2025-02-08 - Do You Want To Build a Snowman

Emme, dressed in an oversized white jacket, is putting the last few finishing touches on the winter festival, or whatever she's decided this is going to be. She is standing next to a table, where a huge carafe has been set up with hot chocolate. Next to the carafe, there are two blue tooth speakers, and some background music flows through the festival.

Archer wasn't expecting an entire snow festival when he'd slipped out into the brisk air for a walk. He has on a pair of black laced boots beneath his black jeans. A warm rust colored cable knit sweater is a splash of color beneath his black jacket. With his hand in his pockets, he makes his way over to the cocoa as he watches the festivities all around him.

"This is a nice surprise," he comments as he takes a moment to just take it all in.

Emme tuns her head, her face barely poking out from thee large hood, and she grins, "I'm glad you think so." Grabbing her newly poured cup of hot chocolate, she walks over to Archer, one hand pulling down the hood, which showcases her elven ears. "Not sure we've had a chance to meet; I'm Emme. Performer at the park." She motions to the festival, "Please enjoy yourself."

Lee didn't know what to expect when it came to the winter festival here at Spellbound. They had been to ones back home, but this isn't Toronto. They are pleasantly surprised by the neat setup and the various activities that can be had.

They head over to where the other two are near the hot bevvies, dressed in head to toe black. Black beanie over their long white hair, the sides braided the rest falling down past their hips. Black pea coat, with leather patches on the shoulder, black wool pants and black slip on shoes. All the black but not in a goth way.

"Hey there." They greet cheerfully to Emme and Archer before going to get a cup of cocoa.

Archer smiles as Emme approaches and gives a little dip of his head in greeting. "Archer," he introduces himself. "Carriage driver. Thank you. Did you arrange all of this?" he asks curiously, looking out over the snowy wonderland.

When Lee approaches, he smiles to them in greeting and says, "Afternoon. Actually, hot chocolate sounds like a good idea." He'd been headed in that direction anyway, and he continues that short journey a few steps to wait in line for one for himself, meanwhile continuing to chat with Emme and Lee. "What activities do you think you might try first?"

Emme looks over to the next arrival, and she manages another beaming smile. "Hey, welcome to, well, this. It was an idea that just became a thing; I guess?" She nods to Archer's question, "I love winter, and the magic that comes with it. Where else can you build things out of snow that don't come alive." she pauses, "I mean, I hope they don't come alive, but we do live here, so." She shakes her head, and pushes those sudden thoughts back down, "Hey, I'm Emme." She motions to the table, "Hot chocolate. Over there is snow balls, then ice skating, and snow sculptures."

Mention of the sculptures coming to life has Lee looking toward them and then to Emme "Things not to say when you want to jinx yourself." They say with good humor. "I'm Lee." They tell both Archer and Emme.

"It's been awhile since I have been ice skating, but not sure where I would get skates." If there is a place to get them they haven't seen it. "How about you?" They toss the question back to the man.

"Well, I would think most places one could build things from snow that didn't come alive," Archer chuckles. Though he seems to agree with Lee, nodding when the man mentions that saying so might be jinxing one's self, particularly in this park. "Though I suppose we can hope that if they do, that they are akin to the little ice creatures in the park and not.. something more concerning."

He obtains a cup of cocoa for himself and takes a sip as he looks out over the groups of people, then gestures toward a tent near the ice skating. "Perhaps they've skates over there? I haven't skated in some time either. Might be fun to give it a go before getting pelted with snowballs or wandering the sculptures."

"Well, if they are made of snow, they probably wouldn't go very far, right? Plus what would they eat? More snow?" She's probably giving this more thought than she should." She tucks some hair behind one of her long ears and smiles at Lee, "Hey, nice to meet you."

Then back to Archer, "There are, yes, sorry, I'm not good at this whole, planning thing, or saying where everything is, thing, but I did my best to make sure I had enough sizes for everyone." For now, she seems content to stay where she is. "You could skate on your boots, but that might be slipping, or just scoot around on your arse." Her shoulders lift, "What do you do here at the park, Lee?"

