2 House Velenosa Guards, Aurora, a dimunitive young woman in modest pale violet clothing of Velenosa, Logan, a Lenosian champion, towering above many, Grace, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed lady's maid, Daisy, a pale grey Artic fox with a white underbelly arrive, following Sofia.

Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting have been dismissed.

Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting have been dismissed.

2 Grayson House Guards have been dismissed.

Clark, an exasperated guard have been dismissed.

Sam, who is a boy and definitely not a princess in disguise have been dismissed.

It's a bright, cool day, as befits the late winter setting. Seating has been carted out from the manse, layered with extra blankets just in case, and bright green and golden ribbons have marked out a "ring". Tikva has arranged for her smol guests of honor to sit at the front with their nannies on their own blanket, although Lara has apparently already been sufficiently worn out by a morning's play that she has conked out, napping in her nanny's arms, while Asharion amiably hits his big brother with a stuffed toy.
"Stop it, it's my day and you're not allowed," Tiber orders imperiously.
"Welcome!" Tikva calls as people begin to approach the festivities, waving her arms in the air. "Hello and welcome! We are here today to celebrate Lord Tiber Riven, ward of Ainsley Grayson and my firstborn son, who has turned eight years old!"
"Yeah, punch people!" Tiber says, who assumes that Tikva has already gotten to this bit, since he wasn't paying attention.

Lygeia, a calligrapher and alchemist arrives, following Rysen.

The last days of winter are upon Arx and yet again, it is snowing. Lucita's cloak billows areound her and stray curls that have escaped her hood are coated in snow and ice. She steps into the courtyard garden where walls help turn aside the wind. Despite the winter weather that Lucita does not appreciate as much as other from areas further north, there is a smile on her lips and a glint of anticipation in her eyes as walks along spotting the seating and blankets set out. It does not take long for her to approach Tikva to greet her and Tiber. "Happy birthday! She says softly before eyeing the blankets and seating again.

Kyrios Thrax, 3, bolts across the gardens in the direction of Tiber and Asharion with the intent of bodily tackling the latter. There's plenty of warning, though, as the young Thrax prince goes screaming as he runs. His mother Sorrel, holding his little sister Lilah, strides after him in Tikva's direction. There's no saying anything softly around here now.

Colette enters the courtyard. Dressed quite nicely. Her movements graceful, her face stoic, her posture perfect. She doesn't look like your average brawler, that is for sure. "I am 'ere to do the entertaining of the children with the wrestling?" The very petite little Laurent announces. She is kind of tall, but very, very thin. Yeah, absolutely not exactly what someone might think when they think of a hand to hand fighter.

"Aaaaaah!" Asharion yells back as Kyrios approaches at a roar. He throws his stuffed animal in Kyrios's face. It is a bear, even though neither of them are Redrains. "Keeeeeer!" he yells.
"Okay, okay, that's great," Tikva says, and then clears her throat. "Hi," she adds with a smile, and then: "House Grayson and I shall be offering prizes! For the winner, a purse of two hundred thousand silver! For the runner up, a single ingot of star iron! And for everyone, the hospitality of the house! If you are planning on competing, please step up to the ribboned circle so that Lord Tiber can get a good look at you all!"

Kyrios slides into the snow upon catching the bear from Asharion, and there's much roaring and carrying on. Sorrel looks a little tired, but since neither of the boys seems injured, she lets them do as they will.

Rysen arrives in the Grayson garden with Lygeia by his side. His black mantle flows around him, and he smiles when he hears Tiber speak with boyish fire. He comes to stand before Tikva, and when she finishes speaking of the wrestling competition, he bows respectfully, and says, "It is good to see you, Inquisitor, and I wish your son a happy birthday. His choice of recreation is after my own heart."

Jules enters into grounds with a flowing stride that sees a hand quickly move up to test and insure his puffed out hair is in place and moves the hand down to the end of the ponytail. Inside by a few steps he stops and allows his smile to stretch across his face and his eyes to turn from one side to the other and he says, "I say!" With a bit of excitement that exudes out from his expression.

Tikva grins crookedly with a laugh on her breath, behind the flash of her teeth. "Indeed!" she says. "I think it shall be a great show." While the younger boys play in the snow with the stuffed bear and shout and holler, Lara makes a whiny noise and mashes her face into her nurse's knitted scarf, while Tiber flashes a rare smile on the assembled who are joining them for his entertainment, and he claps his hands encouragingly.

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

Colette waits quietly and patiently, standing up perfectly straight, with perfect posture. Like a Proper lady. Someone will let her know when she is needed to entertain. But given her stoic expression and rather flat voice, one might pray her fighting is more entertaining than she looks.

