Wisps of spun sugar condense into cotton-candy clouds that drift lazily across the firmament, signaling the return of Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights to mortal perception.

(Gaudiguch): You say, "Hello, Lord Delicious!"

(The Indulgent): Silvanos says, "Hello Lord Crumkane!"

(The Indulgent): Chundae says, "Warmest greetings, Lord Crumkane!"

Glowing an astonished shade of mauve, Shulamit's eyes boggle out in amazement.

Shulamit deftly folds and cuts a sheet of vellum into a perfectly pink cupcake origami.

(The Indulgent): Crumkane says, "Well met, well met indeed! I hope everyone finds this detestably early morning quite well?"

Shulamit carefully inscribes a message onto the inner folds of a perfectly pink cupcake origami.

(The Indulgent): Silvanos says, "It's quite nice for me, thank you!"

(Gaudiguch): Mboagn says, "Oh! Hello, Mr. Lord Crumkane!"

Shulamit puts a slice of cheesecake gilded in gold leaf into a perfectly pink cupcake origami.

Glowing in tune with her words, Multifaceted Designer Shulamit Lunarose, Mysrai's Beacon says, "Deliver to Crumkane."
Her eyes sparkling softly, Euterpe, Muse of Music takes a perfectly pink cupcake origami, before waltzing away.

(Gaudiguch): Shulamit says, "Hi hi hi!"

(Gaudiguch): Alary says, "Greetings, Lord Crumkane!"

(Gaudiguch): Kihr says, "Hello there scrumptious Crumkane."

(The Indulgent): You say, "Early, but all abuzz with activity! It's a little less detestable that way, I think."

(Fire Hogwash): Nepenthe says, "Crumkane called Mboagn a ho."

(Fire Hogwash): Mboagn says, "There is no lie."

The scent of freshly-baked pastries fills the air as tendrils of ambrosial smoke billow forward, revealing the portly form of Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights.

You beam broadly at Crumkane.

Glowing in tune with her words, Multifaceted Designer Shulamit Lunarose, Mysrai's Beacon says, "Hi!"

Shulamit curtseys gracefully before Crumkane.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says to Shulamit, "Thank you for the thoughtful gift, dear Shulamit."

Crumkane smiles softly.

Kihr inclines his head politely to Crumkane.

Shulamit flits about happily.

Crumkane sucks thoughtfully on His teeth.

Revelrous Khnemu says, "Hello foooohhithere."

You have emoted: Eritheyl elbows Kihr in the gut.

Khnemu coughs softly.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "I find Myself in need of inspiration, darlings. Would you care awfully to assist, if you aren't quite too occupied otherwise?"

Crumkane's eyes twinkle enchantingly.

"Uhh..." stalls Khnemu.

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Of course!"

Silvanos claps their wings together merrily.

You nod solemnly.

Glowing in tune with her words, Multifaceted Designer Shulamit Lunarose, Mysrai's Beacon says, "I just woke up, but I can try!"

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Not sure i am good inspiration, but i can try."

Revelrous Khnemu asks, "Something specific, Lord?"

Crumkane nods His head emphatically.

In a noticeable Southlands accent, Millien Myeras says, "If it's food Yer' askin' about, respectfully a'course..Everythin' needs more spicy flavors."

In a noticeable Southlands accent, Millien Myeras says, "S'a..S'just my thinkin' though, ah..Sir."

Millien coughs softly.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "For reasons I am quite uninterested in sharing with the populace at large, I am attempting to learn the workings of these...well, clunky machine-esque contraptions that some of you lot seem so terribly interested in assembling at the slightest provocation."

You tilt your head curiously.

Shulamit scratches her head in confusion, the sound reminiscent of tinkling wind chimes.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Tantus, bless him, keeps turning the pipes the opposite way, and there you are, a layer of molten sugar all over the kitchen floor. An inconveniently sticky situation, one might say."

Crumkane grips His sides and chortles madly.

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "That is terribly incovenient."

"Heh heh heh" Silvanos chuckles.

