RP:A Show At The Bard's Guild
Part of the Wholehearted Wanderers Arc
Summary: Getting reacquainted with the spots that bring her comfort after her year long ordeal in Alithrya, Kanna takes up camp in the Avenue of the Guild’s Bard Guild location to research ways to fix her heirloom instrument. In that time, she gets acquainted with the nameless bardess that is always on stage, and gets to meet one of the former headmistresses of the Guild. Their talk regarding what has become of the Guild is cut short when Jaxson and Trevalyn stop by during their separate journeys. Giving Arysel a break from her travels, Kanna entertains the group with a quick song interwoven with bardic magic.
Bard's Guild
Serene music plays in this area as a woman blows into a pitch pipe looking instrument, the sounds quickly calming you, almost putting you to sleep. She continues to play her object, the skills of this musician astounding and awe inspiring as she easily transforms mere notes into an awesome melody of mixed harmonies. You begin to get even more sleepy, though you spy a door behind her, perhaps you could get to it, if you weren't so tired and suddenly craving to leave this place as a nap is not on your daily agenda.
Arysel had not forgotten how to get to the guild-hall after all. Arctic-blue eyes scan the room, the magic of the songstress not affecting the snow-winged avian as intended. Perhaps the mouth-harpist recognized Arysel from her own brief tenure as the guild mistress. The avian inclines her head and wanders about the room, pausing by that back door, one hand hovering over the surface before dropping again. Her lyre rests between wings pulled in tight against a pale back, exposed by the custom corset; its strap settled comfortably over her right shoulder and snaking up under the left arm and securing the well loved instrument. Arysel’s boots offer a steady rhythm to accompany the music being played in the hall while those light blues close to savor warm memories of her time here.
Kanna looks up at the illusioned skies meant to accompany the music as Arysel steps in and gravitates towards the door for professional bards. She appears lost in thought, watching the non-existent clouds roll by a light blue sky. There are two empty teacups next to her, stacked one on top of the other, perhaps indicating that she has been here for a while now today. As the musician crescendos the gentle melody into its' ending, she leans back to catch Arysel's eye and give her a knowing wink and a smile. Finishing the song, the fixture of the guild hall bows her head in greeting. "Periods of silence make the beginning of the next melody more impactful to those who await to hear what comes next, don't they?" The woman says in greeting, teasing at her absence. Snapping back to reality, Kanna's head lowers to look out at the musician and the avian. "Another strings player?" She says interestedly, tilting her head to one side with a curious glint in her eyes. Kanna looks quite tired even by a stranger's standards, judging from the shadows beneath her eyes and the books laid out across the table she has occupied and the one she has annexed.
Arysel must have missed the woman at the desk entirely as intent as she was in refreshing herself. “Oh! I apologize, I didn’t notice you.” Arysel offered a slight bow then turned to the other with a wide smile, “Indeed it does, mistress, indeed it does.” Arysel approaches the desk, noting the tea cups, papers and books scattered about as well as the exhaustion haunting the eyes of the one sitting behind it. “The lyre is my chosen instrument, yes. It’s the closest I’ve come to having a back-up singer in any case. I am Arysel Roussai, former Guild Mistress.” Arysel didn’t expect the woman to recognize her or the name given and the next bow was offered deeper this time, a sign of respect from one musician to another. “Can you tell me, does Eilyo still hold that seat?” she questions, straightening to her full height, white wings ruffle slightly, sending a single feather drifting to the floor.
Kanna smiles brightly when Arysel confirms her main musical weapon of choice, the apology already long past Kanna's frame of attention. Standing from her seat, the bardess clasps her hands in front of her waist and bows her head respectfully. "My name is Kanna Tsuji, it's an honor to meet a former leader. My specialty is also in the strings and my voice, though I'm trying to find a way to repair my favored instrument at the moment." She straightens up and motions to one of the books, which has a diagram of the inside of an instrument written in High Elven. At Arysel's question, Kanna tilts her head. "Eilyo? I thought the last official mistress was..." She turns to look at the woman, whose expression falls with a shake of the head. "I'm very sorry, but the Bard's Guild has changed hands frequently since you were last here, Lady Roussai. It has been mainly myself and Lady Acanthus maintaining the roster. It has been whispered that those granted the Mastery of Bardic Charisma are unable to truly handle the power it grants, and that is why..." Kanna looks very lost, and looks up to Arysel. "I suppose any time would be very long to me since I am human, but how long ago were you the Guild Mistress?"
