While everyone was busy with the continuing celebration, Valentina’s focus was on a scrap of paper in her hand, the pencil in the other scribbling and sketching upon its surface. Vanora made her way over to the tinker’s side and coughed in a bid to catch her attention.

“Uh…h-hey, Val? Just came to check on you, see if you’re alri-”
While speaking, she let out a surprised squeak as Valentina let out an “Aha!” before she erased something and replaced it with more scribblings. She did however look up, having finally noticed Vanora’s presence.

“Oh, heya there Vanora! Didn’t see ya there! Checkin’ if I’m alright? I’m fine, I’m fine…after all ‘tha hubbub from earlier, thought I’d just distract myself with some good ol’ tinkerin’! No worries really…saaaay, ‘ya also thinkin’ ‘ya might need something made? I got something I’m drawin’ up here that might catch 'yer interest!” and words after words seem to just fire out of her friend’s mouth like a hurricane. Vanora’s mouth gaped, at a loss for words as Valentina’s verbal volley caught her somewhat off-guard. Soon, however, this turned into a warm smile at seeing Valentina’s enthusiasm and love for her craft. It was during the middle of her friend’s spiel that Vaughn made his entrance, cigar in mechanical hand as he, too, chiming in with his own expertise.

“What’s this? Looks like a nifty design to counteract Cinnabar’s mech, but ‘yer choice of material n’ distribution of ‘tha platin’s a lil’ inefficient kid...”
Vaughn interjected, getting a pout from Valentina in response before she interrupted:
“…But Vauuughn…stressin’ the material ain’t gonna be the end of it all! We could distribute the stress evenly by using lighter platin’ around here and here…”
Somehow, the two had ended up arguing over the design of a powered bipedal defense-oriented exoskeleton Valentina had drawn up on the scrap of paper she’d been drawing on for a while now. Vanora herself watched in the sidelines with a mix of relief and exasperation.
“See Val, ‘ya gotta think outside the box for this one! The idea’s sound but the distribution ratio’s off by at least thirty percent- “ Vaughn started before Valentina interrupted-
"’Ya just want me to plate one arm more over the other, don’tcha?”
And as Vaughn sputtered, another guest entered the fray.

“Ho-ho…it’s quite lively here, isn’t it?” Mayor Volkan exclaimed making his way towards his daughter and placing a hand on her shoulder. He’d been busy speaking with the revelers, easing their worries over the earlier situation while mingling with them at the same time when he noticed the group of three in his peripheral.
“I’m happy to see everyone in high spirits! Just goes to show that together we…hm?” the mayor’s nose crinkled as he took in the smell of cigar smoke. Huffing, he quickly got up to Vaughn and pulled the cigar from the now shocked man’s mouth.

“....Now Vaughn, I thought you would know better than to smoke around crowds? Nobody likes dealing with secondhand smoke, especially not the youngsters!” he tutted disappointedly, though everyone could see the mirthful twinkle in his eyes. Regardless, Vaughn swiped at the mayor’s hand holding his cigar, letting out a cry of frustration as he failed to take it back. Laughter filled their little circle of friends as the mayor proved his spryness in an impromptu game of tag, something that brought a smile to the face of those in the area.

Not too far away and seated on a bench, Vontell watched as the festivities continued, though one would have a hard time telling by the pondering look on his face. “Having witnessed the rather tumultuous situation earlier, I must wonder…” He mumbled, thoughts going to his own personal life circumstances. Vontell himself had his own proverbial skeleton-in-the-closet, one he wished did not burst out cackling mad anytime in the near future. “...How long has it been since I have heard of news from the Realm of Electric? Still, if what happened earlier was any indication, how long do I possibly have?” He got into a more relaxed position, picking up the book on the Blooming March he had brought before opening it and flipping through a few pages to distract his anxious thoughts.

---

Meanwhile over with Valentina’s group, having just finished discussing details and whatnot about Vaughn’s new occupation, he and Mayor Volkan moved to shake hands…before both clenched their outstretched hands into fists that knocked against each other. “Alright, glad ‘ta be on board, mayor! I won’t let ‘ya down! I won't go disappearin' again either." Vaughn said as the mayor nodded in response. They both watched as Valentina continued to regale Vanora with her other projects and blueprints, zooming from one topic to another as the latter did her best to keep up.