RP:A Night in Schezerade
This is a Bard's Guild RP.
Summary: The Velvet Thunder strikes in Schezerade again.
Schezerade Tavern
The first thought running through one’s head upon entering this tavern is that it isn’t your typical watering hole. It’s constructed of polished white stone, brightly illuminated by golden chandeliers and torches, along with a cosy fire located at the southern side of the circular building. The very centre of the building is where the bar is located, where a pair of lovely twin avian women take orders and hand out drinks in gold cups. There is plenty of places to sit other than at the central bar as well; cushion-topped marble chairs fastened to the floor are placed around a matching marble table, also attached to the floor so it appears like both floor and tables were hewn from the same piece of marble. Flowers of every type and colour decorate the majority of the tavern as well, giving the ambiance to the building one of comfort and lavishness. You can almost hear the sounds of birds tweeting through the large, open windows, which let in a gentle breeze to only add more to the tavern’s relaxing feel.
Tiber had been perched up on the same stool in the front of the crowd that had some new faces and some similar. “Hey, I’m Augustus,” his normally fainted Catalian tone is masked by a very low, chill, silken voice. It is hard to depict any accent, so most would think common. Tiberius is disguised again, wearing a denim coat, black-straight pants, and boots. On his head, he wears a circle, wide-brimmed, black hat. He keeps the hat over his amber hues purposefully, although he wears glasses to hide his usual face, as well. “This is called, Fair Lane,” he begins before clearing his throat. A glass of whisky is down by his feet again. Hands start off a slow strum before picking up in crescendo at a quicker, upbeat pace and he begins to actually stand. “We’ve reached this point a hundred times while eyes glued to the ocean side. There is no conversation, no validation, but I’ll be alright,” his voice is upbeat and gives off that alternative tone before abruptly stopping the quick pace of the guitar. “At Fair Lane wait for the day we say our goodbyes,” beat, “at Fair Lane wait for the day we say our goodbyes,” his voice is very soft before picking up the pace again on the same consistent strum. “I know I really tried to be right beside you, but I do not really wanna be alone,” his voice switches back into the faster tempo on the chorus and he continues spilling. The song is very upbeat and sounds happy, yet the lyrics are very depressing. It’s a good time.
Kailani :: Taverns and bars were not a setting that the blue-haired druid normally finds herself wandering into and when she does she tries to keep the visit as minimal as possible. She's in, she buys what she needs to buy, and then she is out and on her way. Except, most of the time taverns and bars do not offer the reclusive druid anything that she cannot find out in nature. So what is it that pulls Kailani's attention in today? Well, the blue-haired woman had been in the floating city on business, to make a trade of furs and hides. That transaction was completed and the druid was on her way out of the city, but hearing music being played pulls Kailani's attention toward the tavern. Kailani enters, but she keeps to herself and tries to go unnoticed...at least as much as someone with blue hair can go unnoticed. The druid opts to loiter and listen toward the back of the establishment.
Schezerade Tavern has more patrons than usual this night and most of the bardic art college students that had returned for the first semester. Most came at the request of their friends who insisted that it would be a good time because of this new alternative singer that’s been showing up at the tavern sometimes. They all gathered their coin and pulled up seats before the stool like a proper concert. A few of the young females in the group visibly blush and become entranced by his song while a few sort of bop along with the hit. The artist’s guitar case lay open next to him and the patrons take turns tossing coin to August.
Tiber :: After the chorus, the decrescendo drops and he closes his eyes in that softer tone. “I’m not alright, though. I’m not alright, though. I’m not alright.” He drags before strumming once and twice. “You made me one broken lad. Now I feel like broken glass. You don’t say much don’t you now.” His fingers move on the frets before coming to a halt. “I’m not alright,” the last phrase hangs, and the once chipper pace now turns into something that would leave the crowd… Empty if they understood the lyrics. The silence hangs before amber eyes open and he is now staring at the girls who are blushing with a very stoic gaze. One that is… uneasy, intimidating. “Thank you. I’m Augustus Rivers and that was Fair Lane. There is gonna be a short break, everybody. Alliyah and the Nocturnals are gonna play one hell of a song, and I’ll be back here shortly.” He then moves off the stage, grabbing the whisky and tip cup before moving to the back where the blue-haired druid is. Downing the whiskey before moving to the bar to place the glass on the edge. Just your average musically talented drunk. The room then fills with a girl’s vibrato and piano before busting out in some classic drums.
