Quiet, a Valardin champion, Aioni, a regal snowy white owl arrive, following Katarina.

Tikva has joined the a brick and wood wishing well.

2 Faith of the Pantheon trained guards, 2 Faith of the Pantheon novice guards arrive, following Orazio.

Already at the greens, wandering around and waiting, and seemingly arguing about something, is Mae and Magpie Grayhope. The former clad in a dark cloak, the latter wearing tight pants. The two are arm in arm, and obviously distracting themselves as they wait for the meeting to start. "No... I don't care," Mae says. "You can't just paint it and say it's a cat."

Tikva sits on the corner of the wishing well on the judgment green in a long fall of silk velvet skirts, a bright green folio folded across her lap and an amiable look on her face even as she cranes her neck up to check the angle of the sun. "I know that several of you are here to see Marquesa Samantha and ask questions about her work with the Ministry of Civil Development," she says. "I'm not entirely sure why Samantha hasn't managed to make it -- I kind of suspect infant-related hijinx because her heir is still pretty small, but ... I have been present at several Ministry meetings and should be able to at least answer some of your questions, and anything I don't know, I can write down in very large letters for her with very many question marks, so! Hello!"

2 Thrax Guards, Stojan, the assistant arrive, following Denica.

Orazio enters in his formal robes, Templar retinue walking with him. Orazio is talking quietly with his guards, although probably not about anything important, judging by the smile. He makes his way to a bench to sit down, nodding to those he recognizes, and bowing to the King in addition.

Lucita steps into the area, casting a glance around. A curtsy is given when close enough for that to be proper, a smile given to those she knows and she seeks a seat.

Magpie is wearing fantastic tight pants and an umbra cloak. He's the definition of style today. "I can, and I am. It's a cat. It has fur and whiskers and it's a cat. You're just being picky. Art of subjective." The man is replying, then he throws Tikva a grin, "Hey there! I have two questions. Is that allowed or do I have to make a life choice and pick only one?"

Denica strides in with summer silks and delicately braided hair running down to the middle of her back, held on the back of her head with hairpins bedecked in pearls. Her eyes dart around and she looks at the surrounding crowd with a smile, moving quietly to observe passively for the moment.

Mira wanders into the area, looking a little more tired than usual. She gives the King a formal curtsey, a few nods and waves to others she knows, and then she's wandering over to a nearby bench. The redheaded lawyer sits primly, crossing her legs and listening quietly as the meeting sort of starts.

Renault, a floofy persian cat arrives, following Selene.

"It's not art! You're just... they're still muskrats!" Mae frets at her husband. But then, the meeting is starting. And oh, there's a Princess talking. And a Legate. Mae falls quiet, but flashes Tikva an encouraging smile. As her husband asks to ask questions, she just side-eyes the man.

Cambria arrives from the direction of the Lyceum Ward. She is on her own, which is not unusual. The Lycene Marquessa scans the area, picking out a suitable place to sit. Which just so happens to be near Lucita.

Alaric rolls in with his retinue as well, looking very enthused to be attending a government function with no active duties to carry out whatsoever. How novel! Smiling and regally waving to all his inbound bows and curtsies, he picks out a nice spot to watch. "Thank you all for attending today's meeting of the Crown Ministry of Civil Development," he declares proudly and gives Tikva a discreet nod. All yours! Apparently the King is there to play backup. Or just to watch somebody else do government stuff for the novelty of it.

Alaric has joined the small circular table.

Philip, an overworked assistant, 3 Grayson Guardsmen, Crown Observer Barcus arrive, following Calarian.

Mira has joined the long bench.

Lucita has joined the small circular table.

Cambria has joined the small circular table.

Orazio has joined the small circular table.

Denica has joined the long bench.

Shard neither looks nor seems the type of person to attend a meeting like this, but nevertheless, she arrives anyway, alone and looking vaguely sour--the usual for her. She picks out a spot to occupy, and proceeds to do so, arms folding over her chest and eyes already narrowed.

Shard has joined the large bench.

Selene drifts in, presumably as curious about this particular little meeting as anyone. Or perhaps merely she expects a big crownd and feels like being involved! And then with a certain boldness born of her own involvement in government affairs, she slips along toward the table where the King has settled to watch and gossip. Or one would assume.

