Joy startles upright when the kitchen crashes to life, the clang of pots making her nearly drop her satchel. But the moment she sees Berry barreling toward them, all sleepiness vanishes from her eyes, replaced by wide surprise…and then warmth. She steps slightly behind Riven, not from fear, but in quiet deference to his instinct to stand guard, even when no real threat presents itself. When Berry extends the box with that precious, stammered offering, Joy feels her heart swell.

She steps forward after Riven passes the box to Ylis, and places a gentle hand over Berry’s translucent forearm. “Thank you, Berry,” she says, beaming.  “This is one of the kindest things anyone’s ever done for us.” Her eyes naturally flit to the ribbon. “And this ribbon is beautiful! Did you tie this yourself?”

Berry's chest swells from the words of both Riven and Joy and he smiles sheepishly. "It's nothing" he says, looking down at his hooves. "It's just a w-w-way of saying thank y-you-you. Most don't want to t-t-ta-talk t-t-to-o-o me. I'm not upset by it though because... I get it, but it sure is n-nice when s-s-ssss-su-ssss-..." Berry stops, his excitement having gotten the better of him and his communication barrier. He takes in a deep breath to calm his nerves, then tries again. "When s-someone does like my cooking."

DM: I have a stutter that flares up when I am excited or nervous. It used to be really bad, but speech coaching helped a lot to reduce the severity.

Vazo'yn waits with a patient smile while Berry manages his stutter to express his excitement and joy at being seen.

He would extend both thin, pale hands to gratefully shake one of Berry's large hands.

"Thank you for sharing two gifts, tonight, Berry. First with your wonderful cooking and now this."

He offers Berry a wry smile. "I dare say we'll be back for more before we leave town."

Ylis accepts the chest wondering what could be inside. She looks at it ends up touching some residual slime.

Aw that's a little bit icky. The guy can't help it though. I hope it doesn't hurt him to leave behind bit and pieces like that.... 

"Hey thanks buddy! Nobody does it like you!"

---------

When she reaches the maze, Ylis looks around the does a bunny hop to look at the maze from the air. When she lands, she snaps her fingers and "Swoop and swing, bring my feathered friend Bling!" an owl appears on her shoulder and before she sends hi aloft, she thinks about it for a second. Aw, maybe if I use my familiar to show me the route they might think it's cheating...phooey.

OOC: Does she get any insight from getting a jump view?

"Thanks Berry! If you get a chance, you should go check out the giant Horizonbacks! They are very nice!" and then Berks brings up a small version of a Horizonback to show Berry.

Randa had missed most of it having raced off after Berk, but when Berk suddenly doubled back she followed slightly confused and caught the end of the conversation.......she felt bad about her instinctive wariness around Berry but wasn't sure what was to be done about it.

Berry grins warmly at Vazo’yn’s extended hands heartily grabs them both in his single hand, which he quickly wraps up in his other hand as well. The tiny drow hands can still be seen as blurs through Berry’s green ooze-flesh as he shakes them both eagerly. The green substance is not wet or slimy and curiously feels unlike what he may have expected, save for the jarring smoothness of the tissue. Skin on most creatures has a roughness to it, and many creatures also have hair that gives a detectable texture to even the lightest touch. Berry has none of that. It is that smoothness that does make it feel a bit alien against Vazo'yn's own skin.

“I look f-forward to it. R-real-really.”

He also beams a smile at Ylis and as Berk conjures the image of the horizonback, Berry nods in acknowledgment. “We often serve the b-b-b-breeders of the-th-the horizonbacks here. It is hard work they d-do. Maybe I will s-s-stop by and wa-watch them when they have more hatchlings. If you p-prove yourselves to the breeders that you-you will never eat them and you are good ow-ow-owners, they will s-sss-sssell one to you. You can build several hou-hou-houses on the adults.”

***

DM: Ylis can certainly try. 😈

Looking around and seeing various witnesses, Ylis decides it might be better to play it straight.

