a huge spotted dog named Fury arrives, following Aksel.

Marian arrives at the Amphitheatre, giving curtesy to Aiden and Silas before making her way to her seat. She's without escort tonight but doesn't seem to mind that she's here on her own. She moves over to sit near Edain, giving her brother, Cristoph and Jael a smile as she takes her seat.

Aiden puts an adorable duck plushie in a festive favor bag.

Marian has joined the Upper Middle Row Seating.

Kit, the grey fox, Brigid the Genet arrive, following Monique.

Cristoph strolls in, full of upbeat energy as he snags up one of the gift bags. He pulls out a bracelet and seems satisfied then pulls out the bottle of cologne. The duke reads the label and then proceeds to laugh quietly to himself. Then he spritzs his wrist with it and takes a sniff. "Actually, yes. That name is very appropriate."

    Silas was around, of course, getting some last preparations done for the ceremony as the first guests begin to filter in. The Iron Cup rests at a nearby table, off the stage, for viewing should anyone be curious about it. The medals are similarly laid out on a wooden table located on the stage for their impending presentation.

    He smiles brightly when Edain and Marian approach, one after the other. He offers a polite bow. "Good evening, Your Highnesses. I'm delighted to see you both here. We will begin shortly, once everyone is situated." He casts a look towards those entering behind them. "There are favor bags being passed out at a table nearby -- feel free to take one. Available while supplies last."

Aksel, having just arrived, moves to take a seat with the other commoner type folks about. The offer of cheese and crackers when a staffer comes by gets a slight shake of the head from Aksel. The favor bag is also turned away when one is brought by.

Jael is wearing her leathers for some reason and it makes curtsies look weird, so she settles for smiles and nods of greeting all around. Then, because she likes free shit, she immediately wanders over towards the favor bags.

Aiden was merely the co-host here and unlike Silas, he wasn't worrying about last minute prep, instead acquainting himself with those who are coming into the ceremony to enjoy a good dinner, companions and the celebration of all that hard competition. "Greetings Prince Edain, Princess Marian, thanks for coming. Make sure to grab a party favor." His silver eyes move to Cristoph to which he laughs at seeing the man take advantage of the gift won, "Looks like you were pretty lucky there Duke Cristoph."

Shard fairly slinks in, still in the process of--mostly unsuccessfully--trying to wipe the last vestiges of charcoal smudges from her calloused fingers. She eyes the free bags, one eye squinting, but then takes one up as she passes. Then she heads for the seating.

Shard has joined the Lower Middle Row Seating.

Edain and Marian arrive and are noted and waved to cheerfully. "This is pretty great!" He tells Aiden with genuine enthusiasm. The bottle of cologne is slipped back inside the bag and tucked away. Which is when he notices Jael's entrance and approach. "I stopped by the gift shop and thought of you." He hands her something and smiles brightly. "Your present was very thoughtful by the way, thank you."

Marian looks into her favor bag and pulls out a pair of gloves. She smiles because it's actually a gift that she would enjoy. She shows them to Edain who is sitting next to her. Then she tucks it away. She notices what Cristoph got and tells him, "It looks like you got a gift you like too."

"You are trying to drown me in stuffed animals for some nefarious purpose, brother. I'm onto you," Jael says when Cristoph hands her the bear, but that sure isn't keeping her from hugging it and briefly poking the top of its head with the tip of her nose. "Did you? I thought you could use something without bees on it, for once."

Silas looks furtively in Cristoph's direction when he notices the scent wafting from him. Very manly. "I'm glad that scent now has a worthy appreciator." He glances to Aiden, seeming relieved that the young Grayson was here. "Do you want to do the Door Prizes, or shall we just do them all at the end?" He voices outloud, uncaring if they were heard.

"Silas went to great lengths to arrange all the competition that took place," Aiden looks over toward Silas, "It's a little less demanding than those, but we're glad you're here to enjoy it with us." He glances toward Silas then, rolling a shoulder, "We could give out one now, wait a while, then do another, and a further one after that."

