Deva has joined the The Scandal Couch.

Servants usher the couples to small secluded areas, handing each person a blindfold and allowing them to place it on their partner. As this occurs, Jaenelle addresses the people with a warm smile, "thank you all for coming. If there is anyone without an escort, it will not hurt to meet someone new to experience something new."

Niccolo has joined the The Scandal Couch.

"I'm keeping an eye on them." Blacktongue's rasp of syllables announces his arrival as he points to the poison testers. They eye the man who is formerly of their same post warily when he approaches.

Orathy is more or less near enough to Jaenelle, to oversee the woman's safety but not to 'hover' anywhere close to the spot light that she's casting upon herself as hostess. He's not dressed as a servant, rather in roguish leathers with a blue sash, which may seem out of place if it wasn't for the purple and blue favor tied around the haft of the axe worn upon his person. If anything, the man is working, with his arms crossed and his eyes flicking over the faces of those who draw near to Jaenelle.

"... No more than one piece of squid up a nose at any given moment. Paybacks are inevitable. And I hold absolutely no liability to any stains on your clothing if something misses or gets ejected for some reason." Acacia's murmured dictations to Franco are paired with a small grin tugging at her lips, stalking with a oddly calm ease into the shadowed ballroom. The illuminated angles of orange light are muted against her stark black leathers for the most part as she begins veering to one of the couches near a more shadowed corner. Jaenelle's presence is greeted with a little formal bow and a friendly wink, but the glimpse of Orathy when she passes him has that earlier expression deepening, "'ey love."

"I hope this doesn't end in another near drowning," Deva warily eyes one of the blindfolds, holding it away from her between pinched fingers. There's a casual upnod for Acacia and Franco, accompanied by a flicker of a smile that fizzles into a more reserved expression as her gaze drifts over the dim ballroom.

Karadoc entered with a lazy air. He'd either spent a remarkable amount of time on his look, to appear perfectly disheveled, or perhaps it was natural. Either way, his eyes were a touch jaded, the loose, perfectly rumpled clothing of better quality than he usually wore, for the occasion surely. Seeing the hostess, and others gathering, he gave that half assed trademark bow, before finding a spot off to the side to lean against a wall and watch the others.

Orathy's mouth curls with a faint upward tick at the corner of his lips for Acacia passing along with Franco, brow arching at the choice but measured with a good natured shrug, "Allo, fancy meetin youse 'ere." He nods to Franco, "Allo 'gain, Franco yah?" He'll extend his hand out to greet the other if Franco wishes, before murmuring with a good natured, "Be watchin out fer you two, ain't going to be blindfolded me self." A cant of his head, as he looks around as the room fills.

Niccolo enters the ballroom, with hands clasped behind his back. Seeing Deva, he approaches the princess. "Your highness," he greets her, and then extends a dip of his head to everyone else gathered. Seeing Blacktongue, he allows a touch of a grin to the man. "Good, not that I'm too worried, but it's good that they're available," he says of the poison tasters. He whispers something to Blacktongue, letting his eyes settle on Acacia briefly.

Felix makes his way into the party in freshly-laundered clothing. Crimson shirt, leather breeches, and black leather boots. He...looks like death warmed over. There's a palor and a sunkeness to his eyes that make him look weary. Perhaps a touch withered. Despite this, the tall smith seems intent on his escorting duties. He makes his way on over towards Orathy and Jaenelle, offering up a cheery (though tired-looking) smile. "Sorry I'm late," he says, his voice a touch quieter and lower energy then normal. Nonetheless, he seems fit enough to be walking around. Acacia is offered a polite smile as well. He doesn't know her, but he's got a certain (currently muted) friendliness and warmth about him regardless of his current state.

One of Niccolo's guards detaches from the rest of the group and walks over to Acacia and nods respectfully to her. He looks very ready to poison test.

Franco arrives near in step with Acacia, the man giving the ballroom a short, appraising look over with blue eyes. His own clothing is a bit of simple traveling leathers as well, and he lazily musses some blonde hair from his face and lets his lips settle into a smirk at the woman beside him's words. "Oh? Not more than one piece. Well. Good thing you're only mentioning squid. I'm going to have to very carefully peruse my options." He decides, clucking his tongue as he moves along. There's a short pause, and a bow given to the hostess, before eyes drift over to her guard himself. "Mhmm. Wasn't aware of your arrangement. But, a chance for some surprise, and a mess of food. Had to be taken, didn't it?" He explains, even as a servant nears and the man procures a blindfold, canting his head as he seems to eye the redhead nearby's head for measurements. "I might be extra appreciative if you warn me when this one gets ready to throw things."

Jiacomo arrives, delivering a message to Niccolo before departing.

Cicero steps into the ballroom in his usual purple silks and brilliant white aeterna cloak. He walks along side Valencia with his arm out for her to hold on to while they move through the ballroom towards one of the alcoves. A friendly smile is on his lips and he nods towards Jaenelle as hostess first, "Princess Jaenelle. I look forward to seeing what you have had the kitchen put together for us this evening.." and Niccolo too gets a nod, though s deeper one, "Your Grace" but then he is reaching out for a blindfold that is handed to him and smiles to Valencia, "I believe, for safety, we are being limited to spoons instead of forks."

Blacktongue laughs at whatever Niccolo murmurs to him, a slow vulpine smile curling the Jester's lips as she murmurs something back before speaking aloud, "I doubt their 'fall down and twitch' routine was anything like my own. Still, they do their job well. Besides, if they ever fail they know that there is a future for them as a Harlequin if they play their hand right."

Orathy shrugs at Felix, "Ain't my party..." he notes with dry humor, "Be as late as youse like, reckon, actually, youse be on time ta the thing..." He notes then, that Felix is solo, "Yer supposin to be havin a person for this, less youse be taking Jaenelle?" A beady eye stare at her, as if he should've been informed about such things. Eyes dart to Cicero as the man descends near to Jaenelle, watching, watchful, cause that's what he gets paid for.

The slight Mailys arrives in perfect order, because that is how a Whisper is. Though, despite that she is dressed in more Velenosa tastes. She always does. Everyone gets a proper curtsy from Mailys and a brilliant grin. She moves to park herself in a spot out of the way until she is directed to where to go.

Jaenelle dips her head towards Acacia, giving the woman a bright smile despite the darkness of the room. Orathy is peeked at over his shoulder, "oh there you are" though as hostess her attention shifts quickly from person to person. Dipping her head towards Cicero, she leans to kiss his cheek, "nothing as you've supplied im afraid." And then her own date for the evening arrives and Felix is given a warm smile of his own, "Master Felix, thank you for coming. The Feast will begin soon."

A servant moves off towards Karadoc, handing the man a blindfold and motioning for him to sit as well. Another servant moves towards Mailys, doing the same and motioning towards the Saik Lord.

Surprisingly on time, perhaps for company he's keeping, Luca the Languid has arrived tonight with Reese Grayson on his arm. Both are dressed well, if simply, with him in Velenosa purple linen shirt draping in silhouette of muscles beneath, tight black calfskin pants he's favored of late into polished boots, Reese in fine woolen dress and stockings of beautiful purple faded into white. Both bearing single blades, hers the pink alaricite Devotion, he the mirror-dark diamondplate Viper's Fury. "A fork to the eye may be the least of our troubles on the battlefield, Ribbons, but I still promise I'll try not to accidentally stab you tonight." Rich, laughing words trying to cut through a slightly somber air of the pair as they're coming in, Luca adding after with a pat of her hand and glance back over shoulder. "He'll be fine. They'll take good care of him while we're at this." Striding in then, trying to show a lopsided, easy smile for the hostess, he says to Jaenelle warmly. "Jae, thanks for having us. Hopefully we'll not make too much a mess, eh?" There's a pause as Luca's gaze passes over his uncle, a slipped hesitation, before a small, subdued nod given his way. After that, the Velenosan prince is making an oddly quick way towards the Misconduct couch with Reese tugged along hopefully without having to tug too fast. As he's passing Acacia and Franco though, Luca's leaning over the man to murmur. "If she makes a bet with you about the orange sauce, don't take it, man. Whatever you do, don't take it!" With that utterly bizarre warning made, he's off to the nearby couch, giving Acacia a wink in passing.

