Merril, an Assistant Page arrives, following Lailah.

Giuseppe Gallo of Lenosia, Thorne of Farhaven arrive, following Luca.

1 Grayson House Guards arrives, following Liara.

Alaric isn't -technically- the host, but as the local Highlord and general Grayson #1 he is posted near the entrance to give his quite convivial greeting to everyone as they arrive (presuming they meet a certain minimum standard of punctuality).

It's Grayson Family Dinner, and it's probably laziness more than anything that's motivated Prince Luca to tell the chefs to cook the usual. It's a shame, the usual is pretty good, but people only ever eat the cupcakes. It's a wonder any Grayson is still alive, really. The true mark of it being a thing hosted by Luca (as commanded, with great fury, by Sabella), is that he isn't here y-.. Oh, there he is, just coming through the door now! "King Al! You're early! Who let you in!", he says, offering the man a stern handshake. Or, the option for one, before passing in to.. wonder at what to do next.

Oh, is Alaric #1? Nobody told Lumen. With a demure lack of expediency, she sweeps off her lioness-clasp cloak to hand off to an attendant. Bending at the knee, the whisper offers Alaric a slow vertical dip in lieu of a bow. "On the contrary, your Highness," Lumen offers in a cool, melodious tone of voice as she passes Luca by. "The King is always the one precisely on time." There is more movement to her as she walks. The stress-product of serving as Radiant whilst Bliss is your Softest, no doubt.

3 Armed Confessors, Confessor Jayson, 1 Grayson House Guards, Confessor Wick, Confessor John, Confessor Burne arrive, following Gareth.

Alaric shakes Luca's hand jauntily. "I bribed the guards," he quips confidentially. "Don't tell the Highlord." He smiles regally to Lumen. "Radiant Lumen, always a pleasure. Thank you for coming to dinner today. I do hope it will prove a little of respite from recent concerns."

Maxene, Pellinor, 4 Thrax Guards, Honey Snuggle, a Velenosian Angora cat arrive, following Alarissa.

Liara shows up not too long after Luca, and she greets Alaric with an easy smile, a light sketch of a curtsey, and nothing a whole lot more formal, the earlier exchange prompting her to wonder, "If you're always precisely on time, what becomes of us all if you step out, then in, then off out again? Hello, hello." Then she makes to carry on in, angling towards the central table.

Lailah comes in pretty much close to punctual, she reaches out to shake Alaric's hand when coming in, "Your majesty." she greets, and then turns towards Luca, "I heard you were hosting today. I know it's been a long time since I've attended one of these, but I hope you have room for me."

The free meal beloved by vassals and princes alike warrants some effort to appear, which means Delilah is very much in evidence, if a bit early. Her consultation with one of the docents in the library is wholly responsible for that, doubly so when she hands over a book and sees the poor fellow on his way. Contribution made, better than some might allow, she traverses a short trek through the corridor to the dining room. "Your Majesty!" she announces a greeting for Alaric, followed up by the sunniest of blithe smiles. "Assembled highnesses, Radiant, lords, ladies, me." Insouciance will carry a girl everywhere, a flute of liquor to do the rest. She dips at the knee and commits to the whirlwind, closing in on Luca. "Beautifully done, Prince Luca. Lady Lailah, if there is room for me, then you are welcome."

Takes some time to haul herself from Thrax's ward but Alarissa does, murmuring to Pellinor as she enters, last minute instructions to her champion before stepping in properly. the perfect-ish picture of... well Alarissa. which means no hair out of place, Aeterna and no waddle but a graceful sway as she pauses in the hopes of seeing her sister. No sister. But there are others so she carries on.

"I think that would make us all too early," Lumen suggests after Liara's statement, punctuating her own with a sweet crinkling of her nose. Her smile is subdued, extending past the princess and to her cousin as the Bisland woman enters and Delilah in turn. "Recent concerns?" Lumen echoes Alaric, feigning innocent ignorance, "I've no idea what you mean." Unrelated, she reaches for a bit of fingerfood passing by on a tray.

