The improptu festivities have had a chance to show the co-operation and ingenuity of the people who live in or around Maelstrom and those are merely visitors. Tables have been brought out from the fortress and houses of the residents and covered with a colourful array of table clothes or just left bare. Lengths of rope have been strung along the beach on poles and lanterns hung from them in anticipation of a long night of rousing partying. Colourful strips of knotted cotton flutter and residents have brought out musical instrument to keep up high energy music and entertainment with a few people breaking into bawdy sea songs now and then. There is reason to celebrate so far, and who are the residents to deny a moment of joy in the midst of what has seemed to be battle, after battle and fight after fight.

All day, people have been spread out or in boats, pulling up fresh fish of all sizes, some brave souls have even gone hunting octopi as well and all manner of edible sea life. Fish are dressed and have been roasting over fires, all along the dockes on grills over brazier's. Pots of seaosns water boil the octopus slow and steady for a long time to make it tender and edible and a few have been left alive for those of more... adventerous tastes. Clams, mussels have been cooked up in warm stews and chowders or steamed. Mangata has provided an abundance. Even some of the winter vegetables have been sliced and roasted, loeave of bread pulled apart for the consuming. Alcohol flows, hot drinks - no, no Wyrmguard hot chocolate - as well. It's a party and respite from everything that everyone has seen.

The High Lord of Thrax and his wife both stand closer to the beach than most, beyond all of the fresh seafood and the banquet that is ongoing. Victus is still dressed for war, but his expression is a humble one that pertains to a relaxed demeanor. He seems to put it in a word, happy. Something rare for the man and even more rarely show, but it's there. His hands are drawn behind his back, ebony eyes set forward to stare out across the ever present horizon. For the moment he is even without weapon, the alaricite behemoth having been set aside against one of the many feasts set out. Namely, the live octopus. It may well be needed after all.

Margot wanders down from the docks. It's weird to be back here now, and certainly the demure lady who left the city as Donrai's mild diplomat gets some strange looks from the locals as she strides down in leather armour, a ice bear fur and an axe. True to her infamous composure though, the Tyde duchess ignores it all.

She can pull a party, out of nowhere. She could be in the middle of the grey forest, and Alarissa could likely weave tablecloths from palm fronds and shove fireflies in bottles, you name it. How long she'll be here, it's likely not to be long and they'll be back for a more formal and likely larger festivity when the weather is warmer. But she stands beside Victus, a smile on her face and her grey silk dress on, a warm red cloak over her shoulders to ward off spring chill, in the shade of Thraxes serpent. People wade in the shallows, picking up clam shells - devoid of clam meat - in search of strategically placed pearls and it looks like some brave souls are heading out to Victus' ship in preperation for diving off the yardarm.

"You can enjoy yourself. Have something to drink." She nudges him, a look to the people on the dock and milling about. Alarissa smiles at him and then to Margot on the dock.

Margot smiles to Alarissa, heading that way, "I didn't expect to see you here of all places Princess Alarissa." Her head dips to Victus, "And I am glad that you have found your way back to us Your Grace, you gave us all a bit of a scare."

"Victus?" Khanne calls out as she heads down to the docks, saying aside to Asger who walks with her, "pretty sure he came this way." They come upon the party set up and she goes, "oh! Sorry.. uh.. am I interrupting? I was looking for Victus. Titania said she needed to talk to him..." Looking around at all the tables though she says, "I am sure she can find her way here... or you can speak to her after."

Victus seemed taken for a moment, the pause he had as his wife speaks to him being even more obvious of that. He stares along to the gigantic flagship that was his own pride and joy, the Red Serpent slowly drifting this way and that through the docks. It was certainly the most marvelously painted and decorated ship in the entire harbor and it was still geared for war, just in the off-chance they would have to move at a moment's notice. However he is not stricken with pride for long as he turns to meet Alarissa's gaze. He gives her a nod as well. "Was plannin' on it. Just gonna try not to get drunk and fat in case more barnacles wash up on shore. Complicated fucking enemies we got." He shares a look to Margot then with a small grin. "The Marin'alfar needed help and they needed it -right that second-. I would've sent a letter had I know." Then his eyes move onto Khanne. "Titania? Hm. Yeah, if she doesn't show I'll go looking for her. Thanks for tellin' me. Enjoy yourself, Shaman. There's a shit-load of food we gotta get through."

Margot's brow lifts just a fraction, "Marin'alfar?" She parces. "There's sea elves too?" Seriously. She looks around the place and draws a breath. "I need a drink." Probably a thousand drinks.

Asger strolls along casually with Khanne down to the dock, his attention straying momentarily to the food before he spots Victus and raises his hand "Oi Victus, good to see you looking well my friend." with a hearty rumble of laughter he cracks a grin "Haven't seen ya since we got back from the depths." looking around he arches an eyebrow "What would you suggest trying first?"