Karadoc either didn't notice, or didn't mind the look from Orathy. He did give a small nod however. That lazy grin crept onto his face as he took in the crowd, trying to remember who each was. He took the blindfold when it was given, and moved on over to the seat that was offered. "Well... This should be interesting... At the least." He chuckled, and started to put the blindfold in place.

"I appreciate it, Uncle," Acacia relays towards Orathy with a more sober dip of her head. "You look sharp," she adds, with an extra approving smile cast towards Jaenelle after the fact. She waves with an ever-present, lopsided grin towards Deva and provides a formal bow between her and the ArchDuke despite the distance. As one of Niccolo's guards approaches her, she reaches out to clasp his forearm appreciatively. "Ahh. Master Meadson," she utters towards Felix, even as a sharper elbow dares to subtly prod at Franco's side for his retort. "... You look kind of terrible, love," she bluntly murmurs towards the Smith, before continuing, "... I hope you're able to relax a little at this event. We haven't met yet, but I've heard much about you. I wanted to contact you at some point anyhow, so perhaps in the future?" She tries to flick Luca's arm at his whisper to Franco, but she laughs against the back of the knuckles on her free hand despite herself. It requires her to backpeddle a bit, but soon she's pouring herself into one of the couches, sinking with an exhale at the comfort and imparting quieter words towards Franco.

Deva sucks in a quiet breath through her teeth. Hands folding together at the small of her back, she dips her head politely to Niccolo. "Your grace," she replies simply, a small smile on her lips. With fingers fluttering in a brief wave for Jaenelle, she slips off to the area directed by the staff to settle into a seat as the event begins.

Valencia moves at Cicero's side with a beautiful and predatory grace dressed in in a sanguine gown if silk that pools about her like crimson waves of blood. Her raven-black hair is swept up in an elegant style, in held in place by jeweled pins. She smiles up at Jeanelle, her dark eyes dancing with impish delight, and offers her alight kiss up on the cheek and small hug in greeting, "Princess, thank you so much for hosting this event. I'm very intrigued to be here." Glancing to Cicero the smile blossom, "I shall endeavor to be very gentle with you, my lord."

Reese arrives while on the arm of Prince Luca. The warrior princess wears a lovely outfit that has matchings stockings. Still it made of wool and probably is not quite appropriate for this event. One might think she is a poor princess, but glance at the silvery pink sword that hangs from her right hip would suggest otherwise. Golden blonde locks are loose about her slender shoulder and adorned with purple ribbons. Reese nods as Luca first speaks of the hound she brought along, seemingly somber. She has a gentle smile of greeting for those gathered here. Reese draws near to Acacia and Franco when Luca heads that way, having another smile for them. "Orange sauce, is it spicy?" She asks of Luca. Her attention then settles on Felix. Reese looks concerned for him, but she tries to be cheerful and not show such, so he is given a gentle smile.

2 Redoubt Buccaneers, Minnow the Ocelot arrive, following Ariel.

"... Orange sauce is an excellent way to get Luca to tend garden plants is what we've discovered, your Highness," Acacia quietly assured Reese before they may have split apart, after an exceptionally respectful dip of her head and a partial grin. She's already idly fumbling with the length of the blindfold from her seat, dangling it either in taunt or jest towards Franco and then seeking to be the first to bind it about his features.

"Luca" Jaenelle addresses the man, "I am sure if you decide to undress the shadows will hide it." Hopefully. Luca and nudity man. Deva is given a smile and wiggle of her own fingers. The hostess slips her arm into the crook of Felix's as she waits for everyone to settle and become blind. "PrincessValencia, welcome. Lovely as always." If her date's appearance causes her concern she doesn't show it.

Valencia has joined the Decadent Couch.

Cicero has joined the Decadent Couch.

Niccolo sits along with Deva and takes a moment to at least acknowledge the other members of the Velenosa family in attendance, including Valencia. Jaenelle gets a faint smile from the Archduke. With a gesture, the rest of Niccolo's guards find places to settle at away from the man. Except for the one that went to Acacia, and one stubborn one that stays by the Archduke. "You can find something to do with yourself, Lydus," he says to that guard, who bows respectfully to his charge, only to simply shift a couple of spaces to his right, finding something to do for himself by standing there. Niccolo exhales, shakes his head and waves, allowing Lydus to remain where he is. "He is going to insist in tasting both our foods," he warns Deva. Off the orange sauce conversation, he looks at Reese. "Your Highness," he greets the Grayson princess. "Orange sauce is very spicy, yes."

Orathy hangs around near Jaenelle, watching the progression in greeting her, each person who does come close to Jaenelle earning a hard once over look. The compliment from Acacia is met with a svelte smile, that fades as she goes off to enjoy herself and he's back to listening, half assed like, to the greetings for Jaenelle and the conversations struck up with her.

Finally stopping in his approach, he bows to Jaenelle formally and with a smile. "Of course, Highness. I wouldn't miss it." Smiling warmly to her as well, the smith takes up a position near the woman so he can either assist in greeting people or otherwise just be his friendly self. He looks to Orathy then and tilts his head to one side. "That was the plan, but I wouldn't deprive her of your company either, Master Orathy." Even though he's pale and weaker-looking than usual, he certainly hasn't lost his cheer. A smile is given towards Reese before he shifts that attention to Acacia. "Mistress Acacia," he greets her with a laugh. "I was just about to say that you look lovely, but I'm starting to rethink that remark." There's a playful smile to the woman before he's then greeting Niccolo with a deep and respectful bow, not wanting to miss greeting the man, but remaining innocuous about it. As Jaenelle slips his arm in his, he looks down (way down) at her and offers a warm smile.

Blacktongue will take up a post of wandering through the pairs, a weather eye kept on the food and drinks along with the servants and guards.

"Allow me?" Cicero asks of Valencia with a lift of the blindfold in his hands before letting her settle first to sit at the couch he had led them to. He moves behind her to wrap the blindfold about her eeyes and secure it with a quick knot before he takes up another blindfold and settles down next to her to lift his arms and tie it about his own eyes. "I will not blame you for any injuries, Valencia. they would

have been my own fault for not wearing my leathers"

Reese has an amused smile at Acacia's words. "Oh." She says, her blue eyes bright, some of the somberness fading. She then looks toward Jaenelle, her cheeks warming pink when she speaks of Luca getting naked. "I don't think he will." She says, but looks toward Luca questioningly as if not completely sure of that. Who knows what the Velenosa might do! She then turns to Niccolo. "Hopefully it is not on this menu then, Your Grace." She says, keeping a gentle hold Luca's arm.

"Aye, reckon not Felix, she be in good company kept by yer side, jist, do not be minding me terribly iffin I hover eh? Tis what her Highness be paying me fer..." Orathy does take a leering moment to consider Blacktongue, though makes no attempt to prevent the man from prowling.

Ariel arrives late, but better late than never to social events. A soft smile curls her lips as she looks about, trying to see if she recognizes anyone off the bat. A hinted blush crosses her cheeks as she sees things involving blindfolds and hears mentions of needed leathers. That causes her to look down to the silk outfit she has upon her before looking back to the others.

"Lydus," Deva smiles awkwardly at the hovering guard. "That is going to take some getting used to," she murmurs to Niccolo, head shaking in mild amusement. "I hope you enjoy dinner too, don't eat -all- of it. I'm hungry," she adds for poor Lydus, giving him the briefest of cheeky smiles. Her gaze settles upon Blacktongue for a moment, thoughtful, before she remembers to ask of her companion: "Who's going blind first?" Her hands shift to smooth her leathers down, a clear indication she's got too much energy that she's not sure what to do with.

