One of the reasons for Phileas’s choice of Cambete is that is a very easy run.   Cambete is about 12 miles from Basilea, and the whole trip is along the road that follows the west bank of the Rhine.  It is a flat, floodplain region- no slopes at all, and that is exactly what draft horses like.

(As does Tahra.  It is impossible to get any serious witchery done in a bouncing wagon on rough terrain, but this is a very gentle stretch)

Later trips will be harder, of course, but this easy jaunt is a nice way to start, and for the Argentos’s to see that all is arranged properly and in working order.

Once, the rural landscape between cities was populated.  Little villages of farmers were everywhere.  But in the last fifty years, since the fall of the Empire, everything changed.   In the world the characters know, these broad stretches of empty land are deserted, and people live in walled towns and cities where they can be protected.  Basilea’s farms extend north along this plain for about four miles, after that it’s not worth it to farm while going back and forth from the safety of the city on a daily basis.

During the trip to Cambete  with the caravan passes no one on the road.  This isn’t unusual.  Since the last battle at Cambete, the river between Basel and Cambete is safe.  It is simply easier and cheaper for farmers and artisans to move their goods by boat.

The caravan progresses at about walking speed, no need to rush the horses.  There is a stop for lunch on the road, and then another stop just outside of the town, to shift into “arrival mode”.

From here, the cast can see Cambete’s walls and buildings.  The town certainly shows signs that the past century has not been kind to it.  Cambete has literally retreated.  The outer areas of the town have been demolished to build the wall around the inner area, and turned into farms and groves- with walls and columns sticking up in odd places.

Even as they stop, they already draw curious looks from people out working in the fields.

Lindon pulled back the brake and tied off the reins before sliding down from the wagon.  He'd appreciated the road's lack of disrepair, but it was still nice to stretch after a long haul.  Just a short bit until they entered town.  Time to get into costume!

His consisted of a tight pair of colorful breeches, supple high boots, and a sleeveless top.  All in bright colors, easy to spot against the backdrop of the big top as he flew through the air or skittered across a tight rope.

He'd forgo the zucchini, however.  The last thing he needed was an orc maiden swooning while her hefty beau plotted his demise.

The last of it was a colorful feathered mask with a birdlike beak.  Sometimes he wore a feathered cape, but it was too hot for it today.

When they stopped before entering the town, Alayna quickly changed into her 'greeting' outfit, then got down so that she could ready Angel and mount to do her smile and wave.  The teenager's greeting outfit was a bit different from her performing outfit, and somewhat more daring than most might expect from a girl her age.  She now wore dark green skin-tight leggings and and a green dress trimmed in silver that barely covered her narrow hips. The dress itself left her shoulders bare and helped display her very modest decolletage to best effect, as well as to show the vine and leaf tattoos that adorned her arms and shoulders.  Her hair was down, woven through with leaves and flowers, hanging to her waist.

She had fastened a simple addition to Angel's bridle, a stuffed silvery cloth horn, making him look somewhat like a unicorn, completing the picture of the forest nymph on her mythical steed.

She easily lept to Angel's back and waited for the others.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Wed 19 Sept 2018.

in his usual manner Esher stands up on the cart pauses for a moment and "falls" (hops down) from the cart. as he hits the ground his pockets "explode" as giant illusionary coins spill all over the ground always staying on their end as they roll around.
he stands up and begins to "try" to collect his props, which promptly roll just out of reach, making him fall over once again. Esher stands and then silently begins shaking his finger at the rolling coins and grabs his belly in a silent belly laugh. he then opens his tiny pockets and gestures for his "coins" to get inside. the coins "grow" legs and all jump into a pocket that is clearly too small to hold them.

If Ssasha had any fear of the romantic interests of orcs it wasn't showing. She was out in one of her more modest outfits low cut, and heavily corseted but with a full a-line skirt, she was handling Raenei a three foot long beautifully patterned saw-scaled viper with lovely red scales. Raenei was of course exceptionally deadly, but actually one of the best behaved of the snakes. her face was made up like a courtesan, this presentation, her dress the makeup, by itself wouldn't make anyone blush, but skinny Ssasha had a way of rolling her hips as she walked that got men's attention. She was a dancer and knew just how to move what body she did have, and she was there to sell tickets, and knew how she sold tickets. This act was an appetizer to get the rubes hungry, the main course would be later, and there would be no desert. She smile at Lindon's mask but it didn't last long as she quickly remembered where she was and course corrected where she was walking to keep Raenei well away from Angel.

Now on Angel's back, Alayna couldn't help but laugh at Esher's antics.  She gave a nod of appreciation to Ssasha, then turned her attention to the crowds lining the street.  She waved and smiled at all, then stood on Angel's back, displaying her bare feet with green painted nails.  She waved more, then dropped back into the saddle without using her hands.

In between similar simple tricks, she waved and smiled at the children, then winked and blew kisses at the men, clearly flirting.

Once the show arrives and her tent is set up, Tahra appears (refreshed by a nap) Clad in black with a red-fronted bodice, she walks the area, looks beyond, and enters the tent. A round table, three chairs, and a small table are within are within. The small table holds a pitcher of water and some glasses...and a drawer for money. Near the ceiling is a rod. The Bat Hyastenas flaps to it and hangs.

Nwofia helps put up tents, position the wagons, build walls and paybooths, all the little odd jobs a circus needs to do only then does she strip away her travelling persona and become full on carnie.  Dressed in her slinky, mostly translucent she joins the parade through the town, letting people (and orcs) see as much of her lush dark flesh as public decency will allow.

Until the time comes to leave, she'll be wearing this for the tightrope and the trapeze, and for everything else, a black, white and grey but somehow still gaudy entertainers costume for everything else.  She'll be on full time because that's what carnies do.

not being the strongest member of the troupe Esher was by no means not participating I  the set up, there were many small jobs that were just as critical as those that required applications of muscle.

Esher ran supplies to those that needed them, but also kept the local children entertained with ongoing illusion (duration concentration silent image.) effects ranging from funhouse mirrors to comical caricatures of local wildlife and plants.

he pauses and looks to the sun and makes a guess about the time and judges the amount of time until the show would be starting.

he makes a quick check of his puppets and weighs the various options on either to use the physical puppets or to do a more elaborate purely illusion based but larger produactio...perhaps he should get some input from the troupe leader. Esher continues his work while waiting for a moment when the troupe leadership was not otherwise engaged so that he could get their experiences opinion.

---

edit (i did realize we are not in the town already)

as the caravan takes a short halt in preparation for their entrance into the town Esher continues to make moment to moment alterations to his ongoing illusionary effects. the one constant effect about his illusions is a "posting" of the troupe's performance schedule. so that the locals can plan their work around the performances they wish to enjoy.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:03, Thu 20 Sept 2018.

