503-07-03 Caspian's knighting and celebration afterward.

From Crossroads Wiki

July 3, 503

Within the Hall of Providence, many gather to watch Caspian become a knight.

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The tables and chairs have been slid to the sides of the hall tonight, the vendors closed up and a fine repast of food and drink is laid forth. Truly, the crown has spared no expense in the quality meats, cheeses, and drinks that have been set out for all to enjoy. Ribbons festoon every surface where they can be tied, blue and gold marking the celebratory occasion.

An isle has been cleared up the center of the hall, benches and comfortable chairs arrayed at either side. A throne has been placed at the head of the row, a smaller, ornate chair beside it.

Rourke and Mena are talking near the head of the aisle, relaxed and informal. The page stays near them. Brody's closer to the entrance, glancing out expectantly.

Brody glances toward the arrival of Isolde and tips his head to her. He takes time to give a lazy look across her dress, especially the bodice area, with a smile of approval for the garment or something.

Asha arrives with her usual cadre of guards, the four of whom seem to be enjoying some good-natured ribbing among themselves about rank ceremonies. One particular comment earns a brief smirk over the duchess' shoulder and wry words. "You spend a day down at the Gateway, I'll throw you this sort of party," she offers bemusedly, moving toward a seat at the middle of the rows.

Rourke chuckles, relaxing at something Mena said. "It is, and one filled with relief. Much, much relief. I heard that Caspian was well after the vigil. Fairly weak, but energized."

Brody turns his eyes from Isolde's assets and considers the Guardians duchess in brief. He tips his head to her, or even more to her garments and what they conceal.

"I am glad to hear it," Mena replies to Rourke, looking around as people enter and inclining her head to any greetings. "It certainly has been a long road for him."

Rourke glances over at Asha's arrival and gives an inclinatino of his head toward her. "Isn't that the truth?" he quips to Mena. "I hope he likes the horse. I hope I can make it fast and still appropriate, too. My stomach is going to eat itself, smelling one of those roasts."

The Guardian guards have a few suggestions about how they'd pass an evening by the Gateway, none of which really bear repeating, before a slight gesture from Asha cuts off the talk with wry smirks. The duchess herself executes a precise bow - whether or not the Emperor and Empress are looking - and settles into her seat with a more considering dip of her chin to Brody.

Brody grins slowly, a more bold look at Asha quelled after a glance about. He turns to walk toward the Emperor and Empress, reflexively bowing as he draws near. He crooks a finger at Eddie and points. "You, go there. Stand there. Don't move until I come get you when this is over."

Mena grins at Rourke, amusement dancing in her dark eyes. "I'm sure it will be great." She does keep greeting people here and there, inclining her head.

Roland bows deeply upon entering, then moves up the aisle to stand near the other gathering knights.

Rourke smirks at Mena. "Do you mean the ceremony, or the food? Because even though the ceremony is important, I'm hoping that roast beef is just as good." He smooths his features a bit, glancing over when Roland comes in. "Almost time." He guides Mena to her chair and settles on his throne.

Asha starts to slouch, foot rising as if to prop on the chair in front of her, then catches herself. Instead, she stays straight, crosses her legs, and toys with the hilt of the weapon on her belt as she tips her head back to murmur something to one of the guards behind her.

Duke Raziel slides into the Hall, gently pulling his gloves on as he makes his way to the Ceremony. His pause, near the entrance, will give him a chance to notice Jesheba's entrance as well. "Master Jesheba," he greets, with a small smile. "You -do- leave your shoppe on occasion. How splendid."

Brody gives a slight nod to Roland and steps to the side where some implements lay. He picks up a wrapped shield and passes Roland a sheathed sword.

Mena nods, then settles into the chair she's lead to, taking a brief moment to neatly arrange her skirts before she looks around again. She falls silent, waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Roland nods to Brody and takes the offered sword, giving his brother knight a grin. "You should have seen the look on his face when he found out that was his horse."

Eddie Is just continues to look around the area, hardly blinking in his awe at the fanfare. He does remember to bow to most that arrive that look formal, but occasionally he ends up just getting wrapped up in everything taking place.

Jesheba quietly steps into the Hall, a thin cloak behind him reaching to his heels. He looks at Raziel and gives a nod of his head, a thin smile upon his lips, "Indeed, your Grace, it has been known upon occasion. My thanks, incidentally, for the recommendation of my services you have been giving." He glances around then, emerald eyes gazing intently upon all present before returning to the Duke a moment later, "I would not wish to miss such a ceremony, and I am sure the boy has earned his title."

There's a slow spread of some quiet about the hall as the knights and squires in the audience begin to settle. There is clearly excitement among the knightly order.

Asha frowns slightly as a search through the crowd yields no evidence of her latest betrothed, but falls silent with the rest of the crowd, settling in comfortably.

Eddie's gaze also finds the display of food and he asks a little too loudly, "When does everyone get to eat? Is that /lamb/?"

Duke Raziel inclines his head, "He is," remarks Raziel thoughtfully, "He has great potential, and a good head on his shoulders." Then, quieter, and with another smile, he muses to Jesheba, "You are welcome, my friend. You, yourself, have earned that much. And more, perhaps." He doesn't, however, elaborate any further than that. Instead, his eyes move to the others gathered.

Brody matches Roland's grin. "I nearly pissed myself when I had that very same moment. It's a grand moment."

Roland chuckles and nods, taking up his place for the ceremony. "A night like this is full of grand moments."

Isolde looks around the area, her eyes falling on Brody for a long moment. It is there that her smile curves her lips in greeting before she finds a place where she can watch everything going on.

Mena's lips quirk into quiet amusement as she listens to the different snippets of conversation around her.

Rourke looks toward his knights, smirking just a bit. "I'm glad he enjoyed it." He glances about the hall and then looks forward. "Did my sire ever cut anyone accidentally while knighting them?" he inquires with a chuckle, hands resting on the arms of the throne.

A clear blast of trumpeters announces the arrival of Caspian to the hall. Their silvery notes are merry and brisk.

Dressed in the formal uniform of a knight with every metallic piece polished 'til it gleams, Caspian enters the Great Hall atop the back of a mighty sand-colored warhorse. The horse's tack also looks as if it's been especially cleaned and polished for the day, and it the long hairs of the tail and mane, a color paler than it's coat, has ribbons of blue and gold twined within. Caspian rides tall in the saddle, head up and eyes forward, pride all but glittering within his pale gaze. His head turns slightly to look at those present, lips vaguely quirking up at the corners before he looks ahead again. Aisle. Aisle. The horse is directed to walk up the aisle of the hall as Caspian's eyes now rest on the Emperor.

All knights and squires who were seated get to their feet with the trumpeting. All attention is given to the arrival, and many, many proud looks.

A squire steps out about halfway up the isle and waits for the horseman to draw near.

Jesheba settles comfortably, hands clasped behind him as he watches the entry of the gleaming Caspian, a slight smile on his face.

Roland grins slightly at the Keeper, but doesn't answer the question as the trumpets blare.

Duchess Asha watches the ceremony proceed, hands folded in her lap now. Though this is doubtless only one time among many she's seen a squire become a knight, her full attention and respect is granted to the ceremony.

Rourke's eyes light up when Caspian comes in, and a grin takes his features as he watches the approach.

Mena's lips spread into a full smile at Caspian's arrival as well, looking over both the man and the horse with a pleased expression.

Dorian sits up straight, watching the pomp and ceremony with bright curious eyes, as if trying to memorize every little bit of it.

Brody's fingers curl around the edges of the shield that he holds. He follows Caspian's approach with proud eyes.

Duke Raziel leans back as well, quieting and focusing on the young soon-to-be-Knight. His own face is impassive, solemn, in appreciation for the moment.

Roland stands near to Brody, a sheathed sword in his hands and a grin on his features.

Baron Forester steps into the Hall quietly, slipping in with Annabella upon his arm, guiding her to a quiet place to watch the ceremony happen, winking to her as they stand there.

Caspian is, very nobly, trying not to vomit as his stomach does a few impressive flips and turns. But for all intents and purposes, he doesn't /appear/ as nervous as he may be as his horse strides up to the waiting squire and halts. Taking a breath, he dismounts and hands the reins to the squire before looking towards a few of the knights faces. But his attention is soon shifted to Emperor and Empress in turn and, after another silently inhaled breath, he heads up to the Emperor.

The squire takes the reins of Caspian's horse and turns to lead it from the hall. He gives an envious glance over his shoulder, but tonight his own duty is in the stables. He leads the warhorse from the hall.

Eddie's eyes widen on the hooves of the horse and then he looks up and up and up until he finds the squire/soon-to-be knight. He barely blinks as he watches the man approach the Emperor.

Rourke glances once toward Roland and says something very quiet before he centers attention upon Caspian again. One hand turns on the arm of the throne, fingers drawing into the palm of his hand in invitation to approach. He holds his silence for the moment.

Another quirk of Roland's lips comes at the quiet words of the Keeper, nodding his agreement with what was said. His gaze does habitually scan the hall every few moments.

Mena watches intently, with a fascination in her gaze as the actual ceremony of the evening begins. Her smile remains, inclining her head to Caspian as he approaches.

Nearly there. Caspian keeps his eyes rooted on the Emperor's seat, feeling it a bit less stressful to focus on him and pretend that there aren't any other eyes around them. He does catch the Empress's gesture, and he smiles vaguely in her direction. When he does finally reach the Emperor's seat, he pauses, bows his head to him and then kneels rigidly.

Rourke's smiles is a sharp, proud one when Caspian nears, and he inclines his head when a knee taken before him. He looks out across the hall. "The knighthood is a solemn charge, the defense of the castle and Our personage from harm, for the solidarity of the Empire. A man comes before Us, a man who would lay claim to the title and honor of Knight. Are there those of the Order who would speak on his behalf?" The words ring forth, the emotion in them far from empty ceremony.

Roland turns toward the Emperor and bows low. When he rises, he states with a smile, loud enough to be heard, "Having demonstrated his prowess in trial and testing, discipline and valor, I stand with him and avow that he should be granted the honor of knighthood, to join the Brotherhood."

Duke Raziel looks then from Caspian, to Roland, to Rourke, his eyes keenly aware, and focused.

Brody steps forward a precise half-pace before pivoting and bowing gracefully to the Emperor as he holds the wrapped shield to his chest. "I second the words of my Brother, and avow that Caspian Fernwick has demonstrated his courage and skill before me," he says with crisp pride. "I stand with him and avow he belongs in the ranks of Knights."

Isolde watches the proceedings, silently.

Bella keeps her hand against Phaeton's arm, as she quietly watches the ceremony.

