#bergen_county

"Well, there you go... you may not be able to say much about him, but you're free to crow about how happy he makes you. "

A quiet grin.

And two Kebabs with the veggie pepper mixes are purchased while Dee 'listens' to Dagmar glowing...quietly

... and the hunt for Kerri is on but that's later

It may take a little while, but then it suddenly becomes very easy to find Kerri as her voice is booming out from the judges pavilion, amplified courtesy of a cantrip by one of the Count's staff. "Hello, and Happy Pennons! For those who don't know me, I'm Kerri of Rivervale, and it's my pleasure to announce the winners of the Dessert Contest!"

All over, many brace themselves for the results. The Dessert Contest has more than a few who entered

"Third place," Kerri says as she picks up a smallish trophy in the shape of a wooden spoon and a spatula dancing together, "goes to Lucia, for her skillfully made Italian Easter pie!"

((Some might grumble that it's a meat pie, so not technically a dessert, but that'll only be until they taste it!))

Lucia beams and there is applause, her parents give her a hug

Kerri hands over the trophy with a warm smile. "Well done," she says quietly to Lucia alone.

Lucia flutters her wings "Thank you, Chief" Softly

and she holds the trophy close.

As Lucia leaves the stage and the applause dies down, Kerri announces, "Second place goes to Gerd Hornshield for her decadent Cauldron Chocolate brownies!" A second trophy of the same design, slightly larger is in her hands, ready to present.

Gerd actually looks surprised. She took up Hearth Training in part to shake off the Mountain expectations, but also to control the food which once...due to her disorder, controlled her. But in an area FULL of such talent, she never expected to win even second place. Her nocker boyfriend has to actually give her a gentle push, but once she gets going she strides up with quiet pride, and takes the trophy "I'm very glad people liked it. Thank you." The 'witch troll' blushes despite her best efforts

More applause breaks out , Vali and fam gloating on her behalf

Kerri hands her the trophy and privately says, "I'm very proud of you." A smile. "They were delicious and I want more."

"I'll make more" she promises with a grin even a troll can't fight as she takes the trophy, then curtseys to the crowd, and slips off the stage to more claps that do die down.

"And finally..." Kerri turns and picks up the grand prize, a silver cake stand with a glass domed lid, "...the winner of the grand prize is...Madern of SilverWolf, for his delicious Peanut Butter Pretzel pie!"

She hopes that she was clever enough as she turned to hide the fact that she was checking the name that she had scrawled on her palm. She just had so much trouble remembering it!

GASPS abound, and a couple of 'who?' and some 'Silverwolf? Ailil trickery is afoot' but that last is followed by "oh it is not' but many just applaud

Gwen pushes Madern "Go claim glory, Champ."

Madern makes his way towards the stand nimbly, trying not to look to proud but he is joyous. He gets up to Kerri, and bobs his head in a near bow.

Nadeen in her corner, applauds at the win

As Kerri carefully hands over the cake stand (which has a little space at the base to engrave with his name under the words Winner - Bergen Pennons Bake-Off), she says to him, "That was unusual and delightful, and I want to make sure my husband gets a slice."

"I'll reserve one" He promises and takes the prize "Thank you for giving me this chance." he speaks as if he had only gotten a few.

"SIL-VER-WOLF! AAAAA-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Madern smiles at the howl

(And Gerd gets a BIG hug from Dag. "Couldja save a corner for Sy? I can wrap it up and keep it outta the way while it rests.")

(Gerd nods, "You got it. " She's on cloud nine "I think I might make a decent Hearth one day")

(Blithe confidence. "Course you would.")

(Gerd chuckles "Well, thank you. And I'll save some of course. Gonna make more for Chief Kerri")

("If there's nto enough of your contest one, maybe I'll see if I can score a piece from the next.")

("Nope, saving a bit for Symon. Your beau deserves the prize" And she looks at Dagmar "And he got just that")

("I mean, I wanna try some, too!")

("Well why didn't you say so" A grin and she's offered a brownie of almost bewitching good taste)

("Oooo...")

(The brownie is moist and made just today and well... delish)

....

The announcements come up, "For Arts and Crafts, the winners are thus!" A voice declares perhaps drawing Thistle's attention away from Madern or Dee for a moment "Most useful goes to... Sunny T, for her 'Insta Pocket patch'..." There is applause, mostly from women who will now be able to put Chimerical pockets on any damn pants or dress they like! "Most elegant... Swan Head Coat rack by Bertrand of Firnost... " Another nocker, can the kith go for a three fer? "And our last Category, for Whimsy and Wonder, goes to Thistle, Chief Innovator and Never-Wrangler of Silverwolf for her FRUIT FROGS! " The boggans TRY not to groan as it is indeed a nocker sweeping victory, some Dougal Sidhe are certain the judges are merely confused, but with one of their own as one of the judges they can't raise too big a fuss.

Gwen picks up Thistle and holds her aloft "IN -O- VATE! IN -O- Vate! Silverwolf Wonder!" And a distance away, the Baroness Nadeen looks even more pleased. They're doing well here.

"...wat?"

The announcer goes on, "Please pick up your prizes as your leisure, it should also be noted there IS a representative of the Bes Din here should you wish one"

"You won," Gladiola tells her, setting her down "They had three related prizes, you won for Wonder...which, for Changelings is the BEST One" She also loves the idea of slap on Chimerical pockeets, but she's not going to praise others right now.

"I sold the other frogs, y'know."

"Not the one I was getting for mom though right?" A worried look

"Not the two you wanted, no."

"Oh good." She says "If you need one to hold onto though, I could sell ONE back to you. It would be costly though, see it was made by this prize winner so the value went up" She says with trollish deadpan

Snort!

NOW Gwen smiles "Gonna get your prize, or wait for Art?" Art did NOT know it was going to be announced and had gotten to another book vendor and might be lost, but he'll hear soon enough if he didn't just then , "I wonder what prize you got? "

While Thistle thinks THAT over....