An equal exchange

[The Narrator]

Arrival

---

Mags legs were weary when she finally comes to the Carnivale. She had traveled far on foot, and the long journey had left her tired. Her stomach growls. Also apparently hungry. Her mask knocks lightly against her hip with every step, probably having formed a bruise by now.

But by the gods.

Her eyes light up to see the carnivale, Searching everywhere, taking in the sights, the sounds, the smells... The smells weren't making her hunger any better but that's besides the point! She files everything away for her stories later, every laughing face, the streamers and banners that hang from every surface, draping the area around the temple. She doesn't even know where to look first! Music filters along her hearing, a dozen instruments playing their own songs that blended into a cacophonous symphony, harmonious if only in it's difference. She was sure if she moved towards any one she would get a performance worth listening to but she needs to focus damn it.

First thing's first in any new place. Her pockets are as empty of coin as her stomach. A place to perform would be good to find, she's sure if she tells the right story she'll get the money needs to eat tonight. It seems the smell of sweets was only getting stronger... She could find a place to speak in a bit. A diversion should do her good.

[[Champion] - Patty]

A girl seemed to be circulating what was probably the mraket, chatting with each vendor while making an exchange and lingering to talk about their inventory stocks for the day. She wore frilly clothing in pink, with a heavy lace fringing the edges of each sleeve, each ruffle, each layer of her skirt. Her body was pretty chunky, and her skin was primarily brown with patches of white scattered everywhere. Her hair was large and poofy, almost like it was made from one of those icing oh whipped cream nibs and carefully placed on her head. Her eyes were a vibrant shade of raspberry pink, complimenting her outfit. She held a basket that seemed to be full of things with a blanket covering most of the goods beneath. She stopped when she saw Mags and hobbled over, a smile on her face.

“Hello! I’m afraid I haven’t seen you before! Are you looking for Solitaire, because I’m afraid he’s out right now.”, she started. It almost seemed like a routine line for people who aren’t regulars here. “I think I can help though, if it’s something like sorting out a party! Oh! My name’s Patty! What’s your name Miss?” From the looks of it, this person was an adventurer, a scar on their face and basic equipment to match the overall look of someone who does a bit of dungeon crawling.

[The Narrator]

Oh! Well that was unexpected, Mags watches the woman from afar for a bit, trying to figure out what she was. Writing a story. A baker maybe? She certainly has the look about her, all sweets and frills, a rich lady perhaps? Could be. Usually bakers don't possess that quality of clothing and carefully styled hair. And she's not human if she had to guess. After all, those eyes weren't exactly a natural color. A fairy? She almost laughs to herself, could be. She seemed friendly but she obviously had her own business to attend to...

Being approached comes as a surprise, so much so that Mag forgets to speak a moment "Oh! Yes! Solitaire!" She had heard of the god of course, but it hadn't even occurred to her to seek him out at all. "That's not why I'm here at all." She laughs a little and smiles at the woman. She may need to reevaluate. She was obviously important if she was in such close contact with the god. "-and I'm not here for any party sadly." A slight bow. "My name is Mag! Wonderful to make your acquaintance Patty!" A bright smile is on her face as she straightens. "I'm just passing through I'm afraid. I followed my stomach and accidentally found you." She's a little embarrassed about it Honestly.

Mags's voice is surprisingly strong. Not loud per say, but it's a voice that makes you want to listen, a slight lilt of somebody not from Avalon. "I apologize, I'm still trying to find my way around, would you have any suggestions?"

[[Champion] - Patty]

“Oh! Well, there’s a lot of goodies here for whatever suits anyone’s fancy but if you’re not into the more ‘delicacy’ type things, stay away from the stalls that have frogbelly stew and the seared scallion on honey-glazed eiderion steak. It’s not for everyone.”, she said,covering her mouth with her free hand as to be more inconspicuous about it so only really Mag could hear her. “Personally, I love sweet things. The cake shop is where I work and it’s honestly lovely stuff! But my personal bias aside hmm... In terms of actual food, there’s a few stalls with some tasty vaigo meat on a skewer and heated starfruit is to die for! Actually, how about we go on a little food tour because I’m a bit famished myself. But uh, first gotta drop these off at the shop!”, she said, hoisting the basket a little to emphasise it exists.