Caspian can hear his heart pounding loudly in his ears, and for a brief and panicked moment he has the thought that he can't hear the Emperor or knights because of it. But thankfully, he can, and he keeps his eyes turned up to the Emperor, expression slightly relaxing as he hears the voices of Brody and Roland.

Rourke listens to each knight in turn speak, a short nod given at their conclusion. He holds out his left hand toward Roland as he asks, "Caspian, your oath to the knighthood is your life. With your body, breath, and every skill that you possess, do you so swear to uphold your duties and defend the Keeper's line unto death itself?" His eyes settle upon Caspian's gaze, unblinking and intent as they weigh the kneeling figure.

Roland passes the sword in his hand toward the Keeper, hilt first, keeping a hold of the scabbard.

Brody steps back his half pace as he watches the cermony with unwavering pride.

Dorian strains to see every bit, trying to catch every word. He grins, able to feel the emotions washing over the room.

Watching quietly, the silver-haired Mage lightly laces his fingers together while he watches, deep emerald eyes upon the soon-to-be-Knight.

Mena's hands fold neatly in her lap as she watches the continuance of the knighting, leaning slightly to the side to try to see around the Emperor.

Caspian vaguely squares his shoulders while down on his kneel, attention rivoted on the Emperor now that his words are directed specifically from him. His remain attentive and wide, not allowing his eyes to waver. "I do promise," he says, thankfully in a voice that's strong. "I swear with all that I haev in me."

There's a collective indrawn breath from the knights about the room after Caspian answers, most eyes watching the sword the Keeper wields with great anticipation.

The Emperor draws the sword from the sheathe Roland holds, the blade glinting sharply and ringing with the motion. He holds it aloft before himself at first, a slice of light reflected all about. Then, he lowers it precisely to tap Caspian on the left shoulder, then the right. "I confer upon you the order of Knight of Gateway," he says, before he turns the flat of his blade toward Caspian's cheek and gives him a resounding, hard smack with it. "And I commend you to remember your vows, in all that you do."

Duke Raziel inclines his head approvingly, only now smiling, and just barely, at that.

Kylane enters, silently, and remains near the back of the Great Hall.

A proud grin breaks out on Brody's features with the smack. He glances to Roland.

Roland grins right back at Brody. These ceremonies are great.

Caspian's eyes follow the sword as it's revealed from its sheath, but soon enough he looks down again, head lightly tipping downward as his heart once more revs up in his chest throat. Feeling the soft weight of the blade on one shoulder than the next, the one squire finds himself grinning towards the floor before collecting himself and looking at the Emperor agai-*SMACK!* That's the sword hitting his cheek, and though his head turns a little beneath the force of it, he's undeterred and soon returns his eyes to the Emperor, red-faced where metal hit. "I will never break my promise to you, Your Majesty."

One knight pounds another on the shoulder in the audience after Caspian takes the hit. There's the sound of gold being exchanged.

Rourke's own grin comes with the words from Caspian. "Then arise, Sir Caspian Fenwick, and bear the arms of your office." He nods to Brody and Roland, and offers the sword hilt-first to Roland.

Isolde sighs to the person beside her and slips a coin or two in their hands, "I really thought he would cut him."

There's a small gasp from the crowd as Caspian is hit in the face with the flat of the sword. Obviously, someone has never been to a knighting ceremony before.

Mena's expression is a pleased one with how well Caspian takes the smack from the Emperor from where she watches in her chair next to the throne.

Asha continues to observe the ceremony, a faint smile across her features, though she seems a bit distracted by some thought.

Phaeton grins softly as the bow is taken, murmuring quietly something to Annabella.

Dorian watches it all with shining eyes, the young Marquis caught up in the whole thing. Definitely his first knighting ceremony, but it won't be his last, to be sure.

Caspian stands up when given the ok too, straightening his back and grinning now. He turns and all but beams to the other knights and squires, bearing his sword-mark on the face proudly. Sir Caspian Fernwick? Few haev probably seen him grin as wholly as he is now.

Kylane reaches up and begins a round of applause, his deep, soulful black eyes peering out from the back of the Great Hall as the man makes noise suitable of celebration.

Jesheba raises his eyebrow at the blow, looking at the mark and murmurs quietly to himself, "They still do that, then." He lightly nods his head towards the new Knight with a thin smile.

Roland takes the sword back from the Emperor, resheathing it smoothly. He then steps forward when Caspian is on his feet and moves to belt the brand new sword around his waist. As he leans in to do so, he mutters a few words. He mutters to Caspian, "... Caspian.... proud... did..."

Brody waits until Roland is done, then proffers the sturdy tri-cornered shield toward Caspian. He draws off the cover, revealing the crest of Gateway set into the metal in vibrant colors. He mutters to Caspian, "... money, you... I'm proud... just..." He punches Caspian on the shoulder.

Bella would applaud, but her right wrist and hand are mostly covered in a cast.

When Caspian has been given the implements of his station, a huzzah goes up from ythe knights in the crowd, and the roaring sound of them stamping their feet.

She stomps her feet for him instead.

Mena applauds with a bright smile as the cheering for the newly minted knight begins.

Asha and her guards join in for the applause, a few raucous whistles added from the guard contingent.

Isolde hears stomping feet and looks around for a temper tantrum, to avoid it. Then she claps as she notices why the stomping and understands it. She's quiet herself.

Duke Raziel claps as well for Caspian, smiling a bit more. "So it would seem," he mentions as an aside to Jesheba. He will linger, and partake of the food and festivity for awhile, before retreating back to his tower.

Caspian turns to Roland and grins at him, touching the sheath of his new sword. "As am I," he says with a smirk before his attention drifts to brody as his shield is given to him. His expression brightens more as he takes it and laughs at what he says, looking as if he's more than willing to hug the both of them. But he refrains from doing so and instead turns to all of the others who are now applauding or clapping to him, lifting up his new shield in triumph.

Phaeton claps loudly for the lad, raising in a cheer as he grins, "Bravo, Sir Caspian!"

Dorian claps and stomps and whistles, allowing a glimpse of the boy that hides beneath the Marquis' facade.

Kylane pushes himself off of the back wall, continuing his applause though as he does so. He steps forward, giving a rakish grin to those around him as he begins weaving through the congested individuals here or there as he makes his way up next to Asha. A murmur into her ear as he keeps his gaze on Caspian and the Knighting Contingent.

Emperor Rourke rises to his feet. He steps forward and places a hand on Caspian's shoulder from behind. He mutters to Caspian, "Well... well... Enjoy... is all..."

Asha looks up at Kylane's whispered words, a brief smile curving at one corner of her lips. She murmurs something in reply, though she continues her applause for the newly knighted.

Caspian lowers his shield down after a moment of glowing with it raised and looks to the Emperor. His words earn a smile and nod from the newest knight. "Would it be too forward to ask for drinks, Your Majesty?" said with a grin before he looks to Brody, Roland, and the rest of hte Imperial Guard. "I'm proud to be your Brother!" said happily.

The knights continue to stomp their feet and applaud for the newest member admitted to their ranks. Some of the ones seated near the edges of the gathering start to move toward the buffets as they're applauding. There's drink to be drank, and it's a night to celebrate.

"Huzzah!" Roland calls out for another round of cheering for the new knight.

Mena gets to her feet and steps up to the Emperor's side, lightly touching his arm to announce her presence there. "Congratulations, Sir Caspian," she says loud enough for the knight to hear it over the cheering.

Eddie is definitely applauding and calls out a loud, "Huzzah!" And then nearly as loud, "Can we eat now?"

"Not at all, Sir Caspian," Rourke says firmly. He beckons to one of the castle servants immediately, and his voice raises. "It is an evening of celebration! Enjoy the food and drink, all, and take a moment at some point to congratulate the new knight!" And then, there are tankards being handed to the knights, the Emperor, the Empress... and just about anyone in the crowd that the servants can get to.

Caspian grins at Eddie, having heard the loud little page. "It's my day, isn't it? And I say, aye, eat til you're tuffed, but not stuffed enough that you can't do your duty in the morn'," he quips good naturedly to the boy, elated. To the Empress, who he does hear over the chatting and cheers, he smiles and bends at the wait towards her. "Thank you, Your Majesty!" he calls in cheerful return

Bella keeps her hand upon Phaeton's arm, and looks up to the Baron, and smiles. "Well, that was certainly interesting. I had never seen a knighting ceremony before. Thank you for asking me to attend, Baron," she says.

Eddie grins to Caspian at the mention of being allowed to eat, "You look much bigger as a knight!"

Mena offers her hand to Caspian, palm down. "We are all very proud of you. It is your night, indeed."

Roland is going to drink! He absolutely takes one of the tankards passed out, turning to lift it toward his fellow knights. "To Sir Caspian!" he calls, and does get quite the return on the toast before they all do start drinking.

Phaeton grins as he pats Bella's hand, "I'm glad you came. Shall we go and enjoy the feast?" He grins and looks around, "It's always an interesting ceremony and young Caspian definitely deserves it. Good head on his shoulders."

Brody grins over at Eddie and beckons to him, laying a hand on the page's shoulder. "He does, doesn't he?" he agrees with the page. HE reaches for a tankard and echoes Roland's call. "Hear hear, to Sir Caspian!"

Eddie looks up to Brody and grins, "Is that lamb? Can I go get some? I've never had it before, but it always looks really good." He denies any offers of drinks, ale or otherwise, preparing to gorge himself like a bit of a fool.

The shout of Caspian's name is echoed across the hall by the knights with tankards. Only those who have duty tonight are abstaining.

Caspian laughs at the page. "And you look much smaller now that I am a knight!" he calls over to Eddie before his eyes turn to the Empress. Grinning, he takes her hand in his and lifts it respectfully to his lips to kiss. "Though I needn't say it, I'm happy for this long awaited day, and glad for all of those who believed in me," he says with a softer smile before releasing her hand and looking back at the others as he's toasted. He quickly grabs a tankard and grins, lifting it up. "To the Brotherhood!"

Asha pushes up, as do her guards, as the celebration gets underway. The duchess remains in the aisle of her seat, though, crossing her arms loosely over her chest as she looks to the former chamberlain.

Mena laughs a bit as Caspian suddenly joins in the toasting after releasing her hand. "Enjoy the festivities, Sir Knight." She then turns her smile toward Rourke. "Shall we check out that roast beef now, Your Majesty?"

Another shouted toast is echoed across the hall, and some music bursts out from the corner, musicians taking up a jaunty meloldy to set feet to tapping.

Jesheba quietly weaves his way through the crowd towards Caspian, managing to avoid people as he strides purposefully ahead, hands still clasped behind him as he does so, cloak following in his wake, waiting for the toast to end before approaching, "Pardon me, Sir Caspian. My congratulations on your Knighting. I have a small memento for you."

