Ari wondered exactly when things had gotten out of hand.  One moment her companions were teasing each other amiably and the T'skrang was telling a marvellous tale and the next Gara and Ilene were on the verge of trading insults and Brendon had managed to not only open his big mouth, something he was well known for once he'd downed a few, and they were being roped into a duel!  Not that she thought anything would come of it, but she knew that none of them, except for Gara perhaps and Xhol had ever handled anything beyond a kitchen knife.<br/><br/>At least, she thought with a wry smile as Gara begin to stand, he had focused her attention on someone besides Ilene.  Looking for her Papa, she wondered if he was going to step in and calm things down a bit.  Unfortunatly it looked like he had ducked into the kitchen to check on things.  At least he was no where to be seen.  Deciding to try to diffuse the situation with humor, she stood, forcing an easy smile to her face.<br/><br/>"I'll take that bet, Master Keliek't.  In fact I'll wager a silver coin that you'll win to any takers.  Be warned, that we plan on surrendering once all bets have been taken for I have no wealth to share this evening and really, wouldn't you all rather I buy a round of drinks and we can forget all about duels against hapless bystanders?   I, for one, can think of better ways to sheath swords within girls with such obvious charms then in a duel."<br/><br/>She affected a leering wink at that, and hoped that the burning in her cheeks wasn't as obvious as it felt at the lewd suggestion.