Before they head into the town, Hylensia walks down the line of wagons, and back, checking on things.  Phileas has gone ahead, to let the town know they have arrived and make sure their set up location has been prepared.  Some towns have entertainment venues left over from the Roman days, from small to large (amphitheaters) to the very large (hippodromes and circuses).  When those are available, the Traveling Show's place is very obvious and simple.  But Cambete is relatively small, and their theater did not survive- it was deconstructed to build the wall.  Phileas sent them advance notice, and of course this production is sponsored by Burgundian nobility, so they really ought to have a place ready, but Phileas wants to make sure.

The Traveling Show's matron looks at Alayna and sighs.  To be that young and dress like that... well, it's what people want to see, don't they?  But she'd feel better when the girl has a few more years behind her.

"Esher... goodness, save the comedy for the show, we aren't even in the town yet," she says as she passes.

Even out here beyond the wall the troupe attracts attention- farmers and shepherds stop working.  Those that stop too long are often scolded by older farmers and shepherds.  The cast hears one shout of "lazy sluggards, if you'd done that when the Orcs were running this town they'd whip you back to work.  See the performers later!"

But that one voice of sober work ethic is outnumbered, and soon gives up.  People begin to show up and stare.  The reality is, no one in Cambete has seen anything like this before.  No one in Cambete has seen anything like Nwofia before.  It draws attention... but it's supposed to draw attention.

Phileas returns, walking back from the gate to the waiting troupe.  Several Orc warriors appear at the town gate.

When he reaches the wagon caravan, Phileas announces that the main market square has been cleared for use by the Traveling Show.  It has no stage- not a problem, the Traveling Show carries a portable one, which is created by shoving a few of the wagons end to end, and having a plank stage unfold along their sides.

"It does mean we'll be right smack in the middle of things," he says. "We'll go in and set up the portable stage as we rehearsed, and then... well if it looks safe you'll have the rest of the day to yourselves, our shows will start tomorrow afternoon.  Five shows over four days, then we move on.  Let's make everyone happy!"

Alayna is supposed to lead, of course, but that's entertainment magic.  She doesn't know where to go.  Phileas will really be in front, but well in front, wearing a tall hat.  All she has to do is follow his hat, and the troupe follows her.

The people of Cambete have already turned out to watch the Traveling Show enter their town.  It's been a year of hard work for them, rebuilding after a war.  Cambete changed.  Many of the people here weren't even here then- many of the survivors fled into Burgundy to the west, and Germanic people- many, like Og, Thuringian- who were living on the east side of the river in primitive little villages moved in to the vacated town.  Before the war, 500 Orcs lived here, now less than a tenth that number, but they are very visible among the humans.

Nwofia gathers the gazes of those watching the wagons and, once she feels she has sufficient attention, she performs a somersault.  It's not a difficult somersault designed to show off her skill.  No, this somersault is designed to show off her body, the dark softness where visible, and the curves where fabric covers.

This somersault is Nwofia's version of an aerial curtsey, a way of saying to those eyes she has gathered, "Hello, pleased to meet you, aren't I exquisite?"

Somehow, while her body was in mid-air, and quite frankly, all eyes were on her ass, flowers, which were most definitely not there before, have appeared in her hands and she throws them among the audience, filling the square with their floral sweetness....

...She finishes off the little exhibition for all eyes she has gathered, including those who for whatever reason dislike flowers, by throwing a knife in the air and when it comes down catching it in her teeth.

Unaware of her patron's dislike of her costume (and somewhat naive about why), Alayna enjoys her job of leading, and all the attention she gets.  She does a few more simple tricks, showing off a little to drum up support for the actual show the next day (and to show off for the attention),

It is as they are approaching the center of town that she finally notices the orcs.  She falters a bit in her waving, a chill of fear going through her.  The orcs are staring at her like she was going to be their lunch, and she doesn't like it.  She visibly has to regain her poise and finish her grandstanding.  After a few moments, she back to waving and winking and giggling.

Once they arrive at their destination, she removes the 'horn' from Angel and quickly changes.  Her job is to work with the horses, getting them unhitched, removing saddles, then making sure they are all brushed down and properly led to a place to get water and be fed.  It is a little amusing to see the petite girl among the big draft horses, but they all seem to obey her, and she clearly forgets her earlier misgivings among the large beasts she loves so much.

Cambete still shows its scars.  Not everything damaged in the fighting a year ago was rebuilt, and even then not everything damaged in the battle two years ago had been rebuilt.  Even within its shrunken borders, four thousand people could live in a town of this size, but it has about a third of that.  Part of the town, in the southeast corner, was the hardest hit and is just ruin.

The bright spot is the main street, now known as the Via Burgundium.  With the bridge available, and the riverside docks as well, traffic to and through Cambete has increased tremendously, and it is all along the road.  Here, it doesn't look like a town that has struggled to rebuild.

For the people of the town, this is an extraordinary event. A parade!  Many have never seen anything like this- horses with colorful plumes on their heads and bells on their collars!  Brightly painted wagons with the most amazing characters driving them in!

For the Orcs of the town, well, they have never even imagined such a thing.  They all look utterly befuddled by the spectacle, as if everything they have ever believed about the world has just been upset.  It is completely outside their mental comfort zones.  A few flee, having no idea what they should be doing.

The market area is a stone paved plaza, surrounded by a columned arcade in front of low buildings on three sides.  There are shops in the buildings, and they will stay open of course- the plaza will belong to the traveling show but the arcade walkways and the shops are still very public.  They include about half of the town's taverns, the spice market, the cloth market, an armorer, a couple of shoe makers and a large jewelry store.  The taverns are already gearing up for what is likely going to be the best few days of the year.   These are the town's "good" stores, the ones that can afford plaza rent.

People are already gathering.  Phileas gets up on top of a wagon to address the crowd, and tell them the schedule- he really sells it, describing everything in the most over the top superlative ways, and stretching a few truths.

Alayna might be surprised to learn that her birth was attended by Unicorns, and she could ride before she could walk, and that she has a mystic bond with horses enabling her to accomplish dangerous stunts that no lesser rider could dream of.

A typical marketplace of this style:

Before the group gets released for "free time" in the town, which will be by late afternoon at best, Phileas has a particular instruction for Ssasha, which will become a standard protocol.

"Other shows have more in the way of exotic beasts than we do," he says.  "If you think you can handle it, and you should find some interesting creature, be it bird, beast or monster, that you think ought to be in the show, let me know and we might be able to buy it.  Or... errr.. catch it.. considering how it is presently situated.  Not just here, but anywhere along the route.  You shall be our Master of Beasts, Charmer of Creatures, Tamer of the Wild... something like that."

It does not look like Cambete has an exotic pet store, though.

