2 Blackwood trained guards, Haldir, a Rottweiler arrive, following Cillian.

Cillian drops Small unassuming wooden chest.

Cillian puts Mushroom King Whiskey in Small unassuming wooden chest.

Cillian puts Mushroom King Whiskey in Small unassuming wooden chest.

Cillian comes out from the house carry a small chest in his hands, his pup trotting behind him. He has on a smile on his face as he comes out looking around to see who has gathered. "Hello all! Welcome to Blackwood Estate!" comes the loud voice of the Northern Lord! His eyes twinkle as he looks about.

Cillian puts Mushroom King Whiskey in Small unassuming wooden chest.

Cillian puts Mushroom King Whiskey in Small unassuming wooden chest.

Cillian puts Mushroom King Whiskey in Small unassuming wooden chest.

Cillian puts Mushroom King Whiskey in Small unassuming wooden chest.

Cillian puts Mushroom King Whiskey in Small unassuming wooden chest.

Cillian puts Mushroom King Whiskey in Small unassuming wooden chest.

Cillian puts Mushroom King Whiskey in Small unassuming wooden chest.

Cillian puts Mushroom King Whiskey in Small unassuming wooden chest.

Jan calls "huzzah for another year birthday boy!"

Cillian drops Rainbow Unicorn Cupcakes.

Medeia arrives bundled in layers of winter-worthy garments. Is there a fire? Yes! She moves directly toward it. She does call out to Cillian a cheerful hello, but she is in need of thawing from the trip across the city.

Jan takes Mushroom King Whiskey from Small unassuming wooden chest.

Noah takes Mushroom King Whiskey from Small unassuming wooden chest.

Jaenelle's hand is tucked in the crook of Noah's arm as the pair enters the Blackwood Estate, the smaller woman lifting a hand to lightly dust off the snow from Noah's spectacular hair before doing a small shimmy to remove the collected from hers. "You know I spent most of my time in this ward when I first made it to Arx. I once got so drunk on whiskey in the Spirits that I almost slept on a table before we were all directed outside." Jaenelle doesn't get that drunk now, sadly.

Noah turns his head a bit when he feels the touch on his head. It's that sort of side eye look but when he sees Jaenelle, there is a slow smile for her. An actual smile. He drops his head a bit lower to hers as he offers, "I feel that's because Donella was here." He studies the petite woman next to him. "If you want to drink that much again, I promise to carry you home." He crosses his heart and tries to look innocent.

Vitalis arrives as he ever does, in leathers, blue and gray, storm hues, and grins as he spots Cillian, moving towards the man of the hour to claim a hug and a kiss before peeling away to find one of the other guests and some of that whiskey, or maybe a cupcake. Decisions, decisions. Whiskey first. He bows passing Jaenelle and Noah, "Your Grace, Archduke," and spins likewise away and almost into Medeia. "Lady E-" he purses his lips, "Lady Saik. You look lovely this evening."

Cillian smiles as he spots Jan and Medeia! "Ahh Lady Jan! It is good to see you!" he puts the chess down and moves in her direction. "Please everyone, there are bottles of a new flavor of whiskey. Take one to bring with you when you go, thank you for coming!" he smiles and then to Medeia, "Lady Medeia, it is good to see you as well." he smiles, he gives a nod to a few who have drums and a stringed instrument and they start to play a low beating tune. When he spots Jaenelle and Noah come in, he smiles moving in their direction. "You made it." he smiles bowing his head to them both, "Welcome to the Blackwood Estate Princess Jaenelle, Prince Noah." he is dressed in mostly leathers but his shirt and coat are not, this is prime weather for the man and is loving it. Oooh then there is a Vitalis and a wide grim comes to his lips, moving to meet him hew returns the hug and a kiss. He does point to his boots for some reason with a smirk. Moving to near the fire pit he gives everyone some time to mingal, get some food, drink. "If anyone should like something warm to drink we do have mulled wine, cider and hot chocolate."

