Harlan enters the dining room, escorting his wife on one arm, although his attention is mostly on her -- even though she's got servants with her who are doing exactly the same thing. So he's concerned. This isn't a bad thing, right?

The spread of the grand supper that is brought forth comes in a myriad of foods - fresh-caught fish from the river, an enormous beef roast dripping with juices, roasted onions, an enormous cheese and potato pie, dozens of light tarts either savory or sweet - with a fleet of servants bustling to and from the kitchens. Wine and ale flow in luxurious quantity.

The heat of the day, while considerable, finds relief in iced wine, chilled fruits and crunchy, artfully sliced fresh vegetables, carrot flowers and cucumber swans, and the windows have been thrown open in a desperate attempt to encourage some godsdamned breeze in here. Please, Mangata, throw us a bone in this our humidest hour of need.

Tikva is already urging people to find their seats as the dinner bell rings, handwaving amiably at friends and family as they make their way inside.

Reese arrives at the dinner while adorned in her normal pink and ivory. She has her weapons peace tied, but still present. The girl looksi over the dinner room, trying to get a sense for things here. She notices Lisebet and Harlan first and the two get a smile of greeting. She then smiles over to Tikva. She goes to find herself a seat and reaches quickly for a roasted onion.

"No, Willen, I don't really have any plans to tell stories at dinner tonight. It's dinner, no one wants to hear about the places I've been, even /if/ they have been some crazy fantastic places full of wonder." Lou strides in, talking to her trusty assistant, Willen, who works at the Society of Explorers with her. "Or if we've learned a few things about our Queen." She waggles her brows at Willen, and then goes to see what places are still available to settle down.

Max, an emperor tamarin, Rosalee, The Champion, 2 Grayson House Guards arrive, following Ailys.

Gianna is back! She hasn't been seen at one of these for a while, but with a Grayson patron comes certain Grayson perks, like delicious dinners at the Grayson Mansion every once in a while. The Nightingale of the Bard's College is resplendent in praseodymium, her dress scaled with the stuff.

"I don't know about that, Lou; it is, after all, a _Grayson_ dinner." Tikva waves to Lou with a crooked smile ticking her mouth up at one corner and then leans forward, bracing her hands in her lap. "Good evening, everyone! I'm dreadfully sorry that the weather has decided to coincide awful humidity with our big family dinner. Please come on in and make yourselves comfortable! As comfortable as possible, anyway."

Reese looks over to Lou, having a smile for her sister. "I love to hear about the places you have been, Lou. One day I want a collection of the adventures of Lou books." She then adds. Reese smiles over to Gianna. "You look lovely, as always, Whisper Gianna."

Lisebet comes in with Harlan, smiling at those she recognizes. She does have servants, who take care of things like making sure she has enough raspberries and doesn't overheat. Given the urging to settle into seats, she moves towards the table, and does settle into a seat. "Good evening. I'd love to hear about those explorations, truthfully, Lou. And I'd like to go exploring on adventures too."

Grayson Dinner involves a lot of Graysons. And most of them are Princesses. Michael has brought his own secret weapon. A Grayson Princess. Ailys has her arm yanked through Michael's and wrapped around his elbow. "So. I really only need to talk to a few of them. Just a few...about ya'know." Business.

Lou does manage to find a set and plots down. She gives Tikva a doubtful look. "I've been busy, between going looking for dwarves and searching for Whitepeak; the stories could take up all of dinner, and I'm sure there are other things people want to share." There's a glint in her eyes that suggests she may have had some successful journeys. She cringes a bit at Reese's comments. "Er, I'll have to dictate those. I can't imagine staying in one place long enough to actually write them down, though I do owe the Explorers hall a few journals." A pause. "But, if you say please, I'll show you a trinket that I found at Whitepeak, at the very least." She grins brightly when she says htat.

Harlan smiles back towards Reese and the others, pleasant as usual and says, "Good day, Graysons and others." He half-grins and reaches to squeeze Lisebet's hand as he sits down, "I should do some exploring also -- if I can get out of the study long enough to do so." He chuckles in amusement.

Reese looks over to Lou, listening to her words with close attention. She pulls out a quill, pen an parchment as if intending to take notes. "I will write down what I find out. I wrote Tikva's songs into books and stories about Lady Aislin into books too. This only makes sense." She says. Reese does stop to get more onions though. "I will follow you along and pick up bits and pieces of the story." She tells Lou.

