2025-06-10 - Spellbound Wine Festival - Grape Stomp!

Spellbound is hosting its very first Wine Festival. With several vineyards and wineries just across the lake, it is natural to invite them to display their wares to the guests and staff. The garden is an army of white tents of various sizes. Most of them have wines to sample in exchange for tickets and of course bottles to sell should people enjoy what they taste. Food tents are sprinkled in between to help absorb the alcohol as the day progresses.

In the center of the garden a grape stomping competition is about to begin. Short wooden barrels filled with grapes are set up on raised platforms with little spouts at the bottom to drain the wine as the grapes are stomped. It seems it is open for anyone who feels brave enough to join!

Byron is a man who does enjoy his wine. The stomping is just an extra layer of fun to go with. Then there's the food and he's already got a plate stacked up as if it were in some cartoon or comic. It's impressive the way he can balance cookies, crackers, muffins, you name it, just so that they don't topple over. Does he have a glass of wine with him? Probably. And he's carrying both the glass and the tall stack of food to join Garrett at the judging table or wherever as he's taking a sip on his way there.

"This looks to be a fun event. If messy." He pauses as he sets his things down, "I'm almost tempted to join up myself."

Alexys is here and ready to stomp grapes! Over at the barrels, she waits with the others who are volunteering for the competition and bounces on her feet. "Oh this is going to be so exciting! I've wanted to do this ever since I saw that episode of I Love Lucy! I can't wait!"

She wears black cutoff jean shorts and a wine colored short sleeved shirt that reads 'You had me at Merlot'. Her long blonde hair is pulled back into a messy ponytail to keep it out of her face.

As she stands she offers a nod and smile to those around. She's still new here so getting to know faces and names. This event seems like a great way to help with that too!

Garrett got roped in to helping with the wine festival, because he foolishly signed up figuring he was going to get access to the wine. Apparently he still needs to buy tickets, and he's a little miffed. Still he's dressed for not stomping wine, because he has on pair of tan linen pants and a white collared shirt with an official looking lanyard on his neck. When he sees his roommate approaches he smirks.

"You should. I'm sure you'd do great and if not I can always make fun of you back at the office. Just don't fall off and face plant on the ground." He teases lightly before nodding to Alexys. "It should be great! Can I get your name? Also I need you to sign this waver for safety reasons."

How does one dress for stomping grapes? Maybe that's why Byron is wearing dark shorts today and rather than a suit jacket or a tie, he has on just a purple paisley patterned short sleeved buttoned down. Keeping it mostly casual. He doesn't look like he's a detective on duty today, at the very least, though he does have on some fancy shades.

Taking a bite out of a chicken wing that was crowded in with all the sweet treats on his plate, he arches a brow, turning his shaded eyes Garrett's way, "Why'd you have to go and jinx me like that?" And with those words, he takes another bite out of that wing, just to punctuate that statement to the author and archivist, before turning away and upnodding in Alexys' direction, brandishing a smile, "Now I'll have that on my mind the whole time."

At Garrett's enthusiasm, she turns and looks to him. "Oh sure! I'm Alexys. It's nice to meet you!" She offers a wave because not everyone is a fan of hugs, but her energy definitely gives off the vibes of a hugger. "Sure I can sign a waiver that makes sense."

Seeing Byron balancing the food Alexys' eyes widen. "Oh. My. Gourd. That looks amazing! I can't decide which food stand to try first. I think I even saw some deep fried Oreos!" So many fried, carb, and sugared foods to choose from! Hearing the banter between the two she grins and shakes her head, "Hey. Don't listen to him. I'm sure you'll do grape!" The grin after delivering the pun and then nods to the two. "So when you're not handing out waivers or balancing food what do the two of you do around here? I'm over at the animal exhibit myself."

"It's what I do best! Also it's not that far of a fall, it wouldn't hurt that much." The risers are barely two feet off the ground Garrett smirks at Byron before he walks over to Alexys with his clipboard. "A pleasure. I'm Garrett." He says handing it over so she can sign the important papers.