OOC:
as long as none of the villagers heard Ben say that... we can have one... (preform acting)

I have major illusion (visual, thermal, auditory, smell) as long as everyone hits their marks and move on cue ...and the villagers don't want to touch any of the animals...it can be as real as it needs to be.

illusion...just because it is not...does not mean that it does not seem to be.

When the Traveling Show stopped and the wagons were arranged, it was a small village all by itself.  Generally they arranged the wagons in a tight box, the horses being either inside or outside depending on the room available and the level of danger.  Here, the horses had to be inside.  Three wagons were in front and supported the stage, and the other nine were the other three walls of the box.

Ssasha’s wagon, Escher’s wagon, and the main cargo wagon were in front, because this gave them quick and easy access to exotic reptiles (Sasha) and various puppets and props (Escher) during the show.  The cargo wagon was a big wooden box on wheels with a strong roof, and a frame could be set up atop the roof to allow it support the trapeze and other items.  All three wagons doubled as parts of scenery- roll down the cottage front over Ssasha’s wagon and it became a rustic forest cottage.

Most of the cast do not have their own wagons, they share.  Ssasha, Escher, and Tahra are exceptions.  In Sasha’s case, no one else has yet offered to live in the mobile zoo with its poisonous snakes sleeping in their enclosures.  For Escher, his wagon is also a workshop, and the available space is taken up by workspace and materials, and storage.  Tahra’s wagon is also a workshop, though of a different kind.  Og and Lindon live in “Wagon Six” with the three other male performers, “Wagon Seven” belongs to the drovers and handlers, and Eight, Nine and Ten belong to the female cast.

One of the first and most important wagons to set up is naturally the kitchen wagon.  During “travel days” food is generally of the kind that can be prepared quickly.   Tonight is sausage rolls in pastry dough, mixed grilled vegetables, oat bread and butter.  Dessert is cheesecake.  (This was invented in the 1st century BC, when it was called Savillum.)  The cast is not required to get their dinner here… but it’s free.

Assisting with the horses, Alayna had put aside her fears of the orcs and had embraced the excitement of getting to see a new place.  Worn it might be, it was still a new place, with new people and things to see.  However, the horses (and her Angel) came first, and she made very sure they were all taken care of before going to change and decide where to go.

She changed (yet again) to a slightly more modest outfit, at least when compared to her greeting outfit (or her more daring performance outfit).  She wore a pale green dress, with length to her knees and covering her shoulders but leaving her arms bare (and not too low cut!).  She left her hair as it had been, with the flowers and leaves.  Delicate brown slippers finished the outfit.

She made herself ready, touched up her makeup and then went to see if anyone was going to eat first or dare to eat out.

Lindon helped arrange and link wagons, playing to the watching crowd by adding an unnecessary flip wherever possible.

Nwofia did the same as Lyndon, keeping an eye on him so that when he flipped North, she slipped south, always in the opposite direction, always simultaneously as if they were a pair of Escher's puppets.

Most of the "non stars" are happy to stay around the wagon enclosure this first day.  After all, they get paid less, the shops and taverns are therefore less fun for them.

Phileas Argentos has a private meeting with a few Important People who come to visit- and one of them is an Orc.  The others are an elderly woman, who is referred to as "Magistrate" and a much younger man who Phileas calls "Prefect".  Initially he invites them into the small office in the back of his own wagon, which acts as Troupe Headquarters, but it quickly becomes obvious that the Magistrate, who uses a cane, will have great difficulty climbing up into it.  They decide on the nearby Municipal Hall, the old Roman Basilica which is close to the market, towards the bridge.  It's a short walk, Phileas promises to be back soon.

No one else is invited... but of course some of the cast have skills that make them very adept spies, if anyone wants to try and listen in.

In preparation, for the upcoming show, Esher gathers some of the non-performers to assist him and performs a close inspection of all the carts/wagons/scenery/etc.

He ensures that all pieces of the wagons, moving backdrops, and scenery pieces are in working order. After a few applications of mending and repair light damage cast from self scribed scrolls. the wagons are in good repair and ready to do what is required of them.

following the maintenance Esher unpacks one of his larger boxes. first out of the box is a collapsible 10 ft pole, after assembling the pole he casts greater mage hand and "hangs" the 10 ft pole horizontally a few feet off the ground. He then begins pulling various pullies, and oddly colored and shaped objects from the box and hangs each piece from specific places on the 10 ft pole. those that are paying attention begin to see a 9ft long dragon puppet slowly take shape. Once it is complete he proceeds to attach a complicated series of threads to the underside of the puppet.

using his greater mage hand he lifts 10 ft pole and by extension the puppet 20 ft in the air and begins to test the puppets strings are moving the correct parts he begins to mingle with the locals while "flying" his prize puppet.

this particular puppet is designed to be a solo puppet because unlike the rest of his puppets this one requires a great deal of focus (concentrate skill) to operate.

---

OOC: performing varying levels of preventative maintenance on all the wagons is something Esher will do on a regular basis whenever is appropriate and often done as part of the setup and teardown process, and spot repairs when necessary.

Alayna had finished her chores, spoiled Angel, cleaned up... and only now realized that she had few chores than anyone.  Yes, she was still a girl, but it still seemed she didn't do much.  Of course, she loved the horses, and so maybe she was the best one for them.  But as she watched the others work and practice and such... it made her feel as if she was not doing enough.

Or perhaps... she was bored.  Typical teenager bored.

She knew she needed to practice her tumbling and balancing, but she did that in the morning anyway.  And she worked Angel in the morning too.  So here she was, in a town that had seen better days, everyone else busy but her.  And bored.

With a sniff and a sigh, she forced herself to smile, and decided she would go out and see the town.  It wasn't dark yet and maybe she could see something different.  Or buy something.  She paused to let one of the men know that she was going out, and that her patrons should know that she was going. After all, she was old enough to wander alone, not truly being a child anymore.  And maybe the others would join her when they were done with what they were doing.

When Nwofia runs out of chores she can reasonably do, she wanders over to Ssasha's wagon to see how she's doing with the snakes.  Nwofia does not, of course, enter the wagon.  This is not herpetophobia though as she explains to Ssasha, but the fact that Nwofia does not know how to handle animals, whether kittens, horses or poisonous snakes.

The cast is making even the unloading and preparation into a show, and Hylensia notes that it will have a positive effect- it will further excite the locals, get them into that "anticipation mood" for tomorrow's shows.  Two, she reminds everyone- the first is the afternoon show, which is shorter and has more of a Child Friendly style, and then the main show later on, which is certain to be the biggest entertainment event seen in Cambete in... who knows?  It won't bring extra income as the people here don't have to pay, that has already been arranged, but the more popular the show is, the better the reputation, and that cannot hurt.