Valencia gracefully takes a seat with Cicero on the decadent couch, aptly named for the pair it would seem, and she turns her glimmering dark eyes out at the gathering guests. A polite and respectful but distant nod is offered to her Uncle Niccolo and a smile to Luca before her eyes are veiled. Circeo's blithe comments has her laughing softly, "I would just as soon cut off my own hand than bring you harm, my sweetest Cicero. I do ask that you treat me with equal grace, my lord. I am in your hands."

Mailys accepts the blindfold and gives a wrinkle of her nose at having to put it on. She moves over to Karadoc when she is indicated that way. To him she smiles brilliantly, putting of using her blindfold for the time being. She entirely plans to wear it for as little time as possible.

"Ungodsly spicy, yes." Luca offers to Reese on tail of the other's confirmation as he is gallantly helping her down to couch seat with an easy smile. "Dire chilis. Lots of them." And then, in response to Reese's look about nudity, he's giving her a wink and adding. "More's the pity, probably not." After gliding bonelessly to the couch in turn, he's lifting up the blindfolds and chuckling faintly to the princesses words. "If the orange sauce comes anywhere near me, I'll smell it...and possibly throw up into a plant from memory." That with smirk over towards Acacia. He catches Valencia's smile before she goes behind veil, quickly throwing her a wave and warm smile in return before turning more properly to his date and speaking quietly.

Karadoc had been quiet for a bit, humming to himself idly as he waited, blindfolded, as another sat across from him. He, certainly didn't see the brilliant smile, but sensing the presence, gave his lazy one, "Please, join me."

The same two servants are dispatched to Kieran and Ariel, blindfolds given and escorted to shadows of their own.

Ariel has joined the Shadowy Alcove.

Kieran arrives soon after Ariel and also scans the room. He spots his sister then looks to others putting on blindfolds. "Hmmm, well, I guess I shall seduce myself this evening.". But then he spots Ariel and grins, "Are you seducing only yourself with food this evening as well?"

Kieran has joined the Shadowy Alcove.

Ariel takes the blindfold and looks up to Kieran with a warm smile as she says "I believe I am, unless you wish to take my placement." A playful mirth in her words as she begins to bring the blindfold up to herself. She swallows softly as all the light is now shut out, her hands resting atop of the table, albeit a bit nervous. She begins to softly speak.

While at most Velenosa events Blacktongue is for hire, jests paramount, tonight is a different chord on his infinite stringed lyre. He slips into his old role of keeping an eye out for anything amiss, as he did for the old Grand Duchess ages ago. Orathy's leering moment is noticed and he pauses in his tracks, his caricature cheshire smile escaping - though his namesake makes it nothing short of unsettling.

"They're mostly unnecessary here for us," Niccolo tells Deva, earning the Archduke a glare from Lydus. The high lord studies the blindfold briefly, setting it on the table next to him. At Deva's quip to him, Lydus looks at her in confusion, then catches on, then clears his throat with a look that seems to assure he would never eat the whole thing. Niccolo watches the exchange with obvious amusement. At Deva's question, he picks up the blindfold. "I'll go first."

Reese allows herself to be guided onto the couch. She smooths out the fabric of her dress with just a touch of awkwardness that might suggest she is not used to being adorned this way. "No throwing up, your highness. My cousin might challenge you to a duel for being a bad date." She says, but her words are teasing and probably no threat to Luca anyways. He can handle himself in a duel. She slants her slender legs to the side as her voice softens to a murmur that is hard to overhear.

Kieran dons his own blindfold as he sits next to Ariel. "Well, then maybe we should eat seductively together then. That might be a touch more entertaining." He then waits to see what Jaenelle has in store for them.

Orathy's expresso colored eyes retain the movements of where Blacktongue goes, his head turning as much to keep the other's movements in his perphials. It would seem, that recognition doesn't become Orathy, so namesake or not, he is not easily deterred by the unsettling appearance of a cheshire smile. His own response was a curl of his upper lip that twitched and wrinkled his nose some, and plainly, he meets the other's gaze.

Deva says something quietly to Niccolo, while not quite looking at anyone or anything at all. Her expression is reserved, neutral, showing little as she lifts the blindfold and fingers deftly move to fasten it at the back of her head with the laces.

Ariel offers a smile in the direction she thinks Kieran is in by his voice and comments "Perhaps so, I think it would indeed be quite all the more entertaining.

Acacia too had shot a glare in the direction of Niccolo and Lydus, but it was the first to whom received it. Lydus, in contrast, received an appreciative dip of her head that even served to have her eyes sealing for that respectful pause. But she modifies her seating soon afterwards to better face Franco, hitching one bent leg upwards against the cushions to turn to face him with a periodic handwave made in front of his blindfolded eyes in order to test the opaqueness of said cloth device.

Franco settles into a couch next to Acacia, the big man seeming to consider things rather carefully for a few moments, and peering at the blindfold offered by Acacia next to him. "No hot sauce, that's.. A good warning. Though I think the coloration might not help much with this.." He admits, peering.. Nothing considering he's blinded. So, instead he takes his own blindfold, and draws in a quiet breath. "I might have need of some guidance for this one. But. Why not test it?" He decides, and begins reaching out hands with his blindfold, feeling along the woman's face nearby as he tries to find her face.

Felix chuckles Orathy's way and gives a shake of his head. "I understand duty all too well, friend," says the recently pale one. "You don't make me uncomfortable." That said, he takes a deep and focused breath in before letting it out slowly. "I'm actually hoping I might borrow you soon, but...enough business." Another broad smile is given Orathy's way while Felix stays nearby to Jaenelle for the time being.

The doors to the kitchen open after the blindfolded couples have had time to settle in a bit. While none can see a thing, the senses of smell are greeted with the sweet aroma of baked figs. Tangy goat cheese and honey add to these smells perhaps with just a hint of...almond? This first round of appetizers are baked whole figs that have been opened and topped with the goat cheese, almond bits, and honey. This first dish is brought out and given an extra drip of honey before the servants once again return to the kitchen to finish preparations on the next.

The Southern Fox sits quietly now, her body languid and delicate hands folded gently in her lap as she waits for Cicero to join her again. A little smile dances on full, lush lips. "I am not sure how you talked me into this, my lord, but something tells me that this will be a great deal of fun."

It isn't so much the smile that is unsettling to most, but rather the inky black tongue that can be witnessed every so often between his pearly whites. Blacktongue just maintains his smile and moves along, attention caught by a servant pouring wine.

Niccolo grows pensive, but reaching for the blindfold he secures it over his eyes, and then lifts a hand to test if he can see at all. With that taken care of, he faces in the direction Deva is sitting at. Lydus watches both the Archduke and Deva, remaining a silent sentinel guarding his charges.

Mailys has joined the Libertine Table.

Orathy, mildly distracted by Blacktongue, jerks his chin toward Felix, "Youse lookin like ya near death by the way. Get some rest, aye." He comments wiht a shrug, "Reckon yer to be 'ere eatin, 'n it be lookin like ya need it. Sit, business be business later eh." He does shift to hover near and around Jaenelle and Felix, everyone else is on their own, his ward is all that he oversees, getting himself comfortably in range should anything occur. The smells of the food though, that makes him grunt, his hand idly moving to place over his stomach.

Karadoc has joined the Libertine Table.

The blindfold was eased onto Acacia's features just in time for those servents to emerge, even if the cost was a bit of a squirming, some sputtering when fingers invaded for that registered touch and a sharp jab attempt cutting beneath towards Franco's torso when his index neared too close to her eyes. But after that, all commotion seemed to settle down to only the sparsest whispers between the two which would easily be lost within the multitude of other sounds and scents.

Kieran sniffs lightly at the air as the doors open and the food makes its way to the tables. He pauses a bit and waits, "Do I just start grabbing for the food and hope I snag it? This could get amusingly messy very quickly." His hand spiders over to a plate and gingerly tests for where the figs are. "I think I found it. Or maybe this is a sticky ball of some sort. Not quite sure..."

