Yule Yearings

The Bardic College - Late Evening (7:00pm) - Dark

The Bardic College’s usual smell of cleaning chemicals and old books has been washed away by the warm smells of Yule. Food scents of all kinds bleed out into the Theater District from the college, drawing a curious crowd. There is a celebration, lights, lanterns, and a crowd drawing through the main gates as several students guide and direct those entering from a set of tables.

A sign sits above them reading, ‘Mandatory Yule Cake’, and those entering are stopped long enough to be gifted a small box. Everyone gets one! Which might seem impractical from the size of Alexandria’s population, but there is a large pile to be distributed.

The three primary buildings are are covered with colored paper lanterns, the roof and windows glowing eerily in the dark night in the colors of the season. Gold, red, green, brown, and white. Some maroons! They have even dimmed the manalamps with shades, allowing for a more intimate atmosphere.

At the student practice courts there have abeen set out some risers for use and possibly entrtainment. Before them a raised podium for a director, one that can swivel to see the crowd, and those singing! Fancy stuff. Really.

For now the festivities are fairly random, but there are several areas that are cordoned off! There has been a liberal use of blockers and drapes in hopes that some of the events tonight yet may remain a surprise.

What /is/ open, is the food lane, a vast stretch of walk set aside for the culinary students to showcase their skills. Cookies, fudge, covered pretzels, all the human favorites can be found! There are also flakey elven pastries filled with nuts or fruit. Starkly contrasting the more traditional? A goblinoid tamale cart sits at the end of it all, a big sign reading ‘SPICY’ hanging haphazardly at an angle. Under it being another sign that advertises ‘Yule Punch’ which sits a hazy red in a glass container near him. Regardless, people seem to like it, and the lane busy with most of the night’s crowd.

The last place for treats is a pie cart, but unlike the others, a decorated life-sized stand-in of the gnomish crafter sits behind the counter. It’s a highly decorated ragdoll. One with a detailed face that looks almost real. Almost. As to where the creator is? No one seems to know, but the slices of pie placed out appear to be free. Wait. It’s all free! Not just the pie? Yes, the college isn’t charging admissions. This festival is for the people!

As for Patch's part in all this? It's over. She's done with the preparations, sitting on a bench near the risers, and sipping her punch. Yes, smug. Also happy. The crowd coming in bringing a smile to her face.

(Free Pose)

Also happy - not least because she is now clutching a box of cake - is Ygraine. This is her first chance to celebrate Yule in the city for a *long* time, and it looks as if she is inclined to seize the opportunity. With the brooch securing her cloak proclaiming her affiliation to Ceinara, it might be no surprise that she thinks that this is *her sort of place*... but it's one she has not yet had much opportunity to explore. Not that she is presently intending to range very far: instead, she forces herself not to descend upon the food stalls without hesitation, instead moving somewhat off to one side to drink in the atmosphere and to observe. In the course of doing so, she spots Patch - and offers her a cheery wave, but does not presume to intrude on her without invitation. She very much has the air of someone enjoying a well-earned rest, after all!

Come as you are, as you were. As I want you to be.

And they came as they were. A completely over the top egarlin. All their robes were deep verdant, white, gold, and red hues. Wings were decorated in similarly colored ribbons that fluttered freely on the wind. A long, multihued scarf with maroon mixed in is wrapped around their shoulders and neck to help keep them warm.

One arm has the Mandatory Cake in a box, along with it a bag dangling from her fingers, as she is currently in line for food, at the goblin tamale cart and getting her extra SPICY meal in her last free hand.

There's a big grin in her eyes, and along with all the music going on, one can hear a bird whistling along happily. Punch sounds good. Let's get in line for-

Her feather crest pops up. Patch! A wing waves at her, path diverting to make way towards her. "Paaaaaaaatty!" she calls from a distance. "Haaaaaaaaaaaaaappy Yuuuule!!"

GAME: Ygraine rolls 1d4: (4): 4
GAME: Slixvah rolls 1d4: (2): 2

Sometimes, you have to make an entrance.

The weather outside may be bad, but that doesn't stop Telamon from looking his best. His black boots with the silver buckles, polished properly. Dark blue woolen trousers, and a white linen tunic with silver studs at the cuffs. Over this, his sleeveless cloak, embroidered with geometric symbols, and his head crowned with the nested-circlet he wears regularly. His eyes flash with stars, his lips curled in a smile, the wind tugging at him as he strides through the entrance.

When a box is pressed on him, he takes it with grace, smiling, and offering to the person, "Happy Yule, friend." The charm is out in full force here.

GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4: (2): 2

Oh, yes. The ‘mandatory’ cake. Why was it mandatory? For any who asks, there was no answer given, but if the boxes were opened? A number is painted upon a piece of confectioner’s candy that’s been stuffed into the dark frosting. Each cake having it’s own unique digit. The lid on the inside reads ‘Don’t eat me. Not yet.’

It’s a creator’s paradise for these students, laughing and mingling with the crowd as the entertainment was far more planned than what it seemed. As children come in, students dressed as entertainers and clowns help keep their attention with jokes and skits. A puppet wagon is wheeled out before the entrance to the main building, hosting a ‘bonk’ show. Lots of amenities for all ages. Ringtoss, and singalongs. Anything to give the parents a break to roam the more interesting exhibits as they open.

