As Mei glances over at Cadoras he is thankfully (or unfortunately?) not removing any clothing. He does laugh a bit more though as Mei settles back into her chair. "I'm sorry, perhaps that what too much of a joke! It just seemed you were so... enthusiastic! But you are correct - it is a universal sign for 'seat taken'."  He pauses a moment, then settles into his seat next to Mei. He actually seems to have a serious look on his face. "I am fine really. Would you like a drink? Or snack? I'd be happy to get you something. Or just stay here with you."  

Aurora gives Malvyn an appraising look as the two walk back inside. "That's an interesting insight Mal. An artistic outlet might be good for you. Certainly something to think about."  She weaves her way through the crowd. "Any thoughts on what you would do?"  It doesn't take long for them to get back to their seats, which has a cardigan kind of randomly tossed across them.

Larine nods silently to Mae as she whispers to her.  She makes her way back to the seats while Mae gets some drinks.  When she gets there, she sees the coat across the seats and kind of stares at it, not sure what to do with her hands full.  She casts a quick look over towards Mei and Cadoras, but stays quiet. 

Mae finds the line for drinks fairly short at this point. Most everyone has their drinks by now.  It's a couple minute to actually get what she ordered and then she walks back towards the group.  

"Not sure, I was thinking about trying out painting, but I would need to find the time for it." The purple-skinned tiefling quietly answers, and then he sees the cardigan across their seats, recognizing it as Mei's he gives her a concerned look. Was it warm in here, or was she acting a bit differently since that nightly gathering. "Here you go, this must have slipped off somehow." He says with a curious smile, handing the petite oracle her sweater.

Guardok beams at the praise from Rubina, before whispering back conspiratorially, "I think Quentillius needs to up his game for the next half, you are definitely the star of the show so far".

"I guess we should all take the time to get ready for the next half though, although I think by now I could recite my lines in my sleep", he adds at normal volume.

A pair of dark purple eyebrows quirk upwards at the seriousness. Unthinking, she quietly requests, "Stay." Her lashes flutter as she studies his face, her brain catching up a moment later. 

"B-because I'm fine too, I mean! I actually--well, I didn't know if there would be food here so I..." She fetches her bag and opens it up to reveal all manner of snacks, as well as two thermoses that clink together. "Overprepared as always," she says with a sheepish grin.

At Malvyn and Aurora's return, Mei stretches once more over Cadoras to receive the cardigan. "Thank you! I was just afraid someone would take your seats! I wasn't performing a, um, a burlesque show or anything, I promise," she laughs, heat rising in her cheeks. "And, oh, Larine! Hi! Sorry! Here, let me help!" Mei removes the coat and offers to help the other woman with her armful of snacks. 

"I see. So when and where will you perform the burlesque show you are clearly practicing for then?" The purple-skinned tiefling asks with a grin and a teasing tone, then taking a seat after making sure Aurora is comfortably seated. "A splendid idea though Mei, Strixhaven desperately needs some more daring acts, don't you think Cadoras?"

Mae hurried back, carrying their drinks and scooting into her seat next to Larine. "Mm! Just in time!" She giggled a bit at Larine with a smile. "Thanks for saving our seats, Mei!"

"Of course I'll stay," Cadoras says eagerly as Mei flutters her eyes at him.  As she reveals everything she'd packed into her bag, his eyes go wide. "Those all look like really good snacks too!" 

"Painting sounds interesting," Aurora says as she settles into her seat once Malvyn has removed the sweater to return it to Mei. "Perhaps an opportunity will present itself at some point Mal." She laughs as the tiefling repeats the purple-haired girl's joke about a burlesque show. She playfully elbows him. "Mal! You're not interested in me peforming a burlesque show?"  She leans over him a tiny bit, "Mei! Perhaps we could put on a show together!"  She has a broad smile on her face as she laughs softly. 

"Hi," Larine says softly in reply to Mei's greeting. She does accept her offer to help with her snacks as she sits down. But she quickly grabs everything back, shrinking a bit back into her seat with all the commotion about her.  She looks over at Mae, her giggling and smile seeming to relax her a little. After Mae offers her thanks, she turns to Mei too, still speaking softly. "Yea. Thank you." 

Cadoras for his part started laughing heartily at all the comments about a burlesque show.  He glances at Malvyn as he asks him the question. But he then looks over at Mei, seeming to hesitate in saying anything himself.  

Rubina almost seems embarrassed, but she keeps her poise and doesn't show too much reaction to Guardok's comment. "Well, I am very glad that you see me as the star. I think it has gone quite well so far. For all of us."  She glances off in the direction Quentillius had gone.  "I'm sure he'll be great for the next half."  Just sitting backstage, she nods as the genasi suggests getting ready. "I've got a few more minutes to just sit here and rest a bit. It's nice. I'll wait to touch up my make-up and costume until it's just about time to lift the curtain."  

She regards Guardok a moment then asks, "How are you liking being in a play like this? Different than your circus shows I bet. Though maybe a bit of similarities?" 

"Pretending to be someone else. Convincing people you are someone else, is quite the thrill. I expect in a play you can be anyone. The best friend like today, maybe next time a swashbuckler. Another time a wizened professor", Guardok replies thoughtfully. "The possibilities are endless. I think acting is great. I was about to say fun, but it is a bit more serious than fun, I think. I mean, not as serious as Quentillius makes out, of course", he says with a chuckle.

