The Hall of Tutelage has been temporarily seized by a clan of young intellectuals seeking refuge within its walls. Lanterns have been lit, casting a luminous glow over the open floor cleared as the epicenter of their idle musings. Tomes lay precariously aside, but lovingly arranged so as not to endanger their contents or those traversing through the area. And at the heart of it all, Princess Katarina Valardin can be found conjuring up yet another new game to see the hours cooped up from the snows pass more smoothly: The Scholar's Conundrum.

A makeshift three by three grid dominates the majority of the open space where young intellectuals, noble and common alike, crowd against its periphery. Some watch with bright-eyed curiosity betwixt hushed exchange of small talk and minor debates. Even more remain preoccupied with their own mind-stimulating pursuits along the fringes with only the barest of glances paid to the development of a restless princess circling 'round her makeshift grid. A patina of quills have been artfully arranged within her dark curls, begging to be plucked free of her hair while she dips at the knee here and there to mix and rearrange what looks like /art puzzles/ all over the place in some grids and Xs denoting positions in others. Quite the conundrum indeed: Just what is she planning?

OOC: Just as a heads up. This scene WILL be a little clunky at first while I hash out any potential rolls. My goal's to have as much of everything be done through the scene and any checks are just as a gauge of how good or bad you're doing at whatever I pull out of my hat for random scholar's conundrum games I wrote up today to try.)

Harlen arrives, following Duarte.

Brenlin, Aide-de-Camp arrives, following Miranda.

Having taken some time to warm up from his earlier sojourn outside, by the time Scipio makes it to the Vellichorian Academy there's a flush of color to his cheeks. It's been some months since the Whisper's had a chance to be in the archives, and he stretches out a hand to the bookshelves as he passes as if welcoming them -- or maybe welcoming himself back as he joins the open space that's been made in the middle. Others maybe be whispering openly and speculating on what Princess Katarina is doing: the Whisper merely watches, hands folded neatly in front of him, observing closely.

Entering the Hall, Miranda shakes off a bit of snow, looking quite cold, but curious. She looks about, pulling the hood off her head and taking a moment to see what all the fuss is about!


Helena arrives, white snow sparkling on red cloak and on golden hair where she forgot to pull the hood up -- the Northerner doesn't look quite as frozen as some -- after all, winters are colder, harsher, and longer from where she hails than the city of Arx. She smiles, blue eyes bright and curious as she looks about. "This is very intriguing... are we playing people chess?" she says brightly.

"I think it's beanbag toss." Duarte speculates.

A soft-spoken murmur in the ear from a dutiful Dragon aide sees Katarina torn from her reverie and turning toward the amassing onlookers. "Something of the sort," she proposes toward Helena with a sheepish smile, and a wry shake of the head garnered at Duarte's speculation. "Not quite, Count Amadeo. There'll be no tossing of anything, intentionally, in here. I can't say what you will or won't be doing with quills, however, if you plan to participate." A swirl of the wrist sees a rather ostentatiously bright, borderline downright GARISH feather-tipped quill plucked from her patina of quill feathers upon her head and waved temptingly toward him. "Since I don't believe the snows are going to let me make it home, won't you all indulge an intellectual in a bumbling game of Scholar's Conundrum?"

"What that entails, who -knows-," she looks back at the mess of grids and puzzles behind her. She doesn't even know, quite yet, apparently. The likes of Scipio, Miranda, and Waldemai are noted with a keen eye, offering them all a tentative smile without calling attention to them prematurely.

Sebastian, an adorable gray and white tabby, Jacinthe, Arindais, a dour-looking Scholar, 1 Templar Knight guards arrive, following Sina.

Katarina has joined the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Miranda has joined the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Sina has joined the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Approaching the desks, Miranda smiles, "I'm game. It sounds like a mystery and I like surprises, most of the time." She chuckles, "What is it you wish us to do? Shall we sit or stand?"

Waldemai thinks about it for a few moments and says, "I'll be glad to try any sort of game, your highness, and maybe even put a bet on it. But I won't need to do any reading or writing, will I?"

Helena has joined the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Duarte plucks the flamboyant and show stopping quill from Katarina's fingers and waggles it, looking stern. "Why doesn't anyone ever take me seriously around here?"

