#bergen_county

Kerri delivers that last line with a straight face, and the little crust figures return to being merely decorative.

"A slice of each to taste?" She hovers with the knife and server, plates and forks at the ready.

And they do... each taking a bit of each, small slivers

She stands by, watching, waiting.

And then.. the mechanics go off

And as one of them bites into the edge of a figurine...well, one of them screams, and another one farts.

air pockets!

but the effect is... unfortunate

"The taste is..perfection, as always but.." the sidhe wrinkles her nose "If your'e going to incorporate these.. toys. They too become part of the grade"

Kerri's expression goes from secure to horrified. "Oh! Oh, that's...that's the steam! I didn't think....I tried a new crust. I'm so sorry...."

The third judge, Bella, says "It's okay, all is learning as the nockers like to say"

Jerry says "Yes yes but ah, well, we'll see how the others come out" and they set it down.

"Yes, of course. Thank you," Kerri adds weakly as they go. Then she scowls at the pies. "Traitorous pastry."

In response, said pastry gives another 'fart'

They move onto Tove's food. The poor woman laments that the judges do not always appreciate spicey

Kerri just groans and thinks longingly of the bottle of whiskey back home. The good one.

But, it would appear the pepper jack cheese fritters built to resemble a log cabin are a hit!

Are they kidding? Pepper jack cheese fritters in LOG CABIN form? That's what's getting it done this year?

Well, if they don't fart in the judge's mouths, that's a big plus.

Adyella likes it? Miss no title so I'll make up for it in pretentiousness? Oh she does. "It's so QUAINT.. and very in keeping with your people's heritage"

"Uhm.. thank you" Tove says

They move on, praising the fritter log

Even Tove looks surprised

Sally Mae's Peacock Jello Mold with alternating cherry, lime, and grape tail feathers gets approval, but not as strong

Tove looks to Kerri "Are you okay?"

One the judges are further away, of course

Kerri sighs. "Really thought I had this one in the bag. Just wasn't counting on pastry with gas."

"I can't believe the pepper jack hit the spot for them this year. I made that last superbowl as a snack food" Tove admits

To their surprise there's another troll with a small vendor "Oh.. please, sorry, the shape..."

"Your pastries look rather.. mushed" One judge says

Kerri groans again before she can stop herself at the comparison to Superbowl snacks.

"It's Marigold of Silverwolf, her food. I got in a tiff. I didn't realize the basket got mushed"

They try it and say "Well the flavor is amazing but... you shouldn't serve damaged food"

The stony skinned troll winces "Sorry"

Tove looks at the GROAN and gives a 'hurt' look "hey"

"Not your fault, Tove." Then she calls over to the judges, "Would it be okay if I Heatherbalmed it for her? It wouldn't make it better than it was...just back to what it was before it got broken."

"Very generous" Mutters "Very well"

The stone girl says "THank miss...That would be wonderful"

Kerri nods and gives her pies one more accusatory glance before going over to where they're gathered around a damaged entry. She mimes stirring a wooden spoon in a large bowl, then pouring the contents of the bowl over the damage, the glamour spilling over and filling and reshaping any damaged parts.

Oh how lovely.. much better

"Thanks. I'm Gwen" The stone skin troll whispers

"Hello, Gwen. Hearth Kerri, Rivervale." A kind nod. "Good luck," she murmurs before moving away.

Good luck is not needed... the conversation tarts are.. heavenly

and look so much better

"Oh old fashioned ingredients.." Approval

"Oh my goodness... this Marigold is not here?"

"She couldn't make it" Gwen says not revealing Marigold didn't even realize the food would be presented

Mutters, high marks, Kerri can tell.

Gwen shoots a look as the judges walk off "Did.. did that go well?"