Archimedes, the Grim Face of Owlish Judgement, Sir Alren, Scholar Duran, a perpetually put-upon assistant, 3 Templar Knight guards, Clementine arrive, following Bianca.

There's a hired man opening the door to any guests interested in the auction, taking care of coats and making sure they're kept safe. Inside the sitting room, a warm fire blazes, the space obviously one where someone lives, but now transformed to make the auction more auction-like. Evaristo bows and greets people as they filter in, and invites people to grab some drinks and some snacks before finding a seat.

Tamorin, a bubbly Whisper apprentice, Evensong, a twittering songbird arrive, following Anisha.

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

"Ohhh, it's beautiful in here." So speaks a young woman who divests herself of her coat and steps in, nearly bouncing with excitement.

Lark inclines her head in greeting to Evaristo before lowering herself gracefully in to her seat, placing her hands in her lap politely.

Bianca has joined the a cozy stone hearth with cushions and chairs.

Lark has joined the a comfy couch in a dusky violet-and-blue silk.

Verity Locke definitely needs her coat taken. And her scarf. And her mittens. It's quite a bit. But, once the hired man has freed her from her warm cocoon, she favors him with a smile and continues inside. There's practically a skip in her step. Only practically, because literally would be too perky for such a noble affair.

The courtier curtsies to Evaristo once they meet. "Hello again! We only seem to run into each other when people are trying to talk each other out of money, don't we?"

But, with a smile, she goes to collect a drink as directed, and then it's off to sit by the fire for her.

Verity has joined the a cozy stone hearth with cushions and chairs.

Ysabel has joined the a comfy couch in a dusky violet-and-blue silk.

"May I?" Ysabel asks when ushered in further and pauses by the dusk couch where the Princess is sitting.

Anisha makes her way inside, alongside Tamorin. The Whisper wearing her umbra garb, and offering polite smiles to the other people here, sketching curtsies according to rank - and spotting a familiar face. "Messere Verity. Blessed Bianca. Would you mind if I join you?" She inquires.

Most of the faces are familiar to Zara as she enters, but none so much so to draw her _particular_ attention: her greeting is general on entering, but polite. She seats herself with a practiced sweep of her skirts, it seems just remotely possible that her choice is made with an eye to what's least likely to clash with her outfit. Important consideration.

Zara has joined the a cozy stone hearth with cushions and chairs.

Lark offers a soft smile to Ysabel, "Not at all."


Swaddled in the comforts of a deep black cloak to protect her from the increasing chill of autumn as it bleeds towards winter, Legate Bianca Wyrmguard is, as ever, a timely arrival to the auction, coming in a handful of minutes after the arrival of Verity Locke, expert courtier. She lets said cloak be taken with a small smile and a quiet but gracious "thank you," making her way from the entrance towards the comfortable seating with but a brief pause to offer Evaristo a simple, graceful curtsy.

"I look forward to seeing the offerings," she says to the day's host, before maneuvering toward her seat; she stalls, for exactly half a second, as those silver eyes fall on Verity. It's almost questioning. Almost.

"It's good to see you're keeping warm, Verity." And just like that it's gone with the prim posture of Bianca's seated positioning near the hearth, looking towards the newly-elevated Softest Whisper with a smile. "By all means, Mistress Anisha. Make yourself comfortable."

Anisha has joined the a cozy stone hearth with cushions and chairs.

Anisha spots the Baroness Gilden, and gives Ysabel a small curtsey as well - though for now she does seem intent to settle with Verity and Bianca, and gives a curtsey to Zara as well, as she's now coming in closer to the Oathlands trio. "They are some beautiful pieces of art, aren't they?"

There's a thankful smile at Ysabel at her enjoyment of the room. He laughs and nods at Verity, in agreement. "It would seem so, Miss Verity. This money will go towards helping former thralls and slaves, a subject very close to Joscelin Arterius heart; her husband was a former thrall, and she spent much of her money and time to helping people resettle," he begins. The jewelry in question is on visible display on a mantel near where he stands, so people can get another look. "I am honored and delighted to see you all here. Now, I've never held an auction before," he says and smiles rascally, "but how hard can it be? Shout at me, and feel free to shout louder if I seem more than usually confused," he jokes. "That said," he says and nods to a young man standing up behind the couches, "we already have a first bid, from Count Orrin Seliki - he has a man here tonight to do bids for him, and they are opening up with a bid of one hundred and eighty thousand."

