Elena, a solemn knight attache, Alette, a discreet lady's maid, Isabel, a calm diplomatic aide arrive, following Zara.

Serenade, a lovely nightingale arrives, following Calandra.

2 Leary House Guards arrives, following Arcadia.

BEHOLD! This room that is definitely the Laurent home in Artshall where the Spring Fete is taking place. Music is already playing and guests are encouraged to find their own seats at the long banquet tables. Drinks are being circulated. Cristoph is on the prowl, checking this and that and making sure everything is going well. "Take this bottle of mead! Did you grab a perfume?" he asks people, pointing to the table (which you can access via +shop). "Also, I think there are some berets still from the wedding!" While he was very focused on making sure his mother wasn't being a control freak earlier on, it becomes painfully apparent that he GOT IT FROM SOMEWHERE. There are no children at dinner.

While surely the worst of the many Laurent cousins, having missed the actual wedding, no /way/ was Gwenna going to miss the spring fete! Never mind a reason to visit Artshall. Attired in aeterna with armor accents - the closest the Redrain has to Oathlandy wear, likely - she appears to at least have attempted the part. A sturdy honeybee decorative pin has been hitched to the outside of her backpack, the yellow and black hues standing out brightly against the white of the leather bag. "Berets? Truly?" This seems a more general question, maybe even just to herself, and she quickly goes to find them since they will, without doubt, match her pin!

Gwenna has joined the north banquet table.

Arcadia is ushered into the room and immediately bombarded with perfume and mead, which makes the poor girl look a little green. Handing it off to her guards post haste, she smooths her hands over her gown, trying to keep her composure in check. The new little countess has certainly toned down her eccentric wear and come to the fete in a pretty dress. She heads over to Cristoph firstly and offers a smile to him, "Duke Cristoph. Thank you for the welcome to your home. I hear the fete is a not to be missed event."

Aeterna and chainmail: it's a _look_, and it's one that Zara's rocking too. She's resisted the urge to add a beret to the overall ensemble at the wedding, but she's still flirting with temptation. She's near enough to them to catch Gwenna's eye as the Redrain princess approaches. She sweeps her outfit in a glance and looks up at her with humor brightening her gaze. She tips her ankle, showing the flash of silver chainmail at her own ankle. Samesies. "I see we visit the same seamstresses, your highness. The feathers are lovely."

Jael has had a very long day and has somehow misplaced her new husband, but she still looks reasonably fresh and put together as she makes her way into the great hall that was her childhood home.

"Countest Stahlben. Congratulations on your recent marriage and thank you for coming all the way here for our little festival. Will you be dancing tonight?" Cristoph wonders, rocking back on his heels as he speaks with Arcadia, glancing to others as they arrive. There isn't anything particularly exciting about his outfit tonight, aside from that it's leather and metal and bits of armor. So he generally fits in with the party theme for the night.

Calandra would have arrived on her own, not wanting to miss the opportunity to celebrate the fete, but as it turns out her patron had similar plans, prompting the Whisper to travel along with her. Entering the banquet hall beside Zara, Calandra keeps a cool, yet approachable smile about her, her head dipping respectfully to those present, especially the host, Cristoph.

Her wardrobe may lack the tasteful armaments known to Valardin fashion, but she makes up for it with the gleam of an aeterna gown coupled with glinting jewelry of sapphires and duskstones in the house's colors. "Perfume, you say?" Interest lights her features at that, making sure to wander to partake of a bottle before joining the table near Zara, if a seat is available.

Gwenna can not help but smile brightly at Zara, dipping her head politely in greeting. "Indeed, your highness, though the opals on the chainmail of yours make me quite envious! What a truly divine idea and one I wish I had thought of. The feathers, of course, are a nod to my father's family, and thank you for noticing. It's been since the Wager of Hearts wrap party since we've crossed paths, I think?" That wondered, she catches sight of the new bride and waves in that direction. "Lady Jael! I've a rather belated wedding gift for you, once you are settled." A wave is offered in the Duke's direction as well, though she doesn't shout over since he's in conversation for the moment.

Jael looks at those gathered near he brother and smoothes her brocade skirts. "Should I have changed into armor? Cousin Gwenna!" Air-kisses to the Redrain's cheeks are offered and she smiles brightly. "It's been too long. I'm so glad you made it out!"