Arysel’s pale brow furrows while she glances at the diagram, “I am sorry yours is broken.” A sigh raises and lowers her shoulders slightly when she looks back up. “Many years, Lady Tsuji, many years. I am glad to see it still functioning, though I am sure much has changed.” Arysel smiles in understanding, “Yes, it is difficult to master and many do not. It is a very powerful and easily misused gift to have bestowed upon one’s head.” Arysel pauses a moment then, “It would be an honor if I can offer my assistance in any way you and the guild might have need.”
Trevalyn hadn’t been in the range of “normal” civility for some time now and it showed. He didn’t stink but he looked rustic, to put it politely. His black hair had grown out and a healthy, if trimmed, beard covered his jaw. Worn leather and chain armor, a sword in a sheath on his hip. Wolf-grey eyes were as alert as ever though as he walked through the area. This wasn’t a place he was familiar with and it had been so long since he’d heard from Raphaline that he thought, just perhaps, he’d check in. In fairness it had been long since he’d heard from anyone, working out in Chartsend and Venturil as he had been these last several years. When had he last seen Alicia? Many, many moons. He smelled people ahead before he saw them and came up from the west, pausing to offer a polite half-bow to the two women in front of him.
Jaxson Ravencroft has been very busy as of late, toiling between maintaining his business, his new found interest in running for the position of Captain of the Guard of Cenril, and upkeeping his responsibilities as head of his house. These three matters have demanded almost all of his time, and what was usually left was reserved for Valrae and Finn, but today he has found the time to divert from the usual and find himself wandering the guild avenues in search of something. What that was exactly he honestly did not know, he was just drawn to this particular location as if by some unseen hand. Time is spent perusing the numerous postings the guild's have about, before the sounds of music catch his ears and pull him towards the Bard's Guild entrance. He comes upon the small gathering of people soon after another man had made his way over. He is a stark contrast to the other newcomer, as the nobleman is of course well kept, dressed in a custom made dark leather tunic bearing the symbol of his house with a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and a pair of black dress slacks and custom made leather shoes to top it off. His hair has been cut and styled for the increasing heat thats been hitting Cenril quite hard as of late, his barber having also trimmed his beard to frame his handsome features quite well. Yes, the man looks like a million bucks, but honestly he isn't here to impress but rather sate the adventurous urge that gripped him today. A warm and charming smile is at the ready as he joins the group, waiting patiently for a proper opening to see what is going on, a small hope that a public show is about to be put on by the guild his first guess as to the massing of people before the steps, either way, Jax is here and just glad to be once more out and about the world again
The nameless woman, who would prefer to be called 'Miss Bard' if you asked her for her name, looks down at her instrument with a troubled expression. "Poor Lady Acanthus is pushing herself too hard, and there's so many areas that are inaccessible to every bard now because..." She straightens up when the unfamiliar men enter the room and gives a shy bow of the head. It seems this problem was meant for only the ears of bards, and that Miss Bard could only light up while on a stage. Miss Bard looks at Kanna with a pleading look that Kanna returns with a wink. Kanna can take the cue, and she catches Arysel's eye with a nod and a soft, tired smile. "I would love to pick your brain if you plan on coming back." She says quietly before turning her attention to the two newcomers. "Well, hi!" Kanna exclaims, crossing the room to greet them. The human woman is easily a head shorter than them, with features that indicate she is from the lands past Rynvale. She peers up at them, tilting her head to one side with a smile that has become second nature to her performance of the flirtatious bardess. A trained bard like Arysel could likely tell that she is putting on airs. "Are you boys here for the show?"
Trevalyn turned to look at the man joining them; the mark of the upper class was as clear on him as the smell of that clean leather. Trevalyn, meanwhile, had mustered the social grace to ensure he wasn’t tracking dung from the road in with him. The werewolf decided, at some point, he was going to find a very hot bath somewhere and indulge. Then the one woman addressed him and the other newcomer and wolfish half-smile touched his face. “Was looking for someone but now I’m intrigued… what kind of show you offering?”
