Arlene Brendle tutted at the chattering biddies clustered around the cinnamon rolls. "Ladies," she trilled, 'shall we begin?" Plump fingers tapped lightly on the lace-covered oblong table as she looked expectantly at the committee. One by one the assorted women ended their conversations and turned their gazes to the portly matron at the head of the table. Janelle's icing-laden finger slid from her mouth with a soft "pop."

"Ladies," she restarted once she had their undivided attention. "Let's all take our seats and begin. I'd like to call this meeting of the Rhydin Celebration of Diversity Society to order." She delicately lifted her hand and grasped the handle of the patiently waiting gavel. She tapped the end on the lace twice in swift succession and then replaced it on its resting place. The ladies scooted to the folding chairs scattered around rectangular table and slid into position. Ten pairs of eyes gazed expectantly up at Arlene.

She mustered an affectionate smile for them. "We only have one item on our agenda today. We voted at our last meeting that we would like to hold a small festival next month to let the good citizens of the city know about our lovely Society. We also decided we would like to highlight the variety of cultural foods available to the citizens. We did not have time, however?"

Arlene paused, and sniffed. ?" to choose a name for our festival, or dates, or events. We have many details to cover." She allowed a tiny censuring frown to pass over their rapt faces. It would do no harm to remind them that their gossiping last meeting had wasted much too much precious time. The ladies, as a unit, fidgeted and let out a series of guilty murmurs at her rebuke.

"I have taken the liberty of deciding some of these " trivial matters. In the interest of moving this event forward, I propose we name it the Taste of Rhydin, and it will take place during the last full week of November. That will give us time to organize the events." She paused and peered down her nose at the assembled gaggle of women, allowing them a moment to absorb her proclamations. Janelle's lips parted. Arlene frowned at her and continued before the younger woman could muster the courage to object.

"I thought on the activities we might be able to offer at the festival. Cooking and baking contests would be wonderful!" She smiled widely to all of them, stretching her lips from ear to ear. She did not, however, show teeth. "We could also invite some of our well-known and skilled chefs to provide demonstrations on how to prepare some of the more interesting cuisines available in our fair city, if we provide them with a few crowns or nobles for each demonstration. Perhaps even your chef, Brunhilde." A stout woman dimpled at being recognized. "Da," she answered with a beaming smile. "I will make him."

Arlene crinkled her nose at the other woman. "Thank you!" she simpered. "Moving on. We can invite local chefs and home cooks to display their special dishes and share their heritage with us. They can have booths and make or even sell their food. With so many citizens from everywhere, we can see just what a wonderful melting cauldron we have in the City!" Her hands came up and lightly tapped her fingers together, feigning excitement. The women clustered around the folding table echoed her, but the enthusiasm was much more sincere.

"Oh, Arlene. This sounds wonderful! What do we do now?" Audrey asked. The silver-haired woman was Arlene's right hand and the worshipful expression on her face hinted that she might have been merely a puppet and only moved when the society matriarch jerked her strings. Nods supported Audrey's words, and Arlene knew that any dissent that might have brewed had been washed away.

Arlene spared a warm and approving look for Audrey. "We need to find places to hold the events" both contests and the demonstrations and whatever booths the citizens would want. I think we need at least ..." She frowned slightly. ?" two large meeting spaces for the week to rent. We also need the chefs for our demonstrations. And we'll need to let the citizens know so they can start preparing the recipes! And judges." A chubby, stubbed finger lifted to tap her chin. "How much should we pay them?"

She shrugged. She would answer that question later, when she decided how much money she wanted. The ladies had devolved into a chattering mass during her moment of inner reflection. She tutted again, grasping for their attention once more. "Ladies! Do we all agree?" She smiled serenely as they nodded eagerly in agreement. "Good! Let us get to work!" The women began sliding the chairs back and rising from the table.

Janelle frowned and stood, raising her voice. "Mrs. Brendle, wait. How are we going to pay for everything?" The ladies, as one, froze mid-movement and turned their gazes toward the large woman at the head of the table. Arlene scowled for a moment before schooling her expression into genteel puzzlement. "My dear, I don't understand" The Society's funds shall be enough."

