Randa is wise to be suspicious of games that test skill when she hasn't had a chance to study the game beforehand. However, this game seems legitimate. The leonin is not as much interested in making coin herself as she is finding a person worthy of her respect. She does not engage in any of the betting that takes place before the game begins. She hands over the whip to Randa.

The weight of the whip feels good in Randa's hand and she releases the tightly coiled lash to let it unfurl to the ground. Randa tests the black-lashed whip in a similar fashion to the leonin just moments before. The leonin cocks an eyebrow, her amber eyes studying the elven woman with curiosity. She grins at Randa, exposing a set of terrifyingly dangerous teeth and leans against one of the tables as men and women exchange bets. Odds seem to favor Randa from the onset, as people see her bearing and some begin to pick up on some sense of military or combat background in the way she carries herself. The test of the whip only further supports this. 

The betting grows more favorable for Randa and she lets the whip fly. It strikes the first can with a crack, sending it spinning off the top of the stack. The betting immediately halts and there is a pregnant pause as the group takes in the demonstration of superb skill. Another crack of the whip and the second can is knocked free. This one does not sing as loudly as the previous can, nor does it have such a clean spin to it. Nevertheless, it is knocked free as Randa continues to demonstrate exceptional skill. 

The final crack of the whip. Randa's confidence is boosted by two highly skilled executions of the whip - a weapon that requires a high degree of skill just to use poorly. Perhaps she became too confident or perhaps she became nervous. It is difficult to tell. Whatever the reason, the final crack of the whip snaps the air well above the final can, failing to even disturb it. 

The leonin clicks her tongue in disappointment. "It seems you will be buying your own drinks today, friend. It was an admirable effort though." She takes the whip back as grumbles of frustration from believers and many gleeful cheers from a few suddenly well-moneyed doubters echo through The Braided Path. 

Randa turned to look at her friends, crestfallen.....she has not had a very successful time with these competitions and feels she has let the side down too often today....

" Sorry, guys."

" I'll pay for everything to make up for it."

She turned back toward the katari, " Thankyou for the opportunity."

Her eyes moved over the group; Joy and Ylis she would always see as children first despite them both being grown and powerful young women in their own rights, Vazo'yn was the same as he had always been and Riven.........Riven was the one she had spent the most time with over the years and yet he was still perhaps the most of a mystery to her.....one she wasn't sure she actually wanted to solve.   And then their was Berk, delivered to them by an absent friend and someone Randa had taken little interest in so far today.....she should probably do something about that.....

" Come on. First and second rounds are on me.", she looked across to the leonine katari. " Drinking Establishment nearby?  A good one."

The leonin looks around the interior of The Braided Path with arms wide and chuckles as she crosses her arms again. "Well, I am a bit biased, but I would recommend pulling up a seat right here."

Some workers begin breaking down the low, circular tables and short stools that made up the makeshift competition range. They return them to their proper places and the interior once again takes on the air of a tavern. The short stools and floor cushions may be considered a bit exotic to those more familiar with the standard chairs and benches that can be found in most taverns in Wildmount. Many of the decorations here, including the tables and seating, appear to be Marquesian, likely from Ank'Harel. This may provide some insight into the foodstuff and beverages available here, though most establishments also offer more traditional menu items for those with a taste for the familiar. 

"Don't be sorry, that was impressive!" he says to Randa, "a whip! Never seen one of those, part of me never hopes to again."

He then backs up against the wall, as a worker rushed past, carrying a stool.

He looks at Randa and offers a shrug, looking around the room, "why not?"

Randa looks a bit dubious about the quality of the current establishment but then laughs out loud and nods to Berk.

She points out an area of cushions and looks around for a place to order....

Riven steps through the last of the onlookers, their laughter and muttered wagers subsiding into the background as the game finishes. He glances at Randa.

“You don’t owe anyone here an apology,” he says. His gaze lingers on her for a moment before continuing, “You wielded that thing like it was an extension of your hand. And that was not lost on the crowd."

Turning to the leonin, he adds, “You run a fair game.” He studies the ease with which she wraps the whip. “No coin in your hand, no rigged shot, just skill on display.”

