RP:Bardic Demands and Dreams

From HollowWiki

Part of the I Write Songs Not Tragedies Arc


This is a Bard's Guild RP.


Summary: Headmistress Smyth gets a long list of demands from Professor Alex and also gets some clarification on a dream she had with help from Madame Pilar.

Smyth College of Bardic Arts

After finding your way through the Topiary Garden it would only be fitting to come upon a building which looks like a section taken right out of any castle in the same style as all of Schezerade, in all its decadence; marble forming the entirety of the large building accented with gold and platinum in which you'll have to cross over a glass bridge in order to reach it. The front door is welcoming for all shapes and sizes that are the citizens of Hollow and spans a great distance in it's solid French Door of a design. Opening it up one might be perplexed at the ability for the fortress to hold such music coming from the main hall there with all of the astute students practicing their talents. Once immersed, the eyes might be stolen by the gaping cathedral ceilings above, spotted by gold and platinum in which encircle mini glowing stones to mimic the night sky, but beauty is not what the ceiling is for; it carries one's voice in the most pleasing fashion. This main hall is quite a vast oval-shaped room, but the walls are shelves, carved into small diamond shapes. Each slot contains a scroll to nearly any song someone might wish to hear or practice in it's magic. Among the marvelous white-wood, gold-accented, concert grand piano in the middle of this large room there are a plethora of nearly every musical instrument imaginable, one just has to look.

Nearing further into the castle one's nostrils might pick up on the scent of mouth watering food being cooked wafting from the kitchen which is north of the main room and it also holds an elegant dining area containing a handful of small tables. In the corner of this kitchen there is a winding staircase which travels below where students are bustling to and fro. If you wish to stay, grab your favorite spirits from the well stocked kitchen and listen to the bardic magics, relax in one of the many luxurious sofas strewn about these two areas. Off to the east corner of the main hall, there is a locked staircase with an outreaching design in onyx stone overlay which is seemingly inking over into the pristine luxury you’ve found yourself in. It's as if the area above holds a darkness that's attempting to leak out into this little slice of heaven… Better just leave that door alone.



Brennia was alone in the main hall of the college with her piano as it’s the weekend for the students and most of them are out doing other things or locked away studying. Lately all she could think about was the drum she found (or did it find her?), but maybe playing some melodies would help her concentration and she seats her six foot two self at her pianist's bench of her concert grand piano. A simple tune with bluesy lyrics from her sultry alto tone which is easily accompanied by any instruments if someone wanted to join in. Eyes closed in her concentration as usual her precaution and her wings draped behind her like a cape, but her outfit was nothing impressive in her usual black leggings and wrapped blue shirt.


Alex still stood out like a sore thumb against the grand architecture of the bardic college but it's apparent that the man has put forth some effort to clean up as he's no longer running around in rags or baggy clothes to big for his figure but instead he has donned a well fitting suit with a red tie that's just a little too loose and his odor no longer offends the senses nor does the grease in his hair threaten to cause a chemical fire at any given moment. As his shoes tap against the regal floor, he seems to follow the sound of music until Brennia comes into view, the human smiles at her appearance and performance as he makes his way to one of the many sofas and collapses over the arm to stare up at the ceiling while his left arm falls over the edge with a stack of papers held tightly in his grip. His voice isn't expected when it is offered from his lazy position to provide a chilling melody that compliments the workings of the piano though no lyrics are sung. Instead, his range is offered similar to that of a hymn one might hear in a temple of worship. His eyes are closed now, the concentration of the bard falling to the sounds surrounding him and the combination of mystic music between the headmistress and make-shift professor providing an overwhelming sense of relief and content to any who fall close enough to hear it.


Pilar had returned to the college, hoping to meet the guitar teacher Brennia had mentioned in her letter. But as she entered the main hall, she found serenity and calm washing over her. It was a nice change from her usual tumultuous thoughts. She was dressed in black, a guitar case slung across her back, silver leg poking out from beneath her skirt. Her eyes went to the musicians responsible for the melody, and her eyes widened. Alex? It had been so long since they'd last seen each other, and now he was here? Huh.


Brennia ended her song shortly after she felt two souls within the main hall now. The first she looks over her shoulder, between large onyx wings, to spot Alex with an amused smirk. When she stands she looks back over the piano to the entrance to notice Pilar in the distance, “madame Pilar, merry meet to you.” She waves her over before sitting next to the new and improved professor, Alex, in whichever sofa lounge he found himself in, “for what it’s worth, Alex, you clean up well.” Her heartwarming smile spreads for him in her kind compliment, “I have someone here I would like you to meet. Since this ‘guitar’ instrument is relatively new to these lands, like the saxophone, I have someone already eager to learn from you.” Liberty blue eyes spot a stack of parchment that Alex has with him, “are you conducting classes already?” A hint of impress can be detected in her sultry timbre.


