RP:For One Day Every Year

Fisherman's Wharf

Heothaar makes his way slowly along the wharf. Slung across the back of the light-brown haired musician is a three stringed dulcimer that seems to have gone through some wear and tear. One wouldn't have to wonder long what has brought the young bard out this way as half the fishermen that cross his path are stopped and grilled on their knowledge of the local lore, specifically any tales about magical or unique musical instruments. What little information he gains Heothaar offers eagerly to repay with a performance which is each time declined in the impolite way one would expect from these kinds of seafarers.

Daisy is down there at the very end of the wharf, standing on the edge. So pretty! Who says felines hate the water? This one doesn't. Loves the ocean, she does. Especially when it rolls in and splashes up onto the dock, sending a misty spray all over everything. That sea breeze blows her skirt and hair and fur about in a pleasing manner, filling her with that salty sea scent. Those crashing waves keep her from hearing the bard approach, unless he is tromping on the wooden slats. Bards don't tromp, do they? Maybe an ogre bard. Or a giant bard. xD That would be pretty awesome. Giant bards performing for entire towns at once. Heh.

Heothaar, the unfortunate musician that he is, can hardly find a single citizen to listen to his music, so the thought of being physically large enough and loud enough to give an entire town a mandatory concert might be something he would wish for had the idea crossed his mind. He probably would also think 'Mandatory Concert' could make a good song name... Anyway, the young bard isn't large enough to enforce listening and so he's not tromping or anything of the sort. However once he reaches the end of the wharf Daisy is subject to the same spiel. It starts innocently enough with, "Excuse me, Miss...?"

Daisy is lost in a daze of sea and ships and memories of travels. The kitten is going to have to find another crew to travel with sometime. Soon. Yes, soon. Miss. She smiles. Sounds like the sea is speaking to her. Miss. Kitten! Someone is talking to you. Pay attention already. Anyone could have just shoved you into the water by now. Legitimate drowning. Then again. If it was a forced drowning, your body would find a way to keep the water out of your lungs. Moving on! That bard is talking to you, girl. She turns towards that voice and smiles that sweet kitten smile of hers. So polite. “Hello.”

Heothaar straightens his stance when Daisy acknowledges him, almost as if he's surprised that she turned around after he addressed her, "Yes. Hi." He says before Brown eyes shift left and right like he is looking out for any eavesdroppers despite the fact he's already talked about the same thing to half the people on the wharf. "You look like you're familiar with the sea..." he starts with what he thinks is a flattering lie, "...Have you ever heard of any tales about..." he leans forward a bit and lowers his voice, "...Unique musical instruments? I heard there may be-..." He cuts himself off and narrows his eyes a bit at the feline, "Well... do you know of any at all. Like a magic flute or something?"

Daisy brightens at the colorful character. She knows he is as such by the way those eyes just take charge as if someone described them with an uppercase letter. Of course she is familiar with the sea! She is also familiar with flattering lies. The bard is given a good elevator look -you know the type. All the way down then back up again- while holding that smile of hers. The bard speaks as if secretive things that are of secrets but everyone knows they are not so secretive. At least that is how the kitten hears it. Don’t try to make sense of it. She doesn’t often make sense. Not knowing anything of instruments, the feline bounces a little on her heels as she takes a step towards that bard. “Oh! You’re a musician! Will you play something for me? I can pay you.”

Heothaar is ever so quick to forget his quest when given the opportunity to play. A bright grin appears on the bard to match Daisy's smile, "Yes!" is the prompt answer to the feline's question. The musician kind of sways his hips once as he swings the dulcimer from his back and into his hands. Rather than sit and prepare to play the instrument on his lap the bard holds onto it where he stands like one would hold a lute or some other member of the Strings like that. This is probably a bad sign... However if one thing is more evident than anything else it is that love makes an appearance in the young musician's voice when he asks, "Any requests?" love of his craft...

Daisy values love and passion for a skill over, well, actual skill! So even if this bard is the worst bard ever in the history of worst bards ever to have ever been... she doesn’t mind. Others may disagree with her, wanting to pay for good services with their hard-earned money. Eff them! Everyone has to start somewhere and as mentioned before - passion above all. She shakes her little kitten head and sits there on the dock, staring intently up Heothaar. “I have no requests, oh! Oh I would like to know your name. Mine is Daisy.”

Helothaar may be the bard for Daisy then because as she will soon see, skill he is certainly lacking, but passion he has in spades. "Daisy." he repeats with a nod while maintaining his smile. "Then... My name is Heothaar and this song is called 'Ocean War'." Along with the title the bard gives the feline an intense look with his eyes, but it really just makes him look like he's holding back a laugh because of the grin stuck on his face. Holding the three stringed instrument like a guitar the young man raises his strumming hand up near his head and suddenly brings it down across the strings with authority, holding the first cacophonous chord dramatically. What follows is a furious series of plucked strings at an intense tempo that makes the song feel jagged and disjointed. Whatever Daisy's reaction is, if it isn't audible or something like a punch, Heothaar will ignore it as his eyes remain closed while he plays with his signature intensity.

