<div><br>A lot of murmuring and a great deal of conversations. There is a line outside the inn, a booth hastily set up. Behind it sits a Maple Tree, "Name and act please." a hedgehood replies, "Samatha Spineback, juggling." Writing that down the maple tree waves the next in line, adjusting his monicol. "Name and act please." The dark eyed skunk replies, "This one is Ashley, music on the Harp." Writting it all down, he waves the next in line over.<br><br>Sveta arrives outside the inn with her violin case in tow, having queued for quite a while to get to the head of the line in the first place. It just so happened that she'd an afternoon off from her duties at the Artisan School, and had happened to see the banner...what better way to test her skills than a little friendly competition? Looking like she's made an effort to clean up, the goshawk steps up to the registration booth and clears her throat before addressing the maple. "Full name, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and I will be playing the violin. But do just announce me as Sveta."<br><br>Pin to paper once more as the maple tree takes down Sveta's name, "Ok, thank you, NEXT!" Many more sign up for their acts and the inn is full of people waiting for their turn in the center of the room. The bar starts offering half priced drinks to everyone taking part! The first act takes the 'stage' a tulip. Fanning her petels wide she begins to dance a slow, easy dance to a tune played by her partner on some simple pipes. She looks quite beautiful, and the dance displays some marvels of... Oh! How exactly did she managed to double herself over like that?<br><br>Sveta elbows her way through the crowd in the inn, making a beeline for the nearest empty seat at the bar. The half-price offer on all drinks doesn't seem to bother her much, in any case - half of the little it costs for water is still…well, little. The goshawk leans back, watching the performance, waiting for her turn to go up on stage.<br><br>As the time goes on, more and more acts go on. A salamander, an expert with throwing knives. A bat who makes smoke writing and figures. The hedgehog gets up and and juggles flaming torches! She seems to be doing alright, Samantha smiling to herself, but one of them flies wild when they try to toss them all at once and do a back flip! The on lookers duck for cover!<br><br>A lion comes running down the street, his hands holding down his coat as he rapidly approaches the booth for the sign-in sheet, still as dirty as ever. "I'm 'ere... For..." Dio wheezes a bit, trying to recapture his breath by taking a few moments for himself to recover. "Yes lad, sorry 'about that. The name's Dio the Traveler an' I shall be performin' an act of gymnastics! I was a bit late. A sale in the market I couldn't refuse took me away."<br><br>Sveta scowls and raises her violin case, ready to use it as a shield if need be. However, her actual shield is lying back safely in the dormitories at the Artisan's School, bah. "Hey, watch it!" she shouts at Samantha. "You might have skewered someone with that!" People performing in public, let alone in a contest without being confident in themselves fine, but to endanger others by their incompetence? Shameful!<br><br>A Heavy Folk stands up and catches the torch before it can do any harm, and sits back down, "Come get this please, and step down." Looking very ashamed of herself Samantha does step over to take her torch, putting out the others. The crowd gives her a few claps anyway, and next up is a deer who plays with with water math, making a stream dance around him before sending it off at a dart board in a great flurry of ice! "Up next, Sveta! Musical Act." announces a gecko.<br><br>Outside the maple tree takes Dio's entry, "Hurry up, a good deal of the others have already gone on stage." And he sits there waiting for more to show up. As he waits, he starts widdling on a block of wood, froming some kind of statue.<br><br>Before Dio walks into the inn, he tucks his coat a few times and smooths it out to prepare to make the best appearance possible. His eyes are greeted with a large group of people having fun conversing and drinking, which of course sets a smile on the silly lion's face. He looks towards the deer's act and claps rather loudly as he moves through the inn and takes a seat at the bar close to Sveta one he notices her. "Good luck, lass! I'm sure yer talents shall dazzle the crowd and what not."<br><br>"...Is this where I sign up?" A nervous fox muttered, his radar dish like ears folded back as he gripped his staff a little tighter. Ozymandias looked around, still a little nervous around all these new people when he is asked what he will be doing. "...Magic...probably earth." He mutters, his deep Violet eyes watching the entertainment as he waits.<br><br>Sveta doesn't seem to hear Dio and paces up in front of everyone, pulling up a nearby stool for her performance. The last few nights clearly haven't been good to her, but she draws a deep breath, perches on the stool and opens her violin case. A few moments are spent making sure the strings are tuned and the instrument in good condition, then she puts the instrument to her neck and begins to play. It's a piece of what the Creators would know as classical music, a piece from a long-passed Creator composer, and Sveta closes her eyes, her face a frown of fastidiousness as she finds a fair focus for her fury.