[The Narrator]

It was nice! Mag had only known Patty for mere moments but the woman was so friendly she seemed more like an old friend. Mag can't help but laugh as she leans in conspiratorially, "You don't say." As if she couldn't tell from Patty's scent. Hell, from this close the smell of sugar was a cloud around them. Seems like her first guess was right. A baker! There had to be more to it though. 

The food tour sounds lovely and honestly much needed but there's one problem. "As wonderful as that sounds, I'm afraid I'm low on coin at the moment." A grimace. She had been low on coin for... a while. Not like there are many in the woods willing to pay for the luxury of a story. "I intended to find an odd job to do for the money or a corner to speak on but I haven't gotten the chance yet." Dull nails click on the ceramic of the mask by her side. "I apologize I probably can't join you..." Even the thought of all that food had her mouth watering though.

[[Champion] - Patty]

Patty waved her hand dismissevly at Mags’ low money statement. “Oh, nonsense! You’re a guest here, by all means, it’d be lovely to hear stories if you have any! Always makes good for table talk. But I must get these back to the bakery before they spoil. Someone’s been stealing an awful lot of cream lately and we were running low on sugar sprinkles.” She bagan to make her way back to the ‘bakery’ which was actually the temple. “Despite the lovely venue of foods, Miss Mags, I would like for you to save some room for dessert. The lemon tarts custards are beautifully tangy.”

The temple kept a traditional aesthetic, but on the inside was much more customized. The front seemed to keep a bakery shop appearance, lined with all sorts of goods that seemed to get weirder the further in your went. Some pastries were vibrant with colour, decorated and designed with masterful craft and boasting with the fluffiest looking icing. Tarts of warping rainbows, unicorn cupcakes that crossed horns with each other, wedding themes, birthday parties, there were so many things it almost felt infinite.There were a few doors behind the radial counters, some leading to kitchens and others learning to more personal quarters. Patty made sure to be quick with putting the items away, revealing storage cupboards lining everything neatly and in the order by colour or type. Herbs were in little racks near the window behind the main displays, a little painted sign reading ‘The best cakes come with the freshest herbs!’ Decorated with little hearts blooming out of a bordering vine.

Patty had finished putting her items away, slipping the basket in an area under the main register. “Solitaire loves keeping things in a neat and tidy order, he practically dusts the place down every day when he’s not on official business.” She slipped through a counter gate and placed her hands on her hips. “Ready for a food- I mean good time?”

[The Narrator]

Well. Mag wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. She follows along quickly, her mask once again bouncing against her leg with every step. "I should hope I can tell a story, I'm a story teller after all. It's what I do." They seemed to be getting closer to the temple. Was she.. of course she was why wouldn't she. "I love lemon custard. I hate to have you do all this for me without something in return though." Didn't matter. "Please, Just call me Mag."

Mag can't stop looking at all these sweets. She knows talent when she sees it and it was in bounds in this temple. "Did you make all of these? They're amazing!" Every sight, every smell, every taste on the air once again gets filed away, every impression for a story later. So this was a temple of a god. Mag may have to rethink some stories. The towers of spiraling gold and silver, ichor fountains, everything was so different than her imaginings. Sugar instead of gold. Who would have thought.

The kitchen itself was shockingly domestic in comparison to the grandeur outside. More homely, more familiar to what she herself grew up with. She takes everything in, watching as patty puts her items. But that careless statement? That makes her Blanche "Solitaire? The god? You know him Personally?" She... May have to reevaluate her assumptions. "Obviously you're in his temple but that's- I am very ready for food but perhaps a proper introduction is needed?"