Kihr nods his head emphatically.

Revelrous Khnemu says, "And quite sticky."

Tentatively, Multifaceted Designer Shulamit Lunarose, Mysrai's Beacon says, "Like...automatic candy making machines?"

You say, "...oh, dear. This isn't about Sotsepmet almost burning the Palace down, is it?"

You say, "I mean, that never happened."

You stare blankly into space.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "So, you see, having not sorted this sort of thing before, I'm rather cleverly - if I do say so myself - coming to the realisation that perhaps seeing an example of these sorts of devices might give Me a better idea of how to compose them."

A look of understanding crossing their features, Silvanos nods their head slowly.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Do any of you know where I might be able to get a decent look or three at such a thing?"

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "To make them...easier for Tantus to use?"

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Rather to assemble them in such a way that Tantus won't be able to...misuse them, let us say."

Crumkane's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Comprehension flashes across Silvanos's face.

You murmur, "Machines..."

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "I am not well versed with machines, sadly."

Revelrous Khnemu says, "So a machine thing..."

Coraline Myeras asks, "What machines are we talking about?"

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "I tried to get some working on the isle of Vesucia and it um...failed badly in my attempts."

You say, "Well, there is always the Facility. That place is just full of machinery and weird whatsits."

Alary blinks owlishly, their sandstone eye slower than the other to reopen.

With a look of hope, Coraline Myeras asks, "Giant popcorn machines?"

Revelrous Khnemu says, "I know there's the crashed ship on that bubble."

Millien scratches her head looking for an idea.

Glowing in tune with her words, Multifaceted Designer Shulamit Lunarose, Mysrai's Beacon says, "I don't use machines very often for candy making, I normally did it by hand. Which is very slow."

Crumkane puts His hands on His hips and goes "Hmmm!"

With an artfully arched eyebrow, Arch-Preceptor Alary al-Saaoud, Mysrai's Ebon Eye says, "Ah, we finally get to gaze upon Your wonderful visage, Lord Crumkane."

Revelrous Khnemu asks, "And...uh...a whole facility full of machines?"

With an artfully arched eyebrow, Arch-Preceptor Alary al-Saaoud, Mysrai's Ebon Eye says, "It has been ... centuries, we admit."

You say to Khnemu, "Mucklemarsh, yes! Though I rather thing getting pounced on by raving slivven would be ill-suited for a mission of discovery."

Coraline Myeras says, "Oh, a machine to make candy!"

Khnemu ponders the situation.

Coraline ponders the situation.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Oh gracious. A whole facility, you say?"

Silvanos nods their head emphatically.

You nod your head enthusiastically at Crumkane.

You say to Crumkane, "A gnomish Facility!"

Glowing in tune with her words, Multifaceted Designer Shulamit Lunarose, Mysrai's Beacon says, "Oh! I know there's some contraptions up on Crumkindivia. Or...pipes...."

Coraline Myeras asks, "...wait, is this the same machine that Sotsepmet broke?"

Crumkane peers at Coraline unscrupulously.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says to Coraline, "That Sotsepmet did what now."

You say to Coraline, "Shh...no one noticed when I mentioned it, he almost got away with it!"

Silvanos stares blankly into space.

Coraline Myeras says, "I mean..no, Sotty would -never- do such a thing....Your machines are safe."

Shulamit starts to fret over everything that could possibly go wrong, glowing a shivering shade of silver.

Jolanthe sways back and forth.

Revelrous Khnemu says, "I'm pretty sure there's a bubble called that. With machines in."

Coraline Myeras says to Crumkane, "...perfectly safe."

Revelrous Khnemu says, "I think..."

Kihr peers about himself unscrupulously.

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "The Facilty!"

Crumkane ponders the situation.

Coraline shifts her eyes suspiciously from side to side.

Silvanos pats a whirring screwdriver in a friendly manner.

Alary utters a deep, rumbling laugh.

Comprehension flashes across Khnemu's face.

You laughingly say to Silvanos, "Yes, that's the Facility I was talking about!"

