So you wanna entertain the King of the whole land, but can't be bothered to actually show up at your own dinner table?! Check please! 7/17, 7PM, Open to all in Kybra (Sterlyn/Lennox/Froste/ Althalos/Rex/Sommara/and anybody else following the King)

[Sommara Ashpool]

Happily, Sommara smiled, finding everything satisfactory: Auron's politeness at her words, Lady Froste's easy acceptance of her song request. And then, the tables were being cleared and Sommara found herself itching to get her butt of the seat and stretch her legs on the dance floor.

The musicians started with a lively tune and couples were making their way to the floor. However, Sommara wasn't planning on moving until Auron asked for the dance. It wasn't proper, after all, to have a lady ask a man to dance. And Sommara was proper.

[Rex]

Thank the gods! Dancing was happening, and Rex's mood lightened tremendously. That little shit Auron needed to be dragged into a back alley and throttled royally, just like his regal little ass so richly deserved. What an annoying piece of shit!

"Come on, Aurora!" Rex quietly whispered, trying hard to beat that sniveling little shit and his blonde bimbo on the floor. Ha! At least Rex could brag about his betrothed having a bit of brains in her pretty head, which was way beyond anything Auron could claim. Rex had definitely gotten the better end of the bargain on this one, of that he was certain.

"The dance floor is calling our names and I'd be ashamed to answer the call without you by my side," Rex added softly, his hand worming its way across to Aurora beneath the table and giving her knee a squeeze.

[Ysolda Sterlyn]

Ysolda watched the fight unfold between her nephew and the Lord Rex, wondering what had gone on to get them so angry with each other. Auron had always been protective of his sister Aurora, but Aurora had taken to her betrothal far better than anyone had thought she would. Maybe Auron's unease with his own betrothal was at the heart of it?

Finally, Lord Froste arrived. Ysolda was wondering if he'd even show at all, or if he'd just leave his wife to do everything. She rose to greet him, along with the rest of her family. It looked like the dancing was about to start, and she turned to her husband, smiling.

[Adeline Lennox]

Adeline smiled at her niece, still concerned but not knowing how Callidora or Leonard would react to her concern. She hoped that it was just Callidora's health in pregnancy and fatigue due to travel. And yet, she knew that the death of Callidora's beloved brother must be hitting her hard.

"Of course, we will have to catch up more. And if you need help arranging anything, I'll offer my services. I know things must be hard, with you with child, I wouldn't want you stressing yourself too much just because the rest of the nobility doesn't make it up north that often."

[Winston Froste]

Winston smiled and filled the King's glass, he had seemed eager to try it, so he would have enough to hold him over. He had finished most of his food, and was feeling a bit stronger, he hadn't realized exactly how hungry he was..

"Ah yes, Amelia always knows whats best for me, this is true. I am just terribly afraid if I leave her for the rest of this dinner that I may be among the most neglectful Lords around." he chuckled, knowing his way around the conversational bush. He had to make sure he was seen, so that word of this lavish dinner at the same time as this event would be the talk of his little world. He knew the target had seen his face, he was sure of it, but maybe if he stayed at dinner he could instigate them to talk about the town.

"I shall just take some fresh air out on the balcony." he rose as the other guests rose to go and dance. Taking the bottle of whiskey and his glass, he kindly took his leave from the table, bowing to both the king and Amelia, he waltzed himself over to the balcony and leaned on the railing. Gods above, could this night get any worse?

[Auron Sterlyn]

The music had begun and Auron would be damned if Rex showed him up on the dance floor. He rose and gently pulled Sommara from her seat. "Your Grace, my bethrothed and I would like the honor of opening the dance floor for our hosts. Sommara has love of the song The Morning Lark and Nightingale, and as the musicians are now playing the lovely melody, I would not wish to deny her the opportunity." Auron bowed to his brother, hoping his words would accomplish both his desires: to piss off the stupid lording across from him and sate his brother's wishes that he behave properly with his future bride.

"Lord and Lady Froste, Sommara and I would be honored to please you with the first dance as well." Auron continued, the words of his youthful training flowing easily from his lips.