[[Champion] - Patty]

“Okay then, Mag! If you really insist, telling a story would be enough really! Ooh, maybe we can invite you over for bonfires!” Patty Looked proudly around the display cases. “I made some of them, but the really obviously grand ones are more Solitaire’s work! He’s an absolutely madman when he’s working on these things- Madman in a good way!” She leaned over the glass display, listening to Mag’s curiosity. “Oh but of course I know him! He made me! Perhaps after we get filled up, I can show you the pans he used! I’m what you could call an avatar, a being made by a god and given life by means of their own creation - blood, sweat, and tears sort of thing!” She got off the counter and held the door open for Mags so they can look for something good to eat. “From what he tells me, he was a bit lonely being the only one here so he tried to make a companion to work with him and share the joy of his crafts. And there was a lot of trial and error, like... He used a lot of cake. Apparently scraps of previous attempts were prettied up and given out to anyone he passed by, it didn’t matter who.” She tilted her head back like she was remembering what she was. “A marble cake body, raspberry jam filling, and the creamiest whipped cream for my hair. It was a weirdly simply recipe, but the hardest part was giving life.”

[The Narrator]

"You... Sound delicious?" How in the hell was she supposed to respond to that. "I can honestly say that you're the first avatar I've met." Mags recovers a little, Enough to walk through the open door and look around at least. "That's a story I wouldn't mind hearing in detail one day, Speaking of which-" She turns back to look at Patty and smiles, "I would be happy to tell a story at one of your bonfires. And you'll have to tell Solitaire I love his work." She laughs a little and nods towards patty. Her included.

Mags spaces out a little as she looks around, starting to ramble. "I feel like the hardest part of any creation is breathing the life into it. I mean, Look at me, I can have all the words- Ingredients in your case- But if I don't know hoe to put them together and make them flow then what's the point of having them?" Rhetorical question. "It takes practice and skill, whether you be god or human." She snaps back into it a little, Finding herself stopped in front of what appears to be a cream puff display. She turns back to Patty. "At least that's what I believe. It's a bit whimsical really." 

[[Champion] - Patty]

“Oh! Really? I would have thought you’d run into Aurora first! Girl’s everywhere!” Well, that was probably something Patty could be happy with regardless. “Solitaire would be so thrilled to bits to know that! I’ll be sure to whenever he’s back! ...And if he’s awake by the time I see him.”

Patty nodded sagely as she listened to Mag’s view on it. “That’s exactly the struggle! Avatars are hard work apparently, that’s why there’s so few of us around. Aurora was fabricated from the night sky itself. And then there’s Echo. Echo was split from Vibros’ own being and made into her own thing. I’m pretty sure Nyx and Vibros would say the same thing about how difficult was to make them.” She paused for a moment and hopped over to a stall. “Can I get four Irlyn wings and Rhei’o legs please?”, she asked the stallhost. The person got to it immediately, ”Four is more than your usual order, Patty. What’s the occasion?”

“Made a new friend!” She motioned for Mag to come over. “This is Mag! She’s a story teller! Hey, maybe you can spread word around the town so she can tell us all a story- If you’re okay with a large crowd?”

[The Narrator]

"Hopefully I'll meet her at some point. I'm looking forward to it!" Mag ignores Patty's casual mention of the god. She would just have to get used to it. Mag listens quietly to her explanations. She had heard the stories of course, but it was strange to here it mentioned so casually like the fact it apparently was. Makes sense, still. 

She Watches patty stall hop, coming forward when gestured and waving to the shop owner, "It's nice to meet yo-" Wait. Back to Patty. "Now?" She looks shocked for just a moment, and then she grins wide, "Fuck yes." She doesn't look scared or shocked anymore, she looks Thrilled. This would be the largest crowd she'll have performed for in... well, Ages. "Yes. Yes without hesitation. When and where?" Mags was already starting to mutter under her breath, fingernails tapping a steady tempo on her mask, a loud- Click Click Click-  Subtly there's the build up of magic in the air, though still small for now. She's never been more ready in her life. She pulls Patty aside, big smile, "You have honey in your kitchen right? I'll need it afterwards, My voice is going to be a Wreck." She doesn't seem at all concerned about this. Slow. Steady. Building. More muttered words and still that steady tempo.

