Ophelia wanders in in a collaboration of silks and leathers, the back of a fisted hand rubbing at the corner of her eye with lingering sleep that the array of ribbons and perfect spirals don't convey. Servants are so handy. "Someone said something about brun..." She's hardly able to pronounce the last syllable, padding towards the nearest seating arrangement, "Where's the wine? Oh!" She blinks a few times slowly and dips into a well-trained, if short-lived curtsey, and then unceremoniously tries to collapse into cushions.

A portion of the Velenosa ground have been taken over to facilitate the brunch. Tables have been arranged in a U formation around a gorgeously flowering bush with seats along the outside edge for the guests. Servant stand off to the side near smaller tables that are either topped with metal covered serving dishes or bottles of wine that will soon be served. In attention to place settings on the tables, each is decorated with floral arrangements of sweet smelling roses of various hues, though a soft shade of purple is the most prevalent. Up above airy lengths of silk cloth the same colors at the roses are woven in to the branches to provide even more of a sense of shelter to those beneath.

Ophelia has properly ensconced herself within one of the cushioned chairs towards the very end of the U formation. Nosy fingers had already plied through one of those violet roses, if only to peel off the petals from the outside one by one and flick them aside to let them flutter naturally to the ground or be stolen by a passing morning breeze. "Sooo. What's for brunch?" The words could be meant for almost anyone. "Are we eating those little pastries with the cheese in them? I think one could kill for those."

Cicero is standing off to the side of the tables speaking with a servant, perhaps seeing to last minute details for the meal, while a pair of musicians off the side the begin to quietly play a tune on flute and lute. He turns then, to offer a smile to Ophelia as he moves to take a seat at the bottom of the U. "You will be most pleased then, Princess. They are on the menu"

"I think that means that I don't have to shoot anyone," Ophelia pinched another one of the delicate petals from her half-mangled rose between two fingers with comfortably slouched posture angled to try to force her chair into a chaise lounge. "But Prince Cicero. Are you well? Are you selling things? Making a fortune? All the things that you might do?" The remains of blossom is settled on the edge of her plate, exchanged for an empty glass which gets languidly supported off to the side as if waiting some server to fill it for her. "I think it's early for people. Affairs of the state, trade to be plied, women to be chased, animals to be butchered. I'm a little surprised I made it out of bed." Her smile betrays a pair of dimples as she distractedly praises, "Oh. The music is a nice touch. Who else were you expecting?"

Sebastian drifts towards the edge of the yard, walking underneath the shade of some wisterias, taking a long, roundabout route before he finally saunters up to the table. He is dressed in a blue and grey combination--the collar and the hem of his tunic embroidered in blue--of the finest silks from the Silken City. Is there food to grab from the tray of a passing servant? Or a glass of wine? Because he would--whether appropriate or not.

A pair of servants move about, one holding a tray of wine bottles in his hand and the other pouring a glass of the guests choice. Cicero chooses a rose red before smiling to Ophelia, "Quite a few others had expressed their intentions to be here, but as you said.. other matters may have them delayed. Lord Prospero and Lady Calisto of Fidante, for example. Others from other Houses, a Redrain, a Valarian." he smiles and nods over to Sebastian, "Please, help yourself. Join us."

Ophelia absently watched Sebastian's shaded approach for long enough that the servant was forced to dally without response until he chose a pure white vintage for her. It was only then that she peeked up at him, expectant until it might be tasted before she could consume it. Her head bobbed in thoughtful response towards Cicero, sipping from the wine and then questioning, "How does this work? Do we get to pick and choose? Walk down a line? Order from a menu? I'm so bad with showing up to proper brunches, but you did a beautiful job here." With a mischief-laden smile, she proposes towards Sebastian, "Don't you think? ... Oh! Have we met? Nice embroidery, by the way."

It was probably some bit of hors d'oeuvre that Sebastian had popped into his mouth. He chews at it, and turns towards them with a slightly sheepish smile. "Lord Sebastian Pravus, at your service," he bows as he approaches. "It is an honour to formally meet your highness... highnesses?" A pause, "I don't believe we have. Perhaps in passing, but not face to face."