Shirley is dolled up and bundled up as she arrives to the snow area. She giggles in absolute delight as she skips around wearing her dark green velvet dress with black faux fur, thermal tights and her black winter boots, no heel today. As she spies her roommate, she lights up, waving her wave over to them as she begins to approach where Lee is talking with Emme and Archer

"Fingers crossed." Lee lifts the hand that doesn't have their cup of cocoa in it, fingers crossed even. This about not having hostile snowmen coming after them.

They look over to the tent. "Smart with the tent. I like the vibe." They give a shake of head to Emma's humility about the festival "You did great. It's not easy planning things like this solo. Been there." They gesture in the general direction of the resort "I am a chef at Chapters."

Seeing Shirley wave, they wave back and give her a smile "Hey there! How was the club last night?" Alas they had to work. They will make introductions between Shirley, Archer, and Emme.

"I would say that you're quite good at the whole planning thing if you managed to bring all of this together," Archer says reassuringly to Emme, in agreement with Lee once more. But he laughs at the suggestion of just scooting round on the ice on his butt. "That might happen regardless of whether I'm wearing skates."

Then he turns back toward Lee and says, "Oh, Chapters always has such interesting options. My appreciation for the menu. I don't get to make it there often but I've never been disappointed."

Shirley gets a wave hello as she approaches before he lifts his cup and take another sip of the warm hot chocolate.

"The music was awesome but I don't think a lot of people liked my costume stuff but that is ok," she responds to Lee about the party. Easily giving them a quick hug when close enough. She curious asks, "What were you all about to do? I didn't mean to be late but I had to get Flower all comfy before I could leave."

"Thanks, but I have little to do with the menu. That was done long before I started working there in November." They are a relative newbie to the park. "Hopefully I can have more influence over it in the future. Did I hear right that you drove a carriage?" They ask of Archer.

The hug is returned, though Lee scoffs at the opinion of the club goers "The costume was great." They point toward the ice skating "Thinking about ice skating." At least they were. "Spicy was napping in their little hidey house when I left." They have probably destroyed their room by now. The snugglebunny got the name Spicy for a reason.

"Ah, well, then I will have to try again later, when you have more influence over what you get to make," Archer says. "Yes, one of the horse-drawn carriages that takes people around the park, gives tours. And then I also drive the fancy event and wedding carriages over at the castle for those events."

He offers a smile to Shirley and asks, "But did you enjoy your costume? Because that's all that really matters, that you had a good time."

Shirley smiles as she says to Lee, "Thanks, to their defense though, there was some pretty cool effect going off around the room and the ceiling, so they may have just been distracted is all."

"Oh yes! I loved my costume, I went as one of the candy people in my dreams, well, one of them anyway but I often dream about sugarland and candyland like places. I think it is because I love sweets," she answers Archer with a bright, passionate smile. "And I did have fun, the specialty drinks had some unique names as well, it was pretty cool." She pauses before she says, "That is cool about your job though. I'm a bartender over at Tales and Tails and called Tini when on the clock but when I am off I go by my actual name which is Shirley."

"I'll be sure to keep you posted on that Archer." They tell him covering a laugh with a hand. "The carriage rides are popular, you must be busy. Do you have normal shifts or swings?" They have been known to do both.

Lee looks skeptical about the defense excuse but they weren't there, and debate is not on their mind. "But were any of them a chromatic dragon?" They ask Shirley.

Archer chuckles as Shirley explains the nature of her costume and her dreams. "Quite literal sweeet dreams," he says. "Not a thing wrong with that. Far better than nightmares, I would imagine." Then he nods toward Lee and says, "Ah, so you work right next to one another." Since the bar and restaurant are right there in the resort together. "That's nice."

"I often work mornings and afternoons, but it really does depend on the ebb and flow of the park's traffic. Some evenings are more busy than others, and so I'll fill in then. Unless I have a wedding or other event at the castle that I need to do. And on the slow days, I work on the carriages in the garage. Though that's more of a hobby than it is strictly required by my position."

He then nods toward the tent with the skates and asks, "Would you like to head over?"

Shirley laughs softly before she utters, "Well, no I suppose but I was a candy person. It is really ok. It was more about the show then me anywho."