Silvanos nods their head at you.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Let's go have a look at this mysterious facility, perhaps."

Crumkane ponders the situation.

Silvanos waves about a whirring screwdriver energetically.

You wave a whirring screwdriver about energetically.

With a majestic wave of His arm, Crumkane opens up a rift in the aetherways that fluctuates oddly before it settles down into a vibrating Divine portal.

You exclaim, "Ooho!"

 ** interlude! walking around the Facility, talking about slugs, **
 ** Silvanos accidentally pulling a lever waaay too early and    **
 ** disappearing!                                                **

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Clearly My attempts at kidnap leave something to be desired."

Crumkane wrinkles His nose and sniffs.

Khnemu coughs softly.

You laughingly say, "I'd meant for us all to be with you, but you just disappeared!"

Silvanos nods their head emphatically.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Yes, yes, we established that that was due to the lever."
A gnome sweeper rolls his eyes at Crumkane.
A gnome sweeper says, "Even you can push or pull a lever, can't you, immortal?"

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "I was expecting that but then I realized....you weren't following me."

Opening your mouth wide, you gape in wonder.

Silvanos stares implacably about themself.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Do you pay attention when you talk, dearest?"

Crumkane peers at a gnome sweeper unscrupulously.
A gnome sweeper says, "Do you need something, Crumkane?"

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Me? hardly ever."

Silvanos coughs softly.

Opening her mouth wide, Coraline gapes in wonder at a gnome beater.

You watch in amazement as a gnome sweeper crumbles before your eyes.

 ** interlude: talking about machines! **

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "So what do the machines here *do*?"

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Please don't say 'make slugs'"

You say, "That is an excellent question. It's a mystery!"

Comprehension flashes across Silvanos's face.

Crumkane ponders the situation.

Jolanthe Myeras says, "And slugs are definitely involved."

Revelrous Khnemu says, "They're gnome machines, I don't know that half of them do anything but go whiirrrrr."

Silvanos shivers violently.

Jolanthe Myeras says, "So many slugs."

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "How utterly curious."

Revelrous Khnemu asks, "This one might make toys?"

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "While these are fascinating, they don't seem remotely to be the sort of machines that would prove useful to My application."

Silvanos purses their lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as they carefully gather their thoughts.

Silvanos acknowledges the point with a grave nod of their head.

You nod your head affirmatively at Crumkane.

Silvanos ponders the situation.

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Contemplating other machines."

Jolanthe looks about herself, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Certainly if I wish someone to get from one place to another, I should think to use the novel concept of a hallway."

Crumkane glances askance.

The ghost of a smile passes fleetingly across your lips.

Silvanos giggles happily.

Coraline Myeras exclaims, "I think I know what they do! You push the lever, and then they turn off, and then you pull it and they turn on!"

Coraline beams broadly.

Khnemu's ears droop a little.

You say to Silvanos, "Vesucia was not a bad idea. What are the machines there meant to do, anyways?"

Crumkane peers about Himself unscrupulously.

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Oh! They can provide fruit, so i am told!"

You say, "Oooo."

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "But I can't figure out their workings."

Revelrous Khnemu asks, "Something to do with elemental energy and turning people into mud monsters?"

Silvanos slumps down, slowly throbbing a deep amber.

Jolanthe Myeras says, "Not quite."

Khnemu taps their foot with mild impatience.

Khnemu coughs softly.

You say, "Isn't that the other island? I hope we aren't getting fruit from the same machines that make gorgogs happen."

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Or help keep the scrumhogs at bay so you can fruit?"

Coraline Myeras asks, "The place with the scrumhogs?"

Khnemu looks about themself, rubbing their chin thoughtfully.

You nod your head enthusiastically at Coraline.

Jolanthe Myeras says, "Food stuffs might be a reward for the work, but the mechanisms themselves are to help drive away pests."

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Scrumhog island, yes."

Comprehension flashes across Silvanos's face.

Jolanthe Myeras says, "Notably the scrumhogs."

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Oh, yes."