Sparte has a wide grin as he looks at what is setup in the room. He takes a spot with all the other curious sorts, looking to Katarina and waiting to find out just what she has planned today.

Scipio has joined the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

"Conundrums are one of my favorite things to consider, so I'm in," says Helena with a grin, moving to take one of the seats, and nodding to the others. She fiddles with the clasp of her cloak for a moment, before unclasping it and letting the cloak rest on the back of the chair, so the snow can thaw and dry.

Waldemai has joined the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Sina makes her way into the Hall of Tutelage, and takes a seat. She gives a smile to Katarina, and dips her head to Sparte as well as Duarte, and a few others here and there. For now, she's a silent presence, quietly watching the proceedings with an amused look on her face.

Although he's largely watchful, Scipio does seem intent on taking part, taking a step forward to join the others. "I do enjoy a good mystery," the Whisper murmurs softly, with an answering smile for Katarina -- and too, the others that join them in the half circle of desks.

"Not necessarily," Katarina chimes toward Waldemai after a brief moment of deliberation. Her lips quirk mildly at Duarte, barely suppressing a well-humored titter. "Perhaps that's the real quandry of the evening," she surmises. As Miranda steps toward her position, a rather tame quill of pallid blue hues is fetched from her fashionable 'do to be offered to the woman: "Ah, good question! It depends, honestly, on how many bravely join right off the bat. You see, I may have... definitely come up with too many possible games. Luckily, they all work for situations like this!" A shifted glance from Miranda to Helena begets a vibrant laugh. "Yes, indeed, they're my favorite past time." The Archscholar is not quite noticed, now, while Katarina is deliberating on how to entertain her onlookers. "Oh! I know JUST the starting game: A Duel of Quills!"

Duarte holds the quill in the place between his thumb and forefinger. "Why. Master Sparte, what is that over there?" Duarte asks with a malicious grin, and as he points, the very large GARISH feather of his quill brushes against the man's face.

Waldemai pulls up a chair. He does not put his feet on the table.

Sparte gets a steel-tipped quill with brilliant red feather from a waterproof brown canvas pouch.


Belladonna Pravus walks into the Hall of Tutelage looking her lively self, her golden mane of hair complimenting her paler-than-usual skin and blue eyes rather well. Although there is some hesitation in the duchess, as if doubting whether she should even be here or not, the woman braves on into the unknown by approaching the table with the others.

She smiles at those around, giving a curtsie, before taking a chair herself, as close to Duarte as possible, so he may save her from madness. "I should know you would be here." She waves at Sparte, but otherwise looks at Katarina, "So, explain this to me like I am a ten year old, Princess Valardin. What is it that we are doing here, exactly?"

Sparte holds up a hand to push Duarte's quill from him face. He reaches his other to fish out his best quill, giving Duarte a big grin after he lifts it in counterpose. "Come on now, let her start the game proper before we embarass each other."

Katarina has left the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Sparte has joined the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Scipio's brow draws downward briefly at the designation of the game. Maybe he takes 'duels' a little too literally? Certainly, Duarte's 'duel' with Sparte earns a soft noise from the Whisper. "That hardly seems sporting. Surely that's not what your highness intends?"

Belladonna has joined the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

A blue quill is offered and Miranda happily takes, joining the crowd in sitting a moment later. "A duel of Quills!" She grins, letting out a chuckle, "Well, sounds far more dangerous than any game I've played." She looks to Waldemai, "Master, if you require assistance, I'd be glad to provide it, hmm?" She eyes the quill in her hand, running the feather across her jaw.

If Bella wanted to escape madness...Well... Duarte scrunches up his face and turns it to where he thinks it would be /just/ out of Sparte's reach and waggles the feather of his ostentatiously large feathery quill at the other man's nose.

At the word duels, Helena's nose wrinkles a tiny bit. "I'm not much good at dueling," she says, "but I'm not bad with quills, so maybe I'll fall somewhere between the twain of ... good and not bad." She looks to Katarina curiously, waiting to see what game is afoot.

Duarte has joined the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Waldemai bobs his head in gratitude. "I won't take it badly if something's read a bit wrong if the game is on the line," he tells Miranda.

