Saturday started early for the Texas Iolausians with a knock on the door. It seems that Dea wasn't feeling too well and decided she needed a ride home. I can see where Dea gets her good looks, her mom was one hot Momma! But, back to the story.
Salmoneus and I were already engaged in an interesting debate on thievery versus commerce. I, of course was winning the arguement when that centaur had to put in his four hooves into the debate.
Some of the Texas Iolausians were already up, but Jane and Ilaia were still sound asleep. Bwell, in her customary manner, woke up the two sleeping beauties with a song. I must admit, this being my second Texas Iolausian Gathering, I'm beginning to enjoy that harpy's....um....I mean sirens.....yeah, yeah....sirens voice.
The Texas Iolausians had a big day planned at the Texas Renaissance Festival. The Festival starts the first week in October and lasts for six glorious weeks. There was a quick discussion on which dolls to take and Curly and I won out. No one wanted to take the "shameless scene stealer". I wonder why?
Anyway, Ceryndip arranged for Iolaus to ride in a special pocket. He gets all the perks, while I had to fancy myself as Margui's personal pocket protector, cramped in one of the front pockets of her jeans. It's one of the stranger ways I've gotten into a woman's pants. But once we were settled, we were off.
We arrived early so Bwell could get her share of butt shots as we waited for the gates to open. She claims she was still getting used to the camera, but I know better. She was not the only Texas Iolausian to leer at the derrier's of men dressed in skin hugging pants and fancy tights.
Inside, the Festival was filled with a multitude of open air shops, shows and games. Of course like any good Iolausian, their first order of business included shopping. Margui kept a careful eye on me and although my hands were just made for grasping, I was not allowed to touch the tempting treasures in any of the shops.
Knowing Iolaus' affinity for mud, the Texas Iolausians first show had to be the "Mud Show". Like all good shows at the Festival, audience participation was a must. There was both literally and figuratively a little mud slinging as the audience was devided into two groups; the Spartans and the Trojans. We were forced to yell inane sayings like "Trojans...Trojans...we will never break," I mean UGH! Two of the Iolausians decided to desert the Trojan side in favor of better seats. They will remain nameless, won't they Bwell and Ilaia?
Most of the Iolausians lunched on what can only be described as a local delicacy: fried fungus on a stick. YUCK! I have to say the dish looked just "Falawful", but the rest of the group seemed to like it.
During lunch we watched the chariot races. I surmised that I must have been their lucky charm, it couldn't possibly have been Iolaus, as our chariot won the race.
After lunch, more shopping was in order. Some of the group must fancy themselves as musicians, as Ilaia gave an impromptu concert on the violin. She made us proud. Later in the day, Ceryndip and Ilaia received lessons on a bamboo flute. Jane bought a pan flute and Bwell bought a contraption that could only be described as a didjiridu. She didn't need any lessons to learn to play that instrument. Bwell was a natural.
Our last show of the day was a juggling act called the "Flaming Idiots". As a steady rain began to fall, I wasn't sure which ones were the bigger idiots, the soggy ones on the stage or the ones in the audience. I was not a happy pocket protector as Margui, Ilaia and Jane insisted on viewing the entire show in the rain. Ceryndip, Bwell and Iolaus had the right idea. They sought shelter as the heaviest rain began to fall.
Soaked to the bone, the Texas Iolausians decided to bid the Texas Renaissance Festival farewell. We all piled into the van and headed back to the hotel. Ceryndip and Ilaia showed us what they learned on the bamboo flutes during our ride home.
Once everyone changed into their pajamas--oh, I'd kill for a chage of clothes, or just to sit down--but I digress, they ordered pizzas and settled down for a movie marathon. The poor Iolausians must have been tuckered out from the events of the day, because by 10:30pm they were all in bed.
I, of course, was forced to continue my conversation with Salmoneus on the topic of thievery versus commerce, but this time I duct taped the centaurs mouth shut.
