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The Winter Festival was a time of joy, good food, and entertainment for all those involved. Skilled performers such a mysterious, unnamed bard and the court performer, Heyden, set the mood for what was going to be a pleasant evening. Important faces were seen in the Castle Gardens: it is known that the Grandmaster Alchemist, the Overseer of Magic, the Master Beautician, the Spellrender Lieutenant and the Grand Inquisitor all were present. Lesser-known individuals also decided to show up, including one of the two local tax collectors, a stranger claiming to be a trader, an odd blindfolded man, an avian luck wizard and the local smith.

However, when the desserts came, strange things started to happen...




Well-dressed guards wielding halberds escort both peasant and noble to the Gardens - after searching the former for weapons, of course. The place is very much empty still, but the performers are already getting ready, and a few musicians have started playing a jolly tune to pass the time. At the garden's entrance, a man in priestly robes, accompanied by the two tallest, most mean-looking guards in the whole force, takes the offerings the participants bring and writes down their names.

Draconus Forest, even had his sword been allowed, still attends the festival without it. The lieutenant is dressed in the whites and reds of his uniform, and the man appears to have taken extra time to make himself as presentable as possible. Carefully tucked beneath his left arm is a small bundle of blue cloth, which when untied for the priest is revealed to be protecting a small sculpture of the Lady Titan of Snow Herself, projecting a magical coldness about it. That must have cost a pretty penny to have made, but the knight seems very pleased to present it as his offering to Her Snowiness.

Rufio Delgado was fashionably early. Of course he is, he's a rooster, roosters are early birds. Head held high and a fine icy white-blue 'suit' and cape on he stepped through the doors into the gardens with a long jewelry box in hand. Inside the box is a fine ladies white-gold necklace with pale blue precious stones set into it. It's pretty and a fairly good last minute gift, having barely been in town long enough to have known of the event being held at the castle. The rooster, who's tail had been damaged recently, now had a few clean and unharmed feathers, though some were still damaged, the smaller ones. He wrote his name and handed off the gift before proceeding into the garden gradually, turning his head to examine the grounds and the people already there.

Mauricio - Dressed in the white and icy blue of the titan of snow Mauricio silently moved past the column of guards and the priest and positioned himself somewhere to the side. Making an offering was as good as a requirement on this day, especially so soon after the Snow Titan made herself so known and he would keep in mind each and every face that decided to skip on that part. Draconus and Rufio were given a respectful nod as they gave their offereings and a smile so small one might've wondered if there was just something itching him that made the very corners of his mouth arc up, baring a few sharp teeth. Whenever there were no new people entering the gardens, Mauricio let his blue eyes drift over the mass already gathered, watching out for a specific shade of moustache and a very unique set of eyes.

Heyden, amongst the occasional juggler or jester, was spending a little time in preparing for her performance. Heyden had presented her offering to his priestly-ness a short while ago; although it was nothing particularly extravagant, little more than a woven ornament that barely resembled a woman with the Titan of Ice's symbol stitched into the chest of it, it was deemed an acceptable offering nonetheless. With the formalities out of the way, and after some argument with one of the guards once it became apparent that they were not going to allow her to perform with swords, Heyden was sat moodily out of sight, with what looked to be a shiny helmet perched between her knees that she was using as a sort of mirror whilst she applied dark blue paint across her face a horizontal stripe. The woman was much more frequently seen wearing black makeup in an identical pattern, however, such a dark shade did not reflect the deity's frosty image, and so it was instead replaced with blue.

The priest is careful when handling the offerings, and he puts them aside. There's already a few things - a small wooden statuette of a bear, a small bag, a dead rabbit - but these two more valuable offerings are put on a pile of their own, between a small gold ring and a bottle of expensive wine. "Be with the Titans.", is what the priest says with a small smile to both the Paladin and Rufio, as he takes a few notes next to their names. The guards, those don't even move a single inch, or say anything for that matter.

Korvus - One of the stalls was run by what would to some be a familiar looking magpie, looking downright merry and happy as he sat in his little green tent. The edges had been decorated by golden horseshoes with a clover in the middle, much like the one on his hat and he assured all who neared his tent that both horseshoes and clovers were found lying simply on the road by this masterful wizard of chance. Within the small tent stood two tables, currently empty, one of them held a few cups and some carved dice while the other a few stacks of cards. "Come on up, come on up! Test your luck on this holy day! The titans are with all of you, they're even with me!" Korvus had made a little offering ahead of time, a few silver coins and a neat brass statue. "So there can only be winners today can there not!? Cahahahahahaw." The bird flapped his wings as he wandered to and fro, trying to beckon people into his tent. "Whats this? Korvus can we win anything interesting? You may be asking? Of course you can! If you win four games in a row I will give you one of my extremely safe potions! Cahaw!"

The Phoenix returned to the garden after having helped supervise it's preparation, though some might not have recognised her at first. The Overseer of Magic had exchanged her familair bright garb of yellows, oranges, reds and teal for a fur-trimmed dress of a palest blue, greys and white and an ornate headress hung with white beads. Though true to her name steam rolled lightly from her in her wake, and any who stood near her would find her somewhat of a human brazier in the cold snowlaced gardens. She had a long cloth bundle in her gloved hands, and when she stopped to sign her name she unwrapped it to reveal a swordsword and a dagger she had forged herself, a pair in style as they were both rounded and lean even as it widened from tip to hilt in a way reminding of the shape of iscles, she had done something with fine silver in the forging to have it weave atop the sturdier metal, making the weapons shimmer in a suitably watery way. If one inspected closely they'd find a paryer etched in a spiral from tip to hilt. One she had had approved by their priest sometime earlier. She offered Mauricio a small bow before heading into the garden.

Draconus Forest gives a small, respectful bow to the priest and Grand Inquisitor, and now getting all the formalities out of the way begins to wander into the bulk of the festivities. Already there's a sense of bewilderment overcoming him; he hasn't been to a festival in what feels like ages, and this one is already of particular liveliness. The sounds of kawing catch his attention, and Draconus immediately allows himself to amble over towards the luck wizard's tent. "...oh, goodness, Master Korvus! How curious to see you here!" the knight greets the raven. "Just what manner of games are you hosting for us to test our chances with?"

Ansel Blue had spent most of his time hanging by Heyden and generally helping her out in whatever ways he could. He had an offering in his pocket, a silver eye with a piece of moonstone for an eye. Supposedly to represent wisdom with clouded eyes. It was a fitting tribute, he felt, but he was still debating giving it. He sips from a flask and watches the preparations. It'd been awhile since the kingdom had a grand festival of this nature, and despite his misgivings about the occupation he was never one to miss a show.

Morgue wasn't wearing anything new or fancy, where would he get such new clothing anyway? The banshee stood as tall as he could as he braved entering the castle after much hesitation. Held rolled up in both hands he carried a large deer hide, a fine one too and also a dead rabbit for good measure incase the hide was not enough. At the entrance he handed over his semi-decent gifts and caused a bit of a problem when he couldn't write nor spell his name, but all was sorted out before the odd man would slowly walk into the gardens. It doesn't show past the smile that he was nervous, but he was and on entry moved quite a far way around Mauricio and towards the tent where Korvus ...the one he'd seen briefly before, beckoned to the newcommers, awed a little by all the auras in the garden so close together.

Sullivan Key had been working overtime making other people look as presentable as possible, bouncing between appointments and managing, several times having to fend off nobles trying to 'drop in' on account of their inflated egos. Sullivan had an air of being rushed still about him when he finally managed to join the crowd filtering into the garden, two assistants behind him pulling his offering, a small cart packed with the finest of incenses and oils as rare as resins from distant islands. The exotic raw materials were contained in stacks of little white pots, bottles contained concentrated oils to warm, but mostly the cart contained well crafted bundles of rolled paper infused with the raw material and compressed sticks, tied with soft ropes of white and blue. There was plenty for the festival as well as the temple. This was no gift of pretty appearances despite similar expense, but one of religious significance. The little blond had, like most, abandoned his usual attire and theme in favor of white and blues that enhanced his eyes. The long tunic under his robes, accented by a white leather belt that matched his gloves, was white with elaborate sleeves spilling around his thin wrists, the glimmer of gold threads ever so subtle among the sparkle of silver and glittery blue, like sunlight off ice. A pair of darker blue trousers were tucked into tall boots, cold blue robes lined with white fur and similarly sparkling with intricate design. His hair was pulled back into a rat tail and perhaps even more unusually, a heavy pendant of multicolored and semi-translucent hung at the curve of his slender throat. Sullivan almost looked as though he could be a mage, dressed appropriate to his house history as he was, at least in the eyes of those who didn't know better. The little blond, with a smile to warm even the coldest of hearts, offered the ermine a similar bow as he delivered his hard crafted goods. "May the Titans forever favor your righteous stride."

Mauricio - Mauricio continued to watch each and every person who gave an offering. He also regarded every offering that was given but if he felt any different about the stuff that peasants showed up with, or the glamorous artifacts of such people as Phoenix and Rufio, he did not show it. The slight and forced smile that he had been keeping up for so long finally caved in when his eyes found Morgue, and even the look in his eyes was at once traded for his frigid stare. Immediately the ermine straightened up and beckoned towards Phoenix, if she had already moved on too far he even called her name.

Rufio Delgado turned his head to observe Mistress Phaeo's arrival having stepped into the garden and he gave a nod towards the woman. His attention was grabbed by one rather sparkly and flamboyantly suited noble however. As Mr. Key entered into the gardens the rooster-man idly watched with a sly smirk as if pondering the mans appearance. If he did catch his eyes he'd simply nod a greeting. All in all it's a good chance for him to meet others of his...class or above, having not been here too long.

Korvus was having no luck today... Nobody so much as looked at his stall, he'd even made it green instead of blue to make it stand out, didn't they want to test their chances? The joy was leaving his voice slowly until finally someone came, a rather familiar looking fellow in familiar red hair. "I remember you!" He crowed loudly, still trying to attract attention. "Draconus? How is the old flying city, Harlo... no Har'luth!?" The magpie simply beamed towards the paladin, surely the attention of such a noble looking sort would turn heads. "Games of cards and games of dice! Simple and nice!" He looked around. "But caaah... nobody is playing. If you find someone you should make a wager, some silver, some gold, and try to win to become as rich as..." His eyes found Sullivan, carting his considerable offering. "That ma-" Then the bird cut off, as his eyes found another familiar face, although he couldn't rightly place this one. Just the fact he was blindfolded made the bird pause. "-n..."

Heyden, in addition to her blue face paint, had already covered all visible skin in white make up, with the exception of her face, as her own complexion was unfortunately not naturally pale enough to adequately reflect the nature of the festival. She considered herself to be a moving piece of art, and what masterpiece would be complete without a tasteful splash of colour? Continuing to use the helmet as a mirror as she then went on to add a lighter blue paint to the stripe on her face, she attempted to create a gradient of blue shades upon her face- though, she became slightly distracted upon noticing Ansel doting about in the reflection, as well. "Oy- did you remember t'hand in your offerin'? I'd go give it to the priest before the place gets too crowded" she commented, though her voice was faintly distorted as she pulled a face at the helmet, attempting to see exactly what she was and was not covering in blue paint. Heyden did not feel especially pressured in terms of how long it would take her to get ready for her performance; if she recalled correctly, she would not be the first to perform either way, which would allow her a little more time- besides which, the musicians were still at it and people were still wandering in.