"I was convinced that it would be a much needed and desired boost to morale if I were take up the Grimhall's offer and sail to meet my husband in Maelstrom. Give me a few days and I will be returning to the city to make sure the ward doesn't burn and tend to matters." Alarissa smiles, the smile remaining at the sight of Khanne. Though she lets Victus get a reply in to the woman first she's greeting the other woman. "She will come, I'm sure. She has already been everywhere on here. Everywhere I go, there she is. But please, as Prince Victus speaks, we should go enjoy the..." There's a look at the octopi that keeps trying to escape from the bucket but keeps being put back in. Then there's a chuckle. "Rex'Alfar, Sylv'alfar, Nox'Alfar, Marin'Alfar. There are many. Would that I spoke all the language."

Khanne nods to Victus and says, "sure thing," though her eyes start scanning the water for evil barnacles, her brows furrowed. Deciding food is the better thing to look at, she lets her eyes graze over the offerings. Nodding to Margot, "Marin'alfar... they were.. beautiful." Glancing at Asger, who asks the good questions, her eyes return to Victus. "Yeah, what's good?" She waves to Alarissa and smiles. "Evenin', Alarissa. I dunno. So far... the Marin'alfar are the only ones who haven't made me feel sketchy as fuck."

"As fuckin' well as I ever am." Victus replied to Asger with a grin for his fellow man of the salt. "Get something that's still movin' first. Nothing like sinking your teeth into your own kill and frankly, if any of them get out there's so many places they could slither into we'd never find 'em again." To be honest, it was a miracle that live sea creatures weren't already crawling into every corner of the Maelstrom. It was a given after all. "Khanne, you ever tried a wriggling octopus? My wife here is going to get into it. You should give 'er a go. Just be mindful of the tentacles, sometimes the little bastards hold on all the way down. Strangled a few sailors to the death when I was still captaining a vessel."

Victus also is quick to assure Margot. "They're much nicer than the Nox'alfar. Much, much nicer. They'll have an embassy here soon enough. I think you'll actually like talkin' to 'em."

Alarissa checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

Khanne checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 4 higher.

Margot nods, as she helps herself to a drink, "I should very much like to meet with them." She exhales and moves closer to Alarissa, her head dipping towards the princess. "I don't know about you but I am SO looking forwards to end to this and a return to Arx. I never thought I would miss that city."

"They are. I met a lovely gentleman by the name of.. Rhaine. He was quite solemn. I can see why his grace effused about the-" The smile that's on her face is just a little less brilliant when Victus answers Agnarr and it would seem that tonight, is indeed the night that she's making good on her promise to him. The smile on her face is a smile but she's turnign just the slightest shade of green. "When you rerturn, you can get out of those leathers and teach me the finer points of thrax, so I don't accidentally offend anyone. Shall we?" Toward the octopi...

Khanne wrinkles her nose as she looks at the octopus. Her nose wrinkle, her lips twitching up with a look of disgust... but only for a moment before she takes a breath, clears her throat and shakes her head. "I uh... how about some fish? Is there fish?" She can handle fish... She nods to Victus' assessment of the sea elves. "They were extremely kind, and Rhaine.. he and Venteri made me laugh..." Her lips lift in a smirk.

Asger cracks a grin at Victus "Rhaine seemed a good sort, you're coming with me when I go hunting with him, aren't you? I mean I can't imagine anyone passing up another chance to breathe beneath the water again willingly." eyeing the octopus Asger considers it long and hard before shaking his head "I think I will pass on it for now my friend. Tell me do you have any shark soup, it is a favorite of mine."

Zelda, the royal messenger arrives, delivering a message to Khanne before departing.

Zelda, the royal messenger arrives, delivering a message to Victus before departing.

Margot smiles to Alarissa, "You know your highness, when I was with child I CRAVED octupus. Now the midwife kept telling me it was poor for the child so I avoided it but I am fairly certain now that is the reason I had a daughter instead of a son." Is there an impish glint in her eye? Maybe just a touch. She reaches for one of the wriggling masses, not seeming surprised when it coils around her fingers, leaving little pucker marks on her fair flesh. She reaches for her dagger with her free hand.

There is celebration. It's ten minutes, there's nothing trying to kill everyone and the High Lord is there, with his new wife. Any excuse really to slap something together. Near the docks, on the beach, the small group of Margot, Khanne, Agnarr, Victus and Alarissa are heading up onto the docks proper, and when there, Margot seems to be going for one fo the small palm sized wriggling live octopi. There's a bit of a crowd gathering. Further down the beach, out in the shallows people are opening clams in hope of a pearl and folks are starting to dive off the yardarm of Victus's ship to see who can dive better into the cold cold water.

Margot looks to Alarissa and smiles calmly, then she slides the dagger carefully into the jelly-like orb that is it's body. The creature spasims a few times, digging it's little coils into her flesh, a few beads of blood brought up to the surface and then releasing in it's death. "See, I like to put it on a stick in a pot of boiling broth. About half a minute?"