Mailys settles across from Karadoc then makes another little face then puts on the blindfold, very loosely. It barely stays in place. Not being able to see is definitely not her thing. "I am Mailys Whisper." she informs Karadoc then lowrrs her voice to chat with him on a quieter level.

Cicero takes in a deep breath as the first course comes out of the kitchen and smiles. "That smells wonderful.." he says and waits to feel the weight of the tray being set near them before questing gingerly out. A thumb lands in goat cheese and he chuckles. "ah.. it's.. soft" he says before managing to find a spoon. both hands are used to be sure he has a plate with foot on it and guide the spoon to the fig to work off a small chunk and raises the spoon. "No.. where is my target.."

Jaenelle lifts her uncovered eyes towards the hovering Orathy. "You make me nervous standing there like that. Thank you." Maybe she means it! She knows exactly what the menu is, though Felix does not, and as she settles her almost dead partner to a pile of pillows, she covers Felix's eyes but keeps her own uncovered. Its probably important for the host to see if everything is going smoothly. Her voice dips, asking her date a question.

At their couch, Luca is looking suddenly delighted at something Reese tells him, a wicked sort of grin having slipped over lips before he moved to lean in and tie blindfold around her, and then help her hands up to his own face to tie his on. When the first course is coming out, he's sniffing the air and declaring something softly to his partner at the couch.

Karadoc could smell the food, and his head tilted just a touch as his dinner partner introduced herself. He took up a bit of the baked fig, dripping with honey, and leaned forward, zeroing in on where her voice was coming from, trying to offer a bite while blindfolded, speaking quietly as he did.

Once the food is delivered, Niccolo reaches for one of the baked figs. Lydus clears his throat, and that stops the archduke. The loyal guard makes sure to taste the food, before gesturing for his charge to proceed... which of course, the archduke can't see. "Carry on, Your Grace," good old Lydus says, and with a blind look that is a little too much to the left of the guard, Niccolo finds the fig.

Orathy flashes a cool smile toward Jaenelle, showing off teeth, "Always a pleasure ta do as I'm bid, Highness." And of course, he'll remain more or less near to, watching the reactions of the couples as the food starts to get dished before him.

"I'm fine," Felix says to Orathy while wrinkling up the bridge of his nose with playful mirth. "Promise." Again he grins to the man before turning his attention to Jaenelle for a moment. He lets her ushes him over to a pile of pillows, though, despite his proclamation of being fine. Laughing weakly, he complies and the world goes black when his eyes are blindfolded. Leaning over to listen to the question briefly, he nods a little and speaks back in a lowered tone.

Valencia laughs softly. "Well, this is very heartening.The first course sounds very promising. "

Deva is loudly sniffing the air, as if this somehow makes up for her inability to see. It doesn't. "Something smells good," she says idly, fingers moving to feel around and claim one of the figs once Lydus has given the indication that all is clear.

"... Are you sure you're not already holding your target judging by the softness already?" Acacia's words were pitched at an increased volume, followed by a quiet snicker which swiftly died off in case someone was peeking to who the culprit would be. Blind digits traced the form of the plate upon the outside, assessing the shape in full before delving into the center. Her chin pitched forward, murmurs quietly exchanged towards Franco. It didn't take incredibly long for her to begin a muffled laughter after that.

Cicero manages to poke Valencia in the cheek and leave a sticky smear of honey on her skin. "Hmm.. that feels wrong.." he says and pulls his arm back to try again. To the nose. Boop! The third try gets the mouth.

Ariel giggles as she listens to Kieran's words and comments "I have no idea how to do this either." Her own hands beginning to shyly touch over her food as she asks "Do we feed it to ourselves or to one another?" She gasps as she feels something squishy, not expecting it.

Reese and Luca just got each other blindfolded. They were being slow about this on and murmuring at their couch. Luca was the last of them to lose sight. He might even had caught a glimpse of the first course.

Blacktongue eyes shift to Acacia for a moment and it looks like the Harlequin is trying -very- hard not to lapse into a jest.

Niccolo checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 34, 19 higher than the difficulty.

Niccolo picks up the fig, giving a little squeeze. With a lift of his shoulders, he moves it towards Deva's mouth as they quietly converse at their table and somehow, he waits for just the exact moment she's opening her mouth to deftly stick the piece of food in. "There you go," he says, with a faint grin. He's feeling his plate once more, trying to find the next piece of food to feed his betrothed.

Luca checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 26, 11 higher than the difficulty.

There's a few short moments when the plate arrives that has Franco sniffing at the air almost wolfishly, lips tugging into a slightly puzzled shift aside as heavy brows tug down. But he lets that pass after not too long with a shake of his head and a lift of his chin. Which finds it being made messy with something honeyed off the nearby woman's fingers. "I'm going to be all sorts of a mess after this, aren't I?" The man decides, before he moves his own hands down to the plate, collecting and searching for things to retaliate with.

Kieran continues feeling his way over the fig and accidentally pokes into the goat cheese filled fig. "Oops!" Answering Ariel's question, the prince continues, "I think the idea is feeding each other. Maybe. I vote we make it up as we go along.".

Reaching out with a tentative hand she finds Cicero's knee snd orients herself. She grins as the spoon touches her cheek and then finds her nose. The smile grows, "it occurs to me that we may be wearing more of this than tasting. " With that she tries her first taste.

Deva was about to say something, so she's caught off guard by the fig and coughs lightly as she swallows the bite while trying to compose herself. With a wry smile, she uses her free hand to poke at Niccolo's face so she can figure out where his mouth is to return the favor.

Ariel giggles a bit and says "Feeding each other, does indeed should like it make be a bit more fun considering the blindfolds." She grabs something she thinks is meat and begins to use her free hand to attempt to find Kieran's mouth.

Valencia decides to forego the spoon for the moment, lightly exploring the plate with delicate fingers. A sumptuous fig is selected first and her hand moving from Cicero's knee up his body , up his chest, following the line of his body to his face. She smiles and caresses his cheek, " Ah, that's better. " she says as she lifts the fig towards his lips.

"Perhaps bibs would have been a good idea." Cicero says with a grin and uses his hands to find his plate again, another spoon full and makes another effort. While his partner uses her other hand to ensure success, he goes blind again. Does goat cheese come out of silk? And there's the mouth! At the same time he gets his first taste with a smile, "Ooo.. that is good."

Luca, for his part, seems to be explaining the process to Reese slowly and quietly, familiar with these sensual Lycene ways obviously. When food comes, he's taking up one of the figs with deft fingers, waiting for her to signal, and moving to place it to her lips almost teasingly gently.

The next appetizer is brought out to the ballroom after some time has passed and most of the blindfolded couples have mostly finished the previous plate. This new one has a distinctly more savory aroma. As it wafts into the room, several smells can be detected. Baked chestnut, bacon, and a sort of spicy-sweet glaze. These bacon-wrapped water chestnuts are bite-sized, but flavorful. The servants set the small plate with two water chestnuts for each couple. The savory scent, touched lightly with the spicy-sweet glaze fills the dining area.

Lydus reacts to a quiet request from Deva, and finds some whiskey to pour for the princess. Niccolo moves his head some, when he feels her poking at his face to make it easier for her to target his mouth. Still seeming pensive, he picks up another bite of the food and this time, places it against Deva's lips rather than shoving it into her mouth.

Reese checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 8, 7 lower than the difficulty.

Reese reaches out for one the figs, getting honey upon her finger tips. She lifts her slender right arm toward Luca, trying to feed him in return. She ends up smashing the fig against his cheek, the honey and cheese touching against his skin. "Oh, sorry, Prince Luca." She says tries again. This time she tries to feed his ear. Poor Luca.

Ariel checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 24, 9 higher than the difficulty.

A low, rich laugh escapes Luca at the sticky mess being pressed to cheek. A happy, relaxed sound that is so distinctly different than how he's sounded for weeks that it stands out even beyond just volume. "It's inevitable messes will be made. Just be glad we aren't going with traditional Lycene traditions for cleaning up by licking the messes away from each other." Wait, is he being serious? Or just teasing the poor Grayson princess? Or maybe most everyone here not Lycene, since he said it loud enough to carry.

