Erik
**Galt-Drake Geare
Maith Mansion, Southern Isles**

Initially, Galt-Drake's first mode of action was going to be responding to the strange woman who'd introduced herself as Arabella. However, this was immediately overturned by the brief look she and Valkrin gave each other, followed by the pirate legend's confident response. If Galt-Drake weren't the man he was, or if the pair of seasoned war criminals were dealing with one of Galt-Drake's subordinates, they would probably have gotten a very panicked response, which was likely what the two were going for here. On the other hand, though, Galt-Drake wasn't so easily shaken up. He knew the whole legend of Valkrin Farensun, and while he greatly respected the man sitting in front of him, he still knew enough to gather that Valkrin wasn't being entirely truthful about his rebuttal here. One particular detail about said rebuttal undid the whole illusion for Galt-Drake before it was ever really put up. All the same, Galt-Drake responded with respect and class in his voice and mannerisms, a bit of a strange outlier among the lower sea dogs of the bulk of King Bradaí's navy.

Galt-Drake calmly retorted, "I do at least want ta apologize for enterin' in such a manner. I tend to try holding myself and my crew to a better standard. We like havin' a solid touch of class, after all. However, I know of ya well, Valkrin, and while ya damn near fooled me, ya shot yerself in the foot by callin' Arabella here yer wife. A third of our navy is just yer bastards alone, and ye never once held a marriage ceremony here. Ye expect me ta believe ye just now took a wife?"

Galt-Drake followed this rebuttal of his own by taking a quiet swig of his mug of ale and heartily laughing. He was having as good a time as "Arabella" And Valkrin were, it seemed, albeit for slightly different reasons. The two had their fun in wanting to mess with his head, and Galt-Drake had his own fun in calling a portion of the bluff. He still had no idea who "Arabella" Actually was, though.
Christina
Cecilia Lyannah
Maith Mansion, Tonate

It took everything within Cecilia to not react by ripping her hand from Valkin so she could land her fist into the middle of his face. Instead, she inhaled deeply and slipped her hand from Valkin's before placing both against her lap to avoid anyone from touching her further. *Did you want to be my next target? I can make it possible.* 

Looking back towards Galt-Drake, she was thankful he didn't believe any of the bullshit that spilled from Val's lips. "He is quite the man whore, isn't he?"
Tom
Calypso Kolgrim 
The Maith Mansion

Calypso had reached the young girl just in time to meet the eyes of an older man handing her candy. It took less than an icy glare to rid of him as the attention of the young girl turned back to her. Thanks to the gods Calypso had spot Fleur wandering around, or she would have never forgiven herself for leaving the girl in the hand of... Something that could maybe be called a man if she was to be kind.

"Your brother?" Asked Calypso slightly concerned by Fleur's words "I was just now with him, But my lady I don't think Is-" But before she could finish that phrase, another pair of hands took a grip on Fleur's shoulders. For a moment the Temerre lady tensed up, ready to rip the girl out of the grasp of whatever insolent drunk bastard would take the liberty to manhandle her like that... But it was only Cyprien, not sure if it was better but still a small sigh of relief left her lips. 

When the attention of the older man fell on her again Calypso instinctively tensed up fixing her posture to perfection. His words striker her as unusual... Was he now trying to make up for his mistakes or was this the opening to a larger discussion?
"You have no need to apologize, my lord, I'm well aware that your precious time can't be wasted on such small matters." Stated her with a gentle smile "But I greatly appreciate your words." And lowered herself in a small curtsy.

When Cyprien brought up the Doumagne, Calypso's eyes gave a flicker of malice for just a second, "Well I'm glad that your talk with the Anchor has come to a good end," Begun her, hardly believing what the man had stated " The same doesn't seem to be possible to be said for Her grace your daughter, since she was just now communicating me that her encounter with Lord Doumage had not gone too smoothly." There was a hint of harshness in her words, contrasting with the softness of her expression as she gently caressed the top of the young girl's head. Calypso was tempted to bring up how her own fists interaction with the high lord had gone but didn't want to risk any questions about why she and Bastian were walking around alone in the first place.

