After helping set up, Mae would hear a light knock on her door (or door frame if it's open), with Mei waiting to ask if Maeleve has time to help her with her hair. The Dreamer grows more nervous by the minute about her featured piece and what to expect. 

As she likely has to leave an hour or two earlier than the others, she'll hurry along to meet Cadoras (and Nora Ann) to all head there together.

Guardok takes the coin and smiles at Mei, "Thank you, that's very thoughtful", he manages to say as she turns on her heels and disappears again.

Maeleve wasn't particularly busy, just starting her ready routine for the evening and so warmly welcomed Mei into the room to do her hair and asking how their foray into the costume room went earlier that day, and probably giving her a few supportive comments about the night as well.

Mei makes it to help set up for the gala. It's a busy couple of hours of getting both exhibits ready as well as just generally decorating the hall being used for the event. Cadoras eagerly greets her when she arrives.  He inquires numerous times about whether she managed to sneak into the costumes and find something to wear.  He wants every detail of the "fabulous heist" - he uses the phrase in just about every other question. Or more.  And if it isn't "fabulous heist" then other things are "fabulous". 

Earlier in the day the first showing of the play had concluded. (OOC - Guardok can make one skill check at advantage for a general idea of how he did. Appropriate skill of his choice!)  There's just a bit of break between shows - enough time for a snack but not really time for much else.  The next show will be starting soon. (A 2nd roll like the one above for that performance.) 

Back at Dresar Hall things are fairly quiet. Lesviel is around for a bit of the day, interested in all the preparations for the gala.  She was not going, but did plan to see the play this evening.  Time flies and soon it is time for Mei to head to the gala for final touches. Cadoras arrives, dressed once again in the fine attire he wore to the play, to escort Mei there.  The others will have just a little bit of time before they go. 

Guardok tries to build on his performance with each showing of the play, trying to perfect certain aspects or change things that he thinks didn't quite work as well as he wanted.

1st Showing
Performance (advantage and 1d4 due to Gymnastics Club): (10, 2)+5+4=19

2nd Showing
Deception (advantage and 1d4 due to Playactor's Guild):(10, 5)+5+4=19

The early performance of the day goes extremely well. Both Rubina and Quentillius put on extremely good performances, really bringing each character to life. Guardok puts more into being entertaining and playing off the audience, adding that to the things that worked so well in the previous nights' performance. He pulls it off flawlessly.  The audience is on their feet to give the entire cast an ovation at the end. 

Grabbing a quick bite between performances, both Rubina and Quentillius keep Guardok company.  Nothing is really said about Quentillius' behavior the night before.  He is very supportive in his praise of both Rubina and Guardok. 

The second performance does not quite fully hit on the success of the first.  But it comes off very very well.  Rubina gives another strong performance, though once or twice her timing was just a bit off.  Quentillius again is quite convincing in his role as well.  Guardok again is able to add a bit to his performance, building on past success.  He gets right into character and really pulls off selling himself as a character different from himself. The audience seems quite appreciative and gives the cast a warm reception.  

Once the later performance is done, Guardok will have to move quickly to make it to the gala - as expected.  

A bit before the play had ended, the time had come for Mae to head out to find Larine and for Malvyn to meet Aurora.  Soon they were on their way to the gala.  Of course, Mei and Cadoras had already gone earlier. 

Malvyn would be right on time to pick up Aurora at her dorms, complimenting her on whatever she had chosen to wear, then strolling together through the campus area over to where the Gala is held, arriving fairly early, keeping a good lookout for their friends as they enter.

Mei happily retells the relatively uneventful tale of their "heist" to Cadoras, her nerves calmed while in his presence. She puts her Unseen Helper and Mage Hand to work in helping with the set up, often herself taking on tasks that seem much too large for the petite oracle. She echoes Greta as she reminds her peers to "lift with your legs, not your back."
Can Mei make an insight check on Cadoras' repetitive use of "fabulous?" Insight: 17+4 21

Catching sight of Cadoras' figure cut once more in all black, Mei stammers and blushes as much as the night before. She clears her throat, suddenly wishing she had hair to fiddle with. But, with Maeleve's help, they'd done an elegant updo to better show the off-shoulder style of her borrowed dress and the dangling glass earrings she brought from home.

She is a bundle of nerves and excitement as she heads with Cadoras to the gala, chatting and joking with the elf the whole way there.

After the second performance, Guardok is ready to rush off to the gala, when he suddenly realises he hasn't got anything nice to wear either.