Alarissa stares at the octopus - and yes, there's fish, lots of fish, quick even, everything laid out for the consuming that is already dead, dressed, seasons and cooked over flame, that anyone could or would want. "Prince Abbas should be here to witness this." A hail mary maybe, to put this part off. But she looks to Victus, turning doe eyes on him.

"Hunting with one of the Sea Elves you say? Well... Damned if I didn't try at least once, right? Underwater hunters? If I hadn't seen it myself I certainly wouldn't be believing it." Victus chuckles softly to Asger and then gives another one of those looks to Khanne. "Yes. There is fish. Dead fish too. If you're feelin' squeamish." It's a teasing tone, one without any actual jabbing. As he's moving alongside Alarissa, he offers her the same wide grin as before. "I'm sure you can do it, Princess. I'm sure you can od it very, very well in fact."

Wash comes along with a whistle on his lips and a pear in his hands that he is slowly peeling with a curved eating knife. The kind of knife used for filleting fish, but one that has seen a great deal of use.

Asger chuckles as he explains "That's not quite it but I'll fill you in on the details when we can get a moment alone. It's a bit more important then just searching for the odd underwater quarry." making his way over to the closest table Asger scours it until he finds whatever sort of alcohol is being served at this soiree.

Khanne looks to Asger and says, "I.. hope I can perhaps help to? I mean.. I'll never get over the beauty of being down there." She walks over to find some things she would actually eat. Fish that's been cooked, maybe some other things... She nods to Victus and says, "I am not ashamed to admit my squemishness over eating alive things. I am content to embrace this... weakness of mine."

Alarissa checked composure at difficulty 25, rolling 3 lower.

Fresh off an Ostrian cutter laden with supplies for the campaign in general, Valerio steps out onto the docks. Immediately he's making his way out of the loading and unloading hustle, and for the celebration at hand. Especially on the lookout for steamed clams... as well as. He stops short, and the normally more or less stoic face of Valerio quirks into a grin. Suddenly he's making a beelie for someone in particular. So it's with an Imp's grin he does his best to sneak up behind Khanne and impart his best cultured voice. "Messenge for Lady Khanne Halvshav from Lord Marshal Valerio Mazetti."

Sparte shows up looking like he just woke up from a nap under a bed instead of on one, hair a mess and squinting a bit at everyone joy and celebration as he works on getting his bearings. Someone must've sent him here the second he woke up, or woke him up to send him here. He only has to get a whiff of food on the air to pick his first destination, going towards the bread and veggies. Familiar fare.

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

snorts and rolls his eyes "Of course you're going with me Khanne, I thought that was a given." bumping his elbow into hers he asks "Does this mean I gotta formally invite you to go with me? Besides I don't know anything about rituals, when it comes time to call to them you're the most experienced person I know in this field. That and ya aren't bad company when you're focused on something other then me."

Khanne watches a cutter sail in, which, she of course does not recognize. She knows four boats, total, aside from the river ferries. When she sees Valerio step onto the docks. She smiles, then only smiles more as he approaches her, laughing at his announcement. "I -suppose- I will take it," she says with a chuckle then gives his shoulder a gentle nudge. "I didn't know you were coming. No wonder you didn't answer me earlier. It is good to see you. Are you staying a bit?"

She's doing this. A finger scratching at the side of her nose and with Victus' big shit eating smile on his face and Margot's own stabbing of one of those small little small escaping octopi has Alarissa breathing deep in anticipation.

Everyones on the docks, some people starting to dig into their own fish, clams, seafood chowders and stews, camraderie everywhere. And then in one small area Alarissa is quickly dipping a hand into the bucket of fresh from the water palm sized octopus and shoves it in her mouth. There's chewing. There's chewing and shes' trying to shove the escaping tentacle in her mouth as the poor things does it's best to not become dinner. One has to give the Grayson/Valardin princess credit, she's trying. Eyes screwed shut, gagging on the thing, she's determined to not break a promise made months and months before. A hand comes over her mouth and she looks near tears. She even has a good chunk of it swallowed before she's turning, trying to face away from others as that ocatopus doesn't quite make it and she's snatching up one of the buckets nearby to empty her stomach and masticated octopus into it without making a scene.

Valerio is overheard praising Alarissa for: You conquered that squid!! Well, mostly. Great effort!

Margot slips a stick in her own octopi, and slips it into the boiling pot, ignoring the last fails of it's nervious system as it cooks. Grinning she pulls it out a moment later and pulls off a tenticle, popping it in her mouth.

Margot is overheard praising Alarissa for: A thrax princess!

Victus is overheard praising Alarissa for: Good god the mad-woman did it.

Titania comes walking down onto the docs, she breaths deeply as if trying to steady herself, she is dressed in Thrax leather armor red and black with the thrax serpant carved into it. A hand is on the hilt of her sword. Her Ocean blue eyes look around to see who is here and she moves further onto the dock to find a seat but kinda of staying to herself.

