RP:Growing Pangs

From HollowWiki

This is a Bard's Guild RP.


Summary: Headmistress Smyth and Alvina The Silver discuss matters of the heart.

Rynvale Amphitheater

Not all remnants of Archomsia's tyranny in Rynvale were destroyed. Where there was once screams and death, there now is laughter and life. The imposing arena where gladiators battled until their last breath of life has been retrofitted into a majestic amphitheater where actors entertain both the wealthy and impoverished. Funded entirely from the coffers of the restored government of Rynvale, all are welcome to experience the rich cultural gifts the various societies of Hollow have to offer. Taking seat in the interior of the vast oval structure, your eyes take in the exquisite environment. Grand tapestries along the walls hang overhead while laurels and wreaths of beautiful flowers have replaced the macabre decorations that once stood when blood flowed freely in the arena below. Your senses are pleased and pampered from the spectacular sights and sounds of everything from High Elven operas to Lycan tribal dances. Truly, this amphitheater stands as a testament that the life can never truly be extinguished.



Alvina was never lost in Rynvale, even though she didn’t visit it half as much now as she used to. The Amphitheater is quiet today, empty from what she can tell. She had a bad habit of lingering in seemingly empty spaces, especially Theaters. They felt like holy places. If you closed your eyes, you could almost feel the anticipation before a show or the cheer of the crowd as a play delivered an expert performance. Even the children’s plays, ripe with merriment and antics while also teaching them how to approach the stage! There was nothing more soothing to an aching heart than to lose oneself in a story or song. To feel the echoes of someone else’s feelings and forget, for a time, that we have our own dramas or love stories to tend to. Our own deaths to grieve, our own private songs to sing. The bard has strolled her way to the interior, under the overhang to watch the sky above. It threatened rain; dark and dismal. Casting a veil of gloom on this already questionable occasion. She sits in silence, while rain begins it’s soft but steady patter on the exterior rows and the overhang above her. A light gust of wind sprinkles rain against her face.


Brennia wonders in after the few bard’s guild members which she traveled to the island with. Other than her six two height there was nothing impressive about her presence today as she has her wings bent and folded about her like a cloak, even adoring a black cloak over that as well. Under it all she was wearing a simple white silken shirt and black leggings which are tucked into leather boots at the end. She usually wouldn’t wear so much in this climate, but she knows that the Island’s inclement weather can be unpredictable and sudden. Under her cape and wings she caresses over the palm size golden pendant which dangles off her neck while a sort of smirk is planted firmly on those plump lips. She walks down the steps of the seating area to sit down and watch the bard members practice a little, even though it’s nothing serious, Brennia still gives them her full attention. Only looking down at her pendant once in awhile, smiling before opening it and tracing something on the inside before shutting it once more and returning those liberty blue eyes to the stage area. Brennia spotted an extra face on stage with the other bards, its Alvina! A kind smile comes over her, “Alvina The Silver!” She gives a wave as the rain started causing her to pull the hood of her cloak up quickly to protect her silky black hair so she may quickly make it to the safety of the overhang with Alvina, “Merry Meet. How are you today?” The warmth on her smile nearly impossible to dismiss.


Alvina watches in silence as the group of bards make their way into the theater, Ms. Smyth being one of the participants of the group. Of course, Alvina thinks, with a familiar smile as they practice a little before the rain sets it to rush them under the overhang with her. When Brennia calls out to her, Alvina waves her fleshed palm and wrist at the avian warmly, noticing her gleaming smile and feeling the slightest thorn prick of jealousy. To be that happy. Had she ever been? Surely once, at least. “Good morrow, Brennia.” Her greeting is softer, as the distance between them shrinks. A crack of lightening overheard, heralded moments later by a tremulous roar of thunder. It felt good, in her bones. There’s no reason to it. Something about the rain was therapeutic. “What brings you out in such weather, Miss?” Her emerald eyes scanned the avian for the black and white drum and could not find it. What she found instead was a golden trinket around her neck, being fiddled with. It made the avian woman’s smile grow untameably bright. Ah, it must be… “You are positively glowing!” She noted, privately with the woman pulled aside from her group. “Perhaps the Miss has an object of her affections hmm?”


Brennia surely has her own tragedies, but for the sake of bard guild members or students she always puts on a friendly face… Maybe one of these days they will have a few drinks and the two of them can bitch about life. Brennia had to lock up the drum as it somehow made it into one of her lessons and she ended up putting Hinder under a love spell for some time. A glance to the members next to them as she explains, “they asked me to come here and we conducted a little meeting, but they just wanted to play some while we waited for a boat out.” Whipping those large blue eyes back to Alvina at the accusation she actually blushed and even pulled back from the group with her fellow bard a bit further, “possibly… Yes.” Magic sort of flowed about the pendant on her neck and out of habit she went to checked it, but thought better of it for that would be rude. “Just a... thoughtful gift from Mister Vi,” she had leaned in to whisper and such proximity Alvina would be granted that favorite smell of her’s. Liberty blue hues glance up to the dark skies with a sort of scowl as it seems those who fly often down readily enjoy the rain and lightning as much as others; not that she was scared, it is more of an irritation.