The former High Lord of the Crownlands, Princess Lark Grayson, sweeps into the dining room late, surely, but not without presence. Her two giant mastiffs flank her on either side, aged since the last time she was in Arx and maybe even slightly bigger than they were before. She wears a gown of simple wool, unremarkable, and her hair is captured back by a simple circlet. "I see my new protege is here ahead of me," are the first words to leave her mouth. "Softest Gianna, thank you for joining us. I am sure everyone here is not unfamiliar with you." She gestures to the table for Gianna, before she moves to claim a seat of her own.

Reese gets excellent quality writing implements from a willow woven basket lined with petal pink wool.

Ailys is perfectly content to walk along with her cousin. Her arm is laced around Michael's elbow, and her curls have been mostly tamed despite the humidity. Who knows how long that will last? She looks sideways towards Michael and grins a bit at him, shaking her head in vague amusement. "You don't need to appear at a dinner to ask for help, you know."

Reese waves over to Ailys and Michael upon noticing them. "Greetings." She says cheerfully. She then smiles over to Lark as well. "Nice, to see you Princess Lark."

"Mason told me a little about Whitepeak," Tikva says, and her eyes crinkle at the corners. "I do imagine it would be quite the tale once we got you going." She props her chin on her fist, her elbow on the table, and says, "Thank you for inviting your protege, Lark, it's lovely to have a Whisper at the table, and _of course_ it's delightful to have you back in the city again. I think my new protege is probably hiding in her forge, I understand it can be quite difficult to coax smiths out of hiding."

Gianna inclines her head to the room at large, adjusting her hair and, well, preening some. It's a thing she's guilty of doing. "Thank you, Princess," she tells Lark. "I did miss these dinners." She used to attend them as Prince Niklas' protegee! The Whisper makes her way to the table and takes a seat.

Gianna peers about, her gaze ending up on Lou. "What was that about Whitepeak?"

Lisebet offers a curtsey to all those princesses, and any princes that might be there. She smiles warmly to Harlan, and nods. "I think we both should." That said, she turns to add, "Softest Gianna, how nice to see you again. It has been a while. I should find myself a protege, one of these days."

Lark nods to Tikva, a simple gesture, as she settles into the table. The first thing the princess does upon returning to the Grayson table? Take a bit of meat from her plate, giving it to Crom. "I've already found a protege to be quite useful," she offers Lisebet, in confirmation of her thought.

"If any of you are interested," Tikva carols with a bright and almost obnoxious level of cheer, "Princess Zara Valardin and I are hosting a patronage fair on the beach in a few days' time, so that nobles seeking proteges and artists and workers seeking patrons might have a chance to meet and talk. As of now we _do_ have a few more nobles looking for people to sponsor than we have prospective proteges, but I'm afraid that wasn't entirely unexpected, and there _are_ a few days left for people to get back to us about their plans to come, or not!" Tikva leans back again, her hands on her knees, as she watches the servants bustle about, laden with platters and trays. She nods to one of the servants, who pours her a tall glass of iced wine, and then says: "So I know it's been some time since a lot of us managed to come and have dinner in one place, and there is _much_ going on, but let's all have a slice of roast beef and some potato pie and see about telling each other what's been going on in our lives. Is anyone raring to go first? Or did I just do that by trying to get you all to come to our party?"

Harlan nods towards Lisebet, in obvious agreement." He smiles towards Lark, "Good to see you again." He looksover towards Tikva and nods, "That's definitely a good idea."

Gianna inclines her head to Lisebet, noting, "It's been too long, hasn't it? It's good to see you." She pauses, glancing at Lisebet's midsection. Food baby or baby baby? A Whisper knows not to ask.

Lou gives Reese a fond look. "Perhaps I'll tote you around on the next adventure," she grins at her sister. She looks over at Tikva, nodding. "The city is nothing short of miraculous, even after Lorwroth Kinsbane sacked it. It's about half as large as Arx, and will take decades to fully explore. And, some wonders do still exist there. As well as forgotten languages; and you could clearly see walking amongst its ruins that many, many different cultures from all over the world gathered there." She glances over at Gianna, and grins widely. "Why, just that its location has been discovered again by a group of explorers I led there." She looks back to Tikva, saying, "Mason intends to go back, I think he's got a group he's putting together. It's a long and expensive journey, and isn't without some danger, but we've a proper map to get there now."

Reese seems pleased by Lou's words. "I would like that very much, Lou and then I would write a book about it and add it to my tower collection." She says. She piles up her plate with yet more food, now getting some arts and cheese too.

5 House Deepwood Guards arrives, following Samantha.

Ailys and Michael saunter past announcers or whatever. "Yes. But everyone is /here/ now. Look at them all. Standing around, just waiting to be helpfullll ohhh look. Chilled wine. How quaint." Michael and Ailys snag wine, forced upon Ailys before they meander further ways. To see who might be worth accosting. Tikva is on hand. Who has already helped. "Princess Tikva. Yet another lovely Grayson Dinner. How have you been?"