The mention of Donella catches Medeia's ear, and she looks over toward Noah and Jaenelle. She offers a curtsy to the pair - mostly to Jaenelle. "Good evening, Archduchess, Your Highness," The second address is to Noah. Then there's Vitalis who earns a dazzling smile for all of a second-and-a-half. It dims, but she plasters her smile in place. "Thank you. And you look as handsome as ever." Whiskey? A bottle is secured promptly.

Medeia takes Mushroom King Whiskey from Small unassuming wooden chest.

"Donella prefers rum, and she wasn't married then. Fergus and Feja were my bad role models. This was before Freja married Mydas, of course." It goes unsaid that this was clearly when Fergus and Freja were still alive as well. She turns to offer Vitalis a dip of her head and smile when they are greeted, "Lord Vitalis, doing well I hope?" Then the birthday boy approaches and Jaenelle gives him a wide smile, "family obligations." She motions to Cillian and tells Noah, "both of our twins have gone elsewhere at the moment so we've adopted one another as stand in twins. This is your new brother in law." To Noah's offer to carry her after she informs her husband of his new family ties, she nods her head, "I will consider it though drunk or not you can still carry me home anyway." Catching Medeia's curtsy, there is a dip of her head towards Medeia then, "Lady Medeia, settling home well enough?"

Jan bows to the Archfolk and upnods to others she knows, not interrupting the mingling.

Vitalis takes Mushroom King Whiskey from Small unassuming wooden chest.

Alberico, the Malespero aide, 1 Malespero Guard, Louis, a Malespero Armsman, Mar, the Magpie arrive, following Pasquale.

Noah arches his left brow above his blue-gray eyes to what Jaenelle is saying. Then he lowers his head again to whisper-growl something into his wife's ear. Again, he smiles to her and winks before he shakes her hand free of his arm. Are they already fighting?! Nah, he takes that arm to wrap around her shoulders to pull her closer. As he's greeted in various spots by various people, his smile falls to his trademark resting face. A nod given to those around, but he seems to let Jaenelle do the greetings for now. He does swipe a bottle of whiskey though. Priorities.

Cillian nods his head to Noah in a bow, his bells giving a soft ring, "It is true, our twins have gone off and left us to find others." he grins at Jaenelle, then his eyes look around and moves off to speak with another guest, "If you'll excuse me a moment."

"How strange, my twin has done the same," Medeia murmurs, though not really to Jaenelle or Cillian. She bows her head to the archduchess. "I am settling home well, yes, thank you."

Vitalis leans in to kiss Medeia's cheeks thrice in greeting, murmuring to Medeia before continuing his arc whiskey-ward. He selects a bottle from the chest, admiring the play of light through the glass before cracking the seal and prising the cork out with a little POOK. "Cheers to Cillian!" He lifts the bottle and then takes a good swig.

Jan lingers by the fire but comments to Medeia "I am glad Lucita has good company. Saik always seemed too quiet." she hrrrms and looks at the bottle of booze with a ribbon she brought with a small frown.

Jaenelle's expression remains mildly amused at whatever Noah says to her softly. "I find that twins will do that. Go off and explore the world or save it, or something appropriate. Would ours twins do anything g differently than be as amazing as the ones who stay behind?" Jan is given a smile when she is nodded towards, and nods then in agreement, "Lucita has always had Medeia to assist as Minister but it will be good for the entire fealty to have such as well."

Noah is just standing there doing his husband duty of being quasi-social. The arm around Jaenelle's shoulders starts to slide down to the small of her back and the back of her hips. He is keeping her tucked in against his side though as he tries to follow the conversation around him. Should she wish freedom, it's easily gotten. His eyes slide over to his wife and her talk of twins. Then he takes a glass of wine from someone around the area. A pause and he hands over a silver piece. When it's explained that it's free, Noah shakes his head. "I /insist/ for this drink." It is then presented to Jaenelle. Nothing said, just the wine presented her her as both his brows lift, fall, and lift again rapidly. Another wink for her.