There's those cupcakes, and Luca picks up one of them first. Maybe it's just him who eats them all. "Well, Sabella always has those games and the like, but I don't have any. But, my favorite game is drinking, if you play it.", and as if to arm himself for such a thing, he finds a glass of wine. He's just finished killing it when Lailah comes in, and he waves her along. He hasn't even sat down yet. "Sure, there's room for.. well.. there's room for anyone who wanders in, I bet..". The southern man's reaching for a second glass of wine even as Delilah closes in on him. There's a smile for her, "Oh, thank you. I did everything. Completely on purpose.". He nods, all's well there.

The sound of walnut stabbing against the hardflooring is the telltale announcement of the red-clad Grayson Inquisitor as usual. The horribly scarred man hobbles into the dining room and slowly limps, each step assisted by his cane. Eventually arriving at his seat the man slowly goes to lower himself into his seat, dropping the last few inches with a light release of a gasped out grunt.

Alaric gets a glance beneath his lids, flesh where brow should be scrunches together what may be an arch. Finally there is a little tip of his chin. "Cousin." Gareth greets going to slowly lean his griffin headed cane against the table with a light clack. There is a glance then over to Luca, staring that way for a few moments before another subtle nod is given. Then finally Gareth looks at the newest arrival of Alarissa. The scarred Inquisitor remains silent before finally looking to get himself a glass poured.

Alaric is by the door, greeting everyone as they come in. "Cousin Liara, hello there. I'd like to think I possess the royal restraint not to cause mass confusion by dictating changes in the timeline of history like that," he observes wryly to Liara." He smiles to Lailah. "Lady Lailah, good to see you again." His return smile for Delilah is equally sunny. "Lady Delilah, always a pleasure." His smile brightens. "Well, if it isn't Cousin Alarissa! Welcome, welcome. Been far too long since you've been by," he enthuses, gesturing to a servant to pull out a chair for her. She's pregnant! And then there's Gareth, who gets a companionable pat on the shoulder in passing. "Cousin Gareth, good to see you." Having done the major greetings, he himself goes to his seat (at the front of the table, naturally). "It's excellent to see you all here today. I'm looking forward to a wonderful family dinner. Thank you for organizing it this month, Luca."

Alaric is by the door, greeting everyone as they come in. "Cousin Liara, hello there. I'd like to think I possess the royal restraint not to cause mass confusion by dictating changes in the timeline of history like that," he observes wryly to Liara. He smiles to Lailah. "Lady Lailah, good to see you again." His return smile for Delilah is equally sunny. "Lady Delilah, always a pleasure." His smile brightens. "Well, if it isn't Cousin Alarissa! Welcome, welcome. Been far too long since you've been by," he enthuses, gesturing to a servant to pull out a chair for her. She's pregnant! And then there's Gareth, who gets a companionable pat on the shoulder in passing. "Cousin Gareth, good to see you." Having done the major greetings, he himself goes to his seat (at the front of the table, naturally). "It's excellent to see you all here today. I'm looking forward to a wonderful family dinner. Thank you for organizing it this month, Luca."

"As long as you remember to let us know when to start eating, I cannot imagine anything will go dreadfully wrong," Liara suggests to Luca, hovering near the table, then turns and slips into a seat two places up from the one she'd been at, much to the momentary consternation of a lingering, chair-pushing servant. Then she snags up an offered glass of red wine and settles herself in with it.

"One needs a break from all the banging and hammering and dust" Alarissa states to Alaric with a respectfully deep dip of her head then kiss to either cheek. "So I have fled home for a few hours to be surrounded by family. Luca, drinking games are fine. There should be only one Sabella." Delilah gets a finger wriggle to her protege and Gareth? A kiss to either of his cheeks as well."Even you Gareth, I enjoy seeing" and it's off to a chair to lever herself down in.

Alarissa has joined the Dining Table.