Khanne watches a cutter sail in, which, she of course does not recognize. She knows four boats, total, aside from the river ferries. When she sees Valerio step onto the docks. She smiles, then only smiles more as he approaches her, laughing at his announcement. "I -suppose- I will take it," she says with a chuckle then gives his shoulder a gentle nudge. "I didn't know you were coming. No wonder you didn't answer me earlier. It is good to see you. Are you staying a bit?"

"Don't roll your eyes at me, Duke Crovane," Khanne says to him. "I mean, I don't wanna assume things... so I thought I would ask. But, I know I am squishy too, so I don't want to be a liability in certain situations. Rituals... those, I can do." She nods to him and smiles sweetly. "Is that why you like when I am distracted so much? Hmm. You aren't bad company either, when your mouth is full of food. You should eat more." She winks at him then turns aside, just in time to see Alarissa struggle... then grab for a bucket. "Hmm... Poor thing." She then shakes her head and makes a sour face, tongue sticking out with a bit of a 'blech' sound.

Laughter is the first thing to raise out of Victus, along with the sheer awe that Alarissa was actually going through with this octopus eating. As she turned to throw up the contents into a bucket, he came to stand at her side. A hand went and placed itself upon her back, patting out any extra she may be having. "Good fucking gods above, you went and did it. Expected result but hey, you had the courage. Ain't that fucking grand?" He chuckles loudly and then is going full-on into another fit of pure laughter.

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

Wash contents himself with fruit, which is its own delicacy at times, ducking through the crowd with a grace that indicates he's comfortable being surrounded by strangers, and being a stranger himself without impeding anyone's personal space.

Asger reaches over to poke at Khanne's side "And since when has being squishy ever kept you from doing what is needed? Anyways this hunt has as much to do with you as it does me." Taking up a shrimp from the table he pops it into his mouth and chews thoroughly before swallowing,

Sparte sets about eating some food, his spirits and energy quickly improving. He gives Wash a friendly wave in passing, before going to mingle in much the same fashion and learn what all is happening.

"Of course I did it!" Alarissa almost wails, as the rest of the octopus comes up and when she's done, there's tears in her eyes when she straightens and someone takes the bucket to discreetly get rid of the contents. The back of her palm to her mouth, she's positively green for sure now. "A promise is a promise and I'll not be made an oathbreaker over... food." There's a gag. "Wine. Wine. Please. Oh gods." Alarissa's in near tears but none fall. She's just swallowing very hard.

Wash returns Sparte's nod and offers him a slice of pear as they slip past each other in the crowd. He stops at the bucket of octopus. "That's disgusting." He says to himself. "Maybe if it's completely hidden in frybread and oil. Maybe."

About to speak once more to Khanne, Valerio has to crook his head to one side. His good eye on the right looks confused, and in fact he leans his whole body out to the left onto just his left foot, his right counterbalancing. "Is. Was. Wh-... Was that Princess Thrax just trying to devour a live squiddie just now?" Then with a shrug he rocks back to his other foot and grins at Khanne. "Well, I may have appropriated a vessel to suprise you instead. Also, honestly, I needed a look out here for myself. See what services may still be necessary. So, yes. I shall be staying a bit. It is... great to see you. Especially in one piece." Then there is Victus laughing and cheering. "I really do arrive at the most interesting actions or conversations lately." Head shifting the eye spots another familar face. Wash. "Ah! Admiral Kennex! Good to see you again, as well." Then he turns and inclines his head towards Asger. "Don't think we have met yet. Lord Valerio Mazetti, Marshal of Ostria."

Margot reaches for a glass to shove into Alarissa's hands. "Drink deep and quick."

Asger cracks a large friendly smile at Valerio "Good to meet you friend, Duke Asger Crovane, Holder of Stormwall, Bane of Centipedes, Slayer of Sharks, and occasional thorn in Khanne's side. Though don't much stock in titles friend, so feel free to call me Asger." he finishes as he offers his hand out to Valerio while popping a few more shrimp into his mouth with his free hand.

"Uh... well... never. Hence why I've been mostly dead a few too many times." Khanne bats away his hand, squirming a little at the poke. "You just poked the scar from two of those times." She sticks her tongue out at him then glances aside to Alarissa with that wrinkled nose again. "Vinegar might help erase the taste more... or whiskey. Then set it on fire..." She nods, clearly not actually suggesting a pregnant woman set herself on fire.

Khanne laughs slightly and nods to Valerio. "Octopus, I think... stronger woman than me in that aspect." She smiles and says, "It really is good to see you. We'll have to have that talk here soon then, yeah?" She looks herself over. "Thankfully in one piece. Not even a stitch needed this time. Thanks to the Marin'alfar, Victus, Asger, and Titania. Asger... bit a shark." She laughs. "That just.. how can you beat that? he bit... a shark!" She looks to Asger than and says, "oh, you two have not met? Well... ther you go," she says when Asger does the job. "This is Lord Valerio Mazetti... of um... well, Mazetti house. He's the Marshal of... Ost....Ostrich?"


