Wisakedjak the Grey Jay arrives, following Kaede.

5 Thrax Guards, Olenna, Pellinor, Duchess, a graceful greyhound arrive, following Alarissa.

Donella enters the Solarium, significantly less weighed down then when we looked like she had downed a watermelon whole, and snake like was taking a while about digesting it. But she's still walking a little slow. Maybe it's because the little bundle in her arms is restive. She settles herself down without ceremony, and says, "I didn't think anyone would want to come. Please, come and join me, make yourselves at ease. What's on your minds?"

Marian is patiently waiting for her voice to arrive, with a volume of papers from her research efforts on the post war report that she's compiling. Since she got there early, she takes leave to step forward first, "Princess Donella, I'd like to talk to you about putting together some numbers for rebuilding the armies, the navy and provide for the families of the Fallen." She gives a deep smile, "If you would be so kind to provide me with any initial budgets, I would appreciate it."

Into the Solarium comes Kaede. She's clad in leathers and smells of hard work and the sea. Which is to say, she looks exactly liek she's always looked. She finds herself a wall to lean, and she lets the nobles say their piece first.

Standing next to Marian with a stern expression, it cracks into a slight smile for Donella, to whom he bows his head and murmurs, "Congratulations, Princess Donella." Nothing more is said, the grizzled soldier returning to his quiet and forbidding self as the Warchief's bodyguard, wary and at the ready.

Wash nods to Kaede, one of the few Redrains he's had any extensive dealings with. He is mostly here to pay his respects, not in any official capacity.

Alarissa has slipped back in at some point, having been in and out the last few days to assist the self proclaimed watermelon swallower. A smile on her face, Alarissa has found a seat near the back to observe for now.

Donella says, "Princess Marian, I will check with our factors as soon as I can send to the bank for them; I will want to talk with each of our Duchies, too, about how they are are planning to replenish as well, so we can be ready. We are going to need a significant amont of fundraising, in order to meet all the needs on the treasury. The estimates I have seen in the way of damage alone are in the tens of millions... and our balance currently is not that." She cracks a smile and inclines her head to the well-wishes. "Thank you."

Marian gives a shallow bow since her baby bump is getting rather big, "Thank you Princess Donella. I look forward to getting the initial estimates." She then makes sure to add since her guard reminded her, "And it is good to see you out and about so soon." She then steps back to let another take the floor.

Kaede lifts her hand and waits to be called on.

Chip, a small mouse, Boots arrive, following Valery.

Petal arrives, following Echo.

Alarissa has joined the an alcove behind a tapestry.

Wash gets out a small parcel of writs. Promises and coupons, IOUs and notes on overages. He compiles them into as neat a pile as he can and holds them up. "I'd like to donate some to that organization Your Grace." He says. "The Compact was there when House Kennex needed them. I hope you will oblige me in accepting a small donation, in the name of your newborn son, if nothing else." He holds out the packet to one of the guards to carry over to the High Princess.

Quiet steps bring Valery to the Solarium. The small apothecary brings her basket, as usual, and she stays close to the door as she arrives, looking and listening around.

Wash has joined the an alcove behind a tapestry.

Petal arrives in the Villa and is in the company of Echo. She carries a pretty huge sewing basket with her that looks a little heavy for the small seamstress. a smile of greeting is giving to those gathered here even as she looks for a place to sit.

Petal has joined the benches beside the fountain.

"It goes without saying that Thrax will help with the rebuilding effort. As a whole and hale compact is in the best interests of the Mourning Isles" A smile on Alarissa's face.

Echo has joined the benches beside the fountain.

As promised, jugs of libations and platters of cold meats, fruits, and vegetable are brought to circulate in the hall-- good quality, but not extravagant. Everyone, even the Redrains, must be mindful of expense and well as hospitality. "You must also be approaching your time, my dear. You are an inspiration, to take on so much under the circumstances. I know that His Grace the Prince is intensely grateful."

Donella turns her gaze to Wash, and smiles, "Nothing could be more well appreciated than the continued safety of our seaborn allies in house Kennex, but you honor Taran very much." She rises herself up to come and take the packet, rather than have it brought. It feels good to move. The heir may or may not agree, making little gaseous noises. She also has a kiss for Wash's cheek, if he will allow it. "What news from Thrax, dear Princess Consort. Come and sit, and tell us how your own rebuilding efforts are going?"

Sitting down by the fountain next to Petal, Echo waves out to her friends and family alike in an all too cheery manner. "I'm just here to observe, but I did need to speak to you in privacy about something important afterwards..." Her voice trails as she glances about the room. "No rush if you're too swamped. Also, congratulations!" Having said her bit, she seems content to do just as said -- Sit around and observe.