With her horses taken care of, and in "civilian" attire, Alayna decides to check out the town.  She doesn't have far to go, as they are in the middle of the market square. It has shops, which are still open  (generally they wouldn't be, but the shopkeepers are keeping them open because curious people are drawn by the wagons, and can then be lured into the shops) (See msg 13 above for details) and several inns.

Is anyone joining her?

Agenner Alehouse and All Night Grill is the largest here in the market square and actually never closes.  It is known for the fact that the kitchen keeps working all day, all night.  Popular with insomniacs, guards, and people having illicit affairs.  Nearby is Big Barrel Tavern and Guest House, named for the sign, which is actually a big barrel.  It is also a very large place, and has lots of room for travelers.   Dog and Bunny is small and according to locals, kind of a weird, eclectic place with a cook who likes to experiment.

The other shops of the town are already closed.  They have the opposite situation to the market square shops- their streets are quieter.  Taverns are still open- towards the river, not far from the market square, along the main road is the biggest, the Red Court Tavern.

Alayna probably has little to worry about if she stays within the market square- the entire Troupe is within easy shouting distance.

Alayna starts to leave the relative safety of the wagons, then pauses to look at Tahra's wagon.  Should she ask her to come?  She shakes her head, still convinced she is old enough to take care of herself alone.

She walks along, glancing in the shops, smiling at the owners waving her to come in.  She almost entered the jewelry shop, what girl doesn't love jewelry?  But she sighed, being more interested in finding a place to go.

She looked at the big place, the other big place.  But the Dog and Bunny seemed to catch her eye.  Small, with different sorts of people going in.  To the half-breed girl, that looks like what she might like.  She paused to check her dress and makeup, then made her way to the tavern.

OOC: Anyone interested could probably catch up to her as she goes in, she's taking her time.

By the time Lindon completed setup and preparations for his act, he'd decided that sleep was the wisest course of action.  He'd found that it was easier to perform with a hangover the second night than the first.  Though there were still times where he failed to follow his own wisdom, this was not one of them and he sought out first the kitchen wagon for dinner and then his own for the night.

The Dog and Bunny is small and fairly new, having been established by a Germanic family settling in Cambete after the war.   They took over the space left by others who had fled, and in the chaos, the Magistrate made such “squatters rights” claims official.

Erbold and Dielda are the owners and handle the cooking while also taking care of their children, and Ufo, the large dog that spends much of its time sleeping and snoring contentedly in the corner.  They are, like many people of their background, semi-literate at best, so the menu is shown in pictures Dielda puts up, with prices attached.

Being small, their stock is limited.  The beverages are limited to water, Dog and Bunny Weak Ale, Perry (Like apple cider but using pears) and non-alcoholic hot spiced apple cider.  They try to be as creative as they can with their dishes, given the circumstances, and often buy things from hunters or passing traders.  The menu today is:

Boiled Artichoke with ham and cheese
Pickled Pork and Watercress salad
Quail Egg Salad on dark bread with Burgundian Mustard
Goose Sausage with mashed turnip, vinegar reduction
Hazelnut-Berry Bread or Rye Biscuits

Like the other places along the market square they are doing well today, and it is busy.  One advantage the little place has:  being small and having only one front door, entry and exit is fairly controlled and there is little fear of pickpocketing.  The clientele is a very mixed bag, although there are no Orcs- this kind of food is something they consider silly.  They want cooked meat, and lots of it.  But by rough guess, it would be evenly split here between local and traveler.  The travelers include a pair of Elves- from the look of it, Black Forest Elves.  Also, a few Burgundian soldiers, here on temporary assignment.

Og, still trying to figure out if they were working together or this was one big improvisation routine, kept to himself doing most of the heavy lifting of setting up camp, the stage, and so on. Amongst orc his strongman routine would have to be cranked up even higher, some of these folk were even bigger than he, but he did have a trick up his sleeve. A normal iron barbell for lifting weights was two inches in diameter, but Og used a three and half inch bar, it always worked against any other strongman because it required nearly three times as much grip strength since you couldn't place your thumb over your fist. Would it hold up against orc though? He may need to speak with some of the other magic performers to see if maybe they could work something out, or maybe nix the strength routine altogether.

In summary, Og was feeling insecure.

Seeing Phileous with important people, Og begins making his way toward them to eavesdrop, but doesn't want to get into trouble if he's not welcome to, so instead he veers off and follows Alayna closely, a quiet bodyguard. As she looks at the menu Og finally catches up and grunts, "Ah, a menu I can read." It's a joke. "The quail salad please." Another laaaame joke.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:34, Mon 24 Sept 2018.

Alayna visibly jumped, then she giggled.  "Oh, its you!  I am most sorry, t'was startled, that's all."

She looked at the menu, figuring out what it meant.  "The Artichoke, if you please.  And a glass of the Perry."</pink>

She looked around.  "More people than I thought.  And elves!  I wonder... Nay, wouldn't be."  She was finding a place to sit, then she giggle.  "Some are looking at us.  We make an interesting pair, I'm thinking."

After failing to get the waitress to sense his sarcasm, Og got her to smile by explaining the joke and then ordering two of the sausages, then joined Alayna.

"Never apologize for jumping at the sight of me, beautiful. I'm used to it, and if anything it makes me feel good to know I still got my good looks." He bounced each pectoral separately to firm up the self-deprecating comment of his own looks. Though he could stare at Alayna all day if he could get away with it. But not now, he can be half a gentleman when he tries, and he successfully keeps his eyes above her neck instead of ogling her young and perfect body.

He looks around the room and the others looking at them. "Yes, an interesting pair we are indeed. You let me know when you want me to put my hands on you and I'm sure they won't take their eyes off ya as you soar..." He himself was no acrobat, but throwing, catching and being a solid mass to climb all over he was excellent at. "But I say we save the show for the show." He nodded to the onlookers as if to say, "Yes, hello, I'm off duty."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:13, Mon 24 Sept 2018.

Og’s people are Germanic, specifically, Thuringian.  They are poised at a crossroads in destiny and history, for the first time truly becoming a people.  As a people they are young.   Many are ex-slaves- as the Huns withdrew, many people who had lived under their yoke all their lives decided they were now Thuringian.  Erbold and Dielda are among them, having lived a little further north along the Rhine, and finding themselves free when the Huns were forced to abandon Brisiacus.  Because of this recent origin, Thuringian culture runs the range from “adapting the civilized ways of the West” to “basically iron-age hunter gatherers in the forest”.  Erbold and Dielda are of the former extreme, Og of the latter, but even so they recognize him as kindred, hearing his accent.

Erbold and Dielda both happily welcome him to their shop, and highly recommend the goose sausage.  They are very excited to see that one of their people has found his way to such a famous organization- everyone has been waiting for this for a long time, though for the most part they have no idea what it is they are waiting for.

They talk while making up Alayna's plate, telling Og how they have high hopes for life in this town, even though there are...

...you know...

Orcs.