The Phoenix had not gone far at all, turning at the sound of her name, looking mildly surprised at having heard it so soon. Her robe had twisted in the move, though elegantly, and she took up the bulk of it with one swift motion to at least get the trim off the ground as she returned over to the entrance at a brisk pace. much of the fabric now draped over an arm, and revealing grey slippers, white stockings, and just the edge of grey baggy pants like that of what she usually wore under the frock. It seemed the Overseer was ready to change into something more suitable if trouble arose, and she looked at the Inquistors expression with a curious tilt to her head as if that was half what she expected. "Is there something the matter?"

Makh Fein Saab entered the garden and for once didn't have his cloak wrapped around him completely concealing him form view. He had taken extra care in this decision and polished his scales and fluffed his feathers. He even had on a decent version of his pants . The only real part of his attire other than his wings to stand out would be his circlet he wore. It was polished and the sapphire glowed and pulsed with an energy. He had am offering, if for nothing more than lip service to keep the inquisition away, A medium sized diamond with the stark hue of Ice. He had yet to meet the grand inquisitor so he was not recognized as such. He knew only tales. Actually he knew No one here except Morgue. Though he didn't bring this to attention

Ansel Blue nodded to Heyden. "Aye, I probably should get about doing that..." he says, patting his pocket. He moves over to the priest and hands over the silver crafted eye with the clouded moonstone eyeball. "May it provide sight in troubled times." He says, kindly bowing before returning to Heyden. "You're probably a lot better at the formalities of ceremony then I will ever be.." he commented gruffly as he took a seat. He loved gatherings, but wasn't ever a fan of all the pomp that usually accompiened them. "At least there will be wine here." he says, grinning.

"You, come back here!", the priest suddenly calls out at Ansel, and as this happens the two guards shift their glares towards the blacksmith.

Draconus Forest - "I have not been there in months. Could not begin to tell you how it is fairing. That is neither here nor there, is it?" The paladin gestures with a gloved hand towards the stall and announces, "I would not mind taking my chances and running with them for a bit with some cards, perhaps. Dice has never been a... gentleman's game—in my family at least." The paladin is about to greet Morgue, given his arrival and all, but the sound of the priest yelling grabs his attention better. He turns to look, expression turning mildly alarmed and concerned.

Ansel Blue stops, returning to the priest. "I apologize if I have done anything wrong." He says, quietly. He was really quite bad when it came to ceremony. He tried though, and the offering was hand made.

Mauricio's eyes tried to find Morgue again, in this crowd it took him a moment but luckily the odd man stood out quite well. "Where is the Grandmaster Alchemist? That blindfolded man there belongs to him." The ermine asked Phoenix keeping his voice low so only she would hear him. For a moment the inquisitor was visibly distracted, although he hoped the priest would keep an eye out for anyone shirking an offering.

The priest impatiently taps his finger against the parchment he is writing on - namely the area where he's supposed to have jotted down the information on the blacksmith. "Name."


Morgue seemed to notice Drac -almost- greeting him. He nodded to him and then moved close to Korvus, on the other side of the stand "Hello again... what are you doing here? Do i need coins? I have a few..." he said and stood there, blindly peering at Korvus while he ventured to explore the magpies aura.

Ansel Blue: "Ahhhh..." Ansel says, shaking his head. He signs his full name. "Ansel Bla..he stops, it'd been awhile since he had signed his full name and old habits die hard. He scratches out the a' and finishes. "Ansel Bluewaters"

The priest nods at Ansel. "May the Titans be with you. Enjoy the festival.", he says, waving him off.

Ansel Blue returns to Heyden "Figures, as usual I screw things up. Hell, in my confusion I almost signed in my mothers surname...I'm sure that would've gone over just swimmingly.." He takes a pit of her blue paint and sticks it on the end of his own nose. "I'm leaving this here for the remainder of the day just to remind myself of my own foolishness......" he grins. "That and its kinda fun."

The Phoenix Followed the ermines gaze into the crowd, frowning mildly at the inquistiors tone. "I expect he is with the food..." she replied mildly to the quiry on the Alchemist's location, looking more curious of the blindfolded man that had been brought to her attention "Do you suspect the man of something? ...I know the fellow is very strange, but then so is the Grandmaster Alchemist."

Makh Fein Saab approached as Ansel finished his offering and made his, "May this shine were its needed.". This was an item made by him just for this festival and he gave it over and signed his name hoping he wouldn't be singled out by a priest as well. At this he'd walk away apparently escaping notice as at this point was partially intended.

Heyden was ever-so-delicately dabbing at the paint with her fingertips when a voice beckoned her companion back- her hand froze in place for a moment, apparently to stop herself from accidentally smudging the stripe across her eyes- before she would peer away from the helmet and toward Ansel. The expression about her face suggested trouble, as though she were calculating exactly what to yell should either of the priest's guards begin harassing her friend- however, once it became clear that Ansel was being pulled up for forgetting to include his name alongside his offering, Heyden burst into a chuckle and shook her head, returning to applying the blue paint. She'd caught sight of him dabbing the paint on to his nose and resisted a laugh, on the basis that she may've smudged her makeup if she did. "Don't worry 'bout it too much~ 'Ere, if you need to keep yourself busy, there should be a few bottles of rum lying around with my name on 'em-- don't drink 'em, just lemmie know where I stuck 'em"

To the west, the sun slowly sets, and night soon falls upon Rayneth.

Sullivan Key had jotted down his name, seemingly more than a little put off by the distraction Morgue was causing - with a frustrated scowl towards the masked fellow he dismissed his assistants and moved away to mingle as the Overseer moved in to speak with Maurico. That was not something he wanted to be involved in. The little blond peered around from behind his glasses, the blue of his eyes flashing over the rims only every so often as he rose to the tips of his toes, trying to add more than the couple of inches of height his boots already offered, as was the plight of most shorter folk in a large crowd. Sullivan answered greetings with soft smiles and polite nods, at least until he caught on to a pair of strange golden eyes. The little blond flushed a light pink as he felt unable to resist the temptation to look again towards Rufio, trying to hide eyes appreciating his handsome features and fine hair, incredibly curious about what appeared to be rooster feathers peeking from the back of his trousers.

Ansel Blue comments to Heyden" Thats like saying. "Oh hey, I've got this lovely pie, but you can't have any!" he pouts "So unfair.." he says as he begins to search her belongings for the rum bottles. Once he finds them, he lays them out on a cloth for her to use later.

Makh is given the standard blessing and waved off as well, apparently without trouble. In the meanwhile, a young boy that may be recognized by some as the General's squire shows up. He's not dressed for the occasion, clearly, and carries under his armpit a sword inside of a scabbard decorated with gold and jewels. It is handed to the priest that is accepting the offerings. "The General is too busy organizing the guard, but still wishes to leave an offering to the Titan.", the kid says, handing the priest the sword before scurrying off the way he came.

Rufio Delgado chuckled a little to himself and lifted a hand to beckon Sullivan closer with curling fingers "Don't be shy, i don't bite. It's more of a vicious peck, actually" he said as the younger man came a little bit closer "I can't say we've met." he'd offer as if expecting Sullivan to introduce himself, should he come closer.

Mauricio turned his eyes towards the food stands, he hadn't glimpsed the grandmaster alchemist at all, and still was unable to see him. "Well, if you find him alert him of that man's presence. He has caused trouble before." Whispered the inquisitor to the overseer before he straightened up and turned his eyes back to the proceedings. It seemed the ermine would trust Phoenix with this for now, this was concerning her tower in the end.

Hilarius: As though he had been summoned by the mentioning of his title, the Grandmaster Alchemist finally arrived, late enough in comparison to his usual perfect timeliness that one could wonder whether he had intended to come at all; however, such doubts could be swiftly and easily put to rest in the face of the fact that Hilarius had actually modified his wardrobe, usually as permanent and unchanging as the frown on his face--though that was one thing that did stay. While his usual attire was meant for practicality, this was intended for formality, and if Hilarius hadn't cut an imposing enough figure before, he certainly does now. The brown coat had been traded for a heavy blue-black one, with silvery buttons and buckles and icy accents on the cuffs and tall collar, which buttoned all the way up to his chin. It was curious to see the alchemist without his belt or usual army of pockets, but he had made do with only two today. He had even abandoned his gloves, and his long hands were like white spiders knotted together behind him as he strode stiffly towards the guards. The goggles had remained, despite the fact that they hardly matched any of the rest of the ensemble, and the unruly shock of hair was as wild as ever, but wearing something other than the loose, work-worn coat almost made him look nice. Almost. A little more unnerving, if nothing else. He stopped before the priest and guards and reached into one of those two pockets to withdraw a small pouch of rather high quality; unlike the others, he did not remove his gift to the Titan and Her temple from the container there, but an astute eye would note an unsettling sigil cut and painted into the leather.

Korvus - No peasants seemed to get interested and Korvus' tables remained empty, the cards and dice untouched and to make his stall even less appealing that creepy blind-folded man decided to wander over. "Caah, I'm afraid that these games are quite unplayable by someone ehm.." The magpie paused as she sought for a better word. "Sadly lacking the ability to see." Korvus tried to say polite and maintain his smile, luckily his birdy features made it hard to even recognize the smile alone, let alone the awkwardness behind it.

Heyden would finish dabbing blue makeup against her face and turn to face Ansel as she posed his joke, to which she would chuckle at and add, "That rum's for burnin', not for drinking- unless you fancy bein' set on fire?". The performer took a moment to survey the dried white makeup that had been applied to her arms, before she looked ponderously at her now-blue hands. She couldn't quite decide if she liked the navy mash of pigments that had unwittingly ended up patterning her fingertips, though she had one or two other things to concern herself with beside the state of her hands- they were going to be covered by gloves, anyway, which she would slip on once the recently-applied pale blue paint had dried. She glanced back down to the helmet and carefully pushed it off of her knees with her wrists, trying to get as little paint on it as possible, before she would stand herself up.

The Phoenix nodded cordially. "I will, and keep an eye on him myself. Though I have not met the fellow I am... concerned... by what you tell me." The overseer made to leave when none other then the Alchemist in question trotted up to the offering table, forcing her to slowly turn on the spot and stare some at the unexpected change in attire. He actually HAD other clothes? She raised a finger to get his attention. "Hilarius, a word, if you please."

The priest looks up from his list, and the dull, somewhat annoyed expression of someone doomed to spend all day handling riches he will never be allowed to actually own is swiftly replaced by one of horror at the sight of the alchemist. Who hasn't heard stories about him, by now? "Your n-name, sir?", he asks. He's clearly nervous, shaking a bit even.

Ansel Blue chuckled at Heyden. "I'll drink whatevers not burnt up then..." He says with a smirk. He continued to watch the people of the kingdom present their offerings and assemble. He hadn't kept up on "who is who" ever since the occupation began. He would comment to himself on occasion. "I know you'll smack me for saying this Heyden, but I'll never understand all the getup and such. Can't people just show up in their normal clothing, do what they need to do, and then get on with the celebration? You just know most the people here are in it for the booze and food..." He looks at her helmet. "Remind me to make a few more of those for you later though maybe add a bit more flair to the....oh lords, now they have me wanting to make things pretty."

Draconus Forest momentarily seems to have forgotten all about fun games of chance as he finds himself staring at Hilarius. Having not had a chance to lay his own eyes upon the Grand Alchemist before, the lieutenant is rather unsettled by the other's appearance, even from afar. Fortunately the paladin's manners return to him, and he's quick to turn about and look to Morgue and Korvus once again as the raven speaks. The air about him is still uneasy and solemn. "..." Oh dear, Draconus isn't sure what to say as things grow even more awkward in regards to Morgue's apparent blindness. He wisely keeps his mouth shut.