Brody curls his hand into a fist and taps Eddie beneath the chin. "Yes, that's lamb. Go try it, but keep your uniform clean, Page."

Addison winds her way slowly through the crowded hall towards Caspian, hanging back a ways to allow other well-wishers their chance first.

Phaeton squeezes Bella's hand softly before taking a pair of tankards and offering her one, "I hope your wrist isn't bothering you, Bella?"

Eddie runs over to the food table and grabs a plate to start trying all of the various foods, many of which he's probably never had before, "This is the most food I've ever seen in my whole life!"

/And/ there's music? Caspian cranes his neck to get a look at the musicians who are playing, beaming at them before his attention is taken by Jesheba. To him, like he has to everyone else thus far, he smiles and dips his head. "Thank you, sir," said kindly, but his surprise is hard to hide. "A memento? Thank you, though that wasn't at all necessary! Have you had a drink? Please do if you haven't."

Bella doesn't accept the tankard from Phaeton. "I'm sorry, Baron, but I can't have alcohol right now. Your brother gave me some potions to take, to speed in my healing, and alcohol interferes with them," she says, "It's not too bad, thank you for asking. I just hope it will heal fast, so I can get back to work."

Kylane pushes himself away from Asha, offering an apologetic shrug of his shoulders before he walks over towards Mena and Rourke, giving a flourishingly low bow as he murmurs, "Emperor, Empress.." Kylane offers in a rolling tongue before straightening up.

Rourke gives a last pat on Caspian's shoulder, after haveing indulged in each of the toasts, then offers the crook of his arm to Mena. "An excellent suggestion." He tugs her toward the buffet, then pauses as Kylane comes near. He peers. "Who is this? Do I know you? You look somewhat familiar, perhaps," he says teasingly.

Brody glances over at Addison and gives a wink at her. "Hello beauty," he greets her. "Here to congratulate Sir Caspian?"

Asha moves away from the bench as Kylane departs, making her way toward the food and drinks, though she takes her time. Where rank might grant her quicker progress through the lines, she waits her turn, following the flow of traffic.

Mena's hand does slide around Rourke's elbow, grinning a bit as Rourke jests with Kylane. "Good to see you again, Master Kylane," she says to the man.

Kylane gives a rakish grin, "Oh, no one of any import, your Majesty, just a roaming traveler of sorts." He says with a teasing smirk before straightening up and adding, "Quite the party you throw, I dare say, quite the party." Kylane turns to Mena, "Most beautiful woman in the world, how are you again?"

Jesheba gives a thin smile at Caspian and shakes his head, "No, thank you, I prefer not to." From inside his cloak he pulls out a small golden charm set with a small blue stone, strange symbols engraved in the metal, which he holds out, "I would suggest wearing this at all times, around your neck. The stone will glow in response to the presence of magic, brighter and warmer the more intense it is." He taps the stone in the center, "If you find you need it, press here and invoke it in the Emperor's full name and it will briefly surround you with a magic supressing aura which will nullify all magic within a foot of you for about five minutes."

Eddie is probably slowing the line down all on his own from the heaps of food he puts on his plate, "I don't know what this is! It smells good!" And therefore, it gets added to his plate. Unfortunately for him, any attempts at keeping the uniform clean are lost as the plate is supported by his chest.

Phaeton chuckles and puts the tankard back on a table, taking a fruit juice instead, "Of course, I should have thought. But that was nice of Phinaes, I am sure you'll find yourself healed before you know it. He knows his stuff." He grins slightly and takes a deep drink from the tankard before looking around, narrowing his eyes a moment.

Addison spots Brody as she waits to congratulate Capian, turning to the other knight and smiling cheerfully at him, "Hi.. Yes, I am." She turns and walks over to the Brody, "How are you?"

Bella smiles and accepts the juice from Phaeton. "Thank you, Baron," she says, "He was quite good. He poured this... goo... over my wrist, and it hardened into a cast. Much better than the splint I had on before." She takes a sip of juice and says, "Should we go congratulate the new knight?"

Caspian looks earnestly at the gift offered by Jesheba, brows raising as the gift .. charm is explained to him. He lifts a brow as he looks from it to the man's eyes, reaching out to accept the item. "Truly? And it won't ... well, obviously it doesn't cause the castle alarms to sound else they would be now." He looks at the charm again and smiles soon after. "Thank you. I can think of many ways this will aid me. Thank you very much. I don't think I have your name, sir."

Brody links his arms over his chest, having passed off his tankard after a drink. "I am elated this eve, how else would I be? A great ceremony, wasn't it?" He glances past her toward Eddie and calls, "Page! Get over here." His grin is turned to Addison again.

"I am quite well," Mena replies to Kylane with a chuckle. "It is difficult not to be on such an occasion. I do hope you will enjoy it this evening."

Eddie trots over at Brody's call, his plate filled even if he only made it halfway down the line, "Sir?" He reaches for a piece of meat and pops it in his mouth.

Rourke smirks at Kylane. "Good to see you again, 'roaming traveler'," he says to the black-eyed man. "I've been wondering about what happened to you. Stop flirting with my wife."

As the lines moves on, Asha puts a few pieces of meat on a plate, then takes a tankard of ale and moves off to the side, well out of the way. Nursing the tankard, guards lounging around her, she watches the festivities.

Addison grins, "Well something else could have made it worse before, which is why I asked." She shrugs a little, "Glad that it was good though." She peers a moment at the food, looking tempted before turning back to Brody.

Kylane gives a sheepish response to Rourke's admonishment, before winking, "I'll see you around, Empress, Emperor. I won't disturb the festivities too long." He gives a tip of his head, a flourishing bow, before taking a step back.

"Your pardon for a moment, beauty. Business," Brody apologizes to Addison. He looks down at the page. "I distinctly remember telling you to keep your shirt clean, didn't I? So what do you call that?" He points to the front of Eddie's tunic.

Eddie moves the plate away from his chest, only taking notice of the mess down his tunic for the first time, "Ummm...gravy." He tries to support the weighted plate with one hand, causing it to wobble and some of said gravy to splatter on the ground in the process, one finger reaching out to swipe at said gravy so he can taste it and make sure, "Yeah, it's gravy, Sir."

"You are hardly a disturbance, Master Kylane," Mena assures with another smile to the man. "Do take care of yourself, and do not be such a stranger."

Jesheba chuckles briefly, "No, it will not, I made sure of that, and the wards themselves will not affect it or it would be rather bright at present. If you use the supression, it will need recharging, otherwise it will last several years." He ducks his head briefly, "Master Jesheba Wys. I run the magic shop in the village. I will also be tutoring you in magical instruction and defense." He frowns briefly, "I would expect you tomorrow but I suspect the morning after best."

"As my wife says, Ky, try not to be so vanished," Rourke agrees. "Lunch some day soon, please." He glances back at the buffet. "But pardon me, or I'm going to gnaw my arm off in hunger."

Phaeton grins at Annabella, draining the tankard in a single long gulp before putting it down, "Let's go and do that." And with that he carefully leads her towards the Knight.

Kylane gives a chuckle, softly, before making his way out of the Great Hall.

Caspian looks away from Jesheba for a moment as he waits an answer from the unknown man, taking a drink from his tankard and eyeing the food hungrily. That's sure to be his next stop! He quickly returns his attention to Jesheba though as he speaks, smiling and nodding as he introduces himself. But his next words do cause a bit of puzzlement. "Magical instruction and defense?" he says quizzically. "Oh, I hadn't known. But .. well met!" he offers with a crooked grin. "And aye, tomorrow may not be the best, so the day after I will seek you."

Bella finishes her juice, setting the glass down. She then links her arm with Phaeton's, and follows him towards the newly-knighted...er... knight.

Mena follows Rourke to the buffet, releasing his arm in order to get a plate for herself and put food upon it. She isn't shy about it at all.

Addison nods to Brody and turns from him to wander back towards Caspian, again keeping back a little ways.

Brody holds out a hand toward Eddie. "Give me the plate," he instructs, his tone brooking no argument.

"What's a man got to do to get some ale around here?" Gerard's baritone booms as he makes his presence known, pausing but a moment to give the Keeper and Empress a respectable bow. Hazel eyes sweep over the crowd for the man of honor whilst apparently awaiting someone to bring him his drink.

Jesheba nods his head once, "Indeed. No later than two hours past down, if you please. And..I would not wear anything you particularly value. The length of time the tutelage will depend on the first session however." He gives that thin smile again and chuckles as it widens a trace, "Congratulations once more, Sir Caspian."

Eddie frowns though hands over the plate, using both hands to steady it more, "I'm sorry, Sir. I didn't see it dripping down like that. I can change my shirt." The unspoken plea clearly to still be able to eat all of what he took.

Asha glances up at the arrival of the First Knight, scanning the crowd again. A brief frown crosses her features, but is soon dismissed with a swallow of ale.

The knights in the room lift tankards and give a cheer for Sir Gerard, and it's only a moment before someone is bringing him a tankard.

Caspian looks up at the booming voice and beams at Gerard. "Sir Gerard!" he greets, waving at him before looking back to Jesheba. "I'll make a note to remember, sir," he says with a smile and nod to him. "And thank you, again." Magic, huh? he steps back from the man and turns to head to Gerard, grabbing an extra tankard on the way. But he's soon distracted by a familiar face among many .. familiar faces. "Addison! You came," he says, sounding pleased as he approaches her.

Brody balances the plate that Eddie hands him lightly in his left hand, and with his right he cuffs the page upside the head. "When I tell you to be careful, I expect that you will attend my words," he says, firm.

Eddie winces yet again as Brody's hand finds his head, "Owww...I mean, Yes Sir." He reaches up to rub his head, his gaze shifting to the plate again, "I'll do better."

Phaeton walks towards the new Knight, briefly narrowing his eyes at Brody's cuff before looking back towards Caspian, smiling widely and clapping a hand on his shoulder, "Well done, lad! Good to see another Fielder Knight, showing these others what we're made of, eh?" He grins and winks at him, "I've got a keg of Special Reserve for you in the tower, I'll drop it off later." With that he looks towards Bella and smiles, "Ah, this is Miss Annabella, midwife and general healer of quite some skill!"

Addison grins at Caspian broadly and waves at him, approaching the new knight, "Congratulations.. I'm so happy for you." She looks up at Phaeton and smiles, taking a little step back and falling quiet.

Isolde nods towards Brody a moment as she moves to leave the area.

Brody balances the plate still, looking down at Eddie's pleading features. "Listen to me, Page. They are not going to run out of food. You don't need to fill a plate so full that it's spilling. You go and get another plate and bring it here, empty."

