RP:Bard's Meeting 11.4.17
This is a Bard's Guild RP.
Summary: Brennia calls for a meeting so she may announce her new fellow bard's guild headmistress, Alvina The Silver!
Mastery Lounge
Welcome to the sanctity of the Bard’s Guild and merry meet to you. This area looks much like a large office space with an area designated for each section within the Bard’s Guild while the back of the room looks to be more of a private conference room surrounding a large bass clef meeting table. Plenty of lounge furniture litters the entire area, along with various instruments and even a display case which houses original creations for play costumes created by a certain crustacean. The area is buzzing with creative energies and bardic magics in a sort of organized chaos. A plethora of board postings on the board at the entrance lets everyone know what section is working on what projects at the moment and who to refer to. The headmistresses of the guild can be found in their own offices for any member stopping by to see them, and if they aren’t currently in you may leave word.
Brennia is here with Secret Service protection named Daermon.
Alvina is here with a Black Cat named Aria.
Hinder is here.
Lanara is here.
Brennia had called a meeting of the bards within her guild, currently. She had some news and hopes everyone will be just as excited as she is, but she awaits Alvina in her own office, firstly. Daermon is in there too, dressed just as Brennia is in a specially crafted professional suit; his is all black while Brennia’s is a navy blue and black. At first glance they look like normal suits, but they have been specially woven with whatever Hollow’s version of kevlar is. Brennia was nervous and worried of how her friend might react if Hudson has not already told her, but she also hopes she will accept her apology and the offer higher up in the ranks. A group of bards mingle in the main part of the offices meandering about strumming lyres, acoustic guitars, or dabbling with their flutes. The atmosphere is always light in the common area and people enjoying a smoke upon the lounge chairs, the public board here has a few notices and job postings, but funny enough someone seems to be passing a parchment folder full of cat sketches; they are very sad and want them back, please. Hinder is among them, a tall avian athlete for the Schezerade Cardinals and he was in the middle of polishing and tuning his saxophone that he just loves and has barely put down since Alvina made it for him. He plucks a few cheese and crackers from a plate being passed around and munches on them.
Lanara enters the lounge with a smile on her face, and a slight bounce in her step, and immediately approaches Hinder. “Hey. You! You look about the right height… Later on if you wouldn’t mind, could you come to the dance studio and hang some things for me? I have an advanced ballroom class scheduled and I thought it would be nice to set the mood with some falling stars draped from the ceiling. As you’ll see… I lack wings and height…” A chuckle passes from her lips to his ears and through bites of cracker, the avian manages a nod and mumbles would sounds like a consent to help her later. Lana pats the male on the shoulder and walks further into the lounge, eventually taking a seat on the leather sofa in the rear of the room, and her dark chocolate hues take in sight of those gathered. Brennia is given a bright smile and a wave, though Lana’s attention is quickly diverted to the door again, as more people start to fill the room, for the meeting at hand.
Alvina arrives a tick or two behind her own personal schedule. Having children did that, sometimes. Took a five minute task and made it take 30 instead. They were so unreasonable and willing to compromise! But isn’t that what makes children so frustratingly adorable? They don’t have the same sense of obligation and urgency that the rest of the world does. At least, not yet anyway. As she makes her way through the bard’s gathered, special waves for those she knew or had met not just at guild events but also the college. Especially that Hinder guy. He’s hard to miss with that saxophone gleaming in the well lit room. And he’s speaking with Lanara to boot! She offers them both a polite wave and smile, not wanting to interrupt their conversation. If only Alvina had known about the cat sketches, she’d have stopped and intercepted them to give her purr-fessional opinion. That is a good cat, yes. Best cat, in fact. When Alvina manages to make her way into the office, she nods to intimidating figure of Daermon before stepping forward to embrace Brennia. “I’m loving all these suits.” She grins. “You just wear them so naturally. Not everyone can pull that off.” Herself included. Alvina was never made for anything more restricting that oversized sweaters and possibly leggings (worst case scenario). Hudson, of course, hadn’t told her anything so she’s entirely oblivious to the reason for the meeting but happy to be here nonetheless.