Joy approaches the maze with the others, managing to overhear some of the exchange between the well-spoken ogre and reluctant goblin at the entrance. She steps closer to them with a gentle smile.

"I think you should give it a go. Your friend sounds like he knows his stuff. Besides, there's no reason to be embarrassed if you try your best!"

Persuasion: 20

 "I apologize for the oversight, but I would like to clarify that I am not a male; rather, I identify as a female of my species. I kindly ask that you take this into account when selecting pronouns to refer to me. Thank you for your understanding," the ogre says. "You may also feel free to refer to me as Maggie, should you prefer," she adds, placing a hand on the chest piece of her leather armor. This gesture serves both as a slight bow and a way to draw attention to the giant purple flower emblazoned on her armor, which she apparently feels may help non-ogres identify her sex or gender. Or perhaps she just thinks it's pretty and wants you to notice it.

The goblin smiles weakly at Joy. "Thank you for saying so. I know we should be having fun, but I'm just... I just don't want to be laughed at," he says while looking at the crowd, who still laughs at the bugbear as he dusts himself off, then joins in the laughter. He melts into the crowd, who pat him on the back in understanding and consolation. 

"It's so easy for some to join in when people laugh... But, maybe you're right. Maggie is a genius at this kind of thing." He rubs the patchy stubble on his chin as he considers it, then stands up straight when he remembers that Joy is there.

"I'm sorry, my name is Dermot. Thank you for the kind words. It's nice to see strangers be supportive and help others who aren't feeling so sure of themselves. What's your name?" He says while extending an open hand in friendship up at Joy.

The ogre crosses her arms and smiles at Joy, nodding subtly in quiet approval of how she has buoyed Dermot's spirits and encouraged him to let himself have fun.

Randa watched and marvelled at how Joy could interact with almost anybody and just roll over any faux pas without much of an issue, she waited silently to see how things unfolded.

Joy’s expression softens further as Dermot extends his hand, and she kneels slightly so she can meet him more on his level before taking his hand in a firm but gentle shake. “It’s good to meet you, Dermot. My name is Joy,” she says warmly. “And for what it’s worth, I don’t think anyone out here is laughing at you. They’re laughing because we’re all doing something silly, together. That’s what makes it fun.” She gives his hand one last reassuring squeeze before letting go.

Then she turns her bright smile to Maggie and dips her head in acknowledgment. “And thank you, Maggie. That’s a beautiful name—and a beautiful flower!” she adds, gesturing lightly toward the purple bloom emblazoned on the ogre’s armor. “Ah, these are my friends," she gestures towards the others excitedly in case they want to say hello. ((Having issues on mobile and can't get this part unbolded -.-;;))

Ylis bounces on her toes and waves a greeting, "Hi! I'm Ylis!"

everyone, mostly is being so friendly and it warms the bunny girl's heart to know there is joy (and Joy) in the world.

"Hi Maggie, Hi Dermot, my name is Berk! I've never been in a maze before, but i've heard stories about underground labyrinth's and mountain caverns that go on forever."

He pauses, catching his breath after racing here.

"I'm not sure if teams or partners are allowed, if so I'll team up with you Dermot. If you'll have me."

"Ah, what did they do?" he says, watching the bugbear being 'ejected' from the maze.

"Yeah, in my head I know you're right but... I don't know, it always feels... I guess that's just my own thing. I should get out of that mindset. What a first impression, yeah? Little goblin guy with major security issues," he forces a chuckle at the self-deprecating sarcasm. Dermot smiles at Ylis and returns the greeting, then looks back at Joy. "You're right. If I lose, then people will laugh, but it is all in good fun."