A galley appears in the distance. The oars pummel the sea as the organized crew propels the ship towards the docks. The ship itself might seem interesting for the fact that the topmost sail is so faded, the House Thrax sigil is barely even recognizable- blood-red wake is more like faded brown now. The wooden planks themselves seem to have been repaired a hundred times, and faded in the sun.

The ship stops at the docks, and a very confused looking young man stands at the bow, casting a glance towards the grounds leading away from the docks. "Helmsman!" The young man bellows. "Yes, Captain?" "Did you take a wrong turn?" "No, Captain." The young man runs a finger along his _splendid_ moustache, and considers the familiar vista. "Sailors!" He calls out, "I think we are at Maelstrom!" A deafening silence settles on the Galley, and once the words fully sink in, the crew, almost simultaneously, tosses their hats in the air, and cheer triumphantly. The cheers are all but organized, but one could hear 'Prince Galen' over the cacophony.

The young man, the Captain, jumps on to one of the ropes, and begins sliding down, off the portside of the ship and onto the docks, where he lands with a spring to his step. His clothes are worn, tanned by the sun, eaten by salt, and battered by weather- though his immaculate mustache is unfazed by the elements.

He begins making his way towards what appears to be a party. Did they know he was coming?

"That's my girl. Hey, this is my fucking wife over here!" Victus calls to the rest of the party as he points a finger down upon Alarissa's head, which he moves to pat as well in the midst of her violent retching. For all that she might be suffering, she surely had his heart in mind when she swallowed that octopus. It made him grin with pride at the woman, full-on. Though his attention is briefly swept away when there's a ship coming to make its way into the Maelstrom. A squint for the man who would be leading them, his hand over his forehead as he searches the waves beyond. Ships arriving in the Maelstrom wasn't an odd thing, but one in the middle of a party?

Victus took one step to the side as his ebony eyes settled upon the apparent captain and his captain's mustache as well. Recognition flares in that instant. "Galen? Fucking GALEN? Is that you?" The High Lord blinks, his face a mixture of shock and disbelief. "Holy fuck, I ain't seen you in ages."

Titania looks to Victus making a something has happened I need to speak with you a moment kind of look, she looks over to Wash and the others. she looks troubled for sure, then she leans back in her seat she looks hungry but she is not eating at the moment.

"Well if that's good enough for you, Asger. I'm just Valerio then." Valerio gives the offered hand a good firm shake. "You bit a bloody shark? Impressive, I used to do some wild things in my younger days on ships. However, nothing like that." Valerio shakes his head and chuckles, then with a snort turns his eye onto Khanne. "Ostria, My Lady. We're between Chevalle and Tor. Nice little harbor." Looking at whats handy, he snags a clam and downs it. "Still. Certainly good you are intact, who else could I rely on for good messages or charades?" A quick grin at her and a more serious nod. "Yes we should talk soon. So much has happened!" A glance around the area. "Nice little party, I miss days like these but ah. I may need to rely on you for introductions. I think I've already greeted everyone I know. Except for the Princess, and well, she's busy."

Margot pots the prince Galen and offers a nod the dragging aa hand through her hair she heads back up towards the keep. TOmorrow is a long day for her.

Yup, she's chugging what Margot handed her, swaying under that pat from him. But she's done cleaning the taste of the octopus and as Victus goes off to greet Galen - who's Galen - Alarissa's no longer so busy. Swallowing hard, but moving -away- from that bucket of Octopus and toward the rest of those that she knows.

Asger firmly pumps Valerio's hand "Aye, well there I was underwater I my axe in its gills and was trying to wrastle it down and it fuckin' got its face in my own so what was I to do?" Asger cracks a grin and says "Had to show the beasty who was boss didn't I." with a chortle of laughter his eyes dance with amusment "Besides there is nothing a lass likes more then a man who can stand his own with nature's fiercest beasties and beat them in their own game."

"He really did," she nods. "I didn't get to see it, but the others did. I was a bit busy at the time..." Khanne gets a hint of color on her cheeks as he tells her the correct name of where he is from. "Ostria... Well, I was close." She smiles, then laughs when he brings up charades. "I am still amazed you got that I was trying to be a volcano! I did not think anyone would get it. That was fun though." She still wears a grin, but she nods ans says, "yeah... my mind is still swimming...heh.. swimming." She shakes her head then looks around. "Uh, well..." She starts pointing to people. "Uh, Prince Victus, Princess Alarissa, of course.. Admiral Wash... um..." She looks around, spotting Galen. "I don't know who that is... Titania.. uh, shit.. I forgot titles..." she shrugs, then says loudly, "Everyone who may not know him, this is Lord Valerio Mazetti!"

khanne turns to listen to Asger then, describe in more detail than she has heard yet, himself biting a shark. She looks at him wide eyed a bit, then laughs. "And next... is shark soup."


Galen pulls a faded cloak closer to him. Though the weather at the high seas made sure to chisel his clothes, which still seem respectable the way he wears them, his face-- the winds only made more handsome! In all seriousness, there is a strange air about the man. He carries himself with responsibility and authority, knowledge and secrets. Who knows what wonders and horrors those storm-blue eyes had seen, and not a speck of guilt or sorrow in them, only wonder at seeing the Maelstrom after so long.