Rysen's grey eyes shift to hear the excited voice of Jules. He smiles and says, "Greetings, Master Jules. Are you skilled in grappling?" Noticing Colette, Rysen meets her gaze, and bows. "Good to see you again, My Lady. I hope your family is well. Duke Kaldur spoke very highly of your tea." Noticing Sorrel, Kyrios the wild, and Lucita, Rysen smiles, and bows his head in greeting from where he stands.

Colette turns to face Rysen and dips in to a perfect curtsy. "We are well. I am at least. The family is often 'ard to get a 'old of." The mentioning of her tea gets her to smile a little, "I will 'ave to thank 'im. I work my 'ardest to set a perfect tea party." She says in that absurdly thick oathlands accent.

Having greeted Tikva and wished a happy birthday to Tiber, Lucita moves toward some a seat and gathers a blanket to overlay her legs as she sits. "The twins will regret missing this." She says softly. "Perhaps we can get them all together at the tower and let them race some toy ships there. They were feeling a little under the weather so to say after accidentally being given too many extra slices of my birthday cake so had to stay home with the nanny."

"Honestly, I rarely bring them all out like this, but for Tiber's day it seemed very strange for me to leave his brother and sister," Tikva says with a laugh on her breath. Scrubbing her hands together as she approaches the ribboned circle, she says: "The rules are as follows: we shall wrestle like gentlefolk in a free-for-all, no armor, no weapons. You may keep boots on because it's bloody cold, but please control your ungentlefolkly impulses regarding high kicks! Lord Tiber is watching this free-for-all, and if he sees anyone fall, he shall call them out! If he sees anyone be badly injured, he shall call them out too, for this is to be a sporting, friendly contest, and we wish for no one to need a surgeon today! Has anyone any questions?"

Colette looks down at her fancy little flats and dress, "This outfit is ok?"

"Definitely, although I have no idea how your toes aren't frozen," Tikva says with an easy grin, saluting Colette with two fingers up by her eyebrows.

Jules turns upon being greeted by Rysen and his brow lifts with a look of excited surprise, "Lord Rysen!" Here he does a bow but it has a bit less flourish than normal given the crowds about. His smile stays there as he answers his question on grappling, "I suppose if we staged something I could give a good show but I don't think I have much skill in any martial skill." He gives a diminutive belly laugh and makes a passing gesture towards Rysen, "Will you be competing my Lord?" At the direction to Colette, Jules expression grows a bit broader and he says, "Lady Colette, how do you do today?" He gives a bow here but again, little flourish given the crowds.

Rysen unclasps his mantle effortlessly and tosses it to Lygeia, removing his tunic in spite of the cold. A network of scars - some which appear to be quite recent - mark his skin, and the tattoo on his left forearm is clear on his flesh like blight on a field. Breathing a cloud of steam, and with a wink to Tiber, he cracks his knuckles. "I will, Master Jules. If I am quickly defeated, tell my wife I fought bravely." He steps into the area that has been ribboned off for the competition.

Colette enters the arena with Rysen, stretching out and cracking her joints.

Jules blinks as he sees Colette entering into the arena and quickly calls out, "Wait, my lord! It is most urgent!"

Colette glances sharply at Jules, "You worry not Master Jules. I am fine."

Rysen glances at Jules, raising an eyebrow.

Jules fans at his face a moment and leans into whisper something to Rysen and seems rather frantic, ignoring Colette in the process...

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

Rysen looks a little concerned at what Jules tells him, and his grey eyes fall on Colette. "Are you certain you're in condition to fight, My Lady? It's grappling, and I'm confident at worst, you'll tap - but if there's a chance your body is not ready, perhaps Princess Sorrel and I can duel to entertain Lord Tiber."

5 Armed Confessors have been dismissed.

Confessor Warren have been dismissed.

Colette glances at Rysen, "I am fine. And not worried. I am used to fighting through injury. One is not given the chance to recover in enemy territory. It is good practice." She just nods once.

Confessor Imori have been dismissed.

Confessor Warren have been dismissed.

5 Armed Confessors have been dismissed.

A fight has broken out here. Use @spectate_combat to watch, or +fight to join.

Jules looks between the two for a moment a pale look coming over his face and the grin looking quite forced but it's still there. He's done his due and he takes a step back into the crowd and covers his eyes.

As the fight gets under way, Tiber joins his mother by the ring and watches the nobles fighting for his entertainment with an intent and bright interest. He claps his hands, watching as they go. Tikva watches no less intently, possibly preparing to prompt him to stop it if it gets too bad. Prince Asharion yells, "LOOK KEER," from his vantage playing with the Thrax prince in the snow, pointing to the ring.

