JudyMacs Curse of Strahd

OOC ten young children, those who had been in church, as well as some teenagers (16) too old for dolls or so they say.

Illmirth 

I'll give you two gold pieces for fifteen, if you throw in a sack for me to carry them!  he says to the man.

He says no more about the monkey or Rictavio.  It would seem that the illusionist was more than they first thought...

Crisaryn Melkial

Crisaryn gives the man a polite nod. "Thank you, perhaps it is this other man we should speak to." She tries to recall if she had seen Rictavio and his carnival wagon today. "You say he's nearby? Did he go that way?"

She points whatever direction seemed most likely to her, but waits to see if the man will direct her. Once he does, she again thanks him and moves along, keeping her eye out for Rictavio. She doesn't bother waiting for the others, though figured they can catch up.  

Illmirth 

He was managing the puppet show earlier.  Maybe he is still near the church and children's stage he says to Crisaryn as he fishes two gold coins out of his pouch.

DM

Blinsky stared at Illmirth, Well that is likely to be good for the children, Here have this sack, and I choose the dolls. You'll have to get them to pencil in their names on the adoption papers!

He picks the most brightly coloured of his dolls and places them into a large quilted bag, smiling all the while.

As for Rictavio, he's in charge of the childrens stage and entertainment there, it's by the chapel he calls after Crisaryn.

Illmirth 

Very good, then. the bard says with a smile.  He shoulders the sack, offers a gracious bow to the craftsman, and begins to head back to the church and children's stage.

Crisaryn Melkial

Crisaryn had headed on back towards the church and the children's stage. As she nears, she keeps an eye out for Rictavio. 

DM

Rictavio has set up a series of illusions, mainly sleight of hand. The children are calling out in delight as he produces a rabbit from his hat. He has a set of swords near a long box and threatens to cut one of the mothers in half. He seems to be at home entertaining the audience. You wonder how he is going to help you.

In the distance the Vistani musicians strike up their first dance music and you hear the crowd murmur in delight.

A merchant walks up to the childrens stage, hot pastries on their tray, a breakfast for the children. The crisp outsides show bubbling hot fruit. Little hands reach up to take them.

OOC: Thank goodness we got rid of those other pastry vendors.

Alerya

Alerya oohs and aahhhs at the magic performace. Just as enthralled as any other child. She is thoroughly entertained. 

Crisaryn Melkial

Seeing Rictavio entertaining the children, Crisaryn hangs back, simply watching him perform. She waits for a moment when he has a break and will then approach him. "Rictavio, I would like to have a word with you when you have a moment. If you would be so kind."

While waiting though, she simply watches, catching some of the reactions from Alerya, smiling at the way she seems to take such childish delight in the performance. 

Lorelei Dawnwarden

The young woman with the blonde braided hair had been searching for her companions for a while and finally spots them as they return to Rictavio. She smiles as she sees the children having their pastries. "All well here it seems." She says to her companions as they wait for Rictavio to find time for them. "I assume you will be performing with the Vistani." She asks Ilmirth with a somewhat strained smile.

Illmirth 

The bard greets Lorelei with a smile.  "Perhaps," he replies.  "My responsibility here is to help entertain the children, by request of the Burgomeister.  If time permits I would be most pleased to sing and dance with the Vistani.  Their bright colors of design and spirit do call to me, however, there is more in this land to do than sing and dance.  I should think that lending aid to those in need may feed your soul, as the music does mine.  In the mean time..." he says with a mischievous grin, handing the bag to Lorelei "I could use a hand."  He pulls out three of the dolls, testing their weight before sending them up and around in a juggling routine.  "OK, Alerya, catch!" he calls to her. Tossing one of the dolls her way.  "Lorelei, follow the pattern of my hands, over and up, over and up, pause as both dolls are in the air.  Over and up, over and up, now, toss me one to my left hand on the next pause."  He sends them back into a lazy arc, catching one from Lorelei and quickly sending it into the mix.  He whistles towards Alerya and sends her another Blinksy, and back to over and up, over and up, pause...  He risks a glance at Lorelei to see if she keeps feeding him new dolls.

***persuasion: 16 to get help.  Performance to make it work:  18  ***

Lorelei Dawnwarden

The young woman with the blonde braided hair almost freezes as she realizes the drow is trying to draw her into some kind of fun and games. But she couldn't. She really wanted to be able to be like him but it was simply not her, and she wished he would see this too. Everytime he tried to cheer her up or tried to make her loosen up she would be reminded of how she couldn't, and that he and the others would be disappointed. If only this could be over...