Jaxson follows the lead of the man who came prior to him, nodding along with his statement about being intrigued as he perks up at the mention of a show. His hopes had been answered! "Gladly." he adds with a warm smile, truly happy to have followed his gut and wandered down here now. He has always had an love and appreciation of music, and maybe he'll find a willing participant for an event he has planned soon in Cenril! Who knows!
Kanna returns Trevalyn's half-smile with a coy half-smile of her own. The expression lights up her whole face as she teases, "Probably not the kind of show you were hoping for, but one you'll enjoy nonetheless." Taking a step back, she opens her arms, her trumpet-style pink sleeves swaying with her motions. "As you've likely guessed, this is the Bard's Guild lounge where bards like to take turns showing off what they're capable of." She turns around, only to see the panicked expression of the Nameless Bard. She whispers something in Kanna's ear, then points to her instrument, where it appears the mouthpiece has fallen off during her conversation with Arysel and has disappeared somewhere in the lush carpet around the stage. "Sure, I'll take a turn, see if Lady Acanthus has clean ones in the back." Kanna offers quietly. The nameless musician bows her head to Kanna, then Arysel, then to the two guests, then disappears behind the curtain. "Looks like I'll be your entertainment tonight, if you'll have me." Kanna chirps, resuming her mask.
Arysel had turned to the door when the two men entered, her nostrils flared when the scent of a predator struck them. She’d only known one other with a similar scent and she had not seen him since he had died at the hands of a licht. Shaking off the past, Arysel inclines her head in much the same way Kanna had as greeting, though she chose not to say anything for the moment and only observe. Her eyes shifted towards the bard as she flirted with the men, a smile tickling the corner of her mouth when she recognized the training put into play. Always a performer it would seem, but she suspected the Kanna she met moments ago was perhaps the unmasked version. “I would offer my own services if I were not tired from my own journey, Lady Tsuji. It would be an honor to hear you perform,” Arysel gracefully acquiesced to spotlight to the guild’s leader.
Trevalyn gave a quiet laugh. People with senses of humor, at least, were still here. It had been odd seeing the message boards on his way back east. Names and times he’d only heard in passing and yet it seemed a good deal had happened in the Kelay area. Getting back through and around Craughmoyle though… that had been the real challenge. It seemed his lifetime ban was still in place. “By all means then, m’lady. Show me what you’re capable of.” He quipped playfully.
Jaxson is of course a very happy camper as the show is soon to begin, though he truly doesn't know anyone here this plays well in his favor. He is just another patron ad its refreshing, he'd find himself a good place to settle in as the show is about to begin, wondering if refreshments are available nearby.
Kanna moves to where she had been lounging and researching before, moving some books to the side to reveal a badly damaged wooden instrument that appeared to have strings at one point, and a small satchel. Kanna suppresses a yawn, but can't help but feel excited. How long had it been since she had a real audience? Reaching into the satchel, the bardess retrieves an ornately carved lyre, a bit larger than the one strapped to Arysel and designed to rest upon one's knee. "You've got it!" She says, climbing up the half-step onto the little platform where the usual musician usually plays her melodies. Taking a seat, Kanna begins to play a melody on the lyre, light and sweet. With the assistance of a minor illusion spell, the enchanted ceiling changes tones from a bright summer sky to a romantic lilac at dusk. What looks like twinkling stars blink into view as she alternates her arpeggios with accented high notes. "Come with me, and you'll be in a world of pure imagination, take a look and you'll see into your imagination." Kanna sings, her voice light and sweet like a lullaby from a memory that's on the verge of coming back from the depths. As she continues the song, the twinkling stars drift down towards each of them, resembling shapes more like birds than stars. "We'll begin with a spin Traveling in the world of my creation. What you'll see will defy explanation. If you want to view paradise, simply look around and view it. Anything you want to, do it… Want to change the world? There's nothing to it..." As she plays the refrain, the first mote of light in front of Jaxson takes the form of a golden bird, it's eyes shining like the moonlight of Valaane. At the end of the second refrain, the light mote in front of Trevalyn takes the form of a brilliant red bird with ocean blue eyes. At the end of the third and final refrain, the mote of light transforms into two small white birds for Arysel. Was Kanna controlling the illusion, or was it the magic of the Bard's Guild itself making these visages resemble something, or someone, that the three knew?