Mae has joined the large bench.

Selene has joined the small circular table.

Tikva spreads her hands wide, palms up, over the folio in her lap. It appears she is running the meeting in a fairly informal way, what with the fact that she is perched on a wishing well and smiling gamely at them all in this eyes-crinkled-at-the-corners way. "I mean, it's certainly fine by me if you are that curious," she says. "It might be wise, if there are a /lot/ of questions, if we queue up in a sensible way with hand-raising, and so on." She does straighten up noticeably when Alaric speaks, not TOO nonchalant. "Thank you, Your Majesty!" She swirls up to her feet, tips a bow in the King's direction, and then stands with her arms akimbo, hands planted at her hips. "So, who wants to know what? Perhaps I should start by answering a general question like 'who are you anyways'. Shall I? Yes? Good." The real question is who she's asking, as this question does not appear to be addressed at anyone in particular.

Tikva goes on sunnily: "Hello, everyone; my name is Tikva Grayson, and I'm a Deputy Minister of Civil Development. My area of focus within the Ministry is upon Youth and Families; that is, where the mechanism of the Crown is to take an interest in the children of Arvum, it's with my managerial and fundraising eyeballs. I work closely with Grandmaster Armel of the Knights of Solace -- historically, although more recently more with Dame Thena -- because the ministry of the Faith is of crucial importance to especially those kids who don't have, otherwise. So that's what I'm doing here! In case you were confused!" Her smile is quick and sunny.

Magpie has joined the line.

Mae has joined the line.

Calarian comes striding with his retinue, both hands clasped behind the straightened back of his trim form. Hosted upon bronzed features, the hazel eyes of the First Observer are owlishly taking their time in the first scout of the area. Assistant Philip and Crown Observer Barcus are engaged in some quiet conversation behind him, while the guards make a triangle behind and at the sides of Prince Calarian. Should there be crowds, the two guards at the side make space for the man, who walks with an effortless air about himself. He came early enough to catch the 'who are you anyways' part from Tikva, the sunnily-issued explanation sinking in the impassive features of the Voice of his House. There is surely a clock ticking in his brain for a couple of seconds, before he continues moving towards one of the seatings as if nothing had happened, with a dutiful "ah, how good, cousin Tikva surely has cleared a lot of confusion in the crowds." Before he assumes a spot, he bows to the general crowd of nobles -- and then gives a particular, deep bow to Alaric.

Calarian has joined the small circular table.

Magpie glances over as the king rolls in, bowing when others do because it's proper and his umbra cloak flares rather nicely when properly held during a bow. Then he straightens and looks back to Tikva, grinning at her introduction and lifting his eyebrows as she explains her role. The commoner waits politely now at the mention of a line, then mutters, "Actually, I have three questions now..."

It is now Magpie's turn to speak.

Snorfling a little, Tikva gestures to Magpie, and says, "Well, Master Curious, let's start with you, then! How can I help?"

Mae keeps quiet, mostly becuase Alaric has shown up. The small woman focuses her big, big eyes on the King, and she stares. And stares. And even as her husband is called to speak, she continues to stare at Alaric. It is, surely, rude. And awkward.

Yes, Calarian sat at a table alone with his retinues. He actually stays there a few moments, before he's suddenly rising from his chair as if bolted by an electric shock. He assumes his usual, impeccably-straightened posture, and strides to the table which Mae is rudely and awkwardly staring and tries to find a chair next to Alaric, not without a couple of whispered words to the table, of course.

Calarian has left the small circular table.

Calarian has joined the small circular table.

Magpie grins, "Magpie Grayhope. I think we met once in passing, but I don't think we were ever introduced. Congratulations, by the way, on your marriage. First question, I applied for the position of Deputy Minister of Prodigal and Refugee Affairs and never heard back on it. I assume the position was filled? Was it not open to commoners from the Lowers? And regardless, can I be the Minister of Lower Boroughs Affairs? I have a lot of qualifications for the job. So many." He then pauses and silently counts out three fingers, then nods. "Yep. Three. And thank you, your highness, for listening."