"Thanks but I really can't do this Illmirth, and please don't insist, you must understand that not everyone can be changed the way you want them to be." She says with a tired smile and hands him back the bag of dolls, or drops it at his feet if he doesn't accept it. "I'm quite sure you will make a much better performance without me." She adds and walks to stand in the background by a wall, keeping her eye out for a monkey and waiting for the festival to be over.

Illmirth 

Illmirth takes the bag with a sad, tight lipped smile.  It was the result he expected, but not what he had hoped for.  

Turning to Crisaryn he says, "Can you toss them to me?  I really do need a hand with this part.  Uh, well, I guess I could just put the sack on a chair or something, but it is easier if I can keep focused on the ones in the air."

Alerya

She stands to the side awaiting whatever magic her companions plan to perform. Knowing them it will be thrilling!

Crisaryn Melkial

From where she's standing to wait for Rictavio, Crisaryn watched the exchange between Lorelei and Illmirth.

When he turns to her, Crisaryn hesitates a moment. "I'd really like to talk to Rictavio as soon as there's a chance." She looks over at the Vistani man as he entertains the children, then over to Alerya who doesn't seem to take up the task with the dolls either. 

There's further hesitation, until finally Crisaryn let's out a long sigh. "Fine," she says with resignation as she walks over to the bag. "You need to stop though with the silly games. Or at the least, leave us out of it. You stay here, we'll take care of things."

She grabs a doll out of the bag. "When do I toss this?" she asks, trying to watch for the proper opening. 

Illmirth:

A raised, perfectly groomed eyebrow was about as much displeasure as the bard tried to show.  "If you recall, the Burgomeister requested that I do this, I made no offer.  It is a task, certainly, and like all tasks, we chose how we do it; be it begrudgingly or with a smile.  This task I certainly do relish in.  When next my magic is used to harm, heal, or defend, I assure you that I will perform my duties with equal enthusiasm.  Do forgive me for attempting to solicit a bit of assistance, and gods forbid, bringing a bit of sunshine to two people that I have grown fond of."  Taking the bag, he offers his companions a curt bow and meanders back to the stage area.  Looking to the sky he lets lose a sharp whistle, hoping that Fredrik was still nearby.   

He chats up Rictavio as he scans the sky for his feathery friend.  "Say, old chap," he greets him with a wide smile.  "The Burgomeister suggested that we consider a ballad with illusions, maybe a bit like Cryisaryn and I did with your puppets.  I would be pleased to sing and dance, perhaps you could enhance the performance with a dash of your illusionary magic.  Also, it pleases me to invite you to join us for evening meal when our work here is done.  My companions and I have need to bend your ear, should you permit it."  he asks graciously.  " And, it would be positively rude of us not to allow the delighted masses to buy us a drink or three!  Ahhhhhhhh, I do so love my work."  The friendly chat with Rictavio was all he needed to get right as rain.  It would be back to business soon enough, when cries of pain and blood stained weapons replace laughter and sticky sweet buns.  

Crisaryn Melkial

Crisaryn watches Illmirth take the bag and walk away, rolling her eyes at him. Shaking her head, she paced slowly back to where she had been waiting, muttering, "Why did I even bother? What in the hells was he about with juggling the dolls anyway!"

She sees too that the elf has simply decided to interrupt Rictavio's entertainments rather than wait politely. She's tempted to just walk away at that point, why is she even needed at that point. But she would like to speak with the man.  As a result, she just settles into place, waiting for the world of Illmirth to run its course so that they can all converse. 

DM

Rictavio turned his head towards Crisaryn, You need to speak to me dear lady? Give me a moment to finish the box trick then perhaps your friend will take a turn on the stage. Enjoy the fire festival, everything will be back to normal tomorrow. 

He dextrously caught a doll from the sack and threw it at Illmirth, are these Blinskys for the children? Nice looking batch. Illusions are a specialty of mine, I would be delighted to add them to your performance, just as I'll take up your polite offer of dinner tonight. The tavern cooks the best feastday meal, its roasting over a fire pit as we speak, can you not smell it? Then again maybe I just have a nose attuned to pork. The ravens flew off in that direction, after scratchings I think. He brushes his hand through his shoulder length grey hair uncovering his elven pointed ear.

You see one of the altar boys leave the chapel with a sack in hand, Lucien and the other lad had already left.

(Lorelei insight about the altar boy and the sack: 19 + Guidance: 3 )