Arysel was utterly enthralled while Kanna sang, and equally impressed by the illusions supporting the song, but it wasn't until the lights turned into the birds that the Avian let out a gasp of delight. As the music fades naturally, Arysel brings her hands together in an enthusiastic round of applause. "Wonderful! The entire show was lovely!" she calls out. Snowy wings flutter and shift, the feathers rustling and letting loose another to fall not far from it's brethren.
Trevalyn found somewhere unobtrusive to stand though there was no hiding or anything of that ilk. He felt out of place for his surroundings and a part of him questioned whether he should have cleaned up somewhat before coming. He hadn’t expected… well, an actual performance. He was probably the wrong audience for such artistic pursuits but he found he did enjoy the song. The illusions which came next were interesting though the werewolf was always a touch wary of magic. It wasn’t something he had personal experience with and most his dealings with it had involved burns when one irate mage or another was tossing fire his way. This was something nicer, however, and he smiled all the same. He had no way of knowing if it was her magic, the instrument, or the college, so he didn’t dwell overly much on it, simply accepting he’d experienced it and it had happened. He’d traveled a good portion of the world here since he’d arrived yet hadn’t found anything resembling paradise. Well… that wasn’t entirely true. Once upon a time, when it had been new and untamed, Chartsend had been as close to it as anything else. Ah, especially the lake outside the boss’s office… Alicia had given him a chance when so many others looked askance at his heritage. Blinking, Trevalyn realized what the difference between a Bard and a simple minstrel was. The Bard has made him actually feel something inside. Kudos to her. He clapped as well. “Quite spectacular indeed.” He agreed. “Thank you.”
Jaxson becomes lost in the performance that the bard puts on, his love for music amplified when magic is interwoven into it, the sorcerer having a even greater love for the mystical arts in all their forms. It is a true thing of beauty to hear and see, as the changing scenery adjoins with the vocalizations of the woman in such a manner that one feels transported into the very realm of imagination she sings of! Then the motes shift, taking forms before the audiences very eyes and Jax feels like a little kid again. Such wonder, beauty and true display of her craft! As the scene dies down, the nobleman joins the others in their applause, Kanna receives a standing ovation from her crowd! "Simply spectacular! Superb!" Then it clicks, and an idea springs into life in the man's mind, one he'd very much like to talk to this bard about, if given the chance.
Kanna smiles bashfully once the song ends and her small audience gives her a standing ovation, her freckled face turning pink at the cheeks. This part is no act nor illusion, and she stands from her stool. "You're too sweet, really. I love it when I can inspire people this way." Emerging from the curtain, the usual musician appears with her instrument complete again, a bright smile on her face as well. Bowing her head at the more senior bard, Kanna takes her leave of the stage, smiling at her new acquaintances. "You're a familiar face, I think, I've seen your face on tournament posters in town." The bardess says to Jaxson. To Trevalyn, she tilts her head. "But you are very much new to me. My name is Kanna. No surname worth mentioning unless you'd like to give me yours." Her face lights up with pride at this tease she has actually used a thousand times over. It just never gets old for her. Turning to Arysel, her eyes drift to the floor. "Oh, your feathers! Here, let me help." She says, putting her lyre on the table and reaching under to retrieve one of the fallen feathers. "I know some avians really don't like the idea of letting their loose feathers fly around freely during molting seasons, I'm not sure if you feel the same." Kanna chatters idly as she stands and holds out the fallen feathers for her new acquaintance.
Arysel raises her hands to deny the return of the feathers, "Keep them, if you like." The quils shimmer softly in Kanna's hands. "I have been around non-avians longer than I've been around my own kind. I don't have the same hang-ups." Pupil-less eyes warm slightly with her smile, "And, perhaps next time you will let me treat you to a performance. For now, I must take my leave. Thank you, Kanna."