"Apparently she had come to me searching for aid from her brother," Her eyes lifted from Fleur back to her father, "Something that I honestly discourage since My lord Bastian is..." And turned around, watching him and Peraz Laugh and "Dance" Together, suppressing a smile at the sight of the two tipsy giant "...Undisposed." Settled her instead of out loud call her employer a drunk.
Elissa
Peraz Dumagne 
The Ball, Maith Mansion

As she was turned into her new partner, it took a moment to gather her wits enough to recognise him and a sudden wash of embarrassment flooded through her, causing heat to rise up her neck and pool in her cheeks.

"Lord De Lysse!" She said, hoping her voice would not betray her shock,"I apologise for the state I am in."

What a fool she had been not to heed Samsom's warning about over drinking, now she felt as though she had embarrassed herself in her quest to ignore (or perhaps upset) her little brother.

But still, Bastien was smiling and holding out his hand for her and she felt giddy with childishness, so she took it and smiled back.

"I must admit," She said lowly so that only he might hear,"I'm not very familiar with this dance."
Felicia
```Cyprien de Lysse
Maith Mansion```

The lord thew a glance towards where Bastien had found Peraz, then stared back at Calypso. "It appears to me that he isn't feeling undisposed at all."

He let go of his daughter, and began to circle the other Terreme lady. He still recalled the sight of her swirling around Bastien, like a dark moth attracted to flame. Cyprien was eager to voice his sentiments on the matter, but he resisted the urge. Admonishment would come. In due time. 

"Our liege, Lutur Dumagne, has resolved himself to lead the war against the northern agressor. Naturally, his vassals are expected to bring a significant contribution. This is, after all, a war meant to defend their livelihoods and fiefdoms. With Thorne gone, who will answer in his stead?"
Tom
Calypso Kolgrim 
The Maith Mansion

*That's because you didn't have to babysit him during the last half hour.* Wanted to spat Calypso. But in the end, she was glad that the young lord had found himself in the safe arbor that was Lady Peraz. Having him that drunk and unsupervised with any of the other women in this room would have brought to no good for sure. 

The young woman's expression didn't change as the head of house De Lysse started to circle her, probably wanting to appear to her like a threatening vulture but all that Calypso could see was the old goat shaking his head ready to hit her. 

Apparently, she was right. He did bring up the death of her father with a second end in mind. Calypso let out an idle chuckle as if the men's words were nothing but a joke "My lord! Are you interested in making a soldier of me?" Giggled with a honey-like voice. She shook her head ever so slightly, dark curls caressing her cheeks "I don't think I'd be a good bet on the battlefield. I have been told that I have quite the talent in archery, but I'm sure that is no more than flattery." Spoke her still with that lite friendly voice, the kind one would expect from such a young woman. 

"But that's not what you are asking is it?" Her dark eyes lifted on those of the older man. The Temerre lady took a step forward keeping her gentle smile on and head high "Thankfully I was not left unprepared to the possibility." Not because of her father's wit for sure. The man was good with business and contracts but in the matter of people managing, he lacked a lot. Her mother on the other hand...
"There are men in the lands that you have so graciously lent us that I'm sure will waste no time to join, swearing under your name." Started her taking another step. 

"And if those were to not be enough, I have the names of a good number of gentlemen that would be glad to join under right payment." Calypso had traced The man's step standing now beside him "I shared some already with your son when he first came to Sol to recruit men. " The same, unchanged, gentle, and graceful smile fixed on her face as she lowered for a moment her dark eyes. 

"I know I'm not a man my lord, and that I don't have much to offer. Such things would not be expected from me to take care of." Started her "But I have no interest in denying my responsibilities and duties towards your house now that my father is not here anymore to take care of it." And she raised her eyes on him once again, dark obsidian observing Cyprien with humbleness "That of-course...*If* You will allow me to assist you in this times, as your Vassal." Stated Calypso, holding her stance firmly.
Felicia
Cyprien de Lysse
Maith Mansion

"Fear not. You will," Replied Cyprien. He stopped moving, right in front of Calypso, then went back to Fleur. His steps remained deliberately slow, but his body posture betrayed nervousness.