Daisy gives the bard her full attention, hugging her knees to her chest as she listens to the song. While it isn’t the best music she has ever heard, the kitten does quite enjoy Helothaar’s talent. It isn’t the worst she has ever heard either. That happens when you sail with pirates. Pirates are some of the worst musicians, you see. After a moment of that intense tempo, she stands up to dance around the bard. She laughs and spins and twirls, careful not to slip on the wet dock.

Heothaar has never met a pirate (unless one of the men he had just recently grilled on the wharf was one in disguise) and is sometimes afraid he may never get the chance to. Now isn't one of those sometimes as the young bard is engrossed in his performance, maintaining that upbeat tempo and powerful sound a song named 'Ocean War' should have. As Daisy dances around the musician Heothaar starts to sway in place while he plays. The song goes on longer than it's composer originally intended, specifically it lasts for as long as Heothaar's power of improvisation allows it. The melody losing what little order it had by the time the bard finally lets the song end abruptly, opens his eyes and exhales with a smile.

Daisy knows that several of those men are pirates, taking a minute while on shore to just relax. Lazy pirates! The kitten dances and dances, her skirt spiraling freely around her legs. That tail of her twirls just as prettily even when that melody switches, changing tempo with a smooth flow that doesn’t belong to the original song yet matches oh so well all the same. The feline’s dance ends when the song does and there she is, facing the bard with only his instrument between them. “You’re fun,” she purrs, pressing a gold coin into his chest. “Do you have more?”

Heothaar fumbles with the gold pushed into him, juggling it and his instrument for a second before getting a hold of both items and stuffing the payment into his right pocket. There's a hole in it though so the gold slips down his leg and falls out at his feet. The bard doesn't seem to notice he's lost the money however as Daisy's question is met with a quick nod and what might become a permanent smile if the feline kept letting him play, "Of course." he says as he begins to pluck out the first notes to what seems like a slower song, brown eyes looking down at his fingers, the bard wincing once when an odd sound is emitted from the instrument that he hadn't intended it to. Briefly the musician looks up to Daisy and gives the next song's name in a softer tone than his usual voice, "Frozen Notebook." She might not know it, but this was the tune's debut.

Daisy doesn’t know that song at all. If she knew it was the debut, she would be very grateful and appreciative and would express it with a bright joy Heothaar hasn’t ever seen. Come now. You can’t deny she’s the cutest kitten you’ve ever seen. Green eyes lower when his do and she spots his gold. There is a little sigh as she picks it up, pausing when he speaks the name. It isn’t the name that gets to her, but the tone of voice. Voices tell a lot about people: mood and intent. The feline looks up at Heothaar with great interest. Maybe she’ll get to dance again.

Heothaar continues the song from where he was before he had spoken it's name. Indeed a different dance would be needed to go along with this slower tune. The young bard's lackluster skill is more evident in this performance as the less rapid tempo serves to amplify the points where he'll miss notes, the sound caused when he does this making it painfully obvious that he's made a mistake despite no one ever having heard the song played before. Still, perhaps the saving grace for the young musician, the feeling he means to portray is able to shine. Maybe it is only through his stance and demeanor, slouching shoulders, his eyes still looking down towards his untalented fingers or it could just be the melody that makes it through the mistakes that gives the song a kind of lonely feel.

Daisy doesn’t dance. She just watches and listens. Eventually she stands up so she can sway softly to that music. Missed notes are heard. Wrong notes are heard. That dropped gold piece is clutched between both her paws. You know lonely, kitten. No one would know by looking at you and your sunny disposition and sweet smile, but you know. Nevermind your throat closing up. Nevermind that burn in your eyes. Imperfect as this bard is, she enjoys him and his craft. “I love your music,” she whispers.

Heothaar continues his focused playing for a moment or two long, the tempo and tone of the music brightening up ever so slightly just before he stops the song. Whether this is intended to instill a glimmer of hope at the end of the somber tune or if it is just the musician's unprofessional reaction to Daisy's whisper is anyone's guess. His bottom hand leaves the strings of the instrument and leaves his left hand holding the dulcimer by what would be called the neck if it were an instrument that was meant to be played the way he has been. Brown eyes pick their gaze up from his fingers and move onto Daisy while the bard says, "No one's ever said that to me before." This is said with about as little self-pity as a phrase like that in these circumstances can be said, and is instead let out rather matter-of-factly almost as if he could take or leave the compliment. To prevent anyone thinking that however he makes sure to add with a smile, "I'm glad you like it though. I really like to play it."

Daisy adds more gold to the first, fully believing that a girl should pay properly when lovely things are to be had. “I bet you rendered them speechless.” She brightens further, eyes forming those n.n’s that look so cute on her kitten face, and puts the gold in a pocket of Heothaar’s that doesn’t have a hole. Damn right she knows which one! Don’t ask. It is magic! Cause that is the reason for everything. Magic! “Everyone should be so lucky as to hear you play.”

Heothaar, were he a father, would have repeated the word 'Lucky' out of some force of habit, but he isn't so he does not. Instead he marvels at the apparent fact that Daisy knows more about the condition of his clothing than he does and thanks her for the payment with a polite nod. The payment, or what the feline says, or probably both at the same time remind the musician of something as he sets his dulcimer down on the ground, propping the instrument up against this right leg so that it stands upright and any sudden moves from the bard might cause it to fall flat on the wharf. "You think so? I'm to play in front of a court in a few days. A-... Well a knight... or I think he was a knight because he had armor... A knight asked me to go to Larket to play for them." Heothaar squints out at the water, "I was hoping to find an instrument they've never seen before. But I'm not sure if I'll be able to before then."