Speaking of opening things? Diggle Foxly, a portly goblin professor of music has found his way to the podium, swiveling it towards the crowd with a squeak. It’s new. Needs to be broken in. “Hello, hello! Can I have your attention?!” the man calls in a deep baritone, his smile breaking as people begin to chat. “I would like to draw attention to our first event. The seasons leading up to this holiday have been rough, and the times of being trapped within the walls brought a creative dampener to all of us!” he calls, hoping more people linger and are drawn in as he rambles a bit before the show.

As he speaks, three objects draped in sheets are hauled out in carts, the work it takes to move them rather impressive, and requiring several students to do it safely. “Not anymore! Today, we take back our creativity, and vent our frustrations with our souls!” a hand rising to bid the crowd stay quiet. It wasn’t needed, but theatrics. “So, without further talking… I introduce you to some of our creative talent’s best work!”

As the drapes are tugged free, several dyed ice sculptures sit masterfully crafted to glisten by lantern light. There is a Werewolf, a Wight, and a rather humorous mini-worm with a wight riding it. Someone didn’t stick to the assignment, but at least it provokes a laugh from the crowd! The coloration helping to bring out the exquisite detail. “So, if you all would look at your cakes, each one has a number!” hoping no one ate theirs. It’s a surprise for a reason! It’s obvious why as a raffle box is brought out, and three numbers are drawn. One of them being Ygraine’s.

“If your number was called, come up to the stage!”, Diggle says.

Patch barely has time to react, sipping her tea, and standing to wave back at Ygraine. She’d been about to step that way before she’s interrupted by Slixvah’s call. She’s just enjoying the show, sipping the punch, and winking towards the egalrin woman. “Happy Yule.”

Schara has arrived.

The startlingly-dressed (and enthusiastic) egalrin caught Ygraine's attention for a few moments. Was she the one who had been (very briefly) met while sprawled on her back in the snow? Perhaps. But with Patch being so eagerly greeted, the Muse opts to return to people- and performance-watching... at least until the speech starts. Then, she is among those to *oooh* at the first two sculptures and laugh delightedly at the third. But it still catches her quite thoroughly by surprise when she discovers that her cake has a *number*, and that hers is one of those called. After a moment to double-check that she is indeed correct, she raises her hand to affirm that she is one of the lucky(?) few, and makes her way up to the stage - grinning cheerfully.

Slix is doing all that she can to not get distracted by all the ongoings, her absentmindedly monching on her tamale. The bird in her that she keeps squashed down is screaming out: 'play with ALL THE THINGS'.

The call to attention gets her to pivot around towards the goblin, head tilted to the side. Event? Drawing? A blink, and she peers into her box... drat, no dice! Oh well! She nibbles on a piece of the cake just for good measure.

"Ooh!" she cheers, whistling at the ice sculptures. "Eyy those are great!" she shouts.

Eventually, she gets to Patch, stopping by and dropping the bag by on the seat next to her. There's a return wink. "Happy Yule," she intones again, pushing the bag towards the bard.

A look of familiarity crosses her as she spies Ygraine. She offers a wave-wave of a wing to her. Seems like she recalls theri brief encounter.

Looks like Tel got here just in time, though he didn't win the drawing. Ah well, he's happy enough. He notices Ygraine, though, and recognizes her as she goes up on the stage. A wave, and a smile, as the sorcerer meanders through the gathering, politely greeting and nodding as needed. The flash of ribbons and feathers catches his eye next, and he peers... well well.

Deftly threading his way through the people talking and eating, he snags a couple mugs of punch, before stopping next to where Patch and Slixvah are. "And a joyous Yule to the both of you," he says, offering one mug to Slix (as Patch already has a drink). "All is well, I hope?"

Diggle is delighted, ushering those with the numbers called up. Front and center. Three silly hats are produced, each in a yule color, the one of yellowish gold being gifted to Ygraine. "It is my greatest honor to tell you three that you have been selected to be the first to take back our creativity from the beasts." he says. What does the old goblinoid mean? Well, in his well cut suit, her reaches into his coat to produce a hammer. Two others coming forth to be offered from stage hands to the other contestants. Ygraine just happens to be the one Diggle is focused on. "You, Ma'am. I expect big things from you. You look the....sort to want to get even yes?" wiggling the hammer before Ygraine by its head, haft offered to her while motioning to the statue. Yes, he means for them to break them! "Go on. Help us. Free the creativity." he almost pleads. "It'll be fun." coaxing her.

The crowd seems confused, but for the odd silence the students present begin to stomp and chat. Echoing Diggle. "Free it! Free it! Free it!" they call. This must be part of the show.

Patch has to turn, seeing a familiar face being chosen and falling silent as Telamon speaks. "Oh, they chose the Muse." her hibiscus punch still sipped as she talks to herself. It's her focus. A crowd favorite. She'd finally made it near Slix in her meandering, still trying to watch things as they play out.

"They're beautiful! My congratulations to the artists!", Ygraine calls out - hoping that praise from a Muse (however junior she is in reality) might count for something in these particular circles. With a flamboyant flourish, she brandishes her hammer, prowling to and fro as if assessing which statue best deserves a clobbering. Inwardly, she momentarily ponders the merits of calling upon her goddess's fire to do the work for her, but quickly dismisses that notion as *cheating* in the context of this game.