As Alexys gushes over the food, Garrett is called over by one of the other judges and he excuses himself for a quick conversation. There is a lot of gesturing, especially to his easily stained pants before he sighs and takes his own clipboard and angrily signs it. Rejoining the pair he shakes his head. "Oh we're both in the Magical Studies department. It sounds fancier than it is." He smiles brightly before glaring at the barrels. "Apparently it would be good press for me to join in, so I guess we're all going up against each other! I'm sending the park my dry cleaning bill."

When told that it wouldn't hurt that much, Garrett's words get another arch of the brow from his roommate whose eyes are still hidden behind those sunglasses. However, as introductions are being made, once Garrett introduces himself, Byron does the same in a faux Brit accent to mimic Garrett's, "And I'm Byron." Of course, it doesn't come out as smoothly as the true Brit, but the man grins all the same. When he next speaks, it's in a regular American accent, whatever that is. Either way, he's from Ohio.

"I am pretty sure I've got one of those fried Oreos in here somewhere. And if not, I better go get one." He says to Alexys as he tilts his head to the side, inspecting his collection of goodies, before he turns to look to where Garrett is not wandering off to, observing the gestures and such. "By the looks of it, I think Garrett is being told to join the competition for whatever reason. I hope he's brought extra clothes."

His smile brightens when his roommate rejoins them and his suspicions are confirmed. "I'm sure that they can magically wish the stains away by now." He's not sure, but he hopes so! There's then a nod to something Garrett had said and something which he didn't answer to when they were still discussing food, "Right, the Magical Studies department. I work the science labs, though I specialize in forensics." Taking one last sip of his wine and a bite of a brownie, he dusts his hands up as he rises from his seat. Only then does he remove his sunglasses and tucks them away into a pocket.

"So shall we do this then?"

"Garrett and Byron," Alexys says. Obviously making the mental note so she doesn't forget. "Magical Studies? It definitely does sound fancy. And official!"

As Garrett walks off she looks to Byron and nods, "I'm going to have to be rolled out of here by the time I'm done visiting all the tents. Though that's not a bad problem to have." She's lofting a brow then as Byron guesses what has Garrett looking so upset and...he's right.

Alexys winces, "Dish soap with cold water and hydrogen peroxide. It helps. My mom taught me that trick for stains." Just because she was enthusiastic about stomping doesn't mean she can't respect the fact he doesn't seem to be. However, it seems it is time to start and Byron gets a nod. "Yeah! I'm ready!" With that she heads to a barrel and gets ready to stomp!

It takes Garrett a few moments to roll up his pant legs and find something to hold them in place. Then his shoes and socks are kept back by the table so they don't get messy either. He glares at Byron as he attempts an abysmal English accent and decides to mimic his. "It's official, and also new. I sort of feel like we're all winging it until something sticks." It's not quite Ohio, but he tries. Looking back to Alexys he gestures to the tents. "I'll be right there with you, and probably too tipsy to stand." He's glad he saved the wine drinking for after the grape stomping. Looking to Alexys he smiles. "Thanks for the tip, I am sure I am going to need it later!"

With everyone getting into place, Garrett walks to his barrel like he's walking to his funeral. Once he steps in he makes a face as the grapes squish and he shakes his head. "This his horrible and I do not like it." However he is a good sport and waits until the whistle is blown and starts stomping away at the grapes, but in a dainty manor.

Byron is already kicking off his shoes and socks and starts on his way towards the dreaded barrels. Hearing Garrett's mimicking his Ohio accent, if that's a thing, he snap points and winks at the Brit, "Not bad. Do I really sound like that?"

As they all hop into their assigned barrels and prepare to stomp, Byron turns to Alexys, "Just think, we'll be burning off a good number of calories by doing this." Before he tacks on, giving his back one last stretch before he's ready to begin, "Or that's what I'll keep telling myself."

Then the whistle sounds and, well, whatever he used to do prior to working at the park, Byron's a pretty fit guy and looks like he hits the gym often enough, so grape stomping is just another form of wine cardio. "Just think, Garrett! Later, we get to drink this stuff!" Does that make it any better?