Late, but hopefully not so late that its unfashionable, Pasquale steps into the training area and the ongoing party and makes his way towards Cillian's side. Echoing Vitalis's words as he approaches. "Cheers to Cillian."

Medeia returns Vitalis' cheek kisses and a soft, short murmur before looking in Jan's direction, chin dipped. She isn't really sure what to say, so when Jaenelle speaks about how she had never given up her duties to Saik, she simply nods. And then it is time for drinking and paying attention to literally anyone else - but especially the birthday boy. "Lord Blackwood, may all your previous years have led to this next being your best." Her whiskey is lifted in toast.

Cillian is standing near the bonfire speaking with a guest as everyone seems to be talking, drinking, eating and enjoying themselves. There is a low beating song on, when Vitalis raises a toast. He looks up to the man, eyes twinkling in the light as a smirk comes to his lips. Even some of Cillian's scouts have come to par take, they all raise their cups and bottles! "Cillian!" the Northern Lord chuckle shaking his head, then there is a voice. He turns and grins, "Pasquale! You made it! he grins, "Welcome, there is drink and food...If you are wanting there is mulled wine, cider, hot chocolate and tea." he smiles. "The chest has a new whiskey in it, please take one." he smirks, "I promise you will know it when you see it." he chuckles as more of his men cheer for him and people wish him well. He himself is holding a bottle in his hand and taking a large pull from it.

"Lady Kennex," Vitalis bows, smiling to Medeia, and moves off to another guest, Jan. "How are you?" He looks at the bottle, he'd noted the title when selecting it. "What *is* the story behind this, Lord Blackwood?"

Jan smiles at Medeia "You are so good at this toasting thing, Lady Medeia. Hear, hear to the best year yet!" she nods towards Vitalis "Hello Lord Vitalis, it's been a while. I trust you've been well?" Pasquale is given a polite nod.

"I did." Pasquale's eyes drift over bottles already retrieved from the chest. "That isn't made of the same stuff that made you get all poetic on us is it?" his eyes settle on each of the others for just a moment before he nods and passes on. Jan gets a slight smile.

Medeia sends a soft smile in Jan's direction for the compliment. She spots Pasquale and gives a wave of greeting. Quietly, she repositions herself to continue to warm herself by the fire while taking a te tativr sip of the whiskey in her hand.

Jaenelle laughs brightly as Noah hands her a glass, the sound stopping when the glass is brought to her lips for a healthy swallow. She doesn't seem to mind the tucked position by Noah's side as the greetings continue and everyone says hi to everyone else. "Let's go sit somewhere," she directs Noah so as to not stand in the way of those coming and going. "Do you know everyone here?" she then asks, because she has to make sure Noah is well informed and doesn't create a war.

Pasquale gets Mushroom King Whiskey from Small unassuming wooden chest.

Cillian chuckles at Pasquale, "No it is not, this is good Northern made Whiskey my Mushroom Lord." he smirks and moves out of his reach with a quick side step and smirk, when he hears Vitalis question. "Ahh you see the Mushroom King." he takes a bow to that, "Was on a quest to save the Mushroom kingdom one day and found a Mushroom Knight and Lord on the way to save the mushroom queen from the jaws of the Mushroom thief." he grins and looks at his pup who trots over to Vitalis and barks at him tail wagging.

Vitalis sniffs and settles his beret more jauntily upon his head, "I've been quite well. All things considered." Collapse of the world and supernatural entities and all that. He lifts the bottle he's got in hand to Pasquale, "Lord Malespero." He nods across the span between them.

Noah grins down at Jaenelle and his hand may have slide just a little lower to rest somewhere else on her form. He directs her towards the poppy patch because why wouldn't he go to the poppies? "Of course I do." The deepness of his voice still has that growling rumble to it. He points to Cillian. "Birthday guy." He points to Vitalis, "Good with his hands guy, taught me to be nimble with mine." A pause. "Probably shouldn't ask." He points to Jan. "Kennex." As if that explains everything. "Glowers. But will drink like really drink." Another pause. "Kennex." Back to his original description. Then he points to Pasquale. "Sometimes tries to correct me." A stage whisper, "It doesn't work". Then his voice rumbles more. "Down for my parties." He points towards Medeia. "Fuck. That one is going to have to get a new name. Um.." He lowers his brows a bit. "Returned Cat." Then finally, he points towards Jaenalle. "Current girl I'm trying to woo." He waits to hear how he did.