Daisy is pretty amazing at a lot of things. Clothing condition, having what she needs conveniently in her bag, being cute: All amazing. “Larket?” She loves Larket! “I love Larket!” See? “I am Kelovath’s personal healer!” She beams proudly even though the bard probably doesn’t know who that is. Maybe it is the knight he saw. Kelo does wear sexy pally armor. *swoons* So shiny. “There is a music shop here in town, did you know? Maybe they have something unique.”

Heothaar scratches at his chin, "I think one of the sailors mentioned the music shop... I haven't gone there yet. It'll be nice to see what they have. Do you know where it is?" he asks before mumbling something like, "The Knight gave me a bunch of gold..." he trails off thinking about how many instruments he could afford and how difficult it would be to carry all of them to Larket. He repeats the name just to see if it feels familiar, "Kelovath..." and it does! The bard quickly snaps his fingers and lets brown eyes widen, "That was it. That's the Knight I met!" The musician pauses and shrugs up his shoulders before asking in a quieter tone, "He is a knight, Right?"

Daisy can only stand there with giant smiling eyes as she watches the bard’s animated responses. It isn’t too often people are so vibrant. And she really does need this kind of uplifting behavior. Even if he does mumble a little sometimes. The kitten slips a paw into the bard’s hand and gives it a gentle tug. “I sure do! Come on and I’ll show you.” And she takes off down the pier with the lovely man in tow.

Last Note

Heothaar does something rather special when he's abruptly pulled by Daisy. The bard makes a quick kicking type motion and flips the dulcimer resting on his leg into the air, catching it with his non-grabbed hand just as he feels the tug at his other arm and the two are off back down the wharf. As the pair travel the musician finds himself distracted with offering thankful waves to those fishermen, merchants, and pirates that he questioned for information on instrumental legends. Most of them ignore the bard completely when he does this. The streets of Cenril have Heothaar equally distracted as he does his best to memorize the way in case he ever has to come back to the shop... at times he feels like Daisy takes a few wrong turns on purpose just to throw him off, but he can't tell for sure. Once they finally arrive in the shop a lute or something similar catches the bard's eye, "Oh! Look at that one!"

Daisy actually got lost a couple times. She is quite small and most people are a good foot or two taller than she is. So if someone is in her way, she skirts around them. This tends to get her lost. No worries, though! She finds the right road and the right building. It helps that there is a musical note on the front of the building. Once inside, she doesn’t really know what a lot of the instruments are, but she can appreciate the bard’s excitement. “Oooh! What is it?”

Heothaar starts to answer, "A lu-" before what somehow eluded him for the initial moment the pair entered the shop hits him. The music from unseen players that fills the store has him frozen in place near the wall where the lute that had caught his eye is hanging. "Woah..." he says in a hushed tone after just listening for a moment or two. Brown eyes dart back and forth over the multitude of instruments on display before they find Daisy, "This place is good." the bard says to the feline while making no effort to hid his smile. Had she taken him to Heaven?

Daisy’s eyes brighten just as much as Heothaar’s. And why shouldn’t they? He is obviously way happy and happy bards make Daisy a happy kitten. Heaven? Oh maybe. The kitten has been called an angel on more than one occasion. All the more fitting for her to bring him to a place like this. She likes to sit outside and listen to the musicians play. Well. Not sit. She dances. Where better to dance than in front of a music shop? “I’m glad you like it!” Well now. Isn’t this a nice friend you’ve made. Maybe answer his question from before. It’ll sound a little late and random, but you should answer him all the same. “Kelovath is a paladin. He’s very important to Larket.” Yep. Rightly random that is.

Heothaar grins stupidly to Daisy, in that it is stupid how happy he is to have found himself in this shop which may have just become his favorite place on the planet. Also, the notion of a 'planet' was probably foreign to these two so this is more likely the bards favorite place that exists. "Ohh..." he says in response when he's sufficiently shown Daisy how happy he is and has turned his head again to look around at the instruments. Random or not his mind was off of the Paladin at the moment. Finally he lays eyes on the standing harp playing itself. A few steps bring the bard to stand in front of the instrument. It's a bit obvious that the unique item isn't for sale, but this don't stop the musician from being awestruck by it, "Wow."

Daisy ducks under Heothaar’s arm to watch the self-strumming harp. Hey. Can’t blame an instrument for a little bit of self-love! She leans into the bard and smiles, wrapping her little arms around his middle in her ‘what personal bubble’ way. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Of course it is! They stare in awe for some time before the feline gasps and looks up at Heothaar. “Will you dance with me?”

Heothaar examines the harp closely, leaning forward so that his nose was almost touching one of the strings so that he could get as good a look as possible at the self-playing instrument. He's just about to pluck one of the strings himself when Daisy stops him with her contact and just barely manages to take his attention off of the harp. "Yeah..." He replies to her first question. The bard is about to suggest that they play the unique instrument together when the feline asks him to dance. Brown eyes leave the harp and fall onto Daisy, "Yes. I will." the bard responds with a sweet smile before awkwardly looking for a place to put his hands...