"If I am to tackle a Beast, then I should take on the most fearsome! I choose *you*!" She gestures dramatically to the Wight, before stalking all around it (soaking in the details of it), before starting to lay about it with her weapon. Though it's not exactly her favoured choice of armament, Ygraine does seem to have the skill and strength required to scatter hunks across the stage as she makes fairly rapid inroads - and before long she reveals that the distinct reddish hue in the ice is at least in part a result of *smoke* trapped within. Wisps of ruddy vapour escape upwards, before puffs emerge as she fully opens the cavities within.

"Its spirit has been released!", she cries in playful triumph, waving her hammer again, before solemnly offering it back to the professor. Duty done, she bows theatrically to the crowd and (with silly hat still atop her head), descends from the stage, grinning like a loon.

Patch looks up to Slixvah, the bag that was handed towards her puzzled at. She's still quiet, but as the 'ceremony' goes on.... she can't help but keep glance to the egalrin. "Do you mind if it waits a bit to be opened?"

Well, Schara had come and gone when the event seemed to be ongoing, having set out a small stand near to the festivities to sell their wares at. It turned out that flamboyant bards had a penchant for looking good, and what little stock the artificer had managed to put together was quickly sold off, leaving them closing up shop and departing quickly. With nothing further to do, they decided that returning made the most sense, now laden with a relatively fatter coin purse to enjoy everything. Or, at least they returned, for those who recognized the brown haired elf wandering by the stalls. They wore a heavy overcoat and accompanying purple scarf, turning to watch the show. "Why are they destroying everything? What does it accomplish doing so?" They quietly wonder out loud, finding their steps taking them to the ice carvings.

Slix is already in on the chanting. "Free it! Free it! Free it! she bays gleefully.

A brief turn to Telamon, brows shooting up. "Oh heyy! How's it goin' Telly? Happy Yule!" she chirps, taking the drink with a thankful nod and downing half of it in one go.

A glance to Patch. A smile in the eyes and a wink. "Not at all. At your leisure," she coos, flipping one end of the scarf over a shoulder. "And I absolutely /love/ this thing, sugar~"

Back her attention the theatrics at hand, Slix witnessing Ygraine not just appraise, but make a whole show of it. "GET IT! YEAH!" she whoops and hollars, totally enthralled by the theatrics. Slix is digging it, clapping look a fool. "WOOHOO!"

Telamon watches with interest as the ice sculptures are demolished. "Oh, that's clever," he murmurs with a grin. "I wonder how they got the little quantities of smoke inside? I might ask. But the symbolism's pretty good." He takes a sip of his punch experimentally. "Hm. This isn't bad either."

He smiles at Patch and Slixvah, commenting to the former, "By the way, Pothy loves his little scarf. Lana and the pixies think he looks both dashing and adorable in it."

"YES! I knew you were the one!" Diggle screams over the crowd, his excitement rather large for his small frame. He even pumps cadmium colored hand. "The first spirits have been freed?!" the smoke from inside the statue that Ygraine smashed disappearing quickly, but it was enough to get a rise from the crowd. Cheers now as the other two hesitantly and slowly break theirs, a puff of green and blue following.

A sudden flash comes behind the crowd, one of the sealed off areas suddenly springing to life with a playful, but eerie music. Students come from behind the partitions in monster costumes, opening a winter wonderland of sculptures that take up where the marching area used to be. It's littered with them, a chance for anyone to break if they wished. It only costs you the small numbered token upon your cake. Eat it yourself, or smash baddies? The crowd has a choice. Though it seems things might be far from over. Beyond the sculptures is an ice maze, a small student dressed as a penguin manning front entrance.

"Thank you." Diggle says to Ygraine, letting her be on her way with that hat and warm gratitude. "I hope you enjoy what's to come." Yes, another lull like the one from before begins to start.

"You are entirely welcome," the Muse assures Diggle with a smile. Waving in 'triumph', Ygraine then slips into the crowd - from where she cheers on her successors in the role of heroes. In truth, she is both delighted and distinctly *relieved* that her chosen interpretation met with the approval of the professor as well as the crowd. And she happily applauds the revelation of fresh distractions and delights! Her cake, she thinks she will save for later: that will leave room to sample more! And withdrawing a little to the food stalls now might be wise, to enjoy the greater ease of browsing and sampling offered by the crowd's eagerness to explore. Having already very publicly 'gone first', it seems inappropriate for the Muse to try to be near the front of the queue for anything else. And nibbling and sipping certainly offers its own array of delights and novelties!

Slixvah offers to Telamon, "They's prolly got a tiny hole drilled in it where they filled it befo' hand then plugged it," she theorizes before snickering. "Oh man, Pothy in a scarf. Hah!"

Then, a flash! "Bwuh?" Slix turns- "Ooh heeeeck yeah!" she grins, her eyes twinkling with mischief and potential creative destruction. Ygraine has fled to the food courts. Drat! She'd have to meet her proper later! Oh well! Slix has already uttered a, "I gotta get the hatchlin' outta me, be back!" in a coo before heading off towards the student dressed as a... penguin? "Oh my /gods/ you're adorable!" she tweets, offering her cake token to take a crack at smashing stuff.

