“I have a situation, Claude,” Alistair states, his voice clipped, forgoing pleasantries as usual. “Hanavari has… encountered a problem in her friend's enchanted forest.”

​He projects a magical image onto the wall. It shows a clearing in the forest transformed into a surreal Las Vegas stage. . Hanavari, Tinbunny, and Amethyst, clad in dazzling, feathered showgirl costumes, perform a perfectly choreographed routine.

Their friend Barwell, in a tight polyester suit, croons 70s disco hits into a shimmering microphone.

​Claude throws his head back and lets out a delighted laugh. “Magnifique! Alistair, your apprentice has taste! What is the issue? The choreography is a little dated, perhaps, but the enthusiasm is there!”

​“It’s a glamour, Claude,” Alistair says, his voice dangerously low. “A parasitic one, powered by a sentient flower. It’s feeding on them. And it’s… tacky.” The final word is delivered with palpable disgust.

​Claude steps closer to the image, his playful demeanor sharpening into one of keen, professional analysis. He squints, a forensic expert examining a masterpiece of bad taste.

“Ah, I see it now. The pollen count is far too high. The blue is… aggressive. This is not a naturally occurring glamour, my friend. This flower has been on an unbalanced diet. Nymph dusts, I would wager, perhaps some other chemical enhancers to force the bloom. It is not just singing; it is screaming for attention.”

​He turns to Alistair, a brilliant, cheeky spark in his eyes. “My car is outside. I will go and restore a little sanity to the situation.”

​“And your method?” Alistair asks, his tone laced with weary resignation.

​“But of course!” Claude claps his hands together. “First, the duet! Mr. Barwell needs a partner to truly shine, someone to elevate his act. Once we have the show’s full attention, then the act can move on. Do not worry about the mess. You can then complete your actions to sever the glamour."

He winks. “My lovely assistant Claudine will take care of the remaining pollen. It would be a shame to let it go to waste, no?”

Thank you to @thebarwell @wrestlegirl1 and @HenchwomanTinbunny for performing so long.