Daisy isn’t very tall. Four feet to be exact. So dancing with her can definitely be difficult for some. She doesn’t think the bard will have a problem, though. Heothaar is awesome, afterall. So she places his hands appropriately on her person so he doesn’t have to feel so shy about it and smiles. “I do love to dance. Do you know how?” Well that is rude, kitten. Here is a lovely man eager to dance with you and you just go and insult him. She giggles shyly with a shake of her head. “I mean... Well not saying you can’t... or... well if... Oh no.” She presses her forehead to his chest, just a little embarrassed, and starts to sway with that music. “Lets just dance.”

Heothaar stands at least a foot and a half over Daisy. If it were closer to two one wouldn't mention it in case the feline was sensitive about her height. With hands in place and his dancing partner talking into his chest the bard starts to move along with Daisy quickly taking the lead. The musician takes her suggestion to 'just dance' to heart and doesn't make an effort to answer her question or address the fumbling she went to to amend it... Or at least he remains silent on the matter. The feline could find her answer in Heothaar's feet that lead the pair to sway smoothly with the music filling the shop. Dancing was a means to enjoy music after all so it might come as no surprise that the bard had some skill at it. His brown eyes have since shut and Heothaar is likely off in his own world. If it isn't for Daisy's touch he might forget he isn't dancing alone.

Daisy enjoys dancing. Alone or in a crowd, it doesn’t matter. Her favorite is with a single partner though. Music moving their bodies across the room in an easy flowing rhythm... Well it just makes her happy. Happy kittens are such a joy to watch. Especially this one. She moves with the bard with open eyes -since his are closed- so she can enjoy his grace with all her senses. They spin and turn and barely keep from knocking everything over with their dance.

Heothaar smiles contently while he and Daisy sweep gracefully in between instruments on display. The bard might have been able to forever play the role of the feline's lead if it weren't for a voice, "May I help you?" that has him opening one eye and searching for the source. Nashara, the shopkeeper, has appeared from some back room or something, drawn out by the pair's voices or just the sensation of music being enjoyed nearby and has come to stand beside the self-playing harp. Her tone is sweet and the question is presented with a sincere smile. The duo was likely not the first to break into dance inside the musical shop and definitely wouldn't be the last (Unless something horrible happened!). Heothaar doesn't stop dancing immediately, instead half-eyeing Nashara as the pace at which he and Daisy move gradually slows. "I think so." the bard finally answers once the dance has ended, both his eyes have opened, and the feline is regarded with a brilliant smile. His gaze eventually falls onto the magnificent harp the shopkeeper is standing beside.

Daisy hears the woman, but ignores her. Not to be rude. Oh no. The kitten isn’t ever rude, especially on purpose. She is just having such a lovely time moving around the little shop with the graceful bard. The dance slows and she meets that man’s smile with one of her own. “I like dancing with you,” she mutters before looking over at the shopkeeper. “We’re looking for a unique instrument that no one has seen before.”

Heothaar says something like, "You're good at it." to Daisy. It is a real compliment this time, unlike the one he gave her the moment they met. The bard merely nods in agreement along with the feline's reply to Nashara. The shopkeeper's initial reaction is to look protectively towards the harp Heothaar has his eyes on. The overly sweet smile returns to Nashara's face as she smartly replies, "We don't have anything like that. I've seen all the instruments we have here." A couple of blinks from the bard has the woman backtracking. "Well! Let me see if I have anything special." With that she turns and flails towards the space she has just recently appeared out of. Heothaar wastes no time now. Grabbing Daisy's hand and ushering her to the standing harp. "Quick. Let's play it."

Daisy clings to that hand that takes hers and follows him with a giggle. “Wait! Should we?” She is hesitant, not wanting to get in trouble for touching the instrument that no one is supposed to be touching. But is it really so bad? It is only an instrument and they’re not going to hurt it. A bard would never want to hurt an instrument, right? Absolutely not. The kitten doesn’t want to hurt it either. “Well I’m not very good.” She even positions herself at the wrong end of the harp. “What do I do?”

Heothaar disregards Daisy's first question. This wasn't a matter of should or shouldn't for the bard. The fact was he was not going to leave this shop without the experience of playing the magical harp. His intent may betray the goal of his quest to find unique instruments. Indeed, he never mentioned any desire to hoard the items... Perhaps his goal is only just to play and enjoy every instrument he can. Releasing the feline's hand, the musician places himself on the opposite end of the harp from her, either not knowing she was at the wrong side or not bothering to tell her, truthfully the former seems more likely for Heothaar. Daisy's second question is met with an eager smile, "It's simple." He explains while plucking three strings in succession to unleash an ascending tune, "Just do that to the strings that look like they'll make the best sound." Truly an insight into a master's art! Just as he lets out the last word of his advice the self-playing harp replies to his three note performance with one of it's own that seems to mirror what Heothaar played. "Woah..." the bard says before awaiting Daisy to begin the trio performance featuring herself, the musician, and the harp itself. Meanwhile Nashara was fumbling through the back and some crashing can be heard along with phrases like, "Kazoos aren't interesting..." and "Maybe this one..." It sounded like they still had some time left alone with the harp...

