BlackBerry's attention had fully left Lady Kathryn and Kosaras conversation in favour of the one with Cecily. Sipping still at his drink he nodded in understanding as she answered his questions.

He supposed that it just being herself and Lizbeth there hadn't been anyone else to take the time to sort through everything. Even back home it sometimes took a few days before someone gathered the strength to clear out the room of any recently deceased. But with what had recently come to light he would have thought Cecily of all people would have decided to investigate further. He wisely chose to keep this last thought to himself under another sip of his drink. He wondered also if he should perhaps offer to lend a hand? But resisted, thinking that it would be unseemly and elected to suggest it later should he find the chance to without prying eyes. No doubt the locked study contained at least some answers.

"We do a little thing at the Stables for it too." Jon added to Cecily's own words of the Frostival. "Just some mulled wine, cake, and the like, nothing too fancy mind. Sometimes the horses even leave some left overs for us. Hah!"

BlackBerry joined in with a small chuckle at Jons little joke. He quite liked the sound of the Frostival here, and the Master of the Harvest to him sounded like a way to add som6e fun and whimsy to an otherwise hectic or busy time.

But then he had heard the word 'darling' which grabbed his attention back towards Lady Kathryn currently giving Monsieur Laurant a verbal dressing down. He grinned seeing the familiarity that had suddenly emerged between Lady Kathryn and Kosara but he did have the good graces to keep his mouth shut. Althought, when Kosara did pass by he turned to shoot Lady Kathryn a conspiratorial smile and waggle his eyebrows in Kosaras direction.

Oh this was a delightful evening indeed.

"So, are you lot planning some games or something? Or are you just getting tired of being losing." Jon asked while playfully jabbing his elbow into BlackBerry's side, who then gasped sharply. "Ah, sorry lad. Thought you had gotten patched up. You all right?"

"Yes, yes, I am quite fine thank you Jon. Just caught by surprise is all." BlackBerry replied as he made sure he hadn't spilled any of his drink. "I do advise though that magic can do wonders but it certainly cannot make you forget a decent punch. To answer your question though, yes indeed. Lady Kathryn and I have had some fun fights but, well, to put it bluntly, we have grown rather tired of simply beating each other senseless and are looking for something else to try."

"Oh. Why not Horseshoes?" It was a very on brand suggestion of Jons.

A wild 'caw' caught the pair of them off guard and in sync they both looked towards the bird in Victorias arms and then to each other.

"A fabulous spell of our dear Bard." BlackBerry explained, and then added after a moments pause. "You should ask her sometime to show you the steed which she may produce also."

It was then that surprisingly the pair time had surprisingly passed them by and it was now time for the second toast of the evebing. And still the last guest hadn't yet arrived. But the drink and merry atmosphere put whatever worries BlackBerry had out of his mind.

"Indeed this is quiet marvelous!" He nodded vigarously innagreement to both Victoria and Lady Kathryn. "And I had thought the last drink was brilliant, well done to all involved. Not least of course to yourself Mater Rens."

It was as he was indulging in another taste of the wine that he stopped suddenly. "My word where are my manners. Lady Kathryn, Kosara, and Victoria. May I introduce you to Master Jon, if you are not already familiar. He is the most senior stablehand here and I would bet my arm he knows more about horses than any of us combined."

Jon, suddenly finding himself in the limelight simply raised his glass to the three and politely repeated his introduction from earlier; "Evening all."

"Jon here has been ever so kind in graciously taking me under his wing these past few weeks. Or perhaps months even? Gracious me how time does fly."

“Eeeep!” Kosara let out a squeeky happy sound as she was scooped up and casually allowed to occupy Kathryn’s shoulder like she had been a child again and her gramps at the tavern back home was carrying her around much to everybody’s amusement. Yes Kosara had an affinity to being carried up high, blame it on big people carrying her around as a child… or maybe blame it on a horned golden dragon horse that carried her around in her earliest memories. Whichever the case was the reason, one thing was certain! Kosara and being carried high was a combination that wasn’t going to go out of style with the pale tiefling anytime soon! Best part of the whole thing?’ Kathryn’s not wearing stiff uncomfortable armor!’ Yes priorities were a thing indeed and Kosara had hers in order. In any case, she just gave everybody who turned to look at their schenanigans a big happy wave.

On the matter of a certain non-noble man with possible ideas of grandeur and his overt not too subtle attempts at snubbing and demeaning by word play and name calling, he probably should have best considered himself quite lucky. History had proven that Kosara was a poor example of inhibitions and word filter was the least of things she was lacking when the situation called for it. As that event back in Avonshire that now seemed like a lifetime away proved, the white lady was not above kicking with her full force men between the legs when they were being assholes. Admittedly it was quite possible that just as well she might have confused the situation more by pointing out that sulfur was not present at the wine tasting and probably called his senses of smell into question. Again with Kosara one could never really know how it would go. She did give a bit of a pout when she was put down though.

With the party… if this could be called a party of course. She wasn’t sure if a wine tasting event counted as one. Maybe it did for these weird northerners and their curious and bizarre culture? In any case with the event hitting a bit of a rest point where nothing much was happening, Kosara was just taking the chance to wander the area, try some of the offered fruits, check what else was around to try and of course just skip around the place. She didn’t exactly interact with people much, aside some simple greetings as she moved about the place, but this was a good event to write about so she was trying very hard to memorize the sights of the people and their inter-mingling so she could put it in words and maybe a rough sketch next time she wrote in her journal.

As the matters turned, Cecily called for another toast after trying some time. This one was a different sort of brew. Much more aged by the looks of it. Honigblume…” Funny name.” Kosara let out a chuckle as she had taken herself a glass and gave it a try with the others after joining in with the toast. That said an unexpected jump from Kathryn followed by the woman giggling like a loon, had the tiefling glance and narrow her eyes at her.” Do you require some magical restoration to set your head right?” Kosara asked with a deceptively sweet and testing voice.