Alex reluctantly picks himself up from his sprawled out position to allow Brennia ample room to sit while combing his hair back with his fingers, "Why thank you. I figure a bit of dung out from under the nails might make plucking the strings easier." His attention is then turned to Pilar and it suddenly hits him why he knew the name so well, months of hardship and substance abuse had wiped the man's mind of many details but as soon as he sees her face he has flashes of the ball, Artia, the crab man and everything in between all the way to Pilar. His blue eyes light up as he stands and moves to the side of the couch while holding his free hand out to offer the seat to Pilar. He goes to greet her but is suddenly caught by Brennia's follow up and reminded of the stack of papers in his hand, "Classes? Oh! No, erm, actually, some of these are lesson plans but I actually have a few demands, er, requests before I can really get started." Flipping through the stack he finds a sheet of paper and motions to hand it to Brennia, followed by another and then another... and another. The list is easily legible but multiple strikethroughs and scribbles indicate that the documents provided are easily the first draft. The requests include six acoustic guitars from the music shop in Cenril, a plethora of supplies such as picks, strings, keys and cases, a specialized knife for engraving, one of those fancy quills that retain ink on the inside, four stacks of blank parchment, a folded notebook of parchment, open funds to cater food for the students outside of the school, a horse drawn carriage that can fit eight to ten people and permission to hire an assistant and bodyguard. The assistant and bodyguard might raise some eyebrows if it weren't for the final page that is a fully revised and official looking waiver that grants express permission to Alex to take his students on various travels across Hollow with locations such as Gamorg and the Underdark written in bold while also excusing the bard from any punishment that may come from harm or death of his class. While Brennia reviews the pages he would look back to Pilar. "It's a pleasure to see you here, still as youthful as ever" he smiles while noting the guitar case, "You're looking to learn..?" he clamps his teeth on the inside of his bottom lip to hide the excitement for his first potential student. "Do you have any previous experience at all?"


Pilar smiled at Brennia. "Hello, Ms. Brennia. Nice to see you again." She then turned her eyes to Alex. "Alex, it's good to see you too. It's been too long." She looked him over, finding him a little worse for wear. She wondered what state he had been in to prompt Brennia's comment. When asked about prior experience, Pilar replied, "I used to watch some of my relatives when they played, and I've been trying to teach myself. Otherwise... Not really."


Brennia dawned an expression of delight, “grand! You two already are acquainted.” She takes the long listed of parchment and thought to herself he'd be better off writing this all on some scroll. She remained seated while reading through his list, but rather than a look of confusion or irritation she remained smiling further in delight. For now she keeps the contents to herself for it's obviously a private matter and after allowing a moment for the pair to catch up, “this is doable, Professor.” She already has most of the items but she stands next to him to point to the bit about a bodyguard, “race?” She wanted to ask in a way that wasn't obvious, but she wanted to know if he preferred one of the more races in strength like a dragon or orc, but possibly one that has both strength and intelligence, Avian. “I know an Avain willing for this.” Once she got her answer she would would continue holding the parchment and even folding it so it's not exposed. “How have you been since our last meet, Madame pilar?” Large blue eyes take on the fact she's wearing black, a color of mourning, but that warm smile remains.


Alex displays a genuine smile of warmth to Pilar as she confesses her lack of practice, "Good. Because my first lesson is to forget everything you know about music." He's caught by Brennia and cannot hide his surprise as he turns his head to her while she offers no resistance to his list of 'requests', "Oh. Thank you." To her inquiry of the body guard he holds his hand up in dismissal and gives his head a short shake, "I've got someone in mind if that's alright. A woman I met in the tavern a week or two ago. Though, I see no harm in having more if your acquaintance wants to get some fresh air." Turning back to the lovely Pilar he gives her an opportunity to reply to the headmistress despite the urge to vomit out every question currently loading up in his mind and throat. He wanted to see her guitar, the way she held it, if her fingers could line with the frets, how she strummed, did she use a pick? her fingers? He was taken back by the feeling in his stomach, the opportunity to properly teach someone the art of music giving him a flood of emotions falling between pride, excitement and fear even though his methods would be... less than traditional.


Pilar blinked. Forget everything she knew? But... she knew quite a bit. She looked to Brennia. There was sadness in her eyes, despite her smile. "Not... particularly well. My lover, Cassy, died."


Brennia recognized the feeling as she had lived through a lover murdered and even knew Cassy while a quick expression of pain came over her expression, but she couldn't give in at the moment. She has to remain calm, cool, and collected in front of the few students here and the new professor. A gentle offer of, “oh… Madame Pilar, much condolences.” She closes in on Pilar to give her a warm, favorite scent smelling, hug and allowing it to linger for a moment, but not before offering, “you can stay here as long as you like even if you aren't a student. Whenever you feel ready to talk I can listen,” she gently broke their hug before a deep breath escaped her when she looked outside. “Shall we retire outside to the courtyard? There should be some refreshments out there as well,” she turned to lead the way out the double window paned doors.