Tikva's mouth curves in a sideways smile, and she says, "I apologize, Master Grayhope, but I'm really not equipped to answer those questions; it's up to the Minister, Marquesa Samantha, to make appointments within her Department. I don't believe that the Crown has a separate developmental 'sphere' for the Lower Boroughs, but as far as the position of Prodigal Affairs--" She shrugs in a particularly fluid way. "I believe it has been vacant since Duchess Crovane stepped down post, and that Samantha herself has been applying herself to the administrative work that there was to be done. I can't say for certain what the status is of the applications, since-- not really my area."

Reese arrives while adorned in lots of pink and while toting lots sharp pointy things. She is quiet about her arrival and is quick to turn her attention to Tikva as the redhead speaks. Reese mostly seems a bit confused about what is going on exactly. She has a nod of greeting for the many she knows here.

Magpie gives Tikva a nod, then his blue eyes flick down to that pad of paper, "But, you will ask her, yes? You mentioned big letters. And I strongly feel a Minister of Lower Boroughs Affairs should be considered. I'll go ahead and send in an application for the job, yeah?" He sweeps a bow to Tikva, then seems to be content, wandering to Mae's side and peering at her staring-at-the-king state of being. "It's the king..." He murmurs softly, giving her a little nudge with his elbow.

Ugarte arrives, following Fortunato.

Fortunato has joined the large bench.

It is now Mae's turn to speak.

"I will mention it," Tikva assures Magpie with the high sweep of her eyebrows, "among other things." Then she tips a nod to the next person who has a question for the open forum: why, it's his wife!

Denica smiles as she quietly carries on a small conversation in her own corner with Mira, her blue eyes shining with delight, and her hands moving around animatedly.

Mae blinks, as her husband comes back over. She stares at him a moment, before she hisses out, "I know!" And then Mae looks back up, and realizes it's her turn! So the little Grayhope-nee-Culler gets up and steps forward. She clears her throat. "Hi, your highness," she says. "I... am Mae Grayhope," she says. "I was just wondering... if there is a commoner on the ministry?" she asks. "I don't want to be rude but ... I don't see much you all in the Lowers, where a lot of these problems are..."

Cambria, at the table she shares with Lucita, seems content to talk quietly with the other woman while listening to the question and answer session as it unfolds.

Alaric gives cousin Reese a friendly little wave from his table (one of several with the same name, not to be confusing or anything) but other than that seems occupied with quiet discussions at said location.

Mira looks a little surprised by something Denica says, rather taken aback. But something Mae says to Tikva makes her look over with interest before commenting more to Denica quietly.

"Not in the Ministry of Civil Development, no," Tikva answers Mae. "Though I am certainly informed as of now that there has been a dedicated commoner applicant, and I will certainly be discussing that with the Marquesa, as I have indicated." She tilts her head, and her smile fades to a look of more solemn seriousness. "I am very aware," she says, "that the problems that face the impoverished and the orphaned, and the orphaned impoverished, in our city and in the Compact, are very different from the kinds of problems that most noble scions are really aware of. But it is our duty -- according to the auspices of the Faith, who serves those populations loyally and with their whole hearts -- as those with liegesworn servants to defend those who are under our protection. I consider that one of the most important tasks of the Crown's work in these ministry posts."

Reese smiles back toward her cousin. She turns her attention to Mae as she speaks, listening to her words with quiet attention. She then looks upon Tikva as she speaks, giving a nod at her words. Reese goes to find a place to sit.

Reese has joined the small circular table.

"Of course, your highness," Mae answers, in response to Tikva. She dips her head respectfully, then steps on back to the other commoner types, pushing her hood over her head a little further as she goes.

Biting thoughtfully on the inside of her cheek, Tikva sweeps her glance across the assembled people, rocking her weight back on her slippered heels. "Nobody else?" she says. Her smile pulls sidelong and she winks as she teases the crowd, "Given an audience, I'm liable to turn the judgment green into a dance festival instead of a committee meeting, if no one else has questions."

Magpie just smiles in response to Mae's hissing and tucks his thumbs into his belt, listening as she asks her question. There's a prideful nod at Mae's question and he can't help but grin when Tikva mentions the 'dedicated applicant'. "We appreciate it, your highness." Magpie chimes in after Mae's response, then he whirls around to stride after her, reaching to hook an arm around his wife's shoulders.

"You can dance if you want to, princess!" Mae calls, from where she's found a place to sit herself down. Right next to Fortunato!

Magpie has joined the large bench.