Brennia beamed a genuinely happy smile at Alvina when she entered the headmistress office and gladly returned the hug. “Thank you, I call it my Senator costume… Well, potential senator,” a humble shrug and Daermon gives a subtle chuckle, “just Senator, Bren.” She blushes just slightly at Daermon’s confidence in her when she made sure the door was closed behind Alvina. Brennia’s face showed her emotions pretty well in front of Alvina as it shifted from happy to serious, sad, holding back tears. She wraps her arms and wings around Alvina again as she was nearly crumpling before the woman, “Hudson told me about the baby on the way… and how the vanishing…” She couldn’t even bring herself to say it. Surely, being one of Brennia’s closest friends, Alvina knows how precious children are to Brennia and her culture of where she is from, but then she blurts out, “I feel this is all my fault… All of these curses broke free because of my clueless actions.” Daermon always hates when she blames herself for this and by now Brennia had gently pulled herself back from her friend, ready for yelling or screaming or hitting, maybe. She felt awful and Dearmon, damns it all, secrets get bent, he reached out and held his bird, his Bren. To comfort her physically with a hug and mentally through their bond, “come on, Bren. Its Vakmatharas and those necromancers who made the jar… Not you. There is no way you would have known.” Glacial blues look over to Alvina, “apologies… She has been having a tough time with this and campaigning.”
Hinder jumped slightly at the sudden peppiness that is Lanara staring up at him and talking a mile a minute. Long pointed ears tinge slightly pink when his lips shaped into a grin offered down at her, “Uh… M-me? Yeah sure… Wh-why not.” A gentle clearing of his throat, he usually doesn’t get so easily flustered and he had to compose himself a little there while adjusting his saxophone on his lap. He watches her walk away, but reminds himself not to stare - that would make him look like a creep… She does have the finest derriere in all of Lithrydel and another glance over to her once she found a seat before gently placing his musical instrument back away in order to meander his way over and occupy some space next to her on the sofa. “My name is Hinder, by the way. Hinder Windgate.” Lanara might have heard the name before from the cheerleaders she has instructed - he’s all the rage with them... An awkward pause fills the air between them and his wings fidget subtly behind him, which in turn sort of nudges Lanara on accident, “oh… Sorry about that. I didn’t mean to… You are professor Lanara, right? You just started instructing late in this semester.” He wipes some sweat from the palms of his hands on his slacks, but plays it off like he’s just smoothing the subtle wrinkles that happen when you sit down, “my coaches suggest that I take…” He glances around to ensure they aren’t being overheard when he leans in slightly to lower his voice, “they said I should take ballet classes to help with the off season from blitzball.” He looked mortified to even ask and got even more bashful when he asked, “you think you could instruct me one on one? I don’t want others to see that.”
Lanara crosses her legs and returns the wave from Alvina, going as far as giving the woman a wink. She knew of Alvina, from Hudson, of course. The male and the elf had been friends for years, drinking buddies when times were tough, and there was that one time when she jumped out a cake in a barely-there bikini for his bachelor party… But that was all in the past, and the two had never been anything more than strictly platonic friends! Dark chocolate hues travel down the woman’s form and her gaze rests momentarily on the metal arm, before a curt nod is given. That was Hudson’s wife alright, the mother of his twins, and wasn’t she queen of the ball, or something like that, from the Yule festival a few years back? Either way, the woman is greeted as warmly as possible, from across the room, and only when she sees Brennia’s eyes brim with tears and the two women hug, does her intuition kick in. Something had happened. Something horrible. A ‘look’ is exchanged with Daermon before she sees him protectively wrap his strong arms around the avian’s form, and she sighs softly. Good. She preferred the vampire with the headmistress, and she seems almost relieved that they had solidified their bond. That kiss, though it was rather steamy, had meant nothing to her, and she was so grateful that their hormones didn’t progress it into something they would both later regret. She does pause though, hoping that Daermon wasn’t angry at her for the rejection, and she’s about to approach the three in mourning, when Hinder flops onto the leather sofa at her side. Trying not to roll her eyes as the male rubs his sweaty palms on his pants, and stammers his way through his lines, she finds herself somewhat irritated, until he blurts out his reason for interrupting. “Oh! You want dance lessons! Private ballet lessons? Hm… Well, how flexible are you? There is a lot of stretching and posing and stances in ballet that can be quite, uh, painful for men, if you get my drift….?” Lana’s words trail off and she gives the male a long look-over, only now seeing that he is quite handsome, and those cheerleaders were right to claim him as their newest obsession. However, he would be her student, and so she shifts her focus from ‘damn he’s hot’ to ‘he could have potential’ in an instant.