"Well, one of us must make it out of this unscathed, and I should very much like it to be you," Valenica smiles, senually licking the remaining sticky sweet sugar from the tips of her slender fingers. She pauses to take in the scent of the next dish, "Oh, I know what this is!" she exclimes with delight. "Jaenelle, you angel! I have not had this in forever!" She smiles brightly as her fingers find the plate and begin to expore for the treasures there upon. She nearly knocks the first off the plate and gasps. "Too excited, I think," she laughs softly as she secures a spice sweet treasure in her fingers. "When you are ready, my sweetest Cicero,"

Although there's honeyed streaks grazed along a section of Franco's jaw with dashes of almond memories, Acacia's features are almost remarkably devoid of messes. Such a thing could hardly be said of their hands though, hovering about the plates when they're exchanged, sticky and consistently assessive. That tugged grin to those who can see it has scarcely left her features, even if her words aren't quite audible. A full chestnut is weighed within her palm, before she's set to laughing once more. "... Someone knowing what is being served seems unfair. I was just wondering if a full ball could fit in everyone's mouth. Ball. Nut. You know."

Orathy's gaze flickers over toward Valencia and Cicero, then back to Jaenelle and Felix. There's sort of a deadpan look to him despite the laughter and such floating around. He shrugs to himself and folds his arms over his chest, seeking a wall to which he can wall flower hover at. But not before he grabs some food off a passing tray - because people can see him do it right? He'll take what finger foods he can get, to ease his own hunger at all the tempting smells.

"That's traditional?" Reese says in response to Luca. Her cheeks are pink, but the blush goes unseen by most. She tries to feed him the fig once again, now getting honey on his chin. This is not going very well. Finally the blonde princess decides to cheat. She lifts up her blindfold and peeks! Of course only those without a blindfold can notice. This time while looking, she finally feeds Luca the fig.

Niccolo checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 16, 1 higher than the difficulty.

Ariel checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 17, 2 higher than the difficulty.

Franco checked perception against difficulty 15, resulting in 10, 5 lower than the difficulty.

Franco manages to get a bit of honey dribbling down his face from the last bout, but that isn't much of a dissuader as he speaks with his dinner partner in hushed tones, openly laughing as the newest tray arrives. "Well. So much for subtlety. But, while everyones blindfolded seems the best time to test, doesn't it?" The blonde man asks, low bass carrying a tone of mirth as sticky fingers sweep over the plate, searching for his own ball. And it's lifted towards Acacia's mouth across from him as words fall quiet again. He does keep shifting the distance of the chestnut though, towards her, then away. Or so he tries. But, he's not the best judge, especially without his eyes to aid his coordination. And he likely ends up pressing bacony-chestnut into her chin and bringing a laugh from him at the same time.

Felix is blindfolded. Jaenelle was kind enough with her visual advantage to not smear fig and honey all over his face. Nonetheless, the man laughs warmly despite his tired state. "Oh dear Gods this is so much better than the food at the House of Solace," he says, perhaps a little too loudly. He pauses before speaking up a bit. "And I'll thank you all not to mention that to Princess Sophie."

Luca checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 44, 29 higher than the difficulty.

"That's terrible, Cia!" Luca calls playfully, but it's followed up immediately with laughing. "Of course we all can! How dare you doubt us!" After which he's laughing to Reese's further attempts, and when finally he gets a fig in mouth, its with a lot of tongue and stickiness. Moving on to the next, he draws up one of the glazed chestnut wraps with a spoon, murmuring soft words to Reese and feeding her with a delicate ease.

Kieran reaches to the new plate and feels the bacon wrapped chestnut. "Ohhh, what's this. Round, firm, but with a little give. Very nice." He picks up the tapas and starts moving his hand towards Ariel's mouth trying to find it once more.

Jaenelle laughs and looks towards Valencia, "I am glad you enjoy it, Your Highness. I was very fortunate with the courses. I have made quite a few wonderful trade agreements for each ingredient found within these dishes. From Thraxian shores to the mountains of Redrain. This all could not have been done without each Ward."

"Thank you," Deva murmurs a grateful reply, as whiskey is provided to her ever eager hands. This time, she doesn't sputter on the bite given, but chews gracefully once it is so deftly provided. She doesn't sip after that, she chugs outright, and it's something she can manage doing easily with her eyes covered. Except she starts sputtering on her drink as Acacia's faint words are processed.

"Thats... bacon. I smell bacon!" Cicero says happily. His hand moves to the tray to find the plate too, grinning when he feels her knock it and nearly loose part of their dinner. But then his fingers quest over the surface until he can find the bacon wrapped treat and lift it from the plate. "Probably best this one doesn't end up the nose.." he says and tentatively reaches out towards Valencia. Her chin gets a bit of spicy suace on it before he moves upwards to press it against her lips.

Acacia's words cause Niccolo to chuckle. Once. Just once. He glances in his protege's direction, not that this helps a lot, really since he is completely blindfolded. He selects one of the chestnuts and aims to feed it to the princess. Of course, she is sputtering now so really, he's more rubbing the ball against her chin now.

One advantage of coming with nimble languid prince to an event like this is a clean face. Reese parts her lips, accepting the bite. She focuses on such for a few silent seconds. Once the bite is finished, she speaks. "Oh, so good. I can't tell you what it is though." She tries to feed him in return. What could possibly go wrong!

Reese has rolled a critical success!
Reese checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 72, 57 higher than the difficulty.

Ariel finds Kieran's hand and guides it to her mouth to eat the bacon wrapped water chestnut. Her own hand offering one of the treats to his lips. She chews on it, wrinkling her nose a touch, poor dear isn't a fan of water chestnuts it seems, but she swallows it anyway and comments "It is indeed quite interesting, you may like it Prince Redrain." Her fingers guiding a piece into his mouth.

Reese finds a chestnut wrapped bacon with all this skilled ease, holding it with even more delicate preciseness then most would with full sight. She lifts the morsel to Luca's mouth, now having a sense of exactly where he is and exactly where his mouth is. She touches a finger over his lip, encouraging him to ready for the bite. A second is given and then another until she draws back and gently tosses the bite into this mouth. She makes the shot, it laps with perfectly right on his tongue, without putting him at any risk of choking.

"I knew this would end with me drowning again," Deva mumbles, struggling to compose herself. Once settled, she nips at the bite offered to her by Niccolo, one eyebrow lifting high as she starts to chew and swallow. "Preettty good," she admits, her own free fingers reaching to fumble around then over the plate.

"Not unless you would like the favor returned," Valencia laughs playfully. Again, she reaches out blindly to find him, her fingers this time fining his forearm. With a feather light touch, her fingers slowly traverse up is arm to his broad shoulders then tracing up his neck to slide along the line of his jaw. "Ready," she ask softly, her fingers gently held under Cicero's chin to better guide her aim for the next delicious offering.

"... Hey! You can't out me, Luc--" The final syllable to Luca's name exclaimed after that signature name-shortening remark was muffled when Acacia incoherently sputtered upon the misjudgment of Franco's fingers. A rake of the back of her knuckles sweeps along his jaw, head tilting askance to manipulate her mouth beneath the approach of his digits to steal it from the side. Shamelessly, she's then dragging that bacon-juiced hand in diagonal sweep across his torso in search once more of his chin to dictate messy placement for her own. A jarbled bit of laughter occurs, even with her thumb prying open that bottom lip to feed the savory ball whole to Franco with the other hand.

Cicero has managed to escape so far unmarred... but not true for his poor date for the evening. He opens his mouth to gentle snag the morsel from her fingers and waits for her to the do the same from his before he softly holds her chin with his sauce covered forefinger and thumb to just add to the mess. "Ah.. there.. stay right there and I'll do better next time.."