"Of course you did, darling. No one would have accomplished such heights with the panache and fanfare you have. One of the great assets to the House, after all." That quip to Luca dances from the soprano voice of Delilah, and she dares to pause for a moment to assess the ongoing parade of folk while nudging the Fox Prince with her elbow. "Princess Alarissa," alights upon the copper-haired Whitehawk's lips, and she rotates to that particular vvision of aeterna and impending motherhood. Delilah veers with ease through a crowd, lifting her glass to her lips as she passes Lumen. A warm smile there, given in kind. Cupcakes will be snagged later, after the whole mystery of social rounds is conducted.

"It's no problem, really. From the moment Sabella cornered me with that knife, I knew it was my duty to see the dinner ran.. tonight.", Prince Luca notes, with the proper solemnity of a man who is just honoring his duties. Then he stuffs some cupcake into his mouth. Just the top, though. None of that creamless bottom stuff. After a thoughtful chew, he announces to everyone, "Okay. Let's do this thing. I remember this one. Someone please tell Sabella I played this game for her.", and then he says, "I've done nothing of importance this week. At least, nothing any of you want to hear about.". A quick glance around the table, and he's picking Lailah, "You! What have you done lately that you want to brag about." A grin's given to Alarissa, "There's only enough Arx for one Sabella at a time! I'm glad you came, though.". After, as an aside to Delilah, he says, "Is that who that is? /The/ Princess Alarissa?!". Cheekily. Then he's back to drinking.

Niceties adept that she is, and certainly not below showing kindness and servitude towards a Princess-Consort, Lumen moves to assist the pregnant Alarissa by pulling out her chair. Grayson attendants must be getting lax for none was in sight. Must be Luca's fault! "Looking very lovely this evening, your Grace," the whisper offers with a submissive dip before swaying to claim a similar perch for herself. She teases Luca from the distance, "If you please, do not address my incredibly intelligent cousin as 'You!'"

"New construction at the Maw, hmm? Sounds exciting," Alaric observes sociably to Alarissa before giving Luca and Delilah's interactions a sunny grin. He turns that grin towards Lumen. "I'm glad to hear all is well," he quips before settling back to take a sip of his wine and observe the banter going around. "Scholar 'You', at the very least," he suggests dryly.

Gareth checked composure at difficulty 10, rolling 16 higher.

Liara has joined the Dining Table.

"I am forbidden from touching the Maw. The shackles is geting a much needed renovation but going through it brings me no end of disgruntlement. It is almost done. Just tge ceiling and then furniture can be unwrapped." Lumen, she knows the Whisper by assosciation and as the seat is pulled out there is a soft thank you to the Radient. "I hope you are finding a moment of peace in the turmoil dear Whisper" Sincerely offered.

Lailah was about to move on from the entrance when Luca calls her out, and she smiles faintly. "I've once more survived the ardeous journey from Pridehall." Tone, deadpan. And then she hurries on to get a seat and disentangle herself from the crowd that's beginning to form around the king and host.

Lailah has joined the Dining Table.

With Alarissa and Lumen being across the table from where she's parked herself, Liara lifts her hand not taken up with wine to give a flutter of a wave, then seeing Lailah draw nearer too, she glances up and gives a quick smile, remarking, "That is a splendid dress, Lady Lailah."

"Shockingly, they have cognomen and given names. I wonder what much of the world uses, but alas, had I time to research that I would never sleep." As if Delilah sleeps at all. She ventures a little nearer to the dining room table, the better to offer Alarissa and Liara a smile. The glass of wine put down, the swirling darkness of a red that almost borders on garnet black, and she settles with a ready grace upon a seat. "You get to select the next victim, Lady Lailah," she offers sotto voce, the better not to attract overly much attention.

"Alarissa." Gareth returns in an even choice, getting a kiss both on his unmarred and his mangled side. There is a inclination given to her with his chin. "Always an event when you arrive." The Inquisitor murmurs, looking over to Luca. The man takes a small sip of his glass. It is set back down as the Inquisitor leans back in his seat and slowly looks over to 'You'. Watching her blankly the scarred Inquisitor gives a slow nod. "Welcome to the city then..." A glance to Lumen and a light frown. "Your lovely cousins name?" When Delilah says it there's a light 'ah'. "Welcome to the City, Lady Lailah." Then back to drinking.