Rourke says something quiet to Mena, lifting a drink. He watches the gathering, eyes falling often on the Duchess of Guardians.

Eddie nods, "Yes Sir." He then rushes to the table, a bit careless into who he may butt in front of in following the knight's directions. It's rather quick before his grubs end up on another plate and he's back attempting to rush back to the knight...unless someone in line gets offended first and stops him.

Asha watches the course of the congratulations, doing her part to hold up the wall. If the byplay between Eddie and Brody catches her eye, she makes no move to intervene, and no gesture of approval or disapproval. Rather, she watches the crowd move around the newest knight.

Bella gives Caspian a bit of an awkward curtsey, the cast on her hand making her a little unbalanaced. "Congratulations, Sir Caspian," she says, "It's good to have a Fielder among the ranks of the knighthood." She gives him a warm smile, the young woman looking at him with a sincere expression.

"Cheers." Gerard calls back as he's passed a tankard, quick to raise it in salute to Caspian, "Congratulations Brother." he praises in his coarse brogue, welcoming the former squire into the brotherhood of knights as he mosies on closer to the man of the night. "Miss Annabella, good to see you again." nodding his head in kind to Phaeton as well, "Excellency." Barely dodging an ale spillage as he avoids the scampering Eddie and peers up at Brody with a wry chuckle, "We having fun yet?"

Mena looks up toward Rourke, then sends a brief glance over the crowd. She starts to reply to Rourke, but finds herself bumped by Eddie. "Oh.. be careful, my dear," she tells him, just managing to not drop her plate.

Poor Eddie. Caspian spares the page a glance and smirk, knowing too well the hardships of page-hood, but he soon looks back to Addison and now Phaeton as he approaches. The man is offered a thankful grin. "Thank you, Your Excellency! Your generosity is humbling. Though really, I hear your cooking is what really is a treat," he says light-heartedly before his eyes dance to Annabella. "Ah yes, we've met once or twice. Well met, Ms Annabella. I'm happy you're here. Have you had a drink?" he asks, holding up his extra mug before nodding to Addison. "This is my friend Addison," he offers in introduction.

Jesheba weaves his way back the way he came towards the exit, quietly moving around with a nod here and there before he leaves the Hall, apparently not one for a party.

Brody notes Isolde and gives a deep nod in her direction. His eyes take a slow and full measure of her as she leaves, and he smiles. The smile fades when he looks toward Eddie's misadventures, and Brody sighs. When the page gets back, he points to the plate in his hands. "Hold that out." He then places a few pieces from the very full plate onto Eddie's less full one.

Bella gives Gerard a curtsey as he addresses her. "Sir Gerard," she says, "It's nice to see you again." Turning to Addison, she smiles. "It's nice to see you again, Addison. How's your brother doing?" Her arm stays linked in Phaeton's, and says to Caspian, "Yes, I've had a drink already, thank you, Sir. Again, congratulations on your knighthood."

At length, Asha pushes off the wall, starting toward Caspian. Just one of the guards trails behind her, the others apparently engaged in a round of bets on which knight will start rounds of dagger-throwing. As the duchess draws closer to the group around the new knight, she pauses, waiting for an opening.

Mena shakes her head, then looks around for somewhere to sit so she can eat. She does speak quietly to Rourke as she glances about.

Addison smiles at Bella, "Nice to see you again.. and my brother is fine. Just busy doing...boy things? I don't know. He's always going off here or there." She lowers her voice a little and leans closer to Bella, "I think he might like some girl."

Rourke glances after the trouble-in-motion that's the page, grimacing. He listens to Mena's soft words and gives an emphatic shake of his head. He gestures to a seat and moves toward it, saying a soft answer to her.

Caspian's eyes dance briefly to the food again as he swallow the last of his ale and places it back down on a passing servant's tray. And as Belly doesn't seem to want the drink, he begins the second one, glancing between Addison and Bella as they talk. "Excuse me," he says to the both of them. "The food is calling my name rather feverishly." He grins cookedly before moving to head to the food aile, but he stops short as he notes the Guardians Duchess hovering nearby. Hm. Any alternative trails to the food?

"Sorry...sorry." Eddie apologizes as he barely causes a rather large scene. He holds his plate out to Brody and watches how much gets put back, "Can I still try the lamb?"

Mena chuckles a bit as she settles in the seat, placing her plate down to start eating. In between bites, she does speak quietly to her husband.

If Asha's guard symapthizes with Caspian's straights, it's with a wry smile that he cuts off the path beyond the duchess. Luckily, perhaps, Asha doesn't seem to have any nefarious agenda in line. When the new knight turns, she takes a step forward to close the distance toward him, holding out a hand and meeting his eye. "Congratulations, Sir Caspian," she offers, voice firm, sincere. "May you perform your duties with virtue, honor, and courage."

Brody puts about half of the food back on the plate. "You mean to ask 'may I still try the lamb', not 'can I still try the lamb', Page. It's the proper way of speaking," he says, offering the plate to Eddie. "'May' is how you ask permission. The answer is yes, you may. But don't spill any on your uniform, and don't go running in to people. You walk through a room without bumping into everyone, PAge."

Roland is having a good time with the other knights present, sharing drinks and stories, laughter echoing through the Great Hall at regular intervals.

Phaeton grins as he nods his head, "Of course, Caspian. And I'd be happy to cook for you once I have a kitchen again!" He grins as the Knight looks away, chewing his lip a moment, "Hungry, Bella?"

Rourke eyeballs Mena and answers her words softly as he starts eating. He glances towards Asha and stops chewing.

Bella grins at Addison's comment about her brother. "Well, tell him I said hello. Come by sometime, if you like. I'll be home all week," she says. When Phaeton asks if she'd like something to eat, she nods. "Yes, but I'm afraid you'll have to help me fill a plate, Baron."

Addison smiles at Bella and nods, "I will.." She waves to the midwife and turns to look after the new, and apparently hungry knight.

Caspian eyes Asha with a vague dip of his brows, watching her with a distrusting air about him. "You're speaking to me?" he replies, sounding truly as if he believes her words might have been misdirected to some /other/ "Sir Caspian" in the vacinity. It is a common name. Her offered hand is glanced at and allowed to hover by itself for a lonely moment before he dips his head a bit apologetically to her. "I'm afraid I've spilled a bit of ale on my hands, Your Grace. As ever, clumsy me. I was on my way in search of a washpan. But I do thank you."

"Roland!" Gerard calls out next, raising his tankard again in salute as the festivities continue slipping aside to let Cas talk to the others and get some food, "I do believe we owe you a drink, old man." he calls with a crooked grin that offsets his crooked nose.

Eddie sighs a bit at another reprimand, "Yes Sir." He continues to look up to Brody, remarking in slight frustration, "There's so many rules."

Roland grins widely to Gerard. "You owe me a hell of a lot more than that!" he declares with good cheer, holding up his tankard to the First Knight. "But I'll take the drink!"

"I don't mean right now," Mena answers Rourke with amusement just before taking another fork-full of food. "The ceremony was great," she comments once the food is chewed and swallowed.

Brody grins, easygoing. "There are a lot of them, but you'll get them. Look at how good you're doing already." He winks. "Alright, you can go and eat. Stay clean."

Gerard takes a tankard from someone else passing it by and hands on over to Roland, "Ther you go, that should begin to pay off the tab." Clapping the man on the shoulder as he turns to stand by his side and watch the celebrations, "So.. he made it through, you think he can handle the final test? Looks a little scrawny to me, don't think he can handle it."

Asha's lips twist, a brief smile. "Grudges offer handholds for less sincere creatures than I, Sir Caspian," she murmurs in a low voice. "But they're yours to hold. Congratulations all the same." She makes her retreat moving forward, reaching over to try to land a good-natured clap on the new knight's shoulder as she departs, and the guard behind her casts a chiding glance in his direction as he follows.

Eddie nods, "Yes Sir," and then takes his plate and heads off to look for a place to sit and eat without getting into any trouble, or so he hopes.

"All ceremonies only have the value that those who participate give them. This one holds a lot more than most," Rourke answers Mena, but in a distracted fashion, as if he's absorbed watching something else. Which he is.

Mena looks at Rourke, then tries to follow his gaze to see what he is watching so intently. "Mmmm," she agrees to his reply to her as she keeps eating her meal.

Phaeton nods at Bella and smiles, "I am your humble servant." He gives a good natured wink as they move towards the table, the Baron taking a plate as he grins, "What takes your fancy? The cooks in the castle are rather skilled."

Addison makes her way over to the table and begins to dish herself up some food, then turns to wander around a bit and find herself a place to sit.

Bella giggles at Phaeton's comment about being her servant. "Thank you, Excellency," she says, "Oh, I'll leave it to you, I heard you have wonderful taste and quite the culinary skill, yourself."

Roland grins widely toward Gerard. "We shall see! It would be a shame for him to make it this far, then fail the last test." He does take the tankard, having then one in each hand.

Caspian makes a faint chuckling noise in his throat but doesn't answer the Duchess. Instead he allows the situation to dissolves and returns to his merriment, grin returning as he heads for the food, mysteriously not stopping to cleanse his hands. But only after sampling something small, he moves again, trailing addison and poking slightly at her side. "Have you met the other knights? Or anyone else?" he asks.

Addison looks up at Caspian as he joins her and grins, nodding, "I know a few of the other knights, so I said hi to them already. Taking time out from your well wishers to eat something?"

Gerard nurses his ale as he studies the lad moving along the food aisle, following the blonde lass. "Think we should let him eat first, give him a sporting chance?" Gerard ask roland, running his tongue along his teeth, "We ought to take a wager on this one too."

Brody looks after Addison with a certain longing, but instead of approaching her he turns and heads for the Emperor and Empress. He nods to one of the knights keeping guard, trading places with the man.

"He'll need the energy," Roland says with another laugh. "That is for sure. Let the lad eat, I say."

Emperor Rourke barely notices the changing of the guard about him. He looks at Mena. He mutters to Empress Mena, "... wrong with..."

"Momentarily," Caspian says to Addison, helping himself to a sausage from her plate without asking. He grins as he tries to snatch it from her. "It's my celebration so it's my food!" he reminds playfully, oblivious to the conversations of the knights, as the Great Hall is abustle with noise and chatter.

Eddie takes a seat out of the way on the floor though as one knight passes by a little close he asks, "Are you my Dad? You have the same color hair as me!"

Phaeton laughs and shakes his head, "My secret is out." He grins and starts to pick out morsels here and there, a mixture of the fine foods available as he chatters away, "It's a hobby but one I thoroughly enjoy. I may have to steal the kitchen somewhere if too much more time passes, I need to cook!"