She passes a familiar elf along the way. Slows a bit, then grins. "Scha-Scha!!" she cheers. "Let's go smash stuff! For art!"

"How was there a spirit stuck within it? It's frozen water, or at least it seemed like it, that smoke is interesting. Some impact activated chemical frozen in the ice?" The elf continues musing. "Statues that were made to be broken, cakes not meant to be eaten, it does not entirely make sense."

The artificer sighs and rolls one of their shoulders, offering the egalrin and bard she recognized a low, rather stiff wave. "I don't know if I can go smashing things right now, and I still don't know why." The artificer notes."

Telamon raises his eyebrows quizzically at the sight of more statues being unveiled. "I think I'll let the other partygoers handle them. My solutions usually involve magic and are noisy and flashy." He laughs softly, "Besides, what kind of adventuring hero would I be, if I didn't let others get the chance to do so as well?"

He looks curiously at Schara, not recognizing her, but since Slixvah knows her he offers her a smile. "Ma'am. Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon at your service."

Patch nods to Slixvah and Telamon, grinning as she side-eyes the woman. "It really is. I only helped. I don't deserve credit." her tone a bit muted, but the smile is broad upon her lips. "These students want get to participate in the Midnight Run, and we thought something was needed to help boost morale. It was everyone, Slix. They all did it. Not just me." a bit of pride in the bard's tone as she pockets that gift as the bird socializes with others. It's cherished, and something to savor for after the night's fun.

Telamon gets a somewhat shocked look, Patch quickly offerig him a bobbing-nod. "I'm glad. I was going to make him something, but what would a bird do with boots?" she has to ask with a grin.

Schara earns Patch's laugh, her questions about destruction valid, but still amusing to the bard all the same. "We could have explained that they were meant to be broken. But, it ruins the surprise!"

"Ms. Galakir's feathery friend is right. It's something a lot like that." Diggle's voice chiming as he makes his way from seeing Ygraine off the stage, having also pardoned himself. "I'm parched! Going to my nephews stall to get some punch. You all enjoy the festivities." a mock hat-tip cast to those near Patch, and a wink spared for the bard. "I'll be back to announce the wight cake competition in a bit." his accent making it sound a lot like 'white' cake. Which would make more sense. After having informed his assistant of his desires, he waddles that way with a grin on his features. "Might eat me a tamale or two."

The student that Slixvah speaks too is a gnome, small, but dressed in a full bodysuit of a penguin. Her blue eyes looking up as she's addressed. "Aww, thank you! I'm the keeper! This is my maze." a smile flashed with her large and batting eyes. That's when it dawns on Slixvah. This is the pie girl! Her doll is the one whom was there creepily looking over the pies. "Any and all can go in, but can they solve the mystery?" making a spooky 'OooooOOoo' noise at Slixvah after.

Slixvah waves a hand as she goes. "I know, ya'll all did such a great job!" she cheers. A hand rests on the scarf. "... really? Awwh... that's really sweet of 'em.. I'll be sure ta flaunt it about as much as I can!" She hops over to give Patch a brief hug.

Ro Diggle- "The tamale's a great! Tho', get a drink wit' it! I still feel it in my gut!"

Leaving to go socialize, now she's afront of the gnome in a penguin suit. "Ooooh? A maze?" she echoes, grinning. "And a mystery? Well, I'd say I'm a pretty smart cookie! Nice doll ova by da pies, by the by! Welp, time ta try this maze!"

She ambles on in, already having forgotten about smashing statues. Yep. Full bird brain attention right now.

Telamon shakes his head. "An ice maze. Gods no. I'd get frustrated five minutes in, start casting my flight spell, and just fly over it. There are just some things I'm not good at." He rubs his chin. "The work is excellent though, I'll say that." Sipping his punch, the half-elf inclines his head to Patch. "It's good to see you smiling, my friend. There's never enough of that in the world."

"Oh, hello mister Telamon Lupecyll-Atlon, that's okay, I don't need any services or servicing, but thank you for offering." The elf answers, actually managing a smile back. "I've heard of you, you're that sorcerer that's often around the temptress of Alexandria, aren't you?"

But news of a mystery to solve had their attention much more, and they quickly wander off to the maze of ice. "So, we go in, and there is a mystery to be solved? Are there any clues we should be looking for, or is that part of the challenge, to determine what is amiss?" They begin asking of the penguin gnome as they look for the entrance.

"You haven't seen me drink?" Patch asks Telamon as Slixvah meanders away to talk with Penguin-Dia. "I've been told I am nothing but smiles." she muses, turning on Telamon with a smirk. "It's true lately I have had less to smile about, but things have... changed. Thank you." she says with warmth, jostling her tangy hibiscus punch and then drinking from it again before glancing to Schara "It's a mystery!"

Before Slixvah enters the maze, the sound of statues breaking and screams of joy ring out of the crowd forming on the ice field. The small Penguin nods to the Egalrin, smiling broadly. "Before you go!" she bids the bird wait just a moment. "My penguin mate is lost, and he needs help. He went to find a token for my affection, but he hasn't come back! Please. Find and help him!" she bids in her part of this small play, even sounding upset until she winks at the witch and bids her to continue into the maze.