Skeptically, Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "What, pray tell, is a scrumhog?"

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "They make the scrumhogs stop distrupting the fruit."

You say to Crumkane, "Oh, they're just the sweetest little things!"

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "A thing that borrows into the ground and disturbs it."

Jolanthe Myeras says to Crumkane, "It's a strange sort of pig creature that is also part mud elemental."

Silvanos nods their head at Jolanthe.

You clap your hands together merrily.

Coraline Myeras says to Crumkane, "It's a pig..that's made out of..mud..."

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Strong mud."

Jolanthe Myeras says to Crumkane, "I believe it is some sort of failed gorgog experiment."

Crumkane ponders the situation.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "How very curious!"

Silvanos acknowledges the point with a grave nod of their head.

Jolanthe Myeras says, "Yes, they are kind of nifty! If not a bit aggressive, as is the tendency to wild boar sorts."

Revelrous Khnemu asks, "There's machines in that place, with the trill and the tae'dae isn't there?"

Coraline jumps into the air and lands with a bump.

Coraline peers at Khnemu unscrupulously.

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "I couldn't get the machines to work though, so not sure what happens when they go whrr."

You say to Khnemu, "Yes, Irshaw!"

Silvanos rubs their chin thoughtfully, raises their eyebrow and says, "I see..."

You say, "And then there's the biiiig weather machines in the Plaxios Lowlands, nearby."

Crumkane sucks thoughtfully on His teeth.

You look skeptical and say, "Though they're a little...hm. Sketchy."

Jolanthe Myeras asks, "I guess the real question is, what are we looking for in a machine necessarily?"

Acknowledging Jolanthe's point to be true, Silvanos nods their head gravely at her.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Something that won't spew molten sugar all over My cravat, I should think."

Crumkane creases His brow in a frown.

Silvanos purses their lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as they carefully gather their thoughts.

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "A good goal."

Coraline Myeras says, "And also... why are we looking for this machine? Is it because Sotsepmet broke the one in Your Rea-."

Revelrous Khnemu says, "One that isn't supposed to dispense molten sugar."

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "One with a failsafe?"

You glance askance at Coraline.

Coraline claps her hands over her mouth.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says to Coraline, "On second thought."

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Thank you all quite a great deal for your assistance with this matter."

You think to yourself: Coraaaaliiiine, noooooo.

"Uhh..." stalls Khnemu.

Jolanthe sways back and forth.

Silvanos slumps down dejectedly.

Coraline creases her brow in a frown.

Kihr blinks.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "But it clearly must fall to Sotsepmet to either discover a suitable configuration for these machines or else suffer the caramel catastrophe therein."

Crumkane nods His head sagely.

Opening your mouth wide, you gape in wonder.

Coraline Myeras says, "Oh, I-."

Silvanos blinks.

Silvanos rubs their chin thoughtfully, raises their eyebrow and says, "I see..."

Revelrous Khnemu says, "Uh-oh."

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says to Coraline, "Do you know...what -precisely-...he did to hypothetically break the machine primarily?"

Crumkane flashes a charming smile that never touches His eyes.

You cough softly.

Coraline Myeras says, "Oh, I...well, we were..."

Coraline fidgets impatiently.

Silvanos purses their lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as they carefully gather their thoughts.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Oh, excellent, it's 'we'. You do know, then!"

Khnemu edges politely away from Coraline.

Coraline Myeras says, "No, I don't- I mean, we didn't...I mean, we only pushed a few buttons..."

Silvanos ponders the situation.

Scooting to stand protectively before the faeling, you say, "In...fairness, Lord, Coraline was not present for the hypothetical deed. Only Sotsepmet and one other were. I stepped in at the start of the resulting mess, and Coraline came shortly afterwards to try and help."

Silvanos hugs Coraline compassionately.

Crumkane looks up into the air for divine inspiration.

You say, "And help she did! It was a wonderful collaborative effort, one rife with Ingenuity!"

Silvanos purses their lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as they carefully gather their thoughts.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Clearly."