Terra had snuck in at some point during the song but kept a low profile. What was it about going where absolutely no one knew your name? That’s what she was seeking. That jacket pulled a little tighter as she moved toward the bar, dropped some coins in a cup someone walked by her with, and ordered a large drink.
Kailani :: Is thankful that most of the attention is on the stage, that she has not encountered any drunks trying to chat her up with useless drivel. Hurhurhur, your hair is blue. Yes, Kailani is thankful to avoid these conversations. She, much like Terra, is very happy to keep to herself. Let the blushing girls blush over the broken-hearted man, let the drunken men drool over Alliyah. This meant Kai could enjoy the music in peace -- it was the literal only reason she was here. Nature made its own unique music, sure, but she does not often hear actual musicians play. Who knows when she would again.
The tavern is alive with roaring applause, whistle calling and girls audibly swooning now. All of the sudden, it’s like he’s some local celebrity and the patrons cannot get enough. Lots of people stayed for the next set, but a group of girls who are whispering to each other and giggling meander to a vacant table sort of near August. They are in a hushed debate while stealing glances at the man, but if he manages to look their way again, they dissolve into a fit of giggles and longing sighs. They pass around a certain flyer and some words can be made out between the three, “no, /you/ show him.” This back and forth probably goes on for quite some time between bits of, “he’s so /dreamy/,” and a sympathetic, “he’s like a sad little pup.
Tiber turns abruptly. “You.” Yeah, blue hair is a color popper, Kailani. Sorry to scratch the record. “Take a shot with me.” He suggests. It was not flirtatious, but only casual. He keeps moving anyway before he is up at the bar as well. Glasses on his face, jacket also up tight, and his hat shading his face to disguise him properly. Even his tone of voice was different. Must have been the years of learning other languages to mask his own voice. “Whiskey, on the rocks and a shot of the same on the side for,” he looks for Kailani. There was a possibility that was a no. He would then sort of look at Terra at the large drink before sliding his own coin from his tips across the bar counter. “Long day?” Was it a mock? Hard to tell with his attitude these days. So up and down. With the coat, he could not recognize Terra. The one that… made him feel on edge before. Alliyah on stage, instead of Tiber, would be enthusiastically flirty with her ways and her points to random dudes and chicks in the audience. Tiber was just… intimidating, and stand-offish. Then, the strong sensation of giggles creep behind his back. He slowly turns as the group of girls are bantering about him. “Do you girls even have taste to listen to the actual song?” Okay, so he was not really into the fan-girling. That was not a normal musician. He truly had a bite, although softer to make sure no one would recognize him.
Kailani :: Take. A. Shot. When was the last time that someone had made this request of Kailani? Had Kailani detected any amount of flirting within Tiber's voice, she probably would have recoiled hard and turned him down. She's not detecting this. Not that she's really good at determining who is flirting and who is not -- that would require she be a bit more social than she is. After a moment of contemplation, the druid shrugs and steps forward to humor Tiber in this request. "For Kailani," the druid can only assume that this was an opening for her to slip in her name. Maybe she was wrong. Either way, shots would be had. And when Tiber speaks to Terra...? That druid manages to muster up a smile for the vampire. Muster in the sense that Kailani is a far cry from a social butterfly, there is nothing insincere about the hermitish woman's smile.
The girls blush even harder now and they look at each other with pleasantly surprised expressions. Yes, they are being rebuffed, but even the most basic person knows that most women have a need to fix a broken man because damage is sexy or something. Regardless, one of them mustered enough courage to bring forth the flyer they’d been arguing over, “ss-so-sir. I mean, uh- August? Some of us were wondering if you would puh-please consider performing a song or two at the homecoming celebration next week?” A slightly shaky hand holds out the flyer to him in hopes he takes it.