Hilarius does not answer the priest vocally, instead swiping up the quill and scrawling his name--all four of them, in fact--upon the list as though unwinding a long and very jagged thread. He finishes with a sharp underline that nearly rips the parchment and then abruptly and wordlessly leaves the offering table to take his measured steps towards Phaeo. "You called, Overseer?" he drawls upon drawing near, clicking a lens into place.

Sullivan Key looked around as though expecting Rufio to be gesturing to someone else, placing delicate fingers to his collar and raising a brow with a 'who, me?' expression. When he realized that he was in fact the intended recipient he flushed again, but tried to compose himself as he skillfully made his way through the crowd to the tax collector. A fine timing for the little man to be distracted now that the Master Alchemist had arrived. "No, I don't believe I've seen you around," he began with a slightly more shy tone than normal, "but I do spend much of my time in the castle." The beautician offered him a gentle bow. "I'm Sullivan, of House Key."

By this point servants have started swarming the gardens; a fat, whole, roasted boar (which has to be carried by not one, but two servants) with vegetables is the main attraction, but other kinds of meat such as poultry, beef and various kinds of game are also served, as well as some grilled fish and many, many other delicacies.

Morgue oh'd quietly as if he were fine with what Korvus had said "Well... i had hoped you had one of those cup games...I can do those" he said and took a step back "I could watch anyway, if it would not make you too uncomfortable.." head turned away back towards the entrance and his entire body stiffened at the sight of Hilarius and his smile brightened in recognition of the man, if it were even possible for that smile to get bigger.

Makh Fein Saab was having a drink or two and wanted little to do with this. But avoiding suspicion was just as good a reason as any. No one approached him so far which was just as good as he had spotted and read a few that he didn't want to interact with.

Heyden rolled her eyes at that, taking a moment to shake her hands about in an attempt to get the paint to dry quicker as she added, "What about 'it's for burnin'' d'you not understand? You'd be a fool t'drink that stuff without wantin' to make yourself ill". However, when Ansel began mumbling about how the majority of those attending were doing so for the sake of food, Heyden briefly portrayed an almost panicked expression as she walked up to the blacksmith and abruptly pressed the tip of one of her fingers against his mouth. In a hushed tone, she would then tell him, "You can't go talkin' like that with the Inquisitor roamin' around!-- Though, speakin' of food..", she trailed off as she hungrily watched a small multitude of servants scurry past.

Rufio Delgado bowed his head in response to Sullivan's own bow "I am Rufio Delgado, My brother and I are the new owners of the tax office in town" he explained "I have spent a fair bit of time in the castle since arriving, but i haven't come across you it seems. A Pleasure to meet you" everything was said with a silky, foxy slyness to it as if he were selling sand to the beach, as it were. "I must say i approve of your choice of cloth, I Almost feel inadequate."

Mauricio gave the alchemist a respectful nod as the man walked in and even his tiny smile returned. Quite the opposite reaction to most when it involved this particular alchemist. The inquisitor went back to scanning the crowd and eying the offerings.

The Phoenix stood to her full height, perfectly confident despiet probably hardly reaching the alchemists shoulders. "That man.." she let the trim of her dress sweep back down onto the snow as she crossed one arm under an elbow and pointed towards Morgue with the other hand held by her chin. "I'm told he is yours." stated the Overseer plainly, though a questioning look was given to the Alchemist just the same. "The Inquisitor, and I expect and would appreciate it greatly if you keep him on a short leash and out of trouble."

Hilarius turns his goggles in the direction so indicated, and the unintelligible, eyeless stare lingers on Morgue. If he is surprised to find the banshee there, he doesn't show it, naturally. The alchemist hums, returning his hand to its fellow behind his back, "Of course, Overseer."

Ansel Blue spoke silently to Heyden. "I've lived my whole childhood in fear of my mother and the constant pains of death, torture....and the possibility of having to inflict such things on others. I promised myself that when I became a man I would put aside fear, and live without it in my heart. Besides, I am sure the Inquistor and all others are well aware of the effect food, drink, and festivities have over swaying over a people and making them happy." he said at just above a whisper. "You make a people happy, you win them over. If I thought for a moment all this was here just for the sake of the festivities or the people's well being...." He stops himself. "In any case, I can't complain. I am just glad all these people are gathering about something happy as opposed to burning people or other....less kind...displays." he kept his voice at a whisper, and still smiled. "If you find any mutton, bring me some? With Ralue living with me I've had fish everyday for nearly three weeks."

Korvus - Despite Morgue though, at last, a few peasants carrying some food did choose to sit down at Korvus' table and gathered some cups and dice. It seemed that the game Morgue had referenced to was in fact one, but feeling his luck improve the luck wizard decided it was time he took a gamble of his own. "Oh no. I'm afraid that Liar's Dice is not a game that is played at the tables today..." the wizard solemnly answered. He turned his eyes on Draconus and gave him a few winks, hoping that the red-haired man would catch on. Then when Morgue turned he brighter up even more, and by good fortune Korvus even decided to turn to his new guests instead of trying to find what exactly had distracted the creepy man.

Draconus Forest regards Korvus with a mildly confused look, because he actually has no idea as to what the luck wizard is eluding to. The paladin decides he's not really in the mood for luck games anymore, and he gives the pair a polite enough farewell before he turns to walk away. No more snooping for the paladin. In fact, food and drink now that both are present is sounding pretty damn good right about now.

Sullivan Key crossed his arms and leaned forward to peer up at Rufio with a warming smile and genuine pleasure. "Why, thank-you! I must admit I'm surprised we haven't met before. I am the Master Beautician," he commented, pausing briefly to catch a passing servant and swipe a glass of wine. Sullivan was very well aware of the sly nature of the tone being directed his way, but seemed neither impressed nor opposed to it, instead returning the selling of sand in kind. "You seem a man who understands what it is to pride in appearance," he crooned a little, taking another glance at the feathers before tracing back up his body back to his face and golden eyes. There was something about this man that set him a little bit on edge, something not right, but for the time being. Sullivan decided to disregard his instincts. There were times when such fleeting impressions were worth ignoring; plus, there were few things that couldn't be fixed by a little alcohol!

Morgue doesn't look at Korvus again, so he can't have been reading his aura. perhaps he just assumes. He turned his head a little and smiled "If you don't want me here, you are free to say so." and with that he started off towards where Hilarius was standing, but unlike the other times he has seen the man he walked tall rather than in a crouch "Hello" he said simply as he came closer to the group.

The Phoenix: "Thank you" Phaeo offered graciously, starting to turn away from Hilarius as she spoke. "I look forward to seeing what wonders you worked with the food" She added pleasantly before sweeping off to join the crowd, knowing too well then to expect the Alchemist to blush at the illusion to his skill. If anything, she was looking forward to peoples faces once they found out he had been in the kitchen... For now she scanned the ones that were here. It was hard to miss pair of flambouantly dressed fellows, and she approached them with what seemed to be amusement. "I see you two hens have finally found each other..." The Overseer greeted, eyeing the finery between them before looking back to Sullivan, quirking a silent knowing brow as she cast a pointed glance to the wine. Already into the grog I see, said the look.

Makh Fein Saab watched Forest go after food and drink and decided he was bored standing where he was, and all but laid in wait for the man to come closer. He studied him as he waited and if the man came just close enough "Hello there, who are you". This whole time he had something to drink and didn't spill a bit as he maneuvered through the people there.

Rufio Delgado reached out as the servant passed and glided a glass of wine from the tray and into his fingertips gracefully "Oh? Master beautician you say?" he seemed perhaps cheerful to hear the title. He paused to take a sip of his wine and quietly turned the glass in his fingers as he tasted the drink on every side of his tongue before swallowing it "What a fine profession, i will have to visit for your services" he explained and turned his head to regard some of the smaller torn up and burned feathers "These get damaged so easily, just a few days ago they were all perfect. A little pampering goes a long way, wouldn't you say Sullivan?" eyes danced over some poultry followed by a lick of his lips. Ah yes chicken, fabulous. Good companions, good dinners.

Mauricio - Finally everyone it appeared that everyone who was going to come to the festivities had arrived. Leaving a few temple servantsehind at the gates for any late arrivals, began to make his way through the crowd towards the dining table in his usual gliding step. The edges of his hat trembled as his ears caught bits and pieces of ongoing conversations while his eyes continued to scour the crowd for trouble.

Hilarius: Phaeo's compliment was actually offered a shallow, rigid bow in reply, before the alchemist turned his attention to his new company in the wake of the woman's. He is totally blushing. On the inside! No, maybe not. "Ah," says Hilarius, "Morgue." That would be the first time the alchemist had addressed the man by his own name. "Your presence here is a surprise." Even so, the bushy blonde brows stay perfectly level. Not surprising enough, then. What ever was?

Draconus Forest at least gets himself a glass of wine from another passing servant. That will probably settle his urge for something in the stomach for a while. In the midst of the festivities, the paladin almost doesn't catch Makh's question; fortunately the growing sensation of eyes upon his back makes him turn around, almost face-to-face with the trader. "Oh, ah... good day, sir," he greets the stranger, sounding as if he wasn't expecting to be approached by anyone. It's also apparent that Draconus missed what the trader had asked of him.

Sullivan Key looked up at the familiar voice and returned the pointed glance with a wrinkle of his nose and a trouble making smirk. Sullivan replied by tipping nearly the entire glass down his throat in an artful swallow any drinking competitor could be proud of. "It sure does," he answered his fellow 'hen', glancing at the Overseer playfully, his smile only momentarily turning to a concerned frown towards the burnt feathers. "So those are quite real, then?"

Heyden may very well have covered Ansel's mouth with her own hands, if she did not fear that she would unintentionally cover his face in the remains of the blue paint on her palms. Instead, she simply stood there and passed him a disapproving look until he had finished his piece, eventually commenting in a whisper, "It's all good 'nd dandy not livin' in fear, honey, but there's this fancy thing called 'common sense' that'd by smackin' you on the head right about now!". She shook her head and soon retained a regular volume of voice, "I'm not that hungry anyways, I've got stuff to soak in rum..", and with that she would go about retrieving her 'approved' pieces of apparatus: two large, decorative metal fans, which had been formed in such a way that they were light enough to manoeuver, followed by two sets of chains, which at each end featured thick rope knots, 'monkey's fist' knots to be exact, whilst the ropes themselves appear to have been weaved alongside thin pieces of metal.

Morgue nodded lightly "You too, i didn't think you went to parties." he turned his head as if to observe Phaeo as she left "I didn't know you cooked either, but that isn't as supprising" he trailed off as if he seemed to think too many words were going to be lost on the man, after past experience. "Can i stay near you? I will be quiet. Maybe even useful, if you find a use for me." all too willing to prove himself worthy, still.

Makh Fein Saab looked at Forest and repeated his question, "Who are you?". This said in a way that was patient and caring, or so it seemed all finished with a slight bow. He was bored and didn't show it, and sorely missed his cloak. At this same time he saw the chicken himself and would go for a piece of it but decided to go after what was left later.

Draconus Forest is surprised that anyone would really care all that much, and he shows it without really meaning to. An unoccupied hand settles to the paladin's chest, and the trader is answered in a rather to-the-point manner. "Sir Draconus Alexander of House Forest, lieutenant of the Spellrender Corps."