Once she's settled in, Sina beams at Katarina. "I've come to see that you are an excellent inventor of games, your Highness. I look forward to seeing how this one plays out. I very much enjoyed last evening's game." There's a gleam of mischief in those silvery eyes of hers as she settles back.

After taking a brief count of courageous volunteers, Katarina draws back from the three by three grid laid upon the the floor and turns her attention to the latest newcomer. It's with understated pleasure that the Valardin welcomes the Duchess of Pravus. "Well, a number of us were not feeling up to braving the snows and risking being trapped. So, we opted to remain here and make a game night of the evening. Everyone here happened by in some fashion or another to see what I might be up to," she explains briefly. Offering a sinful wine red quill to the tow-headed arrival, a few more are fetched from her upswept curls to be offered to the remaining few who may not have been armed with a quill.

"The name of the game is Duel of Quills. We'll split everyone into two teams of four. The two remaining will be the scholars of this round and figure out how to maneuver their living pieces off the board we've made. But rather than just having pieces -trump- one another by rank, they will commence with a duel of feathers. Strategize and composure will get you through this first game."

Belladonna checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 15 higher.

Sina checked luck at difficulty 15, rolling 7 lower.

Duarte checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 4 higher.

Helena checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 0 higher.

Sparte checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 10 higher.

Sina checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 0 higher.

Waldemai checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 1 higher.

Miranda checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 9 lower.

Duarte withdraws his rapi....quill feather...and clears his throat as Katarina speaks. He also gives a look and a very professional nod to Belladonna, "My duchess.." he murmurs by way of greeting.

Scipio checked luck at difficulty 10, rolling 4 higher.

Sparte waits until Duarte is being professional, then wags the end of his owl quill at the back of the other man's neck over his shirt. The smirk on Sparte is utterly unapologetic.

Duarte checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

"Ack! Ahahaha." Duarte nearly squirms himself in to Belladonna's lap, batting away at Sparte's quill.. "Stah...stahhhp ahahaha."

A simple nod and warm smile to Waldemai and Miranda turns her attention to Katarina and this Dueling Quills game. She's just going along for the ride in this crazy game! Clearly, folks are a bit snow-mad.

By contrast, Scipio is practically a statue, a picture of grace and elegance, he waits patiently for Katarina to explain the rules of the game, hands still folded in front of him.

Katarina lifts her brows at the antics between Duarte and Sparte, a humored breath lost with a slow shake of her head. "Alright. Duchess Belladonna, Lady Miranda, you'll be the strategists or *scholars* for this round," she dictates. "Everyone else will be our fearless board pieces. So, my first team of four will stand over on this side of the grid. And the other team of four, here." (OOC: Four peeps, jump ship to place 2 with Belladonna)

Belladonna has left the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Belladonna has joined the couches embroidered with an ivory rose.

Sina has left the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Sina has joined the couches embroidered with an ivory rose.

Duarte has left the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Duarte has joined the couches embroidered with an ivory rose.

Duarte leaps at the chance to escape Sparte's superior quill.

Helena has left the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Helena has joined the couches embroidered with an ivory rose.

Sparte pulls back his quill, giving a wink and a nod to Belladonna. "Your ladyship." Then off he goes, taking a few long steps away so as not to tempt Duarte to any counter attacks while they're pieces. The smirk doesn't fade though, Sparte has no quill-poker face.

Sparte has left the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Sparte has joined the couches embroidered with an ivory rose.


Belladonna moves to where she is directed, smirking at her own streak of luck before eyeing her fearless board pieces. Still smiling, and looking at Miranda over in the other team, she speaks to her people. "My fearless board pieces. What should I be commanding you to do? What are we doing in this battlefield, mm?"

Katarina has joined the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Sina stands up, and moves over to Belladona's part of the 'board', beaming a smile at the Duchess, and giving a respectful dip of the head. She still has the amused expression on her features as she tries to figure out what's going on. "Did I miss the rules of the game before I came in, or is it yet to be explained?" she asks, peering around to see what others are doing.

"I believe her highness is still concocting the rules, and might continue to do so until - inevitably - we win." Duarte smiles in response, "Blessed Sina."

Miranda offers to her own band of merry folks, waving her magnificent quill about, "Don't worry, Team Us! Whatever the challenge, we can do it because.. we are the Snow-Fighters!" She giggles, "Or .. the Snow-Fleers?" She looks a bit amused, shrugging. "Anyways, we will be victorius upon our field of battle!"