Empress Mena's eyebrows draw together at Rourke's question, her gaze returning to him as well. She shakes her head before her voice lowers. She mutters to Emperor Rourke, "I... so,... any... it.... nice... prove that she..."

Addison laughs and pretends like she's going to stab Caspian's hand with her fork, but stops short before actually making contact. "Stealing from me, are you? Are knights supposed to do that?"

Bella walks with Phaeton towards the buffet once more. "Well, I would invite you to use my kitchen, Excellency, but I think I have enough food right now to feed an army. I don't think you could even find the stove, much less use it," she says, grinning. "I think I might have to have a party, just so all the food my neighbors brought me don't spoil."

"Aye perhaps." Gerard says with a stoic face that soon breaks into a grin, "Does look like he's enjoying himself. Who's the litte'en he's pilfering?" he inquires as he watches the antics unfold.

Brody becomes cool and reserved, always watching about alertly while he is on duty. He does not lend ear to the conversation of the Emperor and Empress.

Caspian blinks as he peers as his tankard. What happened to the ale? Either he drank it or spilled it, and considering that his spiffy knew knight's uniform is still as spotless as ever, it's likely that he drank it. And so this next mug is placed down and he readily grabs another frothy one just before pulling back his hand that Addison feigns stabbing. "Wicked," he accuses with a smirk. "And one can't steal what is his," he says as he dangles the sausage before taking a bite. "My party, my food. You should be thankful I'm giving enough to share it with you."

Roland looks over to where Caspian stands near Addison, then looks back to Gerard. "I've no idea. But it looks like he's sure having fun with her."

Emperor Rourke gives a slight frown, but he pauses to dine a bit before he speaks softly. He mutters to Empress Mena, "... rather... to her the... beach."

Mena reaches a hand over to rest it upon Rourke's forearm for a moment as she murmurs quietly to him.

Addison sticks her tongue out at Caspian and turns away from him so he can't steal anymore food off of her plate. "So greedy.. you've got all that food over there if you're /that/ hungry."

Rourke smiles slightly to his wife. "Sure you don't want to come?" he asks her.

Eddie finishes his first plate in short order and is soon on his feet heading for the buffet table again. He does look back over his shoulder at Sir Brody before he starts to fill his plate, much more conservative than the first trip to the table.

Phaeton grins at that, "Well, you are well appreciated in the village. Tell me, have you taken any consideration into futhering your Healing studies? I'm sure the University would be more than happy to have you enroll for a few days a week. You've certainly got the knack and experience!" He hands her holds out the plate before glancing at the couple on their thrones, offering a wink to each and a nod of his head in the distance.

Brody notes Eddie's eating in the most distant of senses. On duty right now, his solitary concern is clearly the imperial couple.

Mena shakes her head. "Not unless you wish it of me," she answers him, reaching for her tankard to take a sip. "It is likely better if I stay. And I have something I need to see to as well." She glances at Brody on duty behind the pair, her lips twisting into a slight smirk.

Bella blushes a bit as Phaeton compliments her. "Well, I've thought about it, Baron. But, with working 14 hours a day, I don't have much time for studying," she says. She notices his look to the royal couple, and says to him, "Should we go pay our respects?" She notes Brody standing near the Emperor and Empress, but quickly looks away from him.

Caspian looks to the food table and nods in agreement with Addison. "True, but if you haven't noticed, it's way over there and you're conventiently near. So, as I am a person of opportunity.." He takes another bite of sausage and chews smugly, thoroughly enjoying his party.

"He Might end up giving Brody a run for his money as far as charm goes." Gerard muses with Roland as he continues to people watch, "Though the women round here do appear to enjoy the 'bad boy' quality, he might be a little too squeaky clean to be any real competition. We'll have to be sure to keep his attention on the right sword."

Phaeton chews his lip for a moment, "Um. Yes, we should." He chuckles then, "Take a few hours less, then. You aren't the >only< healer, and the people will benefit more if you expanded your training, and I'm sure they'd appreciate it if you gained full Healer accreditation." He stares at Brody for a moment, slightly distracted before shaking his head, "We can do so in a short while."

Addison laughs and nods, "True.. well you've taken my sausage. Keep your sticky fingers to yourself now or you'll feel the wrath of my fork." She waves it about in a not-so-menacing fashion, grins and then starts to eat.

Rosaline slips into the great hall without any fanfare, pausing once inside to tip her head back and take a long look around the space. A cheerful smile curves her lips, curious.

"Now I'm too old for that whole mess," Roland says with a laugh to Gerard. "I'm done teaching those lessons."

Bella seems a bit relieved when Phaeton says they can pay their respects to the royal couple later. "Shall we find a seat, then?" she says, "And I will think about it, seriously, Baron. I do want to be able to help my patients as much as I can."

Caspian makes a less than terrified face at Addison before sitting and enjoying the rest of his morsel, looking conent. "I /am/ happy that you came, in all honesty," he offers with a sidelong look to her. "I wasn't expecting all of this." He gestures towards the band and food, drink, and many faces. "But that doesn't make me unhappy for it."

Brody remains stoic-featured when the Empress looks at him.

Rourke makes an aaahing sound. "Very well. He'll go with me, then." He rises and takes his tankard in hand, then calls out with a voice that's used to projecting. "A toast! A toast, all, to the knighthood of this Empire. Your courage, discipline, and loyalty are a prize beyond measure!" He lifts his tankard high and turns in a slow circle, nodding to the knights about the room.

"To His Majesty's Knights!" Mena calls out, lifting her tankard as well with a bright smile, looking toward the various knights as well.

Rosaline snags a glass just in time for a toast! Apparently the young woman has no objections to drinking to the knighthood of the Empire, for she raises her glass and takes a sip. It's only proper, after all. A glance at a few of said knights brings an approving smile, as well.

"Hear hear!" come up many calls from the jovial crowd and tankards are lifted.

"The Keeper!" Gerard raises his voice to the toast and his tankard, quick to join in and quick to take a good couple gulps of the ale to seal it.

A cheer arises from the knights gathered tonight, many joining in with Gerard's counter-toast to the Keeper.

Addison smiles at Caspian, "Of course you're happy I came.. who wouldn't be?" She teases, then goes quiet and turns to listen to the toast, raising her own drink once it's completed.

Roland lifts one of his tankards to the toasting, then guzzles the rest of it down. "Huzzah!"

Eddie walks back to where he was sitting and goes back to eating, a various group of choices to sample from the table. He does grin at the toast and stops eating long enough to clap, "Yay to the really big Sir Caspian!!!"

Bella has a plate in her only good hand, so she can't participate in the toast at the moment.

Caspian snickers but Addison's saved a remark by the toast. He lifts up his mug high and cheers along with the others, laughing as he hears Eddie's shout.

Rourke laughs and throws up a hand. "Stubborn, stubborn, the lot of you!" he declares, grinning. "Try not to torment your new brother too much tonight." Even though he knows they will. Last, he looks at Caspian. He taps a fist to his heart and nods to the man, before resuming his seat.

Phaeton holds up a chicken leg and grins, joining in the toast before returning to the food.

Emperor Rourke reaches for his wife's hand and lifts it to his lips. He mutters to Empress Mena, "... your task,... mine. Give... and..."

Caspian grins at the Emperor and gives a look to the brothers of the knighthood, one that almost dares them to try something. And if he knows these men, which he does rather well, he'll know better than to sleep too deeply tonight! He looks back at his companion now, Addison, and stands up, having finished his sausage a little while before. "Come, she who thinks so highly of herself. Dance with me, will you? The band's playing and I don't want to offend them!"

Mena takes a slow drink from her tankard of ale, then smiles at the Emperor as he sits back down and takes her hand to kiss. "Of course, Your Majesty," she replies to him. "I shall see you later."

The music is indeed playing, and tonight all of it is merry and fast-paced. Later in the evening, it will get funnier as those who have imbibed considerably try their footwork.

Rourke sets his tray aside and rises, heading for the door with purposeful steps.

Gerard gives Roland a 'subtle' little nudge as Caspian begins to preoccupy himself with Addison in the search of a dance, "Now's a good time to get things ready, I reckon. Give the lad that final moment's enjoyment."

Roland nods his agreement with Gerard. "Then let's do it. I'll get the ale. Oh! I already have one!" he declares, holding up his tankard as he laughs with much mirth. There's a lot of drinking going on with these knights not on duty.

Mena watches the Emperor take his leave, and the knights that follow him before her gaze meanders over the crowd, still picking a bit at the food on the plate before her.

After her sip of wine, Rosaline apparently decides that a bit to eat wouldn't go amiss. Still watching the people gathered in the hall, and grinning cheerfully, she makes her way toward the food to gather a plateful.

Addison laughs and puts her food aside, holding her hand out and nodding, "I suppose so, he who likes to give never ending grief to poor innocent girls." She gets up and looks towards the dance floor, "Just don't step on my toes with your gigantic feet. You'll crush them to dust."

"One down.. just a few more to go." Gerard says as he moves over to the buffet table to clear a space, grabbing another tankard on the way as he starts to line them up, "You know what I find particularly cruel..?" Gerard begins to say, lowering his voice for Roland.

Bella puts her plate on a table, so she can use her hand to pick up the food, either with her hand or a fork, depending on the item. She smiles at Phaeton, and seems to relax more as the emperor, knight, and page leave. "So what have you been doing, Baron? Anything exciting?" she asks.

Gerard mutters to Roland, "A... how... slurring, repeating himself or... and... else"

Roland lets out a laugh and nods. "A fine plan. A fine plan, indeed!" he exclaims, grabbing another ale with his free hand while drinking from the tankard he already had.

Phaeton watches the Keeper leave, eyes following the Knights as they leave with him before looking back, "Oh, not really, just business mostly, although I'm accompanying my brother on a trip in a little while." He smiles, "Shall we go and say hello to my sister?"

Caspian lifts a brow. "..Grief?" He empties his tankard and sets it down after helping her up. "You should feel honored that I've asked! Y'know I could've asked smoeone else to dance with me, someone who is far nicer to me than you," he teases as he pulls her nearer to the band that plays foot-tapping music, glancing up to the Imperial seats afterwards, noting only the Empress is left. "And now that I think've it, I owe some dances .. so you should feel particularly enthralled!"

Bella picks up a napkin, wiping her mouth and her hand, before setting it down on her plate. "Well, I hope it isn't anything dangerous, Baron, and that you won't be gone too long. I heard several young ladies on Gateway are waiting to go out to dinner with you," she says, grinning at him. "And yes, we should say hello to Her Majesty."