Prince Kyrios looks over from where he's doing something to the poor stuffed bear in the snow when Asharion yells, and he drags the bear by the foot over to stand next to his best friend, putting his little arm around the Grayson boy's shoulders.

Colette looks to the Child who's birthday it is and dips in to a super proper curtsy. "My Lord. I 'ope to be entertaining you. It is an 'onor you would let me try." Then Rysen gets a curtsy to signal she is ready. Then when the fight is on. Colette begins to circle her opponent. Looking for an opening. When she spots one, it becomes very apparent that speed and knowledge of weak points is Colette's main weapon. She is no bar brawler. When she darts in, like a flash, she strikes with perfect calculations, working more to capture Rysen's wrists and twisting to try and immobilize him, where she can strike at the Lords knees and elbows. But Rysen is a big man and she does not do all this unscathed.

Rysen bows to Tiber, and to Colette, whom he eyes, thanks to Jules, with a look of aprhension. Whatever his sense at the beginning of the contest quickly evaporates out of respect to the skill and speed of his opponent. As Colette closes the distance and works for wrist control, Rysen is able to drop down, lock his hand together and suplex the Lady of House Laurent, though she rolls with the majority of the impact and is quickly on her feet again. Rysen, too, rolls like a cat on the frosty ground and springs to his feet.

Jules happens to look between his fingers that cover his eyes and not only whinces but gives a gasp of, what sounds like, pain. He closes his fingers to block off the the sight again but he starts to open his fingers again and decides there must be something far more interesting elsewhere and he decides to just meander a bit further back from the sight.

Rysen engages with Colette again, shooting in for her legs, and putting a good deal of energy into trying to lift her off of her feet. The Lady of House Laurent's balance is superb however, and the Crovane lord is unable to gain an advantageous position.

When Rysen goes to lift Colette off her feet. The slippery little Laurent resists enough to get Rysen off guard. Then. She goes with the flow. She leaps up when he isn't expecting it and all but climbs the northern lord. She uses the momentum and what weight she does have and wraps her legs around the Lord's left arm and throws herself towards the ground, twisting her body to ensure Rysen hits the ground hard. Leaving Colette on top ready to continue working pressure points until she can get Rysen to tap out. The careful observer might notice she winces in pain just a bit with each sharp movement she makes.

Lucita watches the wrestling with interest, flinching a little at some of the moves and making a soft 'Ow, that had to have hurt!"

When Colette mounts Rysen, and he notices the wince on her face, he frowns deeply, but as she starts to put pressure on his wrist, he explodes upward and manages throw Colette forward. He scrambles to his feet, and takes her back, trying to slide his arms under her neck, but she proves too quick and slippery, and he soon finds himself slipping forward and losing position.

The extremely even match between Colette and Rysen is definitely a nailbiter as far as Tikva is concerned, watching as she balances on the balls of her feet, waiting for a good point to call it. Her son cheers for the combatants more or less indiscriminately, and for all that it's his duty here to stop things before anyone gets too hurt, how is he to choose when it is so close to call! "Gloria bless!" he yells, clapping his hands. "Indeed," Tikva agrees a little more wanly, eyebrows swept high.

Colette gets thrown off and when she slips free of his attempts to get her in a hold, Rysen stumbles forward. Colette Runs and slides under the man, who might as well be a giant to her, and spins, giving him an open palm hit to the back of his knee. She stands fluidly after the slide and hit and as Rysen crumples a bit from the knee hit, she gently places her foot on his back and nudges him forward so he falls all the way down. (Not a kick) In sort of a taunting manner.

It is clear to Sorrel at least, that Rysen's grappling is inferior to his swordsmanship, but he doesn't seem to enjoy it any less. As Colette press him down with her leg, he grabs hold of her ankle, and hooks it to topple her down. Her balance is superb, however, but it gives him an opening to get to his feet again. He bursts forward, and attempts a standing arm choke, however, Colette is able to drop her weight, and quickly break free of his hold.

Colette breaks free and spins to get behind Rysen. Once again she climbs the gentle giant. This time her legs lock around the mans neck. She starts squeezing and flips her weight backwards, a show of acrobatics and skill, dropping Rysen down face first on to the ground, leaving Colette on top of his back, squeezing the mans neck with her deceptively powerful legs, waiting for the tap out or counter.

The triangle's too deep, and Rysen taps just before passing out. When Colette releases him, he rolls to his back, and says to his opponent, "Well done, before breathing heavily, and sitting up," grinning to Tiber.