Franco seems to be succeeding in finding a bit of the meal every time. Though generally it's always somewhere near his jaw and inevitably, that ends with it falling to his chest and the poor shirt there. The sweeping digits of Acacia's hand leave it mussed and messed, and he's leaning his own head towards her fingers when offered to snag the morsel and chew it down with a single gulp, avoiding too much spillage in the mess. "I'm pretty sure you're trying to make a mess now." He explains with a quiet chuckle to accompany the words a moment later, one honeyed thumb raising to brush over his jaw, only managing to spread some of the sticky mess.

Luca's relaxing into his partner's touch, expecting the food to plop home on tongue by fingers. So when it's suddenly flying into mouth, there's a little startlement, but a laugh escapes him and he's settling to chew it with low rumble of pleasure sounds given to the flavor. Afterwards, he's reaching for another chestnut, saying. "Well hey, it can't be _that_ hard right? Here Ribbons, open your mouth and I'll try." Try is the optimal word, for Luca's utterly misjudging the weight of the little bit of glazed yumminess and it actually flies over Reese's shoulder, past her head, and right towards the couch with Acacia and Franco, possibly about to add to their mess, or else just bring about some confusion. Then again. The Velenosan prince's low, embarrassed. "Shit!" kiiiinda gives away where that accidental lob came from, even though he's hushed murmuring in laughter to Reese after it.

Reese hears Franco speak of trying to make a mess and she turns her blinded face toward him. Her lips curve int his subtle smile of impish amusement. The more empathic who are not blinded may realize that she intends to do exactly that. She then opens her mouth, waiting for the bite that doesn't come. "Oh, Prince Luca, I am clearly far more nimble than you."

Niccolo checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 21, 6 higher than the difficulty.

As the couples finish the bacon-wrapped chestnut and have let it settle a little, the fine blindfolded dining experience continues with a new scent. This has the strong scent of vegetable broth, cauliflower, and a somewhat less dominant hint of pumpkin and truffle. Earthy scents mixed with the slightly more tangy of vegetable broth fill the room as the servants bring the soup. Each bowl is garnished with an extra shaving of truffle and the greens from the cauliflower. While presentation clearly isn't as important, the chefs tonight spare no expense. The light clink of the bowl being sat down in front of each person can be heard as the servants come around to serve the bowls and bus the small plates that held the hors douvres.

Valencia parts her lips in anticipation of the next morsel, happily taking the next the spicy morsel from his fingers into her mouth. There is a quiet moment as she savors the bite and then a happy sigh. "Mnmmn, gods, so good," she says nearly melting with satisfaction. "Do you remember having these at Luca's birthday dinner? Gods, I must have stole a dozen of Serafine's plate that night," she grins again. "I think this is a mouthful that bears repeating, yes?

"Shit!" Acacia utterly echos the curse, but with far more dire meaning behind it. The flung chestnut streaked between the small space present between her and Franco, instinctively causing her to recoil backwards and jab a thumb beneath the silk of her blindfold to tug it up to peer around accusingly after locating the plate-ricocheting culprit. It's only then that she's able to spot Luca laughing away some, but uncertainy has her appraisingly squinting to each and every one of the other couples before she tugs it back down across her dark eyes. It's only then that she leans forward, her hands clasping once more against Franco's when she imparts a conspiratorial murmur and steals two more of those chestnuts before the empty plates are stolen away once more.

Niccolo was in the process of eating a bite fed to him by Deva, after some very quiet murmuring between the two. When he hears Reese's words to Luca, he reaches for a glass of whiskey, one that Lydus happened to also pour after pouring Deva's earlier, and washes the food down. He opens his mouth as if to say something, but thinks better of it and instead takes a moment to consider the next course. "Oh, this won't go well," he decides, feeling the bowls and dipping the tip of a finger into his.

Acacia checked dexterity + small wpn against difficulty 15, resulting in 43, 28 higher than the difficulty.

Jaenelle accepts the bowl of soup from the servant, whispering to Felix, "hold still." Because eyes are great to have. She lifts the bowl to his lips, tipping it slightly to offer a taste.

Cicero is perhaps a bit sad when the bacon wrapped goodies are removed to be replaced with.... vegetables. His fingers touch at the side of the bowl in front of him and then tentatively move inside to figure out the contents. Whoops. Wet soup fingers.. but those at least he can bring up to his own mouth to quickly slurp clean, "OOo.. this is good too.." he says before finding the spoon again and gathering up a spoonful. "I think it best I apologize ahead of time.." he says with a smile and lifts the spoon toward Valencia, "Best open side so I have a bigger area to aim for.." Not athat it matters when he pokes her in the chin and manages to dump the spoons contents down to her chest and inside the front of her dress.

Franco checked dexterity + small wpn against difficulty 15, resulting in 19, 4 higher than the difficulty.

Mailys is quietly chatting with Karadoc, though, she seems to be pretty skillfully avoiding being fed but seems to, easily enough, turn the tables on KAradoc and feed him when he tries to do it to her.

Franco leans back from Acacia at the loud exclamations, the chestnut likely plinking off the couch and managing to further muss his leathers somewhere. But thenh e's leaning in close to Acacia, seeming to consider her words. There's a broadening grin on the young mans face, and his head turns out towards the group itself, though most likely aren't going to notice with the helpful obfuscation of a blindfold. Hands seem to find something, and then there's commotion from their sofa, even as the servants arrive. And two flying chestnuts go pelting out into the air, one aimed towards the couple of Niccolo and Deva, much and less with practiced ease than the well aimed one that goes sailing towards Jaenelle and Felix amongst their pillows.

Upon hearing the words 'hold still', Felix does so. Still as can be, he sits there and is completely compliant as the princess tilts the bowl back against his lips. Even blindfolded as he is he closes his eyes in reaction. "Mmm," he sounds out as he tastes the soup. Still, he doesn't move a muscle for fear he might spill and puts his trust in Jaenelle to not dump it all over him.

From her pillows, there's a voice of feigned outrage, before Acacia calls accusingly after the chestnuts were flung in different directions, "... Luca, you just threw another chestnut!"

Ariel checked luck against difficulty 15, resulting in 18, 3 higher than the difficulty.

Niccolo checked perception against difficulty 15, resulting in 5, 10 lower than the difficulty.

Jaenelle checked perception against difficulty 15, resulting in 13, 2 lower than the difficulty.

Reese checked perception against difficulty 15, resulting in 21, 6 higher than the difficulty.

Dink. That chestnut hits Niccolo right on the back of the head. Then he hears a voice and Niccolo's turning to face Luca's table, even though he remains blindfolded.

Deva checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 29, 14 higher than the difficulty.

Jaenelle still can't seem to dodge the flying food, though without a blindfold she can clearly see where it came from. "Hey!" she says, adding for their sake, "im glaring at you both!"

Karadoc was still blissfully ignorant, idly chatting softly, and being fed the mystery meal by his dinner date.

"Wot?! No I didn'g!" Comes the indignent, mouth-full mumblings of Luca perking up to his accusation. He audibly swallows and then as he's reaching up to peek up his blindfold to cast a glare Acacia's way that blanches when he turns the other to see Niccolo blindly glaring, he adds. "I was just being fed! Ribbons can vouch for me!"

Kieran hears the arrival of the bowl and reaches for it, dipping a finger in the broth. "Oh...it's soup. I should be more mind ful of where I place my fingers." He tries to find a spoon when he hears a bit of the commotion that is starting. He turns his head in several directions, looking a bit silly since he can't see.

"Did-- what just happened?" Deva asks, sounding terribly amused as she hears the chestnut 'thunk'. Plucking up a spoon despite the commotion, she waves it in front of Niccolo's face - sort of, she's off by about half a foot - but manages not to spill it everywhere.

Ariel jumps a bit at the commotions and accidently hits the side the appetizer plate and it sends the bacon-wrapped water chesnuts flying all over the place. She gasps deeply as she can almost imagine what is happening. Her gaze then looks towards Keiran's voice as she says "Oh my... I think I just caused a mess..." All that poor bacon, now food weapon.