There's a laugh as Garrett returns Byron's gesture of mocking his accent. "I swear you two could switch places with each other and I'd never know." Obviously a joke, but she seems amused nonetheless.

Then, she's shaking her head, "I couldn't care less about the calories. I'm doing this to feel the squish between my toes!" As she steps into the barrel her face breaks into a full grin and she laughs again in delight. "Ahhh. It's so cold and squishy!" She sounds just as thrilled as Garrett does horrified.

As the whistle blows she starts stomping and busts into even more laughter, "This is the best day of my life!" She isn't winning as far as contests go, but life? Yes. She's winning that. "C'mon, Garrett! Lift those knees! Show those grapes your wrath!" Alexys catches the unintended pun then, "Hey! Grapes of Wrath!" She continues to stomp, dancing around a bit as she does.

"Absolutely." Garrett says with the upmost confidence to Byron. He has no idea how good the accent is, but he does live and work with the guy so he has a guess. He shakes his head at Alexys. "We could not, I wouldn't survive his skincare routine. It's tragic."

He laughs about the calories, but when Alexys is super hyped about squishing grapes and enjoying it he blinks several times. "I'm glad one of us is having fun!" He's trying to stay positive but this feels like torture. In the spirit of competition, he does lift his knees and it seems to be helping!

"No offence Byron, but I don't want to drink your feet wine. Nor my own. I'll stick to something done by a professional."

"Hey, at least I use sunscreen. And I use whatever moisturizers my sister doesn't want." Byron starts to say, his grin wide at first, before he looks thoughtful and it slowly begins to fade. Not completely though. Maybe he's feeling a little homesick. This does make his energy level drop slightly and his pace slows.

That's when he lifts a chin to glance in Alexys' direction, before saying to Garrett, "What are you talking about? This is fun. You gotta learn to let loose sometimes."

"And for your information, I'll be more than happy to take a little taste of our feet wine. Don't knock it until you try it and all!"

"That's the spirit! You're doing great!" Alexys encourages Garrett. She can't help but laugh at the man's mention of complex skincare routine though.

She looks to Byron, "Well I need her and your secret. Because your skin looks fabulous." It's a humored compliment, but also a sincere one. "Oh that is a thought!" Not foot wine. She clarifies. "Wine cupcakes. I bet that would taste amaz-OOP!" A small yelp escapes her as Alexys slips on the grapes and instantly finds her butt hitting the barrel as grapes and juice alike splash slightly.

While only the top of her head is visible any concern is hopefully eased as her laughter is quickly heard. Reaching one arm up and then the other she tries to steady herself before standing, head shaking back and forth assuringly as she continues to laugh. "I'm fine. Honest. I'm fine." Careful as she stands, she also collects herself enough to calm her laughter. Grapes are on her arms and legs, juice splattering her outfit as well as her hair.

"On a plus side. It was a fast way to squish grapes!" With that she continues squishing. "I think I've definitely earned a drink after this though!"

"Are they even right for your skin type?" Garrett is a little breathless because they are doing some vigorous physical activity. Not that he's saying Byron has bad skin. Though he does smile at Alexys, because her personality is a little infectious. Maybe this horrid texture on his feet is delightful. Maybe. Though she falls and he pauses for a moment to look over at her. "Are you alright?"

He sighs in relieve as she stands back up and gestures to the prize table. "You're in luck, everyone gets a bottle." The winners just get nicer bottles. turning back to Byron he shakes his head. "You do you." He will stick with machine pressed wine thank you very much.

A countdown begins and the crowd cheers the stompers on. Finally a whistle is blown and everyone is asked to stop! Garrett carefully gets out of his barrel and looks down at his feet and his once white trousers. Rolling them up his knees did not save him as they're now stained. "Great job everyone!" He says as he slips back into a coordinator role. "Just give us a few moments to compare the the wine!"

