Mendira/Performances/Frost and Flame

Real Date	2023-10-19
Game Date	447-1-26
Event	Tavern Troupe Circus Royale
Point of View Character	Daisybelle

[Berry Knolls, Open Field]
At the top of the mound, a large open field emerges. Speckled with occasional gooseberry, thimbleberry, and mintberry bushes, it provides a perfect area for picnics or fairs. Pink clover and sweet woodruff cover the ground profusely, marred only by several tamped down patches indicating where tents and wagons have previously rested.
You also see an expansive gingham picnic cloth checkered in summery shades of lemon and lilac with several things on it, a luxurious nightsilk cloth embroidered with opulent bands of gold with several things on it, a Tavern Troupe refreshment cart with several things on it, a box of gifts bearing the crest of the Tavern Troupe Performing Order and a stone seat.
Also here: Big Shot Mallie, Elore, Tart Snob Ivoiry who is swarmed in iridescent green dragonflies, Botanist Jessalyne, Mountain Lord Ezerak, Lady of Elamiri Ayrell, Rihlo who is sitting, Ylixia, Black Fox Xionara who is sitting, Philomath Miskton, Pack Sister Svirefulan, Musical Enthusiast Joliegh, Little Howler Almarius, Death Dealer Serrsi who is sitting, Danger Gnome Aetheline who is surrounded by a golden cloud of glitter, Math Witch Messica and Midnighter Shaylynne who is encircled by ethereal phofe flowers.
Obvious paths: none.

You see Songbird Mendira Huns, Dancer of Zaldi Taipa, an Elf.
She is wearing an ice queen mask framed with iridescent crystals.  Sweeping white feathers tinged with aqua form a crown that flows upward from the mask.  Faded lilac eyes lashed with crystalline tears peer coolly from the mask.
She appears to be an adult.
Her shoulder has a tattoo of a brightly colored songbird darting through a cascade of musical notes.
She is in good shape.

She is wearing an ice queen mask framed with iridescent crystals, a corseted moonsilk bodice with mistsilk straps, a smooth wedding ring crafted from sungold, a tiered triple-strand electrum hip chain clasped with a frost opal, a voluminous frost white skirt adorned with faesoul blossoms rendered in silk and some high-heeled moonsilk slippers.

You see Dancer Vixonia Toryan, Speaker of the Tavern Troupe Performing Order, a Prydaen Bard.
She is wearing a fire maiden mask draped with long red feathers and golden flames.  Fierce crystal blue eyes lashed in orange gaze daringly from the mask, challenging in their heat.
She appears to be young.
She is in good shape.

She is wearing a fire maiden mask draped with long red feathers and golden flames, a dazzling strand of flame opals plaited with fire-roses, a diacan locket, a smoke ruby charm inscribed with a stylized flame, a snug dragonfire brocade bodice tied with firesilk laces, an ornate red gold hip-chain adorned with flame-shaped ruby charms, a layered skirt of bright firesilk scarves and some thin-soled velvet slippers with firesilk laces.

(Shaoimhe turns and skips to the front of the tent, stopping just before the opening. She turns back, reaching out to grip a thick rope that hangs down from the curtained entrance as she smiles out at the audience.)

Shaoimhe zealously exclaims, "For our first act! Please welcome the magnanimous Mendi taking on the vivacious Vixonia as they battle...fire! And! Ice!"

Miskton applauds.

(Shaoimhe pulls hard on the rope with that last word, causing the entire front of the tent to begin unraveling from its ties. It ripples as it falls, revealing the massive ring under the big top where...Nilme awaits.)

Nilme beams!

Xionara applauds.

Shaoimhe blinks at Nilme.

Ayrell applauds.

You applaud.

Nilme boldly sings in a soprano voice:

   "Battle lines are being drawn -
    The Circus is the prize!
    Having not one, but TWO, Ringmasters
    Is where the trouble lies!"

You giggle.