Slix is readily stopped by the small Penguin, but the noises of statues being broken reminds her 'ah, got distracted and now I'm missing out!'. She shakes her head and grins, that's fine. The egalrin stoops down to listen, wings flaring out slightly to let the Yule colors flutter about freely. "Oh goodness, gotta find ya mate! Okay! We'll keep an eye out fo' 'em and bring 'em back ta ya!" A thumbs up is flashed, and she marches on in.

This is easy! There's only so many turns and dead ends one can make, and Slix has it figured out!

... well. Towards the end, she runs into a number of dead ends, her scratching her head and retracing her steps, making sure to keep herself oriented in one direction so she doesn't get turned around.. aha! Found them! Oh goodness, they're just as adorable as the first. But she's presented with three choices. And she chooses... the one that makes the least sense!

As she comes back, she pauses, staring at some of the snow and digging around...

Slix comes out of the maze, chest puffed out in ego-filled pride as she hands a white agate to the keeper. "Found ya matey, and somethin' somethin'!" she coos, grinning.

Telamon's expression grows ever-so-slightly annoyed at the description of Cor'lana as 'the temptress of Alexandria'. "Yes," he says quite crisply. "That's my wife." He refuses to get more irked, though, instead firmly pasting a smile on his face. "One shouldn't believe all the rumors, and besides, the only person she routinely tempts is me."

Tel glances at Patch with a grin, "I hear the Crimson Pen novels are starting to churn already for my bride. I'm only hoping I'm at least in them in a bit role. Then again, I suppose we are terribly boring in some respects... not near enough scandal to generate a good tale."

Schara's investigation for the entrance ends when they get focused on looking at how exactly they had carved the entire thing. "Just how did you keep producing this much ice quiet to reveal like this? You had to have had some place to prepare it all, not to mention moving it here. Or maybe it was just magic, that would make sense too, it is a bard school after all." They muse to themselves, tapping the structure with their unmoving gloved hand. "Ah, it seems that Slixvah found what they were looking for. Don't worry, I don't believe those tales, I just recognize the name, that's all."

"I would be flattered. I find her tempting for sure." Patch muses to Telamon, a wry grin forming as she finishes her punch with a sigh. "But, the Crimson Pen goes after everyone with a name, doesn't it? I'm sure you will have your own too in time. Cor'lana just got a jump on you because of Zalgiman and his crass ass." a low tone and lean towards Telamon used as she cusses.

"I know you don't about boring. Cute? Yes. Content in quiet? Yes. Actually quiet? I've seen Cor'lana mad. I bet she can yell with the best of them."

Diggle makes his way back from the stalls, a tamale being eaten in one hand, and a drink carried in the other. If it's too spicy, he doesn't show it. It's like eating a piece of cheese or fruit to him. "Tell them it's time!" he says with a motion to Patch, whom responds with a surprised nod to hear his words. She toss her empty drink into a collection barrel, one of many for people to discard things inn scattered about the campus. She's soon off, scurrying towards the culinary building, and rapping on the doors. Apparently that was the signal.

As Diggle finishes up his snack, he makes his way to the stage and begins to draw attention once again from the crowd. The doorway leading to the culinary department opens, and three carts are being wheeled out. Something about 3's. Again, they are covered by drapes and hidden from from the crowd's sight. "Hello! Pardon me. Again. It is time for the Wight Cake Tasting!" Diggle's professional voice carrying on as he grins and the cakes are brought up. Patch is the one to bring him the raffle box for him to pull numbers form. And he does. Three of them.

As Slixvah comes out of the maze and presents her answer, Dia claps and laughs. "He didn't tell you, did he?" she muses, a small rounded container shaped like an egg taken from under a fold of fabric at Dia's feet. "Because you helped love truly blossom if not, and we have a gift!" the prize presented as the two gnomes stand together in costume. Two penguins, and an egg. Guess what? Another hat! This one embroidered with penguins and fish. Not as festive as the others, but winter themed all the same!

(I need a +roll 1d4)

GAME: Slixvah rolls 1d4: (3): 3 
GAME: Telamon rolls 1d4: (3): 3
GAME: Schara rolls 1d4: (3): 3

Slixvah puts a hand over her heart, the multihued scarf fluttering in the breeze. "He didn't tell me at all, sugar! Honest! I'm jus' a slick bird is all, ya kno' bird ta bird?" she giggles, winking. Though, at the gift is met with a light gasp. "Oooh! It's lovely!" she coos, picking it up and donning the penguin and fish hat happily. "Thank you!"

She passes by the inspecting elf. "Prolly lots of magics and tricks of the light ta hide it. Ropes to to misdirect!"

But then the ruckus draws her attention back to the stage. She tilts her head. Blinks. Looks to her cake box. "Oooh! Oooh! Das me!" she cackles, all but skipping up to the stage in her whole Yule-getup self. She hops from foot to foot, all the Yule-hued things bouncing and bobbing. "Cake Tasting!"

Telamon blinks, and looks at his little box. With the three on it. Huh. He turns, and looks at Slix and Schara, before shrugging and offering a charming smile. "Well, it'd be churlish not to do so..." He glides forward with that easy, elegant stride, walking up to the stage and offering Diggle a good natured smile. "I'm no Pothy, but I will do my best to give a good review of what you have to offer, sir."