Monique arrives with very little fanfare, cloaked against the chill and with a smile on her face. She pauses for a gift bag, and her smile intensifies. There's waves given to her sister and the other Valardins, but she remains silent to listen.

"I'm going to wear this until I run out of cologne in the bottle." He's probably serious. Cristoph doesn't make up wild proclamtions like that without the intent of following through. After giving his sister the bear, he winks at her and makes his way up to the seating to drop down and settle in for the ceremonies. He glances towards Marian and says, "Nice gloves, Princess!"

Silas has rolled 1 9-sided dice: 3

Jynx, a falcon arrives, delivering a message to Edain before departing.

Jael follows her brother to the seating and hunkers down to investigate what's in her prize bag.

Shard settles into her seat. Curiosity does seem to get the best of her for a moment, because she looks inside her bag as well, though she doesn't remove whatever happens to be in there, and after a moment she closes it up again. Nothing in her expression betrays whether she likes or dislikes the contents.

Jael gets Oathland Mist, a vial of earthy cologne by Mercier from a festive favor bag.

Quenia gets a pair of durable deerskin gloves lined with fur from a festive favor bag.

Quenia gets a cup of Orange Spice Tea from a festive favor bag.

Full of curiosity about the final results, Quenia makes her way into the amphithreatre. She is dressed in autumn silks, that swish and sway with each step. She looks over at the seating, considering her options, but then finds the curious favor bags. She wanders over there first, picking one up, and peeks inside. Her eyes light up lightly when she finds a pair of gloves and some spiced tea; both items perfect for an evening outdoors! She grins to herself, then goes back to looking over seating options.

Aksel crosses his arms across his chest as he watches the happenings around him. He seems totally content to just sit there quietly waiting for the event to begin.

Jael investigates the bracelet she removes from the bag, then pulls the perfume vial out and uncorks it, wafting the scent towards her nose. "Mmm. Smells like riding out in the woods. Manly." Does this stop her from immediately putting it on? No. No it does not.

Cristoph and his sister both smell really nice right now and this is fine.

    "I go to great lengths to provide entertainment, it's true," Silas retorts to Aiden with a nod. He seems to agree with Aiden's suggestion. "This will be the first drawing for the first Iron Horsey, then." He beckons over a nearby servant, who was busy writing down the names of everyone who passed through the entrance threshold. Silas was doing this the hard way, it appears! No tickets. He peers over the servant's shoulder. "Aha. First owner will be Duke Cristoph. It seems your words are even more true than previously believed, Aiden!" The Duke is presented with a gray horse plushie not unlike the ones being sold at the gift shop, albeit clearly in a different color.

    Silas then begins to climb the stairs up to the stage, evidently ready to start. He clears his throat and projects his voice. "Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to the first Iron Pentathlon Award Ceremony. I will be presenting the medals to their recipients in alphabetical order. Medalists, once your name is called, please ascend the stairs and make your way onto the stage to receive the prize you have earned."

    He turns towards the table and takes the first medal: a bronze, with a green silk ribbon. "The Iron Guard calls forth Prince Aiden Grayson..."

Silas gets Menagerie Plush Series - Iron Horse from Indigo Mystery Pouch.

Quenia has joined the Upper Middle Row Seating.

After some consideration, and seeing that the ceremony has started, Quenia makes her way to the upper middle row of seating and carefully settles down onto one of the benches.

Patches, a three-legged mutt, Flame, a chestnut stallion arrive, following Tristan.

Marian claps as Prince Aiden is called to the stage. She looks happy for her friend, seeing that he has won a bronze metal.

Aiden was ready to go settle in and take a seat himself, maybe with some of the people he hasn't been able to speak to in a whlie. Then again, that schedule! To call up names in a particular order. Aiden cringes a bit as he's the first one up, if only because he was a co-host, but the Grayson fixes up his cloak and tunic, then approaches the stage one his name is called. A brow is lifted toward the bronze medal, "Thank you Lord Commander," since it was an Iron Guard ceremony! A grin flashes as he accepts the awards!

Jael applauds as Aiden goes up for his medal.

