Welcome to the Freakshow...

[Edmund Talbott]

A momentous night, it was supposed to be dark, storming, and overall ominous. It was, in all cases disappointing. A faint breeze tugged at the edges of the traveler's cloak, but not much more than that. There was a heavy mist, but none of the proscribed thunder, lightning, or other dramatic effects. The door was supposed to slam shut as he came in, it shut quietly on well greased hinges, and there was no flicker of torches as he walked past. He was tall, but not huge, big, but not massive, and fairly plain in appearance, he wasn't the right man for anything, except travelling from place to place. All he had that set him apart was the guitar, and it was a beautiful instrument. He didn't bother talking to anyone on his way in, simply picked himself a corner, set up his guitar, threw out his hat on the ground, and started warming up his fingers with a few practice chords. Had to get in tune and ready to make money before he could blow a bit later.

Notes rippled out, clearer than the tolling of a bell, first smooth, melodius and gentle, and the lyrics were quiet and smooth. "Sail on, forever on, to the land of the evening star..." The guitar sped up, chords coming faster and more complex, as the song wound up, the lyrics coming out, just as clear and smooth. "In the land of desire your heart filled with fire you live for the right to be free, we will sail on, forever on, to the land of the evening star, in the land of desire your heart filled with fire the land of the evening staaar! Now and forever after, asylums filled with laughter, suspicion haunts my dreams an echo through my mind!" The song continued out, and listeners could not help but be moved, for such was the power of the bard. He couldn't compel them to throw a few coins in, but the beauty of the music should be enough to sway even the most tightfisted into supplying some portion of his nights pay.

The music wound down, and the bards voice faded to nothing. "I've still got it. Nothing like a little sound to liven up the evening." The regulars just stared a little, and a coin or two flew into the hat, nothing serious. Enough for a good meal, which was exactly what he went looking for, summoning a wench with a gesture, and ordering a decent meal, hearty stew and a clean glass of...milk? He had the money, let the man have his food and drink as he likes. "I do not partake." He spoke quietly at the strange look he was given. "It makes playing well that much harder after all..."

[Khaevylin Vadamaril]

[[Really sorry, if you didn't want me to post, just say so, and it'll disappear. If you don't mind me joining in at all..]]

Slowly, her weary steps dragged her through the mist. Moisture clung to her hair and clothes and made them damp, shoving yet another obstacle in her search for warmth. Khaevylin’s thin arms were wrapped tightly around her torso, not that they covered much, and they tried to offer the best of the worn leather shirt that hung rather uselessly from her tall frame. Khae considered the possibility of sighing in defeat, but that would of course be admitting that she had given up. Feet still making their way across the well-trodden road, arms still folded tightly around her middle, eyes still searching through the mist, yes Khae was still surviving. Disheartened, but still surviving. And since when did she just give up?

“You know better than to just let these things drag you down. You still have the money don’t you?”

Why did talking to herself always reassure her? Isn’t that a sign you’re crazy?
One or her arms peeled itself away from the leather and dug into the only intact pocket inside her ragged peasant’s leggings pockmarked with holes of wear. There she felt four small coins, and it was her knowledge only that they were the fruits of her labours as a thief. If they could buy her some warm food, it would be the little she needed to send her spirits soaring once again. Well not quite soaring, but as high as a begging orphan could get.

Out of the fog -as if answering her complaining stomach- appeared the tavern. To Khae’s eyes, it literally appeared there for her convenience. For a moment she stopped, feeling the cold of the afternoon on her skin, mist appearing on her breath, and dew settling on her skin, she had to think the tavern over twice. Khaevylin guessed that the tavern didn’t look well on beggars, most places didn’t, but would they turn away a paying child? With that she was through the door and on the nearest chair, at a table of wood filled with scratches, holes, burn marks, and other random markings patrons and brawls had left behind. Eyes like the ocean took in all she could of the occupants of the room in a few seconds. Most were just honest, hardworking men enjoying a beer they’d spent the day at work earning. Khae placed her hands on the table in front of her, they tingled slightly, adjusting to the warmer atmosphere inside, and the rest of her body enjoyed the welcome change. A barmaid noticed her sitting alone and smiled a gently wrinkled smile towards Khae, making her way over with a practised alluring gait for the men.

“What will it be for you, young dear?” Khaevylin smiled and pulled out three of the small coins.
“I beg your pardon, but will this be enough for bread and some hot broth?” Manipulating her position as the innocent child, she offered the barmaid a wide-eyed stare, filled with expectancy.
“Enough for you, dear.” Khae’s pale features broke into a smile, and the barmaid took her gold and went to busy herself filling orders.

Khaevylin found herself with time for a second, more involved scan of the tavern which turned up a few interesting-looking people. But none as intriguing as the man with the stringed instrument, and Khae took a little time to stare. She had always loved music, though she rarely had the time to stop and listen to a musician or a troupe. Apart from his guitar, the man looked like a rather ordinary bard, not anyone she would bother for any gold at least. Khaevylin honestly hoped he would pick up the instrument and play to the small crowd at some point during the night, but that hope quickly died when another barmaid approached him with a meal. It looked like he’d already performed his share for the evening, and she’d missed the show.

[Edmund Talbott]

OOC: Sorry I haven't responded yet, I basically go offline on the weekends, and only have time forvery short inconsequential posts. I'm always happy to have one more.

IC:

The food disappeared quickly. He wasn't truly ravenous, but he was a large man, and large men needed large food. By the time 5 minutes had passed, he was finished eating, had finished most of his glass, and was ready to start playing again. The guitar came back up, and the first chords rolled out, bright and clear, but smehow haunting. She wants a show, let her have one.... He'd noticed the woman staring. It wasn't uncommon, but it still bothered him.

The music played, bright and strong, until his voice came in, and the world seemed to stop. "Another day, just like any other, out of the blue it turned to horror. How could they, why would they? The innocent suffered hell's inferno, a senseless act that goes unforgotten. How could they, they will pay..." It was a song of epic loss, and the pain of an entire people. The song played on, deep chords and resonating sound stilling the entire room as the bard flexed his musical prowess to make his listeners not simply hear the song, but live the sense of sorrow and loss that it embodied. With the end of the song, the room would return to themselves, but until that time they were lost in their minds. Not 5 minutes later, the song was over, the last chord fading to nothing in the silent room as his voice similarly died away to nothing.

"Well, was that enough of a show for you?" If she didn't realize who he was talking to, and couldn't hear him over the silent room, it was no fault of his own.

[Taskmienster]

This thread has been sitting since before the beginning of this year (2009). Since no response has been made to create activity I am going to be moving this. If you would like it to be reopened please feel free to PM myself or another admin and they will be able to move it for you back to the Peaceful Promenade.