<br><br>Anger. Pity. Fear. Solace. All so recent, all so fresh in her mind. The bow scrapes across the violin's strings, clutched tightly in her gloved hands. Her fingers move at a blur. Music wafts across the inn room, although the patrons' reactions are unknown to her. There is nothing left but the music, feelings made into inspiration as she deviates from the piece she'd meant to play and her fingers take on a life of their own. At last, the muisc stops, and looking a little exhausted, Sveta returns to her previous seat, now seeming to realise Dio's there. "Oh," is all she can say. "Hello."<br><br>As the bird of many talents plays the whole place goes silent. They listen, entranced by the sounds. As he playing stops it is a long time before any do anything at all. Even as she speeks the crowd is silent. Then, one person claps, then another, and another, soon the whole place is filled with the sound, reverberatting off of the walls. It takes some time for quiet to take the inn again, the gecko clearing his throat, "Next up, Ashley, Musical Act." he says, and the dark eyed skunk takes the stage. She starts playing, already having her harp tuned. The sound is soft, pure, and gets a similar reaction from the crowd. When she is done though, not quiet as much clapping as for Sveta. Next an iguana takes the stage, doing a few acrobatics! Ashley sits down next to Sveta, "You played well Warrior."<br><br>Outside again, the Maple Tree takes down the name and the act, "Hurry up, you will be one of the last in, almost everyone else has gone." He says, then gets back to his statue.<br><br>Ozymandias just nods in response before he hurries into the Inn, catching the last part of Ashleys act as he scurries in. He looked around, trying to find a seat as he honest didn't know what he would do for his act...earth?...Fire?...more then one branch of magic at the same time? He was at a loss at the moment..<br><br>Dio leans back against the bar and listens to Sveta's performance, looking rather impressed by the expert level of playing. As it ends, he claps his hands together and waves to the returning goshawk. "That was amazin'! Though I can't say I'm surprised lass, considerin' yer talents," he chuckles, patting Sveta on the back and listening to the next act. "Well done, mysterious skunk! Some wonderful playin'," he claps, watching as Ashley walks over. "An' thanks fer the information 'bout the whole... Thing that happened yesterday."<br><br>Slowly, Sveta replaces her violin in its case and gives Ashley a knowing nod, one performer to another, even if she's but an amateur and Ashley a professional entertainer. "I felt it. There's been a lot going on in my mind of late, and it needed to come forth. How else can I explain it? But...your own music was great, too. I suppose I was just inspired to do something new, that's all. I didn't even end up playing the piece I intended to." She sighs, and allows her to be patted by Dio without complaint, although she's quite certain he's messing up her flight feathers even more, even chancing a curtsey. "Thank you, o Lion of Great Stature. I shall expect equally great things from you, too."<br><br>As the Iguana steps away, doing lots of various jumps, twists backflips, and a triple spin for an ending... that.... lands her on a table! Head first.... some ooooh from the crowd. The gecko claps a few times and heads back toward the center, "Next up Dio, with some Gymnastics." he announces.<br><br>Ashley nods over to Sveta and actually smiles to Dio, "This one is getting better, but it is not a professional yet, it just comes and plays here like most others." she says, and watches Dio for any signs of stretching or otherwise getting ready. She looks to the strange fox, and ponders a moment, before ordering some half off sweet wine for herself.<br><br>Ozymandias winces as the Iguana lands head first, thats going to leave a mark. He stood there quietly, waiting his turn as he leans on his staff. Before he swears he can feel eyes upon him and turns to take a look around.<br><br>Dio winces and cringes a bit as the iguana crashes into a table, contributing to the harmonic "Oooh," of the crowd, but still clapping anyways. "Great things?" The lion starts laughing VERY loudly and pounds the bar table a few times. "I'm not 'ere to win really. Mostly for the half-priced drinks! An' speakin' of which, it's time to collect my due if ya don't mind. One mug o' beer if ya don't mind, lad." Slapping some crown on the table, he is rewarded shortly after with a fine, frothy mug of beer as he grabs it and takes the stage.<br><br>"Lad's 'n' lassies," he shouts, widening his stance and presenting his arms as if he were on some sort of TV show. "Prepare to be amazed by talent's unknown to even the wisest o' sages." Setting the mug down upon the stage, he tightens up his stance and suddenly hops in the air and tilts over, landing on his hands in an impressive and expert handstand! "Now then," he says, as one hand reaches over to grab the mug, turning the handstand into a one-hand-stand! "A limerick if ya will." The mug comes to the lion's flat lips as he takes a gulp from the mug. "There was a young fellow called Binn, who was so excessively thin..." With amazing agility, the lion manages to switch mug hands and takes another big gulp. "That when 'e essayed to drink lemonade..." After another large gulp, his elbows bend heavily and suddenly, he jumps in the air once more and lands on his feet. "He slipped through the straw an' fell in!" After a roaring laugh from himself, Dio downs the remaining beer and tosses the mug into the air and smashes it with his fist as it returns down, sprinkling glass upon the stage! "Thank ya for the drinks," he bows, hopping over and returning to his seat.