"Was there supposed to be three winners? I suppose more than one person can eat a cake, it is just a bit odd." Schara notes as she fumbles open her cake box to discover hers too had the same number. They end up shoving their entire hand under the top of the box to flip it open. "You may need to speak to them after to prove you did not rig the drawing Patch, given three of your friends all were sent at the same time. Regardless, it sounds fun, doesn't it?" They continue , before stepping up to the stage, looking a lot less unsure of themself.

Diggle has to look at Telamon a moment at the name 'Pothy'. "Ah! Yes. I know of the famous little bird." It's true, Patch has spoken of them once or twice, but more? Pothy has merchandise. It took him a long while to figure out what all that 'plush' talk was about amongst his students. "You'll do fine, lad. You have to find the cake first." he says in a tease, looking to Slixvah and Schara. "You two ready for this?" he asks, some spare students waiting to take the drapes from the cakes. Or, what was thought to be cakes!

As the covers are torn off, they look real. VERY real. In fact, none of them look like a cakes at all. "A snarling wolf, a wight, and a worm. They're clearly not real, and a gasp is heard from the audience. "So, umm. I forgot to mention. You have to decide by yourselves, which one do you think is cake?" this game of cake or not beginning for the three. "We'd like an answer before the cutting." this turning into the students versus the audience. Yes, the games played here are for the public. which means the audience is the College. At least for now.

"Yeah, which one is it?!" A student taunts from a booth.

(Perception Checks)

GAME: Slixvah rolls alertness: aliased to perception+2: (11)+12+2: 25
GAME: Telamon rolls perception: (19)+13: 32
GAME: Schara rolls perception: (4)+9: 13

Slixvah waves a hand off to the noting elf. "Scha-Scha, don' worry 'bout it, it's all fo' fun!" she giggles, turning towards Diggle. "Oh boy am I ready!" Fists curled tight, them pumping up and down as she bounces on the tips of her talons.

She is so excited!

Oh wow! She grins at the sight of the lifelike cakes. But then she squints. Wait. One of these couldn't be cake...

She glances to the audience. The proper audience. She clears her throat. "Oh goodness, /gracious/, me! I cannot figure out which one of these is the real one for the life of me?"

She tip toes around the Wolf. "Is it this one?" Sniff sniff.

A twirl to the worm. "Could it be this one??" A squint at it.

Then a hop towards the Wight. "No! It HAS to be this one!"

Bracing herself, she full sends a beak bite right down onto it.

Stjepan has arrived.

Telamon smiles broadly at Diggle. "I'm not worried, just fascinated. This is very well done, and my compliments." His eyes sweep over the three cakes, nose twitching ever so slightly. He playfully starts to raise his hand to cast a spell, then pantomimes looking at the audience as if 'caught', and grins impishly.

As Slix makes her choice, though, the sorcerer deftly steps past her to the wolf, and snatches up a cake knife from the table as he goes. "Ha! I stab at you, wolves of the waste!" And he promptly sticks the knife right into the wolf's brow.

Stjepan is late, but he's also good at being unobtrusive -- so he's there, being a flying buttress to the wall, watching the cakes fascinatedly.

"Ah right, for fun. This is a lucky chance to be chosen for, isn't it?" Schara asks, before nodding to Diggle and the others. "Find which one is actually cake. Seems simple enough to accomplish."

"Were we not supposed to, cut the cake?" They ask of Slixvah as they fumble in one of the pockets in their coat, until they manage to hook onto a pair of glasses in the garment. They hook one arm open, and they manage to nudge them onto their face after another moment so they can take a closer look. "The slime on the worm does not look edible, and I can't imagine how they managed to get the skin on that wight looking so realistic if it is made of conventional baking ingredients. Ah! That makes the most sense, and mister Telamon has already deduced it. I recognize that fur, it is what happens when melted sugar is spun rapidly through a centrifuge, creating hair like wires of sugar. But to make them look so life like, whoever made this took great care in its production."

The crowd is in awe that two cakes have been revealed, not just one. The theatrics of Slixvah and Telamon causing a roar of laughter. The students of the Bardic College watch on, even those dressed in costumes of beast and penguin have paused to watch. These kind of cakes take time, and when Schara agrees with Telamon, a different kind of laughter erupts from the students. Schara's comments earning grins and wide smiles. Yes, there is pride in some acting, and there is pride in the art making itself.

"Keen eye, Sir." Diggle says to Telamon, nodding approvingly at something said, giving the man a wink. Even the old goblin was reduced to laughs at the stabbing and pecking of Slixvah. She's quickly found herself with a sweet and spicy holiday cake all over her beak at its descent. Diggle? He's left wiping his brow as he approaches Schara, and motioning towards the Worm. "I assure you, they're all cakes." he grins. "It was a trick, our fun. We made so many cakes you see. Each one for our raffle a spiced delight like what you see here in these. Brought to you by all our culinary students, and the recipies created by our own Dia Dawner!" he calls, a happy penguin-girl squeaking at her table in the distance and clapping for herself. She's still working the maze, but apparently their baker of premier pies also had a hand in the cakes.