Alvina’s face normally appeared to be locked in an effortless smile, unless she was in the company of someone she trusted to know her true emotions. Here, as the door shuts, her face is still this way because of Daermon. She doesn’t know him, and even if Brennia trusts him, she’s hesitant to drop her guard without reason. Brennia’s embrace and the collapse of her face is enough to shock her into forgetting her body guard’s presence as she catches the avian and threads her arms sloppily around her. “Bren…” She whispers, lidded gaze trailing to the woman’s hair beside her cheek. The bard remembers when they’d discussed children before. How they deserved celebration and festivals, Josleen’s was no exception! Her left, metallic hand falls atop Brennia’s crown, for how could she not soothe this kind woman for this impossible tragedy? “This isn’t your fault…” She reassures her before the avian pulls back and is drawn into Daermon’s embrace. There’s a moment of feeling alone. Sticky, rich sadness soaks her tongue and she watches, wishing that she was still being held. Much as she tries to play the protector, it’s nice to be protected sometimes. For someone to swallow you in their arms without cause. To see your pain, no matter how you hide it below the surface and tell you it’s okay. The baby has been gone for a while now, but the mark he leaves will always remain. Eventually, she steps forward and wraps her arms around Brennia from behind, creating a Senator sandwich in which to provide comfort for blame that should never fall on her shoulders. When Daermon speaks, she looks up. A dull emerald meets his icy blues. “No apology required.” She offers a thin lipped smile. “I know all too well how sensitive our hearts are, bards.” She chuckles mirthlessly. “It must be so stressful, to try and create change for the better. Brennia, Hudson and I are both so proud of all you’ve already accomplished. You know I’d never blame you…or anyone.” It wasn’t an intentional act. Mistakes happen. If anything, Alvina would continue to blame herself. In her unrealistic opinion: mothers should be able to save their children, regardless of circumstance.
Brennia allows such a closeness in the privacy of the headmistresses office, the one with the doors closed and the shades drawn so it is just Alvina, Brennia and Daermon. Once their huddle breaks Daermon brings out a couple of kerchiefs for the ladies and Brennia takes one to dab her eyes and wipe her nose, “I just value you and Hudson so much and I hate that such an event caused any rift between you two.” She had meant every word in her speech that she said at their wedding and knows that those two were built to last. A sniffle while she continues to gather herself, “now… I know there is so much going on and we share so much already. Like the Rynvale Theater.” Which should be done, by the way, let’s totally make a day of it, “that journey to the island.” She smiles again at the memory of road tripping through Lithrydel and collecting natural notes, “you are one of the most genuine and dearest friends and I am asking for your help. Would you join me in being my fellow Headmistress of the bard’s guild?” She would explain that Raphaline was and was great, but she has not been around and though she is worried of her friend she needs to press on. Hope glimmers within liberty blue eyes and a matching smile beaming down at her friend while her hand reaches out to hold Alvina’s metal one, but Brennia barely ever noticed it and accepts it entirely as she does Alvina herself.
Hinder glances down at the drink in his hand as looking directly at the professor was a little intimidating. Cheerleader fangirls or not he doesn’t seem to actually have time to date all that much with blitzball practice and college he’s rather busy. He rubs at the back of his neck while those basic blue eyes fixate on nothing in particular in front of them to answer her questions, “yeah, I am a student at the college and if I have to I can pay extra for the privacy of the lessons.” Apparently he has a part-time job as well even though his parents pay for everything or try to and donate regularly to the bard’s college he seems to have a grasp on the value of the coin. When words of flexibility come into question his elongated and pointed ears tinge in a pinkish hue, “oh… I am sure that is something I can work on.” He gives a subtle shrug and some of his steel colored hair which matches grey feathered wings falls into view of his face when he looks back down into his drink before gulping some of it down in an awkward pause. “When do we start?”