[Devin Lennox]

Devin nodded when Leonard mentioned that he didn't like traveling by carriage. "I must agree, I do avoid traveling by carriages whenever I can myself. I find them to be stuffy and just uncomfortable in so many ways."

He nodded briefly as Callidora began to speak about Aurora and her friends, though he didn't comment. He figured that it would be something that most women would be fond of doing. It wasn't every day that the royals were under your roof after all.

Again he nodded when she mentioned that the food was excellent. It was, House Frost had served them all an exceptional banquet ... but then that was probably to be expected. They were after all hosting the king.

Devin listened as Leonard answered his wife, beginning to feel a little uncomfortable. There just seemed to be a tension between the two that hadn't been there when he had first met them. He briefly wondered what had caused it and felt a little sad about it. Leonard and Callidora had really seemed to love each other when he had first met them, but now ...

He wasn't certain, but something had definitely changed between them. A part of him wanted to ask, just so that he wouldn't have to wonder about it anymore but then he decided that it probably wasn't his business and so he kept quiet. He nodded toward Leonard when the other man said he couldn't fault him for never visiting Blasa. "I haven't visited all of the important locations myself, though I do hope to change that with this tour."

[Amelia Froste]

Amelia smiled broadly on Auron and Sommara. "I would be honored for you two to open the dancing. I can think of no handsomer a couple for the job." She gestured to the dance floor, now cleared, and watched the two head off in that direction. As the King had made no move to ask her to dance, she hoped she had gotten out of it for now; she would drag Winston around the floor for a moment or two, if only to be close and able to touch him without being inappropriate, but she hoped to be able to skip most of the fancy footwork.

She wished to join Winston on the balcony, but as he had taken his leave from her, it would seem awkward for her to follow. That, and she still wasn't sure that the King wasn't going to ask her to dance, and it would be awful of her to seem like she were avoiding him. And so she remained in her seat, sipping her wine slowly and watching the incredibly blonde couple spin around the dance floor. Perhaps all the brainpower normally spent on thinking, Sommara spent on dancing instead...she certainly seemed better at the latter than the former.

[Alrik Sterlyn]

Alrik nodded at Winston's departure. The man certainly was odd. And then Auron popped on out of his seat, moving for the dance floor after all proprieties had been established. Alrik nodded at his little brother with approval as the two headed off.

"My lady," Alrik said, rising from the table. "It would honor me if I may share this dance," he offered as he bowed respectfully to the lady of the house. Alrik would be damned if he let his little brother show him up on the dance floor after he'd already asked the Lady Froste to the first dance.

[Sommara Ashpool]

Sommara contained her excitement, and instead smiled brightly at Auron's interest in the dance. Finally! They were moving!

Twirling and stepping about, Sommara's smile curved her lips, giving her face the appeal of a perfectly formed and painted doll. "Thank you so much for getting the dance floor moving," Sommara whispered, unable to keep her smile down. She was glowing with happiness for the moment as she stepped again, following Auron's flawless lead. "I don't think I could bare sitting there any longer and knowing that ..." she trailed off as she cocked her head to the side.

"Oh Auron! They're playing my song!" she whispered lightly, her voice falling like feathers from the sky on a breezy day.

[Amelia Froste]

Amelia watched Sommara and the prince toddle off to the dance floor, shaking her head at the brainless smile on her face. Something about the look on Auron's face seemed off, but she couldn't put her finger on why. Her thoughts were soon interrupted when the king turned his attention to her.

"The honor would be mine entirely, my lord." She stood and dipped a deep curtsey, then stood and let the king lead her onto the dance floor. She summoned all of her grace, her movements like silk sliding over glass as she followed Alrik's lead. As much as dancing wasn't her favorite thing to do, there was no denying that she was good at it.

[Auron Sterlyn]

At Amelie's approval Auron quickly whisked Sommara to the floor. Anything to get away from Rex, even if that meant abandoning Aurora to wolf scum. The music swirled around them as he twirled her on the floor, and he had to admit that she looked the part of grace and beauty required for a princess of the realm. She might have been an Ashpool, but the Ashpools had only sunk in status because of the war, and the part they played against House Sterlyn while removing Darren from the throne. Auron knew his history well, but should he blame Sommara for the mistakes of her ancestors?