Arcadia beams at Cristoph, "If someone is willing I will dance. But pretty sure my reputation as a footstepper likely proceeds me." She moves away from Cristoph as more people enter the room.

Ilmia's running a little late for the starts of things, but, it's hard to miss a redhead that's almost six feet tall. The Scholar is dressed in a Oathlands style gown that she got when she first got to the city. See, perfect event to wear it to. She waits her turn to greet Cristoph and there's a smile, "Duke Cristoph, thank you for hosting especially with having a wedding already today." she states with a bow of her head. "I'm Lady Ilmia Leary." she offers in greeting.

"Thank you for the compliment. I credit my lady's maid with the inspiration." Zara seats herself near Gwenna and invites Calandra to join with a turn of her hand. "Whisper Calandra, have you met Princess Gwenna Redrain? Her mother was a Laurent, which is no doubt why she wears Oathlands fashions so well. She was part of Lady Evonleigh's last play as well." She weaves the quick web of interconnections with a few short sentences. There. Now everyone's friends.

Zara has joined the north banquet table.

Calandra has joined the north banquet table.

"Cousin Gwenna, thank you for dropping in!" Cristoph calls to her before he smiles to Arcadia. "I'm sure we'll find everyone a partner. It's a fun dance. No one judges any foot stepping." When Ilmia arrives next, he bows at the waist. "Lady Ilmia, lovely to meet you. Thank you for coming to my home."

"I feel dreadful that I did not make the wedding," Gwenna tells Jael sincerely, a small sigh following the words. "House business, but I hurried that along so I might not miss the festival, at the very least. It /has/ been too long! I'm the worst." She grins a touch, though, and then rummages around in her backpack. "A gift! Nothing grand, as I let time get away from me and did not have a chance to get a better crafter in the city to make something wonderful. So, instead, a bit of my own artwork, such as it is." A small sculpture is tugged from the backpack and offered to the Laurent. Her attention shifts back to Zara and then Caladra for a moment, giving Jael time to admire her 'art.'

"I don't believe we've met, no. A true pleasure, Whisper Calandra. House Redrain keeps a contract with the Whisper House and I think it's one of the best things we've ever done. The reception for my own marriage was held in the gardens there." Cristoph's voice leads to another bright smile and polite dip of her head. "Couldn't have kept me away, cousin! The berets? Love them."

Gwenna takes words of wisdom for newlyweds sculpture from lovely white leather backpack with tooled feather design.

Arcadia swivels her owlish blue eyes when she hears her cousin's voice. A warm smile is given to her, "Good evening Lady Ilmia. It's good to see you and your dress is just stunning."

"It was very long and boring. My feet hurt," Jael says, of the wedding, with a crooked smile at Gwenna. "The reception was fun though. We raced some puppies. Against each other, of course." She holds out her hands to receive the gift and turns it in her hands, looking it over carefully. But when she turns it over and reads the inscription, she bursts into a chime of laughter. "It's perfect. I love it."

A glass of house mead has quickly found its way into Calandra's hand soon after seating herself beside Zara, stealing a small sip to appreciate the delicate flavor before she's being introduced. The mention of the play in particular has the woman perking, smile warming and a smooth dip of her head offered. "The pleasure is all mine, Your Highness. I hadn't the chance to see the play myself, but I've heard nothing but praise for the performances. My congratulations on its success."

As for the mention of the Whispers, the corners of her lips tick up a bit further, a delighted narrowing to the bottoms of her eyes. "We're honored for the arrangement. And it truly must have been quite the wedding, if we'd hosted it. We really do need to hold another event at the House sometime soon. I'd like to see more use out of that ballroom."

Norwood is finally here and there's a scent of medicine rolling off of him that is mixed with a musky soap smell like he's attempted to get rid of that said medicine smell and it failed. He's rubbing his hands together and approaches Zara with a small bow. "Princess, greetings.