Sparte has left the couches embroidered with an ivory rose.

Sparte has joined the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Katarina has left the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

The Archscholar beams a smile to Duarte, and nods. "Very well then, much like last night then," she says with a grin and a glance to Katarina. She'll stand wherever she's supposed to stand, and if a quill is required, she'll find one among those set aside among the student desks in one of the writing cases. A very simple, plain, unfancy quill.

Katarina looks to Belladonna and Miranda with instruction: "As I mentioned, you shall be strategists. Your objective is to conquer the board by eliminating as many of your opponent's pieces as possible with maneuvering of your pawns -- minions -- game volunteers!" Her play of words are done in good humor, eyes bright with laughter. "You'll have one high lord, a Voice, Sword, and pawn piece. Your High Lord must never be left vulnerable and cannot easily defend from the Sword or Voice. As you start maneuvering your pieces by calling them out and where to go, they'll begin contesting for space and dueling! The duel, ah, will... be... with quills. Tickle-fests... Loser... just... loses." Someone is clearly working on the fly here.

Over Duarte's dead body. "No, Archscholar. You are too lofty of station and too lovely of manner to hold such a plain looking quill, here." He hands over his flamboyant large-feathered quill to Sina and takes one of the modest, dull quills for himself.

Belladonna's question earns a smile and tip of her head from Helena. "I'm not sure I know what we're doing but I'll do what you ask," she says sweetly. But then Katarina is explaining, and it is quite a bit like chess. "Oh, no, tickling," she whispers. "Make me a high lord, I need someone to defend me!" the princess says, feigning frailty by putting the back of her hand to her forehead.

Glancing at his team-mates for a moment, Scipio's expression changes marginally as he listens aptly to the rules. There might be a flicker of regret, but he's in it now: dutifully picking up a quill, before refolding his arms, the feather pointed downwards as he waits for Miranda to 'guide' them.

As Duarte attempts to trade quills with her, Sina sets herself, eyes narrowing, quill pointed at him. "I'll take whatever quill I please, thank you very much!" she says with mock severity. She glances toward Katarina then, as she mentions something able tickle-fests, then she straightens. "Very well then," she says, beaming at Duarte. "If you insist!" She'll trade quills with Duarte. "Floofy quills make for much better tickling!"

Miranda checked wits + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 4 lower.

Belladonna checked intellect + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

"And that, Archscholar, was just a small taste of how provident and useful I can be." Duarte says smoothly as he pads back over to his respective square with his very boring quill.


"If the duels are by tickle fests, then my High Lord will be Duarte. He has shown himself vulnerable against enemy quills." Belladonna Pravus states with the somber tone of a strategist, tapping Duarte's back and nodding at him.

"My Voice will be Princess Redrain. Wise and strong, I can rely on her to do as I would in face of the impossible tickling." Both hands are set on the woman's shoulder's to give her confidence.

"Sina will, of course, be the Sword. Her exotic beauty is too unknowable to our enemies, and by holding their gaze she will live by the quill or die by the quill." Bella nods solemntly at Sina, eyeing the opposing team then.

"To our opponents I bid you good luck, for although the gods are merciful, we shall not."

1 Grayson House Guards, Peaches, a lovely white war filly with a peach saddle, Deliverance, an albino falcon, Stormy, a silvery gray hunting hound, Rascal, a hyper terrier, Rosalie, a lady in waiting arrive, following Reese.

"Wise and strong," repeats Helena with wide eyes, tone a little disbelieving, but she smiles up at the taller Duchess. "I shall do my best to serve you well, Duchess," she says with a little curtsy, amusement sparkling in her blue eyes. She glances at her other teammates, and takes the square she's directed to.

Miranda has left the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Brenlin, Aide-de-Camp leaves, following Miranda.

Reese arrives in the hall of Tutelage while adorned in lots and lots of pink. She sees and empty seat and starts in that direction, having a smile for those gathered here.