"I wouldn't let Sabella hear you referring to the next participant in the dinner game as the 'victim'," Alaric observes merrily to Delilah before nodding to Alarissa. "Well, I do hope it's finished before the snows come. Sounds as if you're well on schedule, though. Speaking of schedules, though, when can we expect to meet Astrid and Danse's new sibling?"

"Well there we go. She didn't pick a new person, so by ancient law I think that means the game dies.", Luca points out, and he lifts his glass as if to toast that suggestion, even if he's teasing. A brief turn to Liara, so the southern man can tell her, "As far as I'm concerned, anyone can eat whenever. I'd hate to imagine a dinner without it.". He offers her a smile. Then he's looking for something a little stronger than wine.. but he also manages, "I meant to say welcome to the city too, Lady Lailah. I hear the ride here is just harrowing.".

"Oh, we Whispers cut our turmoil with all sorts of other more pleasant, fragrant, and mysterious things," Lumen flaps her hand in a playful faux-dismissive gesture at Alarissa's concern before reaching down to smooth and primp the fall of her skirts. Aesthetics, after all, are very near and dear to her heart. "My apologies, your Higness," she chirps musically, eyes narrowing and widening on Gareth, "Lady Lailah of Pridehall, scholar and daughter of the Regent-Emeritus." She's... delighted that Gareth wants to know someone's name at all. Like, someone who isn't a criminal. This is not something Lumen tries to conceal.

Lailah sighs as she's being asked to pick a new victim, "Very well, and in the spirit of the game I will address the next victim as You." Lailah directs towards Delilah, and she smiles when other people go through the effort to introduce her. "I appreciate your hospitality, I can only hope you will still be so happy for me to be here a few months hence."

"Either just before or just after the new year though Victus is placing bets there is more than one. Given I was this large with Danse at the end, not two thirds through. So place your coin if you wish to wager with him while I groan and pray that there is -just- one" Lailah waves and Alarissa smiles as the whole of the woman's name is trotted out. "Back to the city before winter comes. A wise choice Lady Lailah"

Kaldur ducks into the dining room late, color in his cheeks high having gotten turned around in the manse and seeing what he Might Not Have Ought. Not that the dinner promises to be better, but here he is, marginally resplendent in armor fitting of a Knight sworn to the banners of Grayson. He scanns the table, looking for a place he might drop in without disrupting things overmuch.

"Another variation on the game is called Thief of Fortune, Your Majesty, and one could rightly be construed as unlucky for being put on the spot. Though there we have it, someone is doomed to die like all good dinner games should have. The rest of you will have to solve it," Delilah blithely responds, her wine glass a token accessory while her vivid gaze leaves few corners and personages unnoticed. In the event a secondary hostess role needs to split between Lumen, Liara, herself and other assorted ladies, so be it. Her head tilts slightly to the side as she smiles to Gareth and raises her glass. "Lady Lailah is an asset to the Scholars, for certain." She tucks her hand to her heart. "And this is how you wound me for kindness. Only fair, burden of death upon myself. I may have invented a different blend of wine? I'm not sure yet. The usual array of far too much for my own good, including charting potential adventures around the eastern coastline and northern reaches of Riven lands. All manner of delightful hidden things awaiting to be found. Prince Gareth, regale us with far more interesting stories."

"You don't happen to know what odds Victus is giving for triplets, do you?" Alaric inquires of Alarissa sunnily before smiling to Kaldur upon noting his entrance. "Lord Kaldur, welcome!" he declares affably. So much for the quiet sneaky entrance. He raises his glass appreciatively to Delilah's tale and after taking a sip turns to regard Gareth next.

"Oh," Lumen coos breathily, informing all with another nose-crinkling, "I hear triplets are very much the next fashion."

Delilah has joined the Dining Table.

Of all the things to catch Liara's attention, it's the prospect of Gareth stories, and she peeks quickly over that way, curious, though she perhaps thinks better of bothering him-- no, wait, she asks anyway, "Were you going to tell a story? If not, don't mind me!" Then she flashes Delilah a smile, wondering, "Was a story promised?"