Janelle, the Society Treasurer, shook her head. "No, they won't. There's less than one hundred crowns left after the luncheon last week." Arlene blinked, and then mustered a concerned frown. "Well, then we will all pitch in." She silently added that they would all do so; her contribution was in the overall management of the event and the society.

Janelle's head shook again. "I'm sorry, Arlene, but we?" she waved to the other ladies, "can't donate enough to afford everything. We need to cut down on some of the events or do one building, or something." The ladies gasped. Someone was standing up to Arlene Brendle"!

Arlene's gaze narrowed and her manner darkened. "Then find someone to sponsor the event and pay for it. We will not compromise this vision.? Her word was final. The ladies, including Audrey and Janelle, scurried out of the room to do her bidding.

With the kids bundled up tight, Rhy had taken them outside for the day. Haley was swaddled in her baby backpack carrier sound asleep and Daniel was happy to be pushed along in a stroller. Rhy was careful to avoid parts of the city that were dangerous or closed off because of the storm damage.

Pushing Daniel along, a group of little kids came running up to her all talking a mile a minute. Smiling to them she listened while they each excitedly told her about their cause, wanting to raise funds to repair their schools.

"Is there a flyer or an adult I can talk to so I can find out how I can help?"

The kids all pointed to a flyer hanging on a lamp post from the Ladies Society.

"Thank you, I'll make sure to go speak with them right away."

The children all cheered as they ran off, chattering excitedly amongst themselves.

Looking over the flyer, Rhyannon took a mental note of the address of the Ladies Society and checked her watch before heading that way with Daniel and Haley. On her way she called Dean, speaking with him to okay her idea of making a donation on behalf of her clothing lines and their family and then called her business partner back home, Brenden to okay it with him as well. Arriving at the Society, she asked with whom to speak regarding sponsorship and donations.

"Hi, I'm Rhyannon Santiago. I'm a local business owner. My family and I would like to help sponsor your fund raising event. I have an adult clothing line and a children's clothing line, on behalf of both companies we'd like to make a monetary donation as well as inquire about clothing donations and volunteer work. "

Seemingly excited, the woman gave her some forms to fill out and directed her with whom to speak.

(Note: If any other interactions or details are wanted, feel free to PM!)

The wee little lass that came in soliciting was a far, far better salesperson than Scotty was. Mostly because he just wasn't a salesperson at all; his entire morning had been spent trying to sell something he barely understood to people he didn't know, and therefore he had to admire anyone who was better than he was.

Mai wasn't up yet when she came in, so after a brief talk-over with Harold, he decided that it would at least be a proper thing to do. Though, honestly, he wasn't quite sure how Rhy'Din could get much more diverse than it already was, even in comparison to the Federation.

Because, you know, the Federation didn't have dragons.

But anyway, after the discussion, he bought a sponsorship out of the design studio's advertising fund, and wrote on the subscription form: Silverblood Design Services.

And after the lass scampered off again with the firm's donation, he went back to inventory, having made an executive managerial decision there.

...he was definitely keeping an eye out for another job. Preferably involving engines, and not purses. But for the time being, he was determined to be the best manager he could be.

The priestesses were busy in the days before the festival, building their booth in the basement of the Temple proper. Pieces would be carried over as they were finished, and set up in the Great Hall itself.

When the days of the festival finally came, dried and fresh fall-colored flowers wove around the wooden supports. The booth was crowned by a rather large moon, with the Dark Dancing Maiden herself painted in front of it. The name of the temple was written below, in both Drow and the common tongue. And the most delicious scents were wafting from within!

The priestesses are proudly serving:

Roast Rothe in its own gravy. (Think roast beef)

Mushroom Stew (a vegetarian dish)

Pyimo with Dried Fruit Chutney, with the aid of Andy Mischief, a local culinary school graduate. Pyimo is a fish akin to fugu or pirahna—they are carnivorous and need to be specially prepared. The priestesses are adept at this.

The temple has graciously given Andy his own space in their booth, and he has his own delights:

Sockeye Salmon in a light herb sauce—a traditional style presentation of this fish.

Hawaiian Style Mahi-Mahi—a meaty fish with tropical flair!

The temple has also donated space to the creature known as Renne for his own culinary display. Dishes to be announced.