He turns his attention to the biggest man in the group, who called out his name. "... Victus?" Galen blinks, and straightens his posture. "It is you! I swear you're even bigger than I remember!" He calls out, and hurries his step towards the hulking man. "You look like somebody tore off the tip of a mountain and painted a face on it!" He calls out, brimming with mirth.

Wash takes a step back and watches the reunion, not totally caught up on the ins and outs of his in-laws and their bannerlords family.

It's okay Wash, you have family. Alarissa's making her way to the former Grayson turned Kennex - ahh love - and smiels at him. "You are alive. Thank the gods. Did you bite a shark like the Lady Khanne?" A gesture to Khanne, Valerio and Agnarr.

Khanne exclaims, "I didn't bite a shark! Asger did." She laughs with a chuckle.

Asger quirks a wry grin and hooks an arm about Khanne's shoulders "Some of the moods I've seen Khanne in though I wouldn't put it past her to bite a shark if it got in her way. This time though it was all me who did the biting." with a tilt of his head towards Victus he says "Victus was there, he can attest to it."

"It truly is." Victus' wide eyes slowly begin to lose their disbelief and instead is replaced with elation. An arm is raised to clap his cousin upon the forearm, a common gesture between soldiers out at sea. "Where the fuck were you hiding, eh? I was ready to think ya' turned tail to the winds and ran off to sea, for a gaggle of reasons. Glad to see I was so sorely wrong. You don't look a day older either. In fact, you look like ya' just got a bit handsomer." He's studying the man's face without a hint of shame, a hand upon his bearded chin as he looks him up and down. "Welcome back home, cousin. It's a brighter day with more Thrax about, eh?"

Turning back to the proceedings, Victus offers a grin and a chortle toward Asger. "Aye, he bit the shark and it bit him right back. Fortunately, he took the bigger piece!"

"You have a point Asger, but I'm not so sure that I still have too many more bear wrestling days left in me. Easier to smack them with the warhammer." Valerio chuckles and points towards Asger. "So you had the adventure under the sea, too, eh? I'm afraid our journey was less, exciting, but it was very fruitful." He shifts his footing so that when he keeps his face turned a little to the left, he can keep them both in his right eyes vision. "Ostritch is a bird, dear Lady. But I forgive you. Oh! Well Volcano literally popped into my head when you stared the tremor stage, I figured out what the wine was for about 2 seconds before you tossed it. Ah you all swam. Erm, we got to walk. But thats for later! I-" Annnnnnd Khanne announces him to half the ocean. "That works."

Titania gets up and sighs moving to Victus she leans in to whisper to him.

"Duke Crovane. You bit a shark? Well now." Alarissa's recovering from octopti snuggling, and grabs a glass of wine from an adjoining table so she can sip at it, palm going to her middle. "Perhaps you'll try your hand at finding a pearl? What of you Lady Khanne?" There's a gesture to the shallows. "Pearls in them. Will be set into something for whomever gets one. A dark one and a pale one somewhere in there."


Galen clasps Victus' forearm, even though his smaller hand can't get a good grip on the bigger man's even bigger arm. But he tries, and succeeds in at least showing a strong grip that held the oars and ropes even in the toughest storms. "Ha, you can say that again, Cousin!" Galen exclaims, "It's been so long ago, I don't even remember where the journey started- but I ended up everywhere except where I was planning to go!" He says, rumbling out a laugh, as he pivots on his heel. "It is good to be home." He says, glancing at Victus sideways, "I don't see... uhhh..." He looks around the grounds, and it's clear whom he is seeking. The young Prince clearly wants to find and give his respects to the Prince of Maelstrom, Highlord of the Mourning Isles.

Titania is startled by the man who clasps Victus arm since she was leaning over whipering to him, she blinks looking between the two large men. She nods her head to Victus she was about to same more but dosent. Her Ocean blue eyes look to Galen looking him over tilting her head to the side.

"You have wrestled bears? Are you secretly a Redrain?" Khanne asks with delight to Valerio before turning to Asger. "Valerio and um, I dunno, some other people, went there too.. under the sea. They raised a statue," she looks to him and says, "right? I want to learn more about that though, but we can perhaps have that talk tomorrow. Still.. sounded exciting to me." She blushes a bit more and says, "right... Ostrich is the big bird thing... Never seen one, myself.. but still, I was, at least, close." She chuckles a bit. "I thought someone was going to be upset with me tossing perfectly good red wine all over myself and the floor... but I could not think what else I could do! And, well, we swam, but we also walked.. under water, like we were walking around up here. At least, at the shrine the three of us were walking..." She looks to Alarissa and asks, "wait, what about a pearl? I want one!" And she's taking off her boots as she starts walking towards the shallows, trying to roll up her leather leggings.