"Thrax hurts, Darkwater more so. But measures taken beforehand means we are ready to protect waters if needed. Thrax, as you know, stands ready to aid Redrain." Alarissa looks to Marian and the growing midriff. "She is getting there. sooner maybe than later."

Nobles still talking, it seems. So Kaede just lowers her hand again, and folds her arms across her chest.

Marian moves to take a seat on the couches, and get a little more comfortable as Donella deals with others coming in. She gives polite nods to friends and family before moving to sit down carefully, mindful of that baby bump. She gives a deep smile and then tells Alarissa, "I'm only 25 weeks...but it feels like I've swallowed two watermelons." She motions for Kaede to join her if she wishes to chat with her as she waits.

Isabetta enters the area and tries to keep a low profile, looking around and spotting a place to snag next to Echo and does so. Really trying to keep a _loooow_ profile. Pay no attention to the southern Gilden in the dress.

Isabetta has joined the benches beside the fountain.

Petal gives Echo a gentle smile as she joins her at the bench. She looks over to Marian at her words, having a curious glance for her tummy. She then smiles to Isabetta when she joins them.

Catching that wave from Marian, Kaede gives a faint dip of her head, then moves on over to settle down next to the War Chief. Kaede comments nothing about babies, and holds that sort of gruff look all the while. Soon as she's down, she starts to murmur to Marian.

Donella adjusts her infant son in her arms, one little foot curling and kicking as she reseats herself. "When we have made the port at Stormwall navigable, we will all be very grateful for the coming of Thrax ships there. Both for commerce and for fellowship." She asks, "Who else has brought business to hear?"

Echo has been murming something to her friends, but she definitely paused to say, "/he's adorable/," in the quietest yell-whisper she could muster. Probably talking about babies. And then she's back to talking amongst those near her.

Wash does so allow, leaning forward to make such gratitude easier to apply. "It is our pleasure."

Kaede continues to murmur back and forth with Marian. She looks back up, to Donella, but does not speak up. Msut be she doesn't have anything else to talk about.

Marian is a bit distracted by her conversation with Kaede, but she's keeping it low enough so it doesn't interfere with those seeking Donella's guidance. She keeps Marcas by her side as she chats, since the room is filling up.

Valery is still near the door, looking kinda hesitant and out of place. She bites her lower lip and she murmurs, at some point. "I... I would want to talk to you or Lord Darren at some point... but... but I'm not really in a hurry and it's nothing really important..."

Remaining quite close to the Warchief, Marcas' grey eyes survey the crowd calmly, gauntleted hand resting near the hilt of his sword slung from the veteran soldier's hip, keeping watch over everything without speaking.

Petal is all pink-cheeked as she speaks with Isabetta and Echo.

"I have a thing!" the voice from the back of the room is clear as a bell and in a voice that's familiar to at least some of the occupants. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay at the back, with her hand raised as though still in school, Fianna Crovane stands, grinning brightly.

"If you don't wish to share it openly, then perhaps you will join Princess Echo and I when we conclude here, for a quieter audience? Or maybe later this evening, over some supper? Darren might well even be out of his delirious swoon by then, and have stopped trying to show our son's netherparts to everyone he sees." Donella lets her brows draw together minutely. "My lady, you are welcome here. Please share?"

Taran himself has dark auburn fuzz, and when he blinks, eyes of a gentle blue-green. And seeming to know he has a friendly audience double kicks his chubby little leg. "Nnnnnn..."

Valery nods and murmurs. "I'll be back later, then..."

Chip, a small mouse, Boots leave, following Valery.

"Thank you!" Fianna responds brightly and traipses her way through the gathered folks until she's nearer to Donella. She certainly doesn't look like a noble. Well-worn clothes, grubby and calloused hands, face with a dirt smudge on it, hair that doesn't look like its seen a comb in weeks. But still she smiles brightly and chirps out, "Okay so, I think we can all agree that Crovane got hit the hardest in this last round of fighting. We're not complaining! Efforts are already well under way to rebuild and both Ann and Asger have been working around the clock to keep the writs and silver rolling in. I'd like to suggest something else. Oh, don't get me wrong, there will be opportunity for donations, charity, all that great stuff. But how about some -fun-? Mistress Valery threw a tea party the other day that was -flooded- with people just looking to have some fun and forget things for awhile. And we made some coin and resources for Crovane in the process!" Shifting, she looks to Donella, "I'd like to host a fair. In the entire Redrain Ward. Each House can participate or not, as is their right and choice. But I want to show people that we aren't down, we aren't beaten, and we certainly haven't forgotten how to have a good time! There would be food, and drink, games to be played, small prizes to be won. If we can get our crafters to chip in, perhaps some raffles to be had! Maybe a themed costume contest. All proceeds can be split evenly between the Houses that participate, a little something to help the rebuilding efforts. But in the meantime... we could make some new friends, renew some old alliances, and have -fun-." She lifts a shrug and grins broadly, "We survived. We're still here. Crovane is still here. Redrain is still here. We have a lot to celebrate, a lot to be thankful for. So lets show the rest of the Compact that we still throw the best parties!"

