Cakewalk - Candidate Carnival

The candidates for Erith and Zyanth's clutch hold a carnival. This, the dance log and the mudwrestling are the only logs I have from it.

NCpern - Saturday, January 20, 2001, 2:45 PM
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Logger: Jenna
Editor's note: This log picks up as the prizes for the event before were being given out.

Divya opens her package to revel a pair of wherhide gloves in jet black. "Oh, these are great! I can always use extra riding gloves." She immediately tries them on, and flexes her fingers to test the fit.

Kiryn examines his pair, as well. Heavier work gloves, and also in the perfect size, the young man immediately grins. "Oh, these are great." Trying them on, he stretches his fingers a bit, and grins. "Ooh. Not bad, not bad at all."

Jenna mms to Chavaun, going back to his question about the cakewalk, "Well, you play music, and there's numbers drawn on the floor in chalk. When the music stops, you all stop on a number, someone draws the number from a bin. And if your number is calle, you get to pick a cake to take with you."

Sh'yar smiles, "Sounds fun, and I am getting a little hungry."

Saphan perks up at the mention of cake. "I want to play that game." He tugs at Elya's sleeve. "How about you?"

Chavaun nods, "I think I can play this one. That is, if you have enough numbers. I thought I'd have to get my feet messy walking in cakes. You did say Milque made these?"

Divya tucks her new gloves into her belt and says, "This sounds like an easy game. I'd like to play, if that's all right."

Elya shakes her head. "I'm still ... full frome the pie eating contest. I think I'll just watch. Maybe help with the music." She grins. "Seeing as how I'm a harper and all."

Jenna consults the board. "I think the cakewalk's going on in the caverns. Too, that way people can sit down, have a cup of cider and relax a bit before they anounce the Lord and Lady." She assures Chavaun, "I believe Milque did make some of 'em, yessir. And it's a *big* circle. Anyone can play..." As Elya volunteers she says, "Oh, would you?"

"Oh, they're doing that already?" pipes up Kiryn, glancing to Jenna and back over to the sign. He lets out a breath. "Gah, I'm exhausted. Who'd have known this would be so tiring." Happy with his gloves, he tucks them away as well.

Chavaun asks, "How are they picking the lord and lady?"

Divya says, "I'll head into the caverns, then. Are you going to play too, Sh'yar?"

Divya says, "I'll head into the caverns, then. Are you going to play too, Sh'yar?" (repose)

Jenna gives a nod towards the obstacle course. "Lord 'n lady are picked by the fastest times on that thing. For sure it won't be me." She grins, and starts trooping back towards the caverns with the rest of the crowd.

Chavaun hms. "I see."

Sh'yar nods, "Yea sounds like fun."

"Oh shards," comments Kiryn, glancing over at the course. "I haven't even tried to run it, yet." He looks back at Jenna, "Think there's time for a last go or two?"

Divya heads into the Living caverns.
Divya has left.

Jenna calls back over her shoulder, "Don't see why not..."

Elya heads into the Living caverns.
Elya has left.

You head into the Living Caverns.

Fort Weyr Living Cavern(#199RJa$)
Approaching half the size of the Hatching Grounds, this cavern echoes with voices during the day, and the soft patter of feet during the night. Dozens of tables are spaced throughout, each with open space around to provide small amounts of privacy for the discussions carried on at each. The night hearth, with a cluster of pots of stew and klah, is situated near the large entrance to the Bowl. Several other hearths are spaced around the huge chamber, lending light and some heat to the room.
Broad marble steps to the southwest lead up to the impressive Fort Weyr kitchen. To the east, a short flight of stairs leads to the hallway to the inner caverns. A stout door to the north has a healer's emblem on it, marking the Infirmary. To the south is a wide tunnel, leading out of the weyr, and a wide opening to the west leads to the weyr bowl.
Contents:
Elya
Divya
Meg and Peg
Fort Weyr Firelizard Perch

Saphan comes in from the bowl.
Saphan has arrived.

The center of the cavern has been cleared of tables, and chalk numbers drawn on the floor. Completely random numbers it seems, for there is not a clear progression of 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. Each number has a circle large enough for a person to stand on drawn 'round it. There is a table laden with mouthwatering sweets and a number bin to one side, and plenty of room for a Harper to settle.

Sh'yar comes in from the bowl.
Sh'yar has arrived.

Elya takes finds the most convienent spot and pulls her gitar-case strap over her head. Removing the instrument from its case, she sits and tunes as the others arrive.

Divya wanders around a bit, looking at the floor and smelling the treats. Finally, she asks Jenna, "Where should we stand to begin?"