She giggles at Archer's words and confirms regarding her dreams, "Indeed, just so. luckily enough at least." A gentle nod is given before she says, "It is convenient but we didn't meet at work, we met at the boba place. Speaking of, we should go get some more soon Lee. I am craving the bobas." She lights up as she asks, "Are we ice skating? I have no idea how but I am sure willing to try!"

"It's not bad." Lee agrees with Archer, "She works a lot later than I do, but the bedrooms have pretty decent walls or soundproofing so she doesn't wake me up when she comes in." or they sleep like the dead. Could be both. All the plants in their own bedroom could help too.

"Work on?" Lee's head does a little tilt. "Like repairs and such?" Shirley gets a laugh at her craving for boba "I can grab tomorrow. I need to do laundry anyway." and its the same building.

At the nod toward the tent, Lee glances in that direction "Yes. It's been awhile since I have been ice skating. A few years at least." they begin to head over towards the tent "I'm sure you will pick it up quickly, Shirley."

"Oh, are you roommates as well?" Archer asks, glancing from Shirley to Lee as they begin to make their way over to the ice skating tent to find some skates. Fortunately, there are enough pairs in different sizes that they can all find some. He grabs a pair and pays the rental fee. Then he nods to Lee and says, "Repairs and restorations, since most of them are actual antiques."

"We are skating," he confirms. "And I'm sure that we can help you along with learning." Confident, for a guy who just said earlier that he might end up on his ass on the ice.

Shirley does a little happy dance twirl as she says, "Bet, Boba and laundry tomorrow," the last part said in a sing-songy fashion. She grins as she says, "Let us hope so, might be hard to do my job if I bust by bottom and get some crazy injury."

"Yeah, we are roomies. And that is pretty cool about the antiques. Did Lee mention Blue Betsy to you? Not sure if she counts but still." She skips along with them towards the ice skating tent.

The roommate question being answered Lee doesn't have to worry about that one "Antiques?" that is surprising to them. "I figured they would be new. Newer seems easier to take care of, but I guess if you are going for a vibe, antique would be the way to go."

Lee grabs a pair of ice skates their size and sits on a bench to put them on "Are you not from a place where ice skating is a thing to do in winter?" they ask Archer before explaining the Blue Betsy comment "That's the vintage sofa we found at Ruby's. It's straight from the 80's. I am going to have to cover the eyes of any dates I bring home so they don't get second hand embarrassment from the thing." They like it in that, it's so ugly it is cool, kind of way.

"There are a lot of new thngs in the park. Most things, I suspect. Though there are some interesting older pieces scattered throughout for some reason. I spent many years as an appraiser of antiques for a few different auction houses. I'm always intrigued when I see one amidst everything else here," Archer muses as he gets his pair of skates and checks the laces on them. "The carriages were purchased, I believe, for the purpose of having that old time vibe to them. I'm not complaining at all. I enjoy working on them when not driving them."

"Oh, no, I've lived a number of places where skating's a thing to do. I Just haven't been in a while." He settles onto the bench as well and begins tugging off his boots to put on his own skates, stowing them away beneath the bench. Then he laughs and says, "Oh, I see. Is it velvet? The only thing that would make it better is if it were velvet. And what sort of blue? Is it a stunningly royal blue? Or is it a more demure pastel?"

Shirley laughs softly and shakes her head, "Not exactly? It never snows in Florida and we mostly have roller rinks. There might be one ice rink? Maybe? I dunno but I never went." She laughs about the description of the couch and easily states, "Hell, my dates better love it. I am just as odd as that beautiful couch." She then begins to playfully sing out a part of Maureen's from Rent's 'Take Me Or Leave Me', "Take me for what I am. Who I was meant to be. And if you give a damn. Take me baby or leave me."

She laughs after she sings and heads to grab some skates in her size before moving to sit at a bench with Archer and Lee to change into those ice skating shoes. "I think the antiques thing is cool. Some of the vintage stuff is better quality in my opinion. I mean have you compared a bookcase you bought twenty years ago to now? Its basically just pressed particle board unless you know where to and can afford to buy real wood furniture." She grins as she mentions, "Also, I could change the color of my dress if you prefer. It is just a little bit of magic after all." She says with a grin to Archer. "Oh! The couch! Right. Why would you care about the color of my dress and no. She has this old floral pattern on her and is really more of a teal but we call her Blue Betsy."