Kaede stares at Fianna as she talks. Her expression is blank for a long, long while. Finally, she just gives a meager shrug. That's about all the captain has to offer.

Marian pauses in her conversation to stand up and tell Fianna, "That's an excellent idea. The Northlands Development Council, in partnership with the Archlector of Jayus, is throwing a Festival of Colors. Valery, who sadly left before I could recognize her, has helped with other crafters to creature powder eggs that will be used to do a mock powder fight so we can color our lives and leave behind the dark feelings from recent events."

"To be certain, we are not going anywhere. Princess Echo," Donella calls, and turns her head a bit. "Given that Princess Marian and Princess Gwenna are being soundly overworked (not that I would ever prevent them), is this the sort of thing that might interest you as well? If so, I would like it if you could assist Lady Fianna in organizing the effort, along with Miss Valery. Assuming she wishes to. His Grace will have no objections, and mine are only in that I would not have us seem frivolous, when people are going without."

Wash gives a belated applause for Fianna's enthusiasm, it's just slightly more than a golf clap, but he isn't shy about voicing his approval.

Blinking a couple of times, Echo slowly lifted her gaze to meet Donella's. "Uw..? Oh!" She scrubs her cheeks before nudging Petal with her shoulder in a show of affection. "I would love to help out with the festivities." That said, her gaze drifts over to Fianna and she suggests, "Let's sit down and talk about this soon?"

Donella says, "Then, let it be known that in addition to whoever will participate from our populace, each member of the Redrain family in Arx shall be expected to field some activity or entertainment, and contribute to morale."

Marian gives a smile of satisfaction as it's clear she's got her event in the bag. She gives a look to Echo and Fianna, "If you need help...I am available to consult." She motinos to her belly, "I'm afraid I'll be slowing down for a few months." She gives a smile in Donella's direction since the woman just went through this. She gives a salute to Donella, "I look forward to seeing all the events others come up with."

"Thank you! And yes, I'll messenger you so we can work something out!" Fianna is definitely a case of unchecked enthusiasm for, well, pretty much everything. Endless font of good cheer and joy! She gives a nod to Donnella and beams a bright smile towards the Princess, "Thank you so much. I'll make sure to keep a running list of who wants to do what so we can either pair people up or offer alternatives if they want to do something on their own. ANd I would like to keep the majority of the costs to a minimum. Small prizes. A doll, a stuffed animal, a small wooden trophy perhaps. Things of that nature. Able to be mass-produced without high cost." I'll set the date well in advance to give everyone time to prepare and I'll see if I can't sweet-talk some of the crafters to donate an item or two, or at least get it at cost instead of market price." Looking to Marian, she grins and gives a quick nod, "Yes, that would be great!"

Donella thoughtfully asks, "Does anyone else have something which they wish to voice?" and looks around for someone to twitch in a way that is going to get them called on. It's like a game of stop-and-go.

Wash seems content with the proceedings, he's done what he came here for.

Isabetta looks kind of like an uninvited fish out of water to begin with (which she kind of is) so she tries not to twitch or draw aattention to herself or anything.

"Nothing, your highness. The War Chief has given me all the information I need," Kaede says, finally speaking up.

Marian looks at Kaede to see if she wants to say anything at the gathering. Marian appears to be content with the news that she brought today.

"Oh! Also, if anyone lost a mount at the last battle, or would like a guard dog, or just needs a new warhorse... let me know! I've got a few yearlings about to start training, which is a great time to bond with your horse, and some dogs that are nearly finished with their training and will be looking for a family to watch over!" Fianna calls out suddenly, grinning once more and giving a nod.

"Very well," Donella says, following the advertisement and says, "Please feel free to stay, and visit, and enjoy food and drink with us, and socialize. We'll simply bring all this formal business to a close for the day, though, our doors remain open to neighbors and kin alike, in bad times and in good." The baby whines fitfully in his swaddles, but continues to half-doze as newborns do. "Someday I am just going to start calling on people, randomly. Think of the excitement!"

Wash is in no hurry to leave, monopolizing his cousins attention at their table somewhat.