Ailys takes the glass of wine that's passed to her, the liquid wafted beneath her nose briefly before she takes a sip. Hard drinker, she is not. "Quaint?" Her brows rise slightly as she glances sideways towards Michael. "So do you want to talk to someone in particular, then?" Her eyes shift over towards Tikva as she ends up in front of the other woman, a smile given to her. "Hello. I haven't seen you in some time."

Lou has joined the Dining Table.

Lisebet nods to Lark, with a bit of a smile. "I had one previously but she's since left Arx to go deal with some business." She definitely gets a glass of something chilled, her main requirement being cold at this point. She does note Gianna's glance and inclines her head, with a smile. Then a glance to Tikva as well. "I think you did volunteer by inviting us all."

"Actually I believe Lord Michael has just volunteered," Tikva says with a grand wave of-- her fork, which is in her hand, but never mind that. "Michael, thank you for the courtesies; I'm doing well. Would you like to tell everyone what you and House Bisland have been working on?" Then she peaceably begins carving into her slice of roast beef with fork and knife. "And when you've finished, make like Sabella's always done, and pick someone else to have a go. I think that's how this used to work." She smiles sunnily at her sister-in-law, Ailys, and says, "Don't worry, I'm around; just rather busy, you know. The perils of duty I expect."

Gianna sits very carefully, because scales on a humid day weren't maybe the best idea. "Were the singing fountains intact?" she asks Lou, adjusting one of the rings on her finger.

Samantha is...only the merest smidgen late. Regardless, she's coming now, determined to find some pleasure in the company of her fellow Grayson vassals, and the Graysons themselves. She enters on her own, without husband for the evening. A curtsey is offered to the room, and she promptly calls out, "Michael!" as one does with a sibling.

Tikva checked composure + etiquette at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Lou has settled down the exploration talk when Tikva starts the old game of 'what have you been doing?'. She glances quizzically over Michael as he is chosen, or volunteered, to go first. However not to seem impolite, she looks to Gianna and answers her question. "Sadly, no. They did not survive Lorwroth Kinsbane's destruction. But, we found a library, and the second floor of it has books!" This seems to excite her. "In tact! There's just no way to get up there without half killing yourself at the moment."

Reese is chowing down on the yummy food. She peeks over to Samantha, giving her a smile. "Hi, Marquesa, nice to see you again." She says. She then looks over to Lou and her blue eyes widen. Reese look all impressed.

Reese is overheard praising Lou: Always finding new things and going on more adventures. My sister is amazing!

Tikva's mouth is full, so she very carefully chews and swallows, and puts down her knife and fork, before greeting Samantha with a sunny smile and an, "Oh good, you made it!" It's good to be mannerly about these things.

Reese is overheard praising Tikva: Yay, hosting family dinner!

Samantha is overheard praising Tikva.

Samantha is overheard praising Orazio.

Gianna looks over as Samantha enters; she inclines her head to the Marquessa. She does look a bit disappointed at Lou's words, though, and not nearly as enthusiastic about the books as Reese. Her attention turns to Michael, then, to listen.

Michael was all ready to start talking, bandying words about how Bisland is doing great things. Except...That nearly shrill call(to the man) rings out and he waits for the end to see if he is in trouble. He is not. This time. "Samantha. Public speaking here!" He has cousin at hand and he is still standing so its easy to project.

"House Bisland is currently undergoing a very hefty recruitment effort at the moment. Princess Tikva has contributed a song and I was able to commander Lord Jyri Whitehawk's artistic abilities to find someone suitable to paint for recruitment posters." His smile twitches at the corner of his lips. "I sent him King Alaric, and told him not to be too troubled by the model. He wasn't up to anything else." His prank properly conveyed, he carries on. "I have set Lady Peri Seliki to putting the flotillas of Bisland together to perform thorough checks of ships heading up the Mother to ensure that raiders from Thrax are no longer pushing into the Longwood March. I have opened negotiations with the Isles Canines to do much the same across the Thraxian Sea." Should've packed a /lunch/ for this. "We are still investigating further into the Knight of the Breach as the perpetrator of of Count Grayreeve's sudden betrayal."

Ailys tips her head in Tikva's direction. "Oh yes, I'm sure. The duties are neverending, I'm sure." She glances around, finding a comfortable enough place to settle herself down, glass of wine placed down near her plate. Michael has been voluntold, and she just gives her cousin a wry sort of look as she sits. His list of goings-on is quite extensive.