Jenna starts directing traffic towards the circle of chalk numbers, "Just pick a number to start on. When Elya stops playing, you stop on the number closest to you. Auntie Selena will read out the winner," she casts a worried look at the large old woman, who is squinting at the number chits, "And you pick out your cake."

Sh'yar wanders by the sweet table before meandering over to the circle of numbers.

Saphan looks a little confused but goes to stand near the others, eyeing the cakes.

Divya nods and takes a place on number 7.
Sh'yar assumes his rightfull place on number 1.

Elya waits as everyone finds a place to stand.

Samuel comes in from the bowl.
Samuel has arrived.

Saphan scurries for number 3.

Jenna watches anxiously, and gives Elya the nod to start the music.

Elya winks at Jenna and begins to play a live tune, tapping her foot to keep the beat.

Samuel walks in, looking cleaned up.

Hiriwa has connected.

Elya is playing a lively tune, even.

Divya walks around the circle, occasionally doing a dance step in time to the music.

Saphan begins walking around, following Divya. He can't keep a little wiggle out of his step, perhaps inspired by the music.

Sh'yar dances around the circle using no particular step or combination thereof.

Caralain comes in from the bowl.
Caralain has arrived.

Jenna giggles a bit at Saphan and Sh'yar. She edges over towards Auntie Selena, just making sure the old woman is ready when the music stops.

Caralain drips in from the bowl, bright eyes looking around eagerly.

Elya begins nodding her head along with the music as she plays, grinning at the walking/dancing people.

Hiriwa sidles into the dance. She was here all along. Really.

Saphan waves at Caralain as he wiggles by.

Divya starts to show off a bit. She turns around and starts to dance around the circle backwards.

Auntie Selena's attention keeps wandering from the folks walking and dancing about the circle to the cakes. Surely no one would notice if she 'tested' a few of them. One pouchy, fat hand reaches out towards the fingerroot cake, only to have Jenna clear her throat warningly.

Caralain's eyes wander over the circle, then dart sideways to the cakes, and moving forward it's the cakes that reel this candidate in. "Ooooh!"

Samuel watches the activities, not joining in yet.

With a flourish Elya halts the music in mid-phrase, grinning as she watches everyone scurry for a number.

Sh'yar jumps onto the nearest number on the floor and looks down to see he's standing on number 'Z'?!?

Saphan jumps onto the nearest number and blinks. "102?"

Divya freezes in mid-step and looks down. Whoops, no number! She leaps to the side and calls out, "I got number 68!"

Hiriwa simply stops dead where she is, finding herself on a number 31.

Auntie Selena, her attention jerked back from the cakes by Jenna's warning and the music stopping, plunges a fat hand into the drawing bin. She comes out with a number and frowns at it before handing it to Jenna to read. After the number is told into her ear, Auntie Selena bawls out: "Thirty-one! Number Thirty one, come pick out your cake!"

Hiriwa eyes her number and looks up. It's thirty-one. Amazing. Hiriwa trots along to choose her cake - a Warm Spice cake.

Elya grins. "All right...are we ready?" She begins playing a different and more whimisical tune.

Samuel steps into the group, "Alright."

Auntie Selena seems so pleased with herself and calls out, "Next round! Harper, if you would?" Even though the music has already started. Seems she's just a bit behind on things.

Caralain figures out what's going on, and bounces quickly over into the circle. "Did you see that orange cake?"

Samuel strolls around the cavern, glancing at numbers as he goes.

Hiriwa settles herself on a chair in a corner, watching the next round as she nibbles, an amused smile tugging at her mouth.

Saphan nods energetically. "I want one, I really do," he confides as he marches around in a circle.

Sh'yar skips merry around the circle in the next round.

Samuel chuckles as Sh'yar passes him up and turns to walk in the other drection. There was a number back there he liked.

Jenna informs the contestants, "I think Milque made most of the cakes. And she even makes sweets *I'll* eat." As if this were an extremely unusual set of circumstances.

Caralain hops on one foot, then the other, jumping from number to number.

Rolan comes in from the bowl.
Rolan has arrived.

Divya dances around the circle with the others.

Rolan peers in.

Samuel is walking around the circle of numbers, looking thoughtful. Spotting Rolan he waves.

Elya suddenly stops the music again, the last few notes echoing in the air.

Saphan leaps for the closest number. "82," he calls out.

There is music, and people appear to be walking about a circle drawn on the floor in chalk. As the music stops, folks rush for numbers drawn on the floor.

Caralain bounces forward to the next spot, bellowing, "Twenny! Twenny! Did I win?"

Divya looks down at her feet and grins. She's on a number this time. "I'm on 14!"

Sh'yar pounces on the nearest number almost smushing someone's toes in the process, "69!"