Nilme brightly sings in a soprano voice:

   "But before the fight between fire and ice
    Let's appreciate the art
    Of Arthe's delicious pastries -
     The best of Thipbeet's tarts!"

Nilme recites:

   "That's right! Tarts!"

Xionara takes a sip of her bloodwyne.

Jessalyne chuckles.

Nilme recites:

   "Let's make some noise if you like tarts!"

Nilme seems to be waiting for something.

Nilme gets an impish expression on her face, and lets out a hearty cheer.

Joliegh gets an impish expression on her face, and lets out a hearty cheer.

Serrsi gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer.

You let out a hearty cheer for Nilme!

Joliegh lets out a hearty cheer for Nilme!

Jessalyne takes a bite of the pickle.

Nilme recites:

   "That was pretty low-key..."

Nilme recites:

   "If you REALLY love tarts, let's hear it LOUDER!"

Joliegh gets a macaroni and cheese tart deep fried in a golden cornbread batter from atop an expansive gingham picnic cloth checkered in summery shades of lemon and lilac.

You yell, "YAY TARTS!"

Nilme beams!

Nilme rummages through a glittered violet tart pouch adorned with circus performers but it's clear she hasn't a clue if what she is looking for is there.

Joliegh waves a macaroni and cheese tart deep fried in a golden cornbread batter around.

Serrsi gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer.

Nilme gets a glazed megatart from inside her tart pouch.

Nilme holds a glazed megatart high into the air for all to see.

Joliegh yells, "TARTS!"

Joliegh giggles.

Nilme gestures at a glazed megatart.

Nilme grins happily.

You nod at Joliegh, in complete agreement with her views.

Shaylynne takes a bite of her cloud and pauses to savor the sweet moment.

Svirefulan asks something in Rakash.

Nilme recites:

   "Raise your hand if you want a DELICIOUS, AMAZING, GLAZED MEGATART!"

Nilme studies the faces around her.

Shaylynne yells, "This purple stuff!"

Shaylynne points at an airy lavender fairy floss cloud spangled with edible silver glitter she has.

You giggle at Shaylynne.

Nilme recites:

   "Serrsi!  Here... CATCH!"

Nilme squints at Serrsi, then throws a glazed megatart in his direction. Oooo, near miss!

Nilme gasps!

Miskton chuckles.

Nilme recites:

   "Hmmm... let's try this again!  Try to remember all that Reflex training!"

You gasp at Serrsi!

Serrsi flails his arms about.

Nilme flashes a wide grin.

Nilme gets a glazed megatart from inside her tart pouch.

Nilme recites:

   "Alright, it's coming back at you!"

Nilme squints at Serrsi, then throws a glazed megatart in his direction. Oooo, near miss!

Nilme winces.

Serrsi ducks his head.

Joliegh puts her tart in her black backpack.

Nilme frowns, shaking her head with an expression of exasperation before resting her face in the palm of her hand.

You cluck your tongue and shake your head.

Nilme gazes at Serrsi with a sympathetic look on her face.

Nilme recites:

   "Okay... well.  Clearly a little more training needed!"

Nilme grins weakly.

(Nilme rushes off before Serrsi loses his sense of humor!)

You pat Serrsi on the back.

Joliegh pats Serrsi on the back.

Shaoimhe growls ferociously!

Shaoimhe incredulously exclaims, "You're wasting perfectly good tarts! AND we have a circus to get on with! Shoo!"

Serrsi says, "Death by tarts...not hat i expected tonight."

(Shaoimhe waves her hands at Nilme, desperately trying to clear the ring for the first act.)

(Nilme starts to offer Shaoimhe a tart, but after looking at her expression, rushes off, leaving a trail of tart crumbs behind her!)

Jessalyne takes a sip of her coffee.

Selame whispers something to Akeiro.

(Shaoimhe, shaking her head, follows the trail of crumbs out of sight.)

Joliegh laughs!

Selame laughs at Akeiro.

(Vixonia quietly steps into the center ring and moves forward through the dark with a languid grace. She pauses for a moment until, from the shadows, you hear the thump of a heavy temple drum. Moving gracefully with the deep and driving rhythm, the stage lights come up to surround her with a warm glow.)