"I did!" Samantha affirms as she takes a seat. "I feel as if it's been forever." Nods are offered all around, though Reese and Tikva are given particularly warm regard. "Thank you for hosting, Tikva." There's meat? Samantha likes meat. And then Grayreeve is brought up, and there's a slight falter in her appetite. But nonetheless she shoots a grateful look Michael's way. "His Holiness is considering what kind of aid the Faith can offer. I hope to hear from him soon." She doesn't want Deepwood's troubles to necessarily dominate the conversation, so she lets her tidbit float out there, ready enough for it to be remarked upon or for the subject to change.

Lou loudly whispers helpfully to Michael, "You're supposed to choose someone to go next."

"OH! No. I was just hoping everyone would continue to stare at me until they realized I was the most handsome in the room." Which is easy to do, when you only have Harlan to compete with. "Princess Lou, I've heard natterings of this and that over here about Whitepeak. Tell allll of us." Michael turns on Lou immediately.

Lisebet gets some veggies, nice and crisp, and stays away from anything strong smelling. She certainly isn't eating a lot. Though she does arch a brow at Michael's assertion that he's the most handsome, perhaps not quite in agreement.

Michael checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Reese looks over to Michael, listening to his words with close attention and seemingly thoughtful. "It sounds like you have been very busy, in the good way, Lord Michael."

Harlan isn't taking that bait. Instead, he's getting a selection of meats! Meat meat meat meat meat tree, no, meat meat meat. Well, nothing that smells too much. And he gets some veggies as well. And a glass of wine.

Harlan checked charm + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 5 higher.

Reese is overheard praising Michael: Hard at work for his house and Compact!

Harlan checked charm + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 11 lower.

Lisebet checked charm + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 13 higher.

"At least until Rymarr walks into the room." Samantha mock-whispers to Michael, but realizing there's a game afoot, realizes she likely stepped on the rules a bit. She looks sheepish and seeks wine, attempting to pick up the thread that is the nature of the game at the dining table.

Tikva crunches into a piece of cucumber that someone thoughtfully, carefully carved into what appears to be a swan, her eyebrows ticked high. She says, "At least, as long as Alaric's not here to win the handsomeness contest with his ridiculous charm, our ducal vassals can provide the aesthetic for us."

Lou's eyes twinkle a bit at Michael's comments. "Oh, my. But I've been talking about Whitepeak. I think you were busy being beguiled by my cousin Ailys," she winks in his direction. "It's located near Frosthaven," she adds a bit more of the detail. "In fact, Frosthaven is at the base of the mountain. Ashfords went there some years back, with a group of explorers, and it was that tidbit that clued us in in part as to where the mountain was. It is not, regrettably, a city that floats in the clouds, but like Arx it has a hotsprings system -- though the one at Whitepeak keeps things warmer as we went this winter and everything was warm and toasty in the city. Amongst the ruins we found the library, a greenhouse with a wonderous gizmo, and a room full of statues, made out of the metals composed of the fallen Metallics heroes. Copper is not among them, for she fell after Whitepeak did. And, in the city center I found this delightful creature." Lou very carefully pulls out a tiny brass griffin, with feathers on its wings of many different colors. But, it's not just a brass griffin. It's far more; the tiny joints in the wings and legs, the key on its back. This is no sculpture, but tiny and intricate clockwork. She sets it on the table, then winds it three times. The little griffin takes off in flight, spins three times in a circle, and gently lands on the table and goes to sleep. She watches the reactions of those around the table as she takes the precious clockwork device from the table and stows it back in her backpack of many things. "Softest Whisper Gianna, would you grace us next?"

Harlan listens to Lou intently -- he remembers that trip to Frosthaven. He listens, obviously interested in all of this. When the clockwork griffin comes out, he leans forward intently, and lets out a low whistle as it activates, "Very impressive. Yes. I definitely need to go on more adventures." If things let him, of course.

"That's gorgeous," Tikva says, watching as the griffin flies. "I presume a work of of the Brass Knight's artifice." She scoops a bite of potato into her mouth and chews thoughtfully, a faint furrow walking across her brow. "Are you going to go back with Mason, Lou?" she wonders after she swallows. "What mysteries of history that fallen city probably contains."

