Quentillius laughs as he speaks with Guardok. "It was just a simple question. But I suppose there may be one more interesting than the others. I would love to have Mei as my special guest for the play. Though I'd hate to overstep if she plans to come support you in this endeavor."  You soon after are back at Dresar Hall.

Whilst back at in his dorm room, Guardok has a quick wash and changes into some different clothes. He does have anything fancy, so he just cleans up the least tatty set he has. He then polishes his hair, grabs a dagger just in case and heads out to meet Quentillius outside.

He waits to see what dapper outfit his fellow actor is wearing for the evening.

On the way out to the Bow's End, Guardok does tactfully reply to Quentillius. "Mei wouldn't miss the play, so she will definitely be there, I am sure of it. I am not sure, but Cadoras may have asked her to go with him. But you could certainly ask and see what she says. I wouldn't find it overstepping at all".

The purple-skinned tiefling quickly purchases a ticket for himself, impressed by the interior of the theatre, looking around for the petite oracle. "We should perhaps find our seats. But where is Mei?" He asks Mae and Knap in a slightly worried tone, hoping the dreamer hadn't dozed off somewhere.

Mae shrugged. "I didn't see her after we left but I think she was going to the markets. She probably is having fun down there. I'm sure we'll see her later. Where are you sitting? It's a rather nice theater isn't it?"

"Yes, yes very nice..." Malvyn answers, but he can't quite shake the worry for the dreamer. "...I believe I got a seat next you and Knap." He continues, looking around for any signs to understand where they should be heading, hoping to find their seats before it was getting awkward.

"Well, hello to you," the woman says in return to Mei. "Disyn is always willing to reveal her secrets to all who are willing to give her honor. You sound as though you would like to know more. Perhaps you can join us tonight for one of our communal ceremonies? I would be most pleased to be your personal guide."

"Cadoras?" Quentillius replies to Guardok, sounding a bit uncertain. "I could hardly believe that Mei would be interested in such a... unsophisticated man."  He shakes his head. "Well, as you say, I can of course still ask. I'm quite certain she would prefer my invitation." 

Quentillius is dressed in a very elegant coat. It is blue with highlights of red - very typical of the Prismari colors he usually wears, though the outfit is certainly not a student uniform. His short red hair is fashionably styled.  The pair make their way to the Bow's End without much haste. "What of you, Guardok? Any special guests that you plan to invite to your performances? I mean, I know you're not the star, but you have quite an entertaining part to play!" 

Back at the The Silkmeadow Theater, Mae, Knap, and Malvyn can see that many of the audience members are slowly meandering towards the seats.  Though there certainly isn't any urgency yet, as many others are still enjoying drinks in the lobby.  

Mae heads toward her seat but stands in the aisle for a while longer. Once more people are getting settled she sits down, holding her bag in her lap, one hand inside it.

"Me? Special guests?", Guardok echoes as he considers the question. "Just my friends I guess. I mean there is no one special person", he says shrugging. He then picks up on Quentillius' comment about him not being the star, and chuckles a little.

"That is true, you will likely draw all eyes and ears to your performance, but perhaps when you are backstage the audience will appreciate my small role", he says, his little chuckle getting louder as he shows he is only kidding. Well, mostly.

"Did you act much back home? I don't know much about your life before here".

The diviner shifts her weight from foot to foot in uncertainty. There's much Mei doesn't miss about home. But she does miss the ceremonies to the Dryad. They had a way of making her feel part of the community--together revering in something greater--and perhaps it would be nice to feel that again tonight. 

After some hesitation, she smiles, a bright and genuine sight amongst the falsities of the night market. "I'd love to join you," she says, tone laced with just a hint of apprehension as she offers a hand. "I'm Mei." A shiver runs down her spine--a knowing that something will change tonight--and the tarot cards at her hip feel heavy with the unknowing of *what*. And what she may very well be entwining with her fate.

The purple-skinned tiefling would cast a few worried glances back at the entrance, hoping the oracle would turn up, but in the end he takes his seat with the others, hoping to be entertained enough to chase away his worries.

(OOC - Just to note, I think Mei was clear that she was going to stay shopping while the rest went to the ballet. So, no surprise she is not showing up at this point!) 