"Really?" Again Lee is surprised "I guess I will have to pay more attention when I am wandering around the park. is it mostly decor?" That's what they would assume. "The carriages are lovely. I can see why they would be a draw, everyone wants to feel like royalty at least once in their life."

"Very velvet." Though how something can be more velvet than that couch is a mystery. There is a laugh at Shirley's confusion "Feel free to laugh at us naming a sofa." With their skates tied, Lee gets to their feet, wobbling a bit as they try to find balance on the thin blades.

"Little pieces here and there. If you go through the Haunted Estate, there are a couple of legitimate antiques in among the props," Archer says once he's gotten his skates laced up and ensured that they are secure. "So yes, mostly decorative pieces. Little bits of furniture here and there." Then he nods in agreement and says, "It's definitely also a lot faster to hop on a carriage when you are tired and want to get to the opposite side of the park, and just relax while the horses do the work."

"People name all sorts of things," he says to Lee with a chuckle. "I don't think naming a sofa is any more strange than naming a boat or a car." He then glances over toward Shirley's dress, momentarily confused. "Why would I want you to change the color if your dress?" But then he realizes that she thought he was talking about the dress rather than the couch and laughs. "Ah, I see."

Shirley slowly stands up herself and holds her arms out as she tries to balance in the ice skates, she moves slowly towards the ice rank door. "I need to go and see the Haunted Estate again, its been a bit." She mentions to Archer, "Sometimes I am thinking about multiple things and my dress is velvet is why it through me off a bit. Don't mind my brain."

"I guess I know what I am doing on my next day off." They could probably go sooner, but the Haunted Mansion sounds more like an evening excursion to them. "And there is that too. I know I wouldn't refuse a carriage ride from the resort to the ferry after eight hours of running around a kitchen."

"But do your carriages have names?" Lee asks in that inquiring minds want to know curious tone. They start to take a few steps to follow Shirley, but then pauses to wait for Archer, since they are all in this together.

Archer smiles at Shirley and says, "Oh, it's fine. I was just momentarily confused." He waves it off with a shake of his head, not at all worried. He offers a hand out to her to help with her balance if she needs it as they all begin to move together toward the rink. "It's a fun little ride. I enjoy the mix of the macabre and the lighthearted. I think that's part of the charm of the Boo'edwalk, after all." He glances over toward Lee to make sure that they're doing alright as well as the little group of definitely not pro skaters makes their way out toward the ice.

"Not that I'm aware of," Archer says when asked if the carriages have names. "If they do, no one's told me, and there aren't any painted on them, unlike the boats. But then, the horses that pull them all have names."

"A carriage ride after working at the bar all night would absolutely be a blessing, I completely agree Lee." She light up, "Oh I didn't even think to ask that about the carriages." She looks to Archer then, curious of the answer and happily takes his hand as it is offered to walk towards the ice rink, "Thanks." She listens to the answer about the carriages and utters, "Aww, maybe we should name them. Could be a fun little inside joke project sort of thing." She suggests to them both.

"If I was forced to choose the Boo'ed walk would be in my top three of park attractions." There is a few moments of thought before they admit that. "I think you called it, macabre and lighthearted, hard balance, but they managed it." Mad respect there.

"We would have to ride them all first." Lee points out. "More than once probably." They step out onto the ice, teetering slightly before pushing off with a foot at gliding smoothly forward, and repeating with the other foot before turning a half circle to face Shirley and Archer to see how they fare.

Archer stays near Shirley just to make sure that she doesn't tip or slip as they make it out onto the ice, letting her hold onto him for as long as she needs to. "Okay, keep your skates pointing forward and parallel," he instructs, "And then gently push outward and back with your left foot and glide forward on your right. Then repeat. Push out with your right foot and glide forward on your left." He seems to be doing fine for keeping his own balance thus far, even if he's still a little stiff in his motion. He'll loosen up once he gets the hang of it again. "I suppose that we could. I don't think anyone would be opposed to naming them."

