[IC] Death & Taxes (Session 3)

Nera follows Bruv into the barn, looking at him expectantly. "You are staying in here right? No charging into potential social danger yes?"

"I have my sword now... hopefully no danger, it will likely not be social if it is." Tronus states not opening her eyes.

"Well, as you mentioned, it's difficult to judge the accuracy of the story itself, but I think Jacey's dress was particularly eye-catching and you can see it is a well tailored hand-work." Nekurr starts unaware of Bruv's magical touch. "You can tell they were all very nervous given the importance of the event. Though Melchic add a very good poise and diction, I think it lacking in empathy. Lyssie had a better inflection. It is difficult to say who I'd choose."

"Oh, hold your horses, there, mister!" the mayor grins after Nekurr gives his comments. "We gotta do these deliberations in secret, you see. Don't want the kiddos to feel ashamed, ya see..."

The mayor invites Hildar and Nekurr to huddle with the other judges. (Apparently, Gauis and Vanya Tabbins have judged in the past, but they recuse themselves with their daughter in the competition.)

The group of five villagers includes the mayor, the healer Erfan Eswyse, the ferryman Skeeter Zymph, and a pair of past winners you haven't yet met, the Gnome dairy farmer Paisley Petty, and the Human schoolmistress Mirulda Clothil. They deliberate for a few minutes, giving Hildar and Nekurr the opportunity to chime in with thoughts. It soon becomes clear that there's a split decision:

Eswyse likes Lyssie Galbernost. "The Galbernosts are good folks, and they could use a win."
Petty likes Melchic Grimbly. "He's a natural choice."
Clothil likes Melchic Grimbly. "Since his parents died, he has no one."
Wayland likes Jacey Tabbins. "She looked radiant up there."
Zymph likes Jacey Tabbins. "Her parents have done a wonderful job raising her right."

It seems that Hildar and Nekurr have the deciding votes and could skew things toward any of the three contestants if they both picked the same one. The judges look to them expectantly. "So who is it?" the mayor asks.

"I agree with Eswyse, Lyssie only had a minor problem by the end, but it was just the nerves. She set the scene very convincingly"

Hildar considers all of the villagers opinions for a few moments.....Hildar comes to a decision "I would have to cast my vote for Miss Tabbins. I found her delivery held a most respectful amount of gravitas for the dark times she was describing"

"Then we have a winner," Wayland says with a wink. He stands up to address the crowd, clapping his hands for attention. "We've come to a decision. The winner of the Founder's Festival pageant is none other than..."—The three teenagers look at the mayor with wide eyes—"Jacey Tabbins!"

Lyssie and Melchic look down at their feet as Jacey comes forward with a smile. Her father rushes to the stage and lifts her on his massive shoulders. Her mother taps Nekurr and reminds him about the candied fruits before rushing up to kiss her girl.

"Good, good." Nera pats him on the head, half sarcastic half genuine. "I'm going into the manor, maybe get some fresh air afterwards... you stay here and keep some semblance of peace, don't neeed the locals thinking we're up to something." She states casually, examing an arrow for signs of damage.

Nekurr grabs the candied fruits and adds to the mayor’s words "And the price for the winner is...

Jacey accepts Nekurr's candied fruits with a smile and thanks him with tears streaming down her face. Other villagers present her with prizes, mostly foodstuffs and crafted items, like dresses. The mayor places a laurel of local wildflowers on her head and gives her a small purse with coins in it, presumably the amount villagers have mentioned as enabling previous winners to make their way to the big city if they choose. Jacey waves to everyone in the crowd from atop her father's shoulders.

Chandy and Bressel Galbernost comfort their daughter, Lyssie, who is also crying. Melchic Grimbly looks up to Jacey and congratulates her, but he is also obviously disappointed by not winning.

Mayor Wayland shakes awake a man who is drooling and snoring on his table. "I see Wycle Herringbone's already dreaming of Nature's Lady!" the mayor calls out over the cheers. "Thank you all for a wonderful Founder's Feast. Thanks to our guests for making this a night none of us will ever forget." He then walks a few steps toward the stage and pats a wooden crate filled with buzzard effigies. "Don't forget to burn your effigy to Nature's Lady tonight, everyone. May she send you blessed dreams!"

People begin to stream out, each family taking one of the effigies on their way toward the path leading back into town. Hildar and Nekurr find themselves stifling yawns, as well.

"Buuurrrnn *yawn* figies"

"Buuurrrnn *yawn* figies", Nekurr falls flat on the ground sleeping 3 days straight!

Hildar tries to smile and nod along with the mayors words but keeps finding his eyes getting heavy