"I am Kira," the woman says, giving Mei a smile in return as she gently grasps her hand. "You will find the rewards Disyn offers are wonderful. Tonight, we meet half an hour before midnight, just a few hours from now. It is a simple ceremony, where we ask Disyn to bless our newcomers. You will feel firsthand her touch upon your mind. It's so amazing!"  She is clearly completely happy with this goddess and is extremely pleased at your interest. "Our most important ceremonies are at sunrise and twilight. But we find midnight - the bridge between days - works best for blessing Inquirers. You will join us won't you?"  

At the ballet, everyone starts to settle into their seats.  The curtain opens to a simple piece with several performers. It seems the beginning is a series of shorter pieces. The music is quite varied as are the dances.  From pairs to large groups to even a couple of solo dancers they cover from slow graceful pieces of intricate positions to wild athletic pieces full of action.  After these there is a brief intermission. The announcer indicates the final piece will be a longer, more programmatic piece.  

"Oh yes!" Quentillius answers Guardok quickly. "Before coming here, I did a lot of theater work and received many accolades for my performances. I actually really love to do historical pieces. Hopefully we can do one of those soon. I'm striving to study ancient languages so I will be able to perhaps do these pieces in their original language."  He laughs as it seems he might go on and go. "Anyway, the answer is definitely yes that I've acted quite a bit before.  I come from a city not far from here. Heavenfell. I'm sure you've likely heard of it." 

"What about you Guardok? Where are you from?" he asks. 

"My family own a travelling circus", Guardok explained. "So I was from all over the place really, I never had a fixed address".

He gets a far off look on his face before continuing. "I hope to take what I learn at Strixhaven back and make our performances so good we will become renowned across all the lands. Then we would be invited to castles and cities not towns and villages".

"That is why I joined the Playactor's and plan to join the Prismari College. Bring more drama and authenticity to our performances, and be able to tell riveting stories through the medium of the circus arts".

He looks back to Quentillius to see if he thinks that is crazy.

Mei's face brightens as she shakes Kira's hand more enthusiastically. "I do my rituals at midnight too! We call it the Witching Hour. I tend to be more, um, nocturnal because of it. But I would love to be awake to enjoy the sunrise..." she says wistfully. How much more could she get done if not for her sleep habits? She wouldn't fall behind in class, wouldn't doze off in her dinner plate. Wouldn't fall asleep on benches in the middle of campus...

She realizes she's still shaking Kira's hand and quickly releases it with a bashful smile. "Y-Yes! Um... half an hour before midnight, then? Do I need to bring anything? I should meet you back here in this spot?" Whatever her answer--and if she has enough time--Mei will hurry back to the hotel to drop off her shopping before heading back to the market. If she still has hours to spend, she'll partake in some of the nighttime offerings of drink and food. 

Malvyn was not expecting more than politely taking part of local culture but during the performance he realizes he is amazed over the grace and agility of the dancers, starting to fully enjoy the ballet. This was something to share with Aurora.

Mae held a deep and sincere appreciation for the performance, even if she didn't recognize the specifics. She might have imagined Larine doing underwater ballet at one point. 

"You are going to learn all of these things here at Strixhaven just to add them to a circus act?" Quentillius says. He's clearly surprised, though he may not completely seem to consider Guardok crazy. "I would think there would be so much more that you could do! I mean, you seem rather talented."  After a few moments reflection he adds, "Maybe the circus acts will reach more people that wouldn't see...  well... other mediums."  He sounds skeptical that this will really be valuable, but he at least seems to consider it. 

Mei realizes at this point she has nearly two hours before the appointed time at half an hour to midnight. Kira says, "You can meet me right here beforehand if you like. The place isn't too far from here."  The woman continues to smile, seeming very excited by Mei's interest.  There is plenty of time for her to get back to the hotel, drop off her shopping items, and then return.  In fact, she probably still has enough time to try to grab a small bite of something when back at the market, without being late. 

The second half of the ballet program indeed follows more of a tale it would seem.  There seems to be a primary dancer dressed as a colorful bird, that encounters many different creatures.  Some are strange and some dangerous.  It is interesting how the story is told with the dancing movements.  It ends with the protagonist apparently freeing several other birds similar to herself and they have a joyous celebration together.  

The audience seems very appreciative of the performance and gives a long applause for the dancers.  Soon everyone is slowly standing and starting to file out.  

"I am only here because my circus family made the sacrifice to save enough coin to send me. So yes, everything I am doing here I am doing to benefit them", Guardok replies simply, as if there is no other path in front of him. "They believe I am special, being what I am, so I try to live up to that".

"What will you do with what you learn here?", he asks after a few moments of introspection.