Zanther replies to Guardok. "Sure! We will just be down the street at a place called The Cottage. The others can meet us there!" He then heads off to round up others.

Zanther heads away to make sure the rest are gathered up.  He motions Guardok to join them before they head out. Soon the competition floor is near empty, with just a few Aven Academy students remaining to take down equipment and clean up.

The stands too are almost empty as the other floormates start to leave.  Outside, it takes a few minutes to figure out where The Cottage is located, but soon you are headed inside. The Strixhaven team is already there. 

Mae looks for a spot near the rest of the group but doesn't sit quite with them, choosing a quieter spot but still close enough that she can keep an eye on them and hear any announcements and celebrations. 

The purple-skinned tiefling follows along, staying in the background, and once the group enters The Cottage he waits for someone else to chose where they should sit, trying his best to just go with the flow without being awkward, his fiery red eyes trying to spot someone to order from.

Guardok takes the snack from Mei if offered, and heads back over to the team when Zanther calls.

As they walk to The Cottage his mood is upbeat, as he bigs up each of his team mates, retelling some of their best moments as he congratulations them all. When his floor mates arrive he waves them over.

"Can't have our cheer squad eating apart from the team", he says looking to Zanther and hoping he approves.

Knap also follows along to the cottage to have a gay ol’ time. He looks at the athlete artist with awe and amazement.

Zanther gives Guardok a nod. "Of course! Of course, your friends are welcome to join us! Wonderful to have such spirited friends here to encourage us."  He waves to the group to come sit with the competitors. His eyes focus on Mae for a moment as he sees her selecting a spot even further off. "Come now! All are welcome!" 

Mae looks at the large group assembled and scoots down a little bit, but still sticks to the periphery of the group, tucking her hair back behind her ear and pulling her bag to her lap and holding it there as she waited for the server or whatever to come by, watching the others and humming a bit to herself.

Guardok will enjoy the camaraderie of his team and friends, happy that they are all together celebrating a good team performance.

"So Zanther, where is the next competition to take place? And when?", he asks at one point in proceedings.

"How was the journey from Strixhaven? Did it take long? Did you go through any interesting places?", he will ask his floor mates at another point.

The purple-skinned tiefling smiles and nods to Zanther, then taking a seat close to Guardok. "The journey by coach took most of yesterday but we had some good views of the countryside, and we enjoyed each others company of course." Malvyn says with a small smile to the earth genasi. "And it gave Mei time to prepare some supporter garments." He adds, motioning over to the petite oracle and her fan-shirt. "We arrived late last night but we saw a bit of the city this morning as we went out for breakfast, would be nice to see some more before we leave though, if we find the time."

Knap pulls down the bottom of his shirt (which by this point he had spun around to face the right direction) to lengthen and show it off but extends and distorts Giardok’s face. 

“It was a  beautiful journey. Oh the rolling hills of the country side. tumble almost as good as you folks.” 

Zanther watches Mae as she moves closer, but still remains a bit apart. He frowns a bit but turns her attention back towards Guardok. "Next match? Well, I don't know yet for certain," he says. "I would really like to set up a competition at Strixhaven, but I've not been able to get anything set up at this point. Nandeno College is trying to set something up, but nothing finalized yet. There's a couple other schools that might hold something."  He shakes his head, "Unfortunately, there's really no regular competition schedule currently." 

"Mei made the t-shirts? They are amazing", Guardok says as he looks them over. "Thanks, Mei".

He smiles at Knapp as he compares the rolling hills to the gymnastics.

"You should definitely make the most of your time here. I have to rush back for rehearsals. It's the play next weekend!", he says a little sadly, but knowing he can't let the Drama Guild folk down.

"Ah, yes, rehearsals. I hope they are coming along well for you and your fellow actors." The purple-skinned tiefling says with a slightly strained smile. "Since I will be covering this for the Strixhaven Star this might be a good a time as any to get some winner interviews." Malvyn continues, trying to recall what kind of questions are put to winning athletes. "Ehm...um...how do you feel?" He asks looking around at the group of winners at the table.

"Hungry!", Guardok replies to Mal with a chuckle. "I am buzzing of course, for myself and the team. We worked hard and put on a show. I mean, we performed well. The hard work payed off, and I really enjoyed myself".

"And I really appreciate the efforts of this guy", he says grabbing Zanther. "He did a great job organising everything and inspiring us". 

As he listens to Guardok, the purple-skinned tiefling picks up pen and a notebook from his shoulder bag, starting to take notes of what is said, smiling and nodding, then looking over at Zanther and the other athletes to see if they had anything to add for the readers of the Strixhaven star.

"Oh! So not just a fan but a reporter too!" Zanther bellows as Guardok pulls him over. "I just hope everyone had a good time.  But I am really happy to have seen our Strixhaven team come out victorious.  Everyone on the team did so well!"  He then gives Guardok a grin, as he points over behind him. "I do think the waitress is taking some orders, so get some food! Don't just sit here talking and feeling hungry!" 

The fire genasi then says, "Best get in my order too.  Just a moment!"  He then steps away, chatting with the waitress.  You then see him step around the table, talking to a few of the gymnasts gathered around the table.  A few moments later, a gnome woman and halfling woman come over. "Hi," the gnome says to Malvyn. "Zanther says we should come talk to you? You're a reporter?"  The halfling stays quiet, just nodding at the tiefling. 

"You don't have to tell me twice" Guardok replies to Zanther, and hops down off his chair and heads over to the waitress just behind the fire genasi.

Being in an establishment named The Cottage, he figures it would be rude to order anything other than The Cottage Pie.

"I'll take a large portion of your Cottage Pie, please. And a light ale to wash it down".

"Well, in a sense, I guess." The purple-skinned tiefling answers the small gymnasts. "I will write a piece for the Strixhaven star and apart from congratulating you to a well-deserved win I would like to know how you feel after today." Malvyn continues with a small smile, ready to take notes.

When given the chance, Malvyn would order something conservative to eat and drink, laying some focus on his assignment this evening.

"How I feel?" the gnome says. "An intetesting question. I guess I feel good. Happy to have helped put Strixhaven Gymnastics Club into first place. Oh, and it was great to see Brenyra here getting first on her Floor Routine!"

The halfling looks embarrassed at the praise. "I really didn't know I'd have to be interviewed," she says. "Ipatix is too kind.  Ummm... I feel...umm... guess it was all kinds exciting."

As for Guardok, the waitress takes his order, giving him a smile. "Not a problem! We'll get those for you real quick."