Rufio Delgado lifted his gaze to Phaeo and he lifted his glass, "Mistress Phh..." he quirked a dark brow at Sullivan's rather shocking booze guzzling skills before looking at his own barely touched wine, well he'd tried to appear civilized! "Mistress Phaeo!" he greeted again, except fully this time "And i'll have you know, Mistress, that i am a Cock and not a hen... " he glanced towards Sullivan with an amost amused glint in his eye as if he had almost commented on Sulli being a hen instead and then diverted his attention to a big swig of wine "It's good to see you here, and dressed so beautifully" he said towards Phaeo "It seems i am going to have very good company this day."

Hilarius: "I do not attend 'parties'. This is a festival honoring Her Divinity, the Titan of Snow," Hilarius corrects, beginning to stride off towards the wine and anyone nearby. He answers Morgue's question as he goes. "Remain at hand, if you wish." It would be easier to keep watch over the banshee that way, at least.

Ansel Blue watched Heyden work for awhile as he nommed on some pork fat. Eventually, he'd notice everyone finally starting to finish their meals and prepared to watch the show. He wondered if Heyden would be the only one preforming, or if perhaps some nice displays of magic would also be seen. In any case... he had discovered a flask of wine which he kept strictly to himself. He'd also hope that Heyden, later, would make sure to wash the finger she brought to his lips before touching anything. Can't have poison just lingering about out there...

Korvus - A few more people sat down at Kovus' little gambling tent, and these started playing with the cards after he briefly explained them the rules. Sadly enough these were still only peasants and what they wagered were copper coins and small treasures at best. Despite that minor disappointement the luck wizard was confident once again and with a renewed sense of security he pressed his wings together and then started pushing his way through the crowd to get to the food-laden table.

Makh Fein Saab returned the bow as Forest finished and replied, " I am Makh Fein Saab, Trader, Elemental smith.". At the mention of the Spell render Corps. He raised an Fuzzy eyebrow causing his circlet to shift a bit causing him to touch a single claw to it subconsciously making sure it was going to stay put. He'd need to fix this at some point.

Heyden would not be the only one performing- unless of course there were some last minute alterations to the schedule that she'd not been informed of, which were just as likely as they were unlikely. Heyden personally didn't like being the first to perform, it gave her nothing to aspire to- she couldn't very well out-do something that had not yet been done! Though at the same time, she did not like performing last, either, in that there was generally a lot of pressure on the final performer to be the best. With a thoughtful hum, Heyden sat herself on the floor amongst her apparatus and abruptly uncorked the first bottle of rum and began pouring it into a small bowl that she had collected earlier; once full, she would simply pick up the rope ends of her chain instruments, and leave them both to soak in the rum. The fire-poi were very simple to assemble, however, her fans would be a little more complex.

Morgue turned and followed Hilarius as he moved towards the wine. "Oh, right." the way he said it suggested perhaps he didn't know much of the titans or what this event was entirely about. "Do you think i could learn to Alchemy?" the question is so terribly worded that it's comical, or might be comical if it were directed at someone else. He doesn't pick up any wine as of yet, hesitant.

The Phoenix awarded the bueatican with a gentle backhand to his chest at his behavior, though her amused smile only turned into a small grin "I swear Sullivan, if you end up drunk and up a tree by the end of the festival I will not help you." She turned to the tax collector as he rejoined them, and saw it fit to correct her, then complement her. "I suppose so, I'm sorry, all the strutting you do should have given it away" She said, chosing instead to adress the former, though there was an appreciative nod.

Draconus Forest - "A trader and ...elemental smith are you? Those are fine occupations to hold, Master Saab," the paladin speaks in approval. Out of the corner of his eye he spots Hilarius and Morgue drawing somewhat near; either fearing the alchemist or simply not wanting to be in his and the banshee's way, the paladin reaches out to gently take Makh's arm and manuever the trader and himself to a less crowded spot in the gardens. "You seemed confused about something just now, sir. Are you alright?"

Makh Fein Saab noticed the alchemist headed there way and all but allowed himself to be pulled away. This person was one he had spied and didn't want to meet. "Ah, well, The Spell render Corps. What is it exactly. I'm a recent arrival here myself and only know what I have been told.

Hilarius: As one might expect, any crowd that had been around the drinks thinned rather quickly when it became apparent that Hilarius' course was taking him there. How convenient. And they had even left some of the nicest vintages almost entirely untouched, too; Hilarius helps himself to a glass of one of the finer ones. "It is possible," he answers Morgue dully, either unbothered by his grammatical failure or simply uninterested in commenting. It is most likely the latter, considering the humorless man's lack of appreciation for small talk.

Sullivan Key let out a soft laugh in response to Rufio's indignation at being called a hen, returning the glint in those golden eyes with a almost sultry raised brow, daring to sneak the lightest tug at a tail feather. The sly blond covered up the movement as he turned back to the Overseer and accepted the blow to the chest with more of a giggle as he polished off his glass. "I wouldn't expect you to," he answered, now taking a good look at Phaeo's attire. "You are looking beautiful, it seems we have more in common than y-y," he brightly began to tease, at last until he noticed a certain tall and ominous presence far too close, especially as the crowds began to thin around the goggles lingering above most heads. Sullivan made a sort of upset noise of worry in his throat, lost for words, and shrunk down behind Phaeo as much as someone of such similar size could.

Ansel Blue felt it odd he for once was not the drunk one. He eyes one of the leftover bottles of rum as he sips his wine. "I bet you taste good, Mr.Rum..." he says, eyes narrowing. "...why must you tempt me..."

Mauricio - Luckily the crowd parted a bit before the inquisitor, and before long he stood in front of the long table across which the various platters were spread. His triangular black nose wrinkled at the sight of the vegetables but he certainly fancied himself some chicken. With steady movements the inquisitor tore out a chicken leg and turned around to face the crowd again, he could keep an eye on things and eat at the same time like this. Most of the time, Mauricio acted and looked rather sophisticated, but if anyone chose to spare him a look at this very moment they'd mostly see the giant ermine tearing the white meat off the bone in a very animalistic way, and then chewed the meat up in small bits with his thin but razor-sharp teeth.

Draconus Forest's brow rise in realization. But of course, that's what he was looking so confused about. "It is a faction dedicated to the eradication of rogue spell casters within Rayneth. Not entirely militaristic in nature, but it is an organized force nonetheless" A very simple, to-the-point answer.

Morgue reached out to take some wine and brought the glass close to his nose to sniff it. He stuck his tongue in it while Hilarius wasn't looking, or so he assumed, and brought his tongue back into his mouth and smacked his lips a moment "I'd like to. I think i might be a fast learner, maybe i can be useful." and with that he turned away as to not seem a bother to Hilarius. He was trying to do whatever would please the man, and over all he assumed that would be to act as if he's not even there.

Ansel Blue continues to stare lovingly at a bottle of rum. "I bet you taste so good, and would be so warm in my belly...." he says, now picking up the bottle to pet it. "She won't mind if I have a little taste of you, oh no she won't. You want to be inside me, don't you, in my belly..." he takes off a cork, does a few glances left and right, then takes a swig. He immediately makes a face resembling that of someone who just licked a donkey's backside. "GOOD LORD..." he sputters, recorking the bottle and putting it back where he found it. "You are so not going to bellytown..."

Rufio Delgado was very much enjoying his company. He opened his mouth to speak when suddenly he clucked in supprise as his tail was pulled and huffed, turning his tail feathers away from Sullivan "Those -are- attached" he chuckled deeply "If he ends up drunk i'll be sure to keep an eye on him, i can assure you mistress Phaeo. However..." he trailed off as Sullivan seemed upset and then afraid and slowly he turned his head and immediately stiffened at the sight of the Grandmaster Alchemist, eyes locking onto him as if he expected Hilarius to stare back.

The Phoenix's grin turned somewhat nasty as she cottened on to what had upset the pair easily enough, throwing a disinterested glance to the Alchemist herself before returning her attention to the petrified prettyboys. "Oh come come, you're in as much danger from Hilarius right now as you are from me... actually you're probably in more danger from me."

Ansel Blue would randomly run by Phoe "The only thing dangerous around her is that rum!" he says, wretching into a nearby bucket. "I've had alcohol before, but that stuff...its.." he vomits again. When a seasoned drunk goes into heeves, you know you've discovered pure gasoline.

Heyden continued assembling her performance apparatus: At the end of each vertical section of the fans, sat more circular knots of rope. However, because there were around six of these knots of each fan, she could not very well stick each one in a bowl and soak them- instead, she would soak roughly-rectangular pieces of cloth in the rum and wrap them around the knots; this would hopefully cause the knots to catch alight once the rags had been burnt, allowing the ends of the fan to burn for a while longer. This process took a short while, as she had to soak and tie on each cloth to each individual section of the fan- whilst this distracted her, she was unable to beat Ansel away from her bottles of rum- though, judging by the noise that followed his consumption of the alcohol, it was fairly easy to assume what he'd done. "I told ya', it's for burnin', not for drinking- now put it back before you hurt yourself" she scolded him- she was too preoccupied to notice that he'd ran off, though.

Draconus Forest turns at the sounds of Ansel's outburst. He stares long and hard at the blacksmith and then just sadly shakes his head. Tsk tsk.

Makh Fein Saab stopped dead in his tracks as he spotted The Grand Inquisitor. Nope! He didn't want to go that way at all. He turned and surveyed the crowd all but forgetting about Forest and spotted The Phoenix as she was talking to two men one he seen briefly before but couldn't place him. He had NO were to go. He only recognized them by descriptions realy but thye were enough to scare him.

Hilarius: "Perhaps. You would have to find a teacher," Hilarius drawls to Morgue. He isn't keen on imparting his own knowledge to any second parties, apparently, not personally, at least. As he takes a sip of wine--not leisurely in the slightest, despite the very nature of such a gesture and in such an environment--his head turns towards the Inquisitor, and then in Phaeo's direction, at which point the goggles do just so happen to flash their lenses towards Rufio and Sullivan. They linger there, then, and the alchemist smoothly lowers his glass. This may be on account of the unpleasant noises of Ansel voiding the contents of his stomach into a bucket. Then again, it's probably not.

Draconus Forest turns back to his momentary companion, ready to strike up conversation once more, only to find the trader turning this way and that. Makh too is regarded with that same hard stare, and a mild air of disapproval starts up around the paladin's person. "... did they not teach you tact in your trade guild, Master Saab?" Draconus utters in a low voice.

Korvus found the way to the food and ended up arriving at the table neither close to the inquisitor and Hilarius, or to someone he actually felt comfortable with. Now the luck wizard encountered a problem he'd had before, almost nothing was cut up so that a creature with a beak could easily eat it... nothing tasty at least. Luckily he had his magic to help out, with a blink and a flutter a piece of pork tore off from a nearby plate and flicked into his open beak.

Ansel Blue coughs a sputters a few times, then pours himself some...juice...to wash the taste from his move. "All apologies...." he says to those surrounding him. "I'm never not listening to that woman again." He says, eyeing Heyden. He takes the bucket with him. "I'll make sure this gets replaced with a shinier, cleaner bucket tomorrow.

Morgue sipped the wine carefully "I would only want you." that and where on earth would he find another alchemist who would speak to him. A peasant dared walk past and he lifted his head to smile at them but it just caused the man to walk off faster. Morgue sighed a little through his smile.

Makh Fein Saab stopped and looked directly at Draconus, "You seem of some importance so your safe I suppose. But me I'm new here and there are three I'd rather not run into. Sorry for if I have not lived up to your expectations but NO one teaches self-preservation. And my only escape from the three here I don't really want to meet is up and that would be just rude to do now wouldn't it?.". This last bit focusing on his wings, and a slight point to each of the three.