Kaldur says, "Majesty!" Kaldur starts upright, half on his way to seated. It was too much to hope, really. A knight, in platemail, sneaking anywhere. Kaldur ensures his self-appointment to the entirely made up post as Lord Captain Commander of the Sly Greaves. He settles and clears his throat mildly, tucking a napkin (as if food were more deleterious to steel than blood and blades), "Ehm," he glances at Delilah, but murmurs to his neighbor, "Why is someone doomed to die?" his brow furrows amply and he peeks into his glass, sniffs its contents, LOOKS POINTEDLY AT LUCA."

The horrible visage of Gareth lingers on Lumen for a moment before sliding back to Lailah. Then Delilah. Without a touch of emotion the man watches her, "I'm sure she is." Raising his own glass, there is a light waggle of his glass towards Lailah then back to Delilah. He does not sigh. Not audibly. But a sigh can practically be heard, through his eyes. The look which he fixes Delilah with is excrutiatingly long before finally, "My work, as it normally is, is a delicate and sensitive matter which I cannot readily speak of at these dinners unfortunately. Outside of my work." Well. Gareth just lets that sink in, going to take another sip of his glass. A glance over to Liara. "Not tonight, unfortunately no. Though it is unfortunate Sir Corban and his guest could not join us again, don't you think Lady Delilah?" Gareth glances in her general direction before slowly looking over to Lumen. "Lumen Whisper. I'm sure you certainly have plenty to speak on this week. Why don't you go next?"

Delilah leans over mildly whilst awaiting for Kaldur to come within reach, and she murmurs something softly to him.

Zelda, the royal messenger have been dismissed.

13 King's Own Guardsmen have been dismissed.

"Alaric Grayson, you take those words back. Right now. Or I will tattle about the time you kissed me behind the palace" Brows lift, blonde and well kept. Alarissa looks unamused at that. "He got a teacup full of tea thrown at his head for those very words." A hand settling on the curve as if to deflect the very thing from happening. But Gareth is chosen next and while she murmurs at the table.

Lumen lowers her head, keeping her dark eyes trained to Gareth. She achieves a gravely serious expression, allowing the shadow of her hair to lower over her forehead and brow. For dramatic effect, the Radiant willfully project a prolonged silence. "So, you've heard about our influx of Whispers named 'Nightingale,' then?" It's only natural that Gareth would have brought it up. She seems utterly convinced of the seriousness of this issue... until the glimmer of a mischievous little smirk starts for form. "I swear, I went from having no children at all to having about thirteen."

Gareth has joined the Dining Table.

Delilah falls silent as she listens, and the player eats her dinner.

Giuseppe Gallo of Lenosia, Thorne of Farhaven leave, following Luca.

"The boom in our nightingale population does seem to be a serious issue. So fortunate we are to have you at the helm." Gareth states, glancing across the table at Lumen. The gaze is matched and Gareth watches until everything is played out. His glass is picked up and another light sip is taken. "Congratulations on all your births, then, Lumen Whisper. Thirteen is an impressive amount. Careful now, you may make dear Alarissa jealous." Gareth states flatly without even a glimmer of a smile, placing his glass back down on the table. "I believe it's your turn to nominate someone, Whisper."

"Another time," Liara replies, a little belatedly, to Gareth, with a smile, having been distracted by the appearance of a plate of little strips of salmon in front of her. Then Kaldur draws her attention, and she lifts her wineglass in a gesture of greeting. "I don't believe we've met, have we?"

"Oh no, not Thirteen. I already have far more than that. I think... well, there's my two and then... there's the rest of the individuals in the house. Then you add our vassalages? Oh, but they've been relatively very good of late. Very easy. But if you mean -actual- children, then... no. This will be our last for I am... well, this shall be our last. I leave thirteen up to the ArchDuchess and her husband to aim for. More appropriate. Do I look like a grim hall or like my hips were meant for for Thirteen?" Alarissa looks to Lailah and Lumen, dropping her voice to a false whisper. "Do I have hips meant for thirteen children?"