There is lots of feasting going on! The tables are full and people are milling to and from their seats and the buffet line. For awhile, the minstrels are just playing a soft and soothing beat and people drift to the dance floor at their leisure. Then it begins to pick up, get a little loud and then SILENCE. Someone starts ringing out against a trial. Cristoph speaks, "Hello everyone! Welcome to the Spring Fete at Artshall. We'll be holding a little dancing competition shortly, with the winning pair taking home two necklaces of star iron and iridescite. So please, find your partners!"

"Lady Jael proved herself remarkably adept at puppy wrangling," Zara tells Gwenna in an aside, politely boasting for her, given Jael's restraint. She looks between Calandra and Gwenna with pleasure, but does not interrupt; instead, she turns her attention to Norwood, and while she certainly does nothing so obvious as _sniff_, it's likely that she notices the scent given the way she says, "Baron Norwood, hello again. Was the Marquessa able to help with your shoulder? I've heard she's capable of truly remarkable things."

Gwenna looks positively thrilled that Jael likes the sculpture, clasping her hands together briefly. "I'm so glad! As well, Lorenzo and I are very adamant about such and it seems valid advice." Her words and Zara's elicit a brief pout. "Oh! I wish I had seen the puppy racing. I'm still of a mind to get one myself." Norwood's approach leads to yet another dip of her head in greeting. "It is so good to see you again, Baron." That offered, her attention returns to Calandra. "The play was great fun. It was my first attempt on stage and I found it quite thrilling. As for the contract, truly, House Redrain benefits the greatest. We actually had the reception in the gardens; Lorenzo is from Lenosia and wished for an outdoor event. I'd greatly look forward to anything held in the ballroom, though! I don't think there's one room there that isn't breathtaking." And then there's the announcement about /dancing/. "Now that is something I've not done since my own wedding."

So much bowing going on to both of the princesses. "I believe the puppies knew who would be giving directions on the further feeding and as such chose Jael and Tyren." Puppies with beards are smart ya'll. There's a small nod for the question from Zara about his shoulder. "It will be right as rain in no time."

Since they are both husbandless for the evening, it appears, Gwenna arches a brow Jael-wards. "I mean, star iron. How could I not attempt the contest? Would you like to partner up, cousin?"

Jael hands the statuette carefully to a servant, who bears it off into the back of the house, presumably to her rooms. "I'll see how it goes. Ty's almost disturbingly calm. No...he is disturbingly calm. I did get one of the puppies to come to me. It was the bacon. I wanted to bring them to this but-" Maybe some stuffy majordomo said no puppies at the party. As the guests start to get set up for the dancing, she beams at Gwenna. "Absolutely. Let's do this."

Arcadia glances around as the people pairing up. Having been thrown over Norwood's shoulder at least once she sidles up to him. "Care to dance?"

No puppies and no kids. This is a remarkably calm affair! Cristoph waits along the edges of the dance floor, he's content to watch or to join in! He's not going to be winning his own prizes of course, but that doesn't mean he can't enjoy the festivities. As folks begin to pair off, he wiggles his fingers at the minstrels to start up again and steps off to the side, handing the triangle to someone. He was totally the triangle player.

Blink, someone is asking him to dance? Someone who is not his wife or calls him 'uncle' occasionally? "Lady Arcadia," Norwood notes, "I believe I'm more accustomed to walking you from the room rather than dancing, but if you wish," there's an elaborate bow made and then an arm offered. That bow looks positively archaic.

"Lorenzo, too," Gwenna remarks with a bit of a laugh to Jael as she stands from the table. "Sometimes it's infuriating. But aaaw. Now I really will have to look into getting a puppy. I've meant to since coming to Arx, but one thing or another..." She shrugs and then rubs her hands together like she's getting ready for something BIG. "Hopefully I'll not harm your toes terribly."

Calandra nods gently in agreement with Gwenna, though the call from Cristoph quickly draws her attention, chin lifting subtly with interest. Star iron and iridescite, he says? Setting her glass aside, the woman stands and faces her patron, bent slightly at the waist while offering a beringed hand to the princess, her smile sure and laced with excitement. "Would you honor me with a dance, Your Highness?" She questions softly with a lightest loft of brows, inviting. "That iridescite would look marvelous on you."

Arcadia just stares at Norwood's complicated bow. She remarks a touch dry, "I'll try my hardest to behave." Taking his arm, she moves off onto the floor.