Valencia 's dark eyes widen under the blindfold and she gasps as the spoon bounces off her chin and the contents splash over her chest and down the front of her fortunately low cut down. Delicate hands immediately find chin and breast as she tries to mitigate the damage, "That was not my mouth I'm afraid," she laughs softly as she attempts to removes soup from her cleavage. "I will regret asking this, but would you care to try again?" She pauses as the sound of inevitable Lycean chaos erupting. She turns to her dining companion. "Would you care to step out for just a moment. I think now may be a good time fresh air before the next course, yes?"

Mailys is shifitng in her seat to put Karadoc between her and any chance of being pelted with food. No outfit ruining for her.

This is the second Lyceum event in a row that left Reese in quite the situation. Her cheeks heat with pink hue even as she keeps the blindfold over her gaze for now. "I can?" She says, sounding a bit uncertain about getting involved in this even though she knows very well that Luca did not toss the chestnuts. "Oh, I can vouch, he was busy, Your Grace. I am sure that Prince wouldn't even dream of pelting food your way. Well maybe he would, he probably has, but only dreams and no for real. Anyways, he was busy."

Franco for his part, remains fairly calmly seated in his couch, though his brows perk up a bit. "Hm?" He questions the gathered querries, before actually whistling for a short moment, and turning his attention back to his own newest course. "So. Soup. Blindfolded. I'm pretty sure if we keep up our current ratio of in mouth to on clothes, I'm going to have to change after this dish." He decides, tone jovial rather than heated. The blonde man pointedly focuses on his own dining for the moment, despite grinning broadly.

Acacia's blindfold is maintained across her eyes upon Luca's peeking and Niccolo's glare, but her shoulders are trembling with the near-silent bit of laughter that has her tilting against the back of her chosen couch and angled towards Franco. Aside from Jaenelle's potential ability to locate the source, her fingers - as well as everyone's elses - are likely far too mussed with the residue of the dishes to be used as evidence. "I'm innocent. I was just being fed! Lord Franco can vouch for me," she'd begun to dictate in imitation of Luca's words, before Ariel's mishap has several chestnuts bouncing everywhere. Bent arms are slanted protectively to fend off from the tiny bacon-bound projectiles, before she simply collapses against Franco's side, "Fine, fine, I give. I can't go against the words of a Princess. Someone is /very/ devious here, but thankfully, we have delicious soup to put everywhere. Enjoy everyone!"

Karadoc chuckled a bit, hearing some of the comotion, but stayed where he was, slowly working on the meal, even as he was distracted by a variety of things going on.

Kieran notes to Franco. "Well, we could all undress to avoid needing to change. With the blindfolds on, no one would be the wise."

Karadoc hearing that got Doc's ears perked, "Now that's a thought."

Cicero moves his hand to lift up his blindfold and peek over at Valencia with raised brows at the sight of her. Whoops. "Oh.. um.. My apologies, Princess.." he says, "Yes, come with me a moment and we will get you cleaned.. at least somewhat to be comfortable." he suggests and rises to his feet to offer Valencia his hand and escort her from the room. "Will return momentarily.." I am one with the force, the force is with me. I am one with the force, the force is with me. Avoid blasters and chestnuts.

Ariel gasps loudly and playfully at Kieran's words before she teasingly claims "And what would stop others from peeking hmm? Not everyone plays fair after all."

"Ugh, Kieran," Deva groans aloud.

Felix chuckles, but looks like he's entirely in the dark as to what's going on. Clearly. Blindfolded as he is, he doesn't witness food being flung in his direction and just manages to miss any sort of telltale sign of whizzing past his head or light thump on the floor. "Are people throwing food?" he asks, his smile brightening a touch. No, no. He really shouldn't approve of that sort of thing. He tightens his expression back up and suppresses a laugh.

Reese lifts her blindfold, looking upon Acacia. "I have yet to met a single innocent woman with hair so firey. Not that I don't believe you, but...." She says in her direction. She then looks to Kieran. 'Don't give Luca ideas." Finally she slips her blind back on. She tries to reach for the soup spoon.

Reese checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 23, 8 higher than the difficulty.

"Busy," Niccolo repeats Reese's words and that blind glare remains there, even as he feels Deva's spoon full of soup poking at his face. At least is not pilling everywhere. He's about to say something else, when the sound of Ariel's little accident catches his attention. "Very well," he decides then and gestures in the general direction of Jeanelle, which is not where she's at all. "Carry on." He tilts his head towards Acacia's confession, pursing his lips in amusement.

Franco seems to consider the thought for just a few moments, before he questions rather bluntly. "But then where do we keep the knives?"

Reese checked composure against difficulty 15, resulting in 7, 8 lower than the difficulty.

Jaenelle glares at Felix too, "I just saved your life and got his with bacon balls. You should be thanking me, Felix, not giggling." Then she sighs and starts laughing too, "at least no one can throw soup? No Kieran."

Valencia lifts her own blindfolk to peek, and rolls he eyes playfully. Her Velenosa-senses tingling, she happily departs with Ciceor to avoid getting caught in the food fight fray, taking Cicero's hand and slipping out of the room.

"Very devious indeed." Luca quips drily Acacia's way with a roll of eyes, but lets his blindfold settle again and reaches out to take up Reese's hand and kiss her knuckles lightly in thanks for her defense. At Kieran's suggestion, Luca's laughing though, calling out. "I hereby named Kieran an honorary Lycene for this brilliant suggestion!" Followed up with commenting nearer. "And Franco, if you can't figure out a way to hide a blade when you're naked, you need to practice more. Or date more dangerous women."

Acacia checked dexterity + small wpn against difficulty 15, resulting in 58, 43 higher than the difficulty.

At the 'dangerous women' comment, Acacia tugs down her blindfold once more, if only to send an unused spoon hurtling towards Luca's shoulder.

Luca checked dexterity + dodge against difficulty 80, resulting in 60, 20 lower than the difficulty.

Kieran adds, "Except Deva. In fact, she should have three cloaks and a blanket thrown on her." He looks towards Jaenelle's voice, "Awwww." Then he turns to Luca's voice, "Well, thank you. Just two more to go and I have the whole set."

Ariel checked luck against difficulty 15, resulting in 28, 13 higher than the difficulty.

Mailys tugs her blindfold off at the talk of being naked nd she peers at people, "I am pretty sure I'll pass on being naked. I would have a lot of explaining to doo to my Radiant." She's not eatting so she leves it off to see if she can get away with not wearing it.

Reese blushes brightly at Niccolo's words. "Busy having dinner, Your Grace." She then looks to Franco. "I prefer the kind of blades that you don't have to hide. "Yes, like her super pink one with roses, flowers dragons and griffins. She has the soup on her spoon and then /tries/ to feed Luca, spilling it against his collar bone at about the time he mentions dangerous women.

Deva checked dexterity + stealth against difficulty 15, resulting in 28, 13 higher than the difficulty.

Niccolo checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 26, 11 higher than the difficulty.

Ariel giggles as so many tell her date for the event no to the naked idea. She then muses to him "Soup can not be thrown, though I am not brave enough to even attempt to try and drink it blindfolded or try to feed it to you in such a fashion either Kieran." Her hand begins to glide along the top of her table and oops, another plate is flinging figs and honey glazed treats and she gasps loudly "Oh no!"

Karadoc chuckled, "A pity that. I'll just have to picture it in mine own mind's eye." He smirked, and kept up his blind man ruitine while blindfolded.

"Well, I like to think of it as preferring to be open about my intentions. Bare blades and bare bodies." Franco explains simply, though he's leaning back from Acacia as she readies and throws, before leaning back in towards the bowl itself. "Sometimes that's more exciting anyway, just less accepted for dinner parties." He admits, his words almost bemoaning that fact as he falls a bit quieter, nodding his head lower in acknowledgement to Reese's words. He's pressing back in close to the bowl nearby, and seeming to attempt and mitigate the amount of spillage his dinner partner may be able to manage as his voice falls quieter.