Daisy hasn’t ever played an instrument before. That much is surely obvious. A glance is given to the door to that back room. There is something about doing something naughty that truly appeals to the feline. Go on, kitten. No one is watching. Except for Heothaar, and he is encouraging the behavior. Just keep your claws in. We don’t want them snapping those pretty sounding instrument. The bard’s notes are taken in with glee and now she wants to play too! Tiny kitten paws lift to the instrument and pluck a few of the strings with furry digits. It doesn’t sound as pretty as Heothaar’s notes, but the harp makes up for it with its improved echo. “So pretty,” she whispers, lifting happy, shimmering eyes to meet the brown ones across from her.

Heothaar looks back towards Daisy with genuine joy on display. This is what he got into the 'music business' for after all. A wave of his hands towards the feline are meant to encourage her to keep playing. The bard joins in. Three players on a single harp probably only sounds like a racket to an outside observer, but it's obvious from looking at the musician that he is loving it. By far it would seem the harp is the most skilled player of the three, making up for what the other two lack with notes that bridge the gaps between Heothaar and Daisy's whimsical play styles. Eventually Nashara reemerges carrying a simple horn in one hand and an ordinary looking violin in the other. She'll make no effort to stop the performance, but her reappearance might very well startle the performers into stopping...

Daisy beams happily when she is encouraged to continue. She is playing! She is really playing a real instrument with real notes! Okay so maybe Heothaar is playing too and the harp is helping way a lot like woah, but she is making music anyway! Nashara isn’t seen since the feline’s back is to the storeroom. What does this mean? Keep playing kitten. No one except for that beautiful bard across the harp from you is watching and oh how lovely he is while he plays. “I wish I could sing.”

Heothaar is about to try and coax more of a performance from Daisy, "Of course you ca-..." when he looks past her and finds the shop girl holding the two instruments up and shaking them lightly as if to say, 'I've found these two.' The bards hands abruptly leave the harp and fall straight to his sides, diminishing the trio by a third. Heothaar forces a nervous smile and quickly asks, "What have you got there?" of Nashara. "I've found these two." she speaks aloud finally. "Both I think not many have seen anything like." this is said more towards Daisy as she had been the one to make the request to Nashara. "This one... well..." she says holding up the violin. "Some magic has been placed upon it so that it sounds different for each day of the week..." The face The Musician makes at this information is near indescribable. His eyes widen while he does an incredible job at fighting back a stupid grin for fear of his eagerness driving up the price... "It what?"

Daisy plays for a moment longer after her partner stops. It is his conversation with the shopkeeper that makes her jerk her paws away from the harp and turn to face the woman with a hand in the cookie jar grin on her face. That look of want in Heothaar’s eyes practically slaps the feline on the ass and she does her best to help. The bard is given a secret (mansionesque) glance before she walks over to the Nashara. “Oh this sort of thing!” She bends in half to the side so the instrument can be given a better look. “I’ve seen these before. They’re nice to have for performances on consecutive days.” Straightening again, Daisy turns back to the bard. “But maybe not as unique as you’re looking for.” There. That should drive the price down for him.

Heothaar composes himself after Daisy takes the lead. The young bard takes a serious tone Daisy hasn't heard from him since he had said 'Ocean War' to her. "Yes. A common musical enchantment. Ordinary as the come." He would have to thank Daisy later for saving him from being swindled. Nashara raises a brow at the pair and adopts a bit of a frown. She was so sure the violin was something awesome that she led with it to soften the blow of what she felt was a rather tough sell, that being the horn. "The other one. What does it do?" Heothaar asks of Nashara. "Well..." the shopkeeper struggles to explain while swaying nervously in place to the ever present music, "It's something you'll just have to take my word for, I'm afraid... This horn... it can only be played for one day annually... After that it will refuse to make a sound for an entire year..." Heothaar coughs into his hand at the uniqueness of the horn, he may be even more interested in it than the violin. She holds out the horn to Daisy timidly, "I... played it some two hundred fifty days ago..."

Daisy catches that cough while taking the horn from the other woman. Closing one eye, she peeks into the mouthpiece and fingers the buttons as if she knows what she is doing. “Only one day, you say?” She turns the horn around and sniffs the wider end with a twist of her whiskers. “That is hardly worth carrying it around for a whole year, don’t you think? I mean, what happens when your day comes and no one wants to pay to see a horn player that day.” Maybe the kitten doesn’t look like much, but she is damn good at keeping a straight face while haggling. Just look at her, for crying out loud. As if that sweet creature would ever do anything dishonest. Heh. Good job, kitten. “How much for each of these?” She lifts up the horn then gestures to the violin with it. Oh yes, dear bard. She’ll get them both for you and a more than delicious price.

Heothaar looks like he might be losing his mind trying to stay quiet while Daisy haggles for him. 'How could she say that!?' He might think. Lying wasn't foreign to him, it was just impossible for him to remain composed in musical times like these. It definitely for the best that he remains quiet while the ladies do the talking. Nashara wasn't expecting a stellar reaction for the horn after the violin's uniqueness was admonished and Daisy didn't disappoint. To the shopkeeper's chagrin the prices eventually negotiated are relatively close to what they would be if these instruments played the same on every day of the week. It is at this point that Heothaar rushes in with payment, his earnings from his encounter with The Paladin.