Calarian gives this angled bow of his head to Reese in passing, offering his cousin a brief smile. Then he says something lofty to his table, appearing to be discussing the matters of the cultural echelon. Or are they?

Putting her threat into action, Tikva reaches back behind the wishing well and pulls out her balalaika. She sits down on the edge of the well again, and begins to tune the instrument. While she does this, she says, "We can all dance if we want to, why, that's our gods-given right." Picking out the beginnings of an opening chord to an instrumental, she says, "My own work with the Ministry began shortly before I got married. We put into development plans to build a Crown School, with beds for orphans but also classes for children generally." Her fingers strum lightly, beginning to pick out a mellow, sweet tune in the lower chords of the balalaika's voice. "I still have the original proposal in my folio! Of course, for some reason, I never wrote a song about it. Anyone have a rhyme for orphan?"

Tikva gets Amanita, a secunda balalaika from instrument case slung across the back on linen straps.

Quiet, a Valardin champion have been dismissed.

Aioni, a regal snowy white owl have been dismissed.

Reese hmmms as dancing as is talked about. She rises to her feet when Tikva starts to play. It looks suspiciously like she might start dancing.

Orazio does not, it seem, dance. He raises one eyebrow as Tikva begins to strum her instrument, but he seems more amused than offended at this change of agenda. He leans in a bit to listen to his table, and to hold conversation quietly there.

Tikva checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 26 higher.

Lucita perks up, her attention more sharply focused on Tikva as she starts to play, Her eyes brighten and absently, subtly, her fingers with hands still resting in her lap, move as if picking out the same song though on a different instrument.

Shard doesn't look particularly inclined to start dancing. She's still sitting on one of the benches, eyes faintly narrowed and listening. She does seem to be mildly distracted by the trio of Mae, Magpie, and Fortunato nearby.

Mae was chattering to Fortunato. But when Tikva starts to play, she blinks, considers, and then rises up, and grabs Fortunato's hand, attempting to pull him along with her. "C'mon, Fort!" she says, loudly. Then a sly grin is given back, to her husband. "Go ask her!"

Alaric bobs his head lightly in time with the music at his table. If meetings turning into impromptu concerts meet with royal disapproval, it sure doesn't look like it.

Reese has rolled a critical success!
Reese checked charm + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

"I'd love to see your paintings--" Fortunato is starting to say to Mae, before the gal's dragging him up and away from the bench. He's a -- bit nonplussed, but manages to keep reasonably steady on his feet and keep pace with Mae. "Are we dancing? Suppose I can try."

Calarian's head briefly tips up when Tikva begins to play music. The First Observer has another moment of clocked blankness - it seems his cousin is good at drawing these blank moments of silence. "Oh, good, Tikva is performing," he says now, before he elevates his voice to answer one of Tikva's questions: "Gryfon rhymes with orphan." Of course. Anyways, House Grayson approves! Back to making some high-flowed comment to the table.

Magpie gives Mae a grin as she drags Fortunato off, then stands and pauses, throwing Shard a charming smile. "Would you like to dance?" He asks, aborting his previous plan for the lady sitting on the bench nearby.

Reese starts to sway along to Tikva's music and seems to be right in perfect time with her. She moves with this extreme agile nimblenss that today seems to translate into a graceful musicality. She spins around in a circle, weaves about and well looks rather perfect out on the judgement green in her pink wools and linens.

"No," Shard says flatly, and without hesitation. That question doesn't seem to take any thought from her.

Mira glances out at the dancing people, distracted from whatever she was discussing with Denica at the bench. She seems a little skeptical of joining the impromptu dance party, though.

Claiming her audience for a casual concert in the park rather than actually doing what she's here to do, Tikva at least keeps it instrumental for the moment, carrying on her patter: "I actually think it's a really important idea, and one that it's easy to struggle with. We had some war orphans after the Siege of Arx, and there will be more. You know there will be more. The Whispers and the Knights of Solace did a wonderful job refurbishing the Tragedy together, but this city is the heart of Arvum; the heart of the Compact. If we can't take care of our own children in the heart of our own city, the jewel of our crown--" She winks in Alaric's direction because she is a dork, "--then what can we do?"

Cambria gets to her feet, and takes her leave. "Until next time, Lady Lucita."

