Calling Out|Skyheort | Talen'sul

[Kender Bard]

A formal invitation had been issued to each of the noble houses, each reading the same.

Dear Esteemed House of [Blank],

You are cordially invited to a social gathering, hosted in Aquilinus Manor by Lord Tanith. We hope to be graced by your presence.

Sincerely,
Lord Tanith

The letter was written in the flower script that bespoke a scribe and not the Lord, but his seal - the eagle carrying a sword in its talons - was stamped on the back of the envelope.

And now Lord Tanith waited...

[Darastrix]

William III, Lord of Fell House, escorted his wife to the manor door. Jane hadn't particularly wanted to attend, but William thought a social event would do well to take her mind off of her worries. For the moment, though, the Lady was still fretting over her son's departure from Talen'sul and the worry showed on her face.

"Relax," William murmured, rapping at the door with his cane. "The boy will be perfectly fine. It's not even as far away as Maelstrom."

[Kender Bard]

A servant opened the door and escorted the two to the large room that Tanith awaited - it was mostly a room dedicated to such gatherings as this and was full of comfortable chairs, fine pieces of art to admire, and trays of food and drink placed in all imaginable spots.

"Lord William, it is good to see you," Tanith replied, coming over to shake the man's hand. "And Lady Jane as well."

[Darastrix]

"A pleasure, Lord Tanith" William replied, shaking his hand. "I don't believe we've had a gathering of the houses together in some time. Or I've simply not been available to attend."

Beside him, Jane gave a shallow, but graceful, curtsy. The noblewoman felt her balance too uncertain to attempt much more. As it was her fifth pregnancy, she had begun to show a few weeks ago, and her gowns had been let out accordingly.

[Kender Bard]

"Please, make yourselves comfortable," Tanith bid as he remained standing. "I received word that Lord and Lady Furinko will be by shortly, and hopefully Lord Penrose will be attending as well. I have taken the liberty of extending invitation to our cousins in the west. Lord Gareth should be arriving later in the evening."

[Darastrix]

"The Calders are not attending?" he asked, sounding a touch surprised as he led Jane to a chair.

It's probably just as well, he thought. Something always seems to happen whenever one of them ventures out in public.

"That's a shame," Jane murmured, sinking down gratefully onto the plush furniture.

[Kender Bard]

"They may," Tanith said, uncertain. "I sent the invitation and did not receive a reply. I expect they are exceedingly.. busy.." He tried hard not to smirk.

On that note, Cobalt and Holiday appeared. Cobalt was dressed in his house colors of blue and gray, the fist holding the rose sewn onto his elegant cape. On his arm, Lady Holiday was all smiles. Tanith greeted both cordially.

"Lady Jane!" Holiday squealed, pulling away from her husband to go sit near the woman. "How are you feeling this day?"

Cobalt grinned sheepishly at his wife's enthusiastic behavior.

[Darastrix]

"I'm quite well, Lady Holiday," Jane replies with a gentle smile. "Just a little tired. And our son has recently gone off to New Anarlina, so I'm a bit anxious."

"Lord Cobalt," William greeted the younger man, inclining his head slightly. "Married life seems to be agreeing with you."

[Kender Bard]

"Oh I do wish I could go there," Holiday sighed wistfully. "Cobalt promises me that we may later on, when the weather is more agreeable. I would not fret over your son, m'lady. I've heard nothing but glowing things about the new kingdom."

"Thank you," Cobalt murmured, smiling with a faint blush, taking a glass of wine off a tray. He felt a bit awkward without his best friend currently there. "Tell me, how goes your business?"

[Darastrix]

"It's in a mother's nature to worry for her children," Jane replies, resting a hand on her slightly rounded abdomen. "I've heard good news of the kingdom as well, but I've never had Zira so far from me before."

"Quite well," William replied, leaning on his cane. "Wine is drunk in winter to keep warm, and in summer to keep cool. It features at celebrations and funerals alike, is the fall-back when the water is bad, and is such common fare at silly social gatherings and serious meetings that its omission would be considered highly improper."

He took a glass himself, examining it with the eye of a connoisseur. "At this rate, I daresay I shall be in business forever. Cheers."

[Kender Bard]

The other two men chuckled at that, lifting their glasses amiably.

"You keep Talen'sul's economy afloat," Cobalt commented lightly. "We will keep your warehouses safe from attack, mm?"

Before Tanith could comment, Noel made his appearance, looking a bit out of breath as he strode up, unsmiling. Cobalt's own smile faded and he looked at Noel with wordless concern.

The other knight merely gave his head the barest of shakes and put on a distracted smile for the other two men.

"Brother!" Holiday exclaimed delightedly, rising and kissing Noel's cheek. Noel embraced her briefly before letting her return to Jane's company. "My apologies for my lateness."

[Northen Light36]

Just then Amaro knocks on the door, Cass beside him and Acqua a step behind the pair. After being shown into the room, Amaro nods politely to the other nobles. "My apologies for my lateness, Lord Tanith," he says - trying not to sound stiffly formal.

[Kender Bard]

Tanith bows formally to Amaro, looking a bit distastefully at Acqua, and smiles politely at Cass, gesturing towards the other women. "I did not expect you all to arrive at once. The hour is not late at all."

Cobalt and Noel bowed to the trio as well, and Holiday curtsied before giving a cheerful wave.

[Northen Light36]

Amaro frowns slightly at the look Tanith gives Acqua, but Acqua simply shrugs it off, gives Amaro's hand a quick reassuring squeeze before taking the hint and walking over to join the other women. "Hello," she says quietly to Holiday, feeling a touch shy.

"Thank you for the invitation," Amaro says to Tanith, still keeping a protective eye on Acqua.

[Darastrix]

Jane gave Acqua a friendly smile as the young woman joined them. "Hello."

Cass smiled cheerfully at Tanith, blithely ignoring his hint in favour of turning to speak to William. "I didn't expect to see you out and about tonight, Will."

"Jane needed a change of scenery, I felt," William replied with a faint hint of amusement.