When the music begins to play for the Flight of the Honeybee, the trio of performing minstrels start to play a stirring beat. It's of a talented Sylv'alfar woman, known as Annalise Grayhill, a bladedancer and one of the most talented of her age. It goes on to describe the beauty and grace of her movements, her prowess with a weapon. It's quite detailed and very flowery. (check dexterity + performance at 20)

Norwood checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 2 lower.

Arcadia checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 8 higher.

Gwenna checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 9 higher.

Zara checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 8 lower.

Calandra checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 34 higher. Calandra rolled a critical!

"This should be fun," Zara says, leaning toward Calandra as others stir to join the dancing. She gives her a sidelong glance, humor flashing in her eyes. "I expect I will shine only in reflection," she says, her words almost playful in their flattery for all her sober mien. She cants her head as the music begins to play, and then steps forward with Whisper at hand. Having a Whisper has got to be cheating, right?

Jael checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 20, rolling 50 higher.

Ilmia was called away by a messenger for a moment and the look that might have been given was exasperation, but a Voices work is never done. She re-enters, having told her guards not to let anymore messenger in for her. Then she goes to stand quietly on the sidelines and there's a soft smile as she sees her recently married cousin off on the dance floor.

Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee! That's Gwenna. Except maybe a bit more 'sting' than 'float' but she manages to avoid harming Jael's toes, so it's a win in her book. There's a flicker of something over her expression at the tune's content, but it's fleeting really. "Lady Jael, what a dancer you are! And after such a long day, even."

Arcadia begins the dance with Norwood, but seeing she's not a wife or cousin or any sort of relationship, it's more of an awkward shuffle rather than graceful, beautiful movement.

Norwood actually manages to step on Arcadia's feet more than one, though he does appologize each and every time. Dryly, "Dancing was never a great skill of mine and my etiquette instructor has always been quite unhappy about it. Do let me know when your feet begin to hurt."

"I've been dancing this since I could walk," Jael tells Gwenna as they move through the steps of the dance, and it definitely shows. "It's probably an unfair advantage. I'd rather dance than stand still any day."

Along the edges of the dance floor, Cristoph drifts, watching the dancers as they go through the various moves of the Flight of the Honeybee. A most traditional Artshall dance! So elegant!

The beat picks up, becoming more adventurous. The song is all about a woman on the run, fleeing for the life of her young child, a son. How she slays nearly three dozen hunters before falling. Her sword is claimed by a murderous, treacherous low-life of an executioner known as Valksaorouth. The name doesn't exactly roll of the tongue. (check dexterity + performance at 25)

Norwood checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Jael checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 25, rolling 12 higher.

Calandra has no hesitations about sweeping Zara out onto the dancefloor, thoroughly in her element as she unabashedly laces delicate fingers with hers and takes the lead with a hand upon the noble's waist. "We certainly have some competition, it seems, Your Highness." She muses with a glance to Jael as she glides along with her partner, offering the recently wed woman a nod of appreciation before returning eyes to Zara and ushering her along as the beat picks up.

Calandra checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 25, rolling 31 higher.

Gwenna checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 25, rolling 13 higher.

Zara checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 25, rolling 12 higher.

Arcadia checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 25, rolling 13 higher.

"_You_ have competition," Zara says, her gaze sweeping toward Jael with a tilt of her chin in acknowledgment of the newly wed noblewoman's skill. She's impressed! She looks back to Calandra, and doesn't quite laugh as she says, "I -- well, I have to keep up." She's an attentive dance partner, at least, paying close attention to Calandra's steps, and moving more smoothly through the next section.

"I'm much better will a quill and numbers than my feet," Gwenna remarks to Jael. "It's kind of like a dance? Just...more swishing pen than skirts," is added with a laugh as they go through the next dance, that little hint of recognition doing its own dance across her features. Once again, she manages to keep in step, if not in a particularly impressive way.

Ilmia gives a smile to those that are dancing and she taps her foot along to the beat. While she was not so adventerous to get on the dance floor, she was at least in good spirits. She seems happy to watch and make mental notes.