Lanara tilts her head to the side and eyes Hinder from head to toe, taking in just how tall he was, and how his legs seem to never end. All in all, dancing with him would be a tad difficult as she was only 5’2”, and he towered over her petite form. Thankfully, however, ballet is mostly a solo sport, or a group sport, though everyone tended to dance in unison, in their own space. Perhaps the height difference wouldn’t totally come into play, and although he was a jock, she had to give him kudos for even considering taking ballet, which wasn’t the manliest of dance classes. The cheerleaders would likely move on to a different scholar, should they ever find out, and if he was willing to take the risk, so was she. “Alright. We will start on Monday… If that works for you. My last class is at 6 pm that day, so if you want to arrive about 6:30ish, that would be good. Please, wear something loose fitting so that you aren’t constricted when dancing. And don’t worry about paying extra for private lessons, you are a student here, and it’s not like we are meeting off the premises, merely just after hours. Stop by my room tomorrow morning to fill out a form, okay? And we’ll take it from there.” A brilliant smile is given to the male, as she gives his shoulder a gentle squeeze and holds his gaze. “I look forward to dancing with you, Hinder. See you soon!” With that, she rises from the sofa and hesitantly approaches the embracing trio, wondering if the senator sandwich was some sort of campaign business. Those in politics often held secrets, and spoke in codes, and gave powerful handshakes and such, maybe this strange hugging was some sort of political movement? Quirking a brow, she stands to the right of Alvina, and exchanges a look with Daermon, before meeting the blue gaze of the Headmistress. “Everything alright, Brennia? Were… Were you crying?” Though the witch had sacrificed her empathic abilities long ago, the sight of the tear stains on the avian’s cheeks, and the fact that both women were now holding handkerchief’s stated the obvious. Clearly, something was amiss. Chocolate hues shift to Alvina too, who is given a faint smile, before she returns her gaze to the dean.
Alvina takes the offered handkerchiefs and dabs at her eyes while Brennia goes on to speak about her speech at the wedding and causing a rift between them. The Engineer is quick to dispel this thought . “No, no – We just had a tiff it’s okay…” That’s an understatement but this was neither the time nor the place to get into those details. By now, Lanara has approached and Alvina meets her smile with a weak one of her own. Brennia mentions asking Alvina for help and she turns back to the avian with a look of slight confusion. “Of course I’ll do anything I –“ Her dulled emerald eyes go wide with surprise. F-fellow headmistress of the guild? She’d never dreamed in all her life to have so much responsibility. The Eyrie! Frostmaw Blacksmith! Mother! Now this. “Oh Bren…” She whispers, tears refilling the corners of her eyes as she takes the avian’s hand but then throws her arms around her once more. This time, with gratitude and humbled reassurance. “Of course, I’ll stand beside you anytime.” They co-owned the theater. Why not continue their partnership in the guild? Alvina is so overwhelmed with boundless joy, she reaches for Lanara (practical stranger) and draws her into their hug for no reason whatsoever beyond the reflex to do so. They were all bards, right? They had that kinship before anything else. Before names or roles. They were bound by their love of the arts and the expression of their hearts. Well by golly, this was an expression of Alvina’s.
Brennia lets out one of those rare raspy giggles which softens her serious Senator costume and greatly accepts the little group hug they have all found themselves in. A caress over the metal appendage while in the silver bard’s embrace and those massive onyx wings finally curve around he trio, enveloping the pair in the velvety touch and favorite scents due to that famous avian trait. Once they all pulled away Brennia was dabbing her eyes once more with a light hearted chuckle, “oh look at us bards, flair for the dramatic as usual.” Brennia finally sets those Liberty blues on Lanara and wondered when she had slipped into the private office, but that is immediately forgotten as she takes Alvina’s left hand and slips her free arm around Lanara’s shoulders while an onyx wings curves around the tiny dancer once more, “I am glad you came. I’ve got a very exciting announcement to make,” Daermon holds the door open for the trio so they can make their way back out into the lounge. All of the bards stop what they are doing and look to Brennia once she finally shows herself, “Merry meet, all!” Her smile became contagious for the group as she made her way to the center of the lobby, “I have asked for a small amount of your time tonight. Our numbers are growing and I want to be able to reach all of the talent we have here, but I realize I needed help,” this raised a bit of confusion from a couple of bards, it was always odd meeting an avian so humble that they even openly admit when they need help - what, even?! “Alvina Landon has become one of my dearest friends and a true talent with a good eye, or ear, for the arts.” She motions for Alvina to come stand next to her, or pulls her closer if Alvina was still holding onto Brennia’s hand with that metal one, “I have asked her to stand next to me in this journey and she agreed, so I present to you my fellow Headmistress of the bard’s guild, Alvina the Silver.” It was Hinder’s queue to bring over a small chest to Brennia and she opened it to reveal a beautifully crafted toolbelt fit for an engineer of Alvina’s stature, “it is not a musically themed item, but I wanted something you could always carry with you and protect you in any situation.” She presents Alvina with the Silver Enameled Engineer Toolbelt and whispers for her to reach within one of the pockets. Alvina would find that the appearance of the pockets were cute, but deceptive for they are actually much deeper on the inside due to some sort of enchantment. She could carry so many things! Even a violin!