Alvina 's face softened with Brennia’s proximity. The virus of love is ever contagious. What she wouldn’t give to catch it. “It’s beautiful,” a compliment to the necklace, the magic goes unnoticed by her because she is not attuned to things of that nature. Only when she touches things infused with magic does she notice it’s properties. Alvina will not touch the necklace, that’s very rude. “Ah, he was quite a gentleman, I do recall.” The blush on Brennia’s cheeks tells the whole story, written in the undertones of the smitten. “I’m glad you did stop by, it’s nice to have company in this place. Even during a rainstorm.” The smell of old books floods Alvina’s senses. If there had been a bay window with blush mammoth skin blankets, well…Alvina would be out like a light. The environment is too cozy! Lucky for everyone, these storms pass just as quickly as they roll in. Especially in spring. “Please tell me more about your gentleman friend. You must be dying to gush about him?” Alvina remembered when she’d first met Hudson and wanted to tell the whole world about his annoying quirks in a light that most would find nauseating. At the time, though, she didn’t have any lady friends to gossip with. Hadn’t Brennia said she was fluent in matters of the heart and that they should discuss it one day? Now seemed a good a time as any, since they were trapped her together a bit longer.


Brennia wanted to, she really did, but she keeps it simple with opportunity to elaborate if pressed further, “well… Have you ever met someone that changes the way you view things? Sort of puts things in perspective when someone comes along and puts you out of sorts for a while.” A soft chuckle, as she removes the pendant now to open it. She traces over the mirror within before closing it once more and stowing it away inside a hidden pouch in the fold of her wings. Looking at Brennia and the way she usually carries herself in her natural allure it would be hard to imagine someone that ‘puts her out of sorts’, but it seems someone has. Remembering Alvina’s longing song from the theater in Larket she turns her charms on a little, though she would never use bardic magic on a friend or fellow guild member, her warm smile and gentle touch to Alvina’s shoulder might be enough. “How are you? I’m sure there are plenty men who wish to be gushed about by you, Alvina,” the way her tongue twisted up Alvina’s name is in such taboo, but a haunting desire to hear her say it over and over again. She still has no idea that Mister Landon is her babies' daddy.


Alvina considers Brennia while she discusses the upheaval of her life by this figure. He’s really done something to her heart, she muses privately, with her smile still in place. Love brings out the poet in all of us, but when bards fall in love? Honey, step back. It’s about to get gorgeous up in this place if Brennia and Alvina start exchanging monologues about love. When Brennia touches Alvina’s arm, she feels a chill run through her. There’s a certain rush that comes with a stranger’s touch, even in a platonic fashion. Maybe it was the way the avian had said her name. It’s enchanting. She shakes her head, crimson curls bouncing against her pale cheeks to try and clear her head of some romanticized notion. “I’m well! I have two beautiful daughters, that are happy and healthy. I’d love if their father was around a bit more but…he has his ‘business’ to tend to.” A bitterness snakes into her tone when she speaks of Hudson without dropping his name. “We aren’t together, but we use to be. Use to be engaged…we were going to have this beautiful wedding but…” Nostalgia stings her eyes, so she blinks rapidly. Enough time has passed, and everyone already knows right? “But I caught him with another woman and…we just keep falling out…I love him but I don’t really know that he loves me…” The silence of their dialogue seeps into Alvina’s skin, heavy with unspoken sentiments. “But, don’t fret about this old heart of mine. It bounces back quickly.” A forced smile, so Brennia didn’t get down with this talk. “Another mends a heart like a new love, right? You’ll just have to enable me by gushing, so I can live through you. Your heart is shining bright enough for the both of us.” Her smile slacks slightly, becoming more natural. She really was happy for Brennia’s joy.


Brennia would never be bogged down by such talk as a look comes over her, a sort of knowing one. The arm on her elbow gently caresses up in a comforting fashion as it made its way wound Alvina's shoulders when Brennia stands next to her now. “Yes. You would look stunning in a wedding dress, maybe we should go buy a couple extravagant dresses and get married to ourselves.” A soft chuckle at her gentle joke before she offers her two cents, “a working man, huh? There comes a point that you either grow together or apart and it doesn’t mean this must be a bad thing for it only means change. It may not be a happy time, but you’ve got to think what is best for all involved… And the cheating, Alvina, if you truly love him you must forgive and forget because the more you bring up the mistakes to dwell on it, it will only bring up the same arguments which get you nowhere.” Brennia would offer a sort of soft squeeze before releasing Alvina and getting to her next point, “usually I only involved myself in open relationships. I figured it would be easier for anyone since I can be quite busy at times and that way no one gets hurt… Usually, but I’ve come to realize recently that, possibly, it was my own issue with cowardice.” She plays brave and confident well now, but her past would prove otherwise, “it is the fact of not wanting to get in too close or share too much where someone could wound my soul. So, I’ve kept everyone at an arm's length for too long… Possibly.”