Dermot and Maggie exchanged warm greetings with everyone, their smiles genuine and inviting. Maggie cast a subtle glance down at her vibrant flower, a delicate piece of art on her leather chestpiece, as though she hadn't just drawn Joy's attention to it moments before. "Oh, you flatter me," she said with a playful twinkle in her eye. "I cannot claim pride for this work of art. Dermot did this for me, and while I may not consider myself a master judge of art, I take immense joy in displaying evidence of the craftsmanship involved in bringing beauty to life on a curved surface. The challenge of maintaining proper proportions while navigating the contours of the leather canvas adds an intricate layer of artistry to the work, transforming it into a harmonious blend of color and form that truly captivates the eye. Dermot has given me a one of a kind expression of beauty and emotion." Maggie says endearingly.

Dermot seems uncomfortable, so shifts the attention away by breaking from the conversation and returning Berk's greeting. "I've heard the same about endless labyrinths. A friend of mine's mind is always on things like that. Not really my kind of thing though. But having a friend come along while I go through the maze sounds nice. No rules against it neither." He follows Berk's gaze. "That guy? He found a dead end and the referee noticed. Immediate ejection, emphasis on the immediate part."

Randa looked to the others, " As much as I am afraid to embarrass myself yet again.....I feel I should do well at this. I would like to tackle the maze solo."

Riven had hung near the edge of the exchange, quiet but watchful, the way he often was. His arms were folded lightly, one boot scuffing the earth beside the maze's threshold. The warm exchange between Joy, Dermot, and Maggie hadn’t escaped his notice, especially the way Joy had lowered herself to meet Dermot’s eye, or how Maggie's words brimmed with pride veiled in humility. It stirred something faintly warm in him.

As the others continued talking, his eyes tracked the crowd’s reaction to the bugbear’s ejection. He raised an eyebrow, unimpressed at the laughter, but didn’t comment on it.

When Randa spoke up about tackling the maze solo, Riven gave her a brief nod of respect, she wanted to face the challenge alone, and he admired that.

Then his gaze shifted to the maze entrance, and a slow breath left him. Mazes. Of course. He could almost hear Otbium’s voice in his memory, cryptic and amused: “The path is never what you see. It's what you remember.”

He turned toward Vazo'yn, who hadn’t spoken yet, and his expression tilted into a smirk under his hood’s shadow.

“Well,” he said at last, voice quiet but sure, “a maze doesn’t sound too different from navigating Duskwatch at night. Just fewer people trying to rob you.”

Then, turning to Vazo’yn, he offers a glance and a single nod. Just the suggestion to share the together challenge

“Care to test the twists and turns together?” he asks, his tone light but earnest.

He doesn’t wait long for an answer. He steps a bit closer to the maze’s edge, his posture relaxed, like a hunter slipping into familiar woods. His sword stays sheathed, but there’s a quiet readiness in the way he moves, a sense of controlled anticipation. Not for a fight, but for a puzzle.

And beneath it all, that same ember of warmth flickers again. Strange company, strange place.

But maybe not the worst kind of strange.

Joy chuckles softly at the mention of the dead end and gives a rueful shake of her head. “Well, I think I’ll sit this one out,” she says with an easy grin, glancing toward the twisting hedge walls. She bumps Maggie gently with her elbow, eyes warm with camaraderie as she looks to the others. “But Maggie and I will be cheering you all on from the sidelines!"

Ylis looks at her friends and gives them a wink. Then she heads in for better or throw out.

Vazo'yn had enjoyed his companions' meeting with Dermot and Maggie with a quiet contentment. Only back together for a day and they are already falling into old habits like they had never parted. He is determined to make the most of it while it lasts.

So when Riven invites him to take on the challenge together, he steps up beside the stoic, dependable man with a sure nod.

"Of course, friend. We have navigated worse than this together."

His mind is cast back to memories of the maze set between them and their goal so many years ago. Or years from now. Or never. The details were unclear as ever. But the memory is clear. That maze was an obstacle on their journey to saving the world. This one is for some light-hearted fun with friends. Both are equally important to Vazo'yn.