Click Click Click Click Click Click Click Click Click Click Click Click-

[[Champion] - Patty]

“Pff, not now, silly! You can’t tell a good story on an empty stomach! You gotta fill up and rest yourself a little before telling a tale! Wouldn’t want your stomach growling in the middle of a story right?” Patty placed gold coins on the stall counter, the exact amount plus some. The stall owner sighed but know Patty wouldn’t take a no or a discount for an answer. Food was hard work and she knew the people here worked hard in their craft for others to enjoy.

Patty thinks for a minute. “Any particular kind of honey in mind or will any type of honey do? There are many kinds, after all.” She handed Mags a box that had wings and legs of the previous creatures mentioned. The wings split in the middle, revealing a purple flesh and red skin that was marinated in a cranberry brine. The legs were plump and the ends were scaly and green, ending with blackened talons. The meat itself was more of a soft minty green colour, the skin simply rubbed in with an orange-peel, butter, and rosemary that made it deliciously crisp. “These are honestly amazing, the stallkeep always underprices themselves though for some reason.”

[The Narrator]

Mag groans. "You're not Wrong but..." Fuck. No. She was right.Damn it. "You win this time" Mag laughs, a faint flush covering her face. "Wouldn't have been the first time it's happened honestly. I was in a village on my way here, right? You wouldn't believe it." Mag is more animated than Patty has seen yet, hands moving to help tell the story. "There I was, Mid story!" She takes the mask from her hip and puts it over her face-

---

    [And so, the town was finally saved. The people rejoiced! The adventurers cheered and the town provided them with only the best they had to offer- food and drinks galore- and the leader of the town, Ranork the blacksmith stood to address them] Her voice changes suddenly, the voice of a man strong from the steel of the forge ["Great adventurers- you have saved our town and delivered our people from the roiling evil that had once plagued it. For that we are ever in your debt and you have our-"] 

---

She pulls the mask up to sit on her head before looking over at Patty and taking the box. "And then my stomach growled so loud the magic picked it up and amplified it to a damn roar." She takes a bite of the food and lights up before digging in- "Gods thank you for this by the way, It's so good- anyway I was forced to improvise after accidentally scaring the shit out of my crowd. Alas, the adventurers forgot to look hard enough, and thus had one great final battle before the finale. Another Bite. "But any honey works. It's soothing when you rub your voice raw talking several hours." A grimace. "Took me a while to figure that out."

[[Champion] - Patty]

Patty let out a quiet, "Oooooooooohhhhh!" Okay, this woman was good. She was a sound mage and using that to add to her craft! Oh man, that made things so much interesting! Mags would be absolutely PERFECT for bonfire story telling.

"Oh my gods.", Patty laughed, and she laughed hard. "I mean, in a way, it's good for practicing improv!" Patty wiped her eyes a little, laughing so hard she was crying a bit. "I think after we're done eating, I'll run back and get some honey for you before you tell you story." She looked around, picking up a bit of leg and nibbling at the meat and scanning the area for Mag to tell her story. Of course, any area with a clearing would work. And that's when it got her. Duh! "How about you tell your story outside of the temple's entrance? There's a large enough clearing area for a crowd to gather."

[The Narrator]

Mag nods. "I mean- yes, but it doesn't make it not embarrassing." She snorts a little. "I'm glad you're finding joy in my misery though. Gives me warm fuzzies." Mag is happy to eat, listening quietly to Patty. The chatter of the markets around them is a background clamor and Mag revels in the enviorment. She's meant to be around people. Not suck alone in some forest camping and creating her stories by campfire light. Here where there were stories to tell and stories to create.

"That sounds wonderful! But you don't have to worry about the honey straight away." Mags gestures with a hand. "That's just to deal with the aftermath. it's going to take me a while to finish the story." She suddenly straightens and turns to Patty. "Oh! Speaking of! Any genre requests? I can do just about anything but this story is payment for you!" She smiles, a wide grin. "I could always choose myself but everyone has a preference. Love, adventure, horror, tales of war or conquest, you name it I've done it."