Sullivan Key snorted as though he highly doubted the suggested danger levels or at least wasn't worried about physical threat. "You don't give me the chills up my spine and cause my insides to twist," he hissed as though worried he would be heard, daring to peek around her towards the table where the rest of the wine was with an almost freshly horrified expression. Oh, no! It was like he was guarding the alcohol! He was going to need that! The beautician found himself distracted by the sudden appearance of Ansel running for a bucket and he turned away just in time with a disgusted look to avoid viewing would he could still hear. Well, religious festival or not, it did seem like things were turning into a true-to-form party. Sullivan dared to look up with unfortunate timing, only to catch the gleam of goggle; he shuddered involuntarily and the look in his eyes turned to one almost frantic. Shit! He's seen us!
Rufio Delgado chuckled at Phaeo without turning his head, but that was all the response he gave her. His lips curled into a smirk and he raised his glass towards Hilarius in a toast and watched a moment before turning away back to Sullivan "Don't you worry, Sullivan, you've done nothing wrong." Unlike myself a deep chuckle rose in his throat "Let me get you both a drink, Do you want one Mistress Phaeo?" he asked and knocked back the rest of his wine. It'd give him a chance to get over there.

Draconus Forest's expression turns somewhat poisonous with disapproval. "All are judged under the Titans' gaze, Master Saab, and all are suseptible to social and lawful persecution," he remarks a bit more loudly but still keeping his volume private between them. "Mind yourself and your social graces. Learn to levitate above the egg shells, in a manner of speaking." Finishing what he has to say, the paladin takes a nice, long drink from his cup of wine.

Mauricio continued to eat and look around when his eyes fell on the strange cat called Makh, this was very much a stranger to the inquisitor, and while his own dress would make it easy to recognize his standing, as the ermine kept regarding him he also spotted the unease shown towards Phaeo. A sliver of what he said to Draconus also drifted over and with that the inquisitor began to walk over to the paladin and the feline. "Something amiss?" He asked in a stern voice, eyes especially focused on the stranger, although the Spellrender also got an inquisitive look.

Hilarius doesn't miss a beat, and returns Rufio's toast in his own, rigid way. It's almost turning into some sort of unusual and formalized greeting of mocking between the rogueish rooster and the grim alchemist. Sully's squeamish displeasure goes unacknowledged, perhaps even unnoticed, but Hilarius doesn't seem like he's about to move away from the wine. Poor Morgue has gone ignored, too. Perhaps that response had been a little too creepy, and/or sentimental.

Ansel Blue: Speaking of social graces, Ansel takes the buckets containing what was the population of bellytown and finds a nice place to toss them. In this case, a fire pit at the edge of the gathering. His reasoning for this being his poisonous saliva and him having to account for everything that goes in, and more importantly in this case; comes out of his mouth. Once the bucket was emptied, he'd wash it out then set it near the fire to burn off throughly. He had no desire to accidentally render some one else sick.

The Phoenix unfortunately for Makh, saw him make gesture to her as part of 'the three' and his face along with it and perhaps even caught his eye over it. "Seems not all are as lucky as you are in the twisting department, Sullivan." if anything though, she looked pleased about being declared scary, and not in the same instance, and at Rufios offer she nodded thanks. "Yes please. I dare say I might be a human shield for a while yet." The overseer folded her arms patienly as another glance was sent over her shoulder to the meek blond, before drifting to where the spewing man had come from. Her face lit up with interest, someone was going to do a flamedance? oh boy!

Korvus - Still feeling hungry and seeing the spell work like a charm Korvus laughed and this time turned his magical eyes on the chicken, but as he whispered someone bumped him from behind which caused the chicken to literally explode in an audible squishy bang. Luckily most of the chicken had exploded over the table or the grass beyond but one particular piece, almost as if guided by magic, was flying in an almost artistic arc straight towards the large mop of blonde hair that belonged to none other than Hilarius.

Heyden was near enough ignoring Ansel at this point- he had ran off to empty out his stomach into a bucket amongst those attending the festival- he was their problem for as long as he didn't start trying to pick fights with people, or for as long as he wasn't getting into trouble- as soon as things started to turn sour, that would naturally be when Heyden might need to step in- but seeing as he hadn't caused too much of a ruckus at this point, she was free to allow him to go about paying for the consequences that came with ignoring her instructions. Ha. She emitted a thoughtful hum as she took another piece of rum-soaked cloth and wrapped it about another one of the knots on her fan. She'd soon be done making her preparations, and with an apparent disregard for the state of the floor, she would casually pick up the bottle that she had been using, and pour its remaining contents over the ropes on both the fans and fire-poi. Yay~

Makh Fein Saab Gave Draconus a look that could kill, which was promptly replaced with a smile and a bow as The Grand Inquisitor approached them. He was utterly scared and it showed in his bow but surprisingly not his demeanor. "Why no, just enjoying the night?". This wasn't a lie per say He just did NOT want to interact with anyone important just yet.

Draconus Forest, quite unlike Makh, is confident upon the Inquisitor's approach. "Good evening, Grand Inquisitor. Have you met Master Saab yet? He is a trader and an enchanter." Oh dear, is Draconus enacting the school of hard knocks? The paladin would surely carry on with these introductions, if the sound of something squishy exploding didn't catch his ears. The paladin looks over his shoulder towards the others and catches glimspes of the chicken arcing towards the Grand Alchemist. Oh dear.

Hilarius: Exploding a chicken was pretty bad. Exploding a chicken in the direction of a certain alchemist was probably really bad. Hilarius didn't even react to the sound of the burst bird, at first--no jump, no startle--but perhaps some mild curiosity overtook him, and he turned on his heel to regard the fate of one of the delicious carcasses he had spent quite a while preparing. It isn't long before the goggles point themselves at Korvus, instead, no doubt the fowl perpetrator of this foul play, and it is at that moment that a piece of the tragically terminated mini-turkey lands most gracefully in his mop. An even smaller morsel of the remnant also plops into the wine glass, neatly speckling the goggles and the front of Hilarius' coat with red. The alchemist stands there in silence and frightfully perfect motionlessness, for a time. Then, he stoically reaches up, removes the piece of chicken from his hair and suddenly throws it at Korvus with considerable--and surprising--force.

Mauricio regarded Makh closely until Draconus saved the moment by drawing his attention instead. "Good evening. I have not in fact, it is good to know." The inquisitor might have stuck around the two for a moment longer, if not for a squishy bang catching his attention, he noticed and mostly smelled what had happened and then his eyes followed the tiny piece of chicken, flying so beautifully towards the Grand Alchemist. Mauricio's brow rose.

Sullivan Key beamed at first, momentarily distracted from his panic to relish in the idea of the fine cock going and retrieving drinks for them. Oh my, true heroism! The rooster had an instant admirer. "Oh, would you?" Sheepishly he scurried back out of Phaeo's shadow and cleared his voice, straightening and making great effort to gracefully pretend that yes, everything is fine now. "Oh, all right," he sighed with a little shiver as though shaking something off - he'd lost much of his interest in social masks over the past few days, but knew when to put it back on. There were quite a lot of influencial people here, after all, watching, judging, wondering who knew what. This was a very assorted bunch and the air was so thick with the underlying tension of politics and religion that one might fear to even breathe the wrong way, should they have anything to hide. Then he jumped again at the sudden bang of magically infused chicken, brows raising as he half snorted in disbelief and an amused horror that only comes from pity (as well as slight intoxication from a quickly drinken glass of well aged wine) at the unpleasant turn of luck Korvus had no doubt turned upon himself. Slowly, in that moment, he looked towards the mage and slowly shook his head. "Oh, I think this is your department, honey."

(02:41:54) Morgue turned his head as he heard something explode and then fall in the grandmasters drink. He sniffed at the air "Are you going to eat-" as it was thrown he seemed to manage to follow the motion "That..."

Ansel Blue just sat back and watched the show brewing at the feast, blinking. "And I thought me vomiting would be the worst of it..." he says to himself, shaking his head. He then proceeds to admire, of all things, the silverware. "Oh this is nice...not from the region this metal..." he says, eyeing it carefully. "Hmmm....might wanna see where this came from..." he says, debating taking a fork just to see if he could use it to find out who made it. Alas, he does not as he doesn't want accused of theft.

Rufio Delgado turned away from Phaeo and Sullivan with a warm smile and a sly glance "Very well, i will get us all a drink." as he turned around to make his way across to the alcohol he was stopped abruptly by the sight and sound of a chicken exploding and nearly drops his glass, clucking sharply in supprise and stopping in his tracks. Before he can react there's chicken on Hilarius and he sucks his lips in and bites his tongue, barely managing to cool his -almost- giggle fit he continued his way over there "Personally i prefer them roasted" he commented as he filled up three glasses nearby. "I'd hoped to have a word, actually" he gave an odd glance to Morgue nearby and an arched eyebrow.

Draconus Forest - "... hm, well now, I can not say that is the reaction I was expecting," the lieutenant remarks to himself as he too watches the chicken arc through the air back towards Korvus. He idly reaches up with his free hand and scratches at his scraggly beard in thought. "At least it is not magic being flung about. ...Yet."

Hilarius: "You may have it," Hilarius says to Morgue, turning back around as though nothing had happened, and not even bothering to run his fingers through his hair, or watch the fate of the thrown chicken-piece. He sets down his befowled glass of wine and pours himself another, just as Rufio arrives. The rooster is regarded with the blank stare, as per usual. "Yes?"

The Phoenix however took an abrupt step back, spreading an arm to push the small fellow behind her back too at the burst, watching the arch fo meat in dangeriously still silence. She didn't seem to hear the beauticians prompt as she suddenly stepped forward and flicked a hand in the same direction as the projectile returned by way of the Grand Alchemist back to Korvus, and the halmless bit of foul became a small fireball.

Ansel Blue watches as things get out of hand. "Dangit Heyden, you better get their attention before these shenenigans become fist fights..." He then shrugs. "Of course if there is a fight then I can grab the girl and flee back to my place before she gets all dirty with soot and all..." He says, thinking aloud as he was apt to do.

Morgue, unaware of anything else, reached over and took the chicken out of Hilarius's wine and put it in his mouth before walking off towards the food as if it were temptation enough to get more of it.

Ansel Blue begins to wonder how he would get blue paint out of bedsheets. "Now now Ansel my boy, we're getting ahead of ourself..." He then, masking his voice to sound like a woman, yells over "I wouldn't eat that chicken if it was raised by *insert NPC farmer name her* "I'm pretty sure, being a lonely widower, he has done unnatural things to it!" He then returns to drinking his juice as if he had said nothing.

Korvus - If he was wearing pants Korvus would surely have soiled them when the meat struck Hilarius, but luckily for the ground below him he hadn't eaten that much recently. His first idea was to blame someone else, before he became painfully aware of the green hat standing so proudly upon his head, which was like a large sign for 'source of magical hijinx'. When Hilarius playfully threw it back Korvus was surprised, he'd expected something worse and suddenly feeling like he might have been lucky after all the magpie held open his beak to catch the piece of chicken, and it was already concealed from his line of sight by his beak when it turned into a fireball. With a soft hiss it fell right on his tongue and made him squawk loudly in pain before he flung the alight chicken out of his beak. It wasn't over yet though, his tongue was still pretty much on fire and thus he quickly picked a filled cup, closed his beak around the edge and then threw back to let which was hopefully water to douse his tongue, of course the cup slipped right out of his beak and into his face, nearly knocking him out cold.

Mauricio just watched the magpie in silence, from what the inquisitor had heard this creature was supposed to be a wizard, not a clown.

