They're... ON HOLIDAY?

Day 8 - Smiley's hole: 7/7

The crossroad where the promenade intersects the main road leading north and up the hillside through the resort and down to the beach now hosts a set of mobile bleachers. Deck chairs are everywhere and vendors are getting record sales. A large, circular table with four chairs sits in the center of the crossroad, presumably for Chrysalis and Shining Armor as well as anyone who wants to watch up close. The table is set up to be the Scufflestick battleground for the evening, with banks, cover, and tunnels made from dirt, grass, and several small barricades made of wood. Finally, there's a dais in the right beach corner with two folding chairs, a table with several drinks, and Bright Star paired up with Trixie. The paladin's horn is glowing as he experiments with versions of illusion spells which would best allow him to project the battleground into the air for everyone to see. Contrary to the usual paladin attire, Bright Star is wearing a multicolored Hawaiian shirt, a shade on his forehead, and a pair of sunglasses propped on his horn, all while sipping a cocktail in a plastic cup through a straw. Sitting on the second chair is Trixie wearing her usual star-decorated, purple hat, her matching cloak hanging from the corner of the podium due to the heat.

"TESTING, TESTING! ONE, TWO, THREE!" Trixie's voice booms over the gathered crowd and street vendors who moved their booths from further parts of the promenade.

"I must say, this isn't the most professional look," the crowd parts before the huge mass of Sun Hammer as the Acting Grandmaster finds her way to the podium.

"On the contrary, Sunny!" Bright Star takes his hind legs off of the podium, beaming at Sun Hammer, "We're off duty, so you should be the one relaxing, and you aren't," he shakes his head before leaning to Sun Hammer's ear, "Besides, I'm in the perfect position to both keep an eye on our suspects and a protective hoof over them in case it's all a set-up. Plus, 65536 called in a favor. You don't just refuse that, and we still haven't figured out a wibble resistance spell. Curse that infernally adorable power!"

Sun Hammer sighs and looks at Trixie doing vocal exercises.

"And her?"

Trixie shoots her a defiant glare.

"I got paid a bunch by one of those little weirdos to use my showmareship talent and draw some attention to this event. Plus I'm running a betting pool. Don't look at me like I'm doing anything wrong, I know my rights and we're in international waters... on an international island... something along those lines," she pouts.

Sun Hammer decidedly turns her head back to Bright Star.

"Do you require my assistance here?" she asks.

"I doubt it. Both Chrysalis and Cadance are in this willingly and have had some time to prepare, so while I expect them to fight as dirty as this game allows I'm sure nothing dangerous is going to happen," Bright Star shrugs and takes a sip of his cocktail, "I could use your company, though."

"Bright Star, I have no idea what's going on here other than there are way too many way too drunk creatures around."

"Sunny, it's a tactical board game. 65536 explained the basics to me and I really think you'd enjoy it. You could maybe help Trixie here commentate," he nudges Sun Hammer, "She knows how to hype something up for sure but an actual tactician could do wonders to pull the crowd in. This has to be better than that mystery novel you're reading."

Sun Hammer looks around from the raised dais. There are nobles and servants everywhere, the crossroad is pretty much crawling with griffon guards and security ponies, and some of the hyperactive changeling drones are around. So far, she's counted three but she's sure she saw one among the creatures walking down the central road.