"House Kolgrim is expected to muster it's forces upon our return to Pemberlum. Do what you have to do, but I want those troops ready to move one week after our arrival. As for the mercenaries, my son will be tasked to arrange their payment."

This was the part where Cyprien had planned to dismiss lady Kolgrim and walk away with Fleur, but there was still a bothersome thought gnawing at the back of his mind:

"My son seems to be quite... Fond, of you." Cyprien struggled to come up with suitable words, instead he paused to breathe softly.

"Do not give him hope where there is none," He said at last.
_
_
Tom
Calypso Kolgrim 
The Maith Mansion

One week. 
With such short notice...
But she still had control. 

*Dear Gods give me strength.* 

Calypso nodded with elegant humble poise "As you wish my lord. Thank you, My Lord. " Spoke her with the same gentle tone, taking a moment to bow for him.

But it was Cyprien's next words that brought her eyes back up to him, her smile faltering from a fraction of seconds. 
But again, she nodded humbly. 
"I would never dream of it, my lord." Murmured with a smile.
Cedric
Bastien de Lysse
The Ball, Maith Mansion

"There is no need to apologize," He replied after the Terresi woman mentioned the state she was in. He was about to say *"I'm glad at least one of us seems to be enjoying themselves,"* But before he could she leaned forward and quietly confessed her unfamiliarity to the dance. His smile turned into a grin as he quietly squeezed her hands. He knew the dance, but he replied back, "Neither do I.Have no fear. We'll learn it together."

He began to lead to the music, his steps light and precise, more fluid than one would suspect due to his normally rigid stance and stiff posture. "How are you and Samsom enjoying the festivities?" He glanced around them, and then lowered his voice to talk more directly into her ear. "And dare I ask where is that toad of a brother of yours is? Far away from where he can annoy anyone, I hope."
Elissa
Peraz Dumagne 
The Ball, Maith Mansion

Learning the dance itself became a feat of movement. Peraz's eyes had to dart between her own feet, Bastien's and the hall of islanders to keep up in a sort of drunken ballet. The ribbons that were part of the dance were little help as well. 

"Brother Samsom left me with that little newt, and your father, not long ago," Peraz hummed as she glanced up from their feet for a moment, only to look down and then back up to nod in the direction of Lutur,"He's sat over there, gorging himself on food, wine and women as per usual!"

There was another spin, sending ribbons twirling like little winding rivers through the air before the women faced their partners again. The pearls of Peraz's kemenike clacked against her face and she barked out a laugh.

"Fie, I'm sorry! The drink has made me giddy and I've just been imagining Lutur with the head of a newt." She explained before swiftly trying to divert the conversation to Bastien,"How is your lady Calypso? You seem very fond of her."
Harvey
Captain Valkrin Farensun
Maith Mansion

Whether the boy fell for his ruse or not mattered little, and honestly, Valkrin had stopped paying attention to him in favor of Cecilia's voice in his head. 

*There's been a few of your kind try to make me a target before, but if you insist, we can visit my estate and you're welcome to take your shot.* 

His attention was quickly brought back to the privateer as Cecilia regarded him as a man whore. "There's a use for a few thousand bastards, and putting them to work in the Navy happened to be the use."
Cedric
Bastien de Lysse
The Ball, Maith Mansion

Bastien's smile seemed to falter slightly, but it quickly resurfaced. "Lady Kolgrim is a very interesting woman," He said after a few moments. His tone was polite, as if he was speaking of someone he knew but not very well. "Very sharp and strong-willed. Hard working and determined. I think you'd two get along quite well." His countenance grew more wistful, the tense smile melting into one with sad reminiscent notes. "You both share those traits, I suppose."

His gaze turned to look down at her, and his expression turned a bit solemn, though the wistfulness remained. "I was very pleased to see you again," He told her. "Well, I still am. As you can see." It seems that the alcohol was once again showing him with his defenses lowered. As well as his ability to articulate, apparently. He cleared his throat, as if trying to smooth over his wording error. "I, ah... I rather missed your company, when you went away. I thought of you often." He spoke factually, casually. Simply saying what was on his mind. "It's wonderful to see that you're still as strong as I remember you being, all those years ago."

When he said the word "Strong," It sounded as though he did not mean in the physical sense.

He paused, then added as an afterthought, "...Do you mean to tell me you don't think your little brother already possesses face eerily similar to a newt?"