Gerard continues to line up the tankards as they're grabbed, "Eddie, you about? get me an Ale." Putting the boy to work, even when there is a row of at least five in front of him. Glancing over his shoulder at Caspian and Addison and lowering his voice once more.

Mena also reaches for a napkin to wipe her hands and mouth as gracefully as one can, then pushes her plate away from her a couple of inches. It isn't soon after that a servant is along to pick it up from her, which garners a thanks from the Empress.

Addison giggles and takes a step away from Caspian, making a broad gesture around the room, "So ask someone else.. it'll spare my toes the abuse." She folds her arms over her chest and grins.

Phaeton gives a slight chuckle and rolls his eyes, "Yes, my sister-in-law apparently has plans for me. How marvelous." His tone is droll though his eyes sparkle as he offers his arm once more, "Let's do then."

Gerard mutters to Roland, "... don't... the whole... goat... or wench... then... what... to... so... Right?"

Bella giggles a bit, accepting Phaeton's arm, as they make their way to where the Empress sits.

"What?" Roland asks, than laughs even louder. "He said /what/?"

Mena glances toward Addison and Caspain, a small smile forming as she watches them in the moments before she notes the approach of Bella and Phaeton. "Good evening," she says, her smile spreading pleasantly to the both of them. "It is good to see you."

Caspian laughs loudly. "Don't tempt me!" says the new knight with a grin as he shimmies backward from her. It takes some skill to dance with a sword on your hip and a shield on your back, too! "I know you want to dance with me. Don't deny yourself the pleasure. Besides I dno't think envy would be a very suiting look on you, which is how'll you'll be lookin' if I sought another partner," he feels as if he needs to explain, all with a grin.

Eddie finishes his second plate and then goes back for yet another plate of food, "This is so good! I really like all this food!"

"You don't wanna know brother.. couldn't believe it myself." Gerard says with a ruefull chuckle, adding a couple more tankards to the nice little line, so neat and orderly.

Phaeton gives a nod and a grin towards the Empress, "Evening, Mena! Lovely ceremony, it's good to see Caspian coming along so well, good lad there." He chuckles and tilts his head to one side, "Bella was good enough to accompany me, and I thought she might enjoy an evening out. Everything alright with you?"

Bella does her best to curtsey to the Empress. "Good evening, Your Majesty," she says, in a soft tone. "I hope you are doing well." She straightens up, standing next to Phaeton, to whom she gives a warm smile at his words. "Your brother was kind enough to get me out of my house, and invite me to the ceremony. It was quite interesting."

Addison laughs and lets her arms fall back to her side, holding her hand out to Caspian as if it takes a great deal of effort, "Fine, fine.. I'll let you dance with me this once. But don't go thinking that it'll be a regular thing."

"Quite well," Mena first answers Phaeton. "A grand celebration for a deserving man, indeed," she agrees with her brother. To Annabella, she nods slowly. "It was fascinating, wasn't it? And I am very glad to see you, as I have been wanting to come and speak with you, but have not been able to coordinate the time well. I do hope you will forgive me, but I did not wish to answer you in writing."

"I don't think that Duchess Green Fields would be too happy if we tied up a naked goat!" Roland decides, laughing still. You know how you have a bit to drink and you don't realize how loud you're talking? Yeah. That's Roland.

As a final course, Eddie eats a couple of small cake bits and hten grins, "That was really /good/!!" He then grins as he turns around to figure out what to do next, "One day I'm going to get knighted too! I'll be Sir Eddie!"

Caspian looks smug as Addison agrees to dance. "It'll be your pleasure," he retorts as he moves to stand opposite of her, bowing with just a /bit/ of wobblyness seen in the usually crisp gesture. But what's this about naked goats? He scans the crowd, eeeying Roland. "Since when have goats worn clothes, good sir!" he calls to him, cupping his mouth so that he can be heard, laughing soon after. Spirits up, he takes Addison's hand, bows again, and dances in the good ol' medieval way!

Phaeton blinks as he peers over his shoulder at Roland before snickering, "Sounds like a few celebrations on the Fields." He looks back and smiles lightly, leaning back slightly, letting the conversation continue.

Bella lowers her gaze, biting on her lower lip slightly, as she nods in response to the Empress. "I understand, Your Majesty," she says. "I am available to speak with you at your convenience, of course." She raises her gaze, glancing over to Phaeton for a moment. She seems to have clasped her hand on his upper arm again, and doesn't look like she want to let go.

"Aye." Gerard agrees with Phaeton, giving a Rolan another clap on the arm at his loud voice as he hollers back to Caspian, "Would that be the voice of experience, Brother?" snagging another Ale, nine all in a pretty little line. "One more.." he murmurs.

"It'll be /your/ pleasure you mean," Addison says playfully, looking Roland's way and giggling. She follows Caspian around the floor, dancing passingly well and laughing quite a lot, trying not to trod on the new knights toes too much. Can't give him something else to tease her about.

Roland lifts his tankard in the air toward Caspian. "To naked goats!" What? Sure, it makes no sense, but it gives him more reason to drink up more ale.

Mena tilts her head as she speaks with Annabella. "And what about this evening? Might we put aside a bit of time, since you are already here?"

"To naked goats!" .. Knights are weird. Caspian sends up the cheer in response to Roland but his attention soon returns to Addison, just /waiting/ for her to step on his foot. But she doesn't, much to his dismay. "You've surprised me! Maybe I'll have to stop teasing you so much," he says, sounding as he has no intention of doing so at all as he pauses to spin her round and round.

Bella nods her head as the Empress addresses her. "Of course, Your Majesty. Would you mind if the Baron joined us?" she asks, still holding onto his arm. Maybe she wants him there for moral support?

"Goats!" Gerard calls in time seizing the last tankard and placing it down before clapping and dusting off his hands, "It is then." smug is the smile that paints his lips, turning back to the dance floor. "Speech!" he calls out next, beckoning for the new-Knight to come join them.

Eddie looks over at the talk of goats and calls out, "Sir Gerard, your horse did have the runs this morning!"

Phaeton chuckles softly and grins, "I can stay or go, whichever is preferred." He laughs at the call for a toast and shakes his head, "I think it's going to be a long night for some here!" He lays a hand on Bella's and squeezes lightly, "If the discussion is what I suspect, I'm sure Mena knows me well enough to know my..reactions and opinions." And for just a moment his eyes are rather more like Phinaes' story ones that his own good-natured ones.

Mena glances toward Phaeton for a moment, then shakes her head. "It is quite alright if you stay, Excellency," she says to Phaeton with a smile, then pushes to her feet slowly. "Perhaps we can just step out to the courtyard? It is a lovely evening," she invites.

Rosaline finds herself a seat where she can watch the celebration as she eats, bright and curious. One foot taps to the beat of the music.

"Speech!" Roland echoes, holding that tankard up again toward Caspian.

Bella gives Phaeton a warm smile, then nods to the Empress. "As you wish, Your Majesty," she says, and waits for the Empress to lead the way.

Rourke slips back into the Great Hall, though he lingers near the door. He says something quiet to the knights with him.

Mena takes a step back away from the table and turns to take her leave of the room with Phaeton and Bella. Though, as Rourke comes back in, she does stop long enough to curtsey deeply in his direction before pressing on.

Caspian blinks and shields his eyes to look over at Gerard and Roland, as if looking over a very great distance on a very sunny day. Speech? It's likely the amount of ale that he's ingested that has him so keen to the idea, and with his dance with Addison coming to an abrupt end he turns to her and bows lowly, his wobbly a little more apparently. "I'm being beckoned," h says with a loose grin. "So you want a speech, sir knights?" said loudly, "I haven't come here to disappoint!"

Brody enters as the guard of the emperor. He nods slightly to quiet words from Rourke.

A cheerful shout goes up from many of the knights at Caspian's announcement.

Phaeton follows behind, Annabella on his arm, nodding his head with a smile to the Keeper as they pass, glancing back towards Caspian with a soft grin, "That lad is going to feel like the Abyss tomorrow. Maybe I'll drop off a hangover cure instead."

Addison takes a step back from the new knight and curtsies to him, grinning as she makes a gesture as if to encourage him on to making his speech. Perhaps hoping for more material to tease him with?

Gerard takes a step aside as Caspian arrives, making sure the lad takes the tankard passed to him. "Aye, ten years of training can't go by without saying a few words.." Gerard says, sure to clap the lad on the shoulder.

Two of the on-duty and quite sober knights follow the Empress as she leaves the hall with Annabella and Phaeton.

You enter the Great Hall.

"I would," Rourke agrees with a tip of his head. "And you-- oh mercy, he's definitely going to spew all over the place shortly-- you are someone I am not previously acquainted with. Since you have the advantage of me, will you tell me who you are?"

With two knights behind her still, Mena slips back into the hall, glancing about slowly.

Caspian blinks. Fried eggs. Bacon. Saug- Ugh. He makes a vague wretching sound, though thankfully it's not accompanied by the solidy-liquidy substance that usually accompanies it. "Five?" He peeeeers at Gerard and the tankards with a sick look, swaying again before looking out at the people. "Addison!" called to the quiet citizen. "Should I drink 'nother? Huh? Y'tell me an' I will or won't. I heard the cock crow. That's the signal. BUt if you.. if I'm to ..." My he's looking vaguely green around the gills suddenly.

Brody follows the Emperor as he moves to a new seat. He is still waging the war of keeping his features neutral.

"Nonono," Roland says, waving his hand. It is the hand with the tankard in it, so some ale does sploosh out. "You can't be letting a /lass/ decide your fate! Drink up, lad! You're a knight!"

Rosaline rises, curtseying in a fashion that must have been picked up in Pais de Leuvrier before reclaiming her seat. "Rosaline McClain, your majesty," she introduces herself, smile flashing again. "Of the shipping McClains, from Vistyr." If the smile grows more subdued, it doesn't last long as she looks back to Caspian. "This is a fascinating custom," she adds.

Addison looks surprised for a moment as suddenly the decision on whether the new knight drinks more is put on her, but soon a devious little grin develops and she rises to move closer to him. "You know, it's hard to tell if someone is drunk just by looking at them." It's really not, but he's drunk so maybe he'll accept it. "Maybe I should do a little test first?" She loosk to Roland and grins, shrugging, "Of course, if the other knights feel like they should decide for you instead.. I don't want to step on tradition."

Mena's gaze does, of course, find the drunken bunch of knights to the side of the room, leaning against a table to watch them with a serious expression starting to melt into something more amused. She does grab a drink for herself as another tray passes by.

"By providence, the lad is whipped already, letting a woman rule his life" Gerard baits Caspian though his grin grows in mischief at the mention of a test, "Aye, test then more ale!" liking the way this is turning.