Pasquale looks to Vitalis. "Or, put in a less poetic way, Cillian was eating dubious mushrooms and had an 'experience'. We had to gently steer him into Prince Luca's memorial garden." he gives Noah a slightly amused look. "I haven't tried very hard."

Vitalis barks a laugh at Pasquale, putting Cillian's tale together with Pasquale's revelation. He looks at the bottle with pursed lips, "To the Mushroom King!" He pauses, brow furrowed, "Are you the-" Vitalis looks thoughtful, gaze moving between the guests to land on Cillian, "Which one are you?"

Jan listens to Cillian's tale and puffs out her cheeks and uncorks the party whiskey to take a drink, flashing Cillian a grin.

"Did he teach you that thing I like so much, because if he did I married the wrong man," Jaenelle tells Noah, her eyes widening in what can only be described as utter dismay at the lost chance. "Because really Vitalis, two thumbs." She grins over at the man before asking Noah, "cats don't do anything they don't want to. One does not return a cat, one allows the cat the freedom to do as the cat does and go where cats go. That is a terrible nickname and you can do better." When it comes to the introduction for herself she offers a shrug, "not bad so far."

Cillian grins as he moves over to Vitalis and wraps a arm around his neck, "I my friend am the Mushroom king!" he looks over as he takes another drink of his bottle, "I am the Birthday guy and your new Brother in law, thats important to remember." he smirks and looks to Vitalis, "That is my Mushroom Lord and my Mushroom knight I do not believe will be making it this evening." he grins as he looks to Jan, "Lady Kennex! yes join us in the drinking!" he chuckles looking to Pasquale, "But the both did well! I was returned to the Mushroom Kingdom safely." he smiles, "But I have made a promise to not touch them again." he nods with his head bells singing.

"Returned... cat?" Medeia stares at Noah quizzically. "I will not like whatever it was before, will I?" She laughs softly and makes herself comfortable among the festivities.

"Retired I believe." Pasquale points out dryly. He moves by the chest to collect some whiskey before ending up near Jan. "Having a good time Jan?"

Noah nuzzles his cheek against Jae's hair. "So far." Then he looks at the others and back towards Medeia. "Probably not. Most people don't like what comes out of my mouth."

Celina, a dutiful physician's assistant, Giancarlo, a cooper and prize-fighter leave, following Medeia.

Vitalis tongues his teeth and looks at Noah, "Do you want to tell her, sugarlips?" He's just put together that he was 'good with his hands guy' and well, yes. He is. "That is an awful lot of mushrooms, Lord Blackwood. Er, Your Myconid Magesty."

Jan eyes Vitalis "Oh gods, were you there too?"

"Sugarlips is the best thing ever," Jaenelle decides as she leans in against Noah when they settle where they have

Noah looks over at Vitalis for a moment. "Well you could tell her, but then what about our secret meetings

Noah is overheard praising Cillian: He managed another year. I suppose that supports a hoorah.

Jan is overheard praising Cillian: best birthday boy ever!'

Vitalis is overheard praising Cillian.

Cillian smirks at Vitalis, "Some time you should ask what happened the first time I was the Mushroom king." he leans in to whisper something to Vitalis then he looks to Jan and Pasquale, he looks to Jaenelle and Noah, "Ha." he snickers and drinks from his bottle again. He looks at Vitalis again and just laughs shaking his head about something and lets his arm slip off to slip away to talk with someone else.

Jan seems puzzled by Cillian's response but shrugs and summons a grin "Happy Birthday Cillian. Here's to the best year ever." she salutes, drinks, and wanders into the crowd.

