Aurora laughs softly as she speaks with Malvyn. "It honestly is a bit of a boring painting Mal. But I always seem to find something interesting in a portrait."  She glances about as he asks about what to do now. "I think I see Mei and the others over that way," she waves her hand in the general direction. "We can go join them and see Cadoras' fantastic creation." 

"Oh, uh, yea, a little joke or prank among friends is always nice," Quentillius says to Mei. He doesn't sound convincing. He looks to Guardok, nodding at his suggestion. "Ah yes, something to think about." 

Larine nods to Mae, saying softly, "Perhaps we look around a bit more." She continues to walk close, gently bumping into the aasimar now and then. Mae does spot Cadoras, and some of the others heading over to a spot not too far away. She could certainly join them if inclined. 

Cadoras nods to Mei when there she mentions there would be dancing. "Oh yea! Dancing all night long!"  He gives a greatly exaggerated sigh. "I'll try not to be too fabulous so everyone else won't be too embarrassed to dance too." 

Mei studies Quentillius' face as he does, indeed, try to act on their behalf. She appreciates that he at least seems receptive to Guardok's advice. But what a thread he must have, its fibers unfrayed and so tightly spun. She reaches for her cards out of habit and blinks in surprise, remembering too late that they're not there. "I'll think about it too," she says with reassuring warmth. She could certainly employ fewer skunk jokes while he's around. "What do you usually do for fun with friends?"


Regarding the talk of dancing, a coldsweat travels up Mei's spine. "Dancing will probably be much different here than at the Bow's End, won't it? I'm not sure I know how to dance to g-gala music..." She looks at Guardok as if to ask, do you? then at Cadoras. "So I hope you won't hold back. I may need to copy your technique!"

The purple-skinned tiefling nods in agreement with his companion and follows her to reconvene with the others.

"Ready to reveal your master piece Cadoras?" He says with a friendly smile, which he with some effort of will even shares with Q. "Oh, and Aurora has spotted an extraordinary fascinating portrait back there." He adds, grinning to his companion.

"Don't look at me", Guardok says to Mei in response to her look. "This is my first Gala. And I didn't bring my maracas so my own fabulousness will be sadly inhibited when it comes to dancing this evening".

Mei quickly averts her eyes with a chime of laughter. "Y-You're a natural though!"

As Malvyn and Aurora join them, the Dreamer glances anxiously between the tiefling and human, but shifts her focus to Cadoras. She was excited for him to have this moment. 

Mae smiled slightly with a gentle blush as the two of them gently bumped each other around the room, before she noticed the others gathering around Cadoras. "Ah, perhaps he is about ready. Let's see what all the fuss is about. Once he's done though, I suspect we may not need to stay too much longer." Maeleve will give Larine another soft, slight bump and then head towards the others gathered together. "So, is it ready, Cadoras?"

"Fun with friends," Quentillius says pondering Mei's question. "Well, most of the time we like to just talk really. Or perhaps listen to music. Proper music - not that stuff that get's played every night at the tavern. Well, I think that's most of it." After a pause, he adds, "I suppose dancing sometimes."  As he listens to Mei's discussion of 'gala music' he nods slowly. "I am not sure I know what they have planned for this event, but there are of course more formal dances that - I think - would be quite different than the Bow's End." 

Rubina speaks up. "I could probably help out with a few steps if they have anything formal planned."  Cadoras seems relieved. "Good, because I really have no idea what I'm doing. I just know I have fantastic moves! I'd hate to lead you all astray."  

Cadoras then continues, "My sculpture is ready. I put the final touches on it a couple days ago. It's exactly the way I wanted it. Let's go take a look."  He takes a few steps from where you are at and you see something brightly lit sitting on a low platform. It is probably about 4 feet tall.  There is a fragile structure of pieces of glass and with rays of light of nearly every color of the rainbow going every-which way. "It is a fractal representation of the energy vectors of the Strixhaven Snarl."  The colors make a fascinating display, though it seems a bit chaotic and random. 

Noticing the petite oracle looking between him and Q, Malvyn gives her a quick smile to assure her he would make an effort be play nice with the other. To his surprise Q seemed to have taken some time off boasting about himself and insulting others, and the tiefling was curious to see how long that this would last. 

Not commenting on it quite yet, the purple-skinned tiefling studies the sculpture, slowly walking around it to take in all angles, comparing it to the snarl in the Biblioplex.

Mei beams, certain everyone would find it as impressive and creative as she did when seeing it for the first time. She reaches out to give Cadoras' hand a gentle squeeze in support before making space for the others to take a look. "The fractal patterns and colors create a really beautiful kaleidoscope effect at certain angles."

Realizing she hadn't asked yet, she then looks for the exhibition label to see if he'd named the piece. 

Malvyn wanders around the sculpture. Comparing it to the snarl in the Biblioplex as much as he can remember, he doesn't really see a resemblance. Obviously, the colors are not present in the snarl. And you just aren't seeing a physical comparison.

