We left off at the fashion show behind the curtain, ready for the walk and waiting for a cue. At this point the crowd noise is like standing in a crowded auditorium, except that everyone is dressed like they own a yacht.
A staff member with a clipboard approaches hastily, gestures for you to be ready in a few seconds and whispers, "What kind of music?"
The staff member gives a thumbs-up, touches their headset and listens for a moment, and then nods in your direction. They gesture towards the curtain as the lights drop and the previous song - a classical piano piece - fades out.
@bobble That sounds like a Wisdom save, potentially.
“The designer can make an announcement to introduce the collection, if you want,” the staff member whispers. “But some people skip it to make a splash.”
You emerge from the curtain to oohs and gasps - not only because of your unique Sherri fashion but because you’re doing something very unusual for a model. Instead of strutting, you’re slinking. Dramatically, even.
The runway being relatively short, it only takes you a few minutes to reach the end of it. The hundreds of eyes and lots of people scribbling, taking pictures and making incredulous observations on the style and poise is a little frightening, but you make it back to the curtain to rousing applause and cheers.
It seems like the Sherri style, thus far, is well-received.
(13+7+4 = 24, I did use an inspiration trying to get a higher result, but it was worse)
Fin struts out slowly at first, darting left and right, then stopping like she's a sea creature lurking from hiding spot to hiding spot, making the dress's holographic pattern shimmer disconcertingly. As she reaches a stopping point, she kicks out her hips in a very exaggerated way, flashing the negative image tentacle pattern on the back of Sherri's dress to the audience.
Fin continues this agressive sea-creature sashaying the whole way down the runway.
There’s a huge chorus of clapping, and multiple people start frantically taking notes and snapping pictures. You hear someone down near the front row say, “…never seen anything like that, the drama of it…!”
As she goes back stage Fin whispers to Sherri, "Break somebody's leg" and casts guidance on Sherri (if it pleases the GM, and we're not abusing the spell)
Sherri is more dancing than strutting, just floating down the walkway, breezily doing a couple light spins. Also possibly using the Gust cantrip to ripple the dress.
Speaking of Applause, though, that's what Sherri has told the staff member to play for the group walk.
When she gets back to the curtain, Sherri tells Fin and Teri, "Alright, darlings, as soon as the intro to the music is over, you're out that curtain on the beat. Ready, dears?"
You hit the beat perfectly, which is especially effective because of the drop at the start of the song that you catch right on time. The crowd erupts into a standing ovation as you emerge.
A delicate white lily-of-the-valley gets tossed onto the stage as you near the end of the walkway, from the checker-suited fellow who has moved to the front to flash a charming look in Sherri’s direction. Meet me after, he mouths.
The staff member behind the curtain gives you two enthusiastic thumbs-up as you return. “That was incredible,” she whispers. “I’ve never seen new blood make that kind of impression. You’re stars!”
Sherri winks again, and then strides off to collect her bag. She's still waiting for a signal from AM for where to drop the money and blazer, and on collecting the passports.
Sherri grabs a donut, downs it, Prestidigitations everyone's outfits, and stands up. "Well then, my lovely models, are you ready to face the audience?"
A few pockets of people have developed near the corners of the room by the food tables - now that the models can unwind, everyone is getting into the cheesecake, shrimp and cocktails. You note that some of the designers and their models have been pulled aside by people with clipboards who seem like talent scouts, negotiating and brokering.
Teri reaches for one slice and, while openly scooping it up, slips the other onto a plate with mage hand, then floats the plate to hover right under the table where others won't look
You perform the cake-related equivalent of that scene from Ocean’s Twelve where he dances around all the lasers. Perfect plan, perfect execution. The plate doesn’t even clatter as it completely vanishes from sight.