Cambria has left the small circular table.

Denica eyes the dancing people and considers, leaning in to speak with Mira a little more.

Tikva checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Mae has rolled a critical success!
Mae checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 63 higher.

Magpie blinks at the stark refusal from Shard, "Ooookay then." He makes his way in Reese's direction instead, throwing the Grayson the same charming smile, "Princess, could I join you?" He asks brightly, then calls over to Tikva, "That's why I want to be the Minister of the Lower Boroughs Affairs, your highness! The orphans! They need every chance at a good life."

Fortunato checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 5 lower.

"We are!" Mae declares, to Fortunato, ever so merrily. She drags the small man out, and sets into a little dance. Hopefully Fortunato can keep up, because Mae isn't going slow. "Cullers and Grayhopes have been taking care of the Lowers forever!" Mae declares, as she circles. She waits until her circling brings her past Reese, and flashes a smile to the blonde. And she continues to pull poor Fortunato along with her.

Lucita looks at the rebec she carries with her most of the time rather wistfully but laces her fingers together and listens.

Shard remains rather determinedly sitting, arms crossed, eyeing the dancers.

Reese looks over to Magpie, giving him a smile that touches her blue eyes. "Of course, I am honored." She says and dances over in his direction. She then peeks over to Mae and she is given a smile as well.

"I really can't make that call, Master Curious," Tikva pipes back at Magpie with eyebrows swept high even as her fingers keep trilling and flying over the neck and belly of the balalaika. "--But I'll leave the folio out for people to look at my proposal documents if they want. Um, obviously there are things a little out of date in here; I am /obviously/ no longer going to use my own wedding as a fundraising event, because that already happened?" Tikva's nose scrunches at its bridge, her eyes bright with the verge of a laugh she does not spend. "But I wasn't expecting to be using it as a visual aid at a question and answer meeting, so... sorry about that."

Tikva drops Crown School Proposal!.

Mira rises from the bench, nodding to Denica, "Wonderful! I'll watch for the messenger. And do enjoy." The fox-haired Lawyer of Merchant Street flashes the Thraxian Princess a grin, "Just be mindful not to step on the King's toes--or get too close to the King's Own with a twirl." Waving cheerfully, Mira starts to wander off toward the east.

Mira has left the long bench.

Fortunato cannot, it turns out, keep up. He stumbles and wobbles and trips and struggles back to his feet. He looks baffled over at Reese, he looks baffled over at Tikva. "Why are we dancing?" he finally ventures, breathlessly, to ask. "Is this a persuasion tactic?"

Magpie checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Tikva shrugs her shoulders in an amiably way. "Nobody was asking me anything, so I figured I'd at least provide a little light entertainment, and I prefer playing to an audience than lecturing one."

"We're dancing because Marquessa Samantha's not here!" Mae declares, to Fortunato. "And if you dance well enough, it's said, the King of the Compact will award you a single kiss!" Mae explains, to Fortunato, smiling brightly all the while. She continues to dance literal circles around Fortunato, dragging the poor man along with her. Good thing she's strong enough to support him when he stumbles! "And I'll read your thingy later, princess!"

Denica rises with Mira and nods, grinning as she moves towards the dancing people, she begins the process of twirling herself around carelessly, with a wave over towards the Matesi. "It was lovely meeting you!" she says, moving over to join them, a bounce in her step as she twirls some more.

Denica checked dexterity + performance at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Calarian lifts his palms to clap quietly and comment to his table and everyone around him, "Ah, look, the crowds are enjoying themselves. They surely are delighted with Tikva's impeccable job as the Deputy Minister."

Calarian is overheard praising Tikva.

Magpie laughs at Tikva's answer, then gives Reese a warmer smile and reaches for her hand. He's not as graceful or charming as the princess is, but the Grayhope does okay for a commoner. "I hope everything is going well for you, your highness." He says to Reese.

"Well, I am clearly not getting a kiss," Fortunato says after stumble the fourteenth, if Mae, indeed, keeps it from being too disastrous. "This is why I don't dance," he appends in a mutter.

