Athenais, a dreamy apprentice Whisper arrives, following Selene.

Athenais, a dreamy apprentice Whisper arrives, following Selene.

Waldemai grabs a seat nearest whatever passes for a fire in this drafty room.

Rosalie, a lady in waiting arrives, following Reese.

Rosalie, a lady in waiting leaves, following Reese.

Peri tucks herself away quietly at the bar. Away from all the elgant people.

Cambria enters the Empirical, taking a quick look around the salon itself before making her way towards the collection of tables and chairs. Picking one that gives her a suitable view of the room and its occupants, Cambria takes a seat and crosses one leg over the other. To her assistant who had remained standing close, she speaks a few quiet words. The man shortly thereafter departs in order to fetch a drink from the bar.

Cambria has joined the a collection of small tables and chairs gathered together.

Rosalie, a lady in waiting arrives, following Reese.

Reese drops an elegant wooden doll of Softest Whisper Bliss.

Reese arrives at the gathering while clutching a bliss doll on her gloved hands. She is also wearing lots of pink.

An arrogant cat used to bedeviling flowers in the Ward of the Crown rides in the arms of an apprentice Whisper. Of course the Blissciples must have representation from the Radiant's organization but getting the Radiant Emeritus herself is a bit of a coup. Alight in copper, Selene walks with light, easy grace. Her hair is down, her cloak slid off, and she seeks somewhere in the mdist of affairs to settle. That means close to Cambria, whom she curtsies to. "What a delightful evening this is, my lady. I look forward to seeing what it holds for us."

Selene has joined the a collection of small tables and chairs gathered together.

Luigi, 5 House Mazetti Guardians, Mario arrive, following Hadrian.

Waldemai raises a glass of something amber to the newly arrived Marquis.

Cambria inclines her head to the Radiant Emeritus, saying, "How lovely to see you, this evening. I, too, expect this night to prove a joy." There is a smile for Selene, and then she gestures to a chair nearby, inviting the former Radiant to take a seat if she so desires.

Hadrian Mazetti makes an entrance from the front of the Empirical. Running late it would seem. A hand manipulates the clasp of his cloak, when sends the umbra and aeterna fabric pooling to the floor in his wake. Luigi is quick to practically dive onto the cloak in order to both retrieve and stow it away for later. Hadrian though lifts his arms from his sides in order to gesture toward the interior of the Empirical and those which occupy it, "Ladies, lords, people of every stripe...", he says with enthusiastic momentum which reaches an abrupt pause. He holds that moment for a moment, so delicate and pristine. Like a metaphorical snowflake in his upturned palm, "...my dearest Blissciples and friends...", his fingers waggle a touch before his hand drops back to his side, "...Bliss has become the new Radiant of the Whisper House! This is a moment which will go down in history, not for this beginning, but what will come!"

Hadrian strides forward, gesturing toward Selene, the Radiant Emeritus, as he offers her a charming smile of silk and honey, "Even now we have once a Radiant among us. Among us enthusiastic, but humble Blissciples. A show of support from one Radiant to another, surely, but also a sign that even those highest among the Whisper House can be a fan of Bliss!"

Selene's apprentice shall manage both cat in one arm and a glass of wine for the Whisper in the other. Though Renault stares down everyone with contempt, it is an equal opportunity disdain for the living who are not up to his demanding standards. The cat swishes his tail, ears pricked with that resting look of... read the description, no further talk needed. With the glass safe in her care, Selene lifts it in a toast echoing Hadrian's announcement. "To Radiant Bliss Whisper," she chimes in on the thrill of a laugh edging her mezzosoprano as so much gold illumination on a parchment page. "Our beacon in turbulent times, our inspiration for those unwontedly quiet moments. My brothers and sisters selected superbly, and here we all are to bask in the triumph of our favorite joy."

Rinel is sitting in a chair. She looks vaguely confused. Her hair is an absolute mess, in no small part because an enormous white cat is sitting on her shoulder and batting her hair. "Erm. Excus--"

"MRARAORWR," interjects the cat. Rinel stares at the animal. The animal raises a paw and slowly bops her on the nose.

"Erm," Rinel continues. "Pardon me. What, exactly, is happening?"

Waldemai raises his glass to the toast, because toasting is followed immediately by drinking.

Possum returns to Cambria's side with a glass of wine, which the Marquessa accepts even as her eyes alight upon Hadrian when he makes his entrance. The glass is held aloft when the man finishes speaking, along with Waldemai's own toast, and only after that is done does she allow herself a drink.