She's hoping she's not late. Samantha has seldom done much socializing since her arrival in Arx, her accessibility somewhat limited to charitable occasions and the floor of the Assembly. So she's broaching her first real coordinated event with both eagerness and a touch of trepidation. The dark skinned Marquessa is shown to the brunch area, and though she spots no familiar faces, her smile is kind and curious.

Cicero nods to Ophelia with a smile and gestures over to the trays, "I had been waiting for others to arrive before serving, but now is as good a time as any. Let me review the menu for you and a servant will come ask your preference and make your plate..." His gaze moves to Sebastian, "Come, have a seat and we can eat while we become acquainted." He stands then, wine glass in hand, "I am Prince Cicero Velenosa, and this, is brunch.," A slight turn to the servants by the tables of food. "For brunch this morning we have various dishes from the Lyceum region." He motions towards a tray in the middle, "As Princess Ophelia requested... pastry about smooth sweet cheese filling, all glazed with honey and topped with almonds" Another tray is motioned to, "A fritatta with broccoli rabe and Setarco sausage." the next "Eggs, slow pouched in a spiced tomato sauce Gemacitta style." One more! "Ricotta pancakes with sweet whipped cream and berries." and finally the last, "And to round things off.. an assortment of fruits from the region. Please, enjoy." He offers and sits back down
Servants move forward then to each of the guest to take their orders before moving off to fix their plates and return them.

"I think it's highnesses." Ophelia's brown eyes tip skywards with ill-explained uncertainty at the pause considering she's included in it, but her smile warms to a fuller state when she shrugs carelessly and returns as etiquette might demand, "A pleasure to formally meet you, Lord Sebastian." Lowering her voice to a near whisper and half leaning off the edge of her chair, she questions, "You're not going to force a curtsey, are you? These cushions are sublimely comfortable when you're tired." She gestures, graciously, towards one of the numerous chairs about the table, "You should try one." A further inspection has her watching his mouth, if only to ask, "What did you choose to eat?" But she's quick to add a cheerful wave towards Samantha, if an unfamiliar one, after listening intently to Cicero's description, "Oh! This is lovely. Sit! Eat!"

Sebastian shakes his head, taking a seat on the chairs without much further ado. A vague smile forms on his face, "They sound /extraordinary/." His voice is a soft one that doesn't carry, and this is said to Cicero as he is sitting down. "Oh, I don't know. A piece of glazed fruit. Peach?" he's quick to change the subject, "The ricotta pancakes sound nice. I think I'll have one of those. All that--makes you really miss the food from home." A somewhat warm smile is given to Samantha, and a nod--he is perhaps a bit less effusive in his welcome.

The initial smiles given her way give Samantha all the onus she needs to see herself seated near the other three, but not before dipping a curtsey to them prior to taking her chair. "Good morning." her greeting is warm, soft. She saves the strength of her voice for the Assembly floor. "Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness. I'm Samantha, Marquessa of Deepwood." Introduction made, she considers the menu, momentarily torn. "I wish we could try a small portion of each, but I suppose that would be quite greedy!"

Cicero nods to Sebastian, "Thank is, in part, why i thought this brunch would be such a good idea. Our own fond remembrance of home and sharing that with our guests," he turns to smile at Samantha at the mention of guest. "I am most pleased you accepted the invitation, my lady. and you do not need to feel greedy. Try as many and as much as you wish." for his own part he then turns to the servant attending him and requests a small portion of everything. See! it's fine.

"Princess Ophelia Velenosa and I agree one hundred percent that we should be greedy and eat our fill," Ophelia greets cheerfully in turn towards Samantha, though she's already begun to ply the draped hem of the silken table cloth as she peels herself into a straighter position, adding in conspiratorial whisper, "It's on Prince Cicero's coin, after all. And who else would eat it?" She pauses long enough to drain some of her wine down her throat and then settles it on the corner of her plate. "Do you have a favorite Prince Cicero of the selection? And oh. Glazed peaches? Can you pass me one of those?"

"Truly?" And Samantha is delighted when Prince Cicero sets the example, indicating to her server that she'd like to do as he has. Her nibbles on the frittata seem mildly engaged, but the spicy poached eggs have her eyes widening in delight. (Obviously saving the sweet tastes for last. Sam's the kind of girl who'd eat her broccoli first.) "Oh, this is marvelous! But you're all of Velenos...surely you all are familiar with such flavors?"