Gianna leans over to watch the little griffin clockwork; she wrinkles her nose at it, oddly enough. When Lou calls on her, the Whisper straightens up and stands. "As usual, the majority of my projects have to do with the Bard's College. Work is being done on a conservatory up north; Lady Evonleigh has written a drama, and the College will be putting it on soon. The largest project is, I think, Captain Evaristo Arterius - he's my right hand at the College, my Mockingbird - his idea for a festival in honour of the Queen of Endings. We're in the planning process. It's going to feature drumming. Many, many people drumming all at once. He's put out word in the hopes people might drop by the College with any unwanted drums or to donate any resources to help with the festival. It should be quite the affair, and I'm looking forward to it." She turns, then, toward Lisebet. "If the Duchess would like to continue?"

"I think Mason has a different group of people in mind, but if he asks I'll certainly go back. And the books. There's books on that second floor, in /tact/ books. We also found a letter from Platinum, before he left to lead his Empire. He was so full of hope then, and how he thought the world would be. There's so much to explore. We only saw three or four rooms while there; it'll take decades to go through it all." Lou says in response to Tikva. "We're also researching a new language we found, some sort of cuneiform, possibly the language of the Uanna, a people whom Platinum mentions in his letter. Or, so Delilah has surmised."

2 Grayson House Guards, Crom, an expressive bull-mastiff, Songbird, a dignified war-mastiff leave, following Lark.

"That sounds fascinating." Samantha notes to Lou. "Do the Uanna still exist in some form?"

Reese has nomming on lots of food. She listens to the conversation, seeming very interested. She gives this Lou this impressed and maybe even adoring look. "Wow..Lou that is amazing. That you found that. Lou is like quietly amazing. She does all these wonderful things and not everyone even knows."

Lisebet is staring at the little gryphon for a long moment, almost missing hearing Gianna calling her name. "Oh," she says, and then she smiles. "I've been mostly working for house Ashford," she says as she stands. Baby bump, relatively obvious given her petite form. "And we are continuing to protect the new farms that have been settled by the ex-thralls and refugees, working to keep our people safe. Additionally, Lady Olivia has discovered or invented, I'm not quite sure which, a gourd, which you may have heard about. We are working to have it planted across the compact, to aid in feeding everyone. It's not the most tasty, but there are even some folks working on recipes for it." She pauses, looking thoughtful. "I think that's all - maybe? And uhm, well, I guess I am supposed to pick someone else. How about Princess Reese?"

Reese listens to Lisebet's words, nodding in response. "Feeding everyone sounds great." She says softly. "I have been working to increase my collection of books, figurines and paintings in my tower. I am still training lots of folks in combat." She says and then pauses for a moment. "Marquis Rymarr has asked me to help with the Greyreeve situation, by trying to diplomatically speak to House Ratherford, their vassal about not joining the conflict. I am working on that and I am very happy to have Duchess Lisebet and Lady Kaia helping there."

Reese hmms softly, looking over those gathered. "Has Princess Ailys gone yet?" She asks.

Lygeia, a calligrapher and alchemist arrives, delivering a message to Gianna before departing.

Lou flushes a deep crimson as Reese keeps heaping praise on her. She's also the princess least likely to want such things, but she makes sure to give her sister an appreciative look all the same. "I'm not sure," Lou says to Samantha. "It's very possible they do. Maybe its like with the dwarves. Brass hid them to protect them, and left little breadcrumbs in different places so people could find them, and find them we did; alive even, not dead like some of the other expeditions, but that's a much longer tale and I've already taken up enough of dinner's time with Whitepeak." She did mention dwarves before. "Though, I will say they did give some hints on how help with the underlying cause of the Great Road mess." A topic she looks less likely to talk about just at the moment; she might talk about the occult, miracle cities, and other such things freely, but she's still cautious about other, more dangerous things. She bites her lip, as though wondering if she's said too much already.

"Oh, I wish you all the luck in the world with that sticky toffee of a situation," Tikva says with a nod to Reese. "I'm helping Lord Michael with recruitment but I still feel sure there ought to be _something_ else I can do to help Old Oak." She takes up her wine, leaning back into the seat of her chair and letting her head thunk into it.

Reese looks over to Lou, listening to hr words once again. She start to reach for her pen and seems to be taking more notes. Reese then turns her attention to Tikva. "I would be honored to help you with this diplomacy effort, if you want and have the time, Princess Tikva." She says.

Hearing her name, Ailys looks up from her plate, flicking her eyes briefly to Reese. "I haven't. But I have little to report, myself." Ailys glances around, looking at her family as she sets her utensils down to speak. "I've been helping my cousin with some of his work, examining some soldiers to make sure they're fit." A brief nod to Michael, indicating which cousin she's referring to. "Beyond that, I've just been reading some books. Nothing exceptional." There's a small smile from the Princess and she shrugs. "I've had a quiet life as of late." Eyes skim over the gathered Graysons. "Who hasn't gone yet?"