(Vixonia gets lost in the movement as the music swells to surround her, a delicate staccato of a bodhran flickering around the heavy beat of the larger drum. The flowing fabric of her costume shimmering with a warm radiance as the light plays over it and she dips and swirls as she travels the outer arc of the ring.)

Elore smiles.

Selame gets a golden funnel cake topped with powdered sugar and chocolate syrup from atop an expansive gingham picnic cloth checkered in summery shades of lemon and lilac.

Selame puts her cake in her seordmaor skull.

(Vixonia pauses as she gets to the left side of the stage and poses elegantly, one foot elongated behind her as she reaches up as if to cup and capture the heat of the spotlight.)

Akeiro gets a golden funnel cake topped with powdered sugar and chocolate syrup from atop an expansive gingham picnic cloth checkered in summery shades of lemon and lilac.

(Mendira glides lightly forward and into the center ring, seeming almost to not notice Vixonia as she crosses in front of her motionless form. A delicate refrain of violin and cello flows forth, drowning out the previous rhythm with a fluid grace.)

Xionara takes a sip of her bloodwyne.

Elore just found a bisected ringmaster marionette with comically dueling features in a box of gifts bearing the crest of the Tavern Troupe Performing Order!

Xionara gets a flagon of aged Prydaen bloodwyne from inside her navy lunchbox.

(Mendira performs a series of spritely spins, the wintery fabrics of her costume creating a glittering twirl of frost. The lights seem to shift to cooler tones as she traverses the ring.)

(Mendira tips her head back to smirk at Vixonia, acknowledging her fellow dancer's presence. Her dance takes her to the opposite side of the ring, and she pushes one foot back in a mirrored pose, her arm stretched forward and out.)

Selame gets a roly-poly dragon formed out of cotton candy from atop an expansive gingham picnic cloth checkered in summery shades of lemon and lilac.

Elore puts her marionette in her backpack.

Selame puts her dragon in her seordmaor skull.

(Vixonia's eyes blaze with a calculating look as she follows Mendira's spritely movements. She turns from her fiery light and saunters over, timing her steps with the beat of surging drums as she circles the other dancer.)

Akeiro puts his cake in his seordmaor skull.

Akeiro gets a golden funnel cake topped with powdered sugar and chocolate syrup from atop an expansive gingham picnic cloth checkered in summery shades of lemon and lilac.

Akeiro takes a bite of the cake.

Xionara takes a sip of her bloodwyne.

The clouds break slightly, revealing a few twinkling stars.

Elore gets an airy lavender fairy floss cloud spangled with edible silver glitter from atop an expansive gingham picnic cloth checkered in summery shades of lemon and lilac.

Selame gazes at Vixonia.

(Vixonia casts a challenge as she draws out first one fan and then another, flicking them open dramatically as the reds and golds glimmer in the vibrant lights. Fluttering them fluidly, a cascade of sparks surround her as she suddenly spins, the metallic threads from her flowing skirts gleaming with every movement. Posing elegantly once more she gazes back over her shoulder to see what her frosty adversary will do with this.)

Elore flashes a wide grin.

Akeiro gazes at Vixonia.

Selame gets a cute little jam jar glass of iced tea garnished with a twist of candied orange peel from atop a luxurious nightsilk cloth embroidered with opulent bands of gold.

Joliegh takes a sip of her brandy.

(Mendira leaps back into her dance as Vixonia freezes, the string instruments once more creating a cascade of melodic sound. Her hands reach up over her head as she sweeps across the area, cupped together in the semblance of a flowerbud. The bud blossoms into an open lotus as she splays her fingers, revealing a pair of shimmering icy-white snowlace fans held within!)

Selame nods at Akeiro, obviously agreeing with his views.

Elore takes a bite of the cloud.

Elore puts her cloud in her backpack.