Alex wasn't prepared for the dramatic revelation that unfolded before him and as the two embrace he bounces his soft blue gaze between the two of them before resuming his smile if they should look his way. To the offer of retreating to the courtyard he shakes his head, "You two go ahead. I have a few more things I need to get in order", a lie but he didn't plan to come between the duo with such a sensitive topic on hand. His attention is focused on Pilar, "I'll seek you out in just a bit. I'd really like to see what you keep in that case." A smile and wave as he moves away from the two of them further into the building.


Pilar embraced Brennia, the scent of almond cookies enveloping her. "Thank you." She agreed to move to the courtyard and, with a wave to Alex, followed Brennia.

Courtyard

Off of the to the west of the vast Main Hall through large paned glass doors you come to a large cobblestoned and marble walled courtyard, but it is not without a bit of vines growing along the walls and a couple large old trees somehow planted in the two centers of the courtyard. The outdoor area here is just as long as the main hall, but narrower by half which is still saying quite a bit for the area. The front half seems to be dedicated to painting and recreation as there are some lounges, easels and tables about if some of the students decide to enjoy their meals outside on nice days. The back half is arranged as a training area adorned with some weapons and dummies next to a few obstacles.



Brennia walked out into the cobblestone courtyard which was walled in with ivy covered marble and accented with oil lamps for light during the night. There is an array of flowerbeds beautiful and blooming next to white bark trees. Brennia lets a moment of silence fall between them while looking at the garden beyond the painting/patio area and the training ground. Something catches her ears, a drum, causing a narrowed gaze to fall on a student lightly tapping away at a black pearlescent and white decoration saucer sized goblet drum. Swift movements being her before the student and she politely asks, “where did you get that?” The student looks up at the six foot two Avian with a shrug to answer, “it was just laying around the main hall.” Brennia clears her throat uncomfortably as she holds out her hands to take it and the student hands it right over, but as soon as the student does they look at Brennia with the drum and smiles delightfully, “hey, Professor Smyth! Cool drum!” As if they've never seen it before. This has happened on a few occasions now and she finally joins Pilar once more while offering a seat at one of the patio tables. “I noticed you had a guitar like this… Any odd things about it you would like to share?” She asked nonchalantly as if the drum hasn't been forcing her to play it every time she touched it or the fact it's been giving her messages while asleep.


Pilar looked at the drum with wide eyes. It did look just like her guitar! And... Alvina's violin. "Yes... Very odd. A... A woman appeared to be in a dream. She called herself Daedria and... and gave me a task." What that task was, Pilar didn't share. "I... I was doing it with Cassy, but..."


Brennia looked a little surprised at the news that she was also having odd dreams. “I've got a message too, but it must know I hate riddles. Older Avians speak on them.” An eye roll given with a soft sigh as she looks down at the drum still clutched in her hands as if she didn't want to put it down, “madame Pilar, what do you say if I help you and you help me?”


Pilar looked down. "I... I'll help you but... I don't know if I can... if I can do what Daedria asked of me..."


Brennia looked into Pilar’s eyes in such a way way that knew once this quest, which chose them, ended that they would be stronger and wiser for it. A hand reached out to warm Pilar's shoulder, “I've no idea as to why we were chosen. This Daedria would not have chosen us for no reason, but I have a feeling about you and about this quest that this Daedria doesn't only need you… Maybe you need this just as well.” She fell quiet a moment and remembers the riddle she was given, “Can you make anything out of, ‘Only in the water of wishes, when the moon is high and the melody is just right will you find the light. Go to the city of flight.’ I think city of flight is here in Schezerade, but what do you think?”


Pilar hummed. "I think you're right about the city if flight... I'm not too familiar with Schezerade, but maybe 'water of wishes' means a wishing well or something? 'When the moon is high' must refer to nighttime... Midnight?"


Brennia gives a smile as her hand that was on Pilar’s shoulder returns to the drum in her own lap. She guessed at most of this, but she felt more confident now that someone else helped verify it, “yes, of course! The Fountain of Wishes. Thank you...I hope you know that the offer to stay at the college will always remain. This is an open and loving space where I aim to make everyone within these walls feel safe and cared for.” Her expression turned a little serious before she stood, “I’ve got to go lock this back up before another student gets to it. Send word whenever you are able to meet me at midnight over at the Fountain of Wishes.”


Pilar smiled. "Thank you. I'll keep it in mind." There was so much going on right now though... When would she have time to accompany Brennia? "I don't know when I'll be able to... But I'll try. If you go ahead without me, let me know what happens."