"Bu' then don' you know that when it happens, Sir Roland, it's gonna be feckin' spectacular?" Only Caspian probably has any idea what he /meant/ to say. What came out if his mouth probably wasn't it. He blinks rapidly at him, then at Addison as she moves up. The tankard is taken from Roland suddenly at Gerard's goading. "I. AM. NOT!" he says loudly to make sure that everyone can hear him, which isn't really necessary as he's talking pretty loudly already. He lifts his mug high. "Stand back! /SIR/ Casipan Finwick is takin'.. takin'... drinks!"

"Ah. Miss McClain. My wife mentioned that she had met you. Welcome to Gateway, and allow me to say that I am glad you ended up here rather than in more dire circumstances," Rourke says gently. He looks over at the newly minted and quite skunked knight, chuckling. "Fascinating is one word for it. But he's had a hard week, so it's only appropriate that it ends with a drunk to outdo all drunks of his life, past and future." He shakes his head. "Sometimes, I think the knighthood is cruel."

"To Sir Finwick!" Roland calls out with yet another toast. He's toast-guy! "Helluva somethin...."

"Life is cruel," Rosaline laughs in response to Rourke, smile wry. "But we enjoy bits and pieces of it anyhow. Would you like to wager on whether or not he can finish this next drink?" she asks with an entirely too innocent grin.

Addison cracks up as Caspian takes his next drink, playfully bowing to the new knight with a little florish before she turns to make her way back to her seat.

Rourke lifts a hand to wave to Addison as she starts heading to a seat.

Mena lets out a laugh of her own as she watches the knights from across the room, looking at the whole bunch of them with affection.

"Finwick! Spectacular!" Gerard toasts, getting rather bleary eyed himself as the ale continues to flow like water past their lips, "Hang on.. Brother Roland.. was that really a speech.. I mean, he talked, kinda, but.. was it a speech. Do over?"

Eddie just wrinkles his nose a bit to ask, "Do you always have to do all that talking after you're knighted?" He walks back to the food table to snatch another little piece of cake.

"No," Roland says, shaking his head more sloppily than he normally might. "I didn't undershtand a word of it," he slurs slightly, then looks over his shoulder. "What?"

Rourke looks at Rosaline in surprise, a grin spreading. "I can't. Either way I gamble, I'll feel bad for the squire. Perhaps you'll be able to persuade Miss Brandivere to take a bet wtih you?" He gestures toward Addison.

He'll show them. Caspian makes a show of swelling his chest a little, making sure that everyone sees that he's going to take this drink. And once he's sure that he has the attention of the majority, he tilts his head back and swallows down a whole three mouthfulls before a lot of things start happening at once. His stomach flips over, protesting the ale that's filling his already ale-filled belly. His head does a dizzying spin, and as he leans forward, pulling the tankward away, he wretches again, this time with all the lovely results of actual ale-colored and .. mostly ale vomit.

Addison smiles at Rourke brightly and curtsies at him politely, then moves to a nearby seat. And boy is Addison suddenly glad she moved when she did, her slippers thankfully vomit free.

"Ah, too late now," Rosaline sighs with a gesture as Caspian loses all bets. And his ale. "On the up side, he's going to feel much better in the morning," she notes cheerfully, looking over to Addison with a swift smile. "Miss Brandivere," she nods in greeting.

Roland laughs and laughs as Caspian hurls. Isn't it nice to be a part of the brotherhood? He pauses in his laughter only to crow again.

Mena winces as Caspian starts to lose all that ale, looking away after the initial eruption. Instead, she glances at Rourke and gives him an easy grin.

Rourke screws up his features and gives a dramatic, "Ooooo," as the tally is forever set at four ales and three sips for Caspian Fernwick at his knighting. "Well, good thing I'm done eating. And yes, he'll feel better. I presume you know Miss McClain already, Miss Brandivere?" Rourke glances about and, seeing his wife, holds a hand toward her in invitation.

Gerard hops out of the way, hoping not to get any on his boots and grimacing as he pants catch some of the splatter. "Page! mucket and bop!" calling the nearest page to spew duty, "Need a drink to clear the taste in your mouth, Caspian?" he offers oh so helpfully..

Caspian stays bent over for a little after the lovely flow of stomach-things ceases (oh look, sausage bits), and after a moment he wipes at his mouth and peers at his uniform. He beams soon after, looking brightly at the crowing Roland. "You're an /ass/ but I didn' spoil my uniform!" he says, sounding as if he's just accomplished something grand. To Gerard he wrinkles his nose and wipes his mouth again. "V'ry funny."

Eddie's face screws up in disgust at the sound of the spew hitting first and then the smell, "GROSS!!!!" He ducks behind the nearest chair to make sure he's not the first page that's spotted after that one. It's really amazing how many pages may disappear in this moment.

Roland steps up behind Caspian and makes to slap him on the back in a drunken fashion. "No cleanin' boots anymore for you! PAGE!" he calls out. "Clean this mess up! And get my boots!" he calls, then laughs some more.

Addison makes a face at the splattering sound and turns to look at Rourke and Rosaline, shaking her head, "I don't think we have met, no." She smiles at Rosaline brightly and says, "I'm Addison Brandivere.. though I think you already knew that last part."

Mena chuckles as she walks over to where Rourke sits, taking his hand with hers when she is close enough. "This is some party your knights have going."

"His majesty mentioned it," Rosaline admits with a broad grin. "And I'm Rosaline McClain, of McClain shipping and trade," she introduces herself to Addison in return. "A pleasure to meet you." As Mena arrives, she stands to curtsey once more before taking her seat again. "Your majesty," she greets, then looks back to the knights. "They do look to be having fun."

Get boots. Get boots. That's something that Eddie can do and is even willing to do! He rushes around, hoping some other page gets pegged with spew duty while he looks for boots. Were they tossed aside?

Roland really meant /clean/ his boots, as they are clearly still upon his feet. And he'll forget he even said it in a minute.

Caspian grins and rocks forward a little as he's clapped on the back by Roland, and the knight is crookedly grinned at. "You set me up, you bloody...goat. The both've ya!" he says as he points to Gerard too.

Mena inclines her head to Rosaline. "Miss McClain," she greets with a smile. "It is good to see you again." Addison is graced with a smile as well. "And Good evening to you as well."

Addison rises at the approach of the Empress and curtsies to her respectfully, followed by a bright smile, of course. "Good evening, your majesty." She looks back to Rosaline then and smiles, saying, "It's very nice to meet you as well, Miss McClain."

"Bloody brilliant, thish guy is," Roland says to Gerard with a silly sort of grin, thumbing toward Caspian.

Rourke tugs Mena's hand to his lips for a fast kiss. "The knights are having a fabulous time. It's quite a cause for celebration and torture, apparently, when one enters their ranks." He looksa bout. "So everyone now knows everyone here?"

Eddie just doesn't even look towards the fact that boots may actually be on someone's feet, and looking for them is a perfect excuse for how he was far too busy to clean up spew! How nice to see at least one page running around looking like the proverbial chicken without his head.

"I don't believe we have met," Mena says, looking again to Addison and offering her hand in greeting. "It is very nice to meet you, Miss Brandivere, was it?"

Brody's eyes track after Eddie for a moment. He'll remember this in the morning.

"I'd lay money that one will be next," Rosaline decides, pointing to Roland, though her grin remains. "I do hope you have enough sober knights to get the drunk ones home, your majesty," she chuckles, tearing her attention from the drama of drinking knights and back to the table.

"Shut up!" laughs Caspian as he gives Roland a playful shrug. It's great how wonderful one feels /after/ vomiting. It's such a grand cure! "C'mon Ed, hurry it up! No one wants t'look at this. I'd clean it m'self but.." he plucks at his clothes. "I'm in uniform." Beam.

"I don't think we have either," Addison says as she stretches out a hand to take Mena's and shake it gently, "It's a pleasure to meet you, your Majesty."

"Alright," Roland says, chuckling and waving a hand toward Caspian. "You're free to go cavortin' with yer lady friend. Maybe I'll go find a woman friend of my own!"

"Ah. Mena, this is Miss Addison Brandivere, of Mists. Her brother Fairfax is also here, both guests of one of the Master Mages here. Miss Addison, my wife is Empress Philomena Caprios, but I suspect you knew that." Rourke does a bit of introduction, while also watching the knightly display with a rueful grin.

"I hope you are having an enjoyable time?" Mena asks, then chuckles softly. "It is quite entertaining, in my opinion. Almost reminds me of a bonfire on the Fields."

Eddie groans as his name is the one called out to clean up the mess. He runs off for the staff wing to get a bucket and a mop. He does not look happy upon return, but imagine how much he ate /before/ being tasked with cleaning this one up.

Addison grins at Rourke, "I had guessed, though it's good to have that guess confirmed." She looks back to Mena and smiles brightly, nodding, "Yes, I'm having a wonderful time. I've never really been to a party quite like this."

"It is not often that the knights get together quite like /this/," Mena says, grinning as she looks back to the men partying. "But they deserve it, and very much so."

Rourke comments toward Rosaline, "It's fortunate that the knights live quite close, really. I'd not want to have to deal with this lot. Soon they'll move down to their own area for festivity."

Caspian blinks slowly as he realizes something as he watches Ed. "I jus' gave m'first order.." And it was /followed!/ Caspian's going to get used to this nicely. He laughs suddenly and looks at Roland, then to Addison, ears reddening. "Oy, she's near th'Empress'n'Keeper. An' I just /vomited/. Thanks for ruinin' it all for me!" he says, though he doesn't sound cross at all. In fact, he laughs as he says it.

Rosaline presses her lips together against a laugh at Caspian's loud dismay, looking sympathetically to Addison. "If you're the sort to worry about your virtue, Miss Brandivere, I do think you have little enough to fear this evening," she murmurs, winking.

"Aye, we'll nab you later lad. Sorry about the brewers droop with that much ale in ya." Gerard can't resist the taunt, "Now.. if you'll be excusing me, quenching that much of a thirst I got to go take care of.. things." tugging on his belt for a moment and offering a wobbly bow to the emperor and empress, "Evenin' Majesties."

"So what?" Roland asks, swaying a bit himself and losing a bit of balance. But he does catch himself before he falls over. "They won't care!"

Eddie looks at the vomit and lifts the mop by the very back of the handle, trying to push it towards the grossness while still keeping far enough away not to get scent of it. He does gag a little bit already.

"Good night, Sir Gerard!" Mena calls over, giving the First Knight a cheerful wave.

Rourke gives a warm nod toward Gerard. "Good eve, Sir Gerard, and I hope you don't regret this too much in the morning." He chuckles more at Rosaline's quip to Addison.