Arcadia is fiercely competitive. What's a few broken toes. She keeps moving with Norwood, the movements slowly getting better. She gives him a triumphant look. Ha! We got this.

Totally got this. "I remember being walkedthrough this dance over, and over, and over again." Norwood, conversationalist as they dance, even as he doesn't step on any toes this time! "Lorraine was even my partner once, Cristoph and Jael's mother."

Jael burbles a laugh. "Dancing was the only thing that my parents and I agreed on." She flashes a little grin at the others as they pass by, but as the muic goes on and Gwenna shows some signs of distraction by it, she asks, "Are you all right?" It's hard to dance and ask serious questions at the same time, so she misses a couple of hop-steps.

The beat slows into one of sadness and melancholy as the lead singer croons that Annalise whispers to her blade before it's taken. That her soul would know no rest while her son was in danger. The sword burned brighter than the sun and destroyed at least on servant before it was taken by the enemy. (check dexterity + performance at 30)

Norwood checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 6 higher.

Jael checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 31 higher.

Calandra checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 37 higher.

Gwenna checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 28 higher.

Zara checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 5 lower.

Arcadia checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 30, rolling 17 higher.

Gwenna blinks and then laughs a little. "Yes, I'm sorry, I'm fine. There's something familiar in the songs, and yet things I don't recall hearing," she admits and focuses so much better as the steps slow. "Surely things my mother must have told me growing up, though we did not dance as much as weave tales."

"Perhaps next I'm at the manor for tea I can share a few pointers with you." Calandra muses softly as the quick tempo of the song begins to slow to something more intimate, the Whisper shifting gears without issue, though noting Zara having some trouble. "It'll be fun."

Ilmia is overheard praising Cristoph.

Calandra is overheard praising Cristoph.

Arcadia and Norwood seem to get better as they get faster and more complicated. Ha! The underdogs are keeping up.

"I--." Zara pauses on the edge of one excuse or another, but instead tips her head to Calandra with the edge of a laugh in her words. "--would be grateful, of course. This is why I support artistry, rather than engaging in it." She tries. SHE TRIES. She's mostly just making sure she doesn't step on Calandra's feet, at this point. She's relying on those feet. "I haven't heard this song before, though -- or the tale. Have you?"

"It's a family story." Jael finds it easier to dance and talk in the slower section of the music. "We didn't know it until fairly recently but maybe your mother did."

Again the music picks up, this time with danger and destruction laced in every note. It tells of how Valksaorouth traveled with Annalise's blade and slew many people, soaked with blood. That isn't until her son, Jonathan Baseborn arrives at the Battle of the Weeping Woods with Queen Alarice the Great that he crosses paths with his mother's sword again. (check dexterity + performance at 35)

Jael checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 35, rolling 13 higher.

Gwenna checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 35, rolling 7 higher.

Zara checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 35, rolling 9 lower.

Calandra checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 35, rolling 7 higher.

Arcadia checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 35, rolling 1 higher.

Norwood checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 35, rolling 9 lower.

"There were hints. Guesses, I suspect," Gwenna remarks after a bit of thought. "Though everything I know, for certain, is from quite recently as well. My mother thought up her own stories and shared them quite often with me, before everyone came in from spears and swords training. Then? The tales were all about the great wars of the north." There's affection there and that seems to have distracted her a tiny bit, or maybe the quickening steps, and the Redrain just manages to make it through the paces.

When the song mentions Jonathan Baseborn Norwood totally stumbles over Arcadia's shoes and jerks them just slightly out of the dancers. Oops. "Ah, pardon. Sorry. I let my mind wander."

Arcadia stumbles with Norwood, but quickly corrects herself. She is staying in this competition! Pride before the fall, right? She gives Norwood a tight smile and mumbles. "Focus. We need someone else to fall over first."

Jael nods at Gwenna, along with the beat obviously. "More things we forgot," she says with a very faint hint of bitterness, and reaches out as Norwood trips up near them. "Careful, Uncle." There's a candle's warmth in her expression.