Joliegh gets a roly-poly dragon formed out of cotton candy from atop an expansive gingham picnic cloth checkered in summery shades of lemon and lilac.

(Mendira's wintery fans flutter open coolly, and her arms cross gracefully before her torso as she dips to one side. She settles into the pose, and the air around her seems to crackle with frost.)

Joliegh licks her lips.

Ivoiry takes a bite of the tart.

(Vixonia raises her voice to chant along with the driving beat of her signature drums, encouraging elemental fire to swirl around her, the skipping, sparkling rhythm entices the air around you to warm as if under a summer sun as it cuts through the chill surrounding Mendira.)

Shaylynne takes a bite of her cloud and pauses to savor the sweet moment.

Svirefulan gets a cute little jam jar glass of iced tea garnished with a twist of candied orange peel from atop a luxurious nightsilk cloth embroidered with opulent bands of gold.

(Vixonia kicks one leg high into the air, she twirls drawing her fans around her as the dance seems to turn her into a bonfire of brilliant light and motion. Heat radiates off of her as she skips and pirouettes around the ring, leaving trails of flickering sparks behind her.)

Akeiro takes a bite of the cake.

(Mendira trails a flurry of glittering snowflakes as she leaps forward and out of her pose, quenching much of Vixonia's flames with a cold hiss. Her refrain picks up pace, driving forward mercilessly. She performs a series of elegant pirouettes, drawing her arms out and throwing cascades of shimmering frost across the area.)

(Mendira dips into a low spin that takes her back to her side, mirroring Vixonia's pose for a mere moment as her adversary is already diving into the next foray.)

(Vixonia lunges towards the frosty foe, skipping and weaving through her adversary's flowing steps. Her flames flicker playfully around her, almost overwhelming the cascade of frost that lingers in the air. She raises her fans elegantly into the air, sweeping gently from side to side as her intricate footwork is accentuated by the blend of strings and percussion.)

(Mendira answers her rival's strike with a deep swing of her fans, circling low and drawing a swirling eddy of crystalline snowflakes toward her opponent. The opposing musics that accompany the pair fuse into an amalgamated melody, crooning and propelled by a dynamic urgency as the dancers swap movements back and forth with evermore haste.)

(Vixonia flings her arm out towards Mendira, her fan flicking forward with a snap causing a waft of warm winds to swirl around the other dancer melting some of the glistening snowflakes that surround her.)

(Mendira swipes her fan towards Vixonia, and a column of frigid wind races toward her! Her flames shiver and dance, buffeted by the cold air to surround the pair in a whirling maelstrom of elemental energy.)

Selame perks her ears up happily as she gazes at Akeiro.

(Vixonia spins low, trailing her fans across the ground as she ignites a ring of flames around the duo of dancers, letting it leap and lick at the cascade of frost as it swirls around them. An exciting crescendo of music fills the air and almost seems to churn around, encouraging the elemental turmoil within the ring.)

Selame gasps!

(Mendira and Vixonia dance simultaneously, their back and forth finally giving way to a frenetic, whirling, shared rhythm. Their mirrored twirls and spins bring them at last face to face at the conflux of flame and frost.)

Akeiro leans on Selame.

(Vixonia whips to a halt as Mendira does, almost leaning against the other dancer as she stands proudly. The fusion of frost and flames brilliantly glows around them as the flowing fabric of their skirts swirl around their legs and finally still.)

Selame leans over and scratches Akeiro's back.

(Mendira too stops just short of Vixonia, her eyes bright with exertion and delight. The licks of fire and slurry of crystalline flakes swirl and begin to settle around them, but the pair stands motionless in the din, each catching their breath. The clash of music finally fades as the lights of the tent dim.)

Akeiro nods at Selame, obviously agreeing with her views.

Shaylynne applauds.

(Vixonia breathes heavily as the last of the flames and ice fade and the tent is cast fully into darkness.)

Serrsi applauds.

Serrsi applauds.

Ivoiry applauds.

Rihlo applauds.

Joliegh gets an impish expression on her face, and lets out a hearty cheer.