Sebastian laces his fingers together, the tips of his thumbs meeting. He arches one eyebrow at Samantha, and then grins, "Good choice. I wanted to do that but I foolishly decided to keep my thoughts to myself. I did not know Prince Cicero well enough and I did not want an esteemed member of the court to think I am a pig." He raises his cup, "And the wine is lovely. Very summery. To Lyceum! -and our generous host."

"My favorite is the spicy poach egg" Cicero says with a smile and a raise of his glass at the toast offered by Sebastian before taking a drink from his wine. "These flavors are familiar to us, yes, but it is rare to have them all together in one place in Arx.. and I assure you, no one will think less of anyone here for glutting themselves on the dishes. Our cooks have outdone themselves" He takes a moment to eat some more from his plate before looking to Samantha, "What of your homeland, my lady? What is a favored dish that you are missing?"

"To the Prince. And Lyceum." Samantha lifts her cup in salute and takes a delicate sip, noting archly to Sebastian, "I'm afraid keeping my thoughts to myself is a virtue I've never quite mastered." Cicero gets a more wistful smile. "My home is to the north, Your Highness. On the edge of the Grey Forest. The dishes of my home are of a much simpler fare, but comforting in their way. I'm quite partial to a tender roasted venison, served with autumn vegetables. Honey apples for dessert are most common. Not so much a lovely artistry for the tongue as this," she indicates her plate, "But there's value in both the rustic and the sublime in this world that we may enjoy."

Sebastian's wine disappears very quickly, but he does take his time with his food. "It is hardly a virtue," he smirks somewhat, slicing his pancake and pushing that, and a bit of blueberry onto his fork. "What brings you to Arx?" he says to Samantha. Cicero, he watches, "The thing about fetes in Lyceum is--it is never about the food."

"Ah.. not as complex perhaps, as our fare, but it still sounds marvelous and I am sure quite warming on a cold winter day" Cicero says to Samantha and then gives Sebastian a smile and agreeing nod of his head. "Indeed. The food is there to keep one full, but the point is less about seeing to sustenance than it is seeing to the others present"

"Isn't it, though?" A not quite coy smile graces the Marquessa's mouth before conceding, "Perhaps it's more a luxury than a virtue to some." As to why she's in Arx, "To represent my people's interests in Assembly, mainly. But I also look to better Deepwood's interests in all spheres." Taking a bite of the pancakes, Samantha lets out a happy sigh of pleasure. "Oh...I could eat this every day. My hips would swell to the size of an ox, but it might be worth it." A glance is cast to Cicero, "I've always been puzzled by the unnecessary duality of such things. Why is it always or, and never and?" She chuckles lowly, "But then, possibly it's too early, or not enough wine for philosophy. And is there ever really enough wine for philosophy?"

Sebastian shoots Cicero a cheerful smile--the kind that narrows his eyes to crescent-shaped slits. "How about some of that... dessert wine?" he hails down a servant, "I might have a sweet tooth." He shrugs and says, "My fault, perhaps, but I am never much of a philosopher."

Cicero chuckles and shrugs his shoulders. "You can always philosophize... wine only helps one make sense of it" He smiles and finishes off his food. The call for dessert wine is made and a servant moves around to pour glasses of a sweet red if desired while another still comes around with a tray of small, personal sized lemon crostata. "I am pleased you were able to brunch with us, Lady Samantha. In these times is it good for our houses to stay close, show unity. Keep the realm running smoothly"

Samantha accepts the pour of dessert wine, finding it pairs well with the pancakes. "The pleasure was mine. I have not had much opportunity to truly socialize since my arrival, and this seemed like a lovely first opportunity. You have been a marvelous host." She does study him a moment before acceding, "Unity is good for the realm, indeed."

Cicero smiles and takes up a crostata for himself to take a bite from with a nod toward her. "I am sure we can socialize again, at a later time, and perhaps discuss philosophy.. assuming there is enough wine" a bit of a grin. "And how to keep the realm united and both of our houses strong"