Auntie Selena digs her fat hand into the bowl again, coming out with a number. Squinting this way and that, she finally announces in a stenatorian bellow, "I think... yes, yes! It's number sixty eight." Jenna leans in and corrects, "Sixty-nine, ma'am. Sixty nine."

Lunan comes up the steps from the Inner Caverns.
Lunan has arrived.

Lunan walks in, looking a bit hurried.

Lunan heads out the cavernous entrance to the bowl.
Lunan has left.

Samuel leaps onto lucky number 28

Sh'yar Yippies! an makes his way to the sweet table and takes the white cake, "I'm gonna eat this in the bath. Enjoy the rest of the game everyone!"

Samuel hms and then shrugs...he's just too slow it seems.

Elya looks around. "Are we doing another round?"

Samuel wanders out of the group.

Caralain makes big eyes at Elya. "Please?"

You say "Sure, if Elya doesn't mind playing?"

Sh'yar takes his cake and departs nibbling happily.

Rolan looks around curiously.

Saphan looks slightly dejected as the rider takes a cake and makes off with it. "Maybe next time."

Samuel waves Rolan over.

Elya laughs. "I don't mind playing. I'm a harper, after all." Grinning, she begins another song.

Rolan walks over to Samuel, smiling.

Divya cheers and starts to dance around the circle, alternating hopping, kicking and simple skipping steps. Her face starts to glow with sweat and the grin on her face indicates that she's having a good time.

Samuel motions to the others, "It's a cake walk thing. You walk and then stop on the number of choice when the music stops. Only you have to be fast.

Saphan skips along, grinning in Caralain's direction. "This is fun," he admits. "Better than the pie eating contest, 'cause I get to be in it."

Caralain bounces forward again, calling to Saphan, "That pie contest was somethin'!"

Auntie Selena hums along tunelessly with Elya's strumming, obviously having the tie of her life. Jenna, for her part behind the woman, is struggling not to wince. Even the tone deaf would have trouble with the old woman's 'harmonies'.

Rolan says "And you win cake?"

Jenna nods to Rolan. "Yup. Sure do. If your number is called. Milque made most of 'em, I think."

Elya glances at the auntie and winks at Jenna again.

Divya calls out a question. "Did you make any of the cakes, Caralain?"

Samuel nods as well. "I'm going to try next round again."

Rolan says "Let's give it a go."

Caralain's eyes are on Elya, waiting for the signal. "Me? Nah, I'm too busy rug-beatin' and 'snake-huntin'. More fun."

Rolan says "So what does the music have to do with it exactly?"

Samuel moves into the milling group, looking at Rolan, "When it stops, you stand on a number. QUICK."

Elya as if she heard Rolan's question, Elya brings the music to a jangling halt.

Auntie Selena is threatening to drown out Elya's playing, and Jenna quietly distracts her by getting her to shake the numbers and draw as the music stops.

Caralain throws lanky body forward to cover three numbers at once, then turns to look - "Six, seven, an' eight!"

Saphan lands on 11, grinning. "You cheat, Cara."

Rolan follows along behins Samuel, glances over at the end of the music, then down to see that he's on 8.

Divya stops and looks down. "I'm on...." Her voice trails off as she mentally debates mimicing Caralain, but she shakes her head. She steps to one side and calls out, "47!

Samuel jumps onto number 21

Caralain looks back to the first number, then follows legs upward. "Hi! Candy man!"

Rolan smiles down "Hello."

Auntie Selena paws through the numbers and dumps a bumch out on the table. Holding up one she crows, "Fourty-seven! Number fourty-seven! Come get your cake." Then as Jenna exclaims over the mess, she starts to protest that the box is too small.

Divya cheers and yells, "Woo-hoo, I win this time." She steps out of the circle and selects a Carob Cake.

Saphan swats at his leg. "I'm never gonna get a cake." He mutters.

Caralain snorts softly and scampers back upward.

Elya eyes the others, still grinning, and starts up a new song.

Divya stands outside the circle, grinning like a wherry-brained Candidate.

Auntie Selena is really getting into this, "Play on harper girl! Play on! We got more cakes to win!"

Saphan starts around the circle again, starting to look grimly at the cakes.

Kiryn comes in from the bowl.
Kiryn has arrived.

Caralain still bounces, not discouraged yet - keeping up a running count, "fifteen, sixteen.."

Samuel rubs his hands together and smiles, ready to start moving again.

Rolan chuckles "This is one of the silliest things I've done recently.

Elya ends the music again, and giggles at the way people hop to their numbers.

Samuel smiles, "This doesn't even compair to the ovine 'thing'"

Samuel hops onto number 19

Rolan steps onto 26 idly "What ovine thing?"

