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"Yes, thanks..." The purple-skinned tiefling says with a weak smile, scratching his neck, his tail swaying a bit nervously. "... and we will of course take good care of what we borrow." He adds before the dreamer drags him along to the costumes, his curious fiery red eyes quickly looking around for something stylish but still fairly conservative, and certainly nothing foppish. Something black and purple perhaps, something that would match whatever Aurora probably would wear.
Investigation if needed: 14
As Mei goes to try out the various outfits she picked for herself, Malvyn simply gives Guardok a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm sure this will fit well enough, no need to try it on before we leave."He says. "And...um...thanks again for letting us in here."He adds after a few awkward moments waiting for Mei to decide, something that he had read could take a female unreasonable amounts of time.
When Guardokspoke with Pieroin the morning, he had nodded at the genasi's question. "Yes, I plan to attend this evening. I'm looking forward to the entertainment."
Meiand Malvynaccompany Guardoka bit later to the theater building while Maesleeps in. They have no issues getting into the theater and slipping inside the room housing the spare costumes. There is quite a large variety available - quite a few more modern pieces, but also more historic pieces from about every culture of Arcavios. And some perhaps even from more exotic locales.
Meifinds a couple of purple themed outfits. One is quite frilly and lacy, while the other is a bit simpler but has an elegant look. The third is more of a silvery-grey. It is not all that frilly but has an extremely elegant look. And it is also perhaps a touch more revealing than outfits she might normally wear. All though seem to fit well when she tries them on.
Malvynalso is able to find a few options. There is one suit made of extremely fine cloth that is a deep burgundy color. There is another more formal tuxedo that is all in black - every aspect from shirt to trousers, to cummerbund and bowtie, and to even the buttons and cufflinks. You also come up with two other options that use slightly less formal suits pants and shirt that include both dark purple and black accents. You could wear either a single-breasted jacket or a dark purple vest with a longer overcoat with it.
Mei narrows it down to the simple yet elegant piece and the silvery-grey dress. Nervously, she asks for Guardok and Malvyn’s opinions about which to wear that night, first showing them the simpler dress, then the slightly more revealing one.
Brushing her hair behind her shoulders, she does a slow turn and asks, pink-cheeked, “Is this one, um… too much?” In the more tightly-fitted dress, it’s easier to see the effect the Iron-Lifters Society has had on her physique.
She’ll go with whichever dress the boys seem to like more, giving Guardok a hug and profuse thank yous and apologies along with "break a leg” wishes for his performance.
Guardok takes his job as advisor to Mei quite seriously, and although he thinks both outfits have merit, he does have one concern.
"You look amazing in them both, Mei. Really you do. But I have to ask. Do you want the focus at the gala to be on the art, or on yourself, because I am not sure it will be on the art if you wear the second outfit", he says not able to completely hide a grin.
"And don't worry. No-one will mind or even notice you have borrowed it, I am sure. I don't even know when I became so worried about these things. I just, don't want to blow this opportunity, you know?".
As Mei reappears, Malvyn has just shown Guardok the all black formal tuxedo that he is holding, again reassuring him it that will be in good condition when he returns it tomorrow. He feels a bit awkward over being asked his opinion about the dresses Mei found, thinking she would look lovely in anything really, but he just nods and scratches his neck, unsure what would be proper to say, hoping Guardok finds the right words. As the petite oracle shows the last dress he raises an eyebrow slightly. "They all look good on you Mei, just go with what feels right and I'm sure Cadoras won't be able to keep his eyes off you..." He says with a warm smile. "...even when the snacks are served."He adds with a grin.
"Ah, you think it will distract from the--?" she starts, features furrowing at the silvery culprit before she spots his subtle grin. As if brushed by watercolors, a stroke of red appears across her face. "Oh! R-Right! Really?" She smooths at the material, a bashful smile curving her lips as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ears. "You're really, um, quite charming, you know. Compliment too many girls like that and you'll have more fans than Quentillius!"