Asger claps Valerios on the shoulder and says "This is why you must live every day as if it is your last bear wrestling day. Find each day's bear and wrestle it to the ground whether it is an actual bear or a bottle of liquor that someone says you can't drink all of." Sage words of advice through he says something aside to Khanne in shav before raising his voice to speak to Alarissa "I would love to try my hand at diving for pearls, point me in the direction and give me instructions and I'll give it my best." already beginning to move for the water.

"Looking for who?" Victus asks as Titania and him break their quiet conversation for the moment. "If you're looking for the High Lord, you're lookin' at him." He intones to his cousin with a grin of his own. "I know that might seem shocking. But stranger things have happened, yeah? Welcome to what's become my city, Prince Galen." Another short laugh fills his lungs before he's looking the man over. "Ya' couldn't have come at a better time, what with our problems with the Deeps and the Abyss rearing their ugly mugs."

"Wasn't really successful at it, either! It wasn't big by their standards. I didn't think it all too big either until I had time to consider it while flying through the air at a wall." Valerio grins, and then shakes his head at Khanne. "Yes. Big bird, it can kill you know. Still. Not very frightning. But yes, we'll talk, I promise." His canted view settles back onto Asger, its probably a good thing the mans hands are so calloused, Valerio practically lives in his armor after all. "Now see, this is why I brought along some stores of Ostrian Brandy." Then theres the call to find pearls. "Sure why not?" He considers his armor a moment and strips off greaves, boots, socks and cuisses to go wade in the water.


Galen blinks at Victus' words, and stares at him for a long moment. Galen suddenly bursts out a laugh, and claps Victus on the shoulder, reaching all the way up to do that. "Splendid, Cousin!" He all but bellows out, excitedly. "Your Grace." He corrects himself. Looking to Titania, Galen flashes her a brilliant smile. "The winds have brought us a beautiful flower." He says, "It is a pleasure to meet you." He then addresses Victus, "It looks like you have become a busy man!"

The shallowas is just that, shallows and there's already others who are starting to dig around, looking for the clam that might bring them a pearl. There's a few of them in there, two have already been found and nice sized, round as ones thumbnail. Alarissa smiles as Khanne has already started to make her way over and Asger is going to as well. "Go in, nor further than your knee's. Root around! Empty clams are in there. We've put a handful of pearls in. You get to keep it as is or a Maelstrom crafter will set it for you in whatever you like, at his grace and I's expense." She calls over to Khanne and Asger. There's a glance to Victus with Galen and Titania but she doesn't go over, opting to remain sitting in quiet conversation with Wash.

Wash meanders closer to Alarissa. "I have been looking for something to put into a tiara for Catalana. These pearls... would they compliment her eyes, do you think?"

"One is black, as black as honestly that they can be and the other is white." Alarissa points out to Wash. "It cannot hurt to try cousin." Leaving formality behind if just a bit.

Khanne starts wading in the shallow waters, picking up clam shells and popping them open, tossing all the empty ones aside. Her hair falls into her face each time she bends over, and she pushes it back with a wet hand until it becomes so damp, it sort of, kind of, stays put. "I'm looking!" She smiles as Asger and Valerio come to join her in the shallows, saying to Valerio. "Yeah, take all that steel off, you'll rust." She grins then says to Asger, "I'm not sure what I would have made if I find one..."

Titania smiles at Galen oh look he got her to smile and a soft blush that comes to her cheeks, she looks to victus then to Galen, "Your Highness." she gives him a small curtsy even in her black and red leathers of house thrax. She looks to Victus again and then to Galen, "Lady Titania Kennex, it is a pleasure to meet you." she breaths deeply standing a bit taller as she stands neat Victus and Galen.

Wash strips off his boots, leaves the rest of his clothing on and nods to Alarissa. "The tiara means more if it is a prize, not simply purchased." He assures the woman before heading out into the water with aplomb.

Asger searches about in the shallows, though as Khanne bends over to search near him he splashes her lightly in the face with the salty ocean water, "So what are the chances of getting something swimming up into the shallows to try an eat us? Figure a kraken could work a tentacle up here without being noticed."

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

Khanne looks to Asger and says, "shut your mouth..." She starts looking into the water with a frown, then continues her pearl search. Empty. Toss. Empty. Toss. She opens another and lifts it up over her head. "I got one! It's black! Well, silvery grey, but black!"

Sparte has found a spot to lounge on the docks, relaxing. His boots and shoes are off, though he doesn't dress down the rest of the way. Sitting with his feet dangling over the waters to feel the cool breeze.

"I can agree frome xperience Washburn." Aalrissa points out with a smile, she has her own coronet through marriage. But she's watching the others, moving away from the docks so that she can go to the edge of the shallows and watch the hunt. someone of more common rank finds one of the pearls and she claps her hands when Khanne finds one of them.

Wash has no pride, not when it comes to winning a prize for his wife. He plunges into the water, scooping up clamshells by the handful, shifting through each with quick fingers and then pitching the empties out to sea before diving under again.

