RP:Official Bardic Business

Summary: Lanara and Tiber pay a visit to the Devere College of Bardic Arts in Schezerade to seek employment, and since Dean Cadenza happens to be campaigning, they meet with Mary-Anne Dewfoot Barrows. The matronly halfling welcomes the pair with open arms and reinstates Lana as a Professor of Dance, while bringing on Tiber as a Professor of String Theory. The couple takes a tour of the recently renovated school and settles into their classrooms, eager to begin teaching in the near future!

Part of the New Moon, New Motion Arc

Lanara and Tiber arrive at the gates to the Devere College of Bardic Arts, and the witch gives her fiance’s hand a gentle squeeze, though it’s unsure exactly who she is reassuring. It has been years since she had last walked in this area, as the last time she had been present it had been a day of devastation. She had assisted a few others in freeing the students that had been held captive beneath Kahran’s attack on the campus. Shortly after, Lanara had sustained an attack from a witch hunter and she had severed her achilles tendon, ensuring that she would never dance again. As fate would have it, however, she breezes past the entrance as a newly turned lycan, and luckily the curse of the wolf has mended her old injury. Lana hopes to resume teaching students the art of dance, and her mate Tiber has agreed to offer his services, as well! Although he may be marrying the tiny dancer, his forte lies in his voice, rather than his feet! Clad in a bohemian-style floral print dress and a pair of gladiator sandals, the witch whispers, “I wonder if I will have to audition again to prove that I can still dance? I hope they have something for me to change into…” She hadn’t thought this far, as she had merely been so overcome with joy at learning she could dance again, that she hadn’t brought along a leotard or ballet slippers! “The note said that we aren’t meeting with Dean Cadenza today as she’s away on political business, but we are supposed to meet with a Dewfoot-Barrows or something. I’m not familiar with the name, but it’s been years.” She sheepishly shrugs, only having recalled Hinder, Minerva, Alvina, and of course, Corvo. “Are you ready, Babe?” If Tiber agrees that he’s still set to proceed, she will gently tug him in the direction of the steps and through the door of the massive building before them.

Tiberius had not stepped foot in Schezerade since Lanara’s first return. Before, he had been the drunken singer in the Schezerade bar as college students surrounded him with glee. Brennia had offered him a position of becoming a possible professor for the college, but he had been unsure and flaky due to his drunken stupor. Sober now, Tiber stands beyond the gates of the Devere College of Bardic Arts with his new fiance. Over his back had been an acoustic guitar kept in a case. Tiber is dressed to reflect the same bohemian look. Now that Tiberius was not in the city anymore, he kept his business attire only for certain occasions (mostly when he was working in Cenril). He inherited minor casual options now to reflect the earthy area of Sage forest. The man wears a loose, cream tunic and a pair of black pants that were fitted and rolled at the ankles and black loafers. “It’s okay, babe, you’re fine. Plus, even if you had to audition, your dress is…” well, his thoughts reach several places of description. All that make the man look like a dope as he stares at the girl all sly. He shakes away the drool, however, because she is not the only one who might have to audition today. “The Dewboot or whatever their name is, forget it, we’ll be fine, I’m sure. Maybe.” He did kind of make Dean Cadenza frown with his lies towards Lanara about being Augustus Rivers. “Let’s just get this over with.” He would follow along behind the witch as they move to the building of the college.

Brennia :: Counselor Dewfoot-Barrows is positively over the moon excited to welcome Lanara back into the school and even another! The matronly halfling woman made herself busy with putting out a long folding table of finger foods and tasking the painters to make a lovely banner to hang across the space between the mezzanine above. Brennia is regretfully absent because she is traveling on a campaign trail and sent correspondence to the counselor to make sure to help make the couple feel at home. A few alum from when Lanara taught four years ago have come to welcome her back and plenty of new shiny faces ready to learn along with them! As soon as they enter the vast main hall, they are greeted with an enthusiastic, “welcome back Professor Lanara!” The familiar counselor has a large smile on her face as soon as she sets those pale blue eyes on the radiant dancer. Dressed in layers of an underskirt, pleated tweed skirt that goes down to her ankles, flowing white sleeve and a matching gold buttoned vest that compliments her skirt. The soft click of buckled shoes brings her before the couple and she reaches out for a hug from the taller woman, “welcome back dearie, we’ve missed you so!” Surely Lanara will have to lean down some to hug the halfling seeing as she’s only three foot nine, but once their embrace ends, she sighs happily before setting her gaze on the man with Lanara. “And this must be the gentleman you mentioned in our letters?” She reaches up a hand for a shake, still smiling warmly. “Welcome, sir. My name is Mrs Dewfoot-Barrows, but you can just call me Mary-Anne, like our Lanara does.” The few alumni students make their way over to Lanara to also give her a warm welcome as Mary-Anne gestures around to the various furniture in the hall and the refreshments laid out, “I hope your journey here was smooth. Please help yourselves and let me know whenever you’d like to get started,” but it is at this moment she spots the guitar case strapped to Tiber’s back and her hands clasp together, “are we in a treat for a performance?” She shoo’s a student off a stool and lays a couple soft pats the empty seat for Tiber.