Daisy isn’t telling lies... really. I mean. All of her points are completely legit! *firm nod* When the other woman finally states her price and Heothaar pays, the feline is quite pleased with herself. So all that time on the pirate ship wasn’t a waste after all! “You’re quite fair,” she compliments Nashara. “I know of a few other musicians that will be interested in your wares.” So sweet and polite and proper. No wonder they call her a witch. Daisy bows to the woman then helps Heothaar carry the instruments outside.

Intersection

Heothaar did something like tip his hat to Nashara in thanks only he wasn't wearing a hat really. Was he? No. "Thank you. I'll come back and play the horn for you when the day comes..." He pauses taking one last look around the store before adding frankly, "I like this place." She hadn't given them an exact date so the young bard will likely have to try the horn out every day until it actually works. At which point he'd have to rush back here to keep his promise. "I'd like that." Nashara probably replies with a blush or something. Kindred spirits in music those two perhaps. Heothaar leaves it at that, exiting with Daisy at his side, his dulcimer on his back, and the Varying Violin in his hand. The Feline is allowed to carry the Annual Horn. Once outside the young bard breaks down and shouts...

Heothaar shouted, "Ha-ha!!!"

Heothaar said to Daisy, "That was amazing!"

Daisy hugs the horn to her chest with an ear to ear grin. Which is impressive since her ears are on top of her head. “I didn’t think that was going to work!” Especially since the kitten doesn’t look like she knows a damn thing about musical instruments. Just look at her harp playing skills. Totally on the wrong side and sounding horrid. That poor harp had to work triple time just to make up for Daisy’s crappy playing. She holds up the horn and looks at it in the sunlight. “I bet you’ll do wonderful things with these instruments!”

Heothaar shuffles his feet to move closer to Daisy and get a better look at the horn as well. She's conveniently holding it up at about his eye level so such a task is made easy by the feline. "I was afraid it wouldn't work too." The young bard admits before praising Daisy again, "But it did and you did wonderful!" Heothaar follows the feline's lead and holds up the violin to his eyes... He'd forgotten to get a bow to go with it but it was much too dangerous in his mind to go back in there now to get one... Or maybe he doesn't know you use a bow with a violin... Wouldn't that be something? "I hope so." The musician replies before eyeing the horn again, "Do you think it really only plays once a year?"

Daisy really doesn’t know how to play a horn. You blow in the skinny end, right? Push those buttons there to make different notes come out. “Maybe she lied to us and we’re the ones that got cheated!” She eyes the music shop then pulls the horn to her lips. “I’ll try it and see.” The feline takes a deep breath and blows into the horn, but nothing happens! Maybe it doesn’t work. Maybe she did it wrong. Maybe it does work and really doesn’t play except for that one day. She tries again and again. Three is enough, kitten. Give the instrument to the expert. “Maybe you should try.” And the horn is handed over to Heothaar.

Heothaar lets a smile grown on his face while he watches Daisy attempt to make a sound with the Annual Horn. With each of her tries he's more and more convinced the instrument is exactly what they were promised. When she offers him the horn Heothaar facilitates a swap, handing her the unique violin in return. The young bard turns the horn over in his hands once or twice, inspecting it closely for any tricks that might make it unable to be played. When none are found he inhales a deep breath and presses his lips to the mouthpiece. If anything were able to bring music out of the horn it would be the effort Heothaar puts forth, his cheeks puffing out and his face turning a bit red. In the end the only sound made is that of the musician gasping for his breath once he's tried enough. "I... think it's real..."

Daisy is very very careful while holding that violin. What happens if a string snaps?! She doesn’t have another one, let alone a magical one! “If it isn’t real, we can trade it for a bow for the violin.” She looks down at the violin, wondering if it works like the woman said too. Now the bard is having just as much trouble making that horn work as she did! The feline bounces. “Oh it works! It really works!”

Heothaar snaps his fingers in a halfhearted show of frustration, "A bow! Of course." Surely finding something common like that would be a simple task for a bard so he won't sweat it too much and hopes Daisy does the same. The musician trains brown eyes on the horn again briefly. If Nashara's estimate was correct there was no sense in even trying that instrument again for at least another fifty days. As Daisy bounces she and the violin gain the young bard's attention. That one they could get a better idea of as early as tomorrow, he thinks... Or rather -he- could get a better idea of. Look at him imagining he and the feline would be playing the roles of musician and frugal negotiator together forever.

Daisy looks between the two instruments with glee. She isn’t particularly good with making music, but she does love to dance. If you haven’t figured that out already. Heh. Good dancing comes from good music and good music comes from good instruments and, “Do you think maybe we can find more unique instruments?” Bright kitten eyes shimmer up at the bard with the eagerness of a child you just promised ice cream. Can you really say no to that? Even if you don’t think you can, lies and adventures in searching can still be had.