"I'll come up with something; I can't be in two places at once, but perhaps I can send an encouraging letter with my weight behind it, if that would be of aid." Tikva takes a swallow from her wine and then sets it down on the table, her smile rueful.

Jasher enters, escorted by what's probably a bemused servant, as much for the tardiness as anything. Despite his lateness, he's dressed more military than formal, only glimmers of white, silver, and dark blue to offset the black, and he passes the room a look before offering a lifted hand in greeting, and a stride towards an unoccupied seat to join the others, if there is any.

Lou notes to Ailys, "I'd say that Prince Jasher hasn't gone yet." She grins at him with a touch of bemusement as she volunteers him.

Gianna has been eating as she listens. She's got excellent etiquette, as one might expect from a Whisper, and a healthy appetite as well. She inclines her head politely to Jasher and attempts to not look too obvious while trying to ascertain what dessert is.

Reese listens to Ailys' words, giving her a smile. She then turns to Tikva, nodding to her. "Thank you, Princess Tikva." Shee says, before waving to Jasher. "Hi, Prince Jasher."

Harlan is eating meat. Not tree, meat. And staying near his wife, of course.

"Oh, good evening, Prince Jasher," Tikva says with some bemusement in her expression as she directs one of the servants to ensure that their newest guest has some roast beef.

There are a NUMBER of small, light fruit tarts being carried by servants, their crusts a delicate lattice of fine pastry, but if there's some grander dessert it hasn't mysteriously appeared yet.

"Prince Jasher, good to see you," Lisebet adds to the list of people greeting the man. She does eat a small bit of meat, but the fruit tarts definitely catch her attention.

Jasher pauses in his seat. He utters a flat "What."

Samantha ofers Jasher a polite nod from her seat, and speaking of eating meat, her next query is for Harlan. "My lord, do you happen to have any plans for simple designs for treehouses at Ashford Manor? Nara has decided she needs a fort and has been begging to construct one. She's very adamant that she participate in building it."

Harlan looks up and mmms, "I'm sure that we have plans, absolutely, as far as 'how to build'. I can send home for them if nothing else. That minds me of other things, though, which are still more in the 'thinking about' phase than anything else." He smiles in response.

Michael has long since settled down again into a seat to natter at Samantha and Ailys a bit. His wine is finished and glass taken away.

Lisebet smiles sweetly, and says, "We're all just filling in what we've been doing of late, and you arrived just at your turn, Prince Jasher." She looks all sweet and gentle, and decorative, of course, but her eyes are gleaming with mischief.

"Well, Prince Jasher, I believe that was a nomination for you to tell the table about what you are up to as of late," Tikva says with a little tip of her hand in a wave. "We're merely going around the table acquainting each other with what projects are currently underway, and perhaps seeking volunteers for this that or the other thing." She slices into her potato pie with her fork. "Samantha, _do_ you have any other ideas for what, perhaps, individuals might be able to do to help you with the Grayreeve cause? I know it must be difficult to sit at dinner and not dwell on such, under the circumstances, and after all, you have been our vassal and trusted friend for years now; how could we aught but ask?"

Reese looks over to Samantha and then Harlan. "Tree houses are pretty amazing." Sh softly says, while still enjoying her food.

Gianna is down for tarts, now that dinner seems to be over or almost over. She definitely charms a server into giving her not one, but two.

Lou finishes up her dinner with a bit of one of those tarts, then politely excuses herself from the table, grabbing a few more tarts on the way. "Pardon. The kids asked to be brought tarts before dinner." Armful of tarts in tow, she starts to make for the door.

Lou has left the Dining Table.

Willen leaves, following Lou.

Denica makes her way in to the dining room on her usual confident, and graceful strides. She is holding a piece of parchment up as she enters. Held almost as high as her head on her smallish frame. Her vivid blue eyes scanning the room for her invitee. She heads towards Reese but lowers in to a curtsy to the whole table as she approaches. "Princess Reese, I am sorry I am late, I hope there is still non sea based foods remaining." She says in her reserved and cool tone. She turns back to the table, "I apologize for intruding, Princess Reese said I should attend. I am Princess Denica Thrax." She holds up her invite in case anyone wants proof.

Reese looks over to Denica, giving the princess a warm smile that reaches her blue eyes. "I am glad you made it and we still have lots of food." She says in her direction. "Welcome to the Grayson dinner. We are now talking about what projects are up to."