Caralain flops onto 15, 16, and 17, since no one yelled the last time.

Samuel groans, "Just a game. Had to catch an oiled up ovine...messy. Ick."

Kiryn comes stumbling in, a little short of breath, but still with a fairly large grin plastered on his face. He looks around, seeing what's going on.

Saphan lands on 22.

Auntie Selena is entirely too into this. She draws two numbers, shouting out, "Number nineteen and number twenty two!" Ignoring Jenna's hiss that she should only draw one number, she bellows, "Come forward and get your cakes!" And then, only a trifle softer, "It's too slow doing it that way!" as she argues with Jenna.

Saphan cheers. "Yay! I won a cake! Yay!"

Rolan says "Wooo! Go Samuel!""

Caralain pushes up to one elbow, "Shards! But yay, Saphan, don't get the orange one!"

Saphan grins at Caralain. "What if I want it?" Then, still smiling, he grabs for a cake near the orange one, a cake with interesting swirls.

Figuring out what's going on, Kiryn chuckles, and goes to find himself a seat someplace, still catching his breath. What happened to him?

Samuel takes the cream cake and wanders back to Rolan.

Auntie Selena calls, "Last round. this will be the last round for the cakewalk!" And then, bullishly to Jenna she says, "I'm gonna give 'em all out and I'm not gonna wait!" Jenna is just mortified, and sinks down behind the auntie at the table.

Elya glances at Jenna and the old Auntie, nods, and starts playing the last song, singing along.

Rolan says "Good cake?"

Oh watch the people dancing 'round/ til some sit and some fall down/ All of them want some cake/ but will there be any left to take

Caralain bounces up and around, looking to see who else is walking the circle.

Samuel nods to Rolan, not joining in this round, "Looks like it. Want to share it with me? Or try for your own. Aren't you joining this song?"

Rolan grins "I'll try the last round, but I'm counting on you sharing if I don't win" winks and wanders between the numbers.

Saphan takes a bite of his cake and watches the others circle around.

Samuel watches Rolan go with a grin, "Good luck!"

Once he's got his breath back, Kiryn rises, and wanders over to the table where the calling is being done from, since he's not part of the game, coming to stand near Jenna. "Looks kinda fun," he murmurs.

Elya ends the song after singing one last chorus, and watches to see who gets which cake.

Jenna hisses softly, "If Auntie Selena would play it right..." Then she shakes her head, expression relaxing into an amused smile. "Well, if everyone's having fun..."

Rolan smiles as he stools over to 18

Caralain flops, calls, "Forty! Forty-one, forty-two," and stretching a hand out, "forty-three?"

Auntie Selena doesn't bother with drawing numbers. That's so passe'. Instead, she just starts calling out random numbers, "Eighteen, one-hundred, fifty, fourty-two, twelve, eighty-eight, and Ten!" Behind her, Jenna just puts her head in her hands.

Samuel chuckles and shakes his head, "I think this game was rigged."

Caralain rolls over, "Ah! My number! I get a cake, I get a cake." Dashing over quickly to the cake table, Cara pounces on the fingerroot cake. "Mine!"

Rolan grins "As long as its rigged /against/ the house. Which should I get Samuel?"

Elya laughs and sets her gitar down. "What a lively bunch."

Kiryn reaches over and pats Jenna's shoulder. "They are, so don't worry about it, hmm?"

Samuel calls back to Rolan, "The spice one. We can have both that way."

Rolan nods "Thats actually the one I was eyeing..." takes a spice cake.

Auntie Selena seems to have forgotten that she called an end to the festivities. "Harper girl what're you do-" Then, as Jenna furiously whispers in her ear, she ohs, "Well, thank you for playing. And thank you all for coming!" Cheerily she waves, and offers, "And if the cakes don't get picked, you all can eat 'em!" Groans come from the direction of the kitchens staff. They were hoping to have some left over for dinner, it seems.

Saphan grins at Caralain. "You got your cake!"

Jenna gives Kiryn a relieved look, "I'm just glad it's over." She pauses and asks him, "So how'd you do on the obstacle course?"

Caralain carefully cradles the cake. "I did, I did!"

Elya carefully sets her gitar down out of harm's way and joins the others. "I'm curious about the obstacle course times," she admits.

Kiryn chuckles a little, and holds himself up a bit straighter. "I destroyed it," he proclaims.

Jenna gives Kiryn a teasing grin, "Well, don't expect me to call you Lord if you win." She is swept off into the lower caverns with a wave, as folks start breaking up to get ready for the dinner and dance later.

Samuel motions Rolan over to join him."