Heothaar trains his eyes on Daisy with the same intensity the feline had been subject to multiple times already, be it before his performance or when they found the harp they had been so fortunate to play. Her question ignites his ambition and the burning flames of it leave his lips in a single determined statement, "I want to find them all." It is likely neither one of them has any idea what that lofty goal entails, but we know at the very least the bard intends to find out.

Daisy envisions little red and white balls full of all sort of instruments that are conveniently pulled out and chosen when the bard wishes to play them. This makes the feline giggle and prance around this new friend of hers. “I want to help you! We can look everywhere! The desert and the mountains and even the sea!” Both arms fly into the air, throwing her off balance with giddy. She nearly stumbles to the ground, but only nearly. “Where do you want to start?”

Heothaar would have liked to imagine along with Daisy such a method to conveniently transport all of the instruments they were sure to capture, but that's impossible for the bard. Instead all he can do is nod along with the druid at her suggestion of teaming up and traversing all sorts of geography to find the best instruments and play them. With his free hand, the one not holding onto the Annual Horn Heothaar points triumphantly up towards the air, despite the location of his answer being somewhere down the road through Cenril, "The Sea!"

Daisy clutches Heothaar’s shirt in both of her tiny little paws. If ever there was a face of want, this would be that face. “I love the sea.” Everything strangely goes quiet, even that baby over there stops its screaming. But you can hear her heart racing. “We need a ship! And some large pots of dirt.” She releases his clothing and dances off towards the ocean. “This is going to be fun!”

Heothaar looks down to meet Daisy's gaze when she grabs hold of his shirt. His mouth is left slightly open in awe of the feline matching and perhaps surpassing his determination to embark on what is quickly becoming -their- quest. By the time the musician might take notice of the silence and the beat of an excited heart through it Daisy has said something about boats and pots and has left the bard blinking, dumbfounded at the space she used to occupy. "Dirt?" he asks while still trying to understand his current situation and slowly starting to follow after the departing druid.

Sea Breeze

Daisy skips happily down that road, out of town, and towards the ocean. She looks back over her shoulder several times to make sure Heothaar is following her. Once close enough to the docks, but not too far from where she can get dirt, she pauses and takes a thoughtful look around. “Do you know how to sail a ship? I know how they work, but it is hard for me to do everything that needs to be done.”

Heothaar shakes his head once he's caught up with Daisy and she asks him about his experience on the ocean. Afraid this might put a damper on their plans to begin at sea in their search for all the best instruments he answers with a slight frown, "I don't know how. I've never sailed before." He pauses, squinting and seemingly thinking hard about something. It isn't long before he betrays what that 'something' is and needs to ask, "You need dirt to sail a boat?"

Daisy looks back out towards the sea with a thoughtful little hmm in her throat. “We’ll need a crew. But a small one. They can have any treasure. That makes the pirates happy.” Dirt. You need dirt to sail a boat? The question roams around in her head for a moment before she realizes her bard asked it. “Oh! Oh yes.” She grins. This ain’t her first rodeo. “Providing fresh food, especially oranges, on a ship will pay our way if we’re looking for a ride.” That grin turns coy. “I’ve been hired a fair number of times too.”

Heothaar listens to Daisy while looking down at the unique horn in his hand, "Pirates." he repeats without looking the feline's way. If you were to ask him, he's never seen one of those seafaring brigand types, although logic dictates he likely spoke to one just before his fateful meeting with Daisy. "Dirt for fruits... Oh I see." Heothaar eventually nods along with her explanation. "Do you think we'll be able to find a crew here?" The bard can't help but grin a bit at his own question. Never mind meeting a pirate when this is all said and done the musician may become one.

Daisy slips a paw into Heothaar’s hand so she can swing their arms while they walk and talk. “Oh maybe. If not here, Rynvale is very close by. There are always sailors there.” It isn’t so much a crew they are looking for, but a Captain with a loyal crew and a nice ship. You don’t want to pick a ship that is just going to sink at the first sign of trouble. She won’t mention the troubles that might come up. No sense in worrying the bard. Besides! It is very possible nothing tragic will happen. But that makes for boring rp, so it is probably fair to assume something awesomely scary and dangerous is going to happen.

Heothaar holds Daisy's paw in one hand and the Annual horn in the other, swinging both in more exaggerated arcs than usual due to the feline's prompting as the duo move towards their destination. Rynvale. He's only heard the name of the island in passing. Having never sailed he's also never been there either. The young bard's complete lack of knowledge on the subject matter dictates his decision to remain silent while Daisy leads him by the hand to seek out ship and crew.

Transport to Rynvale

Daisy leads Heothaar down to the docks where she takes in all the ships and men sea gulls and everything else that has to do with the ocean. Oh darling ocean! You smell so sweet. Well lookie here. They might not have to go to Rynvale afterall. There is a ship coming to port with perfect canvas and no holes in the side. A dozen men can be seen scurrying about as they prepare to dock. “Lets go meet the captain, hm?” Her entire being glistens. It has been a while since the kitten has been to sea.

Heothaar hums a simple tune as Daisy leads him to the docks that goes along with the sounds of the gulls and the sea. At the sight of the ship docking and the feline's suggestion to meet the Captain the song the bard projects slows and stops before he answers with a tentative nod, "Sure." The excitement Daisy has on display is enough to urge the musician forward despite any apprehension he may be feeling towards sailing or the company they require to do so.