At Mal's tease, she grins back and ripostes, "And you're going to be the snack when Aurora sees you. Or, well, I think that's what they say. You look good enough to eat so you're... a snack?" She giggles at the clever wordplay then shuffles her way behind the rack of clothes to change again. "But, well... I don't think Cadoras thinks of me in, um, in that way, Mal. He seemed really... uncomfortable at the thought of me doing burlesque. And then with Quentillius changing his mind, I think..." she pauses, giving herself time to find words that won't hurt to say. "Maybe I'm not really anyone's taste, you know? A-And that's okay! I want to dress for myself tonight, anyways. It's the first time my art has ever been on display and--"
Mei emerges dressed with the simpler gown cradled carefully in her arms. She shakes her head and smiles at her friends. "Sorry, I'm jabbering on. And you've got a performance to get ready for."
The purple-skinned tiefling lets out a small chuckle at the exchange between Guardok and Mei but quickly goes silent as the attention is turned on him, then chuckling again after a moment as they all seem to be teasing each other equally much at this point. He wasn't sure everyone would take being called a snack as a compliment but personally he didn't mind to much if Aurora thought of him as...appetizing. He turns more somber as Mei goes on, having a clue on what Mei meant by the foppish redhead changing his mind. "She means that Quentillius had the unexpected good sense to realize Mei is clearly out of his league." He says to Guardok, then turing to Mei with a reassuring smile. "You know, Cadoras reacting the way he did, if anything it is proof that he truly cares about you." He says briefly placing a friendly clawed hand on the dreamers arm before quickly retracting it. "He was perhaps a little surprised but I'm sure he will come to enjoy it."
Mei, expecting him to take off to get ready, pauses when Guardok inquires further. She looks down at her boots as Mal explains, knocking one toe into the other. "I don't know about leagues, but... I think I misunderstood the flower and the, um, the letter he sent. I thought maybe he'd just been busy with the play, but then last night he was--" her face grows hotter, "--he was with someone I think. W-Which, it's my fault for reading into things, o-of course! I've let too many romance novels go to my head." She adds a chuckle in for good measure, worried she sounds like a silly schoolgirl preoccupied with such things.
At Malvyn's mention of Cadoras though, she smiles and shakes her head. "It's okay, Mal. He probably feels the same way you two would--like your younger sister is talking about it," she laughs.
"But anyways," Mei turns to Guardok and gives him a little hurry, hurry wave and sing songy, "you've got a show to steal! The curtain waits for no one!... I think?"
The purple-skinned tiefling gives the petite oracle a concerned look. He hadn't realized that Mei cared what Quentillius did. He wouldn't quite understand why she would care who he was with as she had someone like Cadoras at her side, but he kept his mouth shut about it. As she goes on he realizes he himself was indeed a bit protective of Mei. He hadn't ever had anything like a younger sister but he could imagine it could be like what he felt about her now, recalling clearly how he had felt when she had went out on her own in the great city. Cadoras was another thing though, he was quite certain of it. "Yes, we'll see ourselves out Guardok, go break a leg." He says, having read up on theatre things the last week.
Guardok opens his mouth to reply, but with both Mei and Mal ushering him to go and not be late he doesn't really get the chance to say anything.
As he heads to the room to change, he can't help but be a little surprised at Mei's disappointment. He had thought she was interested in Cadoras as well. He was also surprised that Quentillius was with someone. He determines to keep an eye out for that.
"Thank you!" Mei yells back as they wander away. It's a moment later she freezes.
"Oh. Ah! W-Wait!" She hurries back after Guardok, nearly tripping over the length of the gown. Fishing something from her pocket, she takes his hand and presses a coin into it, stamped with the symbol of a pentacle, a reference to his card. "For luck. Or, er, n-not luck. I'm not supposed to wish you that. But..." She gathers the fabric of the dress back in her arms then smiles warmly down at him, "Let your light shine today too. It brightened so many faces last night."
Stooping for one last hug for good measure, she squeezes her very talented and hard working friend then (after waiting for any reply he might have lol!) hurries back to Malvyn's side, ready to head out.