"Do not worry, we have already handed out enough for everyone. But, if you're lucky. You get to have a piece of art to eat." Diggle says, taking up a plate and knive from under the carts, and cutting deep into the worm's scales. The slice is large, and offered to Schara first. "Would you like some art to eat?" these bards really liking the destruction theme. Pent-up stress does that.

Patch is already off the stage, watching and listening to the whole ordeal with a large grin. Soon another student is handing her some prizes, a hat for each of those on the stage once they have gotten their treat. The stage will then be opened until the cakes are gone, just another neat snack and memory for the public to gossip over.

Telamon laughs softly, and claps Diggle's shoulder. "You and your students are genius, sir. I will -definitely- keep you in mind, for I've a friend who has wedding bells in the future. I wonder if he'd accept a cake as a wedding gift?"

With that, though, Telamon withdraws to let the others enjoy the cakes, his smile still shining. He's clearly quite pleased, and he dons his hat with pride, offering a bow to both Dia Dawner and to Diggle himself.

Stjepan claps from the wall, then heads out towards the cake. Cake! He looks for a larger plate -- something he can actually hold on to.

Slix was expecting something more... firm? Pretend? Not... spicy and sweet. Soft. Giving. She did not hold back on that. So when she rises, chuncks of sweet and spicy cake falls off her face to plop on the stage floor. But she rolls with it, licking some off the side of her beak while her face is absolutely ruined with frosting and the like. "Mmmmm! This on's pretty good!"

She turns towards the audience: the students. "Ey, y'all did great wit' this an' everything!" she shouts out, stumbling off with a slice for herself. And a second serving on her face. "Thankies Diggle!" she giggles, taking a hop/glide off the stage to all but thud into a chair.

"Oh. They are all cake? Well, that is a surprised to me." Schara notes, sounding and looking genuinely surprised by that. "I don't usually eat art, art is usually expensive, but I will make an exception for cake that is art. Thank you, mister Diggle." She says while accepting the cake, and vacating the area to let others get some. "Do you require a hankerchief? You are not looking very unmessy, Slixvah."

... turns out they did have at least a few shreds of a sense of humor, somewhere deep down.

Whatever little humor Schara had, has Patch laughing as she places another hat next to Slixvah. Like the one Telamon took, this one has cakes all over it in the Yule colors. It's an embroidered silly thing, and Schara gets one as Patch offers it after her fit has stopped. "I didn't know the answer to that one, but I'd of not guessed they were all cake." she muses.

Stjepan is noticed then, his larger presence seen in the line for cake. "Eh! Foxly. Get me a piece on the big plates!" Patch suddenly calls, her professor turning to her confused for a moment until her words dawn on him. "Oh! Yes! Of course." the line skipped as a wight's hand is selected as the piece. Once collected, Patch quietly thanks her mentor, scurrying towards her large friend. "Stepjan! Don't stand in line. Come here." she calls at him, pointing to what she's procured. Luring the man towards her other friends.

It's got some crisped-rice-goodness inside for support on the limbs, but the spiced cake still permeates it enough to get the full holiday flavor. Some bits of the cake can't be eaten, This likely being why they handed out the boxes at the beginning, as some mounts and bases were secured to help with shaping these tasty art pieces together, not a lot remains to eat in some spots.

Stjepan is easy to lure with food, it's true. "Patch!" He greets, grins, and follows, heading over -- and looking for a solid chair, just in case. He keeps looking at the cakes, though.

Slixvah stares at Schara for a moment overlong before she bursts out laughing, a hand clutching at her gut. "O-Oh gods, Scha-Shca, that's a good one! Y-Yeah, I'll take one of thems if ya offering!"

She looks up to Patch as a hat is now in Slix's possession. "Eyyyy," she grins, donning this hat too on top of the other, penguin and fish hat. So festive right now! "Well, I wouldn't have guessed it either. They did good work!"

The egalrin stands as she nibbles on her cake: the rust red and white feathered woman completely decked out in reds, greens, golds, whites and more, along with matching hue ribbons all on her wings. "Heya!" she greets. "Ya must be Stepjan! Th' name's Slixvah! Patch has told me nothin' but good things 'bout ya! Nice ta meet ya!" she coos warmly.

The other festivities catch her slight attention. Especially some of the remaining ice sculptures in the back.

The artificer elf seems to blink, and they nod once, with the tiniest smile they can manage as they pull a white hankerchief embroidered with flowers our of one of their pockets to offer the egalrin. "I did not think it was that funny, but I'm glad you both seemed to at least." They note, turning to try some of the cake. "Ah, Stjepan, I believe I saw them at the tarrace once, but did not speek. It is nice to meet you as well. And thank you for the hat, you are all being most generous with your gifts today."

"It's supposed to be for the people, ya know?" Patch says to Schara as Stjepan claims his cake. It has a fork there! Diggle doesn't forget the important things. A big-man's fork. "They're practical things, and needed." Patch says with a grin. Winking. It's true, by now the entire festival is sprinkled with hats. Kids playing Hide and Bugbear, Ring Toss, and other games have their own prizes to flaunt to their parents. It's true, a bit of warm clothing, food, and fun. The Bardic College wasn't thinking about it as 'gifts'.

"It's all just an excuse to blow off steam and make the the holidays more festive. This city has seen a lot." which is an understatement. She means since she's been here. The city was crazy long before that.