"I did for you, my betrothed," Auron replied with a smile. He waited for her to return to finishing her sentence, the one she'd been distracted from by the music, but when she didn't he had to ask. "Knowing what?"

[Aurora Letalis]

Aurora smiled as she saw her brother treating his betrothed well. She knew where his true affections lay, so the fact that he was trying so hard meant he was either resigned to making the best of his fate, or that Alrik had managed to scare him into behaving.

At Rex's words, a smile spread across Aurora's lips. "It would hardly seem right, were you to have anyone else as your first dance of the night." She pushed her chair back from the table slightly, but waited for Rex to come take her hand and lead her onto the dance floor.

[Andrew Darsling]

Talk about being cast in the shadow.

There was so much going on and Andrew was trying to get a grasp on more than one situation. The first of which had been why his sister was welcoming the king and his entourage alone? Had something happened to her husband? Should he be worried? He did not think now was the appropriate time to ask, but he kept shooting glances down her way until finally Winston arrived. He looked in worse condition than when he had last seen him, but that he could get up and come join the meal was a good sign (he hoped). Even so, now that the worry had settled, he couldn't make it go away and he kept looking back between his sister and the others seated near to him.

Andrew had a lot of respect for Leonard Althalos, but even he had to admit something was off. He refrained from saying much of anything as none of the questions or comments were directed at him. Plus, he'd hate to contribute to such a conversation which seemed bland and contrived. The most interesting part was the tone. Snow and carriages were boring... so why such tension? He took a sip of his wine and focused on keeping food in his mouth so that he wouldn't have to talk. He prayed they wouldn't speak to him. Gods... why did he decide to come on this trip. And silly Andrew committed himself to going all the way to Vadra for the wedding. He had a feeling he was going to regret his decision later on down the road, but there was no going back on his word now.

[Callidora Althalos]

The conversation had flowed around her like a peaceful babbling brook. She must have been saying the right words, even though her ears were ringing and her head was pounding. Leonard played the happy husband almost too well for her liking, but she kept her own smile plastered on as the night continued on. The meal came and went, but she could not remember what the food tasted like. And now that she looked up, the music was playing because there were couples on the dance floor. The last thing she wanted was to attempt to move her bulky body to the sway of the tune, and she hoped for once that Leonard would not ask her to dance.

She turned to her aunt and smiled, "I'd appreciate that Aunt Adeline. I'm not as quick as I once was and I've found my energy lacking this time. Still, I'd like to prepare a tea or two for the ladies, and perhaps play my harp for you. It's been so long since I've felt the strings with my fingers." She wondered if any of their guests played a musical instrument. Perhaps she could distract herself from her troubles by conversing with someone else who enjoyed her hobby.

She turned her attention back to the dancer. "The youth look so beautiful tonight, don't they?" She could only wish them a happier marriage then hers was turning out to be.

[Alrik Sterlyn]

Alrik easily took Lady Froste in his arms as they twirled about the floor. Auron and Sommara were getting along splendidly, and Aurora and Rex seemed to be even better. By the gods, if only Fallon was on trip portion of the trip as well, Alrik would have considered it heaven.

Instead, he was here, dancing with Amelia Froste, and enjoying himself nonetheless. "Lady Froste, I must admit, you certainly throw a wonderful dinner, and your steps are flawless," Alrik added, dipping his head slightly. Of course, she wasn't hard on the eyes either and Alrik had to admit that Winston was a lucky man. Speak of the devil...where was he?

"I hope Lord Froste certainly feels better by the morning?" Alrik offered, thinking on how ghastly he'd appeared at the table. Hopefully he'd be able to recover soon and get back to his normal life, whatever that may be. "If not, I can offer my personal physician to visit with him?"