<br><br>Sveta coughs as Dio returns to his seat. "Now that was certainly unconventional, my Lion of Many Surprises. A combination of various performances, all in one go. Are you sure you're just fine from hitting that glass like that?"<br><br>The crowd watches, they seem startled beyond reason at the act that they see. Eventually they start turning to one another, mouths, muzzles, and eyes wide. Bolstruous laughter fills the inn, as beings topple back, hands to their heads and bellies. Some bang on tables, a few tear up from how hard they laugh. Slowly, they start to stop and begin clapping and cheering, even the dark eyed skunk can't help but smerk a bit. After the crowd has calmed once more the gecko stands again, "Alright, and our last act today is.. Ozymandias, with Mathmagics."<br><br>And here it was...Ozymandias' heart started to race as he leans his staff against the wall, before he walks up to the center stage. "Um...hello everyone." He stammers, trying to at least be friendly before he takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. His arms rest at his side as he works through the equation in his mind, trying to make sure every little detail was correct, before he finally allowed it to be released. Fire burned, fire roared as he brought his hands up, a plum of flame kindling to life in them before he starts to shape and mold it. With a smile he finally opens his hands, allowing what he sculpted to be released, a bird of living flame.<br><br>"Thank ya lass," Dio chuckles as he pats Sveta on the shoulders once more, more than likely messing up a few feathers as she had thought from the last torrent of pats. "I'm sure it'll be fine, Bird of Worryin'. We used to do these things all the time back in camp to pass the time or get our minds offa things fer awhile." The audience's reaction fills the lion with joy, his smile growing wider and wider, almost showing his sharp teeth! Mostly just putting on a silly show in order to get some cheap drinks, he was rather surprised with the reaction. A bird of flame quickly catches his attention as he leans back in amazement! "That's pretty interestin'," he says, clapping his hands together.<br><br>"If you say so, Lion of Iron Fists. You know yourself better than I do, although it does seem like a waste of a good glass. At least you made a bit of a good show." Sveta leans back to consider Ozymandias' performance, and chuckles a little when a burning bird is produced. "Amusing."<br><br>Erika makes her way into the inn, pausing at the sight of the crowd. She looks up, noticing the banner, and looks thoughtful. She makes her way to the desk. She signs in, registering herself as Erika, and her performance as pipes, then makes her way into the inn proper.<br><br>Ashley claps for Ozy as he makes a bird of fire appear, her clapping however is slow. The rest of the crowd gives some good cheers and lots of whistles, "Amazing, simply amazing," says the gecko, "now that was our last... wait," the Maple Tree comes in with Erika after she has signed up, "One more boss, a straggler." The gecko thinks for a minute, and is handed a paper, "Alright! One more! Erika, musical act!" and everyone looks expectantly to the late arrival. Will she be able to take the prize?<br><br>Ozymandias sighs in relief as he actually pulled it off for once...last time he did it he was missing patches of fur and was laughed at by his fellow students. He walked off the stage and moved over to pick back up his staff, turning to regard Erika as she is brought into the room by the Tree.<br><br>"Iron fists ya say?" Dio begins to chuckle again in his very cheery mood. "I think I'm quite a fan of that title, though usually I end up with a few shards in ma knuckles after doin' somethin' like that." He eagerly awaits the results... But wait! Another competitor! He leans back into his seat and folds his hands, awating the otter's performance.<br><br>Sveta nudges Dio as Erika is ushered in to the stage. "Look, a latecomer, and someone I do know, too. Wonder what she's going to show us."<br><br>Erika makes her way onto the stage and moves to sit down. She crosses her legs and lifts her pipes to her mouth, closing her eyes. Without any preamble she starts to play, starting off with a slow, simple song. Gradually the song starts to intensify, becoming more complex. Then the song changes again, and the otter concentrates on what she's doing, as it starts to sound like a second pair of pipes has joined the first, playing descant. Her fingers move quickly on her pipes, notes blending as a third sound joins the other two. Not content with just that she furrows her brow and the song intensifies, growing faster, and faster. Until the otter's fingers are a blur, and her hands are shifting the pipes so quickly that they're hard to follow. The song reaches a crescendo, then ends, leaving the inn in silence. Or at least without the sound of her pipes.