Mae watched the pair arrive at the tavern and sit down together. It was not unusual to see, but something held her back at that moment. She kept to her duties after a few long moments, unwittingly feeling herself begin to flush and her natural glow intensify a bit, until she saw a newcomer stare at her oddly and she quickly breathed herself back down to her more normal state. Her mind began to feel addled, as if she had been drinking, even though she didn't drink much ever. She finally sat down for a minute in the back, putting her head in her hands and taking some long deep breaths before standing back up, touching up her face and resuming her job for the evening.

Guardok wanders over to Lesviel's table and reaches up to place his food down.

"I hope you don't mind me joining you, Lesviel", he says as he jumps up onto a chair. "It's been another interesting day. Did you hear about the incident at the Firejolt with the frog racing? Brightly coloured frogs just grew and grew until they were giant sized, and attacked everyone", he says as he cuts into a piece of meat. He pops it into his mouth and starts chewing, seemingly grateful to finally be eating. After he swallows, he continues, "No-one was seriously hurt because we fought them off, but it was fortunate really. Did anything like this happen during your first year?".

A server, other than Mei, comes over and takes the drink order for Malvyn and Aurora. She sits back a bit in her chair as the Tiefling asks his question. "My thoughts on the incident?" Aurora says. "I'm sure you know more about it than I do."  Her attention seems distracted for just a moment, catching a glimpse of Mei.  But she soon turns her full focus back to the conversation. "It certainly is a coincidence. But from what I hear, odd happening about campus are not totally unheard of either." 

Soon the drinks are delivered as the music on stage continues. "You and your roommates though certainly are a valiant crew. Once again you just jumped in to take care of the danger," Aurora says. "Not bad for a guy that keeps his nose stuck in books all the time," she teases. 

Lesviel glances up from her meal, giving the Genasi a smile. "Guardok, of course, please join me!"  She motions toward the empty chair across from her. "What is this about an incident? Frogs? And an attack?" she sounds surprised. "You all fought them off? Yet another danger? Oh my!"  She seems very excited to hear what had happened, but also a bit concerned. "So what happened?" 

Guardok thinks for a moment as he eats his food, back to when Malvyn was explaining what had happened, and tries to replicate his summary of the incident.

"Some friends found four colourful frogs by a pond and decided to use them for a frog race in the Firejolt Cafe. When the race was over the four frogs suddenly grew really big and got angry. Mei and Knap both got wounded in the ensuing fight but the frogs were killed, and we healed them up. There was some black goo that someone probably fed them to change them, likely the same kind of black goo we found on the chest that came to life in the Biblioplex. We searched the pond where the frogs were found and we found some footprints there, one was from a bullywug!", as he mentions the Bullywug footprint he holds up his image on the map, taking the time to renew it again.

"So, did anything like this happen last year?", he says as he takes another bite of his dinner.

Lesviel looks startled when you mention how the frogs got big and angry.  And gasps when you say Mei and Knap eye were hurt. "Oh no! They're okay right?"

Once assured of their day safety, she takes a look at the foot print before responding about last year. "I don't recall anyone being hurt. There was some kind of water elemental that got loose - a Prismari student was using it for a performance. A bunch of people on campus were soaked before she got it wrangled up. No black goo though."

"Well...I suppose so..." The purple-skinned Tiefling says, seeming a bit awkward over being called valiant, blushing faintly and scratching his neck. "...but most of us were right in the middle of it when it started, and as for me, it seemed like the proper thing to do to try to help your friends." He explains, looking at the raven-haired performer for agreement on this, although not being used to have anyone to call a friend he wasn't sure what was expected. "My friends Mei and Knap both got bitten and I reacted instincively I suppose." He continues while pondering his own actions for the first time since the incident, taking a sip of his drink. It was quite a coincidence that he and his floormates had been in the midst of two such incidents now, but surely whoever was behind this couldn't have predicted the frogs being brought to the Firejolt Cafe and then Mei, Guardok and Knap offering to race them. "But yes, you may be right of course, I suppose strange things are bound to happen sometimes at a magical universtity." Malvyn says with a small smile. "Oh, I am supposed to meet up with Mei and Guardok by the pond at midnight but I suppose I will have you back at your dorms by then." He continues after a moment. "I should probably tell Mae about this too." He adds and looks around for the radiant Aasimar, waving for her to come over.

Aurora seems to grin a bit as Malvyn looks awkward at her comments. She listens, nodding as he looks to her for agreement. "Indeed, if a friend were threatened I would certainly help them," she replies. "Though you and your floormates always seem to act quite decisively." Taking a sip of her wine, she then sets the glass down and reaches out to put a hand on your arm. "Strange things are bound to happen around here.  I've heard tales of groffs wandering on to campus. Or once one of those Lorehold Ruin Grinders went haywire and started tunneling through some of the buildings! And I'm sure there are many other stories that I've not heard."  She pauses a moment then, looking intently at you. "Mal, you're going to ditch me back in my room to go sleep by a pond at midnight?" There's a playful grin on her face as she uses a chastising tone, suggesting that she's just teasing you.  

When you mention Mae, Aurora smiles. "I would love to say hello to her. I suppose you've not really talked to her since the events at the Firejolt Cafe? Hope she's doing alright." 

"I believe everyone is ok. We are going to camp out by the pond tonight to see if Mei's dreams can reveal more of the person behind the incidents", Guardok says to Lesviel between more mouthfuls of food.

"I would like to have seen the performance with the water elemental", he says smiling at the thought. "Sometimes an audience being soaked can add to the merriment after all, and a bit of a soaking doesn't hurt anyone".