Crow - Thraxian Steward arrives, delivering a message to Monique before departing.

Aiden is overheard praising Silas for: Fancy Medals - A great host!

Monique cheers loudly, boisterously, for Aiden and his win.

Shard claps politely, and regards the stage with a certain level of dismay.

Cristoph claps loudl as Aiden goes up to accept his award.

    Silas beams back at Aiden as he approaches and moves to loop the medal around his neck. "Prince Aiden has won the Bronze Medal for the Horse Show Jumping. Thank you, Your Highness, for your participation and display of skill -- and congratulations." His gaze follows Aiden as he presumably exits the stage to retake his intended seat, before he turns back towards the medal table. "The Iron Guard calls forth Dame Alexis Wyrmfang..."

Aiden dips his head to accept the bronze medal award, and once it's placed over all those fluffy ringlets of hair to strangle him, no really, to hang around his neck, he looks down at it with fingers grazing over the surface. Appreciating the metal he waits off to the side. To all the applause he lifts up his hand and gives the audience a wave, an impish look tossed back to Silas, "We wouldn't have been able to participate without you hosting it. Well done, Lord Commander and thanks for this beautiful medal! Never going to take it off. Ever." A wink is shot over to Silas before he exits the stage so that the next participant can be called forth and awarded!

Crow - Thraxian Steward arrives, delivering a message to Monique before departing.

Marian claps when Dame Alexis Wyrmfang's name is called. She looks happy to see that her friend medalled in her event.

Tristan didn't _really_ ride his horse into the amphitheatre. He leaves him just outside. He arrives late, and flops down into a convenient seat, Patches settling at his feet.

Cristoph claps and then whistles when Alexis' name is called to come up to the stage.

Quenia takes a moment from introductions at the benches to politely applaud Aiden's accomplishments. Her gaze seeks out Alexis as she is next called.

Aksel has joined the Lower Middle Row Seating.

Aksel totally sat down earlier, honest. He claps when others clap, but he doesn't whistle or shout out in glee like others.

Esoka slips in (in so much as she ever 'slips' anywhere) a bit late herself. Still in working leathers and looking fresh off some knightly duty or other. She mills through the crowd and finds herself a place to slot herself and watch.

Aleksis quickl rises and hurries, offering a bright and happy smile as she moves along. Raising an arm salute and greeting, and settling so she may proffer a bow to Silas.

Jael uncorks the real Laurent noise for Alexis when she's called up, whooping loudly as the knight accepts her medal.

    The Lord Commander winks back to Aiden, then turns and offers a fond smile to the Valardin knight who approaches the stage and bows. Silas has two medals in hand: one silver and one bronze. "Dame Wyrmfang has won not one, but two Pentathlon medals and attended most of the events. The Iron Guard values her spirit, and the skill she contributes to the Compact. We award her the Silver Medal for the Duel Tournament and the Bronze Medal for the 400 Metre Swim. Thank you, Dame." Silas layers both medals upon her person, and offers his own bow! He turns to the medals once again. "The Iron Guard calls forth Duke Cristoph Laurent... the unusually lucky!"

"Go, Dame Alexis! Champion of the Gauntlet!" Monique cries from the crowd, a little belatedly, after accepting a messenger and sending him on his way again.

Alexis colours only a little pink, her smile bright as she accepts her two metals, and she bows again, to Silas, then raises both hands in salute to the crowd, taking a step back to wait for the other medal recipicients to be called

Marian gives another round of claps as Alexis accepts her two awards and then Cristoph is called to the stag.

Cristoph hops to his feet and carefully places the horse plushie down on the seat behind him. Then he walks briskly to the stage, dipping at the waist when he gets to where Silas is at. He doesn't ruin his luck by tripping on the way there. Woohoo! "Thank you, Lord Commander. You put on a terrific competition for the entire city and I'm proud to have competed under the Valardin flag."

Shard continues to applaud as Alexis goes up.

Jael carols as Cristoph is called up, "It's all 'cause you had to run after me when I was little!" and then whistles loudly.