[Sommara Ashpool]

Sommara giggled, twirling in Auron's arms as her tummy fluttered with his words. "Hmmm?" Sommara asked, her brows furrowing. "I don't know what. Knowing what?" she asked, still enthralled by the fact that the musicians were playing her song. Aye, the gods had granted Sommara unsurpassed beauty, but they might have left a little something important out of the package before it had been wrapped. Of course, once the package was wrapped, it was a bit too difficult to unwrap and add to it. So, little Sommara was about as smart as a grasshopper and already the knowing that train had been derailed long again, with the first two notes of her song.

"I don't know," she said again, shaking her head, completely oblivious to what she had been saying even before the song started playing.

"Whatever do you think happened to Lord Froste? He looks like Death might have paid him a visit before he joined us for dinner," Sommara whispered, her voice light, and airy.

[Rex]

Rex wasn't one to be asked twice, as it were, especially with a beauty like Aurora waiting for him. Without much ado, he gently took her hand, bowing low, and planting a tender kiss on the back of it before he rose.

"It is the greatest honor bestowed upon any man here: to share any dance with the Princess Aurora. And I've been doubly honored in that said dance is the first dance of the evening," Rex offered, his voice honey dripping on the comb. The thought always lingered in the back of his head on the day he'd be able to hike her skirts and take what was rightfully his. Aye, that day couldn't come fast enough, so he tried to think of the present instead.

Twirling Aurora about the floor, Rex completely ignored her dumbass brother and his blonde bimbo of a betrothed. What a mockery of the human race, Rex thought to himself before turning his attentions back to Aurora.

"Hopefully dinner was ... tasty?" Rex asked, knowing delightful wouldn't quite cut it, considering Auron was such an asshole. Damn that boy needed a good boxing. "How do you feel about going on a ride tomorrow?" Rex wondered, thinking he probably needed to change the subject of dinner entirely at this point.

[Leonard Althalos Lorterra]

He liked Devin, but this conversation was boring him to tears. Even if he never missed a chance to complain to all and sundry about the torture that was a carriage ride. And though Leonard loved traveling they were hardly talking about the unseen and unknown corners for Forsilvra. This tour, while interesting, had been disappointing in all of the places that could have been seen and missed. He didn't care for castles and banquet halls. They all looked alike. Apparently Callidora did not agree because she blathering on about parties and ladies and tea and fine music. As if she hadn't attended a million of those inconsequential affairs already.

And now she was talking about the beauty of youth. He wondered when she became quite so annoyingly self-pitying. "The young and beautiful are not just the ones on the dance floor, my love," he couldn't help but point out to her. And that was not for show, but neither was it was a direct comment. She was still very young, and very beautiful, and really ought to get over herself on both scores. He supposed all of her fixation on society and parties had left her with a rather skewed image of things.

[Mason Lennox]

Mason had sat quietly during the dinner, speaking very little unless spoken to. He had enjoyed the food, the wine, it was all a very good dinner in it's mixture of tastes and smells. He was intrigued by Lord Froste, when he made his entrance there was something wrong with the man but as the dinner went on he seemed to gain some color as he ate.

They had all dismissed themselves from the dinner table, most scooting off to dance, but Winston, upon his wife being whisked off by the king, had taken himself over to the balcony and was now drinking his whiskey and tapping out his pipe.

Mason smiled politely as he excused himself from the table and joined Winston on the terrace. "It was a lovely dinner was it not?" He said as more of a statement, "You have beautiful lands and a lovely wife!" He complemented Winston and tried to be as honest as he could. "Lord Froste, you're not looking too well, what is it that ales you?" he inquired.

[Callidora Althalos]

She wanted to cringe. While the others would not know, Callidora could not help but take her husband's tone as chiding. Could he not simply converse with Devin and leave her to watch with pleasure? "The King looks quite young tonight too, dear husband," she shot back sweetly. "He looks picture perfect twirling Lady Froste about the dance floor, and she herself is barely into her mid-twenties." She turned her attention back to the dance floor; anything to avoid looking at her husband, who was no doubt thinking her an immature child who should be slotted in with the young and inexperienced.

She wondered why she'd missed the sudden air of superiority he projected. She must have been blinded by love. Where she'd always fancied him a humble man, now she saw the truth. These people were beneath him, and until he was lord of them all, the world was a place to shun and ridicule. Well, he could do that on his own.