At Rinel's question, Cambria's blue eyes slide first towards her, and then they surreptitiously glance to both Selene as well as Hadrian. There is no answer from her, if only because she has that wine glass pressed to her lips.

Peri raises a toast of the clear rum she's just been served. She speaks to the server, "And keep his glass full, as well." She nods a greeting to the silent Waldemai.

Waldemai has joined the a glossy walnut bar.

"The Whisper House is a time honored institution which dates back centuries. For a full recounting, one would likely need only look in the direction of the Radiant Emeritus," Hadrian explains with a gesture toward Selene. Then his harlequin eyes drift away again as he considers those present. From Cambria to Selene and everyone in between, Hadrian's attention drifts as a prominent smile remains fixed in place on his features. He gestures around the chamber for a moment as he continues, "The Whisper House has been an important facet of the Compact for centuries, but now it is more so, because of whom leads it. This is an opportunity for us to show our support for the Whisper House. To praise them at every turn, to uplift the name of Radiant Bliss at every opportunity, and when our social and political issues..." Hadrian's gaze slips around to regard Rinel. In fact he practically stares at her, before he continues as his eyes drift away, "...became too great? Larger than we'd ever expected to face? Then it is the Whispers which we should turn. Yes, yes, it's quite easy to imagine ourselves fully capable of being big boys and girls, expertly handling our own missteps.. but that's frequently not the case. Extend a hand to the Whisper House and they may make all of your dreams come true."

"Erm. This isn't the Whisper House, though?" Rinel offers. "I'm conf--"

"MRAWROR." The cat jumps down onto her lap and flops onto its back. A low, subsonic rumbling fills the room as it starts to purr.

"Oh," Rinel says. "Is this a... fundraiser?"

Reese has arrived with her bliss doll in hand. The girl seems a bit confused about what is going on though as she got waylaid by messengers. She listens to Hadrian's words. "All my dreams..." She says softly. "I don't know about that." She then peeks over to Rinel and smiles to her.

Peri chews on her lip thoughtfully then says something to the other persona the bar. She begins an animated discussion waving at the whispers in the crowd, the nice decor, pointing to herself, the sky, who knows what. "And then he was all, blahblah hubris blahblah arrogant, and someone told me I should have engaged a whisper." She drinks some more run and sets the glass down. "More?"

"Bravo, my lord. A well described situation as any," enthuses the petite brunette seated on the couch. "No, this isn't Whisper House. That is located in the Ward of the Crown." Selene's bright eyes take in nearly everything, the benefit for being situated right at the heart of it all.

She smiles at Cambria and then turns her focus to Rinel, where so it remains to answer her. "A celebration, Mistress Tern. Bliss Whisper ascends to leadership of the House. We who admire her, call her friend, or appreciate her come together for that." She crosses her right ankle over the right with superlative self-control and elegance, a very image of elegance. The winter-cooled silks burnished darker in their shadows drape over her just so, and the light shimmers with her every motion. Those, it should be said, are limited and few. Wine swishes back and forth slightly. She has yet to properly drink it. "Whisper House plays a role in society, pulling quarrelling factions back from the brink or creating an environment suitable for growth and prosperity. We achieve this in many different ways, but I assure you no one came to hear me sing the praises of an institution dear to my heart. We've come to cherish what it and the heart of our discipleship accomplish in a singular person."

Reese looks over to Peri. "I have had great experiences working with Whispers. Softest Whisper Selene helped me to recruit for the Grayson army and it went very very well. Thank you, Softest Selene." She says softly.

"Oh," says Rinel. "Right." She sips her water. "Mistress Bliss is very nice," she says.

Hadrian seems to easily ignore Rinel's question as his attention turns over the gathering. Reese's arrival earns a glance from Hadrian, then onward his attention goes to consider Selene's own answer to Rinel. The Marquis watches and listens, nodding along at times as his hands drift around to rest at the small of his back. He clears his throat and offers up a bright smile at the conclusion of Selene's answer, "Well said, Radiant Emeritus. A celebration. The announcement of it prior to the hosting of this gathering was fairly explicit in its purpose. Basic comprehension is however a truly devastating affliction for the some, so.." he says with a soft shrug of his shoulders, while a saddened frown for those so afflicted seems to convey the sorrow he must surely feel.