Reese gives Fortunato a smile, but she doesn't seem too clued on why she is dancing. "Because there is Tikva music..." She answers like that is reason enough. "A kiss from the king." She says, but makes a face, of course he is her cousin! "I would rather have a hug from the King." She gives Alaric a hopeful look. Apparently hugs from cousins are good. She allows Magpie to take her hand and dances with all this impressive skill. "Things are quite well. I bought your new display case. How have you been?"

Mae whispers a few words to Fortunato, as she continues to twirl the man, then abruptly change directions and start in the other direction. On and on she goes, laughing merrily. She does spare a glance, now and then, over at Alaric. To see if said kissing King is paying any bit of attention. Oh, and of course, to slowly lead herself and Fortunato towards Reese and Magpie.

Magpie chuckles, "Did you? I wasn't sure if it would suit your tastes or not." The sailor responds. "There were some figurines to go with it but they sold out quickly. You likely had them all anyway." He seems to go with the flow with the dancing, content to be mediocre. "I've been great. Made a new friend recently, business is going well. I have more commissions than I can possibly keep up with... Do you think you could put in a good word for me about that ministry position? The Lowers really could use representation."

Alaric grins charmingly from his seat at the table. "While I deeply appreciate the thoughts," the King declares with a bright voice, "I feel that official meetings of the Crown Ministries are not -quite- the appropriate place for kissing." Short pause. "Which is a shame, because I'm an excellent kisser, but decorum ought to be observed," he concludes mischeviously. Glancing at Reese, he laughs and holds his arms out. He didn't say anything about hugging, technically.

Denica continues to twirl around gracefully around with the rest of the dancers, for the moment she's unaccompanies, but that doesn't seem to daunt her in the slightest, she seems content to twirl around, rather gracefully and with a joyful smile, as one would expect of a princess.

Fortunato manages in between janking one direction and the next to note a, "I think that's for the best, Your Grace," over to Alaric. Then it's back to being manuevered by Mae. In all his awkwardness.

Calarian has this impassive, polite smile on his lips as Alaric speaks, quite like the man at the awards ceremony sitting at the table of whomever is the focus of attention.

"Aww!" Mae says, throwing out a pout. But she doesn't argue. With the King. She'll instead just consider the words, and do her best to be seditious. By kissing at an official meetings of the Crown Ministries! Unfortunately for certain individuals - Fortunato - that means the kiss is going to land on Fortunato! She abruptly stops spinning the man, leans in, and smacks a kiss on his lips. "Mwah!" she says along with it, and hten laughs more, and starts right back, but this time she's leading him away. "We're going to see my painting, Magpie!" she calls. "Good bye, Reese!"

Reese smiles as Mae dances over in their direction. "Well.." She says toward Magpie as if pondering his new item. "Probably." She adds, but sounds curious, maybe the collector is wondering if she is missing a figure. "Friends are always good. I am not sure if the commissions are a good thing or not. "Reese says, but likely hasn't crafted much in her life and certainly not a deadline. The life of a princess. She then hmms, seemingly somberly serious for a moment, before she finally smile, this smile that is pregnant with a kind of hopeful faith. "I would be happy to put in a good word for you, Master Magpie." She then peeks over to Mae as she leaves. "Bye, Mae, take care." She says. Reese finally notices that the King is holding his arms out. "Oh, the King owes me something." She says to Magpie and starts to try and dancingly lead them toward the King.

Fortunato goes a bit double-nonplussed, then attempts a too-late protest with a, "Mae! Seriously!" before he's being trotted off, and he can't be too miserable with the general situation, dizzying and strange as it might be, because he allows the lead off. He looks used to it. He waggles a general wave.

"I could kiss you, if you prefer, princess." Magpie offers to Reese, though does cast a glance Mae's direction to make sure she isn't glaring at him for it. Then he hears her talking about going to see a painting and he frowns. "Hey!... " He looks back to Reese and gives her an apologetic smile, "I really need to go see this painting. It's been lovely. Enjoy your royal.. uh.. hugging." He sweeps a deep bow in Alaric's direction, then rushes off to catch up with Mae and Fortunato.

Lucita enjoys watching the dancers and music, that is obvious by the smile on her lips and the way her eyes follow the others.

"C'mon on, Maggie!" Mae calls backwards, as she continues to head off the green and back towards the Visitor's Gate.

Mae has left the large bench.

Fortunato has left the large bench.

Ugarte leaves, following Fortunato.