"Are you coming to the Art Gala?", he asks Rubina and Quentillius. "I need something to wear. Perhaps we could borrow something from the costume department, if you are coming that is. Oh, you likely both have nice fancy clothes anyway?".

(Mei gets the sense that Cadoras is just trying to be funny by repeatedly using 'fabulous' to describe everything.) 

Mei, escorted by Cardoras, is of course the first of the floormates to arrive. There isn't too much left to do for setup - just a few last-minute touches.  And many of the artists make last checks of their exhibits to make sure that the presentation meets their preferences.  Cadoras himself fusses over a small sculpture that he had offered for this particular night.  Soon the others should be arriving. 

Rubina shakes her head as Guardok mentions the gala. "Oh, ah, no, I wasn't really planning to go to that. I'm not sure I was really invited," she says. "But with the plays and the band performance tomorrow, it's probably good I take some time to relax."  Quentillius also replies. "With one more show tomorrow I should keep myself focused. I was not going to go."  Rubina then adds, "If you wanted help finding something to wear, I could help you though." 

Malvyn arrives to pick up Aurora. She is wearing a dress all in red. It falls all the way down to the floor, with wide sleeves and a plunging neckline. Most of her piercings stay the same, though you notice her earrings are all red and the black ear cuff she normally has is replaced with a golden one. She wears a golden colored necklace decorated with red stones to match the dress.  There is no black to be seen in her outfit. She gives a faint smile. "You are looking good Mal. Like the dress?"  

The pair head for the hall that is being used for the art gala and soon are there. 

After asking if Cadoras needs any help with his statue, Mei too goes to check on her artwork and adjusts the black fabric covering a canvas taller than she is. The canvas itself is not hung--she wanted it on the floor so the viewer could look directly into the piece, as though a door were open and the painting what lies beyond the threshold. 

Her nerves begin to stir like an agitated wasp nest as activity picks up in the reception area.    

The purple-skinned tiefling in his all-black-tuxedo is at first lost for words as he sees Aurora in her lovely red gown. "You...you look amazing Aurora...and thanks." He says, just smiling as he watches the beautiful raven-haired performer. "As you can see I went for black, thinking I would make you a good match, but perhaps I still do, I'm a boy and can't really tell, or so I've read." He says with a small smile, looking between her red and his black, then offering his arm to Aurora to escort her to the gala.

When it's time, Maeleve will go find Larine and head to the gala. That night she is wearing a simple but nice read dress with a gold corded sash around the waist. As soon as she's there she'll go find Mei and check on her before touring the rest of the gala.

Guardok is a little disappointed that Quentillius and Rubina aren’t coming.

”That would be great thanks”, he replies to Rubina regarding help choosing an outfit.

He then turns to Quentillius. “Are you sure? I thought you would definitely be going with Mei exhibiting at the gala. Or are your interests elsewhere now?”, he asks, digging for information.

As Rubina starts to head off to take a look at the costumes, Quentillius replies to Guardok. "Well. I... guess I did not realize that she made artwork."  He frowns a bit, "I guess I should have. Hmm, perhaps I should go to this gala. I could..."   He pauses. "Is it appropriate to give someone displaying their artwork a bouquet or something? I mean, for an actress that might be something I'd do.  But for artwork. Hmm."  

Aurora laughs softly. "Mal, you should know by now not to try and guess what I might do!" She takes his arm. "The all black and all red does go quite well together though. I think it's a great match."  As they arrive, they see Mae and Larine entering the place as well. 

When Mae arrives, Larine is dressed and ready to go. She has a green dress, a bit darker green than her usual attire. It is fairly simple, with straps leaving her shoulders and arms bare. Beyond the dress, she really doesn't have any other accessories.  But her hair is pulled back a bit into an elaborate long braid - quite the contrast from the usual way she styles her hair.  She seems a little nervous but quickly comes over to lightly bump into Mae.  That brings a smile to her face. "Ready to go."  As they start to head off, she whispers, "And you look quite lovely." Once at the hall for the gala they see Malvyn and Aurora there. 

Cadoras shakes his head ''no' when Mei asks if he needs any help.  He stays though, looking at his sculpture a bit as she goes to make adjustments to her display.  As she stands there nervously, she feels a light hand rest upon her shoulder. It is Cadoras. "I can't wait to see what your entry is for this gala Mei. I'm very intrigued to see it."  He smiles at her. "Perhaps a sneak peek just for me?" 