He then turns his attention around to regard Rinel, then back to Peri. Each of the women earns a brief stare before Hadrian nods thoughtfully. Harlequin eyes drift from side to side, as though he were reading text from a page in his own mind. Another nod and his focus returns again to others who are present, "Should you find yourself with a few moments on your way home this evening? Please remember to climb a rooftop and give Bliss' name a hearty shout". This statement is made with a humored grin. Clearly he's joking about climbing buildings. One can just do it from the safety of an intersection in the city.

Peri smiles at Princess Reese, "Hi Princess Reese." The smile is all over her face. she is genuionly happy to see the princess. "I will hire whispers in the future. I completely wrongfooted it recently when I approached soemone with good will. I came off as arrogant." She looks sheepish at that.

Reese looks upon Hadrian. "Oh, I can shout pretty good, Marquis." She murmurs softly. She then turns to Peri, giving her a smile. "They are very helpful. Any kind of diplomacy too or recruiting it is good to bring them along on if you can. I was very fortunate that Softest Whisper Selene has helped me in the past. It is part of the reason for my success as General."

Waldemai raises his glass. "I can manage a shout or two, too. Got to do something now and then to liven up Southport Square."

Reese shouts from nearby, "Radian Whisper Bliss is Awesome! Proud Blissciple!"

Reese proves her ability to shout, like many princes she knows how to make a lot of noise.

Rinel pets the fluffy monster in her lap. "Ah. The sound of commoners dying in the hospital probably drowned out the announcement made there, but I'm quite impressed my lord Marquis managed to send notice to every part of Arx." She takes another sip of water.

Hadrian's attention drifts around to regard Rinel and he offers her a soft smile in return to her words, "Then you shouldn't be distracted from that vital duty, of helping the dying. You can leave". Hadrian's smile persists even as his gloved hand lifts and he gestures toward the doorway. An open invitation for Rinel to return to her vital work. The hand remains held aloft and gesturing toward the exit of the Empirical, even as his attention drifts around to regard Reese and he begins to laugh, "That's more of the spirit. Less needlessly confrontational and more enthusiastic!"

Selene taps the wineglass. It beckons her to savor its rich body and powerful notes, and so she surrenders to the temptation. A little, a mere toe in the water. A sip will do. Preoccupied by that, she can hardly hope to engage in conversation without being quite rude. Laughing sapphire eyes warm considerably when spying Reese. Of course she rises from her couch, glass put aside. "A happy sight to see, Your Highness. Have you brought - that is the Softest doll! I must learn who conjures up these figures to have another set made." Her mental bookmark is made. Her slim fingers slide up to push off her sooty locks from her face. "Someone may have to put me to that rooftop, for these shoes simply won't do."

In all this, Athenais is caught up engaging a courier. The only thing handed over is odd: a paintbrush. The apprentice courtier seeks her mistress and whispers a few words. Selene takes the brush and kisses the fox tip to her lips. "I shall commence with a quick jaunt for our Radiant. I intend to return."

Peri calls to Rinel from the bar. "Lady Rinel, would you care to sit with me here? It's a little quieter here. I will stand you a drink. Tea, rum, as you wish."

Selene has left the a collection of small tables and chairs gathered together.

Athenais, a dreamy apprentice Whisper leaves, following Selene.

Perhaps the Marquessa had lost herself in thought, or else she was bored and her attention drifted elsewhere. She becomes aware of herself and her surroundings once again of a sudden, noticing that her wine glass had become mysteriously empty. Blinking owlishly, Cambria peers about, then discreetly clears her throat.

"I'm quite afraid moving is impossible," Rinel says. She smiles at the Marquis, then--quite more honestly--at Peri. "There is a cat on my lap," she explains. "And I'm not finished with my water. But the Radiant Whisper is an excellent woman. Even the most foolish Arvan can see that."

Reese smiles Hadrian at his words. She then turn to Selene. "Whisper Juniper makes them. I want to get all the ones she makes. I will have to her write myself. She has dolls of other whispers too. Hopefully one of you." She says before smiling to Rinel. "Cats are like that."

"Ah, very well. Remind me, please, to praise your studious attention to Oathlander etiquette. You are an impeccable example of it," Hadrian answers back to Rinel with a smile. He nods around the room for a moment and then gestures casually to the room at large, "I think this celebration of Bliss is resolved. She's wonderful, but almost all of you already know this. I don't need to hold most of your hands in knowing how to have good taste and behave yourself in public like an adult. Most of you." Hadrian's mouth twists into a charcoal-whitened grin as he offers a polite bow to those present and then extends a hand out toward Cambria, inviting her to her feet and alongside himself as he prepares to depart.