While his tone remains neutral, there’ is an tone of genuine respect. He nods towards the whip. “Not many treat that tool with respect. It's a tricky weapon, versatile, but demanding. Used well, though, it speaks louder volumes.”

 He glances at tables now being restored, the tavern’s character unfolding again , “Shall we take a drink,” he says, inclining his head slightly to the leonin before gesturing to Randa and the others. “You’ve earned it.”

Ylis cheers as her friend cracks that whip but even with the loss, it was fun to watch. She wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that weapon!

As the tavern transforms, she feels a little grumble in her belly, It's been quite a while since the pie contest and she could use a bite to eat.

"I wonder if they have carrots here...?"

"Sorry? What for? As Berk says, that was an impressive display. You should only be sorry if you intend not to learn from it and do better next time," Vazo'yn says with an encouraging smile to Randa.

He contentedly lowers himself onto a cushion, glad to enjoy the food and customs of another land.

"What drink would you recommend?" he asks their leonin host.

"No apologies! That was amazing," Joy looks to Randa with admiration, eyes sparkling, "If I tried to wield that thing I'd definitely hurt myself...and probably everyone in the room." She flushes with embarrassment at the thought, but gets over it quickly and takes a seat next to Ylis.

"Hm, I think I still have a bottle of Candied Carrot Trost if you can't get fresh carrots," she remarks to the harengon with a smile, "But trying new foods is exciting too!"

The leonin tilts her head side to side in an uncommitted kind of way. "Well," she says to Vazo'yn. "We do have Erzfaalyu. It is the local brand. A rice spirit, made from Jigow's own rice fields. If you have a taste for something more exotic, I do have a bottle of Sandkheg, but," she looks over the crew, trying to get an estimate on what would be within their spending limits. "It's a bit pricey." 

In response to Joy's recommendation, the leonin nods. "A Candied Carrot Trost, we do have that. Are you from the Dwendalian Empire? Trosts are very popular among westerners." She sets a menu on the table with drinks and food items. For drinks, there are an assortment of Trosts, though fewer than what you might find in the empire. Most of the drinks here are some variation of the Erzfaalyu: warmed, chilled, spiced, flowered, etc. The Sandkheg is not on the menu, likely because it is rarely, if ever selected. The Yunfaalyu, a more economic drink, is a plum liquor served cold with garnishes and currants.

Food includes the Frost Worm Stew, served with herb dumplings. Vazo'yn would know this as a popular Kryn dish. There is also the Keltaly, a frozen dessert made from mixed heavy cream and black currants. The Kinespaji Spaald is notable for being a mushroom and vegetable soup, boiled in the saliva of a horizonback-a deeply popular dish among the goblin-kin. The Rzukaal, sauteed rice noodles, mushrooms, and giant spider legs. Rice pudding with gooseberry jam, by the name of Umarindaly. Last among the Xhorhasian dishes is the Yuyandl, a local vegetable, the yuyo, grilled and spiced and served with plain rice. At the bottom of the menu, a simple breadbowl with chicken or beef stew, for those from west of the border. 

Additionally, there are a handful of dishes from Marquet. The ham and egg breakfast sandwich, the Mistfuzz Tubers, a root vegetable with a citrus-like taste, both plain or prepared with sugar options. There is also the Semolina Porridge, served with a fig compote.

Riven watches the group settle in, his arms loosely crossed as the warmth of the Braided Path begins to settle in. There’s a quiet comfort to the scene, the shared laughter, the clatter of rearranged furniture, the smells of spice, rice, and roasted meat. He gives Randa a subtle nod, acknowledging the compliments she’s earned from the others. 

He steps around a passing server and eases onto a cushion beside the table, eyes scanning the menu as Vazo'yn and Joy speak with the leonin.

His eyes flick to the whip, then back to her. “Would you mind if I had a closer look? I’ve no intention of testing it here, but I wouldn’t mind understanding the weight of it. How it moves." 

If permitted, he will take the whip gently, not with the arrogance of someone about to show off, but like a craftsman studying a tool. He’d let it unfurl slightly, watching how it coils with tension even when resting, before carefully handing it back, if not stopped beforehand.