Shirley grins as she says, "I love all the spooky things honestly. Also, challenge accepted Lee. I am sure we can manage that one." She slowly steps out onto the ice and is the most ungraceful of the three of them but she manages to not fall down and bust her bottom yet! When she feels like she is about to fall, she squeezes on Archer's arm as she utters, "Ok, this is a little harder than I thought it won't be but it isn't that bad." She slowly starts to move in the ice skates like one would in rollerblades. As she slowly gets the hang of it she laughs in delight but keeps it simple.

Skating back toward the other two, Lee flanks Shirley, giving an appreciative smile to Archer for helping out their roomie. "What, that should only take a few months?" Lee's question is laced with amusement.

"You're doing great." Lee praises Shirley with sincerity. "Most newbies would have fallen by now." Once they are sure that Shirley is pretty steady, Lee will break off to skate for a bit, though keeps an eye on the pair in case help is needed after a fall.

Archer just holds out his arm and lets Shirley use it or not for balance as she needs, watching her feet and gently offering a little advice here and there if he sees her starting to get a little unstable. But she seems to be getting the hang of it so he stops, and just remains nearby if needed but otherwise settling in just to skate slowly around the outer edge of the little rink with the pair. He grins over at Lee and gives them a little wave as they go off to skate on their own for a few.

He eventually slips his hands in his pockets, no longer holding out his arm, though he's still right there. "Oh, there aren't that many carriages. There are a few, but we all are constantly in motion, several at a time, so it might seem that there are more than there are. I want to say there are only about eight of them in total that are active at any given time."

Shirley smiles as she occasionally does grab onto Archer's offered arms, especially on the curves of the ice skating rink. But she does seem to get the hang of it and even relaxes her arms to hand naturally. "Ah, that is good to know about the carriages. I still think it could be a fun attempt but I like to name all sorts of stuff. What all do you do for fun when you are off work Archer?"

Archer doesn't seem to mind. He's regained his skate legs at this point and is moving along with a little more ease and fluidity than his somewhat stiffer posture when they first made their way onto the ice. "I like to do a bit of work in the shop. I like woodworking. Really, I just like keeping my hands busy. And of course, spending time with my kids when they're about. My son isn't here, but my daughter works in the park, so I get to see her fairly often. I've been thinking of learning how to play the piano." He then asks her, "And what of you? When you're not serving drinks at the bar. What do you like to do?"

Shirley smiles as she says, "I like to make little figurines with clay so I get the wanting to create something with your hands. I do it at work but it isn't the same when someone just devours it." As he mentions his son, she softly utters, "Aww. I am sorry that your son isn't here but it is cool that your daughter is. And the piano is a lovely instrument. And well, besides the figurines I like to play video games, watch anime, try out new things, most of the time.

"It's alright. He's figuring out his own path, and that's good," Archer says, of his son. "You should meet her sometime. I think she's probably about your age," he says as he studies Shirley for a moment or two. "She's in hospitality and acts of master of ceremonies for some events and shows." He then says, "Making clay figurines sounds like fun. What sorts of things do you make?" he asks as they glide around the ice, a slow and steady pace that sticks to the outer edges so that they don't collide with too many others.

Shirley smiles as she says, "That would be awesome. What is her name? I have probably passed her a bunch while at work and not even realized it. As for what I make, it depends on the mood. Some times i make little animals, sometimes something abstract, I have even dabbled a little in doing those mashable animals where you blend two of them together, it can get pretty wild!"

Lee has done a few turns around the frozen part of the lake enjoying the cold wind on their cheeks and the sensation of it ruffling the hair that hangs out of the cap on their head. They pause briefly to help a rookie skater get back to their feet after a bit of a slip. Completing the circle of the frozen area Lee slows down to join the other two once more, not yet interrupting the conversation, but letting it continue between Shirley and Archer, if only to figure out the topic before re-joining.

"Jules," Archer says, when Shirley asks for his daughter's name. "Juliet, but she goes by Jules." He gives a small nod when she mentions what sort of creatures she makes. "If you have some photographs, I'd like to see what you make sometimes. I like seeing others' crafts." Glancing over he sees Lee approaching and offers them a smile again. "Welcome back."