Addison laughs at Rosaline and shakes her head, "It's not like that.. really." A glance is sent back to Caspian, "We're just friends. But yes, I think I'd be safe either way."

Caspian throws Gerard a dirty look that's ruined by a grin. "G'bye, Sir," said to the First Knight, waving at him before he looks back to Roland. They won't care? Well! That seems enough for Caspian because he soon strides up to the royal couple and their lady companions. But once he's there, it looks like he's completely forgotten why he came up to them. He blinks blankly, then grins slowly. "Your Majesties," a bow, "Ladies," another bow in which he stumbles a little. "I do." ?? "Are you enjoyin' y'selves?"

Roland turns toward the other knights still around, not quite ready to call it a night himself.

"Quite, thank you," Rosaline replies equably to Caspian, smile bright. "And congratulations, Sir Caspian," she adds with sincerity, as if she wasn't a complete stranger.

Mena presses her lips together, amusement still glittering in her eyes as she inclines her head to Caspian. "Quite so, Sir Caspian, thank you. And we are very glad to see you enjoy yourself. You have certainly earned it."

Rourke's grin is broad and warm for the ex-squire, now knight. "There are few occasions I enjoy more than a knighting, I will say. Have you met Miss Rosaline McClain here, of Vistyr? Don't worry, I suspect you won't remember the name."

Eddie finally starts to lose it in the bucket himself, heave-ho! Splat splat splat.

Brody beckons to another knight and hands the man something. That man goes to Eddie and proffers a kerchief. "Here, Page. Wrap this around yo..nevermind."

"Why thank y'," says Caspian with a bright smile to Rosaline. "I meant t'ask you your name. You're th'only one here I don' know, and we can't have that, can we? S'party. We're all to be friendly with each other and dance an'...drink." He laughs at the word and smiles at the Empress. "Thank you, Your Majesty! Have you had ad rink? Y'should. Jus' don't do as much as Me.." he advises in a stage whisper that he's /sure/ no one but the Empress can hear. "Oh, thank you Your Highness!" said to The Emperor. "Miss Rosaline McClaine. May I call you Miss Rose?" Which he still probably won't remember.

Rourke leans toward Mena, "Now I know he's drunk. He called me Highness." His shoulders shake with suppressed laughter.

Eddie groans into the bucket as he holds his stomach, his pained gaze turning up to Brody at the offer of the hanky, "This is smelly gross."

Mena chuckles a bit and nods toward Rourke. "At least he's not likely to remember it." She does nod to Caspian, her mood absolutely affected by the revelry around. "I have had a drink, thank you, Sir Caspian. I shall heed your warnings."

"Why, you most certainly may," Rosaline grins to Caspian. A wicked gleam in her eyes warns of less pleasant humor, but she tempers it. "I'd ask you to dance, Sir Caspian, but I fear we might run into scurrying pages," she says somberly. "I shall have to keep a record of the debt for another time."

Addison looks to Caspian with an amused smile, watching the new knight babble away, moving to her seat again and reclaiming it.

It's actually another man offering the hanky. Brody's on duty. He says, "Wrap this about your nose. It's got some woman's perfume on it."

Eddie takes the hanky and puts it over his nose as he walks off to get another bucket with fresh water. Ew ew ew ew!

"As you should," says Caspian to Mena, unaware of poor Eddie's predicament. To Rosaline he tilts his head and glances to those pages and the band that still plays merrily away despite it all. "They'll move," he says carelessly before looking to Addison and smirking. "Look. /She'd/ ask to dance with me. Addison doesn' think much've my dancing. Sh'makes fun've my feet."

Rourke reclines back in his seat a bit, mellow and relaxed. "Everything seemed to turn out rather well, didn't it?" he asks those around him, sort of a byline in the normal conversation.

"It really did," Mena says, finally settling into a chair next to the Keeper. "Did you eat?"

"Some. A fortunate thing, because I'm not going to eat -now-," Rourke says emphatically, chuckling all the while.

Eddie does return with a fresh bucket and mops up the mess, managing much better with a cloth over his face.

Addison grins at Caspian, "Did I hurt your feelings? I'm sorry I made fun of your exceedingly large feet on your special day. I'll save all my other taunts for tomorrow."

"I'm sure Addison was only trying to be kind and let other women have the honor of..." Rosaline trails off, glancing under the table, then back up. "Your feet," she deadpans, though a smile flickers at one corner of her lips. It breaks into a laugh at Addison's comments. "Or perhaps she wanted to keep you to herself."

Mena chuckles again. Perhaps to Rourke, or overhearing the other conversation so nearby. "I am glad the evening is ending on a joyful note."

Rourke looks over at his wife. "Dance with me," he says to her, eyes on her features. He rises and holds his hand to her. "Pardon us, Sir Caspian, Misses Brandivere and McClain."

Eddie cleans up as quickly possible, bows and then drags his mop and bucket away, likely not to return after that mess! Ew ew ew ew.

"All've your taunts are weak. My feelings aren't hurt easy," gloats Caspian with a smug look. "An' you'll be lucky if y'see me tomorrow. I'm knighted, remember? 've got large respon....sibility. -ties." He grins at them then looks to the Emperor and Empress, bowing to them. "Of course your Majesty."

Mena blinks up at Rourke, then grins. "Are you sure?" she asks him, even as she takes his hands and gets to her feet to join him. She gives a tip of her head to the other three nearby.

Addison rises to curtsy to the Emperor and Empress, smiling at them both, "Of course.. Have fun! Watch out for her toes." She grins and looks to Caspian, moving over to him and attempting to poke his side, though hopefully not hard enough to knock the new knight over.

Rosaline rises to curtsey to the departing royalty, smile easy, before looking back to Caspian and Addison. "I think the knight would like to dance, Miss Brandivere," she suggests, winking to the other woman.

Rourke admonishes his wife lightly, "When the Emperor asks you to dance, you never say to him, 'are you sure'." He tugs her toward where the musicians play and then draws her into his arms.

Caspian watches after the royal pair for a while, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Or maybe he's just dazing off, which ... is highly likely. He's brought out of his daydream by that poke that doesn't make him topple, but does cause him to jerk to the side. He smirks at her, then looks to Rosaline. "If the knight would like to dance, the knight would ask to dance," he says with a lifted chin.

Brody takes up a new position near the dancing guests so that he can continue to watch the Emperor closely. He's on duty and alert for the rest of the night. (but signing off now)

"So very sorry, Sire," Mena answers her husband, her smile remaining as she settles into a dancing position within the Keeper's arms. "It has just been so disastrous for us in the past. But I am always happy to dance with the Emperor."

"Every bad run has to be broken sometime," Rourke says with a smirk. He listens to the music for a moment before sweeping Mena along to the beat. "Lucky man, that Emperor, if you are always happy to dance with him."

Roland still is hanging about with the other knights that linger. But he has stopped drinking and looks to be starting to wind down.

Addison nods soberly to Rosaline, "Yes, yes, when a knight wants to dance, he asks to.. of course, this knight is way too drunk to dance, or probably even ask anyone to dance, so we'll have to forgive him for it."

Mena follows Rourke's lead in the dance with ease, chuckling quietly. "Lucky man, that Emperor, indeed," she declares with good humor. "But his wife has it rather fine, too."

"Drunk?" Rosaline looks to Caspian, smile wry. "Bah, I say! That's a perfectly healthy, if not exactly perfectly sober, young man. But the circles might be too much," she allows sympathetically to Addison.

"You think so? I heard that his wife's this total shrew who tries to beat him with an old broom wheneve rhe dares to defy her," Rourke lilts as his feet move with the music.

"I heard that too!" Mena declares with a laugh, continuing to dance with the Keeper. "He should throw her to the currents. Or perhaps he likes to be beaten with that old broom?"

"Thank you," says Caspian with a lopsided smile to Rosaline. "See? I'm not drunk," he says vert Slowly to Addison as he claims a seat near. "Miss Rose says so, and thus .. it has t'be true." Or something. "And I /could/ dance a circle," he claims as he leans back in his chair, looking smug.

Rourke gives an amused snort while he draws Mena closer for a few tight circles. "You know, it's hard to tell. People tend to have some alternative tastes around here."

"Circles are easy," Addison says as she retakes her chair, grinning first at Rosaline and then Caspian, "If you want to prove you're not drunk, go out there and dance squares."

"Mmm, now that sounds like a challenge to me," Rosaline grins, sitting down and leaning back in her own chair. "Certainly you're not going to be outfaced on this, the night of your knighting!"

It is quite obvious that Mena is very much enjoying the dancing, a laugh escaping as the tighter circles are performed. "That is quite true," she agrees with Rourke. "Perhaps there is something in the water here."

And Roland, with two of the other knights, stumbles out of the hall and heads.. who knows where else.

Rourke pauses in the dance as a knight approaches and clears his throat. He sighs quietly and casts a rueful smile at Mena. "Forgive me," he murmurs, kissing her hand before he steps over to hear the business.

Mena's chuckle is wry as the Emperor steps away, taking the moment to look around and see who is left at the party.

"I've already..done a challenge!" says Caspian with a brisk wave of his hand. "Hell. S'my knighting. Can do what I want or not want," he says, sounding confident, and he soon moves to grasp a mug of (woo!) water to swallow down. "Besides, I've already danced. I've danced, I've drunk...drank..drunken. I've been knighted, I've made speeches .. Haven't I earned a rest?"

Rourke looks back to Mena. "Duty calls. Will you come with me?"

Mena looks back to Rourke and nods. "Of course," she replies quickly, stepping back over to him. She gives a last look over toward the other guests, giving the whole of them a wave. "Good evening, all!"

Rourke reaches to tuck Mena's hand around his arm. He, too, glances about and slowly grins. "Good eve, all! Miss McClain, a pleasure!"

Caspian looks up to the Emperor and Empress, standing up to bow to them. "Good evening, your Majesties!"

"Well you have," Rosaline agrees with an easy smile, standing again. "But I'm afraid I must abandon your celebration before my siblings start wondering if I've lost a very unpleasant bet," she chuckles softly. "Congratulations again, Sir Caspian." She curtsies again as the imperials depart, smile remaining. "Your majesties."

Addison grins at Caspian, "Alright, alright.. fine, no more tests for you tonight. You get a rest. But I expect to see you dance tomorrow." She rises and curtsies to Mena and Rourke, calling, "Good evening, Majesties!"

Caspian smiles at Rosaline and slightly bows to her in departure before he reclaims his seat. "Thank you very much for comin'," he says to her. "I know y'think I'll forget y'in the morn', but I won't. Rose. I'll remember Rose, an' when I see y', yeh better not act like I'm a stranger," he warns good-naturedly beforeh e looks at Addison. "If I've any reason to dance tomorrow, I will!"