"We've learned a thing or two, though," Dielda says.  "Did you know, Orcs have their problems too?  They don't all agree with each other over things, and... well as I understand it, when the Orcs are in charge that's not a problem, because everyone agrees with the strongest, or else.  When the Orcs are not in charge it's very different, because now they have to disagree over things without killing each other.  They're new to that.  Still figuring it out.  You can see a lot of them are quite confused by it all."

"I am so glad to meet you both. Please, if you need anything at all I am at your service!" Og smiles widely, half of it covered by the mask. "Do you know any of the Wormans? My father was next in line to become chief when most of our clan was murdered by orcs, so f- them and their problems I say." Og mentions that a bit too loudly for comfort, but there are no orc in the room at the moment.

"They treat you fairly?" Og asks Erbold and Dielda, cracking each knuckle on his left hand, suddenly seeking a reason to pick a fight with any orc who's messing with a Thuringian.

Alayna had laughed at the comment about him making her soar.  "Aye, we'd best not have us giving the show away.  I totally forgot about you being good as a lifter!  I could certainly do that.  Maybe we could practice with you throwing me up onto Angel or catching me jumping as he gallops by."

Having had her laugh, she listened with interest as the others talked.  She too looked around, her eyes drawn to the Elves.  They fascinated her.  After all, one could be her father.  Or mother.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 20:41, Mon 24 Sept 2018.

Og nods and says so only Alayna can hear, "Yes, practice, I was wondering when all of us would decide to do something of that nature. Although I'm sure you would do fine, your horse will probably take awhile to get to like me." Eyeing her eyeing the elves, "Wanna talk to 'em?" Og hated talking to people, so he was naturally very good at it and pretended he didn't care what they thought of him.

Alayna shook her head.  "If I like you, then Angel will too.  We're brother in sister in many ways."  She patted his big arm.  "Talk to your friends.  I'll go say hi."

She smiled at the two owners, then picked up the Perry that (it is assumed) they brought first.  She took a sip, her eyes growing wide at the taste and kick, then stood to walk over to the two elves.

"Good evening," she stated shyly, putting on her best smile, which was second nature to the girl.  "I thought I'd say hello.  Um... Are you from here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:31, Tue 25 Sept 2018.

Alayna talks to the two Elves.  They are travelers, from the Black Forest, a rugged land of dense forest, hills and mountains, called in the old language Myrkvidr  (This is actually what ancient Germans called this place.  Tolkien.. umm... borrowed it for his Elves.).  Of all the Elven Kingdoms, the Black Forest Elves have a fierce warrior tradition, having managed to keep their home to themselves even when surrounded by enemies. They are known for their wearing of dark stripes on their shields, clothing, and even face paint, to help them blend into the shadows of their forest.

Most of them are reclusive, but quite a few have contact with the world beyond their forest, and some can be found sprinkled throughout many Human lands.

The Elves here are Oziryan Windspire, a cleric who seems to be an older experienced Elf with some lines around his eyes (it can be so hard to tell age with Elves, though!), and his companion, a young Elven woman named Thaina.  They've been traveling between the scattered Elves living in Burgundy and nearby, and even here, sort of like roving cultural ambassadors, keeping them in touch with Elven ways, Elven heritage, and maintaining respect for the ancient gods of the Black Forest.  They are on their way home, now, but... all this hubub has got their curiosity up, and now they want to stay to see the troupe.

Oziryan says he's seen it before,  in fact, since he travels a lot, three times over the last decade.  Thaina has never seen it, this is her first time out of the Black Forest area.

Alayna almost visibly breathed a sigh of relief at the fact they did not reject her.  She had been afraid that as full bloods, they might look down on her.  As it was, she sat down and told them of the current show, some of the stars, and of course, her own participation.

"I am so happy to be with them, with the troupe, and to get to ride and such.  I could have simply stayed alone with Angel, but I would have been lonely and it is so much fun to get out in front of people and..."

She blushed.  "Forgive me, I forget to stop talking sometimes."

Dielda explains about the Orcs here to Og.

"Oh, they don't treat us at all.  They don't like to talk to those formerly under their authority.  You see, the truth of it is... they don't really have any, here.  They have titles, and formal roles as 'Lord of the Bridge' and 'Chief of the Riders of Cambete' but they have no real authority over Humans anymore.  That all belongs to the Magistrate and the Prefect.  It's all like a big show, everyone acts like Pugnant is the lord of the town and treats him like that, but... he doesn't give anyone any orders.  They say that's the deal they made.

"The thing is... he's starting to like life, being like that.  And there are other Orcs, some even coming here now and then from elsewhere, who think they might like it too.  But some aren't happy about it.  They think Pugnant and Orcs like him will get soft and weak.  It's... it's not a subject you should talk about with Orcs around.  Really."

Before dusk, Esher heads back to his wagon and packs up the large dragon puppet. and then heads to get some food from the troupe kitchen wagon. he then revies the cues and marks for the shows tomorrow (with those that are there).

Is there anyone else that needs my assistance tomorrow with your performances.

---

things that I am aware that I am scheduled to do.

• my puppet show

things I can do when requested

• exotic animal show
• boost str/dex/con for strongman expo
• interactive scenery for any show
• stage lighting for night shows
• sound effects for any show

DRAFT

Consider that this post comes after Og's post just below.

Tahra has attracted some customers who wish to have their palms read. Her fees are variable, depending on her estimate of the client's wealth. If any ask, she explains that the higher fee is normal but she offers discounts. "After all, those who can not afford so much should feel content...helps make Cambrete more peaceful."

She brings the take to the Argentos to split 50-50.

She closes up shop to help prepare for the show, ready to sing as directed. She also is to be in a position to survey the crowd in order to deal with any unruliness.

There's time, she walks around, sees the Dog and Bunny, enters, espies Alayna and Og, goes to them, and asks if she may share the table.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:29, Tue 25 Sept 2018.

Og nods, piecing together the brief history of orc and human authorities. "Well, while I'm in town you let me know if you need anythin', but I'm glad that they ain't troublin' ya. How much for the food? And the girl's?"

When he returns to Alayna (hopefully with food...how long you gonna make me wait?) he tells her what he learned and his concerns about a strong man show. "I was worried my strongman act may be wasted on orc, most are just as strong as I am without all the work I put into it. Turns out most are growing used to the easy life. Might be a way to rile them up! But it also might rile them up? I don't want a challenge of strength putting ideas in their thoughts of their strength over man..." Og's intelligence buffets against his wisdom and he just doesn't know what to do. He wishes he would have followed Phileas after all. But the sausages are much better than what cookie serves.

After Ssasha, Nwofia will go and have a chat with Escher.  "I've been learning a little bit about Engineering," she says, "And I would love to learn more from you, so if you ever need an assistant, putting together any of your projects, do please think of me."