Colette stands and dusts herself off before offering a curtsy to Tiber again. Her face still stoic and emotionless.

As the combatants go at it, finally at that last Tikva gives her son a gentle nudge, and Tiber startles, looking up at her and then looking round-eyed at the fighters. Oh. OH. "Enough!" he calls, throwing his arms up with such enthusiasm that his mother gets a smart whack in the hip. "I call it! I call it, it's over!"
"Praise be to Gloria! And congratulations and thank you to our fighters!" Tikva cheers.

Jules only turns around when he hears the fight come to its end and drops his hands to his side, still having a pale and sickly look but then he seems somewhat surprised to see Colette there and gives a slow clap and turns to look for Rysen and gives a bit more firm clap.

Better late than never, right? Tikva pulls down the ribbons, cheering and clapping her hands as she invites Tiber into the ring to congratulate Colette and commiserate with Rysen on a wrassle well-fought.

Tikva is overheard praising Colette: What a mighty victory!

Tikva is overheard praising Rysen: Such valor!

Rysen is overheard praising Colette: An excellent unarmed fighter, and one who stands in the light of Gloria.

Colette is overheard praising Rysen: Quite the challenge. Well fought.

Octavian, a silken spaniel arrives, following Zoey.

Lygeia, a calligrapher and alchemist have been dismissed.

Colette curtsies deeply to Tiber, so as to drop to his level, "Was this an entertaining match for your birthday my lord? I know I was 'onored to be showing off for you."

Micana have been dismissed.

1 Saik Guard have been dismissed.

The guards in the courtyard respectfully bow to the arriving member of House Grayson.

Inquisitor Jonathen, Salvadore, a fire salamander, 6 Veteran Confessors arrive, following Laric.

Inquisitor Jonathen, Salvadore, a fire salamander, 6 Veteran Confessors leave, following Laric.

"You were AMAZING," Tiber declares. He takes the purse from his mother's hand and proffers it to Colette. It is a pretty fat purse, big enough that it weights both his hands.

Colette accepts the purse, bowing her head. "My Lord. Very kind of you. And when you wish to learn to fight like me, you know 'oo to ask your mother to bother no?" A small grin for the young lord.

Jules begins to make his departure with the combat over and no loss of life. Generally, this should be viewed by a positive end to the event for the gentle man but he still seems a bit on the weaker side. He still have that broad smile but it looks far more forced and less comfortable.

Meanwhile, Kyrios and Asharion are burying one another in snow. They've built the worst tiny igloo and it keeps collapsing on them, and they're laughing like it's the most hilarious thing in the world.

"Definitely!" Tiber says, and Tikva laughs and tousles her son's hair as she turns a bright smile on Colette. "Indeed," she says, "that does sound like it would be delightful. I'd warn you he can be a handful but I think you've well you might handle that."

Colette stands and looks to Tiber, "Worry not. I was a 'andfull. Ask Duke Cristoph just 'ow troublesome I was some time. The best of us are when we are young." The normally cold and detached little Laurent, seems to warm up when speaking to the children. She even offers Tiber a playful wink. "My Lord is welcome to come learn with me any time. We can drive Baron Norwood crazy together." She looks back up to Tikva and grins. Good gods she is the worst kind of enabler.

"Hassling Norwood _is_ entertaining; Duke Cristoph has invited me to embark on it with him before," Tikva says with another easy laugh, and then she turns aside, scouring her hands against each other and she calls, "now that we have celebrated with a most excellent match, shall we call the servants for mulled wine and hot cider? Would anyone care for a song?" and Tiber goes "MOM, you don't have to sing ALWAYS" and Tikva must admit, "Well, you're right, I don't."

"I like songs," Sorrel volunteers cheerfully. "I'd sing with you. A good rousing birthday song, perhaps." She winks helpfully at Tiber.

Colette offers Tiber a hand, "Let us find some snacks while they sing my lord?"

The guards in the courtyard respectfully bow to the arriving member of House Grayson.

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

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

"Delightful," Tikva says, moving to pick up her instrument so that she and Sorrel can play while Colette treats the birthday boy to snacks. It looks to be an entertaining stretch of afternoon before duties claim anyone else to go elsewhere.

Tikva takes Lara Grayson, who is supremely vehement.

Tikva takes Asharion Grayson, who has become a super finicky eater.

Tikva takes Tiber Riven, whose scowls are ferocious.

Colette offers up to Tikva, "This is a delightful little lord. If you are ever needing a babysitter do let me know?" A smile.