RP:A Performance for Poell
Characters:
- Poell, Pintfolk, Alchemist.
Summary: Poell meets Satoshi and is given a performance by the newly-made bard.
Satoshi, in a fit that might be considered self-conscious, has holed herself up in an out of the way spot of land, with a climate just right for her and background noise just right for her task. You see, the newly reborn bard is practicing with a mundane-seeming, scarred lyre, and her grasp on the instrument is not near masterful enough that she's willing for other ears to hear it yet. Save for the furry pair belonging to her weaselly companion, coiled upon her shoulder. The ermine seems less than impressed with Satoshi's skills as she plucks experimentally at the lyre, and even gives exaggerated winces when a string is put to wrong use. Aeron has never been known to be particularly gentle on his appraisals for the foxkin's work and it's earning him harsh glares from amber-flecked eyes. "Shh. I'm figuring it out~!"
Poell finds himself somewhat bewildered at the current ambience. The soft sound of water meeting the serene pool off to one side, then from somewhere else quiet words were being spoken, usually after a dischordant sound. Poell decided he liked this place and made himself at home, putting his back to one stony wall near the pool where the waterfall fed into. He complacently dangled his fingers in the cool water. Smiling at the sensation of calmness it brought him. Withdrawing his stubby finger from the water he took his goggles and placed them upon his head, taking his hood off with it. Revealing a mop of curly black hair that stopped at a pair of brilliant, emerald eyes. They seemed to expertly search every knook and cranny of his current setting. Though he couldn't place the strange sounds from the company he knew he shared the cavern with. So instead he set his bag in his lap and fiddled with what sounds like various glass objects.
Satoshi's attention is for the lyre cradled in her lap, and if she's aware of additional company she shows no sign of it. Slowly the frost singer plays out a tentative tune, her fingers running along the chords in careful caresses as if it were a loved one, or extremely fragile. The music the lyre gives voice to is as soft as the foxkin's touch, barely audible above the waterfall's constant chorus but still the song manages to weave itself into the environment. The music of instrument and nature are joined shortly by Satoshi's voice; a dulcet, wordless song reminiscent of a lullaby--with a nocturne's darker tinge to it. The petite vampire's notorious Phantom Song and the only tune she's yet to learn to play upon Requiem.
Poell stops, his delicate, little ears detecting something over the thrum of water meeting water. What was that? Poell stood, letting his bag slip out of his lap to carefully fall to the ground. Though his little hands still clutched at its strap possessively. He let his gaze traverse across stony walls, whose grey, monotous surfaces relinquished no secret. Frustrated, the little man let go of his bag entirely. Moving towards the nearest wall in which he thought the music was coming from. Placing his calloused palms against the cool rock he began to climb. He climbed, quite skillfully and with speed. His smaller body allowing him to manuever much easier. After a few moments it seemed he came to a place where the rocks plateaued out into a wonderfully secluded view of the waterfall and the surrounding area. And there he encountered the mysterious company. He waited for the ballad to end as he sat attentively. Always enjoying a good song. He closed his eyes as he sat down on the ground.
Satoshi's playing doesn't end on a pleasant note, for when Aeron detects the unexpected company, he chatters loudly in alarm, startling the foxkin out of her focus with a yelp and an accompanying screech of musical protest from the lyre. "Aeron! Hellfire and blizzards!" The glare meant for the ermine is quickly redirected to the odd fellow seated nearby as eyes widen in surprise. Blinking, Satoshi clears her throat and brings Requiem nearer to her chest, possessively--protectively. "Erm. Hullo there," the kit-vampire offers, fidgeting in a strange combination of prideful preening and self-conscious shuffling. Ugh, this uncertainty of her altered abilities is too different a concept to wrap her mind around! Where's the safety of a cat's confident mind when you need it? Aeron, seeming to read the bardic mage's thoughts, gives her a withering look that clearly says to her, "You made that sacrifice willingly. Stop whining."
Poell 's eyes open slowly at the sound of commotion. He lept to his feet, expecting adversaries. However the scene was still the same, just him, the singer and her silly pet. He realized his fists were up in front of him, curled into little fists. He lowered them sheepishly. As it was now his turn to feel awkward. "Why, hello!" He clapped a hand to his mouth, realizing with the sudden silence he was yelling. He ducked his head slightly and started his belated greeting once again, "Hello, there. You. Hm." He thoughtfully began to ponder, stopping himself midsentence to think out what he was to say. What do you say to a startled, complete stranger? He obviously figures that question out because he smiled and spoke again. This time, since he had thought it through, with confidence. "That was a pretty little tune, that you played just now. I did like it, even if your furry fellow doesn't agree with me." He turned to look at the furball on her shoulders. A strange creature he thought to himself. He looked back upon the strange girl, his green eyes staring into hers, with similar intensity with which he searched the stones earlier. "You seem nice." He offered his hand in greeting, having to walk a little closer because his short arms didn't allow much distance to be crossed. "I'm Poell, but you can call me Poe. Could you do that thing again? With your fingers on the instrument? I find it quite fascinating!" His eyes glittered exhiberently. Expecting nothing less than he requested. Though his eyes suddenly darkened. He had left his bag. Shoot! He exclaimed in his head, now I have to say bye to this nice girl because I wasn't being consciencious. He stared tentively down at his bag. Then immediately knew the solution. Taking his grappling hook and his rope he swung it round and round. In practises circles, letting it loose when it reached its downward path. He wathed as it clanged down to his bag. It took several tries, but he eventually got it and reeled in his catch. Proudly holding his bag in front of him. He produced a gift for her. "This is for me being..." He trailed off, hoping she'd take it anyways.