Lanara finds herself pulled into a group hug, and she giggles softly, as she gives a gentle squeeze to both Alvina and Brennia. So those were happy tears this whole time?! Finding herself relieved, she gives an apologetic look to the Avian, as she hadn’t meant to impose on their privacy, but from her seat she was able to see the encounter through the doorway of the office. Lana had a big heart, one that she rarely showed to strangers, but she was overly fond of Bren, and wanted to make certain that everything was alright. As Alvina accepts the promotion, she claps animatedly and is the first to offer her congratulations. “I’m very happy for you, Lady Alvina! I know that we will become close friends, aside from being bards! I wish you the best of luck in your new position.” Turning to Brennia, she smiles warmly at the woman and inhales the intoxicating aromas that envelope them, before giving her a gentle nudge. “You picked the perfect partner. She is so touched, I can tell! When you have a free moment, maybe later this week, the cheerleaders would love to show you their new routine.” Lana steps out of the office with the two women, and of course Daermon in tow, and retreats to her previous seat. She didn’t want to overstep her bounds, or shadow the two as the announcement was made, however she claps and cheers with the rest of the bards, teachers, and assistants, at the school. Lana eyes each of the women closely, finding them to both be exact opposites of the other, from appearance, to attire, to personality traits. However, it was obvious that they shared an unbreakable bond, and of course they had the bard kinship. Whereas some may be envious of the two, Lana couldn’t be happier for their success, and her smile reaches from pointed ear to pointed ear as she watches the slew of bards approaching both of the women to offer best wishes. Lana spies Hinder giving a gift from the Headmistress, and she looks on in curiosity. The ex-witch had received a gift as lovely when she first started at the school. It was a mask, a disguise, meant for protection and for channeling her inner sex kitten when dancing, known as Poker Face. Brennia always gave the best gifts! Lana looks on as Alvina tries out her new toolbelt, and can’t help but smile.
Alvina lets Brennia guide her with Lanara out into the center of the gathered group. Brennia’s announcement makes her metal hand tense nervously around the Headmistress’ but it’s comforting to be surrounded by so many familiar faces. Lanara’s cheer is greeted with special attention as she calls back. “I’d love nothing more!” She’s grinning, even though her cheeks are tear stained. Ah, to be a bard. When Hinder approaches with the belt, she gives him a familiar smile of acknowledgement and thanks him before taking the belt in her hands. It was shamelessly adorable but more importantly, functional! Alvina’s hand unweaves itself from Brennia’s to prod the interior of the pockets and her eyes go wide with recognition. This is the same enchantment as her bag! In belt form! How handy!! “You’re so crafty, you think of everything.” She grins, trying to keep any tears at bay. “Thank you all so much for your acceptance and love since I’ve been apart of the Bard’s guild. Brennia has brought new life to the craft and a heartfelt dedication to making us better than ever before. I only hope I can stand up to her shining example so we can lead the guild into the future wholeheartedly!” It was, after all, a marvelous day to be a bard in such loving and supportive company.
Brennia pours everyone drinks and minges with all the guests, what a time to be a bard. There will come a time they should sit and plan out a concert, a play or some sort of wide world performance, but for now they snack, drink and play along with their fellow bards where no one person is above the other and there is only acceptance within their ‘ranks’. Brennia and Daermon may be spotted here or there sharing a long glance, but keeping a distance in front of anyone else for their love is a secret that others cannot see. After a long while people retire to the corridor off to the west where there are sleeping rooms so people aren’t wondering out drink through the streets, Brennia wouldn’t hear of it. The night ends lovely like a sweet song.