Malvyn just gives Guardok another wave and a bright smile as he heads off for his next performance. "Walk you back to the dorms sis?" He says with a playful smile as the petite oracle returns. "Or do you want me to challenge Quentillius to a duel for looking at other girls first." He says with a teasing smile. "If it's any consolation I think it is mostly them looking at him, the gods knows why, while he himself is still hopelessly in love with another, one that he admires in the mirror as often as he gets the chance." He continues a bit dryly. "If anything I would pity those girls that will waste their time fawning all over him."
Mei snorts at the "sis," then covers her mouth at the unladylike sound.
"Oh, it's really not his fault... I read into things. He was just the first person who... well, no one's ever been interested in me like that before. Romantic words and gestures and... I guess those things don't necessarily mean you are interested, huh?" She wonders if he wrote similar letters and sent flowers to other girls too.
And, while she feels how he presents himself is more a facade than true narcissism--ever one to believe in the best in people--Mei doesn't disagree with her tiefling friend. "I've read too many romance novels. Maybe love isn't like it is in stories. Though my parents always seemed to love each other like that."
She pauses a long moment then suddenly asks, her volume louder than intended as she gets caught up in the topic, "Do you love Aurora?"
The purple-skinned tiefling grows concerned again. He wished Mei would have what she had read about in those romance novels. Perhaps if Cadoras would read up a little, like he had been doing diligently since he met Aurora. "I'm sorry to say, we're just boys and most of us can barely speak to a pretty girl without an awkward stutter, but in time I think you will find what you saw with your parents Mei."
Malvyn feels himself freeze up as the dreamer asks her question. For some reason he had not really put that question to himself yet. Did he even know how to answer. "I'm not sure I even know what love is."He starts quietly, looking down, his purple tail swaying slowly and nervously behind him. "I didn't have any friends before I came to Strixhaven, much less anyone I cared for. I know I do care for Aurora though, I think she is beautiful, intelligent and funny, and she is so cool you know, perhaps too cool for me. By now I do think she cares for me too but in ways we are still quite different. I feel I can evolve though, be more than I was, bring out the best in me, perhaps I will feel worthy of her one day and then I can truly love her." He goes on, slowly looking up to look at the petite oracle. "For now I must say, I care for her deeply and I will build on that to see where it can take us, if that makes any sense."
Mei tips her head up to watch the clouds as she ponders Malvyn's words. "Take it slow. Grow as you go," she says, voice distant like the end of an echo.
She blinks then looks up at Mal with a nod, "It makes complete sense." She leans lightly towards him as they walk, just enough that her arm brushes his, perhaps an unconscious offer of comfort through contact. "And I think you'll know it when you feel it. Like a song you finally remember the lyrics to."
She'll chat with the burgeoning reporter all the way back to the dorms then start to get ready for the gala, assuming she'll have to help set things up beforehand.
Guardokmakes his way to change into his costume after leaving his friends. He runs into a few of the other actors but manages not to run into anyone else until after he is about finished.
"Ah! There you are Guardok! Ready to do it all again?" Rubina says, her mood very upbeat.
Malvynand Meimake it back to Dresar Hall. Mei has just enough time to stop by her room for a bit then head back out to help with setup. (She will have time between set up and the gala itself to make it back to change into her outfit.)
"Thanks."The purple-skinned tiefling says, glancing over at the dreamer at his side. He realized it had felt good to talk, to put words on what he felt, to have someone that listened and reassured him he wasn't completely lost in all this, his tail playfully brushing against her leg as they walked. Maybe he would know what love was one day.
Once back at the dorms, Malvyn would rest, then change into his tux before picking Aurora up in time to take her to the gala, checking if Mae would want to accompany them or if she is meeting up with Larine first.
(Mae is sleeping in and will meet up for the gala later)
"Yes, thanks..." The purple-skinned tiefling says with a weak smile, scratching his neck, his tail swaying a bit nervously. "... and we will of course take good care of what we borrow." He adds before the dreamer drags him along to the costumes, his curious fiery red eyes quickly looking around for something stylish but still fairly conservative, and certainly nothing foppish. Something black and purple perhaps, something that would match whatever Aurora probably would wear.