OOC: I think you posted before I did, and of course join our table and I'd like your 2 cents on what I just said as well. :)

In the Dog and Bunny...

The Elves are curious about one thing:  Alayna is clearly a half-breed, which has become more acceptable in recent days than it used to be (but it still implies a somewhat scandalous origin!)  But:

"If you don't mind, among whom were you raised?  Culturally, I mean, were you brought up with Elven ways, or Human?"

As Alayna and most others are aware, there is more to things than "Human" and "Elven".  There are several fairly different Elven cultures, with on the Wild Forest Tribes to Advanced Civilization scale, Black Forest and Savoy Elves are on the opposite end, with Ardennes, Veluwe and Atlantic Elves falling in the middle.

They discover that the food is quite good.  The sausages are, to Og, home cooking.  In the forest tribe he grew up in, when you killed an animal you didn't waste it.  He is certain very little goose was wasted in the making of the goose sausages.  They didn't leave out the liver, a delicacy which gives it an creamy rich consistency.

esher sits upright and hurriedly chokes down the rest of his food and sprints back to his wagon and digs through bags and chests and then comes up with a large sturdy and dusty tome written in a vaguely runic language that looks like it may have spent a great deal of time in the dirt.

I forgot Og asked me to translate and transcribe this I hope he is not mad I am getting it to him at the very last second.

he then pulls out a much smaller book written in common


he then runs into the Dog and Bunny carrying this enormous book over his head so that it does not obstruct his view, in his mouth he is bitting the smaller book.

he pauses for a moment and then heads directly toward Og almost running into a serving girl. luckily she had an empty tray and had nothing to spill.

Esher rushes over to Og and pushes the book in front of him (pushing his food and dring away from him)

I finished translating it for you.... perhaps you can use this to expand your strongman competition, maybe even make it more interactive. you may need to gather and make some of the supplies...but ...having the rule book for some of their games may be something you can work with...oh and here are the translations in case you can't read the original Kol ga.

Esher places a smaller book on top of the larger book

To Og: "I think a big strong man throwing and catching a little girl will be a hit, especially if I play having to jump and you're there!  Let's practice in the morning and try it."

When the elves asked the question, she blushed, then focused on her food a moment.

"I was left at the door of a human, an old woman, and she was all I had.  I don't know who my mother and father were.  Things were good until she got too old, and then her son tried to get to know me in a way I didn't want."  She drank down her Perry and asked for another.  "So I ran away, got lost in the forests.  A lovely Elven woman found me and took me in, and I stayed with her a few years, learning Elvish and stuff.  But if I had to answer... I would say, I'm not elf or human.  I'm nobody.  Or I was, until found Angel, and then started riding.  She's my family now."

She thanked them both in very fluent Elvish, then smiled as another drink came.  She wanted another drink.  And since she didn't drink, it felt really good.

Og motions for Tahra to join his (their, when Alayna returns) table as he tears into two full plates of home cooking. He is quite sure he will be spending his weeks wages here and avoiding the free (and taste free) meals at camp.

"Thank you, Marcos." Og simply slides his food back in front of one hand, book and notes in the other and chews while chewing on the information Esher has brought him. How Og wished he were a goliath. He would really be something. As it was, he was just trying, trying, trying to be something more than human.

"Well, this sort of answers my question, but what I'm afraid of is riling up the orc with any challenge of strength at all. You've basically just handed me three more contests. I appreciate it, but I need to talk to Phileas about my act, I fear any reminder of the orc ways may stir up controversy over their current...authority?" Og had just spoken more big words than he liked to in one breath, and needed a long moment with his mug. Putting it down and wiping the side of his mouth he asks Alayna, Escher and Tahra about his concern, "What do you all think?"

Tahra sits and studies Og. Three questions: How did you come to be strong? What do you want your audience to feel as you perform? And what do you want them, at lest some of them, to do after...how will they be changed?
This message was last edited by the player at 06:12, Wed 26 Sept 2018.

Og rolls his eyes. He doesn't need his fortune told. He doesn't want to know that it gets worse. "Hahaha. You don't have to read my palm, Tahra. We're talking about upsetting the establishment by providing too much 'harmless' entertainment. I don't want anyone to be changed...if anything to be content with their current situation. Or maybe the simple barbarian was overthinking a conversation he just had.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:24, Wed 26 Sept 2018.

Tahra tries to explain herself. "One thing a person  could do after experiencing your show is to exercise to get stronger. Or with Alayna to become more agile, supple. If that's what you like, your show could have one theme of how you gained strength according to your body's nature. Or they could just wonder at your abilities compared to theirs. As for comparison with orcs, almost all of them just naturally can be stronger than almost all humans. It's not so much how strong yo are compared to others, but how strong you are compared to how strong you can or want to be. Who, orc or anybody, would be opposed to persons improving their abilities?

"If your purpose is to amuse or awe, then do amusing and awesome things."

She pauses in thought. "But maybe the one thing you should avoid is making fun of being strong."

Nwofia eats among the wagons.  Maybe she'll go out tomorrow but today, she is simply relaxing with the non-stars, enjoying their company, eating the food that's prepared, having a good time.  When the time comes to show off, why then she will show off, in the meantime.  These are colleagues, not an audience and she relaxes among her dear comrades.

Og scratches his marred chin and tries to piece together Tahra's explanation with his current thought process involving the suppressed orcs in Cambete. Humans had dominated them with politics, but it would only take a mere suggestion that the orcs are stronger than humans to possibly cause an uprising. This society was doomed to begin with, to try and meld life with the orcs. They should all be slain.

"Yeah, don't make fun of being strong, that's a solid. Be all you can be? I could preach that, but I think it's Cambete's best interest to tell them to stay how they are."

Alayna took a big gulp of her drink, watching the elves to see what their reaction to what she told them would be, a little afraid of that reaction too.  She never planned to be born, it just happened.

Then, she half heard what Og and Tahra were saying.  Without looking at them, she interjected softly.  "Don't make them want to be you, make them like you or admire you.  Nobody wants to be me, but many like me, and some want to be with me.  Funny but true."

Tahra turns to Alayna. When people watch you or are near you, many will wish to be like you: Comely, lithe, talented, and young. Please be assured of that, and be assured that your performance will be even better.

She thinks more about Og's situation and shakes her head. Cambrete is changing and will change more. Peace and security brings prosperity. The orcs at least mostly rule here, but they rule under Burgundy...for instance, no slaves. And orcs can get better at things just like everybody else.. She spreads her hands out. I doubt I can offer more without knowing your repertoire.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:59, Wed 26 Sept 2018.