"Good evening, Princess Denica. Prince Jasher has just joined us." Tikva gestures at the table, and wigglefingers at one of the servants to come by with the drinks so that the Thrax contingent may each be offered wines and ales to suit. "There is plenty for all. Have a slice of beef and some potato pie. Or skip straight to the tarts if you like, I'm ready for one of those, thank you--"

"Good evening, Princess!" Samantha calls out to Lou, and then turns her attention to Tikva. "Well. Rymarr is seeing to our military preparations, but I still have some hope by way of the Count's heir, who does not seem as invested in the acts of his father as he might otherwise be. I'm focusing on social pressure, but also I hope to reach out and encourage Deepwood's friends and my fellow Crownsworn nobles to embargo Grayreeve economically. They're hoping to hunker down and have made their seat a fortress. They want us to siege. It will be more difficult to maintain if their supplies dwindle and there's no refreshing their resources."

Reese is overheard praising Samantha: She is doing wonderful things to help the Grayreeve situation!

Jasher nods once towards Denica, a motion stiffened by suddenly being the centre of attention. Then his blue eyes find Lisebet's seraphic visage, and he narrows his gaze slightly, a later-for-/you/ kind of look. He remains mum for the time being, though.

Gianna inclines her head politely to Denica when the princess arrives. "What a lovely gown," she remarks.

Reese listens to Samantha's words with thoughtful attention. "Marquis, that sounds impressive. I think thing are going to well and Greyreeve will cease their conflict." She says hopefully.

Tikva knocks on the surface of the table for luck.

Denica wiggles her fingers daintily at Jasher before taking her seat. She turns to Gianna, "Thank you. I need some new designs to show off, but my attention has been stuck on my paintings recently." She smiles ever so slightly at the delivering of wine and food before she turns back to Reese, "An excellent topic your highness, I am hoping to find some good big projects to start or get on, but I am myself only working on a few little paintings for fun currently." She lifts her glass to the table and takes a sip for almost sighing in pleasure at a taste of something that isn't fish. She has been in Maelstrom for a bit.

"I had heard that you have considerable reputation as an artist, Princess Denica, though I don't know if I've seen any of your work recently," Tikva says thoughtfully, propping her cheek on her fist as one of the servants makes the rounds with flaky tarts. "Did you design the gown? It is quite fabulous."

Lisebet does not look too worried by Jasher's glare her way. She grins at him, and raises her drink in a small salute of sorts. She listens quietly now to everyone else talking, catching up on what everyone is doing.

Reese looks over to Denica, giving her a gentle smile at her your words. "I am looking forward to seeing your new work, Princess." She says toward her. She now has moved onto the tarts and seems to be enjoying a raspberry once.

Denica looks down at her gown, "I am not entirely sure. I think I have had this thing for quite some time. Hence why I could do for some new one." There isn't the slightest hint of hint of real confusion or even playfulness in her voice, but she does offer a slight grin. "As for recent works of art. Likely not. I have been hold up in Maelstrom for a while. As you can imagine things have not be exactly calm in the isles." She takes another sip, then glances over to Reese, "Actually you inspired the one I am currently working on your highness."

Samantha inclines her head in thanks to Tikva, settling in to listen to the others. She looks both delighted and a little envious at the talk of fashion. It's been some time since she's indulged in discussing such things, and the conversation is a genuine enjoyment for her.

Messengers can find just about anyone just about anywhere, and one has found Gianna here at dinner. Thankfully, she's eaten her tarts by the time the messenger arrives. Gianna takes the missive, reads it, and casts a thoughtful look about before rising from her seat. "Do excuse me," she says. "It's been lovely to be at one of these dinners again. Thank you."

Jasher likewise seems content to listen quietly as the others speak, finally accepting a glass of what's probably wine. He just holds it in his hand, though, as his blue eyes watch.

Reese looks over to Denica at her words, seemingly very flattered. Her blue eyes brighten and everything. "Oh, now I really really can't wait to see such." She says. She gives Gianna a smile as the whisper starts off. "I am thinking I might get a seatouched outfit or maybe brocade, one of the new fabrics. Or maybe both."

Denicanods to Reese and takes a drink, "Just a simple piece, I call it the tower of Pink and Ivory."

Confessor Imori have been dismissed.

Confessor Warren have been dismissed.

5 Armed Confessors have been dismissed.

Reese looks all interested in the paining and her cheeks are even pink now. "I cannot wait to see such." She softly says.

Reese looks over to Denica, seeming thoughtful. "I would ask for your help with your diplomacy, being you are very charming and all, but I think that the Thrax might be in need of your time and assistance." Reese says toward her.

5 House Deepwood Guards leaves, following Samantha.

Denica tilts her head ever so slightly, "Your highness, I have ever so much free time right now." The smallest smile and a drink of wine before another small nibble of food.