As Belladona names her people to their roles, Sina turns her attention to the Duchess, and then offers her a perfect curtsey. "It will be my honor, your ladyship, to defend yours, and that of our High Lord." She dips her head toward Duarte as well. "I vow to do so deftly and dextrously, and I shall show no mercy to the enemy." Her eyes twinkle, however, with silvery amusement as she straightens, and glances toward the opposing team, sizing them up while twirling Duarte's floofy quill between her fingers as she moves toward her square.

Duarte beckons Harlen over and requests his whet stone. He brushes the feathers of his quill lightly across. "I serve at your pleasure, my duchess. None shall escape the potency of our quills."

Katarina finds a seat upon the edge of a table, arming herself with a mug of rum-laced tea. "That is a respectable strategy," she commends the Belladonna from her makeshift spectator's seat. Golden eyes sweep studiously across the surprisingly structured board of floof-quill-armed players before settling upon Reese when one strategist leaves and she's suddenly replaced with Princess Pink. "Oh, Your Highness! How incredibly, yet strangely well-timed you happen to be. Won't you tell your quill-wielding board pieces where to move? The goal is to outstrategize Duchess Pravus and have your pieces out-tickle her pieces on the board. First piece to succumb gets knocked off the board, I imagine."

Reese doesn't seem to now what is going on, but he seems quite amused by Sina's words. She then has a warm smile for Duarte that reaches her blue eyes. Reese then studies the board, looking at such quite closely. "Oh, I can try." She says toward Katarina, before adding. "And Hi Princes Katarina." She says, remembering to greet her. "Out tickle. I got lot of experience in these sort of shannighans from Lady Issy always making trouble in my tower."

Sina beams at Reese and wiggles her quill in a little wave of feathers. Then she seems to recall that Princess Ribbons is on the enemy team, and gives her a mock glare instead. Then she giggles, and then tries to compose herself, giving Katarina an 'I can't believe you're actually doing this' look.

Reese tries to give Sina a fierce look in return, but it is playfully fierce and followed by an accidental smile that ruins the effect.

Duarte then murmurs a few words to Harlen, who begins taking notes. Harlen looks oddly at Duarte, then at Sparte, then to Duarte. He sighs and crosses the gameboard to Sparte. "This is stupid," the young orphan mutters as he hands the note to Sparte.

Katarina flashes a rather /guileless/ look back at Sina like, 'You volunteered!' with a helpless roll of the shoulders. "Alright, Duchess Pravus. The ball is in your court," she calls. "Please start us off!"

Reese has joined the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.


The giggling from Sina earns a giggle from Helena. She waves to Reese when the princess so gamely joins the... game.

Sparte tucks his quill in his mouth as he reads the note from Duarte. His eyebrows go up, he nods slowly and considers it carefully. He grins around his quill and rolls up the note, tucking it ever so carefully into belt.


"First blood," says Belladonna Pravus from behind her loyal pieces, hands behind her back as she struts with elegance and an air of feigned cockiness. "Delicious." To up the drama, the blonde places her hands on Helena's shoulders yet again, to speak up to her team.

"First, we give them a chance to see reason. Go, my Voice, and bend them to our will, and bring me Sparte's quill. If they cannot understand the value of good diplomacy then... we vanquish them!" And she pushes Helena forward, carefully, nodding at the others.

"The day is ours."

Reese seems pretty confused about what is going on, but she starts to play along. "Oh, nobody can best Sir Sparte, the finest hero in not just our land, but any land ever!" She declares and gives Sparte a smile.

"Twen wa-" Sparte takes the quill back out of his mouth. "Then the night, dusk, dawn, and awkward moment when you arn't sure what time it is are ours!" Sparte holds his quill comically high. "I swear upon the actually rather awful tasting feather of Duartebane, we shall not bend knee upon this probably actually sacred ground."

Helena checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 2 lower.

Sparte drops RULES?! (Actually rules are handy thank you).

Sparte checked composure + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 14 higher.

Sparte checked composure + dodge at difficulty 34, rolling 7 lower.

The Redrain princess is the *wrong* Redrain princess by far for this, by a long list of those who are better (pretty much *every* other Redrain princess, really). Her eyes widen and she steps forward, teeth worrying at her lower lip, quill held at the ready. "I've come in the name of House Pravus and bear the Quill of Reason," she tells him somberly, though her lip twitches, wanting to smile. "Would you like to see Reason and submit?" she asks, before she flourishes it, aiming for that spot behind his ear, fluttering feather end there.