Investigation if needed: 14
As Mei goes to try out the various outfits she picked for herself, Malvyn simply gives Guardok a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm sure this will fit well enough, no need to try it on before we leave." He says. "And...um...thanks again for letting us in here." He adds after a few awkward moments waiting for Mei to decide, something that he had read could take a female unreasonable amounts of time.
When Guardok spoke with Piero in the morning, he had nodded at the genasi's question. "Yes, I plan to attend this evening. I'm looking forward to the entertainment."
Mei and Malvyn accompany Guardok a bit later to the theater building while Mae sleeps in. They have no issues getting into the theater and slipping inside the room housing the spare costumes. There is quite a large variety available - quite a few more modern pieces, but also more historic pieces from about every culture of Arcavios. And some perhaps even from more exotic locales.
Mei finds a couple of purple themed outfits. One is quite frilly and lacy, while the other is a bit simpler but has an elegant look. The third is more of a silvery-grey. It is not all that frilly but has an extremely elegant look. And it is also perhaps a touch more revealing than outfits she might normally wear. All though seem to fit well when she tries them on.
Malvyn also is able to find a few options. There is one suit made of extremely fine cloth that is a deep burgundy color. There is another more formal tuxedo that is all in black - every aspect from shirt to trousers, to cummerbund and bowtie, and to even the buttons and cufflinks. You also come up with two other options that use slightly less formal suits pants and shirt that include both dark purple and black accents. You could wear either a single-breasted jacket or a dark purple vest with a longer overcoat with it.
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi ||
Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue
Mei narrows it down to the simple yet elegant piece and the silvery-grey dress. Nervously, she asks for Guardok and Malvyn’s opinions about which to wear that night, first showing them the simpler dress, then the slightly more revealing one.
Brushing her hair behind her shoulders, she does a slow turn and asks, pink-cheeked, “Is this one, um… too much?” In the more tightly-fitted dress, it’s easier to see the effect the Iron-Lifters Society has had on her physique.
She’ll go with whichever dress the boys seem to like more, giving Guardok a hug and profuse thank yous and apologies along with "break a leg” wishes for his performance.
Guardok takes his job as advisor to Mei quite seriously, and although he thinks both outfits have merit, he does have one concern.
"You look amazing in them both, Mei. Really you do. But I have to ask. Do you want the focus at the gala to be on the art, or on yourself, because I am not sure it will be on the art if you wear the second outfit", he says not able to completely hide a grin.
"And don't worry. No-one will mind or even notice you have borrowed it, I am sure. I don't even know when I became so worried about these things. I just, don't want to blow this opportunity, you know?".
As Mei reappears, Malvyn has just shown Guardok the all black formal tuxedo that he is holding, again reassuring him it that will be in good condition when he returns it tomorrow. He feels a bit awkward over being asked his opinion about the dresses Mei found, thinking she would look lovely in anything really, but he just nods and scratches his neck, unsure what would be proper to say, hoping Guardok finds the right words. As the petite oracle shows the last dress he raises an eyebrow slightly. "They all look good on you Mei, just go with what feels right and I'm sure Cadoras won't be able to keep his eyes off you..." He says with a warm smile. "...even when the snacks are served." He adds with a grin.
"Ah, you think it will distract from the--?" she starts, features furrowing at the silvery culprit before she spots his subtle grin. As if brushed by watercolors, a stroke of red appears across her face. "Oh! R-Right! Really?" She smooths at the material, a bashful smile curving her lips as she tucks a strand of hair behind her ears. "You're really, um, quite charming, you know. Compliment too many girls like that and you'll have more fans than Quentillius!"
At Mal's tease, she grins back and ripostes, "And you're going to be the snack when Aurora sees you. Or, well, I think that's what they say. You look good enough to eat so you're... a snack?" She giggles at the clever wordplay then shuffles her way behind the rack of clothes to change again. "But, well... I don't think Cadoras thinks of me in, um, in that way, Mal. He seemed really... uncomfortable at the thought of me doing burlesque. And then with Quentillius changing his mind, I think..." she pauses, giving herself time to find words that won't hurt to say. "Maybe I'm not really anyone's taste, you know? A-And that's okay! I want to dress for myself tonight, anyways. It's the first time my art has ever been on display and--"
Mei emerges dressed with the simpler gown cradled carefully in her arms. She shakes her head and smiles at her friends. "Sorry, I'm jabbering on. And you've got a performance to get ready for."