Guardok lingers a little to reply to Quentillius, "I am not an expert, but I expect a bouquet would always be appreciated". He smiles back at his friend, giving him a thumbs up. "We could go together, unless you are going back to your room to change. Mei mentioned people are dressing up all fancy, but I guess you always dress fancy".

Depending on what Quentillius replies, he will head to find clothes with Rubina.

"What colour do you think will suit a mostly grey earth genasi?", he asks her. "I always liked orange for my costumes in the circus, would that be fancy enough?".

He thinks back to the clothes he has seen Quentillius wear, who is pretty much the best dressed person he knows.

Cadoras' sudden voice and warm hand on her bare shoulder transforms the wasps into butterflies. Mei places a hand over his to keep it there a moment longer, grounding her even as her heart races from the contact. 

She looks sidelong at him, pretending to have to think about it, then matches his smile, "Anything for the fabulous Cadoras Damellawar." With a lift of the edge of the fabric, she takes his hand and ducks underneath, encouraging him to follow. This close, it might be difficult to make out the whole picture, though it's likely Cadoras can see enough to tell it's not something expected from the cheerful diviner.

Under the dark of the fabric, Mei watches Cadoras' face intently for his reaction. "I hope you can't tell how rushed it was... I wasn't going to submit anything, but then, well, I felt sort of, um... compelled to paint this." 

"Hey there!" The purple-skinned tiefling gives Mae and Larine a wave as he sees them in the crowd. "You ladies both look wonderful. Should we go inside and find Mei and her contributions?" He adds with a calm smile, ready to venture into the gala.

Mae smiled a bit wider as Larine bumped into her, looking her over appreciatively, admiring her look. "I love what you did with your hair! And thank you, Larine dear. But yes, I'm ready too." She walks with Larine to the gala and gives a nod and smile toward Mal and Aurora. "I think we all look rather lovely tonight! But yes, let's go inside, can't see the art from out here, can we?" She let out a playful giggle and began accompanying everyone into the gala.

Quentillius tells Guardok, "Yes, perhaps I will go back to my room to change. But I think I might just see you at this gala tonight. Thanks."  He hurries off.  In the costume room, Rubina contemplates the genasi's question about color. "I think there are a number of options. An orange might provide a nice contrast. But what about more of a mustard yellow? I'm thinking more pushing towards a brown than yellow. I feel like that would be more elegant looking." She sets about trying to find something to give an example.  "There's also blues. I think that might be nice."  

It is a little difficult to find much, but she does find a mustard yellow suit that seems sized for a halfling. There are a couple of options in blue as well that ought to be close fits for someone your size.  

Cadoras slips beneath the cloth covering the canvas with Mei. "Well, I wasn't expecting to find myself hiding under a dark covering with you. At least not so early in the evening!"  He laughs softly but then turns his attention to the artwork. He is quiet as he studies it, suddenly seeming much more serious. "I would say it is 'fabulous'," he starts, clearly having not forgotten his humor. But his voice is clearly serious, not joking. "It is not truly the right word though. The piece is very well-done Mei. Quite interesting." He sounds very impressed. 

Mae with Larine and Malvyn with Aurora step into the hall.  It appears that perhaps this space might normally be partitioned into smaller rooms for classes.  But tonight, it is one large rectangular space.  You enter near the middle and see that there are many tables set up throughout. The ends of the space, to your left and to your right, seem to be filled with artwork of all sorts.  Many paintings of various kinds are hung from the walls, as well as arranged in various other displays.  There are also sculptures and other more three-dimensional pieces both set up along display shelves and a few standing on their own due to their size. 

A small crowd has formed mostly around the tables.  You can see opposite the entrance there are refreshments set up - drinks of various kinds and a small assortment of finger foods. A couple of people are looking at the paintings closer to the area with tables, but otherwise folks have not started wandering through the other displays quite yet.  Shortly after you step inside you are greeted by Nora Ann Wu, a second year Prismari student that some of you have met. (Pretty sure you have!) "We'll be opening up the galleries in just a moment, feel free to grab a drink and enjoy yourselves.  We'll have more food later, as well as a bit of music and dancing! Enjoy the evening!" 

Overall, it is an impressive sight. Long curtains of a muted color hang from the ceiling to the floor along the walls. And it seems additional lighting was brought in, providing a perfect level of lighting so it wasn't too bright, but everything seems to be lit well enough to see.  Sparkling decorations can be seen throughout the hall, making it possible to forget that you are still on campus and rather in some elegant ballroom.  

The four of you have still not spotted Mei nor Cardoras.