Sparte wobbles one way, then the other. He is quite adeptly dodging Helena!

However the ludicrousness of the whole of it cracks his composure anyway, and Sparte starts snickering before he can stop himself. He does a pirouette and cluches at his chest in mock agony before collapsing to the floor and saying his final words. "You must go on without me, the pawn must rise to save house mumblemumble." And thus he collapses. For all of two seconds before he is shaking again with barely contained laughter.

Sparte checked charm + propaganda at difficulty 30, rolling 20 higher.

It's all Katarina can do to contain her fit of giggles at the ridiculousness of the game unfolding. "This turned out to be way more entertaining than I thought it would be," she admits aloud, wiping the corner of her eyes and hopping to her feet to come after Sparte with feathery quills to chase him off the board. Clean Up on Sector 3! Clean Up on Sector 3! "Princess Reese, Duchess Belladonna! Strategize!"

As the game unfolds, Sina watches with a bemused smile at first. Then she giggles behind her hand, Duarte's floofy quill quivering as she does so. Hearing Helena's challenge to Sparte, she squeezes her eyes shut as she stifles her laughter. Then, at Sparte's performance as he 'falls', she doubles over laughing, eyes streaming tears of amusement. It takes her a moment before she is able to compose herself again, straightening and wiping tears out of her eyes.

Reese checked intellect + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 48 higher.

Belladonna checked intellect + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 3 higher.

Reese seem deeply thoughtful as she listens to Katarina's words. She then tarts to Strategize with her group. She is seems to be whispering with Scipio and Waldemai.

Reese hmms softly. "This is a hard one. But if we loose our voice, we are done for. That being said...we need to win this one." She murmurs. "Alright Scipio Whisper, show them what I a whisper can do!"

Helena returns to her group, cheeks flushed from giggling and looking a little less nervous. "I don't think it was my duelling but perhaps wordplay in the end. A win's a win," she says, leaning on the arm rest of the sofa.


"War is truly gruesome, but always remember Sparte stood against us. That is the fate of those who cannot see reason," Belladonna says to her pieces, eyeing Sina and Duarte while her body sways slightly where she stands, flowing like there is song in her mind. Or like a serpent's. Hard to tell with the Pravosi sometimes.

"Enough, Princess Helena! We came for war, not butchery! That... that comes later." At that, she places a finger between Sina's shoulderblades, "And you will paint the battlefield crimson for me, won't you, my Sword? Take the Whisper's head, and bring it to your duchess!"

Belladonna eyes Reese across the board, "This is not the war you know, General. Here, I hold all the cards!" Belladonna is going all in her theatrics, playing the part of the evil duchess for Reese's Pink Protector.

Reese looks over to Belladonna and a soft gasp escapes from her lips. "Oh, Duchess, I don't have many cards, but I have the right cards. I have Whisper Scipio!"

"She is going to be /amazing/ at the Crown event coming in a month's time," Katarina opines upon Belladonna's rather riveting display, her eyes rounding with clear admiration before turning her eyes back to the battlefield. "Let's see how this plays out!"

Scipio clears his throat, murmurs something in an undertone, and, at the reply, his shoulders straighten and he gives a brilliant smile to the Princess. A moment later, he steps forward, eyes settling on Sina when she is named as his opponent, and he sketches a well-executed bow. "Archsholar Sina Godsworn. You are an impressive opponent, and surely, this can be settled not with the sword," he flickers the quill deliberately outwards and then down to his sides, "But with words. For are we not all loyal to our great King, dedicated to our gods and to Vellichor? Such a fight benefits neither of us, and does not serve our masters." Did the Whisper just cheat? Well...

Scipio checked charm + etiquette at difficulty 30, rolling 23 higher.

Not the actress of the group, Helena laughs merrily at Belladonna's bloody demands and dire warnings. "Go get 'em, Sword Sina. Of shall we say Quill?" she asks, leaning forward to watch eagerly, as if she were at a Sip'n'Spar. At least there's no buckets flying towards heads. Yet.

Duarte checked perception + empathy at difficulty 53, rolling 12 higher.

Duarte narrows his eyes and studies Scipio with an inquisitive gaze...