It is Guardok's turn to blush now, a purplish hue lighting up his normally grey face.
"I guess I must have picked up a thing or two from Mal", he says quickly to deflect the attention.
He frowns a little as Mei carries on speaking, "What did you mean Quentillius had changed his mind? His mind about what?".
He really needs to get a move on to change and be ready for the performance, but he is too curious and waits for Mei to answer.
The purple-skinned tiefling lets out a small chuckle at the exchange between Guardok and Mei but quickly goes silent as the attention is turned on him, then chuckling again after a moment as they all seem to be teasing each other equally much at this point. He wasn't sure everyone would take being called a snack as a compliment but personally he didn't mind to much if Aurora thought of him as...appetizing. He turns more somber as Mei goes on, having a clue on what Mei meant by the foppish redhead changing his mind. "She means that Quentillius had the unexpected good sense to realize Mei is clearly out of his league." He says to Guardok, then turing to Mei with a reassuring smile. "You know, Cadoras reacting the way he did, if anything it is proof that he truly cares about you." He says briefly placing a friendly clawed hand on the dreamers arm before quickly retracting it. "He was perhaps a little surprised but I'm sure he will come to enjoy it."
Mei, expecting him to take off to get ready, pauses when Guardok inquires further. She looks down at her boots as Mal explains, knocking one toe into the other. "I don't know about leagues, but... I think I misunderstood the flower and the, um, the letter he sent. I thought maybe he'd just been busy with the play, but then last night he was--" her face grows hotter, "--he was with someone I think. W-Which, it's my fault for reading into things, o-of course! I've let too many romance novels go to my head." She adds a chuckle in for good measure, worried she sounds like a silly schoolgirl preoccupied with such things.
At Malvyn's mention of Cadoras though, she smiles and shakes her head. "It's okay, Mal. He probably feels the same way you two would--like your younger sister is talking about it," she laughs.
"But anyways," Mei turns to Guardok and gives him a little hurry, hurry wave and sing songy, "you've got a show to steal! The curtain waits for no one!... I think?"
The purple-skinned tiefling gives the petite oracle a concerned look. He hadn't realized that Mei cared what Quentillius did. He wouldn't quite understand why she would care who he was with as she had someone like Cadoras at her side, but he kept his mouth shut about it. As she goes on he realizes he himself was indeed a bit protective of Mei. He hadn't ever had anything like a younger sister but he could imagine it could be like what he felt about her now, recalling clearly how he had felt when she had went out on her own in the great city. Cadoras was another thing though, he was quite certain of it. "Yes, we'll see ourselves out Guardok, go break a leg." He says, having read up on theatre things the last week.
Guardok opens his mouth to reply, but with both Mei and Mal ushering him to go and not be late he doesn't really get the chance to say anything.
As he heads to the room to change, he can't help but be a little surprised at Mei's disappointment. He had thought she was interested in Cadoras as well. He was also surprised that Quentillius was with someone. He determines to keep an eye out for that.
"Thank you!" Mei yells back as they wander away. It's a moment later she freezes.
"Oh. Ah! W-Wait!" She hurries back after Guardok, nearly tripping over the length of the gown. Fishing something from her pocket, she takes his hand and presses a coin into it, stamped with the symbol of a pentacle, a reference to his card. "For luck. Or, er, n-not luck. I'm not supposed to wish you that. But..." She gathers the fabric of the dress back in her arms then smiles warmly down at him, "Let your light shine today too. It brightened so many faces last night."
Stooping for one last hug for good measure, she squeezes her very talented and hard working friend then (after waiting for any reply he might have lol!) hurries back to Malvyn's side, ready to head out.