Quenia looks up from her conversation to politely clap for Alexis, then glances curiously over at Cristoph as he is called up. She speaks something quietly within the benches.

    Silas presents the gleaming gold medal to Cristoph -- the first of the night looks quite strapping with that stylish blue ribbon -- with a grin. "Duke Cristoph managed to win the Gold Medal for the 5000 Metre Race. He showed great fitness and determination, and we thank him today for his clear athleticism and sportsmanship." The medal is placed around the neck of the young duke and Silas returns the bow he receives. "You do your House and the Compact proud, Your Grace." He turns back to the audience. "The Iron Guard calls forth Dame Esoka Greenblood..."

So much clapping! At least it wards against the chill. Monique continues her applause as Cristoph and then Esoka are called up to receive their shining medals.

Marian politely claps for Esoka when she gets called up for her award.

Aiden has rolled 1 8-sided dice: 8

"Thank you again." Cristoph accepts the medal and then gets right out of the way before the next person needs to come up. He hops the last couple of steps and then returns to his seat, snatching up the horse plushie.

Silas gets Menagerie Plush Series - Iron Horse from Indigo Mystery Pouch.

Esoka strides up when her name is called, offering a bow to Silas in kind. "My thanks, Lord Commander. The Iron Guard put on a fine competition and it was my honor to take part with so many grand warriors and athletes."

    A lustrous silver medal awaits the Sword of the Twainfort, as well as a proud Lord Commander. He bows before he moves to place the medal around her neck. "Dame Esoka Greenblood won the Silver Medal for the 400 Metre Swim and competed fiercely the whole way through. We applaud her evident strength." He offers a bow to Esoka. "Thank you for competing, Dame. We look forward to seeing you on the field again soon." Silas takes the next medal -- also a shimmery silver. "The Iron Guard calls forth Lady Jael Laurent..."

    Also, somewhere, a servant skitters behind Tristan and offers him a horse plushie. Evidently he's the winner of the last prize drawing!

Shard digs the toe of her boot into the floor a little as she continues to clap for the medalists going up, but if anything she's looking ever more uncomfortable the more of them there are. Her eyes remain on both Silas and the winners, studying each in turn.

Cristoph's loud ass clapping begins anew when his sister is called up to receive a medal. "Yes! Good job!" He calls out to her, firmly making a minor spectacle of himself. Not that he seems to care.

Tristan looks at the plushie. The horse plushie stares back with glass eyes. Tristan stares. Skeptically. He appears to be, quietly, questioning the whys of plushies. Finally, he accepts it, and sets the horse plushie atop his head.

Marian starts to clap as Jael is called. She laughs at Cristoph's enthusiasm, and joins him in heralding in the award for her.

Jael hops to her feet and picks her way over to Silas, stuffed bear still tucked into the crook of her arm. She bows, beams and accepts the medal, tamping down her enthusiasm long enough to say with some solemnity, "You put on a fine event, Lord Commander. It was an honor to compete." Then she's back to merry, waving as she heads back to her seat in a cloud of manly lumberjack cologne.

Esoka slips - a very clompingly sort of slipping, admittedly - back into the crowd once she's claimed her medal. Clapping enthusiastically for Jael as she strides back to take a seat.

Tristan applauds for Jael. The horse plushie moves with the motions of his head.

    The silver medal finds its way around its rightful place around Jael's neck to much fanfare! Silas can't help but grin at her and her cheerleaders. "Lady Jael Laurent proved herself a fine horsewoman and won the Silver Medal for the Horse Show Jumping competition. There are few in the city as formidable as her." Silas bows to the noblewoman. "Thank you for showing us your grace, Lady Jael, and your kind words. I look forward to seeing you ride again." Onward, to the next medal. Silas takes ahold of a bronze medal with a red ribbon: eye-catching and the only one of it's kind. "The Iron Guard calls for Princess Marian Redrain...

Quenia's eyes light up about something or another in her conversation, and she seems animated for a moment as she replies. When more winners are announced, she interjects applause.

Marian stands up from her seat and makes her way to the stage, smiling as she passes her friend to stand up and receive her award.