Terra also spotted Kalani, because who would not. It may have been a bit difficult in moving beyond the moshpit of bodies that seemed way into the musician on stage for her comfort. Briefly, she focused on the current live music, pulled the collar of that jacket upwards to conceal the serious case of resting bi...scuit face that she cursed with. It worked, for the most apart, as no one said anything to her or offered to buy a drink or any of the typical bar stereotypes she frequently encountered. Instead, there's Tiber, inquiring about her day and the decision to order a large that would likely tip her past the point of sobriety if not consumed carefully. "You could say that. I'm celebrating." He may recognize that voice, that lack of feeling, utterly monotone, as it was something he likely fell back on himself. Annoyed by his gender, she didn't even bother to look his way so she still has no idea who it is, probably for the best. By luck, she opted to sit near Kalani, as the other options were too body-shuddering to explore. That smile was returned - it seemed she had found a kindred spirit.
Tiber does not find himself smirking when Kailani agrees, but internally there was a sense of… relief. Others drinking around him was a validation. Validation that it was okay to drown himself in dark liquor for the evening and drunkenly sing tunes. Once the girl groupies show him the flier, he purses his lips. “Homecoming. Like at your college?” The one that Brennia had mentioned. The one that he asked about a gig. One that… he was close to grasping but felt… strange by doing so. Perhaps it was a sign. He snatches the flier. “Tell your dean to pencil me,” he says flatly in hopes they go away now. The man then turns to Kailani. “Kailani. Has an edge. Cheers,” he would then raise his glass before throwing back a swig. Then, he looks at Terra. The voice sounded so familiar. The same monotone from before. It could not be, really? There would be an urge to make a scene, but he does not, for… August was how he wanted to keep his title here. “Celebrating? Alo—“ he is cut off by the sound of the band dying down. “Later.” He says. Letting the two similar women bond or whatever women did. He then goes back on the stage where the host is who is introducing August—Tiber again. “And give it up one more time for August!” The man does not wave, or offer a smile. Not very entertain-esc. He plops down on the stool, moves his guitar around to his front. “This one is a cover from a popular band, the Rumineers,” because heh, yeah. The blonde then begins before starting in with that constant acoustic sound as. “Could it be I was the one that you held so deep in the night?” He drags out in the background while the others in the crowd mingle.
Kailani :: Admittedly, Kailani is relieved that Tiber does not stick around. She was not entirely sure where this conversation would have gone after accepting the offer of the drink, Kailani had not gotten that far. Terra has claimed a seat next to her though, and since Tiber has done a half-arsed job at entertaining either Terra or Kailani with any amount of conversation, the druid picks up where he left off. Probably much to the surprise of anyone who has interacted with Kailani up until this point. She's usually a woman of very few words, even fewer than she was speaking tonight. That shot of whiskey taken just before "August" takes to the stage helps to loosen Kailani's tongue just a bit. "What are you celebrating?" the druid inquiries of Terra.
Terra felt relieved to not have to answer the rest of Tiber's question - she knew where it was going, where it always went - Alone? With 'August' being called up to the stage, she had hoped it would distract and deter the growing crowd of girls that had gathered near the bar and allow her some space. The more excited they became, the more sour the empath seemed to become. With Kalani, and only after a brief study of the girl, she did decide to disclose a small answer, "Engagement." Of course, this is not announced with the usual fourish and excitement that most would expect with such a response. Her rings are deceptively empty of any such indications but she seemed content to remain. "Do you know the guy doing the music?" She .... didn't hate it, shockingly enough.
The girl sort of jumps a little, does he think she sent them? “I-I’ll try. She’s confined to bed rest for a few days,” the young lady said too much. It was a well speculated rumor after they saw her hauled out of here by Thedez and they think she had surgery again. Either way! The girl is delighted that he might play! She goes back to the little August fan club.