Vitalis shakes his head, "I was not, Lady Kennex. And I'm unsure if I'm disappointed or relieved!" He seems to be teetering to disappointed. He gives Noah a mock-stern look. "Ix-nay on entioning-may the ecret-say eetings-may." GOSH, NOAH. He tongues his teeth at Cillian's quip, "You'll have to tell me."

Pasquale doesn't get it at all but thats ok, theres alcohol.

Jaenelle is overheard praising Cillian: Merry Birthday, Twin

Jaenelle lifts her glass at all the toasts and finishes her wine, doing her best not to snort laugh at the conversation between Vitalis and Noah. "I would never get in the way if such. Continue to meet in secret with Noah, it's good he learns new things from time to time."

Jan pauses once she's approached by Pasquale "Hello, Lord Pasquale."

Pasquale asks "Are you having a good time Jan?"

Jan bobs her head "Blackwood parties are always a blast. Still getting used to winter. How about you?"

Jordan, apologetic Gentleman of the Chamber have been dismissed.

13 House Velenosa Guards, Ibasia, the Velenosa Lady-in-Waiting, Ellani, the palm sized spider leave, following Jaenelle.

Cillian heads over to the bonfire and turns to clink his bottle of whiskey as he looks across those he calls friends, "I know it is cold and we can move indoors if all would like! But first my scouts will pass a parchment to all who would like to par take." he looks around, "This is a celebration to bring us all together for more then just my birthday!" he smiles as he looks to everyone, "Its to bring us together as friends as neighbors, to have a moment of enjoyment." he looks around, "For the night, write a worry, a fear even just a word that reminds you of something, cast it into the fire and let it be gone." he looks to them, "Let it be lifted from you." he moves to scribble something on a parchment, folds it and then casts it into the flames and takes a deep drink from the bottle.

Pasquale murmurs something to Jan before moving towards the fire and gathering up a piece of parchment. He spends a few minutes contemplating the blank space before finally scribbling a few words down and casting it into the fire. He echoes the "Let it be gone.", watches the paper curl and burn, and then looks to Jan again.

Jan frowns and eyes the others then follows suit, scribbling and tossing the parchment into the fire.

Vitalis turns attention to Cillian when he speaks, smiling along with the sentiment. "I might need more than one slip." Vitalis wrinkles his nose and spends a moment bent over the writing, he does indeed write three slips, holding each out to the flame to catch before he tosses them in. One, two, three. "Let it be gone," he repeats Pasquale's turn of phrase.

Pasquale looks to Jan and then back over to Cillian and Vitalis. "Thank you for the invitation Cillian. Vitalis we'll speak soon."

Cillian smiles as he watches every take turns coming to put the papers into the fire and watches the flames flare and lick at the sky as the papers are burned up. He watches Vitalis and moves to wrap a arm into the mans as he stands near him after he puts his three in, "Let it be gone." once everyone has taken the turn, he nods his head to the scouts as they move to put the bonfire out. "Come let us move inside." he looks to Vitali, Pasquale and Jan, some of the scouts grab the food and bring it in to the mead hall. He looks to Pasquale nodding his head, "You are welcome join us if you like Pasquale."

Jan takes Mushroom King Whiskey from Small unassuming wooden chest.

Jan smiles to Cillian "I ought yo call it a night but it is good to see you, Lord Cillian."

Jan says, "happy birthday"

For several moments Pasquale contemplates Jan's suggestion before murmuring a few things to her again and nodding to Cillian. "I'll come with you."

Vitalis tightens Cillian's arm linked in his, securing it close. He lifts the bottle of whiskey in salute to those departing, "Yes, let's go inside." His cheeks and nose are red with the cold and his eyes bright. "I should have chosen the mulled wine," he glances at the slips of paper and the fire, "I have another regret." He winks and turns to shift his weight towards the Blackwood estate.

Cillian chuckles shaking his head as he walks with Vitalis into the Estate, "Well there is more parchments and flames inside." he grins watching his fellow scout then slips in.