I'm coming to this one quite late so I tried to do a little recap. I didn't list all the wrong guesses for #2 but I do include all the clue rewrites plus what I thought to be PG's relevant hints.
I actually read through from the beginning and I'm liking this riddle so far.
I hope you don't mind, I'm making a recap
And this is the riddle rewrite:
Mocking and scoffing, jeer.
Witty jest, not very sincere.
Quite sarcastic and sharp,
A really cunning remark.
A practical joke, a trick.
A real gibe, make it stick.
Aye, another fun riddle. The reason I didn't get the paint clue is because I had the riddle wrong in my head when I answered. I was thinking that the answer itself was being painted. After seeing your response I actually went back and reread the original riddle and realized that it fit perfectly.
This one has had some alternate answers that fit reasonably well (which I usually consider to be a flaw); hopefully the intended answer will be totally satisfying and give that "oh yeah, that's gotta be it" feel. It's been up for a few days so it might be time for a hint, or at least a rundown of the clues:
- has "robes"
- draws "curious globes"
- does some "enlightening"
- protects, while something similar distorts perception
- long-winded only if you cast it away, with variable results depending on the day
- slovenly folks only see imperfections after many days