Quietly, Coraline Myeras says, "When I walked in, fizzy water was falling from the ceiling, and taffy was stuck to the machine, and..."

You exclaim, "And it was on fire!"

"Uhh..." stalls Khnemu.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "As I am now forced to trawl goodness knows where in order to attempt to find a solutio-."

You glance askance.

Silvanos stares blankly into space.

Coraline nods her head emphatically.

You think to yourself: ...shit.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "WAS IT INDEED ON FIRE, ERITHEYL."

Silvanos stares blankly into space.

You exclaim, "It was only a little fire! Sotsepmet put it out! With cake!"

Revelrous Khnemu says, "That...does not seem like a good thing for a machine to be..."

Revelrous Khnemu says, "Putsafd."

Silvanos stares implacably about themself.

Coraline Myeras exclaims, "...Sotty almost got sucked into the conveyor belt, and he covered himself in batter and escaped in sponge cake armour!"

You caress the thoughts of Coraline Myeras as you whisper, "WE'RE SO BAD AT KEEPING SECRETS, AAAA."

Crumkane pinches the bridge of His nose, murmuring quietly to Himself.

Khnemu claps down on her muzzle to try to stop giggles.

Looking down on the ground, Coraline Myeras says, "...but the machine was completely destroyed..."

Khnemu blinks.

"Ummmm," Silvanos says uncertainly.

Revelrous Khnemu asks, "What in the...?"

The bright, bell-like voice of Coraline rings in your ear, "I'm sorry! Ahhhh, curse my big mouth!"

Coraline Myeras says, "...well, not -destroyed-...it just..."

Coraline Myeras whispers, "...stopped working..."

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says to Khnemu, "Might I ask you a question, little one?"

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Okay, so it's out of operation. What was it's original operation?"

Coraline Myeras says to Silvanos, "We weren't sure..."

Silvanos stares blankly at Coraline.

Jolanthe scratches her head looking for an idea.

"Ummmm," Silvanos says uncertainly.

You whisper to Silvanos, "We think it was the chewing-gum press, but it's hard to tell now."

You cough softly.

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Well."

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "The other machines are...okay?"

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Is there an inventory of machines? To count them against? And see which one was broken? So we can figure out how to sort it right?"

Khnemu nods their head at Crumkane.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Let us assume, for the moment, collectively, that you have opened your homes to Me out of the absolute goodness and joy and sheer confectionery of your wonderful, outstanding hearts."

Silvanos stares blankly into space.

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Aye."

You have emoted: Eritheyl squirms in place, his tail curling anxiously around one leg.

Coraline focuses her attention completely on a speck of dirt on the floor.

Revelrous Khnemu says, "Of course, Lord..."

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "And I happen to visit, let us say, and just so happen to knock a leg from that utterly divine gilded chaise you've got in your sitting room, because it's quite shiny, after all."

A look of understanding crossing their features, Silvanos nods their head slowly.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "And now the silly chaise sits crooked, of course, because it's missing a leg and you might attempt to sit and just go rolling right to the ground because you naturally sit evenly and not crooked."

Glancing at Eritheyl, Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Mostly."

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Would you necessarily take kindly to My visiting again?"

Crumkane flutters His eyelashes charmingly.

Silvanos purses their lips pensively, gazing off into the distance as they carefully gather their thoughts.

Khnemu clears their throat.

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Well."

With a trilling chirp, Couturier Silvanos Lunarose, Herbal Connoisseur says, "Not unless one either
fixed or paid for the couch. And stayed away from it."

Silvanos coughs softly.

Kihr nods his head emphatically.

Revelrous Khnemu says, "I..don't suppose so, Lord. Unless You were to make amends. Assuming, of course, You weren't...well, YOU."

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says, "Why, what a perfectly reasonable notion!"

Acknowledging Khnemu's point to be true, Silvanos nods their head gravely at them.

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says to Coraline, "Fix."

Crumkane, Lord of Epicurean Delights says to you, "It."

You are transported by the power of the Divine.

 ** poofed back to the Flame! **