“I have tried them yes, however I lack the trained tastes to appreciate them as some would.” Kosara replied with a shrug.” I’ve always drank more beer than other alcohol. And no, thank you. I’m not drinking more then needed.” She replied calmly.” It is however quite the drink, I will admit that. No beer I’ve tasted quite compares in virtue of simple taste. Very sweet though... I need something sour now.”

Weather: Still cold. The wind remains light, with only the tiniest of gusts giving the occasional diagonal motion to the snowfall. It is true snowfall now rather than flurries, though not what one would consider heavy. Large, slow flakes fall earthward, making for a quiet, rather peaceful night.

Time: The night time is the right time. An hour or so past dusk.

Ambience: Considering the lovely (if quite cold) night outside and the lanterns hung to light the main thoroughfare, not much obvious has changed across the Rose River Vineyard in the interim. Inside of the Tasting Room, there is likewise a lack of appreciable environmental change, unless one counts the overall feel of the room from a more personal standpoint. There is an almost palpable friction amongst the guests and from obvious sources. However, there is an overtone of general merriment that only a successful harvest and outstanding batch of seasonal icewine can provide out here in Wine Country.

The lighting inside is adequate to the needs of even the most mundane of sight, thanks to the dual strike of candles and lamps set up in key, predetermined locations for exactly this reason. The central table is topped liberally with quick and easy things upon which one may munch with one's fingers; cheese, bread, and fruit primarily, though some utensils are provided for the status-conscious.

Conversation among the guests is varied and usually kept to themselves as not to interrupt those around them; polite discussions about the quality of wine throughout the years or whispers about whatever notable happenings were afoot within the context of their lives. The more public and/or louder addresses among the guests are taken in stride, as likely as not to be elements of future gossip sessions when in differing company.




Laurent was a socially proper enough person to, upon getting himself startled by a suddenly appearing and disappearing Raven (from and back into the thinnest of air, no less), straightened his waistcoat and departed from Victoria's vicinity even as she left to join her plus one elsewhere in the room. His own path took him the short distance back to the table, nearest to the Mosswaters, who have taken the last few minutes to sit back and enjoy the festivities - wine and drama both. At least, Barbal was enjoying the wine and drama, and with a suppressed bout of chuckling reddening his face, at that. Tarace was looking apprehensive. Nervous, even. The less boisterous Halfling was giving Barbal what support he might while sipping upon his glass of wine as if to partly disguise his expression.

"Ey there, Laurent," began Barbal. "Those adventuring types? They ah... mostly don't care about social status. Not unless it get 'em something. Advantage, like. I don't know that you or I got anything they need, Monsieur Laurent." A quick look around prompted him to follow up with, "...what I heard, anyhow."

The middle-aged landowner known as Monsieur Laurent maintained his composure enough to sip from his glass and quietly remark, "Quite." The freshness of the upset by the imposing noblelady still possessed a modicum of sting despite his cooler demeanor, and apparently the Halfling that was his peer among this apparently very mixed group could just tell. The verbal knife twisted a little bit more.

Meanwhile, Rens was more than happy to take his share of the accolades, not like he didn't deserve them. As the Master of Wine for the Rose River Vineyard, he was the man with his feet on the ground, overseeing every aspect of the vintages produced from the time the grapes got crushed to the moment the finished product was moved for shipping. Objectively, the two wines sampled this evening were some of the best the region of Avonshire (and possibly the nation) had to offer. The upper-class market for these wines truly belied the moderately overweight, middle-aged craftsman before them, bedecked in what would pass for decent weekend wear for society's wealthier element but for him was obviously tucked away for special occasions, like this one. His thick moustache wiggled beneath his prominent nose as he stood himself up straighter under the glow of his praise from multiple sources. A showing of obviously false modesty reared in the man with, "Oh no, it's all too much. I am a mere wine man, it's really all about the good people of Rose River." And while Rens may have genuinely meant that, he was absolutely eating up the attention. He did make one wistful concession, though. "I am a little worried about this season's Master of Harvest. Toombes was supposed to have been here ages ago... He's missing out."

Lizbeth had taken the opportunity of this attention to spirit herself away to the table, whereupon she selected for herself a bread plate and placed a few cubes of cheese, some slices of apple, and surreptitiously poured a glass of the Honigblume for herself. The glass was to her lips by when she glanced to her side, seeing Tarace Mosswater give her a quick wink after being very solidly caught. Tarace smiled and pretended to be oblivious, and Lizbeth took her first sip.

Cecily, genuinely oblivious to this, tapped upon her glass again. It was time for another segment of the evening, according to her plans. "If everyone would please direct you attention this way? Thank you. We have new guests to this event, and even though I have given a cursory tour of our fine Winery on their way in, it is customary for a fuller tour, should it be warranted. It is only fitting that, while viewing our casks by date, varietal, and technique, they be allowed the opportunity to sample as they go along. So please, and open to everyone in attendance, let us divide into groups with Master Rens, Lizbeth, and myself. One of us may escort you on a more personalized tour of our facilities and answer any question that does not let our deepest of professional secrets slip." She moved off to one side to allow for anyone who wished to join her as an option to do so.

Lizbeth nearly slammed her ill-gotten glass upon the table as soon as her name was mentioned, seemingly unprepared for this quite so soon. "Yes, that would be grand!" she blurted nervously. "Um, I can, um... Yes, right this way, anyone who wants!" She forced a smile. The Mosswaters, Tarace and Barbal both, tried not to laugh aloud.