"My savior," Felix speaks up in...fairly mild melodrama. Although blind, he pantomimes batting his eyelashes and twisting side to side with a feminine coyness that does not sit well on those broad shoulders. "Your prize shall be hot soup that I will endeavor to not dump all over you." This time he lifts the bowl and counts on Jaenelle to guide him. Similarly, he tilts it back so that she can drink from the bowl.

Wordlessly, Deva rises from her seat and pushes her blindfold up and into her hair. Soup spoon abandoned, and Niccolo too, she quietly starts to leave with a thin smile on her face. Apparently someone is taking advantage of the fact that most people are still blindfolded. Tiptoe, out she goes.

Niccolo takes a spoonful of soup, making it his turn to try and feed it to Deva. He guides it to her face, except there is no face, because Deva is not there. So, that spoonful of soup just kind of pours all over the table. There's a frown from the archduke and his eyes narrow behind the blindfold.

"Well, I brought devotion here with me." The Grayson princess says to Franco. Maybe she shouldn't have brought her sword but Reese did. "One never knows. There could be a pastry demon that emerges at this dinner party."

Luca twitched a little at sound of flying something coming towards him, but blind as he was, he wasn't fast enough, and takes a mortal spoon strike to the arm, another laugh escaping him. This is followed up by his getting soup spilled down his chest. "Okay, the soup is maybe not the best idea for this I admit. I'm not sure any of us are coordinated enough for it, Jae." Not that that stops Luca from trying to reach to steady Reese's hand and get the spoon to his mouth for whatever's left of it, then take it up to try and return it to the Grayson's mouth, oblivious for the moment of bombardment of treats or escaping guests.

Deva has left the The Scandal Couch.

Acacia's blindfold had temporarily been left askew to grant her sight to the throw of the spoon. But she still couldn't seem to locate Deva's stealthy departure. A few of those thrown spills from Ariel's realm of the ballroom ended up dashed about her calves and bounding off her boots, but aside from an amused grin flashed in her direction, she didn't instigate further fighting. Instead, she cheated just a bit on locating Franco's ready mouth before tugging that silken binding back into place.

Reese allows herself to be steadied by Luca's hand. She parts her lips, waiting for bite of soup. There is not much left, but she can at least get a teasing taste.

Cicero returns with Valencia at his side once again, perhaps with a bit less soup over her front. Poor Princess. Cicero though.. he was smiling happily as ever and let her back to the couch they had been on, "Perhaps it might be best if we skip the soup? We can try again on the next course." and he reblindfolds himself to await it!

Time passes and the final dish is brought out to the party of blindfolded people: The desert. This one has a much fainter smell as it comes around, but it certainly smells of sweet and cream. This saffron creme pana catta is served in a small glass dish and set before each person. Accompanying the dish are two praline-filled macarons for each person. As people are blinfolded, they will first likely get the faint scent of apricots along with this dessert and the macarons that come with it. The gelatin is chilled and cool to the touch.

Gracefully taking her seat again, and looking a little less messy, somewhat less messy anyway, Valenica rejoins Cicero on the couch, "Agreed," she smiles, holding out her blindfold to him. "Would you mind?"

A few moments pass, before Niccolo pulls up his blindfold and sets it down on the table. He rises, and inclines his head to Jeanelle. His features are as schooled as ever. "Thank you, Your Highness for putting this together. It was quite entertaining," he says and turns then to those still present, "Please, enjoy the hospitality of the Velenosa estate." With those words, he starts towards the exit, his guards following him. The one with Acacia seems about to follow him as well, but without looking, he points to his protege and that guard immediately settles right next to her and Franco.

Valencia glances at Cicero who is already blindfolded and prepared for the next course and grins, her dark eyes dancing affectionately at his eagerness for th next course. She pauses though as she notes that Deva has fled and Niccolo is soon to follow. A little frown mars her otherwise happy expression and she looks to her uncle, eyebrows lifting with confusion.

Luca is overheard praising Jaenelle for: An elegant, sensual dinner, even with food fighting caused by fool princes.

Reese is overheard praising Jaenelle for: Creative Dinne

Kieran begins laughing at something and shakes his head before finally managing to take a sip of the soup. He doesn't get much time to enjoy it though as it is replaced by dessert. "Well, what new adventure do we have here?"

Jaenelle dips her head towards Niccolo, offering her father in law a smile, "thank you for attending."

The familiar voice of the ArchDuke has Acacia once more prying through the blindfold in order to affix her dark eyes upon him from her seat. The spoon dangles from her hand, a forward scooch herself made with a sole questioning look. But as the guard had returned to her and Franco's side, she only inclines her head once respectfully and visually tracked his departure from the ballroom.

Reese has her blindfold back in place and is perched on the couch with her slender legs turned to one side. "Take care, Your Grace." She says when Niccolo speaks of leaving.

Luca moves to peek when he hears Niccolo's declaration, one eye peering out of the blindfold. He looks about confusedly for a moment for someone, then briefly meets Niccolo's gaze as the archduke is leaving, a sombering frown given, furrowed brows, and a small nod for him in parting. Attempting to push past the grimness that settled on him, the Velenosan prince lets his blindfold settle again while cheerfully saying to Reese. "Desert next. I think you'll like this."

Acacia is overheard praising Jaenelle for: A fantastic, creative host.

Franco manages to get a bite of something, without a massive mess. The soup gets conquered deftly, though he doesn't even attempt to offer any for his companion, smirking instead and talking quietly until the latest dish comes out. There's another bit of his head lifting, wolfishly sniffing the air, and then reaching out to feel the offered desert itself. When Niccolo announces his departure, the Gilden man turns his head, and nods in his direction, though remaining quiet, and blind, it's a bit off-center. He's rapidly back to speaking to his companion a moment later. "We might be able to avoid a mess with this one."

Niccolo has left the The Scandal Couch.

5 Velenosa House Guards leaves, following Niccolo.

Reese has her blindfold on she misses the looks given to Niccolo. "I love desert." She says softly, parting her lips and waiting eagerly for the sweet treat.

Cicero turns his blindfolded gaze to the sound of Niccolo's voice, "Your Grace," he says by way of good bye while his hands feel out the dish before him. The cookies, and then the cooled bowl are felt, "Hmmm.." he says before taking up the safe bet of the macaroon and lifting it in the air to where he thinks Valencia's mouth is. Or a good foot off to the side. "I think I know what this is... they're wonderful.." he says and sweeps his arm side to side until he brushes at her hair and works along the side of her face to her mouth.

Valencia watches her uncle leave, the cool detachment melting a little. Her brow forrows slightly and she glance about the room, dark eyes moving from couple to couple. She grins for a moment at Kieran and then turns her eyes back to Cicero. Chewing her lip a moment, she opts to leave the blindfold off for now. Grinning mischivously as he offers her dessert, the little princess leans forward and liberated the cookie from his waiting fingers before delicately feeding him a bite of the hight as air treat.

Ariel checked dexterity against difficulty 15, resulting in 9, 6 lower than the difficulty.

Ariel smiles as she can smell the hints of dessert and muses to Kieran "I am not sure, though I am quite curious. I do quite enjoy sweets." Her fingers being to grab one of the macaroons and guides it to Kieran's lips but misses, accidently having it brush upon his cheek.

Kieran has left the Shadowy Alcove.

Luca, for his part, never quite completely shakes the somberness of Niccolo's parting, but he does set about feeding his date more than her half of the dessert, clearly enjoying her reactions to it and managing not to make a mess witht his one. By the end, the pair are thanking their hostess graciously, smiling around to those others still around, a wink for Acacia the trouble-maker, and then they're off to do whatever princes and princesses do after sensual dinners. Err, probably more like what good Graysons do more than what Velenosans would do that is.

"And that has come an end to this lovely experiment" Jaenelle announces from her place across from Felix. "Thank you all so much for attending, without you all it would not have been as much of a success as it was. Do not send any cleaning bills to me. That is all!"

Ariel managed to not get any food on herself but did get it on some of her party mates. She removes the blindfold and gasps at the mess she caused. Well the parts she think she caused.