Instead, she glanced over to where Andrew was sitting. "Lord Darsling. I have not set anything official, but I was hoping to have a small affair to celebrate Lady Lyanna's new marriage to my brother Edward. Perhaps this fall in Kybra after the King makes his way to Vadra. I enjoyed seeing her again in Alska. I hope you were able to visit with her as well."

[Auron Sterlyn]

Auron forced himself not to laugh at how dense Sommara looked. She was as beautiful as a peacock, but dumber than a dodo. The gods had been joking in the night when they laid their hands on Lady Ashpool's womb. "It is no matter," Auron replied, as he twirled her in time with the music. "Whatever you were thinking was surely not that important, if you've forgotten it already." He hadn't meant for his words to sound insulting, but he doubted she'd pick up the contempt anyway.

And then the topic shifted to something safe: talking about someone else. "He looked ghastly to be sure. Certainly not presentable for the present company, especially my beautiful betrothed. He should have laid down in his bedroom and died rather than disgust you with his appearance."

[Andrew Darsling]

He was caught off guard when Callidora spoke to him. He had been just in the middle of taking a drink of his wine when she turned, and he nearly inhaled it, but was able to cover his surprise expertly, and swallowed it down without too much indication that he all but choked on it. Setting it down softly, he gave her a smile, listening and considering her words before thinking of it in perspective. The time table formed in his mind, trying to calculate when exactly he'd be returning home after everything calmed down a bit.

"It sounds like something my sister would like," he said. He wouldn't like and say it sounded like something he liked. As far as he was concerned, his sister was better off returning home with child in tow. He didn't care if she lost everything at that point - the title as lady of House Winter, the promise that her son would be lord... Hell, if it meant that much to her, he'd name Colin as his heir if it meant keeping her from marrying Edward. But, he could not make Lyanna's choices for her... more's the pity. Her last comment really put him on the spot. What was he to say? "No... I didn't spend time with my sister in Alska all that much?" Thinking back on it, the only excuse he had not to spend time with her had been that time had gotten away from him and he'd been caught up with his own problems at the time to even give thought to anything or anybody else.

"Yes. It is always good to see my sisters," he said, turning to look at Amelia. He never did see them enough, and he was more than kicking himself for wasting his time in Alska worrying about somebody else and not spending more time seeing Lyanna. "You are looking well, yourself, Lady Althalos." Anything to change the subject at this point.

[Winston Froste]

Winston had been tapping out his pipe to refill it when he glanced over his shoulder, the Urson was approaching him. How interesting. He smiled and received Mason with a handshake.

"It was a lovely dinner! My wife does so well when she takes on coordinating these feasts! She gets nervous but her beauty is only out weighed by her intelligence." He smiled and offered Winston something to drink, which he gladly took.

"I am a bit worse for wear it seems, but eating something sure has helped me a good deal." Mason agreed, stating that he had gotten a lot of his color back but no longer touched on the situation.

They spoke of politics and the upcoming schedule, and Mason asked Winston if he and his wife would be traveling with the King on the rest of the trip. "I do think we will be, but ask the wife!" he joked.

[Amelia Froste]

Despite herself, Amelia blushed when the king complimented her. Her smile broadened a little as she caught herself thinking how handsome the ruler of the land was, and she wondered offhandedly if that was part of the reason he was in power. Such thoughts would never be voiced, of course. Well, never to anyone but Winston. He might just have a good opinion on it, and she made a note to bring it up to him later in the night if he was feeling better.

"I thank you, my Lord. Kybra isn't known for doing any one thing perfectly, but we do many things very well, and it's my opinion that we're blessed with good earth that brings about good food."

She twirled with the music, her curls flaring out a little with her skirt before she stepped back in without missing a halfstep. "Dancing was always my favorite part of the lessons when growing up," she said, giving him the answer she had given hundreds of times to different dance partners. That it was a little bit of a lie didn't matter much. "I was always blessed with a skill in such things."