"Princess Marian!" Cristoph calls after his sister is back down and the newly minted Redrain woman heads up. More clapping! This time with an appropriately loud whistle.

Aksel, the quiet man sitting there suddenly starts to clap loudly and whoop and holler when Marian's name is called. He's not shy, folks, just waiting for the right time to let out a cheer and boisterous clapping.

    Silas bows to Marian when she approaches and before he officially awards her the medal. "Thank you, Princess Marian, for more than just this: for also spending tireless hours training our men." There is a pause as he draws upright again. "Princess Marian won the Bronze Medal for the 5000 Metre Race, never giving up right until the end. She deserves this, and more. The Iron Guard thanks you profusely." He might as well praise her for everything she's done, while he's at it. When she leaves the stage, he turns back to the medal table. "The Iron Guard calls forth Mistress Shard of the Valorous Few."

Jael claps loudly for Marian as she takes her seat again, then tilts her head in Tristan's direction and says to Cristoph, "Maybe if I had worn the horse plushie on my head instead of holding it on the pommel I would have clinched it."

Marian accepts the award from Silas with a gracious curtesy, "Thank you for holding an event that draws our houses together. I enjoyed participating in the event and it was an honor to represent House Redrain at the games." She can't help but smile as her families from Valardin and Redrain clap for her. Then she makes her way back to sit with Edain again.

Quenia makes certain to clap extra for Marian, as she's been sitting with the Princess. She smiles warmly in her direction.

Cristoph catches Jael's comment and begins laughing quietly to himself while looking straight ahead. "Possibly. Keep it in mind for the next event."

"It's a new form of the event," says Tristan, poker-faced. "In which you jump the obstacles and the horse rides _you_."

Shard grimaces openly, but she schools that expression by the time she stands up, and she makes her way down to the stage with a neutral, if decidedly tense expression. Once she makes it onto the stage, there's a moment of awkwardness before she sketches a stiff, clearly unpracticed bow. It looks nearly as unnatural on her as a smile, though she's not trying for the latter. For a moment, it looks as though the woman might also try to say something, but no, she stays quiet instead.

Jael tilts her head at Tristan, mulling over this news. "I have heard of strange lands where things like this happen." She holds out the bear plushie. "Does it have to be a horse?"

Once Marian sits back down, she claps for Shard who is receiving her award.

Tristan considers the bear. "I think it doesn't have to be a horse," he decides, "but only if you're prepared to try the reciprocal event, in which you ride a bear. And, in theory, jump, but no one's gotten the bear that far yet."

Aksel has left the Lower Middle Row Seating.

a huge spotted dog named Fury have been dismissed.

    The Lord Commander offers Shard a reassuring smile, seeming to sense her awkwardness. "Mistress Shard won the Silver Medal for Archery. Her shot is tried and true -- nothing fancy or showy, but it gets the job done, and her performance was admirable." Silas bows to the sellsword after placing the silver medal around her neck. "Great work, Mistress; I have no doubt we will be seeing more impressive feats from you in the future." Next! "The Iron Guard calls forth Master Tristan..." Now with his plushie companion!

Tristan checked dexterity at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

"Don't give her any ideas. She'll be out in the woods trying to bribe a bear into coming back home with her." Cristoph replies blandly, though there's a tug to the corner of his mouth indicating he's not nearly as exasperated as he'd have people believe. "Congratulations man with horse on head!" He calls out, giving him a round of applause just because.

Tristan arises suddenly at his name, the horse plushie tumbling off his head. He catches it deftly, tucking it under his arm, and makes his way to the front, head high, shoulders square, the picture of dignity--with a plushie horsie.

Shard clears her throat with the faintest of grunts, and then she gives Silas a far more natural, simple nod. "Thank you, sir." At which point she vacates the stage, quickly.

"Oh, I will absolitely ride a bear. When I was-" But Jael's no doubt fascinating tale is cut short when Tristan is called for his medal and she applauds, though it's muffled because she is still holding the poor plushie in one hand.

Marian claps for Tristan as he moves forward to take the stage.