Reese looks to Denica. "Well in that case, I will be shameless and ask." She says, her cheeks warming with pink. "I am working on a diplomacy project to try and get House Ratherford, a small house to abandon the conflict against House Deepwood. House Greyreeve has been making trouble for the great Road and has been hostile. We are trying to put pressure on them to end the conflict by getting their vassal house to stop the conflict. What I am working on is peaceful diplomacy."

Jasher finally begins to poke at the food available. He reaches out to pluck some treat or other, eyeing it curiously before making to nibble on it.

Denica nods to reese and smiles, "I would be glad to help, we can discuss later the details on how? Perhaps I can show you the progress of the piece as well?" She tilts her head, back to that calculated etiquette of a Maelstrom Princess. "If it pleases you of course." She takes another drink. She turns sharply to Jasher, "Cousin. We should think of something- fun to do," She says in a rather vague fashion. Could mean any number of things. Her brightly deep, blue eyes with a hit of mischief in them as she sips her wine to hid the tiniest of grins.

Lisebet eats a tart, and decides that is good, and she actually gets another one. Which is just as tasty as the first, and doesn't upset her stomach at all. So quietly, she eats.

Finishing off her tart and then, perhaps not with the most decorum, licking some fruit paste from her fingertips, Tikva says, "I'm very glad that you all were able to dine with us tonight. Perhaps next time I shall have to come up with more terrible party games to inflict on all and sundry."

Harlan finishes his own food, seeming happy that his wife is able to handle herfood. Of course, Olivia is constantly doing checkups, but still -- he worries.

Jasher looks at Denica, a look not unlike a canary staring down a cat licking its lips. "Is that so," he says with all due blandness. "What did you have in mind?"

Reese looks to Denica, giving her a gentle smile. "I would like to talk later. That would be great. I can show you around my tower. It has lots of stuf. I am a bit of a hoarder. Just a bit."

Denica glances over to Jasher, "You do not want me fully in charge. It is best we brainstorm together. Else I am likely to come up with some performance art piece-" A beat and she almost freezes in thought, "We can post-" another beat, "/someone/" as if it isn't obvious who is being volunteered, "In the markets. Let any random passerby affix one small piece of fabric on y-" she catches herself, "them, until the whole outfit is complete. See what happens." She takes a drink of her wine, then turns to Reese, "Just a bit? Well it is hard to get rid of nice things I find. I am on your side then Princess." Finally she turns to Tikva, "Fabulous meal. Thank you for having not fish...."

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

Tikva chuckles, low in her throat. "Thank you for coming," she says with a slight cant of her head. Rising from her seat and dusting her hands together, she says, "in fact, thank all of you, but it does appear we're winding down. Feel free to make use of the house to socialize, but I think dinner is just about over, don't you all?" and then begins to murmur with one of the servants, arranging for this, that, and the other thing to be done with the uneaten food. There is a soup kitchen here, say, or a prince there that should still have dinner even if he did not come down to dinner; that kind of thing.

Reese ohhs softly. "That sounds interesting. And outfit made up that way." The girl then nods. "Very hard and I like to collect. It is like memories too all the trinkets in my tower." She then turns attention to Tikva. "Thank you for hosting this dinner, Princess Tikva. It was very nice."

Lisebet is overheard praising Tikva: Thank you for hosting dinner, it was lovely!

"No," Jasher says flatly towards his cousin. "I suppose if you must, we can decide on something." He then nods towards Tikva. "I appreciate it. My apologies for being late."

Lisebet finishes her tart, and then she smiles. "It is always good to be here, and to catch up with everyone, but I think maybe I should head back home, just in case my stomach disagrees with itself about the food I've eaten. It was delicious, definitely, thank you."

Harlan nods and says, "As always, everyone, a pleasure. It is good to see all of you again, and feel free to visit us at Ashford. FOr now, I agree that I should escort the duchess back home." He pauses and says dryly, "If it hasn't been very obvious...let's just say we hopefully have the issue of an Ashford heir settled."

"Oh, not at all," Tikva assures Jasher. "There was plenty of food left, after all." She smiles at Harlan and Lisebet, and then says laughing, "We shall all look forward to meeting your heir very much, my lord, my lady. I remember those days abominably well."

When she finishes directing the servants as to the disposition of the remains of their meal, she ambles to the doors to the dining hall so that she can cheerfully bid her guests adieu, at least the ones that don't, like, live here.

"Well," Denica says equally flatly to her cousin, "That is just one idea for an art piece. We can think of others." She turns to the Ashford's "Congratulations Duke and Duchess. This fantastic news. Do have a fantastic evening."