Shirley repeats, "Jules, I will keep an eye out for her. And I do have some on my social media page. I can text you the link if you like, assuming you are in the employee directory. I am too scared to get my phone out right now, pretty sure if it fell on the ice, it would be toast." She smiles to Lee and says, "Hey roomie, what did you wanna do for dinner tonight? I was thinking lasagna? I just want something nice and warm after skating." She giggles happily.

"Thanks." Lee tells Archer as they once more begin to skate with the pair. "Are we even going to have enough energy left after all this..." They make a sweeping gesture to the other activities they still have yet to do "to tackle making lasagna?"

Apparently Lee plans on doing all the things that the snow fest has to offer "We can probably get some for take out somewhere on one of the islands." Multiple places most likely. They skate a circle around Archer and Shirley, keeping it wide enough that they don't get in the way.

"You mentioned that once upon a time you were an appraiser." Obviously this is to Archer. "Did you have a specialty? Like items from a specific era or specific genre of goods?"

"I am," Archer says to Shirley when she asks if he's in the employee directory. "Feel free to send me a link if you like."

He chuckles a little and says, "I'm not sure I'd have the energy to make dinner after all of this, but there are good places to get lasagna. I think the pizza place has pasta as well." He shifts his skating so that he's now skating backward, facing Shirley and Lee for a few beats before he turns around again, much more comfortable after a few rounds of practice. "Musical instruments were my specialty, though I appraised all manner of antiques. Pianos, violins, stringed instruments in particular were among my favorites."

Shirley briefly chews on her bottom lip at Lee's question before she responds, "You have point. We should just get take out off of one of the islands. Maybe a few? We could do a practice potluck! That reminds me I should figure out when I want to try and organize that between the apartments."

She giggles as Archer begins to skate backwards and says, "I will. Promise." Her dark eyes continue to watch Archer as Lee asks him about the appraisal work. "I bet lightly testing the instruments was intriguing. See what ones were in tune and not. ", she happily mentions about the appraisal work regarding instruments.

The suggestions offered by Archer has Lee tapping their chin thoughtfully "We should see what the pizza place has to offer, plus they deliver. If we order it when we get on the ferry, it will be done and on its way by the time we get off. Less waiting." they give a nod to the man "Good call." they say to him before glancing at Shirley "Practice potluck would require cooking. I am not bringing take out to a potluck." they are a chef! They have a rep to thing about.

The appraisal of instruments has Lee arching a brow and looking intrigued "Do you play any?"

Archer chuckles and shakes his head no when Lee asks if he plays any instruments. "Not well. I can appraise them, tune them, and perhaps coax a few notes from them to hear what they sound like, but I leave the playing to the professionals. Though I've been considering picking up the piano again. I's been some time since I've played."

Then he asks Shirley, "What is a practice potluck? Is it different from a regular potluck somehow?"

Shirley smiles as she says to Lee, "Pizza does sound good. I forget if they do stuffed crust. Been a bit since I ordered from there. And, fair point about a potluck." She looks to Archer as she mentions, "Well, a practice one would be more a smaller group than everyone but I may just skip the practice one and stop being all bunny-footing about it." A brief pause before she circles back to suggest, "I think the piano sounds quite lovely. I am sure there is a back up somewhere on the property you could find and teach yourself maybe? I took lessons when I was younger but I have always had trouble reading sheet music. I did decently with guitar because of tablature but I don't really think I can actually play play."

"With as many performers as we have in the park, I would be surprised if one them wouldn't be willing to give some piano lessons." Lee suggests in addition to the one that Shirley gave. "I wasn't gifted with any musical talents, my artistry lies elsewhere." Their cooking maybe?

Lee looks around as they glide along the ice. As the time passes more people are hitting the ice, as well as the other activities. "Is this the first annual Winter Fest?"

"I do a little bit better playing by ear than by reading sheet music," Archer admits. "Which is why I never progressed very far with my lessons, despite having a love for the instruments, themselves." He then nods to Lee when they suggest querying some of the performers. "That's true. I'm sure someone might be interested."

