"Oh, ouch! That must have hurt. I hope the wound has fully healed without leaving too much of a scar?" Andalon showed genuine sympathy for such an awkward wound.

He glanced around the room then smiled.

"The dancing has begun. It is always such a joyous part of every wedding celebration. Shall we join them?" he asked Tansy.

Cyrus smiled at his wife's acceptance and guided her gently onto the dance floor. Though he hadn't danced often or been formally trained in the performance arts as others here had been, footwork was a fundamental piece of the warrior's repertoire and coordinating his body with his feet was almost second nature at this point. He'd also grown up amidst other minor nobles and had the occasion to dance from time to time, so while he wasn't putting on a one-man show, he did guide Valoria with grace and fluidity to the music.

As they danced he pulled her close and whispered to her, smiling.

Cass smiled as he continued to watch the couple's dancing. It was a bit more involved than he preferred to be at the moment. So he chose to to on enjoying the delightful snacks and the abundant ale.

In reply to Marik (msg # 65):

Mariam smiled, her face tilted downwards blushing slightly. "I think that sounds nice." she turned her head for a moment to watch the dancers, then turned back, a quizzical look on her face "Should we dance?"

Tansy spared a look to Lex, shrugging her shoulders, and gleefully went to dance with Andalon.

Taking the cleric's hand she tried her best to dance gracefully, naturally agile but not particularly good at performance.

Andalon lead Tansy out onto the dance floor to join the happy couple and their guests celebrating the start of their life together. He is not particularly gifted as a dancer but he has at least had the benefit of the type of education that minor nobility gave their children to make sure they were properly equipped to fit into polite society without embarrassing the family name. However, Andalon is certainly quick on his feet and not one of those who prefers a slow waltz. He smiled at Tansy as they danced around the dance floor, obviously enjoying the moment as much as she was.

After the first dance, though, he asked her, "Did you come here with someone, today? I am enjoying this very much but I wouldn't want to monopolise your time if there is someone else you also want to dance with."

Marik turns to look towards the others that had started dancing and then turns back to Marian. He looks up and her and smiles, Well, it does seem to be the thing to do, doesn't it? I would be honored if you would accompany me on the dance floor, although be forewarned, I'm not much of a dancer," he says as he offers to take her hand and lead her to the dance floor.

Lex watched as Andalon asked Tansy to dance and looked a little disappointed when she said yes. He got a refill of his mug of ale and watched the pair and the others as they danced about. He felt a little out of place and he rubbed the scar of his brand as a reminder of his roots and realized that he likely shouldn't have come here. He didn't quite fit. Not yet. He was working his way out of his past, but attending a noble wedding, may have been a step too far for the young man.

As he looked about the room, he did smile at how happy everyone seemed to be, this was a grand affair and as out of place as he felt, he couldn't help but smile.

After their dance Andalon escorted Tansy back to her friends then went back to see how Pipre and Ajax had got on. Ajax didn't seem to be quite as responsive as Andalon had anticipated.

He bowed gently to both of them then asked, "Would you care to dance, Miss Pipre?"

Turns out Pipre hadn't stuck around. She hadn't seemed interested in dancing anyways.

When Andalon finished his dance with Tansy, Lex approached the young woman and said, "You danced wonderfully. Would you care for another go? I can wait until you finish this ale though," he held out a fresh mug of ale that he'd gotten for her.
This message was last updated by the GM at 22:35, Sun 22 Oct 2017.

In reply to Lex (msg # 87):

Tansy smiled, her cheeks flushed from the dance with Andalon. Taking the ale in hand she drank a third of it, wiping her mouth afterwards with her hand

"Thank you Lex, resourceful and prepared as ever. That's why you're the best."

She watched Andalon walk away, still obviously quite worked up from her brush with nobility it. His mention of a "Pipre" made Tansy wonder who she was. Likely some nickname for a beautiful buxom noblewoman with blonde hair and flawless skin no doubt. Noblemen would never have much to do with the likes of her.

"I love only a few things in life, Lex. And one of them is a fine ale. I pronounce this one especially fine, if I do say so. A wedding makes everything finer, I'd say."

Including former leatherworkers turned former bandits, it would seem.

Finishing the ale, she set the flagon down

"We dance, dear Lex. It wouldn't be proper to leave a man of noble spirit like you on the side of the floor."

Lex smiled at the complements from Tansy and was shocked by how many of them came his way. He knew he'd been working against a stacked deck for some time but he was glad that Tansy could see that he was a bandit-no-more.

He laughed as she finished her ale and joined her on the dance floor and showed that his feet were as good indoors as they were out on the trails. He was able to keep to the rhythm of the music and add a little flourish of his own.

As the song came to a close, he said "I'm glad you can see past the brand. I am glad I've earned at least your trust."

In reply to Marik (msg # 83):

She took his hand "Then we are evenly matched sir, let us make fools of ourselves on the dance floor together." she laughed a twinkle in her eye as she allowed herself to be lead. Her heart beating in her throat, she'd never thought she'd ever get to dance with a handsome man. But then just talking with him a moment made her realize he was so much more then a pretty face. He was kind and had ambition.