Lumen pouts, "Well, who hasn't gone?" She claps the tips of her fingers into the heel of her hand, leaning sidelong to confide conspiratorially with Alarissa for a moment, "Pay that cousin of yours Prince Gareth no mind. I'm sure you know he's always trying to turn us against eachother." -- "I wasn't paying close enough attention. My lordship?" The whisper looks to Kaldur expectantly, "Have you gone, yet?" Her expression turns to one of sympathy, "Because I believe it's your turn."

Pausing with food halfway to his mouth, Kaldur's eyes slew to Princes Liara. He lowers his fork and shakes his head, "I don't believe so. Lord Kaldur Seliki, Sword of the Pearlspire." He rises to half-bow across the table and look with strict alarm at the question posed: 'do my hips look' and he doesn't listen to anything after that, whites showing a bit as he offers a quick negating shake of his head by way of warning to Lailah and Lumen. Attention returns to him and his eyes widen again. He hasn't quite settled so he stays on his feet, drawing a deep breath, cheeks puffing out as he exhales. "Ehm, I thought myself the target of an assassination attempt." He scans the ceiling, "I've been rallying support for the roads project and have secured support from Gild and several other Houses, including Houses outside the Grayson fealty." He pauses, "I'll be redrafting my petition to Grayson soon, to present to the Voices again. I think Princess Tikva will like this one better. Or believe in it more." He squints, "Oh, we rode out into the holding of Twainfort and burnt out a knot of cultists who were poisoning..." his brow furrows, "...themselves and wildlife. Countess Mia, Count Thesarin, Lady Emily, Sir Enoch." His lips purse, screwed to the side, eyes narrowed. He shakes his head, "That's all that's leaping to mind." He settles himself seated again and passes the conversational baton, "What's this about nightingales? Is there more than one? I've met Calandra Whisper. She's a nightingale, aye?"

Alarissa laighs at both Lumen and then Kaldur with his panicked caution. "I asked that as a jest Lord Seliki. I promise that it was not a trap. I expect no answer save what was so diplomatically given by the radiant"

"Liara Grayson." The princess introduces herself with a ready smile for Kaldur then goes on to observe, mildly, "It can't have been a terribly good assassination attempt. Did you suggest that their standards are lacking?" She makes her way steadily through food as it comes to the table, or wine when the food goes - her appetite's certainly not lacking.

4 Redoubt Buccaneers, Bengalo, a sneaky black kitten, Luna, the sweet, studious assistant arrive, following Carita.

Lumen looks appropriately aghast and thrilled by Kaldur's story of assassination, bringing her hand to touch her heart. She's shock't. Oh, but then it goes away. Replaced with absolute contentment! "We've a few. Oh, Calandra is lovely and certainly very worthy of the designation." Clearing her throat in a very ladylike fashion, she gestures towards Kaldur, "You've got to pick who's next, I think. Unless we've all already gone?"

4 Redoubt Buccaneers, Bengalo, a sneaky black kitten, Luna, the sweet, studious assistant leave, following Carita.

Relic arrives, following Harlan.

Lailah remains mostly content to listen while others talk, though it's clear she is listening along. She gasps politely at the mention of assassination, but doesn't seem too concerned.

"It is lovely to meet you, Highness." Kaldur inclines his head to Princess Liara. Elaborating, "Well, it wasn't an attempt." Kaldur stabs rather forcefully at a helping of something on his plate. "Prince Luca thought it'd be great sport to misdeliver a message calling for someone named 'Giuseppe' to do me in." He scowls at his fork, "He described how it should be done in some detail." He clears his throat yet again and narrows a look at Luca's vacated chair. "I have given gray hairs to half the staff of Whitereef who surprised me in these last weeks." He lets the fork fall and considers the company he finds himself in. "I think a jest should be returned in kind, yes? Like a gift. Or a favor." He presses a hand to his chest, turning sincere eyes lit with mischief, "I /owe/ it to him." Looking between those gathered his brows lift, "Any ideas?"