The Phoenix would be the first to suggest the magpie was more clown then wizard. From the way she smacked a hand to her face in frustration, at the sight of the magpie catching her fireball then knocking himself out with a mug.

Draconus Forest just stands there in silence for several long moments, staring at poor Korvus' unconscious form. ... and the he drains the rest of his cup and turns back to find Makh gone and the Inquisitor still present. "Right, well then. It would not be a social gathering--even a religious one-- in one form or another if a mishap did not occur in some fashion, I suppose," he muses, speaking partially just to himself and partially to Mauricio.

Rufio Delgado turned and walked to the side of Hilarius as if he were ready to head back over to his company for the evening. His tone was far more serious now "I was minding my own business, before. I hope you did not believe i had followed you." and with that, unless something was said that suggested the conversation be held further, he'd start back towards Sullivan and Mistress Phaeo.

Sullivan Key watched the actions of Hilarius and Morgue with a distant sort of swelling horror as that strange emotionless void of a man (which he now noted even further in the back of his brain, somehow seemed creepier to him in his nicest attire) turns away and allows the strange fellow to eat the chicken that had fallen into his glass like some freakish pet. Morgue had been an unsettling, if sad, meeting once before, but now seeing him attached to this alchemist he seemed further disturbed. Sullivan ripped his attention away to see the poor bird collapse with a distant sort of pity, removing his glasses to rub at his eyes with a wordless sigh that said plenty. "Nice aim, Overseer. I just can't help but get the impression that luck magic just isn't working out the way he wants it to," not daring to move to help in present company or condition. This surely was not the end of the fiasco.

Hilarius: Korvus' telltale squawk and the clunk of the mug against his skull don't get any reaction out of Hilarius. At least that means there'd be no gloating later, at least, not from him. Phaeo might be a different story. "If it were fact that you had, you would have lost more than your feathers," Hilarius tells Rufio bluntly, no doubt noting the singed tail as the Liderc makes his way back towards his little gaggle of pretty friends. Ah, yes--perhaps the rooster didn't know that someone else had been lurking that night, and that he had not been the subject of the aim. Hilarius takes a sip of his fresh wine, then, and turns to attempt to locate Morgue, extracting a weathered old something from one of his pockets as he does--a handkerchief? A handkerchief. It even has a little H embroidered on the corner. He wipes the goggles clean and then folds it away again.

Morgue slowed on his way towards the food, he'd heard Korvus and turned his head towards the bird before he made his way over to where the others were, as no one was checking on the poor bird. And even though Korvus had turned him away from his tent he leaned over the man to gently nudge at his shoulder "Are you alright?" he asked with an odd smile, a hand soon offered to help him up.

The Phoenix groaned in reply to Sullivans complement, dragging the hand down her face to pinch the bridge of her nose. "It hardly takes any when his magic's gone awry, you could throw anything and it would hit him or burst into flame without my aid." She seemed profoundly releaved when Rufio returned with the drinks. "Thank you Mister Delgado, I think I need that now more then I did."

Korvus - Laying on the ground Korvus clapped his beak a few times, he was in a bad way with all the punishment luck had given him the past few moments. Then he did realize his luck, his tongue felt like it would fall right off, but he had some salves for that, if the fire-ball had hit his feathers however... The magpie got up again and after straightening himself up went back to his stall, where there were weren't any peasants left, neither his cards and two of the potions he'd stalled had also disappeared. "Hrmm.." Korvus said as he looked over his little tent. The only things that made him appear grumpy were the cards, the fact some of his potions were gone only annoyed him, he wouldn't see the actual effect they ended up having.

Rufio Delgado handed Phoenix her glass as soon as he arrived back at the group, having accepted Hilarius's answer although it did put a chill in him. He didn't like to think that Hilarius might know the flaws of his anatomy. "I can understand why, Mistress Phaeo" He said and then turned towards Sullivan "And an extra full glass for you, Mr. Key" he murmured to him with a chuckle "I do hope you haven't missed me too much."

Heyden. Speaking of clowns! Given the recent shenanigans, relating to the detonation of poultry and the ensuing chaos, the small ensemble of performers had been given the nudge to begin- well- performing, in some attempt to restore order by distracting the crowd. Heyden stirred for a moment as a juggler gently tapped against her shoulder to inform her of this, at which point she would pass them an understanding nod and begin to collect up her various pieces of apparatus. Whilst she did this- a comically-colourfully-dressed man would emerge and take his place in the centre of the crowd; he was a rather short, though round fellow, and had the appearance of a comedian of some description. The stubby man would take a moment to ask those around him to make a wide space- he made a joke that the space was necessary for him to stand comfortably, and tapped at his belly to illustrate this, chuckling to himself. After a short, formal introduction, the man would go on to amuse those watching with a few punny limericks, before he would bow out and present to the crowd, the first section of entertainment: A juggler- at the side of which, stood two men with painted faces, who would each throw bizarre objects at the performer one by one, in a humorous display- it intentionally looked as though the juggler was finding it increasingly difficult to juggle each of the odd items that were gradually launched at him, however, from the sidelines, Heyden knew otherwise. That particular performer was known to balance three times as many objects as those he was throwing around at present, and the illusion that he 'could' potentially drop all of the items at any moment both amused and inspired her.

The main course isn't being taken away, but already they are bringing in the desserts. Food is nonchalantly pushed aside to make room for all kinds of pastry and cakes. There is an empty spot in the middle of the table - probably for the pièce de résistance.

Ferrow is among the group of performers, though he looks quite different from them all. In fact, the slim canine, with his dark fur and earthy clothing, is almost perfectly camofluaged amongst the trees. He kept to himself for the first part of the party, waiting for the other performers to do their jobs (he is, after all, only a traveler amongst them, and he doesn't want to steal their thunder). Finally he draws his honey-gold lute from its case and begins to quickly tune it up.

Sullivan Key accepted the glass carefully and shot the rooster a sarcastic, but gracious smile with a little twinkle in his eyes. "I was pretty excited for you to get back with this," he replied shamelessly. "It's a special occasion, right?" he chirped to both, but this time only taking to sipping as attention began to divert to the performances. Sullivan watched idly with a fixed smile, content with his current company and relieved that the poor bird wasn't going to be strung up for offending the Master Alchemist. So far, things were going all right! There perhaps would be no crisis after all.

Morgue is a little disapointed as he's ignored by Korvus but it's almost instantly disolved and forgotten as a performer appeared. He quickly hurried off to the food, ducking between those bringing out the desserts to grab a plate full of boar meat, bread and chicken, but mostly meat, before he rushed back over and sat down on the grass to watch, grinning brightly.

Ansel Blue watches the show on stage, beaming. It'd been awhile since there was a decent display that any common person was allowed to attend. He claps after each performance. He was always curious where so many stage props came from and often wondered if the performers made them themselves, or if they had them specially constructed for them. "Hmm..." he says, seeing a business opportunity.

Korvus gathers what is left of his things and then spreads his wings to fly away. With everyone gathered he was certain this wouldn't turn him into a pincushion, for safetly the bird did first flutter straight up, using drafts of wind pushing up along the castle walls to elevate him until he's high above the highest tower. As soon as he is there the magpie turns and flies straight towards his comfy nest in the distance. He needed a good long rest.

Mauricio - For the rest of the evening Mauricio walked on and off betweent he buffet while keeping an eye and ear out for blasphemy. Alcohol often lowered emotional barriers and people who might have been hiding their allegiance to the titans perhaps would slip up today. If they did tomorrow would be a busy day for both he and his favorite torturer.

The Phoenix took a looong grateful drink of her wine as she turned too, at the sound of the performances starting, watching politely as the jugglers pretended to struggle. She did not believe it for a moment, but watched in polite silence. Her eyes occasionally drifting to the women who had been prepairing her tools earlier, that was the performance she wanted of see.

Heyden. The juggler continued to juggle skillfully, though as each item was thrown at him, he would act more and more nervous, as though he were liable to suddenly fall victim to the mass of objects her currently had suspended in the air. However, after a few minutes of juggling- his two associates at either side of the circle appeared to have run out of things to throw! Both of the other men with painted faces began to search through the crowd, apparently trying to find more objects they could force him to juggle with! Though- if anyone were to offer an object, each man would act as though they had not noticed the person, and simply turn away from the audiance and look at one another in despair. To the side, Heyden watched the display and chuckled, having noted that one or two members of the crowd did not appreciate being ignored, as they had been. As though he had just acknowledged that neither of the other two men were launching things at him anymore, an exaggerated, mischevious grin crawled across his face- within a moment, and as both of the other two men 'just so happened' to fall into his range- the juggler began to throw objects back at them! The items were caught by each of the other two men, though as each object was caught, they would stagger back a few paces in alarm, exaggerating the concept that this was 'totally unexpected behaviour' from the juggler! Once all of the objects had been returned to both of the other men, with the exception of a pair of snowballs, the juggler took a moment to admire both of the icey spheres, before he would look triumphantly toward the crowd. He intended to throw the snowballs at his fellow performers, only, he wanted his audience to acknowledge the incredible feat that it was to have gotten to this point! The other two men, however, appeared to plead with the juggler in a most comical fashion- only, their fates had been sealed, and with a simple flick of both of his wrists, the juggler would hit both of the men with the snowballs. Raising his arms in the air, the juggler would evoke a cheer from the audience!- before he would allow his fellow performers to stand, and all three of them bowed together.

Rufio Delgado winked a little at Sulli before het urned and watched the performance with curious eyes "Oh they're good" he murmured to himself before drinking heavily from his glass, he "Oh drink all you like, Sullivan, it's a celebration. You can worry about the concequences tomorrow when you wake up in prison" he teased with a low chuckle, clapping lightly for the performers when appropriate.

The audience bursts into applause; the ones that aren't too busy stuffing their faces, that is. There's a couple whistles and much varied noisemaking, mugs being slammed against tables and shouts. Then it slowly dies down.

Hilarius affords the performers only the briefest glance before he begins to readjust the goggles and strolls further into the gardens, away from the noise, with his wine. The alchemist possesses no interest in either the food or the entertainment, it would seem.

Morgue laughed deeply and clapped as he 'watched' the performers. He seemed to be able to discern what was going on to some extent and that was enough for him, this might have been the best day of Morgue's life, the way he was grinning and cheering.

Ansel Blue watched the show for a moment, then debated following Hilarius. He was very curious about his occulars. He had once meddled in glasswork before finding his place with metal, but still had a fascination with the substance. He debates asking the man who made his glasses, but decides perhaps another time would be better.

The Phoenix- As the jugglers went on and on the Overseers gaze drifted over the crowd. She abandoned Sullivan and the rooster man without so much as a word, wandering around the circle of peopel untill she came to the strange 'pet' of her head Alchemist. Taking a sip of her wine as she observed him taking in the festivies as eagarly as those who could see... "How is it you can tell what they are doing?" She asked casually, reguarding the odd creature with more curiosity then caution as she stood but a few feet away.

Now, all but the desserts is being taken away. Well, all but the desserts and the booze. When it looks like it's not going to get better, that's when the six servants carrying the positively huge platter of small, round, still hot cakes show up. Those who have been paying attention to these things will probably know that these might be those high-class pastries there's been so much talk about - cakes the like of which even the almighty Emperor Ovkus can't go without. The servants have to form a circle around this platter just to make sure no one steals any before the time, in fact! The platter is put down in the middle of the biggest of the tables.