He looks around at all the folk getting ready and all that has gone into the performance. The costumes, the staging, the lighting and sound. It is quite the endeavour.

"It has certainly given me ideas for the circus. Perhaps the whole show could be set up to tell a story, through different mediums and displays of skill and daring", he ponders.

"Have you been in plays before?", he suddenly asks Rubina.

Mei watches as Larine relaxes in Mae's presence. At the thanks, she says with a genuine smile, "I'm happy you're here with us. Couldn't let anyone split our party." 

At Aurora's suggestion, however, her cheeks do their best facsimile of a tomato. "T-Together?" she stammers. "I don't think I'd--well, I don't have your--" she clears her throat as her eyes drift to the other woman's curves then snap up again, "--charisma." 

Mei nibbles at her lower lip. Aurora's laugh and Malvyn's teasing grin, then Cadoras' hesitance--something about it all makes her sit up straighter with a stubborn purse of her lips. "Alright," she says. Whether it was actually a joke or a bluff, she smiles wryly back. "I'm in." 

 

Malvyn smiles over at Aurora as she joins in, but then as Mei plays along he gets more uncomfortable. He didn't really mean this and he struggled to not have his imagination run rampant. "I mean...are you sure...I didn't really...and I think..." He says sinking deeper into his seat, nervously scratching his neck and turning to Aurora. "You are joking too right?" He asks her with an uncertain look.

"Acting is great not fun," Rubina muses. "An interesting insight!"  She gives Guardok a smile. "I'm glad to know you're enjoying it. As for plays, I have been in a few. Smaller things really. Not quite as serious a production as this one. I've always been interested in acting and theater."

She pauses, looking back to Guardok. "Do you miss the circus performances? Or performing with your family? It must be quite a change for you being away from that." 

"Oh yea. Sure," Larine says quietly in response to Mei. She then turns her attention to Mae, shuffling through the various snacks. "Here's the turkish delight," she whispers. "All for you, if you want." 

Cadoras looks surprised when Mei says 'Alright' to the burlesque. Aurora doesn't seem to show any reaction really. "I doubt you'll have any problems with charisma. Not that I know all that much about burlesque really."  She turns to look at Malvyn, seeming to ignore his questions. "You seem to be familiar with this form entertainment. Mabye you will be able to offer us some pointers?"  She raises her brow at him. 

The lights then dim a moment, indicating just a few more minutes until the show resumes. 

She's an enigma, the oracle thinks, impressed by Aurora's lack of reaction and diverting of questions. Mei feels as though she should be taking notes; she'd very much like to sign up for "How to Be Mysterious and Alluring 101."

She grins at Malvyn's reaction, feeling quite pleased over the turning of tables. But as the lights dim, Mei can't help but glance at Cadoras, trying to read if the prospect of his friend participating in such a performance had utterly horrified him.

"I suppose I could be around for rehearsals to share with my extensive experience with things burlesque." The purple-skinned tiefling whispers with a playful smile, trying to regain a foothold in the conversation, then going silent, turning his attention to the stage and the second act, shaking his head and smiling about the crazy but lovely woman at his side.

Mae looked at Larine as she spoke and got a sudden bright blush on her cheeks and nudged shoulder to shoulder gently with a playful wink back. "Thank you, though you are certainly welcome to some yourself." She couldn't stop a little giggle coming out. She caught the word 'burlesque' from the others and raised an eyebrow, suddenly trying to imagine any of them being a part of such an act. "Although," she thought to herself, "maybe if Larine added some of that flair to her fish routine..." The lights dimmed though and she sat back up and settled in for the second half, keeping an eye on Larine now and then and her plentiful snacks, savoring the treat offered her with a smile each time.

Aurora laughs inaudibly at Malvyn's comment. Her hand covers his, as everyone turns their attention to the play. 

Larine hands Mae the entire bag with turkish delight in it, while she opens the one with bits of chocolate. As the show is soon to resume, she stays silent, but after eating one, she holds out a piece to Mae, giving her a questioning look. 

Mei casts a few glances in Cadoras' direction. He doesn't seem horrified. In fact, he seems to be trying to steal glances at the purple-haired girl too. But he keeps turning back away to not seem like he's looking. Perhaps he seems... maybe embarrassed by the conversation?

Perhaps he's embarrassed for her, Mei thinks. She's hardly suited and it's not difficult to imagine her staggering about on stage awkward as a newborn fawn. 

Hoping to relieve him of the imagery, she too offers snacks to the group then retrieves her sketchbook and pencil in the hopes of capturing a few moments from the play--an easier task given her newly enhanced vision. Maybe they could go along with Malvyn's article! 

"I miss it all", Guardok replies simply with a bit of a sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly as if by a weight upon them. He doesn't say any more, but it is obvious his mind is turning over thoughts of his family and friends and a simpler life without the pressure he feels at Strixhaven.

And then the lights blink and he is drawn from his reverie. He smiles at Rubina weakly before taking his position ready for the second half.

Feeling a pleasant warmth over having made Aurora laugh, albeit inaudibly, Malvyn takes her hand in his and gives it a small squeeze, glancing over at her with an affectionate smile, feeling more and more calm and confident being her...partner. He gives Mei and Cadoras a quick glance too, hoping he hasn't made anyone too uncomfortable with taking the discussion in this direction. As he buries the thoughts about all things burlesque he then returns his full focus to the stage, he could always revisit them later he thought with a small smile.