Tiber :: “I’ll let the darkness swallow me whole,” his tone goes up an octave in a tenor tone continuing the verses before going into the chorus while letting the first “I” drag out, “I’ll~ be your friend in the daylight again,” he continues singing the chorus with the same consistent strumming pattern. For Tiber. It was not about the fancy strums of guitar with his singing, but only the lyrics. And the Rumineers did it right. He remains sitting and tapping his foot with the strums of his acoustic. Eventually, someone from the crowd moves up. A young man in a loose button-up sits at the piano that was set up for the mic night. He plays in the background, since was familiar with the cover. The piano going on its own solo like the original band had played before. The lycan continues the vocals until the song is over in that gentle tune. “From the destruction, out of the flame. You need a villain? Give me a name,” and the chorus repeats itself in their verses before coming into that finale. “Like the salt,” his octave moves up and the raspy voice comes into play, “and the sea.” The piano man continues on the last bit of the end before the piano man, with the bardic magic, purposefully uses his magic to make the piano echo as it hits the last note. “Thank you,” Tiber speaks out. “Give it up for piano man. Catch me on the eastern side of Lithrydel,” away from the salt and the sea. “In taverns all around.” The college boy on the piano is offered a fist bump from the disguised, alternative singer. The lycan then steps down the steps before he approaches the fangirl group again. “Don’t think I didn’t catch what you said before I was called up again. Brennia is on bed rest?”
Kailani could relate to Terra's sentiments, except the druid was not outwardly souring the more the fangirls seemed to grow in number. Still, it was nice that they opted to crowd around the stage rather than the bar. The song plays, many girls swoon, and they are even happier when Tiber actually seems like he might converse with them after this latest set! When Terra indicates that she is celebrating an engagement, Kailani does not question. She might have noticed the absence of a ring, but the druid is not one to judge on such material things. Why? Well she doesn't exactly live the most traditional lifestyle to begin with. She'd label herself a nomad, others might just call her homeless. Whatever is clever, it bothered the druid not. She also doesn't question Terra's lack of excitement, not because she does not pick up on it, but because Kailani's not entirely dense. The only question she does answer is in relation to August, "No, never met him until this moment. If it could really be labeled a meeting." Kailani smirks.
Another roaring applause for August the Velvet Thunder, or something cool like that. The fan club is slowly growing as another joins the table and when he approaches /them/ this time, they sit there with mouths agape. The girl that had enough guts to speak to him before clears her throat, “uh.. y-yes. No one is permitted to see her and the first week of her classes are being taught by one of the other professors.” Her brow quirks up at his sudden concern for the headmaster.
Terra is nearly finished with the drink she had ordered. The less in her glass, the better equipped she is to handle those around her. This place is entirely new to her and it was by luck alone that she managed to find someone that was heading this direction and followed them. It saved her from skulking home, alone. Oddly, it was the stranger in Kalani that kept her anchored to her seat in that moment, something about the smirk she gave in reply to the inquiry she had poised. "Something about him seemed... he's not bad." That's what she chose to settle on, a half-compliment as she moved to flag down the barkeep for another. "I'm not in school so maybe I'm too old to understand." While that may have been the understatement of the year, she nodded towards the group that only just barely managed to form full sentences in the presence of Tiber, who seemed to indulge it.
Kailani perks up when she hears the name Brennia mentioned among the gaggle of fangirls and Tiber. It's not enough to inspire the druid to abandon Terra's side and brave approaching -- just enough that she was going to eavesdrop a bit. No one is permitted to see her? Concerning. A statement that tempted the druid to try, just to make sure Brennia was well.
Tiber there was a quirk of his brow. “No one?” There is a flat line for a moment. “Another professor?” He scratches his stubble briefly. “Okay… well, I hope she recovers. Your dean is talented.” He wanted to say ‘or whatever’, but the frail woman actually made him feel something with… vocals. He could not lie about that one. “Well… don’t get too drunk,” yeah, say that to the college fangirl, and be hypocritical. He then moves out of the bar. He was always on the go.