Marik laughed at her retort, "Fair enough, milady." True to his word, Marik proved to be an average dancer at best, although he did show a fair amount of natural agility to make up for his lack of skill. As they danced, likely quite comically considering that Mariam was more than a foot taller than him, he asked, "are you intending to attend the Grand Ball later this week. I understand it is quite the event."

In reply to Marik (msg # 91):

Mariam was a clumsy dancer. Their dance involved many stepped on feet. She grimanced apologizing once more as he asked her about the ball "Perhaps I will. Will you be there?"

Before it gets to late, Valoria goes to sit and talk with her mother and grandmother for a short while. She gives a bow to her mother and a deeper bow to her grandmother. “Grandma, mother, I know this great night would not have happened without you. It would have been far less a fair to be sure. I also hope Cyrus is to your liking...Men of such honor are hard to find, a rarity these days. He will make a grand husband and father.” She paused for a moment to think of the absents of her own father before continuing. Valoria then affectionately gazed at her grandmother, Lady Luna. “How have you been these days?”
This message was last edited by the player at 06:31, Wed 25 Oct 2017.

At the end of several dances, an out-of-breath Adoven tells Viktoria "This has been a stimulating evening, milady. I don't know if he mentioned it to you, but Cyrus extended an invitation to tour the fencing schools with him. Would you like to join us?"

As the guests dance through the evening, Val makes the time to thank her mother and grandmother for the wedding and reception that they have organised.

Val’s mother smiles and replies  ”Well we couldn't let you get married in the wilderness without some of your family around.  And I forbade your father to come – he is at home earning the money to pay for all of this.“  She  frowns for a moment before she winks at her daughter  ”He thinks he leads a secret double- life, you would have thought by now he would have realised that diviners have ways he can’t ever imagine, and that I know exactly what he is has been up to.    Still enough of that, I have another surprise for you.  Your cousin Wilbur, has just finished his apprenticeship in one of your father’s offices as is looking for a more permanent placement.  I have told him to start making his way down here with a small staff, to employ building gangs to work on your house.  You might be able to talk him into staying on and helping you set up in your new stronghold.”

Lady Luna, Val’s Grandmother has her say as well  ”Cyrus seems a nice enough lad, but then, so did your father in his time.  Remember your mother’s words concerning the skills of a diviner,” before she relaxes and smiles.  ”I am well thank you.  I haven’t been to a good wedding for ages.  I  just need to get one of these young men to pluck up the courage to take me for a dance.  I have been very good, and refrained from any incantations to encourage them …”

”Mother stop it.  You’ll embarrass the girl.   Anyway you mustn't dance with your legs …”.

Lady Luna just smiles primly.
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 11:55, Wed 25 Oct 2017.

Marik did his best to downplay the effect of her stepping on his feet had, and it wasn't as if he was a great dancer himself, so he had no real room to criticise, nor did he wish to. But, given her size, after a couple of dances he decided that his feet needed a rest.

Once there was a break in the music, he stopped and offered his arm to large, yet surprisingly charming, woman and offered a disarming smile, "I think I need a little break, would you care to join me for another drink?"

As they walk towards the bar, he added, Considering my ambitions, I feel like attending the Grand Ball is a necessity. Besides, I imagine it will be quite fun, or at least interesting. I hear tell that Lord le Maistre will be providing a carriage to transport us. I do hope I will see you there. It's always nice to see a friendly face.

In reply to Marik (msg # 96):

Mariam nodded taking Marik's arm "Well if you are going, I suppose I can attend" she looked down at her outfit and suddenly felt self conscious. She'd be at a ball, perhaps something more feminine would be in order? She loved the land she came from and it was ever in her heart, she'd not abandon it's customs so maybe she'd find a seamstress to make her something special.

Ordering a second drink she took a deep swig of the golden liquid. "Maybe before that day I should have dance lessons. It might save the toes of the innocent." she smirked "A paladin of Iomedae should only smite the wicked after all"

Nothing to see here

Marik took a drink from his glass of wine and then smiled, "I think I might do the same, I didn't really get much formal dance training growing up on the docks. I'm sure we could find someone to teach us a few steps at least."

He took a moment to look around the room before turning back to her, "So what else do you plan to do while we're here in Restov? Any plans?"

In reply to Marik (msg # 99):

"The docks you say? That must have been interesting, meeting all types of people, you must tell me about it one day."

 Mariam thought for a while "Not much, just restock. I heard there is a bath house so I may visit that. I have been meaning to take Fergus out at some point and see what's around the area. He gets antsy when he's cooped up for to long. Besides that I have no real plans."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:29, Sat 28 Oct 2017.

In reply to Adoven (msg # 94):

"I think a tour of the fencing schools would prove most enlightening. I've mostly been taught on the waters, handling more professional weapons might prove more difficult."

Vik smiled at Adoven