Malvyn just gives Guardok another wave and a bright smile as he heads off for his next performance. "Walk you back to the dorms sis?" He says with a playful smile as the petite oracle returns. "Or do you want me to challenge Quentillius to a duel for looking at other girls first." He says with a teasing smile. "If it's any consolation I think it is mostly them looking at him, the gods knows why, while he himself is still hopelessly in love with another, one that he admires in the mirror as often as he gets the chance." He continues a bit dryly. "If anything I would pity those girls that will waste their time fawning all over him."
Mei snorts at the "sis," then covers her mouth at the unladylike sound.
"Oh, it's really not his fault... I read into things. He was just the first person who... well, no one's ever been interested in me like that before. Romantic words and gestures and... I guess those things don't necessarily mean you are interested, huh?" She wonders if he wrote similar letters and sent flowers to other girls too.
And, while she feels how he presents himself is more a facade than true narcissism--ever one to believe in the best in people--Mei doesn't disagree with her tiefling friend. "I've read too many romance novels. Maybe love isn't like it is in stories. Though my parents always seemed to love each other like that."
She pauses a long moment then suddenly asks, her volume louder than intended as she gets caught up in the topic, "Do you love Aurora?"
The purple-skinned tiefling grows concerned again. He wished Mei would have what she had read about in those romance novels. Perhaps if Cadoras would read up a little, like he had been doing diligently since he met Aurora. "I'm sorry to say, we're just boys and most of us can barely speak to a pretty girl without an awkward stutter, but in time I think you will find what you saw with your parents Mei."
Malvyn feels himself freeze up as the dreamer asks her question. For some reason he had not really put that question to himself yet. Did he even know how to answer.
"I'm not sure I even know what love is." He starts quietly, looking down, his purple tail swaying slowly and nervously behind him. "I didn't have any friends before I came to Strixhaven, much less anyone I cared for. I know I do care for Aurora though, I think she is beautiful, intelligent and funny, and she is so cool you know, perhaps too cool for me. By now I do think she cares for me too but in ways we are still quite different. I feel I can evolve though, be more than I was, bring out the best in me, perhaps I will feel worthy of her one day and then I can truly love her." He goes on, slowly looking up to look at the petite oracle. "For now I must say, I care for her deeply and I will build on that to see where it can take us, if that makes any sense."
Mei tips her head up to watch the clouds as she ponders Malvyn's words. "Take it slow. Grow as you go," she says, voice distant like the end of an echo.
She blinks then looks up at Mal with a nod, "It makes complete sense." She leans lightly towards him as they walk, just enough that her arm brushes his, perhaps an unconscious offer of comfort through contact. "And I think you'll know it when you feel it. Like a song you finally remember the lyrics to."
She'll chat with the burgeoning reporter all the way back to the dorms then start to get ready for the gala, assuming she'll have to help set things up beforehand.
Guardok makes his way to change into his costume after leaving his friends. He runs into a few of the other actors but manages not to run into anyone else until after he is about finished.
"Ah! There you are Guardok! Ready to do it all again?" Rubina says, her mood very upbeat.
Malvyn and Mei make it back to Dresar Hall. Mei has just enough time to stop by her room for a bit then head back out to help with setup. (She will have time between set up and the gala itself to make it back to change into her outfit.)
Rabbit Sebrica, Sorcerer || Skarai, Monk || Lokilia Vaelphin, Druid || Liivi Orav, Barbarian || Vanizi, Warlock || Britari / Halila Talgeta / Jesa Gumovi ||
Neital Rhessil, Wizard || Iromae Quinaea, Cleric || Roxana Raincrest, Rogue || Satina Cindermark, Fighter || Meira Dheran, Rogue
"Thanks." The purple-skinned tiefling says, glancing over at the dreamer at his side. He realized it had felt good to talk, to put words on what he felt, to have someone that listened and reassured him he wasn't completely lost in all this, his tail playfully brushing against her leg as they walked. Maybe he would know what love was one day.
Once back at the dorms, Malvyn would rest, then change into his tux before picking Aurora up in time to take her to the gala, checking if Mae would want to accompany them or if she is meeting up with Larine first.
Mae was going to pick up Larine and then head to the gala, but she can meet you on the way too.