Ferrow lets out a bright peal of bell-like laughter at the antics of the jugglers. He'd always admired people who could juggle! The canine briefly considers taking it up himself, but decides against it. For now, anyway. He has a job to do. After finishing tuning, he draws his fingers over the lute and plays an open chord, then sets into a quiet tune that seems to drift through the crowd like mist, interweaving with laughter and conversation without infringing on anyone. People may find themselves a little more willing to laugh and cheer, the weight of life just a little lighter, when they listen to the song of the minstrel.

Morgue went still when he heard the lute and his head turned as if he were watching something, as if he were about to cheer again he took in a deep breath but then heard the overseer and turned his head back to 'look' up at her "I see their otherselves." he said happily, as if he's even cheered that he's being spoken to "Isn't it wonderful? what they're doing?"

Ansel Blue eyes the cakes for a moment. "They look good, and yet....tummytown is still feelings the rum. I shall, pass..." He says, sighing a bit as he returns to the show.

The Phoenix didn't answer, instead she hummed to herself anf looked to the performers. Gesturing to them as a whole with a slow sweep of her arm, though she did not know if he could see the motion. "Tell me then, what do their otherselves look like." Phaeo requested pleasantly enough. "Describe, for I can only see what everyone else does, and this is the sort of show I have seen many times."

Sullivan Key allowed himself to fall into watching the performers and sipping at his wine with a content enough expression of amusement, letting his mind drift out of any previous ease, and frowning only slightly as the Overseer slipped away. "Hm?" he pondered, gaze traveling after her; she was on a mission of some kind, it seemed and as it involved the blindfolded one it was perhaps left well enough alone. Sullivan left her to it and turned his attention back on the rooster with a much deeper flush than before as the alcohol began to really settle in his little body. "Oh, don't you worry. I don't do anything too stupid when I've had a bit too much. I'm good for now anyways, he purred with light laughter, although it was clearly beginning to get to him. The little blond watched the hot cakes pass by with an interested eye.

Heyden. As the juggler and his team exited the circle, the colourful, stubby man would return to the centre with a hearty chuckle. After making a humorous comment in relation to the previous performance- something vulgar, in relation to snow balls- the man would then go on to introduce the second act: Heyden, or, as she was introduced, 'The Fire Dancer'. Apparently the announcement took the performer a bit by surprise, as it took a slight nudge from someone stood behind her, before she actually seemed to respond to the beckon. "Oh!" she made a quiet exclamation, before gathering her things and moving into the centre of the circle. She had decorated herself to look almost like a human snowflake; she was painted white and blue, and even her costume had been replaced for a grey suit, decorated with blue cloth around her waist. Heyden took a moment to assemble her apparatus, including a bucket of water which was set far aside, just in case. With that, the performer would take a bow only, from her bow, she seamlessly moved to stand on to her hands, and, in another movement, she would position herself in a rather impossible-looking shape. Upon hearing music returning to the circle, Heyden would make a note to attempt to move in near-time with it. She would stay in this position for a moment or two before she would lower her legs back on to the floor behind her, only as she stood, Heyden would arch herself backwards and fall back on to her hands, performing a small series of somersaults, until she would finally stop herself at a point between her two fire-poi, that had been laid out across the floor. From standing on her hands, Heyden would move carefully on to her elbows, whilst her legs spread themselves out in an oddly decorative shape, to allow her to balance. Once she had dropped on to both elbows, Heyden would balance there for a few seconds, before she would take both of her hands from off of the floor and click her fingers- at which point, sparks leapt off of her fingertips- and on to the poi. It took her four clicks before the rope ignited, though the flames were blue, due to the alcohol that had been poured over them previously. At this point, she would roll her legs back and drop on to her knees- from there, she would pick up the chains that were attached to the rope circles, and begin swinging 'em.

The cakes are still there. A few people have already tried them, and seem delighted with them so far.

Rufio Delgado laughed at Sullivan "not -too- stupid you say? Oh dear, that leaves it open to suggestion that you might be a little silly. All the more reason to keep fetching you wine." He chuckled warmly "I will go fetch us some cakes-" he stopped as the fire dancer came on and stood up straight before leaning to speak in Sullivans ear "Actually, after this. I do enjoy some fiery entertainment"

Morgue pointed towards Ferrow "That one, very bright.. the kind of bright magic users have, usually, unless they are broken... bright blues yellows....greens... " he trailed off while he watched Heyden's movements with gasps of awe "And the music is magic too... it's good music" he explained "She's full of energy, she looks how i feel when i am hunting. Very bright, fiery, but controlled" he explained to Phaeo, never taking his supposed 'gaze' from the performance however.

Hilarius: As abruptly as he had vanished, Hilarius returns, now, striding back across the gardens and halting just a little behind Morgue and Phaeo, sparing little regard for anything or anyone else except, briefly, the platter of fancy desserts. His re-approach had been nearly silent, perhaps eerily so, but both of those individuals are probably familiar with that particular unsettling habit. The only thing that genuinely announces his presence is the sudden chorus of those familiar, tiny little clicks, occurring somewhere considerably closer than expected, but the alchemist's head is turned towards the crowds rather than the dancer and her impressive display of skill and fire. The lenses flash momentarily in Ferrow's direction, linger there, and then move on.

Ansel Blue watched Heyden happily. She was the entire reason he was here, and probably took some coaxing to get him to leave his smithy shop. He was happy to watch her dance, and was awe'd by her movements. He was still getting used to it all though, having a friend who performed and was always watched by others, sometimes lewdly. He was used to the private life too much. He eyes the cakes again, then his stomach turns. He then notices Hilarius returns and decides to be bold. "Excuse me sir, I was rather curious about, well, your eyewear there. I'm the local blacksmith and more attuned to metals, but glasswork still intrigues me. Did you make those yourself? If not, may I inquire into whom manufactored them? I'm looking to branch out my skills somewhat you see..."

Ferrow's tone shifts as Heyden makes her appearance. While before the music was joyful and sweet, now it lilts in and out of a minor key. Not quite jarring, but more intense and gripping than before. The music brings to mind yearning, the yearning for the flames of the sun and the renewal of the spring, calling out of the depths of winter. Suddenly, however, the masterful bard does the unthinkable; a horrible sensation crawls up his spine and making him hit a sour note. Just one, but it's enough to make his ears go bright pink. He's quickly wrapped back up in the melody, but the sensation it carries is dulled for a moment. Playing by ear, Ferrow is free to cast his gaze across the crowd and spots the trio of Morgue, Phaeo, and Hilarius. The shudder almost returns.

The Phoenix listened as she watched, crossing one arm over the over, holding the wineglass losely by the rim at her elbow. "One must be when they tempt the flame." She remarked knowingly to Morgue. Though at those tell tail clicks her eyes rose from the dancer momentarily as the faintest frown came and went from her brow. She might have been used to it but she did not like how the Alchemist seemed to appear, even so. "Hilarius, be a dear and fetch us some of your brillient pastries... I've been looking forward to them but I quite want to watch--" And then up rolled the Blacksmith and she turned slightly on the spot at her waist to survey him with some brief interest. "Oh so you're the blacksmith. Hello, I've been meaning to meet you." Despite her words before turning back to continue watching the dancer.

Sullivan Key shrugged with a sheepish grin that denied nothing. "A little, perhaps. I think the rest of this glass will do me though," he remarked, swirling the remainder of wine in his glass. "At least for now. We'll see!" he added with a wink and laugh to Rufio, watching the dancer twist her body into incredible flexible poses with a good deal of appreciation. "Oh my, yes - I do agree. She is quite skilled!" Sullivan replied with another heavy flush at the rooster leaning into such close proximity. He was becoming well distracted from the rest of the crowd - until that sudden sour note, jarring to his senses with a much similar chill up the spine. The little blond tries to get a glimpse through the crowd and while he cannot see the minstrel, he can see that the alchemist has returned and is now with Phaeo and Morgue. He feels his own defenses peeling back once more, but he remains composed and averts his gaze back to the performance with a little sigh.

Morgue's lips peeled back and his sharp teeth bared as Ansel approached Hilarius. Which was very strange behaviour given that he'd never been a problem before, had he? nor even remotely aggressive. Perhaps the partially drunk glass of wine in his hand is to blame. He growlsed animalistically at the man and then turned his head sharply back to the dance, once again smiling brightly. If he heard the bad note he didn't complain "I wish i could do what they do, they seem so happy"

Hilarius: Be a dear, indeed. Hilarius responds with another click of a lens; depending on his judgement, he just might have complied with the Overseer's request, but nobody would know, now, because instead he abruptly whirls around to face Ansel and level the lenses of the contraption in question with the blacksmith's eyes. There's no inkling of expression anywhere around them by which to guage any sort of reaction, positive or negative, to the question, but the ambiguous frown definitely isn't a very encouraging one, even if the eyebrows are strictly neutral. "They are a design of my own," is the droning reply, and that appears to be all that anyone will get out of him. Hilarius doesn't have much of a reputation as a very talkative sort of fellow. Morgue's growl goes unignored--he isn't causing trouble, yet.

Rufio Delgado commented "As you wish." he spoke just loud enough to be heard over the cheering "Dancing with fire can be quite a thrilling experience, the danger is quite alluring" he said and then leaned away to finally focus on his drink, though his fiery eyes flicked to the small group, Ansel, Phaeo, Morgue and of course Hilarius, casually being nosey as he observed them at a distance between watching the dancer. "The way that woman bends, you'd wonder if she has any bones in her body at all." he chuckled politely to himself.

Ansel Blue nods, "You are quite skilled then sir, to say the least of it. Someday if they ever break or you replace them, I'd be curious to have a look at the old ones. If you don't mind, that is." He returns to watching the show as simply as that. He had made his request, and it didn't seem too poorly recieved. During a silent moment in the routine. "Consider me met then, and let me know if you acquire my services." he says with a grin.

Heyden span the fire-poi in simple circles at either side of her to begin with, at least until she stood up, from off of her knees. Once stood, she would continue to swing both chains as she walked about in a small circle, almost teasing the crowd as she did so. Once she'd returned to a more central location, however, Heyden would go about swinging the poi in much more interesting fashion- she would move her arms up, and swing them above her head in unison, which created a circle above her head. As she swung her arms, her hips and legs seemed to move along with them in a circular motion, though as her arms tired, she would warily bring them back down, and swing each chain about in front of her, one going in the opposite direction to the other. Using similliar swings of her arms, she would move both herself and the poi to strategically make it appear as though each small, circle of fire were swinging around her waist. Heyden acknowledged that the ropes would not burn for too much longer, and so, with a final circular swing, Heyden would bring both poi back to swinging at her sides before she would abruptly strike both arms out horizontally from her- the chains emitted a snap noise as they were both flung out, and the evident force from this appeared to put the fire out. Taking a moment to breathe, Heyden would make certain that both poi were out by wandering across and depositing them within the bucket of water. However- given that she was yet to make use of her fans, it was quite easy to assume that she wasn't finished yet~

The Phoenix: "Oh.. I won't." Replied the Overseer mildly, watching the performance intently and not too bothered it seemed by her request being ignored. As intelligent as Hilarius was she knew he would only be complient if something didn't distract him half way through the act. "I am a blacksmith myself, and have set up my own smithy in the tower... but I am always interested in the work of others."

Sullivan Key chuckled after a moment as though his words were particularly amusing. "Well, some of us are better than dancing with fire than most." Sullivan went back to watching the show and casually sipping at his wine from time to time.

Hilarius: "Your offer is appreciated," Hilarius drawls. Sadly, there's no way to tell through the flat tone if there is any actual potential intention for taking Ansel up, ever. Anyone who had heard of or seen the alchemist would surely know that he never appeared without the goggles, and some have wondered whether he ever takes them off, or if they are actually a part of his face. Given his disinclination to answering such petty questions, that is another thing about which the world may never know. Content to let the blacksmiths have their talk, then, he suddenly disengages himself from the group to, perhaps, finally do as Phaeo had asked--or maybe to get more wine.