Harlan enters quietly from outside, obviously late. He inclines his head towards the room, "Apologizes, all, for running behind." He does offer a pleasant smile though.

Liara gives a little wave of her hand - and attached fork, happily free of food just that instant - as she offers up an idea, "Extensive correspondence in two large boxes marked 'priority' and 'urgent', requiring that he read and respond to it in detail."

Lumen receives a note politely delivered by her apprentice, a dead-eyed young woman not so unlike the Radiant in looks. With a polite word, Lumen excuses herself from the conversation to step away.

Flopsy, an innocuous white rabbit, Zoraida, a dead-eyed Apprentice Whisper leave, following Lumen.

Gareth has left the Dining Table.

3 Armed Confessors, Confessor Jayson, 1 Grayson House Guards, Confessor Wick, Confessor John, Confessor Burne leave, following Gareth.

1 Grayson House Guards arrives, following Macda.

Kaldur stills at Lumen's apprentice's dead eyes, glancing around between the others before returning attention to his meal. He straightens at Harlan's entrance and invites him to, "Sit, and hold forth. What have you been up to of late?" He nods at Princess Liara's suggestion to bury Prince Luca in urgent and priority missives, pondering this as he chews.

"Ask Master Sparte Fatchforth to borrow his stpat to follow him around, or have otgers send their companions to follow him around?" Alarissa suggests, smiling as Harlan makes his entrance.

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

Liara greets Harlan with a cheery wave - cutlery-free, this time around - and speaks up, "There is still ample food going, too. And splendid wine!" Though having just had a plate of whatever it was quietly purloined from under her nose by an attentive servant, and her fork consequently removed to a safe distance, she's lounging back with just the wine for now. A page interrupts her briefly with a rather brief note, which she gives a glance before handing it back.

1 Grayson House Guards leaves, following Macda.

Harlan smiles towards Liara, "Pricness. I hope everyone is doing well." He moves to take a seat, and gets a glass of wine and a plate of whatever is going on.

and there is the messenger, borne by Pellinor. "My apologies, Silver Consortium business" Alarissa murmurs. "It was good to catch up with family"

"Lovely to see you," Liara replies to Alarissa, with an easy smile and a flutter of her fingers in a wave. "Have a marvellous evening!"

Alarissa has left the Dining Table.

Maxene, Pellinor, 4 Thrax Guards, Honey Snuggle, a Velenosian Angora cat leave, following Alarissa.

Kaldur nods at Alarissa's suggestion, "I could definitely talk to Sparte." He tongues his teeth and ponders this as well before turning attention to the newly arrived Harlan, and what news he brings. Truth told, he's glad ofr a bit of a respite from talking to eat. Grayson always serves a great meal. None greater, even.

"Everyone's doing entirely marvellously, it seems," Liara says to Harlan. "Well, my contribution is perhaps that I have consumed a truly copious quantity of wine, and yet, for each glass consumed, managed to furnish at least one other person with their very own glass. Also, I wrote some letters." She glances at her current wineglass, musing, "Someone should probably have a couple more of these to catch up."

Harlan chuckles towards Liara and says, sipping from his glass "Well, that sounds positively thrilling. More so than what I am into, usually." He works on his dinner.

Kaldur gives Harlan a nod, "Lord Kaldur Seliki," and stands to give a half bow before settling himself again, "And what's that," he gestures with a rolled wrist and flared fingers, "What you are usually into? It must be dreadfully dull if writing letters beats it." He takes a bite and chews, washing the morsel down with some wine.

Lailah keeps listening for a bit, eating as she listens. Eventually, she does speak up, "On an entirely unrelated note, since I've been out of town for so long, is there anything of particular note that I should be aware of."

"I write some marvellously exciting letters," Liara asserts to Kaldur. "I could write one this very instant that would certainly instil some sort of awe in at least one person in this room." She grins then, before looking curiously on towards Lailah. "What sort of thing in particular, my lady? I imagine Duke Gabriel or Lord Michael might be better placed to answer in general terms."