<br><br>As the song ends, the inn in indeed silent, followed by cheers and clapping! A few rise out of their seats and and call for an enchore! Ashely gives a nod and claps as well. The gecko comes out and and quiets everyone down again. "Ok, now it is time to decide a winner! Clap, cheer, makes some noise for the one you think did best!" And he walks around to all the proformers. Most get some mild clapping a few cheers. His hand is held to Dio, and the crowd goes wild! Next, to Ozzy, a great deal of clapping and cheering, but Dio is the obvious winner so far, next, Sveta, and more bulstrous yelling! It is hard to tell between Dio and her... Ashley gets some whistles and quite a bit of clapping herself, but not as much as the lion and his lady friend. Lastly Erika and everyone is on their feet again! Clapping and cheering! "Well... we seem to have a three way tie! Will you three," and he points to Sveta, Erika, and Dio, "Please come forward, each give a short proformance, and we will let the crowd try to make up their minds!"<br><br>Ozymandias just stands there and smiles as he recieves an recieves another round of clapping and cheering. His ears fold back as he gets a lot of attention, and steps back when the gecko walks away from him. He was never a fan of crowds, or being the center of attention.<br><br>Dio claps along with the audience after Erika's performance. As the audience claps and cheers for his name, he smiles quite brightly and slams a few more crown on the table for another beer. "Thank ya, thank ya," he waves, mug in hand as he makes his way for the stage. "I think I'll give my competitors a chance by takin' it simple. How 'bout just a little performance on how I can be yer bestest drinkin' buddy instead?" The lion lays down upon the floor flat and positions his hands accordingly. In a display of strength, he arises once more in a handstand position after a couple of moments and a bit of grunts. His other hand snags at his beer and he begins chugging it down once more as he scoots around in not so gracious circles before hopping back into his standing position and raising his empty glass. "I'm got 'em a bit warmed up for ya, lassies," he smiles, standing near the stage's back and observing the other competitors<br><br>Sveta takes the stage once more, perhaps a bit reluctantly - her previous performance seems to have drained her a little. Still, the crowd surges about her to push her forward, and she pulls up her stool once more. The goshawk opens her violin case and brings the instrument to her shoulder, contemplating for a few moments what she should play, then begins. This classical tune is slower and calmer than her last piece, evoking imagery of flowing water and gentle winds - her body sways slightly in time with the music, although her face is a as much a mask of concentration as it was before, her gloved fingers playing over the strings in fluid motions. Her short performance only lasts a handful of minutes, and eventually the music fades out, and she stands and takes a small half-bow before stepping away and returning to her seat.<br><br>Erika twitches her tail slightly then, when her turn comes around, keeps her pipes lowered. Instead she starts to sing. She's chosen an epic ballad, telling a tale that most those in the inn would have heard before, that of Robert. She sings without musical accompaniment, though the otter seems to have no trouble keeping time while singing even without. She has no trouble making her voice heard, the small otter able to get surprisingly loud, though she never seems to sacrifice tone for volume. The song she's singing comes to an end and the tiny woman waits for the verdict.<br><br>Ashley nods a bit as she is clapped for, and claps in turn for each of the others as well! When she is not selected for thee tie breaker, she simply sits back down to enjoy the proformaces of the others, and drink her wine. After each person is done, the audiance gives more screams, shouts, clapping of hands, hooves, and claws. Each one gets a great deal of the crowd, but in the end it is Sveta that pulls head! "And we have a winner!!" The gecko announces, and a large trophy is pulled from behind the bar. It is golden, and looks like some kind of bird playing a violen! They must have had someone waiting and ready to remeld it depending on the winner! It is presented to Sveta by the maple tree, and the crowd goes wild again, the inn keeper announcing, probably due to the high profits braught in by this event, "One round for the top three! Any drink they wish, and half off for the rest of the day for all our acts!" A great round of cheers, and Ashley orders another wine.<br><br>Dio claps for the other competitors and even harder for the winner! "Well done, Bird of Victory!" The lion eyes the trophy, looking quite amazed, but the true prize he came for was within his grasp. "I'm 'ere to collect my free beer!" The lion shouts, rapidly approaching the bar as the barkeeper hands him over yer another mug, but this time for free! He immediately brings the mug to his muzzle and gulps down the contents at a quick pace, wiping off his lips with a relaxed sigh.<br><br>Sveta looks a little bleary, but the crowd practically surges about her to bring her to the fore where the statue's practically thrust into her hands by the maple. "Um...thank you." She tests the statue's weight in her hands for a moment, then rolls her eyes and shakes her head as she makes her way back to the group. "That was a great performance, all. Lion of loquacious limericks, Ashley, Erika, and..." she looks at the fox, already leaving. "I didn't quite get your name...but nevermind." She pauses by Dio to whisper something to him, then laughs and heads for the door.<br><br>Erika gives a grin at the mention of a free round and makes her way over to the bar, rather blatantly ignoring any attempts by those who were watching to talk to her. She sits down and for her free round orders herself an odd sort of mixed drink, one of the most expensive possible.</div>