#earthrunes

"Baron August?"

"I know right? Own banner house"

"I can't believe it , how did he get the title?"

"Married into it"

"I KNEW It, I knew that little scribbler was no hero.. I mean, he was a push over back at the Holow, am I right?"

"Literally"

Eyes narrow.

A chuckle. The two knights are not the best of their breed. But anyone who has been to Alabaster Hollow would know that. Bullies by nature and action, they don't know August as he is, but rather as they remember him- and even that is biased.

"So.. why are we crashing inky fingers place for Carnival?" Oen says slipping on a mask

Then again - they certainly don't know Zara as she is, if they even remember her how she was.

"His wife's the jester...we can wsee if we set him off... can't harm her, but sure can hose her down"

The other slips on his own mask "This.. could be fun"

Zara melts into the shadows, following.

The party is only now getting started so.

And she finds herself following the two.. one dressed as king kong mask the other as godzilla. Clearly they didn't know the theme, but not most who are visiting don't know it

August, meanwhile, waits with Coradel for her entrance and the 'festivities' to begin.

He is dressed in a white suit, black ribbon-tie, and has been magiked into white hair and mustache; Mark Twain.

There isn't a Monarch tonight; there are MonarchS! A married couple, enchanted now and being minded in a side room by Velvet and Tylar.

BLinded folded...for now

Yes.

"Why are we blind folded?"

"I thought it was your idea" chicanery used positively

From one side of those gathered comes a voice with a bit of a mid-western drawl. "Lovely night! Having a good time? Yes? Let me know if I can get you anything. Whoop! Pardon me!" And through the crowd comes Coradel, her hair piled high in an improbable mound accentuated by silver ribbons. She carries a large silver tray with an array of drinks balanced on it, and balanced precariously at that. When she moves into the clearing at the front of the room, it's easier to see her costume -- a 19th-century styled barmaid (fit to match Mark Twain) with corset and ruffles and frills and an exposed garter, all in colors that blend the Fiona red-and-silver with the diamond designs of a harlequin. Her face features two excessively red circles of rouge on her cheeks.

She turns a vague circle in the center of the crowd, looking around in performative uncertainly. "Are they here?" she calls out. "I was told there was royalty here?"

Twain follows behind her.

"Time to release the king and queen!" someone calls out

And nods to his look-outs.

"Yes!" she cries out and announces, "Ladies and Gentlemen! The management of EarthRunes Casino has asked me to have you raise a rousing welcome for our Carnivale Royals!"

She can't clap while carrying that tray on one hand, but gestures for others to do so!

August steps forward to greet the Monarchs; something of a familiar face to ease them.

"OH wow.. I am so high right now" The queen says "Because that nice boy looks like a darn angel"

"THe bar maid is nice too... can I get a beer here?" The King says

August will escort them to the thrones, when they are ready.

"Absolutely, your majesty!" Coradel hurries to him and offers the tray. "Pick whatever you like, and if you don't like any of it, I can getcha something better." She adds a wink. "You too, your majesty," she says to the queen.

"Now, I'll admit, the management didn't even tell me your names, your majesties. So what would you like to be called?"

"OH heck, it's just a dream anyway" the queen sits down "Call me Beyonce"

Her husband says "Really?"

Coradel gasps with excitement, and calls to the crowd, "Beyonce! It's the Queen B!"

"If you them call me Beyonce I'll refer to you as your King Rock " she says

"Can I say 'can you smell what the king is cooking?" The king asks

"It is a night for magic and fantasy, Majesty." August nods with a gentle smile. "You are our honored guests tonight, and we will obey your every whim." he explains. "Rock and Beyonce; King and Queen of Carnivale."

CHEERS break out

"You can say whatever you like, your majesty," Coradel assures him with a sassy grin. "Now, you get comfortable. I have a feeling some folks are gonna come up and show you some respect today! We've been waiting to have proper royalty for So Long!"

"Oh! But first...you have to announce the start of Carnivale! You have to let the festivities begin!"

"Let her rip, Beyonce" the king says

"Sure thing, Rock" She waves "Let the festiviities... begin!"

"So ruled!" the king adds

For Coradel, the feeling of losing her title by holiday is more familiar

Mark Twain looks over to watch the barmaid a moment.

A little gasp and then a brave cheer! "You heard 'em, everybody! Time for fun! Bar to the left, casino to the right, party everywhere!"