, even. The main hall of the College isn't quite finished yet, but there are a number of musically-inclined folks and their supporters in attendance at the moment. There's a collection of guard types outside the main entrance, which might draw some attention.

Arriving at the end of an event pushes the boundaries of 'fashionably late,' but Fatima doesn't seem concerned, particularly where there's booze and cupcakes still to be snatched up. And less competition now that the crowds have thinned. "So this is the place," she murmurs as she enters, having heard about the college but not yet visited. Then she looks over to Niklas with a laugh. "She seems fond of dressing up," is noted of Sabella's former exploit. "A whole song about people being eaten by bears? It does seem the sort of thing children would enjoy. Maybe Victus, too." Har har.

"They did seem to love that one at the rock painting. You had a cute little parade going, Your Highness, or was that when they were piling atop Goodwoman Rowenova?" Amari smiles at the mention of the Mean Old Bear song either way, even if she starts with the magistrates. She nods to Gianna as well, "Thank you for hosting this, it's been nice to hear of all the plans and everything. Oh, cupcakes!" Can't forget about those. With Fatima's entrance, she turns to the woman from where she's lingering near the treat table and bows her head politely.

Niklas is overheard praising Gianna: Look at that smile!

One of Tikva's confessors comes over to proffer her a message with a slightly worried expression on his face. "A goat brought me this," he says.
"Oh, dear, I think I know what that's about," Tikva says. She straightens up, knocks back the rest of her drink, and stands. "I think I have to skip out. Sorry, Whisper Gianna."

"Thank you for coming, Princess," Gianna tells Tikva, blinking twice about the goat bit. She's not eavesdropping. Really. She seems slightly surprised by the appearance of Fatima, but she greets her nonetheless. "Princess, hello. We've just finished a little meeting. You're welcome to a cupcake and a drink, if you like."