"Ah, well, you should do whatever you're most comfortable with. Sometimes it's easier to ease into things with a smaller event," Archer says to Shirley.

"I don't believe there was one last year, so I suspect this may be the first, at least the first one here on Crescent Island. There was a winter celebration in the park last year, of course," Archer muses as he looks around. Then he inquires of the others, "What is next? Sculptures? I am thinking I might save the snowball fighting for last, as once I'm cold and wet I'm going to want a warm bath to recover."

Shirley gets a little too confident and almost falls forward but manages to right herself once more. A nervous smile is offered to them both. "That was almost maybe bad," she laughs a bit.

"That is cool about playing by ear. I wish I could do that. It is pretty impressive. I think anyway," Shirley mentioned to Archer with that nervousness having disappeared from her smile.

Her attention is then on Lee as she says, "I am curious if it is an obvious answer or one I don't know yet Lee. Where is you artistry? And this is the first one I remember, but I do love this. It is wonderful."

"I also agree about the snowball fight, save it for last. Though I may want to try and sneak pizza into the spa," she jokes to both of them.

"Especially if you throw in some incentive." What that incentive that would be Lee will leave up to Archer and the piano instructor. Shirley's near fall distracts them for a moment, "Shirley one, gravity zero." he quips as she doesn't faceplant or otherwise fall onto the ice.

"The cooking mostly." Lee answers Shirley. They assume that is the obvious one "I was still getting my bearings when the winter fest at the park was going on. The decorations were great, some even breathtaking." There is another look over to the sculptures and to the snow ball fighting "The sculptures." Lee agrees "Give the kids a chance to wear themselves out and clear the field."

Archer lofts a brow a little in Lee's direction but then just chuckles, "I would hardly expect anyone to teach me without some compensation for doing so. That would be very presumptuous." He quickly looks over at Shirley as she wobbles and a hand goes out reflexively. The dad-arm reflex never quite goes away. But she manages to right herself and he lets his hand slip back into his pocket. "Thank you," he says to Shirley. "I always felt it was more of a failure to be able to read the music properly than a skill in and of itself," he admits.

"Sculptures then," he agrees, apparently having somehow fallen in with the poor roommates, whether they'd intended to gain a tag-along for the afternoon's adventures or not. "Just don't drop the pizza in the spa," is his only advice to Shirley on that topic.

Shirley beams happily at Lee as they call a score of her versus the gravity and giggles for a moment. She relaxes her hands once more when she knows her balance isn't in jeopardy again and say to Lee, "I thought so but I didn't want to assume. I still want more of that potato souffle, you have me addicted to it."

"You could always try and maybe trade skill for skill?" Shirley suggests as a potential compensation. "And I completely agree, reading music is a skill I could never grasp. I am amazed by those who can read it. But yes, Sculptures!" She laughs before she teases, "Wet pizza is gross and I know I don't want to smell like pasta after warming up in a jacuzzi or something. I doubt anyone else would. I'll be careful. If I even am that brave tonight to attempt it. I would want an accomplice or accomplices."

"Good luck in finding someone, though I doubt you will really need it." Lee has learned in the few months of being here that most of the staff is helpful to the others. At least those that they have met.

As they all circle back around they start to head back to the tent where they started. "It's the three types of cheese Shirley. There is chemistry lesson there, but I won't bore you all with it." Lee doesn't mind the addition of Archer to the group, they were a bit surprised to see Shirley, so not hanging out alone is good thing.

"Don't look at me. I am not abusing food like that." Lee says to Shirley with a shake of their head.

"I'm going to have to pass on bringing food to a jacuzzi," Archer chuckles when Shirley claims a need for accomplices. "At the very most I'd bring a drink, and not in a glass container, either. There are just some things that don't need to be combined. Though I do wish you luck if you decide to attempt it." He's not going to judge.

"I don't know, I wouldn't mind learning the chemistry of it," Archer says to Lee, though he doesn't seem like he's going to press if Lee'd rather not get into it. He gradually makes his way back off the ice, making sure that the other two make it safely toward the bench as well before he settles in to pull off his skates and put his boots back on.