Reese listens to Scipio's words with all this focus. She seems all heated into such at the moment. The Princess is perched on her edge of her seat.

Sina checked wits + theology at difficulty 30, rolling 13 higher.

Katarina stares bewilderedly at Scipio, clearly not expecting that method of attack. It certainly isn't against the rules and ... she immediately looks over to the Archscholar to see how Sina might defend against such a response. Her brows lift inquisitively, mouthing toward Helena, "He's good!"


"Sina, do not take heed of his honeyed lies! Remember your purpose! A sword does not talk, and a sword does not heal. Search his heart for blood!" Belladonna says from the sidelines, eyeing Helena and waggling her eyebrows at the laughing woman, grinning briefly before going back to her evil duchess routine.

"Mm," agrees Helena, eyes darting to Scipio and looking at him curiously. "Quite a silver tongue on that one. I'm sure he topples many an opponent in both love and war," she says with a grin for Katarina, and a sigh for her team.

Reese looks over to Scipio. "I picked the right team to be on for sure!" She comments.

Having recovered herself now, Sina falls back into character, her eyes now fixed upon Scipio as he is sent forth by his Strategist. The young Archscholar brandishes her floofy quill as Belladonna's finger pushes at her shoulderblades, and she steps toward the square to face off with Scipio. Despite Belladonna's words, she hears Scipio's words with a grave sort of silence, pondering his unexpected approach. After a time, she announces, "I shall defend the honor of House Pravus, not with the sword, in this instance, but with words, since my opponent chooses diplomacy over violence." She crouches down then, and sets down Duarte's quill upon the floor, and then rises once more to face Scipio. "Your words are wise, Scipio Whisper, and ring of truth. At times, a Sword must consider whether or not his or her actions affect the reputation of the liege's house negatively, or positively. In this case, since you offer no violence... or tickling..., it would be a dishonorable thing to take your head. I answer to the Gods first and foremost, and surely Gloria would be displeased." She beams a smile at Scipio then, and voluntarily steps off the square. She gives Belladonna a perfectly serene look, as one who is dedicated to the Gods might do, because she is, after all, the Archscholar.

Reese looks between Sina and Scipio. "Oh, wow that was great." She murmurs the. The princess then looks toward the two still with her and starts to murmur softly.

All throughout the 'battle', Scipio remains the picture of composed, his gaze settled on Sina as she responds, nodding to her points as if to acknowledge them in turn. When the yields the space, the Whisper Scipio executes a perfect bow to honor his opponent, a smile given Sina, as she steps from the square. "Well spoken, Archscholar Sina. You are a credit those you represent." He half turns to nod towards Reese in mute approval for her suggestion.

Reese checked intellect + war at difficulty 15, rolling 49 higher.

Belladonna checked intellect + leadership at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

Reese checked intellect + war at difficulty 30, rolling 22 higher.

Helena is overheard praising Katarina: fun game!


Belladonna folds her arms, grumbling, "I will say this, and I will say this only once... I can understand why some people, not me, of course, sometimes wonder why the gods are never involved in anything fun!" The Sin of Setarco clears her throat, "Not me, of course. I would never."

She stands behind Helena again, hands on the woman's shoulders again, the duchess' touch featherlight. "Although Sina fell for their traps, I am sure you won't, Princess. Take them down, so we can all celebrate victory after with scandalous amounts of the best Setarco Red in Arx!"

She eyes Reese and the opposing team, "No wine for the vanquished." The duchess does wink at her adversary, though. Just joking. Wine is for everyone! After the duel. After Belladonna wins!

Reese hmms softly as she looks to Belladonna. "Everyone falls for my trap eventually. I distract them with pink and then sound out my weapons!" She says, peeking to Waldemai. "Defend me from the Duchess!" She says in her direction. "We are in danger of having no wine and that would be pretty awful."

Atreke, a severe-looking scribe arrives, following Rinel.

Helena checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 22 lower.

Waldemai checked stamina + brawl at difficulty 30, rolling 6 higher.

Waldemai protects the World's Favorite Princess (TM).

Rinel click-clacks into the room and stops so suddenly that her cane skids noisily across the floor before she catches her balance.

The scholar gapes for a moment, her mouth opening and closing at the spectacle, before she manages to get out her thoughts on the matter:

"/What/."