Asger flashes Khanne a broad grin "Well there is still another pearl around here, want to see if you can go two and oh? When luck favors you there is no reason not to take the world for all it has got." Despite saying that Asger continues to search about for pearls and keeping his eyes peeled for any stray tentacles

"Bah, I keep my armor well oiled. I tend to slap my Adjutants hand when he tries to take care of it for me." Valerio roots around for clams first with his toes, then bends to scoop up what they discover. "Empty. Empty... aha. Ah. Actual clam." Raw clam gets devoured and the shell tossed out deeper. "Are you going to bite a kraken? I'd pay to watch that, from a fair distance. I imagine whacking it with my hammer is just going to make it madder." Then Khanne wins a prize. "Aha! See, favor of the Goddess right there." Shuffle shuffle. "Augh, I got a rock." He hops on one foot briefly in the water and keeps an eye out, since he only has the one, for potential pearl spots.

Alarissa is overheard praising Asger for: For shark biting!


Galen keeps that brilliant smile on his features as he nods to Titania, offering a gallant bow. "My Lady, had I known that you'd be here, I would've surely arrived with a more tasteful fashion sense." He says, as he scoots himself over, slightly closer to Titania. "Do you prefer the steel mien of a warrior-Knight," He asks, running a finger along his mustache, "Or the finer clothes of the not-so-martially inclined?"

Wash finally stops in his frenetic movements, puts a clamshell to his lips and sucks something directly out of it. He fishes it out between his lips and crows. "The White! Luck and the Gods be praised, it will match Catalana's eyes to perfection!" Wash sloshes toward the shore. "Most pearls will of course, her eyes being one of the few things that can put a perfect pearl to shame."

Whatever Asgar said, brought a laugh from Alarissa but then Wash succeeds, finding the pearl for his own princess - but no really a princess - and Alarissa cups her hands around her mouth. "That is all. All pearls have been found." Much to the disappoinment of quite a few who wade out of the water and back to dry land.

Titania turns to face Galen now one hand resting on the hilt of her sword, "Your Highness, I find it does not matter when I am in good company but I do enjoy someone who is steel." she looks him over a moment and smiles more her eyes looking to his. "If I may ask, how long has it been since you been back here in Maelstrom?"


Galen nods his head slowly at Titania's words, "There's more to just wearing steel, my fair lady." He says, his storm-blue eyes filled with mirth as they remain trained on Titania's. "Though, it does make me curious as to why someone so lovely would enjoy the company of someone in rough and cold steel." He says, tapping a finger on his chin, as he looks up towards the skies. "I believe it has been... eight years. I don't know if I could even find my way to the estate anymore." He says, a finger lowering to his sternum where, under his shirt, a necklace is hidden, "Though I have always been fortunate to find my way to where I need to be." He returns his gaze to Titania, "Like right now."

Khanne grins and asks Valerio, "will oil protect from the salt water?" She laughs when he eats the clam and shakes her head. "No Kraken, please. Not today. let's not ask for a visit...." She smiles at him when he says she has the favor of the Goddess. "Maybe so.. Thank you, Mangata." Then, Wash calls out he found the white and she smiles and applauds, briefly watching the newly arrived Prince flirt with Titania.

Alarissa is heading back to the docks, smiling at the populace no matter how temporarily increased, enjoying themselves in their brief moment. Deliberate avoidance of the table with the bucket of small live octopus. And yes, there are people who are enjoying them al fresca, or like Margot did with a stab, a twitch, a dip in hot water. For the most part though, there's revelery and music and Alarissa takes up a seat at a table to watch, warp her cloak around her a little tighter.

"Hey! Congratulations, Wash!" Valerio looks pleased for the mans luck. Then a snort at Asger, and he looks back to Khanne. "It can over time, I miss my old leathers for ship and ocean fighting though. But Thats not my job anymore, I'm not supposed to have fun. Supposed to hang back now and plan and strategize, and occasionally yell at people." He heaves a sigh, and then looks down to the water. "yes, thank you Mangata, for everything." Time to squelch back up to dry land!

Titania looks up to Galen one side of her head is done up in tight braids some of her hair falling into her face, "This is my first time being here in Maelstrom, I find it to be a very interesting place and thank ful his Grace has allowed us to be here." she smiles watching Galen still people around her seem to be forgotten about for the moment, "There have been I believe some new things added, would you care to take a walk to see them your highness?" she grins, "Perhaps on our walk you can learn more about that you are curious about."

Khanne follows Valerio up and says, "surely, you can have fun sometimes? You need a balance in life, or... bad things happen." She nods with confidence, as if she truly believes her words. "I should head back up to the fortress... find a nice nook to crawl in and relax a little before I sleep." She turns to Valerio. "I am glad you surprised me. You are welcome to come and chat a bit, but I am not sure how long I have.

Wash sloshes out of the water and brings the pearl to Valerio to inspect. "I honestly know nothing about pearls. Do you think this would look better in a gold setting, or something more... alaricite? How expensive is alaricite? Doesn't matter."