Ferrow shivers a little, but he tries not to think about the strange men. His music soon crests, peaking with Heydan's poi performane. With it returns its impact: that strange influence that seems to pervade the air along with the quiet notes. The smell of the cakes reminds him that he hasn't had a nip to eat all evening, but his performance comes first. So he closes his eyes and pours himself into the music.

Rufio Delgado smirked "Well, it depends what fire i mean, doesn't it really?" he turned when the fires went out and clapped lightly "I'll fetch some cakes now." he said as promised, he waited till the fire dancing was taking a break and moved over towards the cake spread that the servants had laid out. Of course, never a man for the lesser treats he got himself two of the finer cakes, one for him, one for Sullivan, and with that he started back over. He took a bite out of his before he got back there and moaned his appreciation. "I've never tasted anything like it. Try yours, Sullivan."

Heyden gave her shoulders a slight roll as she walked toward where she had laid down her fans; they were both rather large, to the extent that she was literally only able to hold one at a time. However, with another series of clicks- she would light one of the rope spheres attached to the fan, which would then set off a small chain reaction, and ignite the other 5 spheres with a blue fire. Slipping four of her fingers through a sizeable loop at the base of the first fan, Heyden would casually spin the fan in a neat circle as she leant down to pick up the second- her occupied arm did not move, however, as the rest of her body instead lowered itself as so she could pick up the second fan. Heyden would pause her spinning to allow time for the second fan to be lit, and once it was, she would position one fan behind her back- not close enough to her to risk burning herself- and one above her head. In a near-humourous display, Heyden briefly swanned about the circle in a chicken-esque fashion, using both of her fans to resemble the bird's feathers. She would act in this way for a short time, however, as she soon went back to casually spinning the fans in both of her hands~

Morgue tilted his head to watch Hilarius go and then his head turned back towards Phaeo "Who are you?" he asked quietly but soon snapped his head back around abruptly to watch the next stage of the performance as best a man like him could "You talk like an important person." he continued and clapped for the performance.

Draconus Forest had been snaking upon one of the grand hot cakes that was brought out for dessert. And he's been scratching at his chin and mount ever since, eyes on the performance. Should anyone bother looking at him, the reason becomes clear, as in the festival lighting one can see the faint beginnings of a reddish stubble all along his jaw line and about his mouth...

Sullivan Key grinned in reply to the first statement as the man made to lay claim to the cake table. The small blond accepted his treat eagerly, the glitter in his eyes suggesting that he was something of a sweet tooth. He took an experimental nibble of the crust, looked pleased, and took a bite, making sure to savor what quite a little presentation had been put on for. His eyes lit up. "Oh, that is good," he said with an earnest appreciation, going for another bite as the music helped ease attention into watching Heyden and away from certain nerve enducing individuals. "Hah! A fire chicken, how perfect."

The Phoenix: "That would be because I am" Replied Phaeo in that same pleasant tone, clapping too in appreciation of the womens control of the element. "I am the Overseer of Magic. I employed your... master."

Ansel Blue is listening to conversations at this point. He had kept a very low profile for the most part during all thats occured in the kingdom. This was in part due to his semi-reclusive nature, and in part him feigning dumb. "Your own smithy in the tower..." he says to Phoe, thinking that over a bit. "Must be near the top, elsewise you'd be smoking everyone above you out. I wouldn't mind seeing that setup sometime..." he comments, watching what remains of the performace.

Morgue ahh'd happily "Overseer of magic? you oversee magic then? does that mean you oversee it when i do it?" he seems a little off, maybe he can't handle his drink. The odd man lifts his hand slowly as if he's sweeping it upwards in a crescent motion and a blast of frost errupts from his fingertips and shoots upwards beautifully for less than a second before it all fades as if he has failed the spell "Well that's strange...oh well!" he laughed cheerfully and tucked into his chicken once more.

Heyden would continue to spin both fans at her sides for a little while, until she would stop and raise one arm above her head- following this, she would kick up her leg on the same side, and stretch it upward to join the raised arm. Heyden made the movement look much easier than it actually was, particularly given that her wrists were still moving, in order to keep the fans spinning. She stayed like this for a short time, before swiftly lowering her leg back beside the other one, before proceeding to twirl around the circle. As she twirls, she moves both arms as so the fans appear to encircle her, which amongst the blur, seems to create a circle of blue fire around the woman as she moves. However, unlike with her poi, she acknowledges that if she allows the rope to burn for too long, it will ultimately heat up the metallic frame of her fans and eventually burn her hands. And so, with a final spin, Heyden presents the fans in a way that makes them appear almost like wings, and with a quick flap upwards- the flames are doused- and the performer finalises by crossing both arms across her chest, pushing both fans out beside her shoulders in another wing-like display. By now, the sweat on Heyden's forehead has begun to smear the paint on her face, and needless to say, as she takes a final bow, she is still catching her breath.

Rufio Delgado frowned at Sullivan "fire chicken? what?" he said as if he were concerned about something and then looked up, letting out a long breath as he saw Heyden's posture, laughing gently at the irony of it all "The lady has style!" he cheered. "I'm almost starting to think someone's onto me, wouldn't you agree?" he said with a slightly tipsy air about him "First a chicken -explodes- and now they've got a dancer doing a chicken impression".

Hilarius eventually makes his silent return with a freshened glass of wine--he had not quite fully downed the first, being a rather frugal drinker--and only a single cake, which he wordlessly offers to Phaeo, dully muttering her title for her attention. Morgue and Ansel will just have to go and get their own if they want any before they're all gone. Curiously enough, the alchemist didn't select any for himself; another of his public peculiarities was the fact that no one had ever seen him eat. In fact, the most he ever appeared to consume was wine. Tonight would, apparently, be no exception. He takes a sip of his favored beverage and briefly turns his head towards Rufio and Sullivan again.

Ansel Blue had seen what he came to see and move over to the now finished Heyden. "Nice show there!" he says, tossing her a rag to wipe the sweat off. "Now, if you wanna come back to my place I promise to give you a good backrub for your hard work while Ralue draws us a story. She can't talk to other people...yet...but I am working on that." He helps gather her things, knowing full well how tuckered out she is. If willing, this is where he would make his exit.

The Phoenix tuned her head toward the smith, though her eyes stayed on the performer" It is actually toward the middle, and merely an advanced illusion, but it is functional. I can maintain the smoke without a lot of effort..." Indeed as she smoke a flame flickered across her shoulders, leaping from one to the other as elegantly as the dancer before seeming to withdraw snuggly into the white fur. She clapped again as the dancer took her bow, looking on approvingly before turning away in time to catch Morgues little display, suddenly speaking a little more sharply. "Yes I do. If you have the ability for magic, it means I have athority. So you had best use it wisely..." Phaeo was just offering the blacksmith a nod and about to head over to the cake table when Hilary returned, and she turned to him pleasantly surprised. "Oh, thank you!" The mage took the cake and took a bite without the slightest caution, suddenly in quite a good mood it seemed despite her sharp remarks.

Morgue let his head drop back to look at Phoe again and then sighed "You didn't bring me one, i'd have brought you one" he said to Hilarius "Not that that matters" He understood that it meant absolutely nothing. He stood up and hurried off at a great pace to the cake stand and a peasant stood about to take a cake for himself when he saw Morgue rushing over and dropped the cake back onto the platter before hurrying off at a fast walk. Morgue grinned toothily "More cake for me." he said and picked one up to take a bite out of it, not returning to the group but rather staying on his own to get some peace and quiet for now.

Heyden was soon ushered out of the way by the short, chubby, colourful man as she returned to the circle; whilst he introduced another act, whose idea of humor could only be described as 'entertainingly violent', Heyden soon found herself with a rag in her hand and an Ansel lingering around her. Stepping aside and still not having completely regained her breath, the woman raised a finger to Ansel as a way of telling him to bear with her for a moment, until she was in a state to talk- but even then, bursting into a laugh came before any words did. "Okay, okay- let me just move my things out've the way, first" she told him, wandering back to the edge of the circle to retrieve her things from a performer who had been made responsible for clearing the space after her. If she was not beckoned back, then the painted woman would simply blend in amongst the others gathered in the gardens~

Sullivan Key polished off the cake and rinsed it down with the rest of his wine, concealing a tiny hiccup as he glanced up at his new friend in some amount of confusion. The blond seemed uncertain by what he meant, but the relaxation caused by music and wine allowed him to shrug off thinking too hard about it. "Well, you do clearly have an affinity," he teased, looking towards the large teal rooster tail once more. Sullivan, distracted once more by the fiery show finish, sets down his glass on the nearest surface to clap enthusiastically.

Morgue slowly made his way back towards Hilarius and Phaeo casually with a bit of a cough and then he swallowed something, ew, tasted like a bug. He took another bite of cake and came to a stop beside the two he'd approached and then turned his head slightly to cough into the back of his hand. Several butterflies flutter out of his mouth and into the Alchemists face and the banshee leaned back abruptly and looked...puzzled. Then he hunched forwards and started coughing and hacking terribly, causing hoards of butterflies to gush out of his mouth, causing Morgue to gag a little.

Rufio Delgado scratched at the back of his head lightly and didn't notice as a couple of pretty strands of hair drifted down. "Sullivan, It seems our night is drawing to a close here, although i rarely sleep... i have the most terrible sleeping patterns, but i will certainly visit you, tomorrow. Are you alright getting back to your quarters?" he looked at Sulli but then out of the corner of his eye he spotted Morgue and his jaw slowly dropped open, eye shifting to stare at the ...scene. "Good lord."

It starts happening a little all over the place. Somewhere, a woman slaps a man whose eye seems to be winking uncontrolably. In a corner, an old man starts giggling like a maniac for no discernible reason; another can't finish a sentence due to his stuttering. There's a lot of people who seem to be developing itches on their scalp or face, and a gruff carpenter suddenly realizes his voice has become rather high-pitched. A furre falls to the floor and when he gets up, he feels rather cold - he's turned into a human. Panic ensues, so the guards make sure to storm in and kick everyone out of the Garden, with the sole exception of important people such as Phaeo, Hilarius or the nobles, who are politely asked to return to the castle. Party's over, it seems.

Hilarius is gently accosted by the gentle wings of what must be mildly retarded butterflies. This possibly confuses him momentarily, because he does not even adjust a lens, as is his usual answer to situations that are not immediately clear, but eventually he recovers and turns to point his head at Morgue. One of the butterflies meets its end in his wine glass. He's going through these good vintages rather quickly, isn't he? Then comes the entire swarm, and Hilarius doesn't even take a step back as they billow forth like some grotesquely fanciful tidal wave. By the time it's over, the other outbreaks of extremely peculiar magical mishaps have become most apparent, and the alchemist observes, to no one in particular, "How unusual." He then takes a sip of his butterfly'd wine, and begins to stride towards the castle as requested.

The Phoenix was just washing down the small pastry with her last mouthful of wine, watching people from a distance rather then bothing to attempt small talk with Hilary, when the odd fellow returned and... became odder. And he wasn't the only one. "Unusual! The hell is going on!?" It was obviously magic, though not feeling any ill effects herself (yet) and therefore not making the connection to the cake she had just eaten, the Overseer swooped off purposefully to grab and interrogate every magic user she could corner, even as they evacuated the garden. This was SOMEONES fault.

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