"So, the bidding is hence open, my lords and ladies!" He looks expectantly at the gathering, and waits.

"Two hundred thousand." Ysabel pipes up, looking to the mantel from where she sits. Anisha receives a wide smile.

"As honorable and just as a cause can be," Verity replies to Evaristo, before leaving him to his other guests.

Verity pops up from her seat when Bianca comes near. She falls into a curtsey again, this time with the mildly impressive trick of doing so while maintaining a hold on her drink.

"I feel all the warmer for your presence, Legate Bianca."

She answers Anisha only with a smile, because Bianca has done the speaking already. The courtier seats herself again afterward. When the bidding starts, she sets her drink down and clasps her hands together. It's exciting!

Zara lifts her hand as she is settling in with a bid: "Two twenty-five," she calls. She does not shout. That would be rude.

"Oh! Two fifty then!" Ysabel's hand shoots up into the air.

Evaristo makes a nod towards Ysabel, noting her bid. "We have two hundred thousand! Do I hear a two hundred and twenty? Ahh, there we go - thank you Princess Zara, two hundred and twenty five is the bid right now. Go on, don't be shy," he says and smiles charmingly, as excited as Verity here, if not more. "Oh look at that, the baroness is right back in the game with two hundred and fifty."

Anisha offers a smile in return to Ysabel, a bow of her head to Lark as well - and looks up to Evaristo. "A worthy cause, indeed. How can we not support it? Let's say two-hundred and seventy-five thousand silver," The Softest suggests, as she raises her hand idly, her bracelet jingling as she moves her arm.

Lark gestures with her hand softly, "Three hundred thousand."

Evaristo grins at Anisha and dips his head. "I knew the whispers wouldn't be quiet - thank you! Two hundred and seventy five from Anisha Whisper." He barely has time to say that, and another bid is up: "Princess Lark, am I right? Amazing, Joscelin would be so proud - we have three hundred thousand."


Bianca very delicately clears her throat exactly once for Verity's words, fingers lacing in her lap. She'd absolutely have something very clever to say in return, of course (of /course/) but the auction's begun! She lifts a hand into the air, her voice cutting through clearly despite the calm quiet of it. "Three hundred and twenty five thousand."

Lark smiles to Evaristo, "That's correct. Four hundred thousand." almost in the same breath.

Ysabel looks back and forth, left then right as the bids go higher. The lark bids and Ysabel shoots her hand up again. "Four fifty!"

Evaristo is starting to look almost a bit sweaty here - perhaps he didn't think the prices would go up THIS high, but he's delighted and a bit stunned. "Gods," he breathes, then focuses: "Three hundred and twenty five from Legate Bianca, four hundred from Princss Lark, and... Once more, the baroness goes up with four hundred and fifty! Are we still going, lord and ladies?"

"Oh, it's already gone so high," Verity murmurs, eyes wide. She glances about in anticipation of someone answering Evaristo's call.

Lark raises her hand once again, "Four hundred and eighty thousand."


Bianca's head tilts, considerate for a quiet moment. And then she raises her hand once more with that selfsame, impeccable calm. "Five hundred thousand."

Lark nods her head once, "Five hundred and fifty thousand."

"Five hundred and seventy five!" Ysabel's hand once again goes up, a little breathless with excitement.

Evaristo has to actually put a hand on the mantel here to lean on it a bit, he's sort of reeling at the sums this is going up towards. He looks both touched and stunned. "Princess Lark once more - at four hundred and eighty thousand." A few seconds later: "Legate Bianca - five hundred!" A look at Lark, and he grins as she responds. "Princess Lark, at five hundred and fifty!" A slight pause and... "Baroness Ysabel is back! Five hundred and SEVENTY FIVE." He grabs a drink now and gulps down a generous amount of wine. "This is VERY thrilling now!"