Calandra can't help the quiet beginnings of a chuckle from escaping her at Zara's attempt at an excuse, surprised she would even think of turning down the challenge. But at least she agrees, which brings out a pleased little smile from the Whisper. At the mention of the song, Calandra having listened at the back of her senses so far, focuses on it a little more. This ultimately sees her footwork lacking a bit at the new pace, actually making a bit of effort to switch over. "I don't believe I have, though it's quite exciting. I love a good tale of valor and drama."

"Oh," Norwood replies with comfortable confidence in his non-skill. "I've been told that my feet are quite enough to trip over. Including another person would only bring about injury."

"Ah, there's a more familiar name," Zara says in a murmur as the tale continues through song. As the music picks up, she's not quite quick enough to match Calandra's pace, and has to slip in an inelegant shuffle or two (or three) to keep up.

And now, the final climax of the song and the ending component of the Flight of the Honeybee. The dancers all move quickly, almost as if in a frenzy and the music is loud and bracing as the story concludes: Valksaorouth attempts to slay Queen Alarice, but Jonathan leaps to her defense. The formorian struck him from behind and as he lay on the ground, the sword was raised and suddenly glowed bright and burned the hand of Valksaorouth. Alarice knocked the sword free, that we know now as Queensguard the blade of House Laurent and Jonathan took it up. They fought back to back against the enemy and while Jonathan sustains brutal injuries, he slays his mother's killer. For the remainder of his life the sword is never far from him. And at this point the music abruptly stops. The end. (check dexterity + performance at 45)

Arcadia checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 45, rolling 9 lower.

Norwood checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 45, rolling 10 higher.

Jael checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 45, rolling 9 higher.

Calandra checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 45, rolling 31 higher.

Gwenna checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 45, rolling 14 lower.

Zara checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 45, rolling 27 lower.

Gwenna lets out a small sigh. "Far too much forgotten," she says agreeably and then watches the others around them with a touch of concern as well as admiration. Turning her focus back to Jael and the steps, she adds, "I like to think I was named after someone on the Laurent side, from this history. Probably just coincidence." Despite managing SO WELL this whole time, those little decorative chains around her ankles trip her the heck up and she nearly knocks Jael over with her flailing.

Arcadia has been much too cocky. After the almost fall and the need to not fall and win gets in her way. As Norwood twirls her, she tangles her feet in her own skirt and Thump! Straight into Norwood.

AHA. For once Norwood's feet are SURE! He catches Arcadia as she slumps into him and manages to just pick her straight up and keep up with the next few steps before he sets her down for one more spin. Apparently he saved the best for last.

Oh no. Quick moves. Frenzy. Loud and clashing music, and Zara is absolutely going to break Calandra's ankle!! The music stops, but Zara doesn't, as across the dance floor the better partners are forced to deal with their less-skilled partners -- and that includes Calandra, as Zara's slippered feet ... slip.

Ilmia's green eyes go wide when it becomes a bit of a cart crash on the floor. Maybe she was glad she wasn't dancing or she'd be in a heap. "Nothing looks broken so far." she states quietly to herself. Or perhaps she's spoken too soon!

As the tempo picks up, Jael handles it with ease, despite the somewhat disturbing subject matter. "Really? We have a historical Gwenna?" she asks, but the present Gwenna suddenly starts flailing and the Laurent woman reaches out her arms to catch her partner. "Whoops, hang on." It's a weird place to end, but the other dancers seem to be in similar positions.

Back in her groove, Calandra's footwork picks back up to keep pace with the frenzied climax of the song, spinning with Zara in ever tightening circles while gliding across the floor. Unfortunately it seems it's far too fast for her partner, Calandra's eye's widening when she stops and the princess keeps going and her feet slip. It probably won't be as graceful on Zara's part, but Calandra tries to save their finish, and the princess, with a shift of the hand on her hip to a tight hold across her back. She hopes to break her fall with a less than artful dip, bending deep to hold Zara just above the floor and smile brightly to her. "A bit too much, I think. Are you alright, Your Highness?"

Righting herself, thanks to Jael, Gwenna smooths out her gown and has a faint blush on her cheeks. "Thank you so kindly, cousin. I fear I might have ended up in the trunk of berets otherwise." She gives a couple shakes of her head then. "No Gwenna, but a Gwen. I mean, close enough for me to tell myself as much, right?" Glancing around as the others finish the dance as well, she claps for the band and their host.