"Oh, me again," says Helena, looking a little worried. She doesn't think Waldemai will fall so easily for some reason. She turns to face him, lifting her chin a little -- face to face, they are the same size, really, or Helena has a breath of hair above him when she draws herself up to his full height. She brandishes her quill more like a wand than a sword, pointing it at him. "Surrender, and we will treat you with mercy," she says, before trying to tickle him, much the way she did Sparte, going for that spot behind the ear, then a poke in the ribs if he goes to protect that spot, and vice versa. Or so that's the plan.

"You're seeing the most interesting of scholarly conundrums," Katarina, the culprit of this madness, sweetly claims to Rinel from her spectator's perch upon a table. Quill feathers are all over the place, people giggling and snickering, and ... She pauses, then looks back at the board. "Wait, uhm... Who won?" she laughs. "I've been laughing too hard."

Duarte has left the couches embroidered with an ivory rose.

Harlen have been dismissed.

Duarte has joined the couches embroidered with an ivory rose.

Sina simply finds a seat on one of the couches, now that she has gracefully surrendered to Scipio's charming diplomacy. She watches with an amused expression, her silvery eyes alight with mischief as the game progresses. She watches keenly, waiting to see who wins.


Belladonna eyes Helena and her performance, smiling to herself, before looking at Katarina. "We won. If you have a prize, hand it over, Princess." The duchess of Pravus places her hands on her hips, staring confidently at the Valardin woman. Fake it until you make it.

Rinel just stares. Atreke moves around her and proceeds to a nearby desk stacked high with books. The scribe begins to sort them neatly in preparation for reshelving.

"What..." Rinel repeats. "/What/."

Duarte taps his foot, arms crossed and quill waggling. The High Lord of This Side is eager to taste victory and enjoy the after party at the Pravus Manor.

Waldemai has left the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Katarina widens her eyes at Belladonna. "Uhm, well, I don't have any prizes! CONGRATULATIONS!" she brings her hands up in soft applause.

Katarina is overheard praising Belladonna.

Katarina is overheard praising Sina.

Katarina is overheard praising Duarte.

Katarina is overheard praising Helena.

Katarina is overheard praising Reese.

Helena is overheard praising Belladonna: good captain!

Scipio looks utterly perplexed. And not Rinel's level of perplexed, just a kind of uncertainty about how Belladonna declared herself the winner, regarding the Duchess with a tiny smile, and a bow that might well be a hat-tip to a play he pulled earlier.

"ah! Rinel!" Duarte's smile is very broad when his protege clacks her way in. "Come here." He waggles his quill this-a-way.


Belladonna winks at the man, recognizing that he has noticed the swindle. Making no apologies for it, Bella bows and waves as applauds may or may not be happening for the most certainly (un)deserving winner. "Now, to the after party!"

Reese is overheard praising Katarina: Yay, great game!

Reese is overheard praising Scipio: Great with words!


"That was fun. I'm glad I stopped in," says Helena, clapping her hands together. "And a chance to meet some of you I've only seen about." She smiles, retrieving her cloak from where she left it on the back of a chair and pulling it around her shoulders. "I am sure it will become the hit of all the parlors in the social events," she tells Katarina. "Or at least something for us to do here during the storms when the books are being particularly esoteric and we need breaks." She dips her head to those present, before heading toward the exit.

Scipio is overheard praising Katarina: Fun game!

Reese is overheard praising Belladonna: Very dramatically good at this game!

Helena is overheard praising Reese: what a ringer!

Scipio is overheard praising Reese: Great captain!

Reese is overheard praising Waldemai: Woots, great defender

Sina tilts her head slightly, glancing between Belladonna, Helena, and Waldemai as she tries to figure out just how, exactly, Belladonna managed to claim victory. But in the end, she applauds, rising to her feet once more. "This was a marvelously fun game, your Highness," she says with a dip of her head to Katarina. Beaming a smile all around, she spots Rinel, and dips her head to the Scholar. "Scholar Rinel, you missed all the fun!"

Rinel checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

At some point -- after the game ends and before the afterparty starts -- Scipio's just kind of not there any more, the Whisper slipping out quietly.

Scipio has left the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.

Reese has left the a variety of desks arranged in a semicircle.