Esoka adds the clapping of her own big hands to the air as the other competitors receive their medals. Her cheering gets additional volume when Tristan makes that save for his horse plushie. Must give credit.

As the autumn evening chill settles in during the event, Quenia remembers that she managed to get some spiced tea in her goodie bag. She takes that out and starts to sip at it. It's still nice and hot, and that causes her to smile a little. She grins at something said at the benches.

1 Grayson Guardsmen have been dismissed.

Severa, the Guard Shepherd have been dismissed.

    Upon seeing Tristan with the horse plushie, Silas can't help but let a smirk tug at his lips. "Master Tristan won the Gold Medal for the Horse Show Jumping competition, further solidifying his reputation as one of the finest horsemen in the Compact. He bested me in a joust, once!" The shiny gold medal with the festive green ribbon goes around Tristan's neck. "Congratulations, Master Tristan, and thank you for your participation. I think it goes without saying that House Grayson is proud of you." He bows to the royal stablemaster. "I look forward to competing against you again in the Tournament of Roses." Even if he'll probably lose terribly!

    There's a soft inhale as he turns to face the audience again. "This concludes the Iron Pentathlon Award Ceremony. House Grayson wins the Iron Cup this year and it shall be enshrined within the Grayson Manor. The Iron Guard further recognizes House Valardin for contributing the most funds and being the only house which completely filled its roster for each event. Your House spirit was overwhelming! Should any of you need any assistance, you need only ask." Silas looks towards the back of the amphitheater. "We will have our last door drawing, then those who wish to stick around can help themselves to some excellent grub. Thank you, everyone -- you have the Iron Guard's sincere gratitude."

Spirit, the Tiny Honey Brown Fox Kit arrives, delivering a message to Edain before departing.

Silas has rolled 1 7-sided dice: 6

Silas gets Menagerie Plush Series - Iron Horse from Indigo Mystery Pouch.

    And the last plushie winner is... Shard! The servants look uncertain of how to approach her with the prize, but they try...

Shard resumes clapping, and now that she's already gone up, she might clap a little bit louder. That is until some unlucky person tries to hand her a plushie. She stares at them for quite a long few moments. She does end up taking it eventually, but she looks utterly, completely baffled.

Tristan glances down to his medal, and bows his head toward Silas. "Thank you," he says a little gruffly. He seems about to say more, but only nods his head again and returns to the seating, clutching the plushie.

Marian claps when Silas gives a nod to House Valardin for assisting with the event. She looks a little disappointed because she didn't win an Iron Horse, but claps for Shard who gets the last one.

Quenia rises from her seat and appears to be excusing herself from those she met this evening.

Jael lets out one final round of cheers for the winners of the Cup and, of course, her own fealty.

Quenia has left the Upper Middle Row Seating.

Silas descends down the stage stairs and takes notice of how the plushie prizes were being received. "There's more in the shops nearby, but those will be limited edition." He smiles again. "I recall there being quite a few present among the crowd during the Horse Jumping." Silas now approaches the tables where dinner will be served. He's not letting fine cuisine go to waste. "I intend to run the Iron Pentathlon every autumn, before the winter snows. Hopefully the next one will be even bigger."

Esoka redoubles her cheering as the awards conclude, beaming when Grayson is announced as the winner of the Iron Cup. She then fades into the crowd, though she'll enjoy some of the vittles before she excuses herself.

Shard finally stops staring at the finely made toy, and tucks it in with whatever else she got in the bag she picked up at the beginning of the ceremony. She sits up a little straighter, but for the moment, stays seated, as others begin to move around.

Shard puts Menagerie Plush Series - Iron Horse in a festive favor bag.

Marian is overheard praising Silas for: For organizing the Iron Penthalon.

Cristoph is overheard praising Silas.

Sunrise, lilac breasted roller arrives, delivering a message to Edain before departing.

"I'm about to die of starvation," Jael announces, and wastes little time in heading for the food. Eventually she and her bear are lost in the crowd.

Lydia is overheard praising Silas for: Lydia agrees with Marian, Silas has been a wonderful marshal of the Iron Pentathlon!