((Is the vibe more of a direct confrontation, or a sneakily trying to follow? You'd be able to catch up with him in the prep area, but could also lay in wait and see what he does next, that would require checks, however.))

As she catches up to the others, Mialee looks to them for direction.

"Want me to sneak ahead? Or we could just confront him now, crowd might give us an advantage- but that could also turn against us. I vote we call him out here and now but be ready to run."

 ooc: Tandor was planning a confrontation but he also knows he is not alone, so would wait and see so...

Tandor nods.  "That was my thinking too...confront the scoundrel. "

Mialee pulls out the partially eaten persimmon and cuts off another slice, hoping to try and attract away Kasem's creatures in case combat does break out.

Liber simply says "aye, do let's."

Mixtli comes in little late but will be ready for whatever happens.

Trencher nods, his hands tightening on his weapon hilt.  He is ready for however this goes.

hey, just checking in- are we still playing or nah?

i am. just waiting through a mind block.

The group of you push past the curtains into the prep area, where Kasem was in the middle of a hushed conversation that he abruptly breaks off, plastering a welcoming smile across his face!

"Ah-ha! A few of our winners... and a valiant attempt, Liber, was it? And some friends of yours? I'm sorry, but if you want to buy any peppers, you'll have to stop by the stand out in the Market, this area is actually restricted, we need to keep the competition fair and all, wouldn't want anyone to say you had some sort of advantage being backstage where the peppers are stored."

He is talking rapidly and makes a shooing motion towards you with his hands.

Trencher is not sure exactly how they were going to confront the man, so he stays quiet and lets the others say what they are going to say.  He mean glares at Kasem while waiting tho.

"Are you upset you missed your chance? We'll have another round in an hour, but unless you leave this area immediately, I won't be able to let you compete!", Kasem chides Trencher.

Tandor shakes his head and pulls out a couple of the flour bombs, kneading them absently as though it's something he does.  "Actually, Kasem, we're here for another purpose entirely."  He looks at the others, then back at Kasem.  "We want to know why you're trying to stir up trouble between Kusa and Lamai?  And why you're using those sweet, invisible creatures that like persimmons so much to help you?"

Kasem's eyes are on the flour bombs, his expression slipping to one of confusion, before steeling to anger as he looks about. "Wha-? Stir up trouble between those two?! Th- they don't need anyone's help, I'm sure you've seen that! Invisible creatures? You're all mad! Champions or no, I must ask you to leave now!"

((Tandor, give me a Persuasion or Intimidation, depending on which is most suited to the tone you're going for.))

"no."

"I will not leave."

Tandor Persuasion 14

Liber's interjection seems to steel his nerve in the face of Tandor's attempt, or at least distract him from whatever the cleric is holding and juggling back and forth.

"YES. YOU. WILL. Sore losers are not tolerated, my good sir, and you are banned from further attempts at the Pepper Challenge. Somboon! Aryn!", he calls out to his attendants, and those of you closest the stage can see two of his attendants turn and look towards the curtained off area, beginning to move towards the party.

"NO, we will not," and at this point Tandor raises his voice, speaking in the resonating tones he used in the temple for his sermons, seeking Pelor's aid as he does so. "You WILL tell us all why you seek to have Kusa and Lamai at each other's throats."  He pockets the flour bag in his left hand and holds out his hand for MIxtli.

"Mialee, do you have any more of those fruits?"

ooc: He casts Guidance on himself and keeps a careful watch on Kasem's shoulder.  At the slightest indication from the cloth or the man's stance or posture, that the creature is leaving, he will toss the flour bomb in his right hand.  He pockets the other

((Wish to make an Insight check? I think Mialee also had a persimmon slice in hand if needed.))

(Yeah Mialee had the persimmon, not Mixtli)