Daisy waits until the crew has left the ship and scattered into the city in search of supplies or women or booze. Whatever their goals might be. The captain is the last to leave the ship (except for the couple that stand guard). He is tall and lean and makes the kitten whisper: “Dread Pirate Roberts...” She does not shake or run in fear. Quite the opposite, actually. A grin brightens the kitten as she tugs on Heothaar’s hand. “He got a new ship! Come on!” Without waiting, she races down the dock and leaps on that burly pirate of a man who catches her with a yar of surprise.

Heothaar freezes when she whispers the name. If 'Dread' and 'Pirate' right next to each other doesn't scare the bard too much he probably thinks 'Dread Pirate Roberts' might make a good song name. Again it is only Daisy's pull that has him moving at all and once she releases his hand to pounce on the captain the young musician stops in his tracks and stands back to admire the 'new' ship and perhaps take a front row seat to the feline's haggling skills once again.

Daisy has some sort of luck about her, doesn’t she? Like a charm or a dragon. The feline and pirate laugh and hug and you’d swear they’re old friends. Well they are! Imagine that. The pirate holds the kitten out at arm’s length before setting her down on the ground so they can have some friendly banter. “Lookit you! Been at land long.” “Almost a year now.” “Aye. Heard you poisoned some crew.” “Well they wouldn’t pay me!” She pouts and they chatter a bit more about ships and booty and piratey things. “Roberts! We want to sail with you.” She holds out a paw to Heothaar. “This is my friend Heothaar.” The pirate looks the bard over with a tip of his hat. “Going rate, Miss Daisy?” The feline nods. “I’ll get yer dirt then. Welcome aboard.” And he heads off to town, leaving Daisy and Heothaar to get ready.

Heothaar's brown eyes bounce back and forth trying to keep up with the conversation happening in front of him. His stance straightens and his grip on The Annual Horn tightens slightly when Daisy is accused of and happily admits to poisoning a bunch of pirates. The young bard seems almost startled when he is introduced and all he can do to return the captains greeting is raise his horn-holding hand in an odd wave. As the pirate departs Heothaar turns a bit pale, having remembered something important that might disappoint a poisoner and a pirate captain alike. Cautiously he approaches Daisy, whistling innocently like a moron before whispering out an apology and telling her, "I-... well... I just remembered..." Perhaps this had just happened so fast it was less a matter of remembering than it was of never having a chance to remind the feline, "I can't be going out to sea now... I'm to play in Larket... remember?" The young bard squirms in place caught between disappointing a pirate and a paladin...

Daisy slaps a paw on her forehead with wide eyes. “Now I do. Oh no.” She looks down at the violin that some of us forgot she was carrying and plucks at the strings a little. “Oh. Well. That’s okay!” She smiles again, spirit never to be dampened by what could possibly be a problem. “When do you play in Larket?”

Heothaar nods alongside Daisy's facepalm... Or facepaw... When she plucks at the strings of the violin the young bard makes a mental note about how it sounds... What day of the week is it? Surely he'll be able to piece together that puzzle later. For now the musician struggles to answer the druid, "I'm not exactly sure... He told me to meet him there in Larket. I was going to leave in the next few days." Heothaar sends a nervous glance over his shoulder in the direction the captain departed, "Will he be upset? If he goes and gets dirt for nothing?"

Daisy makes a sweet little melody with that string plucking. Okay, it sounds horrid and offkey, but to her it is wonderful. “We should get a bow for your violin so you can play it for Kelovath.” She looks up and waves to those men still on the ship. They quickly move away from the edge to whisper about witches and women and other superstitious things pirates believe. “No. He will just keep it on board until we are ready to go.” She grins at Heothaar. “I said we wanted to sail with him. Not when.” She winks at him then turns to look out to sea. “We’ll have fun. Do you know where you might want to start looking?”

Heothaar nods again to Daisy. They would find a bow in due time. The bard exhales when she assures him he won't incur the wrath of pirates for postponing the trip for his performance. "That's good..." he eyes the druid cautiously for a moment before asking, "And you're not...?" her wink serves to answer his question before he can get it all out, but it's clear what he overheard about poison had him anxious. Looking out at the water beside her the musician answers, "One of the men at the wharf mentioned something about a spot between here and Rynvale... Water cyclones..." The last two words are mumbled before he continues, "he didn't tell me much, but it sounded like there might be something there..."

Daisy leans against her bardy friend a little as they both admire the sea. “Even if they leave, Roberts will come back for us.” Well, she is admiring. He might be fearing for all she knows. But that would be a normal reaction. The sea is scary! And unforgiving at times. “Cyclones, hm? Sounds dangerous.” You know when something sounds dangerous, there is surely treasure to be had!

Heothaar agrees with the feline about the foreboding feeling that the tale of liquid tornadoes leaves him with, "It does. But it'll be worth it if we find what we're looking for. And surely pirates won't be afraid of some spinning water." The bard speaks as if he's trying to convince himself that what he was saying was true; that they'd be safe with the lawless seafarers. He didn't know what pirates were and weren't scared of really, but he definitely hoped treasure was motivation enough for the Captain and his men to brave whatever stood in the way of what Daisy and The Musician were after.