Cristoph has been standing quietly along the sidelines, tapping his foot to the music and enjoying himself regardless of not actually dancing. It certainly helps that he's been drinking a rather steady stream of mead this entire night (and possibly in the afternoon as well. With cheeks that are slightly rosy, he claps at the end of the music. He wasn't the judge. He doesn't know anything about dancing, but when it's done he confers with the people that are. He seems a little surprised when he announces, "Lady Jael Laurent and Princess Gwenna Redrain are our highest scoring entrants." He squints at Jael briefly, like maybe he didn't realize she was good at dancing until just now.

Gwenna is overheard praising Cristoph: Artshall Spring Fete! Outstanding!

Gwenna is overheard praising Jael: Congrats on the wedding!

Ilmia is overheard praising Jael.

Ilmia is overheard praising Gwenna.

Ilmia is overheard praising Arcadia.

Ilmia is overheard praising Norwood.

Ilmia is overheard praising Zara.

Ilmia is overheard praising Calandra.

Once back and steady on her feet, Zara releases a slightly unsteady breath as she smooths her hair back into place, and then reaches down to adjust the strap of her slippers with a jangle of silver chainmail. "You are, as expected, a remarkably graceful and remarkably skilled dancer, Whisper Calandra. I fear your light dimmed by my reflection." Her eyes narrow, and her nose scrunches just slightly in rue, but she turns to add her applause to others as Cristoph recognizes Jael and Gwenna. In an aside, she says, "Definitely on for those lessons, though."

Zara is overheard praising Gwenna.

Zara is overheard praising Calandra.

Cristoph is overheard praising Calandra.

Gwenna is overheard praising Calandra.

Cristoph is overheard praising Zara.

Ilmia gives things a smile and then the Leary Lady exits as quietly as she had entered. She does give quiet words before departing.

Cristoph is overheard praising Arcadia.

Gwenna is overheard praising Norwood.

Cristoph is overheard praising Norwood.

Gwenna is overheard praising Arcadia.

Cristoph is overheard praising Ilmia.

Gwenna is overheard praising Zara.

Gwenna is overheard praising Ilmia.

Pulling away from his partner Norwood bows again. "It was a pleasure Lady Arcadia." And then he should probably go figure out if his wife has fainted and is sleeping somewhere. Cuz that's a thing likely to happen to a Keaton these days.

Arcadia steps backwards a little breathless "It was. Thank you for the indulgence." She too then excuses herself, "I should find my way home. I am sure there is a stack of messengers waiting for me." She dips her head to Cristoph before making her way out.

2 Leary House Guards leaves, following Arcadia.

"Wow, very nice job everyone! That was a bracing session of dancing! Exciting to watch!" Cristoph makes sure that everything gets handed off to where it's supposed to go. As people begin to leave or return to their seats, that's where Cristoph goes. He sinks into one of the chairs and looks prepared to /eat/.

Jael goes from holding up her cousin to squeezing her and jumping up and down. "We won!" She lets go after a few hops though, so they can claim their prizes. SURPRISE CRIS!

Calandra can only smile softly at Zara's poetic note on her light being dimmed, offering a gentle shake of her head. "Hardly, Your Highness. You did wonderfully for taking on such a complex dance." As for the winners, Calandra offers her own applause, sad to see the lovely pendants go to someone else, but lightens when she looks back to Zara and tips her head to the table. "Now then, I think we're due for a drink and good food, yes?" And certainly isn't waiting, already starting to slip back to the table to enjoy the rest of the party.

"I LOVE star iron!" This declaration comes from Gwenna and she squees, literally, and hugs Jael back before going to collect the winnings. She, of course, dons the piece right away. "I mean, what goes better with armor and feathers? A dragon, obviously. Though I clearly need to work on my moves a bit more. That last part?" She rolls her eyes. "I'm tempted to blame the slippers." Cheers are offered for those who participated, too, and even those that did not. Watching that could have been nearly as hazardous.

Zara has left the north banquet table.

Bayberry, an Oakhaven juvenile bloodhound, Steadfast, a dunskin stallion courser leave, following Norwood.

Gwenna has left the north banquet table.

Calandra has left the north banquet table.