Magpie has left the large bench.

Zavi leaves, following Magpie.

Fortunato, Magpie leave, following Mae.

Tikva eventually falls quiet in terms of her lobbying, and instead picks up with just sprightly dance music, which she plays for awhile. It's apparent from her expression that she is a little bemused about the turn her life has taken today, but going with the flow is a Brighthold tradition, after all.

Reese looks flattered and pink-cheeked at Magpie's words. She waves as they take off an then finds herself before the King. She tries to give him a hug. It is a platonic hug, but still infused with the cuddly warmth of one who seems him as family and likes hugs.

Alaric gives his crusading cousin a big royal hug! Aww. "I'm kind of amazed you're staying still long enough to get a hug," he teases. "Good hunting up in the North!"

Denica slows in her dancing as she looks around at the thinning of the croud, head tilting as she takes the events in, eyes moving towards Reese and the King, and she considers them before looking around at the rest of those gathered.

Orazio stands from the circular table where he's been sitting, and bows to his table mates, turning to give a longer bow to the King. "This is, by far, the most entertaining meeting I think I've been at," he says to Tikva, and then makes to depart.

Reese returns the hug, seemingly pleased with such. "Thank you, your majesty, I will keep doing my best with that situation." She says in his direction. She has a smile for the others at the King's table as well. Reese seems to know them all.

Orazio has left the small circular table.

2 Faith of the Pantheon trained guards, 2 Faith of the Pantheon novice guards leave, following Orazio.

Tikva grins brightly at Orazio. Eventually, she comes to what are clearly the concluding notes of a song and then rises and bows dramatically to all four points of the compass, before hoisting the instrument to tug its straps neatly into place around her lean frame. "Well, I hope you have been mildly entertained, mildly enlightened, or mildly ... enterlightened?" It's not a word. "Thank you all for coming. I encourage you to reach out to Marquesa Samantha in the future if you have questions for her, and if you want to talk about the school, or if you have ideas for things that could improve or anything you'd like me to work on as Deputy Minister for Youth and Families, I hope you will reach out to me too."

Reese turns her attention to Tikva. "Thank you, Princess Tikva." She says in her direction. "I will do what I can to support your school and thank you for the music."

Alaric shrugs speculatively at Denica and grins. "If you really want one too, sure," he declares with a laugh before nodding a good-bye to Orazio on his way out. "It's the least I can do for taking an interest in the Crown Ministry's affairs."

"Do you mean it?" Denica asks Alaric with a blink and an eager smile. She's a hugger, indeed, does the king really know what he's in for? Well, she certainly does close that distance between them, taking the invitation in earnest.

Calarian gives a bow aside to Alaric and another one to Selene. "Your Majesty, Radiant Whisper: thank you for the conversation. It was enjoyable." To Tikva, he says, "Thank you, cousin Tikva. Well done." With that, he is beckoning his guards and assistants to follow him as he departs.

Calarian has left the small circular table.

Shard pushes up from the bench where she's been sitting with a brief shake of her head. She turns to go, without any words of goodbye--but then, she didn't say 'hello' either.

Lucita gives a smile and a nod to Tikva after listening to what she has to say. There is a little laugh as she stands, preparing to leave.

Alaric wrinkles his nose faintly in cheerful annoyance. "When the King says you can have a hug, he means it!" he declares confidently to Denica. "But no kissing. That's the rule at official meetings."

Shard has left the large bench.

Tikva puts Amanita, a secunda balalaika in instrument case slung across the back on linen straps.

Selene has left the small circular table.

Having done her bit for king and country -- so to speak -- Tikva puts up her instrument, closes the clasp on the case, and hoists it over her shoulder. Smile on the wry side, she flicks her glance amongst the assembled, shrugs in an open-handed way, and then says, "Well, I guess I'll call this meeting adjourned. Any kissing from here on out is, of course, entirely at His Majesty's discretion."

"Oh of course!" Denica nods to the clearly very obvious rule of 'no kissing', closing that distance to wrap her arms tightly around Alaric with a blissful smile to her cheeks. "It's such an honor, Your Highness!" Denica tells him, also while she's hugging him that bliss seems to also be mixed with absolute disbelief.