Kailani 's smirk lingered at Terra's statement, which was rare for the hermitish woman. Normally people were more hard pressed to get a decent amount of emotion out of the reclusive woman. That's not to say she was heartless, just very guarded. It seemed to be the theme for tonight. Terra was guarded. Tiber was guarded. Kailani was guarded. Everyone except for the fangirls were probably guarded. "I am definitely too old," the half-elf confesses to Terra without shame. Of course, Kailani did not look old, there was not a single gray hair to be found mixed in with the blue. "He's not without talent but ahh..." she makes a vague motion to the fangirls. "I don't get it." The fangirling. She doesn't get the fangirling.
Terra carried out the usual exchange between patrons and bartenders, not exactly sad to part with the gold if it kept the drinks coming. She was being rude. Should she have asked Kalani if she wanted one? It's been awhile since she bothered with being in public and attempting to, -shudder-, meet new people. "No. I have a uh, friend, who is something of a celebrity, a Titan of something." She honestly didn't know and didn't care but she tried enough to learn enough to share. "This happens with him often. Putting them up on that ledge, someone is bound to knock them over.”
Kailani is such a lightweight. One shot...? That was a brave moment for her. It's probably better Terra not ask, poor Kailani would find her limits very quickly. If she consumes any more than the one shot she has, she's libel to demonstrate how much of a lightweight she is by passing out in a random bush somewhere. Possibly much to Terra's chagrin, Kailani seems to have no understanding of this titan Terra speaks of. "Who...?" The healer had some involvement with the Titans of Winter Tournament, but it was not extensive that she was there for the final round this year. "Oh. The winner of the Frostmaw tournament?" The small amount of whiskey Kailani did consume fuels this response. The druid rolls her eyes. "Yes, many seems to great take pride in their ability to beat other people up. It is silly to me." The druid makes a vague motion in the direction that August left in. "Hopefully he does not end up consumed by his ego, like it sounds like your friend has possibly been."
Terra grinned, oh did she grin, when Kailani also confirmed that this tournament was not something she should feel remorse for missing. It's almost evil and one may even feel sorry for the Titan in question, the way she would return to mock and gloat that there were others like her. "Yes! You get it!" It had started because of the curious hair color and how someone could obtain it, but Terra remained near the druid for the conversation. Eventually though, her drink would be drained and she'd remember she was far from home and had many miles to go. "Are you here often? That sounds like a line. It's not."
Kailani :: It usually starts because of the hair color. Honestly, she really would have appreciated being born with a different hair colors...for she enjoys her solitude and this hair color seems to catch the attention of many. At least Terra has not actually asked if Kailani has dyed her hair. That question usually makes the healer cringe. "I don't. Tonight was a rarity, pulled in only because I heard a lovely sound and wanted to hear it a bit longer. I tend to prefer the wild..." Speak of said wild, Kailani's gaze travels toward the door with the realization of just how long she has lingered. She would probably have left by now but she found decent conversation. Still, all good things must end, even good conversations. "I suppose it is high time that I am on my way. But before I go, I don't believe I caught your name. Care to share?"
Terra did not seem surprised by the response, given that she had only witnessed Kailani take one drink and anyone who frequented these haunts would not stop at one - case in point. Still, there were other ways and she did not seem likely to blend into a crowd. No one else seemed to be paying them any attention so she nodded, in reply to her own mental conversation more than anything else and said, "Right, I'm Terra. And you are...?" It seemed they were both soon to depart, as made clear by the last minute adjustments to her jacket, the tip being left on the bar and her pushing away the now empty glass.
Kailani :: The druid in Kailani appreciated Terra's name, for what are likely obvious reasons. These are not details Kailani calls to light, for the same reasons she does not appreciate people questioning her hair color. It gets old talking about the obvious. "Well it was a rare pleasure. If you ever find yourself in need of a healer, for whatever the reason, I tend to frequent Venturil. Though I hope that if our paths cross again it will be under more pleasant circumstances. Take care, Terra." Both might be intent on leaving, but it would seem that Kailani would be the one who would actually be venturing out the door first.