The cakes slices are eventually passed out, and the stage cleared once more. It seems the end is drawing near, people now moving about more lazily as the night drags on. It's time for the music and close. SOON.

Patch finally rests, sitting next to Slixvah after helping Stjepan find some sturdy chairs. "And he is. A good friend too." she says to the egalrin, tugging free her small parcel bag and jingling it before Slixvah's glance. "Should I now?" she asks.

Stjepan takes up the plate and fork -- a real fork! -- and turns, grinning at Slixvah, "Hey, I remember you," from the Terrace, so its unsaid, "how're you doing? Nice to meet you again!" He nods to Schara, matching it, "Good to meet you, as well." He settles into his chair with a happy sigh, "Thank you, Patch," before his attention is caught by the jingling.

Slixvah takes the handkerchief gladly and wipes free her face. A flick of the wrist and an incantation cleans it before handing it back. "Really appreciated! And hey, it was a good pun!"

A long sigh. Understanding, and relaxed. "Yeeeah. Tha peoples need a break. This is one really nice one thus far," she hums, leaning against Patch as the bard selects her seat beside her. A glance to the parcel. Then a finger to her beak. "For later," she hums. Playful. "When ya got all this put away and ya got a moment to yaself."

Her attention shifts to Stjepan, eyes squinting in a smile. "Doin' really well! Especially after all these great festivities!" She flops her head side to side. Two hats are on her: one of penguins and fish, another of cakes.

The woman's attention shifts a bit towards the stage once more. Music? She's got cake. A nice chair with friends. And a front row seat. What a way to close it out, huh?

The elf blinks. "Why didn't you just clean yourself with magic to begin with?" Schara asks as she accepts the hankerchief back, going about attempting to fold the cloth with both rigid hands, failing to do so, and giving up and shoving it into one of their pockets. "I am not going to complain, I came back with several gold coins, and found myself needing to spend little. I will save them for another time, in that case."

"More than one ribbon, and now two hats. I still do not understand clothing in this place."

Patch puts that small pack away at Slixvah's suggestion, grinning as she looks to Stjepan as he eats his treat. "I didn't think I'd see you here." she admits with a grin.

As Schara talks of the cleaning, Patch's glance turns that way. "A show, Schara. Lest I suspect, anyways." she muses and shrugs. "Thank you all for cooperating with Diggle. I didn't realize you'd all be called up there. Was a crazy lucky thing to witness."

Diggle and the rest have cleared the stage, and soon the choir risers are full of students whom are about to start the final Yule activity. The caroling.

They're all dressed in fine robes of mixed colors, each section having a spattering of different yule hues, and the sheet folders for music to match. Diggle is the one directing, his wand taken out and given a waggle and tap. Oh yes, that's enough to draw some attention from the meandering crowds. "We're going to be singing a while, so please enjoy the festivities until we run out of stuff to offer, or we pack it all in to go home!" the goblin calls, and turns the swiveling stand towards his students. No warning, no warm ups. Just the College suddenly busting out into yule songs. The generic kind. About solstice nights, and burning logs.

Stjepan grins back at Patch, and waits until the music bursts into being, "Well, I came for you anyways." He gestures with his plate-of-cake, "This is good -- thank you." A glance at Schara, "It's joy, not utility."

"It was certainly interesting. Stressful, but interesting. I think I enjoyed it, however." The artificer nods as the settle into a seat. They stop to look at their plate, and after some time thinking, twist off their right hand entirely, stowing it in a pocket and replacing it with a fork so they could eat some of it. "I have never seen celebrations like these before. But they're nice, really."

"Good. That's what I want to hear." Patch says to Schara, watching Diggle direct for a bit. "That old codger is amazing, ya know? He's way out of his prime, but he can still run all day." some warmth there. She seems fond of the Bardic College. "Anyways" she says with a change of topic, grinning to the other elven woman. "I hope there will be a lot more too."

"I know you mostly came for me, but I didn't expect you to do it. It's.... it's like my second home, and I like to share it with people. I just know it's not everyone's cup of tea." she says to the Juton, shrugging. "It's starting to wind down, anyone want to go get some drinks?" and by her tone, it's clear its not the punch she means.

"Oh, Schara. Dia's puzzle changes for anyone who enters. It's not the same twice." she muses about the ice maze. "It'll be around till after The Gathering, so come back and try it."

"It's different, but its fun." Stjepan stretches his legs out, and polishes off the cake. "Well, I'm thirsty now," he offers to Patch. A glance towards Schara, "Something new, then," he says affirmingly.

"Is he? I couldn't even tell he was, he was amazing in his play before at the Tarrace." Schara notes, looking and sounding a bit surprised. "I can't imagine the artificer's guild putting on anything like this, and I do not know, there's still too much stigma, there I suppose."

Mention of the puzzle makes them perk up somewhat, and the elf smiles again. "I could try it without knowing the results tomorrow? That sounds wonderful! I'm glad it'll be open for some time, it gives me something to do and I was so surprised by the sheer scale I forgot to enter today."

"There are drinks here, we could get some, yes?" They ask, standing up and shaking their fork-hand free of any cake crumbs. "Lets go get something.

She definitely meant the punch. At least she could probably be steered in the right direction.

-End Scene-