"She's my sister." Byron says as he continues to stomp grapes, this time picking up a little more speed. "We have the same skin type." This is a joke! He's got a doctorate and everything! He knows better, but he jokes at Garrett's expense. "It's all genetic, you know." At Alexys' compliment, he just flashes her a smile, "See, she gets it." He then goes on to say, "You forget, my sister is a model. She would never lead me astray." Then wine cupcakes are brought up and already he's thinking of ordering a batch for hims--

Byron almost stops what he's doing to go over and lend Alexys a hand. And he would have too, if she didn't immediately pull herself back up. "Everything alright over there?" He asks cautiously, medically observing her most likely now, even if he continues to STOMP.

And then it's over and they no longer have to keep their momentum up or splash grape juice all over themselves. Not that it mattered anymore. They probably looked a mess.

"Well, we're all winners in my eyes." Byron isn't afraid to say as he steps out of his barrel and tries to kick off some grape skin and juice from one of his stained feet. He then makes sure to offer Alexys a hand, less she falls again. Glancing back at Garrett, he just has to ask, "By comparing the wine, do you mean how it tastes?" He knows that Garrett is no way wants to taste feet wine.

"I'm ok honest thank you. Just sprained my pride!" Alexys definitely seems fine as she continues to stomp.

Then, as it comes to a close she stops stomping and looks to her 'competition'. "Good job! That was so much fun!" She knows she didn't win. However, she also seems totally fine with that.

Taking Byron's help out of the barrel, she nods to him. "Thank you." Once she's out she brushes the bits of grape off her clothes and off her arm. Then, her eyes focus together on some of the hair that's come free from the ponytail and has some grapes in it. "Oh wow. I wonder what benefits grapes have for skin and hair?" she looks over to Byron with a grin.

Then, she's looking to Garrett as he goes back into coordinator mode. An admiring tone as she smiles to Byron, "I'm guessing he doesn't let himself cut loose like that often? Hopefully he was able to have some fun."

"You're the scientist, I'm sure you know how it all works and I should bow down to your prowess." Garrett says dryly over his shoulder. The other works are coming by with towels and wet wipes to help the contestants clean up. The judges grab the jars and measure how much liquid is each and he nods his head like he knows what he's doing and takes some notes on his clipboard. When someone points to him he shakes his head and gestures back to the crowd.

With nods from the committee, he grabs two of the prize bottles from the table and walks over. "Looks like you're a big winner Byron. It's a whole bottle of bubbly for yourself. Congrats." Turning to Alexys he smiles and hands her another nice bottle of wine. "This one lacks the bubbles but it's still delicious. Thank you for coming out and making your very own feet wine." Glaring at Byron he shakes his head. "They're going to dump it out, so don't try and bring it home."

As they wait for the results and he's handed a towel, Byron starts to wipe himself clean starting with his hands, of course, they weren't safe from the splash zone, and then his feet and ankles, etc. He then looks over at Alexys, "Actually, from what reports I've read, grapes aren't bad for the skin. They are supposedly anti-inflammatory and supposedly have certain anti-ageing properties. Now, don't quote me on that. That's just what I'd read."

As to her inquiry about Garrett, the man just chuckles, "Oh, Garrett's fine. Now, getting your fine clothes messed up would put off anyone. He's pretty funny when you get to know him."

He is then congratulated and given the winning bottle of wine. "Me? Are you sure?" He looks from bottle to Garrett, "You're lucky, I'm the sharing type." He then smiles over at Alexys when she's handed a bottle too, right before he's warned not to bring back any of the juice from those barrels. Here, his brows furrow, "Do you actually think that I would--" He then stops himself, "Okay, nevermind. I actually would bottle some of that up. If not to drink, for science! And then to drink, once I ran some tests on them."

"Hey it sounds scientific and believable to me!" Alexys agrees with the idea about grapes being good for the skin. Then, she's chuckling, "I think Garrett and you are both plenty of fun. I do feel bad about his clothes though."

When Byron is announced the winner she claps and cheers for him, "Congratulations!" She has taken one of the towels and is drying her hair off as best as she can. Then, she's being handed a bottle! "Ooo. Thanks! This was so much fun."

As the contest finishes she looks to the pair and offers a nod, "It was great to meet both of you. I'm going to go find some food and check out the rest of the festival." With that she finds her shoes and does just that.