Og, you don't have to be the strongest when doing a strongman show.  You serve to demonstrate your proficiency, not superiority at all the challenges.

yeah, the orcs may be able to outdo you in a few of the events. but it is not about you winning, it is about putting on a good show. What else makes a town proud of its members more than one of its members being able to do something better then you.

make it a competition...you demonstrate how to do a thing. but you don't compete.

demonstrate form and proper grip


think California muscle beach

Tahra utters a small hmmmh and gives Marcos A fingertips-off-the-eyebrow salute.

Alayna heard Tahra's words, and they were a comfort.  But she looked at Og, so strong and uncertain, and then the two elves, so certain, so... belonging.  And then she thought of her own words, and what Tahra said.  'Many will wish to be like you: Comely, lithe, talented, and young.'  And was that all she was?

She drank another huge sip of her pear cider, her glass now half full.  And softly began to cry.

Tahra looks at Alayna in puzzled shock. She rises and attempts to lightly grasp Alayna's elbow. If she's successful, she says Excuse us, please. Alayna and I shall repair to [the equivalent of] the ladies' room.

If Alayna is willing, the two make their way there.

Horrified that she was crying, Alayna made no protest as she was escorted away from the table.  "Forgive me, I... I don't know what I... why I..." she stammered, trying to stop her tears but failing to do so.

Oziryan and Thaina look befuddled.  For them, their question to Alayna was a fairly straightforward one.  Half Elves have always had a difficult place in the Elven kingdoms.  Once, they were rejected, but things have changed.  Ozyran and Thaina are from the Savoy Elves in the Alps, and to them, a Half Elf is an Elf if raised with Elves and taught their culture, and a Human if not.  And since Alayna speaks Elven, close enough for them.

Erbold is likewise puzzled.  Their perry is alcoholic, as cider and perry generally are unless it hasn’t had time to ferment, but it’s not strong, and Erbold has never seen it effect someone quite like that.

“At best a little giddy, I’d have thought,” he says quietly.

Dielda is not puzzled.  “Might not have been the perry or anything said,” she replies to her husband.  “Just a small accidental reminder of something… she’s obviously young and far from home if she’s with this band of performers.  Can’t be easy.”

They decide the kitchen has served enough this evening, and announce the cooking is almost over, to be resumed tomorrow morning.  Patrons can remain for a while, of course, they just can’t ask for anything after this "last call".


Meanwhile…

Those still in the Traveling Show camp see Phileas return, and Hylensia intercept him.

“Everything’s alright?”  Hylensia asks.

“Oh yes.  For us, at least.  Things are… things are complicated here.  I would have thought so, with Orcs trying to fit in a Human world.  But… they are embarking on a very interesting quest here, trying to mold a new kind of Orc.  And… they have created enemies in the process.  Let’s talk in the wagon.”

***********************************************************


It is the Ogres who have perfected the “Strong man competition”.  Not surprising, considering they have nothing else to go on.   They use versions of this in many ways, and it works in to almost every game they have.

For example…
Ogres have a variant of the game “Rock, Paper Scissors”.  Under Ogre Rules, Rock always wins.  Always.  Rock crushes paper, Rock crushes scissors.  Because of this, Ogres will usually play Rock.  Not always, because Ogres are not the brightest of creatures, but usually.  This invariably leads to "my rock crush your rock" and then, to the tests of strength.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:22, Thu 27 Sept 2018.

"Die ati siwaju sii Iyanilenu^*" muttered Nwofia to herself and then turned her attention back to the chatter.


^*"Curiouser and curiouser."

Now left with just Esher, Og changes the subject. "So, fellow wizard! I am quite sure I can learn much from you. Thanks again for translating this for me, I didn't even learn how to read common until I was a full grown man. Draconic has been even harder. It's much easier sometimes to just go slam some plates around than to try and think through a problem."

Og finished scraping his first plate and began work on the second. Pointing at it he mumbles through a full mouth, "Wanf sum?" And then half-through chewing, "I love your comedy, your illusions, fantastic!" Og didn't need to mention how inferior he felt to the little wizard next to him.

Ssasha had been alarmed to have several feeder mice escape from their enclosure. Had they been traveling this would be no problem. She had several animals that were naturally talented at hunting such rodents, but in town her snakes needed to be ready to perform, meaning only one of them might be allowed to be lethargically digesting a large meal. The worst part was not knowing if they had fully escaped the wagon and were now roaming the wild, making them no longer a problem, or still in the wagon where they could become an unplanned snack disrupting her snakes training regiment, while gnawing holes in things, and making a mess of the grain store she kept for the breeder mice. When she'd finally finished the fiasco, Gnibile she'd allowed to feast and she was reasonably certain she had no mice in her wagon except in their colony enclosure where they belonged. She could teach people about snake digestion with Gnibile. Education was always an option just salacious content tended to fill more seats.
Exhausted, Ssasha went to see if there was any food left. She had nearly forgotten what she was planning to see if anyone in town had when a painted wagon reminded her. "Pitcher plants!"

In reply to Og Worman (msg # 62):

Esher recognized the inferiority that Of felt and understood it completely...but unlike most other wizards Esher recognized that it was an illusion. every person had their strengths.

no I ate back at the wagons. But you are most generous to offer.

I think a lot of individuals underestimate, or at the very least don't understand the sheer power an illusion can hold.

for example the illusion of a 10 ft block of ink.

yeah, all logic tells you it is not real you can even successfully disbelieve it. but it still blocks your vision.

of course here a difficult question for you. the spell illusionary pit...it is an illusion. but when you weave shadow magic into it it becomes real...can you fall into a real hole that does not even exist
This message was last edited by the player at 14:08, Sat 29 Sept 2018.

Og stopped eating and his mouth fell open. Thankfully no food spilled out. He thought about it and decided that if anyone could climb into a real hole that does not exist, he could.

"If you can make one, I'll do it!" He boasts and returns to finishing up his meal. It always took him awhile to eat, eating twice as much as a normal man but putting only half as much into his mouth at a time.

"Other than making fire, the only real magic I've studied is hypnotism. Makes for a great comedy routine. I heard of a wizard who once hypnotised the entire audience...that led to some pretty nasty results of course. Illusions are what I want to learn next, definitely!"

Celeste Argentos, eldest daughter of Phileas and Hylensia, begins to make the "evening rounds"- she's in some ways the puritan of the group, always more worried about things than either of her parents.  She has a very calm demeanor, never really giving orders, merely suggesting (in a way that carries a sense of "I am absolutely right about this) that this is the evening before the first show of the season, and it's probably a good thing for everyone to make sure they are ready, and get plenty of rest.

There is a company opening, and then a series of acts, some of which tell the story about the Gnomes and the cheese, and the finally.

Celeste lets Ssasha know that she has the first act.

"There's something about snakes that make people shut up, stop talking, stop eating, and pay attention," she says.  "Snakes make people focus. So you'll be first, to get everyone fixed on the stage.  After that, we just have to hold them for a while.  Both shows will be like that."