Mae finally sees Mal try to get her attention and her heart catches in her throat, but she picks up a tray and weaves her way through the crowd, stopping at the table with Mal and Aurora looking very cozy together. "Hello Mal, Aurora," she nods at them with a practiced smile. "Something I can get you tonight?"

Lesviel looks relieved when Guardok assures her that everyone was ok. "I am so glad to hear that. But are you really sure you should be sleeping outdoors? And where this all happened? It doesn't exactly sound safe."  She seems to consider the situation a moment. "I'm not sure Strixhaven's rules allow students to just camp out amongst the campus greenery."  She seems uncertain though about her statement. 

As the two of you eat and talk, you happen to notice Piero wandering over by the serving line.  He is no longer dressed in his first-year uniform, instead wearing light-colored robes with what seems ornate decoration.  He seems to be grabbing something to eat. 

Aurora quickly answers when Mae comes over. "I think Mal wanted to invite you to a midnight campout at the pond tonight.  I am evidently to be ditched back at my dorm first though."  Her tone sounds offended, but there is a wry smile on her face. "How have you been doing tonight? Has it been a busy shift for you?" 

"I'll pretend you didn't tell me we might not be allowed. If you are worried about us, feel free to come along and supervise", Guardok replies with a wink.

He notices Piero and looks at him curiously, "Any idea what those robes Piero is wearing are all about? They look quite grand for just coming to the refectory".

"Oh? I thought being around in the dark of night was more your thing, Aurora. I'm not sure why they want me at a pond that late, nor can I believe he'd ever ditch you anywhere, you two have been joined at the hip lately." Her eyes shifted between the two of them for a moment, "Oh, it's fine enough, only as busy as it ever is. But if you two don't need anything else, I should probably go check on the others here."

The purple-skinned Tiefling seems a bit awkward as the radiant Aasimar suggests he was joined with the raven-haired performer at the hip. He didn't quite know what to make of that. Was she implying he spent too much time with Aurora? Maybe he seemed desperate for her attention. Maybe he was. He didn't quite know himself, so far he had only acted in the way that seemed proper and courteous, and admittedly he did enjoy the company eventhough he was still not sure of what she saw in him.

"Wait, just let me explain first." Malvyn says quickly as Mae seems about to leave again. "I hope you are okay Mae, after the thing at the Cafe, you weren't hurt were you?" He says quickly looking her over. "We found some prints by the pond where the frogs were found and then we talked to Professors Lang and Sharpbeak about what happened. It would be nice if you joined our investigation Mae, I'm quite certain you have a lot to contribute with. As Aurora said we are planning to camp by the pond so that Mei can dream up some clues to what is going on. I'm sure it's not dangerous in any way, but if t turns out to be we would all feel much safer with your radiant presence there in the darkness." He says with a friendly smile, hoping to cheer up the Aasimar. "I'm sure you can come too of course," He turns and adds to the raven-haired performer.

Mae paused, "I'm fine, I didn't get too close earlier, thank you. I'm not sure how much of a help I will be in an investigation, but if you all want me there I'll try to be there. Let me know if you need anything else." She then hurried off and disappeared into the back room again.

"I think we're good now, I think Aurora is going on soon anyway." Malvyn says, glancing over and smiling warmly at his company at the table, both because he admittedly fancied her, but also because he very much looked forward to hear her performance again, never really seeming to tire of that hauntlingly beautiful music she somehow lured out of her hurdy-gurdy. "And it would be nice to have you there tonight Mae, having the floor, or most of it at least, assmbled feels right somehow, but you do as you wish of course." He continues with a friendly smile to the radiant Aasimar before she hurries off.

"Well, what would you prefer, being ditched at your dorms or staying up and watch Mei dream up some clues for our investigation?" Malvyn then turns and asks the raven-haired performer with a teasing smile. "I suppose you don't have to decide until later though, it's hours until midnight after all and who knows what will happen until then." He adds with playful look in his fiery red eyes, his tail swaying slightly behind his chair.

"You'll pretend?" Lesviel starts, seeming to consider Guardok's suggestion. (Persuasion check) 

Aurora gives a slight laugh at Mae's comment. "Joined at the hip seems right. But Mal seemed to suggest he'd have me back home long before his midnight adventure." She shrugs. As Mae responds to Malvyn's question about how she is, she gives the Aasimar a smile. "I hope you really are alright. At least we'll have some fun Saturday working on that song," she says before Mae heads off. "Hope you have a good night." 

Turning back to Malvyn she says, "I think I have a few more minutes before I need to wander up on stage. Let's see if I can finish up this drink."  She picks up her glass and takes along drink of the wine.  "I could probably head out to the pond Mal, if you really wanted me to be there. Sounds like an interesting little thing." 

"Well, I am an actor", Guardok replies to Lesviel with a smile, "And you implied you weren't certain".

Persuasion: 2+5=7

"Well, yes. But I think you're asking me to pretend not to know. What if there is some danger out there?" Lesviel asks Guardok. "I really can't just turn a blind eye. I..." She seems a bit unsure. "Maybe I should ask somebody if it's ok." 

While you and the Elf are talking, Piero has made his way over to the table with a small assortment of food. "Ask somebody what?" he asks. "Were you telling her about the frogs earlier?" 

Malvyn too takes another sip of his wine as he listens to Aurora. He hoped the others wouldn't disapprove of him inviting along Aurora to the pond. He honestly didn't think she would be interested but he really didn't mind spending some more time with her. Maybe it was a good thing she was with the others too and not only him and Mae. And maybe Mae would be more inclined to turn up if Aurora was there. "Well, not sure how much sleep we will have tonight but yes, I would love for you to come along Aurora." He says with a warm sincere smile. "I admit I haven't really planned this. Perhaps we should try to find some bedrolls, or at least blankets, but sleeping under the stars seems nice somehow."