Upon another change in direction, Amelia caught sight of Winston on the balcony. Everyone's concern was well founded; he did really look like hell. She took the King's offer graciously, nodding deeply to him. "I'm sure he'll be right as rain tomorrow, after having had a good meal and a good long sleep. He's never been one for dancing much, so we've no worry of him tiring himself out too much in that manner. If he's much worsened in the morning, though, I will tell him of your generous offer."

The dance continued for a few moments, Amelia in comfortable silence. She was never one to need to be engaged in conversation at every moment of the day, prattling on about nothing. But there was something she was genuinely curious about. "My Lord, are you excited for the upcoming weddings? Both your own and that of your twin siblings...it must be both thrilling and a little sad, having to send Aurora across an ocean."

[Leonard Althalos Lorterra]

Such bitterness. She would never be allowed to see the deep wounds her barbs could cause. It was amazing how she lashed out with such viciousness. Trying to turn every word against him. Attacking both his heritage and his age... And for what? A compliment? A reassurance? What kind of woman was she now that she returned kindness with cruelty? And even if she did not like his words... why would she want to hurt him, who she used to profess to love?

"They look very pretty together, yes." Which, on the dance floor, was just about all that mattered. He could put on a pretty appearance for whoever was listening to them, pretending to take his wife's comments as normal conversation. Internally he told himself that while he had promised Callidora he would preserve their public image so she would not be disgraced, he would not allow her to use that as a cover to baselessly attack him at every opportunity. "I'm sure the king would dance with you too, should you feel up to it." If she was going to play that card with him, he could play it right back. Instead, she was talking with the others, which was fine by him. If all that spewed out of her mouth was venom, perhaps he ought to content himself with simply admiring her beauty and nothing more.

[Mason Lennox]

Mason decided to skip the small talk and head right for the main mission his mind was on. Leaning on the railing, matching Winston's stance, he spoke not much above a whisper.

"I know a good deal of information, I hear a lot around the lands when trying to spread faith. You're people love you, they say that if they come to you with an issue it is fixed within a small amount of time. Regardless how difficult the task is, you come through for them."

He watched as Winston filled his pipe, not meeting his eyes. "Even if you do not come to them to help them with their issues, they still get fixed somehow. Now you can imagine my shock to find this out, that your people worship you on an unbelievable level. Some woman even said you had some magic up your sleeve." At his last words, Mason laughed and he watched and Winston laughed with him.

"How is it that you keep your people so happy?"

[Winston Froste]

Winston could not help but laugh at Mason. So his people 'think' that he delivers them every wish and desire they have? He didn't take Mason's words as more the curiousity, he couldn't find an unkind motive, so as he lit his pipe and poured Mason more to drink, he spoke slowly.

"Urson Lennox, you know how people talk! Though if my only crime is that I am too kind to my people, then I'm guilty as charged! I can't admit to having any magic, though I like to convince myself that I can fly. I've yet to work up the courage to jump off the balcony and try it out though!"

He laughed at himself and took another shot of his drink.

[Mason Lennox]

He laughed at Winston and took the drink he was handed, thanking him as he looked into the glass. Even when ill he had an odd sense of humor, but Mason was attempting to be serious.

"A woman said you saved her son from being beaten behind a tavern." He looked up to meet Winston's gaze, this time he did want an answer.

[Winston Froste]

He noted he was talking to the Urson, but Mason's tone was a bit to rough now, and Winston wasn't pleased. Setting down his glass, he took a long drag off his pipe, he pondered the answer he was just about to give Urson Lennox.

"Good sir, I do not gallivant around pretending to save the world." he laughed at himself, though he looked up to meet Mason's eyes. "I do what I can for them, when they ask me for help, I try my hardest and that's all I can do."

By this time Winston decided maybe his wife was right, a nap would do him well. He didn't want to just up and leave Mason without giving him something to think about though. "I must say though, It would be very entertaining to run around and save people, one could just bundle themselves up and run around shanking wrongdoers! And who would care? They give out titles for people who do stuff like that!"

He patted Mason on the shoulder and thanked him for his company, "I think Lady Amelia was correct, I need to go lay down. Some rest would do me a world of good!" He walked away from Mason, grinning like the fool he was.