It wasn't Celeste's idea, of course.  She recounts her brief protest.

"I didn't think they'd be right for the first show, right off, like that," she says.  "Early shows get a lot of young children and I thought... snakes?  But my parents say little children love them.  They're usually right about these things."

Ssasha can tell:  Celeste is not so comfortable with the snakes.

"Right, opening, I can ask about pitcher plants in the morning. It'll be a little early for erotic dance, what with the kids, where did they want to go with it? snake charmer? Belly dance? Escape artistry? Hades, I could wear some mouse ears and a tail, and do a clowning snake charming bit trying to steal cheese guarded by Kule. Kids aren't scared if you make them laugh." Ssasha didn't seemed bother by being put first in the line up, she might commit to her roles, but she was flexible about what those roles were.

Nwofia smiled, she hoped it was a reassuring smile but she could never be sure.  "Of course children love spiders, snakes and scorpions, provided somebody is controlling them.  They know how dangerous leopards and lions are but snakes.  Well look at them.  They're like cute little dragons.  Sometimes children don't understand how dangerous animals can be."

Her blue-black skin is marked by artistic patterns of white and silver ink, drawing spirals on her flesh and it would take an expert or someone who knew her very well to notice the well healed claw marks.

Tahra and Alayna rejoin the table. Tahra asks What might be had to eat and drink?

Alayna looked like she had cried, and her hair was a bit desheveled, but she managed a smile.  She sat down, looked at her Perry, then sighed and took a sip.  "Everything here is good," she volunteered.

It is last call for the kitchen, but the food is still available.  Except the sausage.  It's gone.  Og has finished it off.

The Menu is now:

Boiled Artichoke with ham and cheese
Pickled Pork and Watercress salad
Quail Egg Salad on dark bread with Burgundian Mustard
Goose Sausage with mashed turnip, vinegar reduction
Hazelnut-Berry Bread or Rye Biscuits



Back among the wagons...

Celeste screws her face... thinking of what is best way for a snake handler to entertain children seems to take some effort for her.

"I suppose... if you had the snakes... do...or if you did with them...  interesting things?  With music?  Snake dance?  I do know Nwofia is right.  Children very much like the scary but not really scary.  Faux-Scary.  Pseudo-Scary.  That's probably why they like things like snakes. Children's performances have to be different, of course.  You'll be more free in the evening.  Lead after intermission."

Organizing the order of things is her forte.  Actual artistic suggestions, not so much.

Hazelnut bread and herbal tea, please.

Nwofia thought for a while and then smiled... "How about this Ssasha?  I met a Pannonian guy once, chap called Erwin, now he did this with cats and scorpions because he was a... wait, children are about.  Anyway, he had an entertainer's outfit, full of pockets and hiding places and he would play with the children, going from pocket to pocket trying to get children to guess which ones actually contained kittens and which contained scorpions.  He argued that until somebody actually checked, there was a baby chimaera there that was half cat and half scorpion and it was only with the introduction of a hand that made the chimaera choose one or another form."

She paused for a moment and then went on.  "Anyway you don't have any cats but you could play the game so the children think each of your pockets contain something that's half snake and half not-snake all waiting to escape.  In a way the potential not-snakes could be as scary as the snakes... especially if with sleight of hand you could'find' a snake somewhere there was a not-snake before... showing them that if they don't keep watching, snakes could be anywhere."

She grinned, "And then you can work in some standard sleight of hand tricks, to turn terror to wonder.  They'll love it."

In the Dog and Bunny...

Tahra gets her dinner.

By now, the other patrons here have it figured out.

"Oh, they're with the Show."
"Oh... Ooooohhhh, of course!"

Strangeness, and strange behavior, is often expected of performers.

With Alayna back, the Elf woman apologizes for anything they might have said that disturbed her.

"It can be hard on half-Elves," Thaina says.  "It is one reason why we advise Elves and Humans not to start families together.  It is always a path to hardship, for someone.  It is hardest of all on the Elf parent.  It brings unbearable grief, to know that you will most certainly live to see your children, and your children's children, pass from this world.  But what should have been said, what should have happened, does not matter to those here, now.  You are here now, and may you seek and find the joy in your life.  That is all anyone can do."

Alayna reached over to pat the Elf's hand.  "'Tis nothing, I thank you.  I... I just have some unhappy memories and let them catch me.  Since I know neither my mother or father, it just means I have others to know.  Thank you.  I... I truly thought that you might not think much of me, but I am grateful."

Tahra rises and curtsies toward the patrons. She sings out (mezzo-soprano):

Yes, part of the great Argentos' show
Perceptive you are, and now you know.
If you seek wonder and delight,
Please be an audience this very night.

She sits down and looks at the elves. Seeing the ones you love pass from this world is a grief, but how much more sadness is there to avoid happy love because what must be must be...and knowing that lives that might bear fruit never come into being because one denied one's true emotion?

Unawares that they were now performing to the people in the pub, Og claps wholeheartedly for Tahra, using only a bit of intimidation to ensure everyone else applauds as well. Then he rises his full height, waits for all eyes to be on him...and burps the first four letters of the alphabet before he forgets what comes after d in this language and finishes with "Urrrrp. Excuse me. Kitchen's closed but not the tap!"

His first mug hadn't even made a dent, one more would hopefully put his brain toward happier things-but he was happy to head back to the tents once the other three were. He would be even happier in four more minutes.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:30, Mon 01 Oct 2018.

Alayna giggled, both at Tahra's performance and Og's... um... vocalization.

"For we live to perform, and perform to live,
And cannot have a show,
without all of you!" She added in an fairly respectable soprano.  Then she hiccuped and giggled again, finishing her glass.

"Another for me, my friend?" she called out to Og, her past unhappiness forgotten.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:26, Tue 02 Oct 2018.

Tahra looks back and forth between her two companions. Maybe you two have had enough; we've work to do son. The herbal tea is tasty.

Og's eyes light up. "Had enough!!? I thought I was the comedic relief. Hahahaaaaa...." The laughter dies down into seriousness, he doesn't want to get into trouble with the Argentos. The drinking before shows policy, if such a thing existed, was never discussed. "Aaah, really though, if you say its time to head back I'll agree with ye. C'mon."

Og gets up and offers to help or even carry Alayna if she's really feeling drunk. He waves goodnight to anyone who's still paying attention and heads back to camp.

Tahra pays her tab and goes with Og, assuming Alayna is going also.

Alayna laughed at Og's consideration of her.  "T'would take more of this wonderful beverage, I think, to make me unable to walk!"  She stood, demonstrating, only swaying a mite.

She thanked the two Elves again, wishing them a grand night, then paid her tab to join the others.

"T'was a good night after all!" she giggled, following them out into the square.

Tahra maneuvers so Alayna is walking between Og and her.

Roll for initiative. JK.