And, actually, Liara then troubles a page for writing material, between courses.

Harlan smiles towards Kaldur and says, "Duke Harlan Ashford -- I am often busy with Ducal duties, to be honest, especially with the assorted dangers on-going." He motions towards Lailah, "The upcoming fight at the Lodge of Petrichor is the big one, to be honest."

A somewhat plain-looking woman in simple leathers appears at Kaldur's elbow and murmurs to him. Kaldur listens attentively and nods. He dabs at his mouth with a napkin and pushes his chair out. "Highness, I would love to be in receipt of one such letter. Though the writing of them is no forte of mine, no disparagement of your skill intended." He turns to Harlan, "Oh, Duke. I've heard of you, certainly. I have something I would like to discuss with you. A matter of no pressing urgence, but soon?" The young knight's brows lift and he smiles. "I'll return momentarily." With Olin, Kaldur leaves, at a good clip.

Liara finishes writing whatever it was, and dispatches a page urgently! The page ventures forth around the table towards Harlan to patiently await the Duke's attention. Meanwhile, the princess turns her attention to Kaldur as he returns, and says to him, "Observe the great power of a letter."

Lailah smiles, "Oh I'm not interested in any grand things, just general things to be aware of, upcoming events, active spats. I mean, I've heard of some active spats but perhaps the ones that may be a bit overshadowed by the more recent ones." She turns towards Harlan, "Tell me more, please?"

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

Harlan looks over toward Liara and laughs, "Indeed." He doesn't explain what this was about, however!

Liara flashes Harlan a grin after that. She remarks mildly to Lailah, "Well, one thing's for sure - don't give the White Journals from the past week undue scrutiny, other than Princess Tikva's input, which is the wisest thing said in the whole lot." To Kaldur, the Grayson then says, "Harlan's letter was just splendid. I can send you one, too, if you would like."

What he is supposed to discern from Liara's writing is lost on Kaldur and he looks with some confusion between Harlan and Liara, before turning attention to Lailah, "I'm afraid I will have to indulge your request at a later date. Please call on me at Whitereef," the Seliki estate in Arx, "And be welcome any time." He nods the invitation to all assembled and dabs at his mouth again with a napkin, a strangely mannered habit for someone in full plate, sans helm and gauntlets. "If you'll pardon me in earnest now." He pushes back from the table and rises, "It has been lovely. Thank you all." And with that, the Seliki lord dpearts.

Liara offers a brisk and cheery wave in parting to Kaldur, then returns to her wine.

"I think, perhaps, that Luca may be busy," suggests Liara, with a mild arch of her eyebrows as she looks about. "Unless anyone's expecting others, and being that we've all eaten in abundance, might I suggest that we adjourn at this point?"

Harlan nods and says, "Of course, Princess. I am glad to have come, and hope everyone well."

Lailah smiles, "That sounds fair enough. Thank you for the company."

Relic leaves, following Harlan.

Liara flashes Harlan and Lailah a smile. "Glad to have seen you. The cooks here are splendid; I trust you enjoyed the food. Have a marvellous evening, both of you."

Lailah has left the Dining Table.

Merril, an Assistant Page leaves, following Lailah.

Liara polishes off what's left of her wine and heads on out a moment later.

Liara has left the Dining Table.

1 Grayson House Guards leaves, following Liara.


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Valery, Draven, Cybele, and Maeve are also busying themselves with gardening - with the approval of the Lodge and Redrain, here at summer's end certain plants - including the beautiful suncatchers - are carefully transplanted from the Lodge to the Stone Grove. Valery oversees it all, Cybele performs a shaman rite to help them thrive, Maeve sings to the plants as they work together, and Draven - well. Draven provides boundless enthusiasm. These four are well known among Redrain, and now they are becoming a common sight in the Stone Grove as well, known by everyone for their dedication to the beautification and preservation of rare and stunning plant life.
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Giuseppe Gallo of Lenosia, Thorne of Farhaven arrive, following Luca.

Luca dances in.