Jocasta let snort of delighted laughter at the gift and the poem, more than a little taken aback that Beren had found time to go out and find such a wonderful item. She opened her mouth, to say she knew not what, when the red head from earlier marched across the roof top to where the two of them were standing, a stubborn set to her jaw. Jocasta opened her mouth to tell the woman to go about her own business when a ringing slap took her across the jaw. Jocasta rocked back in shock, her hand flying to her face.

"You harlot, you lead me on about him to embarrass me!" the red head raged. Jocasta tensed her muscles, preparing to show this scarlet haired slut that you couldn't just go around slapping people but Beren was already starting to move between them. Suddenly Jocasta realized that getting Beren into some kind of trouble must be what her demonic patron had planned with the whole charade, the woman was trying to get into an altercation. Without fully thinking it through, which was to say the same way she did most things, Jocasta stepped between Beren and the red head.

"I accept!" she declared her voice ringing uncomfortably in the sudden silence following the slap. The red head reeled back, confused and frustrated that her plan was not going well.

"What?!" the strumpet demanded in alarm.

"I accept your challenge," Jocasta declared, "you have struck me in a demand for satisfaction." The remark was met with a low muted buzz, as the Baron and his party hurried over, the look on his face suggesting that he wasn't best pleased to have his founders day celebration devolving into farce twice at the hands of the same duo, even though Beren and Jocasta were technically blameless.

"Now Mistress Jocasta, I'm sure that Lady Giroux will withdraw her challenge and apologize for her reckless behaviour," the Baron said, a touch of steel in his voice. The red head Giroux apparently gave a thankful nod.

"Of course, I uhhh, beg your pardon," Lady Giroux said insincerely. Jocasta stepped forward and delivered a slap of her own, no theatrical tap, but a full armed slug that snapped Giroux' head sideways and raised a red mark on her cheek. The Baron let out a frustrated sigh.

"It is not our custom for ladies of the court to duel," he said through gritted teeth.

"How dare you you lowborn bitch!" Giroux raged, "we will meet and I will gut you like a ..."

"I get my choice of weapons right?" Jocasta asked, short circuiting everyone's prepared outrage. There was an awkward pause before the Baron sighed again.

"Lady Giroux did strike you so I suppose..." he began.

"Great," Jocasta interrupted, "lances it will be, on horseback and everything!"

"I don't know how to use a lance," Giroux spluttered in rage. Jocasta crossed her arms.

"Might have thought of that before you went around slapping people," she snapped.