Alaric gives Denica a friendly hug, patting her on the back companionably with a laugh. "It's definitely a rare honor to get a hug at a meeting, but this seems to be a rather exceptional meeting," he observes amiably. He grins over his shoulder and nods to Selene as she stands up. "Fare well, Radiant," he declares brightly before returning his attention to the huggee. "Forgive me, you definitely do seem familiar, but I'm afraid I've no idea who you are! Are you someone's younger sister, perhaps?"

Denica has left the long bench.

Lucita curtsys and slips out of the meeting area.

Lucita has left the small circular table.

Selene offers a finger-wave of her fingers back at the King, which seems a little informal, but then again, he's out hugging people at random! "Lovely little party, Princess," she calls toward Tikva, as she turns to depart. Of course, this ignores that it wasn't actually planned as a party, but still. Success, in her book!

Tikva has left the a brick and wood wishing well.

2 Armed Confessors, Confessor Imori, 2 Grayson Guardsmen, Confessor Warren leave, following Tikva.

Reese goes to take a seat. She smiles over to Denica and the King, but keeps quiet for now.

Denica steps back from the hug with a smile to Alaric, shaking her head. "I'm afraid we've never met," Denica confesses. "But perhaps you knew my grandfather, Donrai?" she wonders. "Oh! Gods, how rude of me! I'm Princess Denica Thrax, Your Grace," she seems uncertain for a moment and dips into a curtsey for Alaric.

Alaric regards Denica with a nod of realization and an amused smile. "Oh! Of course, you're Dagon and Donella's younger sister," the King deduces, chuckling in mild delight. "Last time I saw you was years ago, you were just a slip of a girl then. Aren't you the confident lady now," he concludes with a charming grin. "It's delightful to have you here in the capital. I hope you're not too homesick for Maelstrom. It can be quite the transition."

Reese smiles gently between the King and Denica. "I should get going for a bit. It was lovely to see you both." She murmurs and rises to her booted feet.

Alaric nods amiably to Reese. "Have a good evening, cousin."

Denica waves to Reese as she departs, giving her a dip of her head. "It was good seeing you again, Princess Reese," Denica says. She looks back to Alaric. "It's certainly different," she admits. "But I think it's a good change, it has given me a chance to spread out, do different things and find new people. I do sometimes miss Maelstrom, but this is my home now. I like it here, and I hope to stay," she smiles to Alaric, beaming. "I didn't think you'd remember me," she smiles. "Still trying to outgrow my old nickname 'Little Devil of Thrax'." She giggles a bit. "But yes, those are my siblings. They've both accomplished much, I'm hoping to somehow strike out a name for myself."

Reese has left the small circular table.

Alaric scoffs good-naturedly. "-Outgrow- it? Denica, trust me, -that- is a nickname to be tenaciously clung to at all costs," he declares roguishly. "But there's no finer place in the Compact to make your name than the capital city of the Crown," he adds confidently. "I'm glad you like it here! Wherever your talents lie, have no doubt there's somewhere in Arx that they can grow and be put to use."

Alaric scoffs good-naturedly. "-Outgrow- it? Denica, trust me, -that- is a nickname to be tenaciously clung to at all costs," he declares roguishly. "But there's no finer place in the Compact to make your name than the capital city of the Crown," he adds confidently. "I'm glad you like it here! Wherever your talents lie, have no doubt there's somewhere in Arx that they can grow and be put to use."

Denica giggles, shrugging her shoulders with a smile. "It's a nickname that has caused more trouble than it's worth," she tells him. "But it's not all bad, I've just had to be a bit more careful with how I do things, and you're right though. I have a great deal more opportunities here, and I hope to rise within my own family. My talents are certainly not going to waste here," she assures him, smiling.

"That's precisely the sort of thing I like to hear," Alaric proclaims approvingly. "The rising part, not the causing trouble part, that is. Although it would be somewhat hypocritical on my part to admonish causing trouble," he grins impishly. "Well then, it's been lovely to talk and catch up with you, but I'd best be getting back to the Palace to attend to other, less-interesting royal duties than hugging attractive dancing princesses at Crown Ministry meetings." He winks in a gleefully conspiratorial manner. "Fair winds to you, your Highness."

Denica beams to him as she bows. "It has been a pleasure," She tells him, a little color to her cheeks. "I hope we see each other soon!"

Alaric has left the small circular table.