“Something to consider learning, maybe,” he muses, stepping back to rejoin the others. “Always good to be reminded there’s more than one way to strike from a distance.”

Only then does he glance at the menu as the scents of the tavern finally catch up to him. He gives a small, smirk at Joy’s mention of candied carrot Trost.

He taps a knuckle against the drink list. “Erzfaalyu, straight. And the Yuyandl.” 

As he settles onto a cushion at last, posture relaxes, though his eyes are still drawn, every so often, toward the leonin and the coil of black leather at her hip.

Joy’s smile falters for the briefest moment at the mention of the Dwendalian Empire. “Yes, I am,” she replies, softer than before. Her fingers fidget with the edge of the menu for a second, the shine in her eyes dimming just slightly before she quickly shakes it off with a bright, if slightly forced, grin. "We all met in Trostenwald, as a matter of fact." Changing the subject seems to make her relax a bit.

“Everything here sounds so interesting,” she says, scanning the menu with growing enthusiasm, her head tilting back and forth as she tries to decide. “I’ve never had most of these, but I’m absolutely starving after all that swimming.” After a thoughtful pause, she points to the items with a decisive nod. “I’ll have...the Yunfaalyu, the Frost Worm Stew...and then the Keltaly.” Her grin becomes more genuine as her stomach lets out a small rumble.

The leonin nods, unclasping her whip from her belt and handing the well-oiled braid of leather over to Riven. 

If the leonin noticed that Joy was uncomfortable with the subject, she doesn't let on, engaging on the subject further. "Our kingdoms might be rattling sabers at each other like they have for the past few decades, but the regular folk here don't mind too much one way or another as long as no one causes any trouble. We do have a Kryn presence in town and they represent the law in case you didn't know. If you don't make a mess of things, they probably won't bother with you either. I have a feeling the last century of orcs and goblin-kin bickering gives them more headaches than they can handle." She chuckles and acknowledges Joy and Riven's orders with a nod, not needing to write anything down. 

"Ooh giant spider legs! and rice pudding! I'd like to order that please." Ylis says with a smile. She makes a little happy dance on her cushion while waiting for her food.

OOC: In the before days, my friends and I used to make a joke when going out to eat. "What's the soup of the day?" "Soup du jour." "That sounds exotic, I'll have that!"

Vazo'yn takes some time to peruse the menu, his stomach rumbling to remind him just how hungry he is.

"Just how expensive is the Sandkheg?" he asks tentatively. The idea of trying something exotic for a far away land is enticing, though the looming possibility of a high price tag makes him wary of getting to excited.

Randa ordered the Yuyandl it being the most similar to dishes prepared in her homeland, she kept her eye out for any of the sweeter or fruitier beverages on offer.

When Riven also orders the Yuyandl her lips curl into a crooked smile.

" All in all a day well spent.....for the most part.  Now does anyone have any news you haven't caught us up on yet.....its been a while since some of us have seen each other."

Joy nods awkwardly as the leonin continues, averting her gaze. “Of course. No trouble." She sighs. “I hate how the Empire’s pettiness ends up hurting people who’ve got nothing to do with it.”

When Joy mentions the the Yunfaalyu, Berk nods. When she mentions the Frost Worm Stew he nods and smiles, when she mentions the Keltaly, he gives a bit of a shrug.

"I'll have exactly the same  as her please!"

"Spider legs and pudding... and another Yunfaalyu, Frost Worm Stew, and Keltaly." The leonin says absently while looking up and to the left, filing it away in her head. She smiles politely to Joy and nods understandably. "We can only do the best we can and hope it makes a difference in the end."

She places a comforting hand on Joy's shoulder, holding her smile, then returns to business, addressing Vazo'yn's question. "The Sandkheg is a tough bottle to get this far from Marquet. You get it there for 350 gold, but trade costs are factored in to bring it here; a bottle here in my establishment is 351 gold. I can guarantee that this is the best price you will find in Jigow, as I have a direct relationship with traders there. Anyone selling it cheaper is probably selling you snake oil."