Aurora steps over to stand next to Aurora as Malvyn walks around. "I admittedly do not understand most of what he said, but it does looks rather impressive," Aurora says. Rubina nods. "Yes, I think it's gorgeous. Whatever it represents." 

Quentillius studies it closely, then turns to Cadoras. "I too do not fully understand the... fractals, did you say? But I will tell you this is a remarkable piece of craftsmanship. The light is beautiful. I take it that is lit magically?"  

Cadoras nods in reply. "Yes, just a bit of magic, greatly enhanced by the patterning of the glass."  He seems encouraged when Mei gives his hand a squeeze.  To Mei he says, "It is meant to hold interest from any angle. I suppose if you could fly it would be interesting from above as well. It did all turn out to be rather beautiful." 

Looking about, she does see a card naming the piece 'Snarl Study' and of course listing Cadoras Damellawar as the artist. 

Mei’s jaw drops. From silly green elf to complimenting his craftsmanship, the actor certainly has range. 


((Does Quentillius seem genuine? Insight if needed: 18)

Guardok looks up Cadoras' sculpture and find it is as tall as he is. He stares at it for a long moment, another who has no real idea what it is meant to be or represent, beyond something to do with the snarl. But if he thinks of a hot spot of magical energy he thinks this is what he would imagine. Not that that is even what a snarl might be.

"It is. I am...speechless", he manages to say, totally engrossed by the kaleidoscope of colours and patterns, as Mei put it.

He pats Cadoras on the back as he walks around the sculpture.

The purple-skinned tiefling's fiery red eyes studies the fractal sculpture with fascination, his focus breaking as he registers something...something strange. Did he just hear Q being polite? Surely it must have been a sarcasm? Malvyn glances over and notices Mei's dropped jaw, realizing she was as surprised as he was. His focus shifts to the convesration between Q and Cadoras. If Q made it to the end of this gala without boasting or insulting anyone he would definitely have to re-evaluate his opinion on the man. 

"Yes, it is truly remarkable Cadoras." He says with sincere admiration for the green-haired elf.

As far as Mei can tell, Quentillius is genuinely appreciative of the sculpture. 

Cadoras nods to acknowledge Guardok's comment. "Thanks. I appreciate it."  He turns to thank all the others for the positive words as well. "I'm proud of this one. It would be great if it could be shown in the Biblioplex - just a bit away from the real snarl itself!" He thanks Malvyn as well for his remarks. He then says to the others, "I truly appreciate you all coming out to support me on this show. And Mei of course. But please, stroll around to see the others artists' displays too. Everyone does a great job." 

Mei will spend the rest of the gala in the company of whoever stays--taking no offense if the actors, who had a very busy day, depart. As the event continues, she'll happily take part in any dancing for as long as the music is playing. 

Once they've had a chance to admire Cadoras's work, Maeleve will usher Larine around gently to look at the other pieces, but then she found Mei, thanked her again and congratulated her, before excusing herself to return back to the dorms, walking back with more soft, easy bumps against Larine all the way back.

Guardok wanders around the other exhibits for a while, stopping frequently at the buffet. He won't stay too long, but is curious to see the dancing, and if Q and Rubina can teach him a move or two.

Malvyn would go on to enjoy the rest of the art at the gala and stay as long as Aurora would of course, although he wouldn't mind staying til the dance. He would keep a discreet curious eye at Q to see if he manages to stay polite the whole evening.

Mae and Larine say their good-bye to Mei and head off before any of the others leave. 

Soon after musicians begin to play. It's a small orchestra made up of Strixhaven students. One or two are part of the Society of Fine Artists themselves, but others are friends or have been recruited through acquaintances. The style is definitely different than what you hear at Bow's End.  It is more suited for dances which have specific steps which are expected to be followed. 

Immediately Quentillius offers a hand to Mei. "It would please me greatly to have a dance with the wonderful artist." Cadoras hears the offer and pipes up. "Well! I don't know Q. It is a really nice offer...  Oh, you meant Mei?  She is a fabulous artist too!  It's fine Q, my moves would have probably clashed with yours." He chuckles, heading for the dance floor himself.  

Aurora gives Malvyn a look as Quentillius had brought up the subject of dancing. "What about you Mal? I can't say I know a lot of steps, but bet we could figure it out."  

Rubina meanwhile seems a bit more confident. "Guardok, you up for a dance?  I can show you a couple of the steps."  She laughs. "I think. And then I should probably be going to get some rest for tomorrow."  

"I'm always up for a dance", Guardok replies, allowing Rubina to lead him onto the dance floor. He watches as she demonstrates the steps, and then jumps right in to giving it a go. Whether he gets them exactly right or not he doesn't seem to care, giggling with every mis-step and hoping Q doesn't see and correct him.

"What is this dance called?".

(OOC: I hope Q and Mei still have their bardic inspirations from Guardok, although it has likely been more than 10 minutes. They could have really busted out some moves :-) )