Satoshi is left blinking, a lot. This fellow's just too strange for her to do much else in immediate response, and the moment of accustomed hesitance at a handshake results in her own glacial one being left hanging when he turns away to... fish for a bag? Satoshi can't bite back a laugh at that, the sound properly musical and just a hint bell-like in tune. "I think you're the fascinating one, monsieur~," the bard trills, trio of tails flick about in a merry tempo to her voice as she accepts the roses carefully. "I'm Satoshi Azakhaer. Some call me Ghost, or other such things." Placing the flowers beside her where Aeron can sniff at them upon scampering down her arm, the foxkin looks once more at the little stranger and the lyre held dearly close. "I... suppose I could. For the flowers et such. We're still learning to work together, mind you, so we're limited at the moment~."
Poell smiles, his grin reaching from ear to ear at the thought of him being fascinating. Who would've that it? His mouth seemed to stick in that perpetual smile. Though it seemed so natural on his face, that anyone would note it to be of normal behavior. And so, the smile stayed. "Satoshi, hmm. Good name, good as I've ever heard." He scratches his chin, once again thoughtfully. Carefully pondering on his own words, as if he didn't even know he spoke them. "It seems, as I've never met a bad name before! That is, a person in possession of a bad name." He seated himself, humming bits of her tune that he could remember. Smiling up at her, "No matter, I wouldn't be offended if you even played the same tune over and over!"
Satoshi can easily oblige, then! Far be it from her to deny someone the joy of her music, after all--ah, -there's- that pride cropping up again. And so, with a nod and fanged grin, the foxkin settles in to begin the song anew, starting slow as before with just the soft strokes to the lyre and building to the addition of her voice. Words included this time, although it's unlikely many are able to translate the lyrics, spoken in an arcane language thought to be dead by the general population--and living only in part within the language of Elementals.
Poell set himself to listening. A careful attentiveness envoloping him. He closed his eyes, humming the tune, randomly breaking the stream of humming with a random word, in which he has no comprehension. He opens his eyes, watching the foxkin. Seeing her dedicated focus as she played her song. He admired it greatly, such reverance for the art.
Satoshi brings the impromptu performance to a better end than earlier, easing off the volume until lyre and foxkin are managing no more than the faintest of whispers that fade into silence. Nodding once before hugging the instrument close, Lady Frostmaw glances at the hobbit with a lopsided grin. "Well, monsieur Poe, you're the first to see my play~. I know a few folk that'd be fair envious of you for that one." There's something of good humor in the words, even if they're meant as truth--a rarity for the former cat. "What brings you out here, anyway? Not many folks wander this far north, especially near the water. Deadly stuff, chilled as it is." And yet, the look she sends the waterfall is one of fondness not typically reserved for a fatal force of nature.
Poell looks to be quite refreshed after the performance. And wholly pleased with Satoshi's performance. "And quite priveliged am I to have witnesses it at such close proximity. I'd imagine at any regular viewing of your magnificent play I would watch from afar in an uncomfortable seat." He hugs his knees up to his chest, laughing at thought of such a performance, "Yes, this was much more satisfying. Thank you Satoshi." He smiles at her. "I wish I possessed a gift like that! Oh how I'd express myself in song!" He shook his head at a dream that could not be. "As for why I am here now? To think, ponder and relax. The waterfall is as much a companion to me as a faithful friend. And it seems I have been refreshed more than I first intended! But that then brings to question your motives. Why are you here? I mean, this little place up here is ideal for practises. But is that your true intention?" He looks her straight in the eye. Wondering, what kind of person would spend their time in a lonely place such as this? Well, what person besides himself of course.
Satoshi closes her eyes at Poell's question and sits so serenely still for so long it seems almost as if she's fallen asleep mid-thought. But that's not the case, as the vixen speaks, eyes still shut, eventually, her voice distant and musing. "I'm bound to such places. Where snow falls, ice forms, water runs. It calls to my soul with its song, thus I can't help wanting to sing back in answer. As well," and here Satoshi opens her eyes, if only to stare off toward the waterfall, "song and ice I've always been a part of, but working with instruments es... a new development. I find an ease in practice when alone. Well..." She exchanges a look with Aeron, half-smiling, "as alone as is possible with me~."
Poell nods, only understanding in the slighest way. An odd look came to his face as he pondered. Knowing no such alluring factor in his own life. So, he could only imagine what it was like for. For such a called existance. There musn't ever be a dull moment in her life he surmised. Collecting his thoughts, he brought everything back to the present. "Miss Satoshi, lonliness, I hope is never permanent for you. It is suitable for a life like yours but never suitable for permanent living." He left his thought at that, hoping he had awakened something in her as he had just awakened in himself. There must be more to this life, he thought as he slowly made his way back down the rocky face. Smiling on his way down, at his new friend.
Satoshi trills after the departing Poell, "I'm far from lonely, monsieur~. But solitude is also a blessing when chosen~."