Alvina sighs, knowing she really shouldn’t air their dirty laundry here but she trusts Brennia. Trusts her enough to show a moment of weakness. “It’s really just the work…it’s a bit dangerous. I’m worried…we might get hurt, even though Hudson assures me that it’s all right. I can’t shake the feeling that he is putting work first right now. It’s mostly my fear, you know, with the cheating I just…felt so stupid for not noticing and after that I…” She shakes her head, leaning in Brennia as she rubs her shoulder. “I just can’t shake this feeling of being ‘less’ important than other things to him. Less important than work, than his mistress…than what he wants. It feels like what I want always comes later, if at all. And now we have children together, and I have to feel this lesser feeling for all three of us and it’s so hard…” Finally Alvina sighs, letting Brennia talk about how she only use to do open relationships because maybe she didn’t want to be attached. That it was safer. Alvina wished she was strong enough to do that. To keep her heart guarded. Maybe all this wouldn’t hurt so bad. “I did the opposite, but I’m more afraid now than ever before. Love feels too good to hurt you in the beginning, and I’m sure Vi is wonderful but even the best and brightest things can tarnish… I’m so sorry, please don’t let me rain on your parade. I’ve just been in a mood lately. All doom and gloom, you know.” A laugh, to try and elevate.


Brennia turned those knowing big blue eyes back down to Alvina, “then you must change and grow with or without him.” Taking a step back she looks the woman before her up and down objectively, “so, you either fight for your love and life with him. Or you fight for yourself and your children for their sake.” The next words are not said to empower, but said more factually, “you are a warrior.” She motions to her own diaphragm where you pull strength to sing from, “all of us bards are warriors, we must access it.” Being nearly a hundred Brennia knows a few things of the real power of baric magic, “those instruments we found when you brought me that saxophone is a demonstration of that… We can inflict many emotions with the right tune and if we can even heal wounds, who knows what else we can do.” There was a seriousness in her face which hardened her stunning features to hint at the danger hidden beneath. “When all else fails… Us women,” with a quickness she unsheathed obsidian Sai Daggers from their hiding spot in the heart of her wings and gave them an expert twirl, “protect the young.” Quickly replacing the daggers with a smirk, “it’s all within you… I feel it, Alvina.”


Alvina rests her hand on Brennia’s shoulder, closing her eyes. “I’m so grateful for your words. Really…” Her heart is so full of love for Brennia that she forgot something she had with her! “Oh! T-the saxophone!” The bard shouts, as if shocked by and overhead bolt of lightning. “I brought it with me! Give me a second!” She scrambles off the overhang and under the far left corner of the stage. She fiddles around with a panel in the floor, and heaves a large question mark shaped object out of the gap the paneling left. It’s covered in a white tarp, to protect it from the weather, whatever it happened to be when she first arrived. “For your new student, right? I was going to bring it by the college after I left Rynvale but it seems the timing worked out just right.” The bard put the instrument on the stage, still in it’s tarp, and closed the paneling back up before taking her position back beside Brennia and offering her the instrument. “I’m glad it’s becoming so popular, this dream construct of your student’s.” Low and behold, just as soon as she reached Brennia’s side, the patterning of the rain began to let up, revealing flawless blue skies in the south. “You should be able to catch your boat soon!” The bard suggested, trying to smooth down her curls, which were frizzed from the electricity in the air. “ I think that’s my cue as well.” A wink, and Alvina reached for Brennia’s hand to hold carefully in her own fleshed digits. “Thank you, my friend.” She shakes the woman’s hand slowly, with purpose. “Thank you so much.” And with that, she flips up the hood of her cloak, waves goodbye to the other bards that had come with Brennia and makes her way out into the slowing rain.


Brennia watched her for a moment in a bit of surprise when she procured another saxophone for her college and a soft smile spreads across plump lips. “You work quite fast,” she flatters her and accepts the new instrument before offering a gentle hug while whispering something to her, “You know where to come if you and yours need anything at all.” Brennia nodded once when Alvina mentions catching the boat, “Merry part ‘till we merry meet again.” The few guild members wander back over to inspect the instrument in amazement when she uncovered it to reveal the smooth brass of the saxophone. One of them takes it to only examine it leaving Brennia on her own as she slips the palm sized pendant from it’s hiding spot under her wings and cloak. Flipping it open with a soft smirk and tracing something on the inside before closing the golden contraption once more, allowing it to hang from her neck again.