Verity begins to fumble with the small purse tied to her belt. She eventually withdraws a small leatherbound appointment book and flips through the pages. Her lips move silently as she reads.

Evaristo glances around - the bidding is slowing down, clearly. "Alright... looks like it's slowing down. Going once..." He lofts an eyebrow, tempting more bids, but clearly going to finish if no more come soon.

Verity looks up and frantically raises her hand. "Oh! Six hundred!"

Ysbael squints. One eyebrow dropping down while another goes soaring. Math is being run in her head. Numbers flit invisibly through the air and then she sighs and shakes her head. Withdraws.

"Miss Verity - you are a true trickster, waiting everyone out," EVaristo jokes, giving Verity an appreciative grin. "Alright, we have a bid of six hundred thousand." He bows to Ysabel. "Baroness - you were spectacular, thank you for your bids." He looks at Lark and Bianca now, lofting an eyebrow. "How about you two, my ladies? Going once... going twice..."

Lark shakes her head at Evaristo before look around the room.

Verity puts on an impish grin as Evaristo teases her. She taps the book. "In the excitement I nearly forgot I was here to bid on another's behalf. I had to look at the number they told me it was alright to stay under!"

A moment later, she clutches it to her chest so that no one else can see. She gives the others seated near her an apologetic look.


From her place at the hearth, Bianca turns from looking Verity's way, back towards Evaristo. She seems to consider for a long moment -- before lowering her hand quite comfortably in her lap. "I think I'll withdraw, as well."

With all the bidders that warred now bowing out, Evaristo bows to them all. "My nerves are quite frayed, and you made this into the most.. well, I must admit I never in my wildest dream thought we'd reach these numbers." He smiles at Verity. "... and going thrice! Sold to Miss Verity Locke, or at least, to the one she bid for, for six hundred thousand silver!" He gives a hearty applaud, then reaches for the jewelry, gently laying it into a small simple wooden box clad with silk inside, moving with it to Verity.

maple mantel of displaying is now unlocked.

Evaristo gets an wide gold filigree cuff set with midnight sapphires, a gold ring set with a midnight sapphire, an intricate gold hair-comb set with midnight sapphires, an intricate gold pendant set with midnight sapphires and a pair of gold earrings set with midnight sapphires from maple mantel of displaying.

Anisha laughs, offering a mild clap of the hands. "Well done. The auction is certainly entertaining, and raising more than half a million silver for the cause is well done, and well-worth it, for Mistress Joscelin's designs."

Lark brings up her hands from her lap and claps. "Well done and congratulations." the princess offers to Verity with a soft incline of her head.

Verity is announced as the winner and Ysabel's standing up from her spot, clapping her hands with enthusiasim. "Congratulations to whoever you are proxying for!"

Verity clutches the book closer as Evaristo completes the three-count. When he does, she begins to cheer but stops herself from rudely celebrating with too much enthusiasm -- and so it comes out like a squeak.

"Oh, thank you! I am sorry I could not tell you more about who gave this silver, but they wish to remain anonymous -- ah, I think they want to make a surprise gift of it to someone special to them? But perhaps that is saying too much."

She moves to receive the box from Evaristo. Then, fumbling a bit to put away her book while holding onto the box, she withdraws a few high-denomination coins from her purse to press into the host's hands.

Anisha rises as well, sketching a little curtsey to the Legate and Princess, and then to the High Lord and Baroness, while Verity is retrieving her prize. "Well done on your spirited bidding, Princess Lark, Baroness Ysabel," The Softest Whisper offers with approval in her voice. "I was intending to raise my own bid, but you quickly went past the budget I'd allocated myself. A shame. Next time I'll see about setting aside more money."

Joining the applause, Zara dips her head to Verity in a nod. "It's a lovely gift, and a good cause. I'm sure they will wear it well." She glances to Evaristo, thoughtful. "It was good to see Mistress Joscelin's designs again, even if by another's hand. They were executed well. Thank you for arranging this. Will there _be_ a next time?" she asks, looking over at Anisha. Because if there's a next time--!

"It is alright, give my heartfelt thanks to your anonymous employer there - the money will be well used. I hope I get a glimpse of this jewelry at some ball or other event, at some point," Evaristo says and he looks a bit overwhelmed as he receives that large amount of money in one go. "I think I will have to hire someone to escort me to the bank," he jokes. He bows once more to everyone. "Please, stay and have some drinks and mingle if you wish." He looks at the box that he just gave to Verity, and says with some wry humor; "I don't think that particular set will ever be sold again - it would be rude to the one that bought it. But, my cousin had many designs, and if there is this much success - well, there will always be a need for coin for causes such as this. We shall see - I do have some other ideas as well."


As Verity wins the bid by proxy, Bianca rises crisply onto her feet. She joins the clapping with an easy, measured pace of her own. It's gracious, the way she dips her head for Anisha; equally so is the smile she turns Verity's way as she very politely does not make comment on Verity's mildest of fumblings.

"You look properly excited, Verity." Well, mostly does not make comment. "Congratulations. I'm sure your anonymous bidder will be very pleased. It's a remarkable set." A second passes. Her brows knot in worry. "... Do you need assistance?" ... Kind of uncommented.

"I hope so as well!" Verity says. Or, rather gushes. She may be riding an adrenaline high. "Even I will be surprised. I do not like to pry into matters of the heart, yes? Secrets like this are so romantic!"

She gives Bianca a sheepish look. By now, at least, the box is well in hand. "Would you mind walking me to the courier? I must hire a secure messenger to send these off as soon as possible. I would feel safer with Sir Alren about."

Nodding her understanding to Evaristo, Zara murmurs, "Congratulations," to Verity as she rises. "I'll enjoy this mystery, even if only in passing." With that, she sweeps off with only a last, "Thank you again for hosting," to Evaristo.

Zara has left the a cozy stone hearth with cushions and chairs.

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

"Aye, an escort would be prudent. I'd offer myself, but I think I need to hire my own and move all this money," Evaristo says and looks a bit apologetic there. "Wouldn't do if we BOTH got robbed at the same time, right?" He finishes some more wine, looking around with some of the earlioer daze mostly gone now. "Thank you, your highness," he offers to Zara, bowing once more as she departs.

Anisha gives a little nod at Verity's concern. "I expect you'll be safe, but it's better to be prepared." However, the Whisper has no guards, and is hardly intimidating physically, and so does not offer escort - instead looking to Evaristo. "If there are more auctions, I look forward to tossing my coin in the ring once more." She muses. Looking back to Lark and Ysabel. "Please, forgive me my lack of manners. Softest Whisper Anisha, at your pleasure. I don't know that we've been formally introduced."

Lark smiles politely toward Anisha, "Princess Lark Grayson. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Oh! A Whisper." Ysabel's hands come to press against each other in delight. "A pleasure to meet you! Ysabel Gilden." She looks to Lark with an energetic nod. "I would like that very much. Such a treat. Thank you!" Breathless again in her excitement.

Keso, a totally legit assistant arrives, delivering a message to Evaristo before departing.


Head tilt, the look that etches Bianca's features for Verity's sheepish plight is one of subdued sympathy. "Of course," she assures, "I would be happy to. Sir Alren's days are always a bit brighter for the engaging conversation you offer."

Sir Alren, the very large, old Templar near the entrance, has not said a single word all day. Mostly, he just smiles a big, gentle smile. It holds a wealth of possible interpretations.

"Come then, let's be off, we should get this settled as soon as we can." Attention turning to Evaristo, she dips once more in a simple curtsy. "I'll take care of this, Master Evaristo. Thank you again, for sharing more of these precious treasures of Mistress Joscelin's with us. It is truly appreciated." And, with a little smile, and an offering of, "Do take care, Mistress Anisha -- and congratulations, on your new appointment," she begins to make her way out, indicating for Verity to follow. "... I must warn you though, Verity, Archimedes is about as well, and he did not seem very pleased with what you tried to do to him last time..."