Lanara hadn’t expected a welcome as grand as this, but the emotion in her eyes and the shaken tremble in her tone are indicators that she’s touched, “You all went through such trouble for me?” She folds the petite counselor in her arms, registering that this is the woman she had corresponded with, and in fact she greatly remembers her, though she knew her as Mary-Anne as neither of them had used formalities in the past. “Thank you so much, it feels so wonderful to be back! I never thought I would dance again!” Aside from Tiber, the other three loves in Lanara’s life are her magic, animals, and dance, and now that she possesses all of them she feels complete. The witch chats with Mary-Anne for a few moments, admiring the banners and decorations, though she steps aside as the counselor makes the acquaintance of Tiber. Dark eyes trail over the area and Lana squeals as she sees several from the years that she had taught, and she quickly closes the distance to pull her students in for tight hugs and to play catch up. Her cheeks have turned red at this point from all of the attention, but truthfully, the University is the only place outside of Kelvar that she ever felt welcome, and she’s basking in the warmth of her reunion. Of course, Tiber and Lanara had recently purchased a home in Sage and would be living there, but it wouldn’t be too far of a trek for a weekly class or to attend a school function. One of Lana’s favorite past students is chewing her tapered ear off, however, as soon as she sees that Augustus Rivers is about to perform, she abandons her old professor to go stand by the crowd that excitedly awaits that first strum of the guitar. Lanara returns to the motherly halfling and chuckles at the excitement in her blue eyes, “This is going to be a treat for me, too! I’ve only heard Tiber since -once- and that was before he even told me about any of his talents!” She waits beside the counselor, offering her beloved an encouraging smile and a nod, as though she’s certain he will ace his audition.

(1 of 2) Once Dewfoot-Barrows comes into view, eyes automatically trail down at the halfling. The man stands at a solid six-foot, so he is surprised to come across someone so short--then again, the woman was a halfling, so really, it made sense. Tiber keeps his cool with his hands casually in his pockets. He watches the interaction between the two women. “Eh, Lanara is famous. I better watch out for such fame,” he smirks teasingly at his fiance. The man looks over the halfling as he is finally addressed. Tiber is timid at first, only because he is not sure who he should address himself as. “Tiberius Lowell, known around here as Augustus Rivers. I tend to keep it that way. I sort of took that name after my brother.” It was complicated, and something he never quite delved into deeply with Lanara although they were soon to be married. Augustus Rivers Lowery. Lowery? Why the subtle name change that no one knew? Perhaps ‘Lowell’ had more of a wolf tang to it. As the halfling gestures towards the guitar, Tiber pauses. “Speaking of Augustus, this was his. I guess I’ve been just trying to finish out his legacy.” Tiber was slow with his words. Should he still continue to keep the stage name after his brother? “I guess I can’t take ‘no’ for an answer,” as the halfling pats the stool. Amber eyes cast towards Lanara and the group of fanatic students that swarm her.

(2 of 2) Tiber inhales sharply before grabbing the guitar case over his head and sitting on the directed seat. He unclasps the buckles of the case before pulling out the ebony guitar with the mahogany neck. He rests the body in his lap before twisting the tuning pegs that had inched out of the tune with the change in climate and atmosphere. He gives a gentle strum and the strings glide together in harmony. The man looks calm as he looks at the mini crowd he attracted, amber eyes are steady as the strap sets over his shoulder. He looks at the mini crowd in silence before glancing towards the witch with a knowing silence. The last time the college students were aware, there was mournful alternative music that came from him. Something soothing, melancholy, but today would be different. Lo and behold, the man begins to strum a quirky melody that is more upbeat before he stands up abruptly with a confident, alternative angst, “Yeah!” He hollers sharply, “You don’t know my mind. You don’t know my kind. Dark necessities are part of my design. Tell the world that I’m falling from the sky. Dark necessities are part of my design,” he grins with the lyrics that vocally go up and down in baritone. The guitar melody stays the same and consistent in the weird strums of the song. He continues singing verses and falling back into the chorus. Then, eventually the bridge hits and the man begins to tab against the fret and pluck numerous strings individually for a mini-solo. The notes range in a higher pitch as his hand moves up the neck of the acoustic guitar. A piano, at this moment, would sound great instead of a guitar, but Tiberius was flashing what he wanted to teach before jumping into the bridge lyrics, “Do you want this love of mine? Do you want it, do you want it now?” His voice moves into a soft low pitch as he drags the notes with his voice. With the major tones in his singing, there was a laziness and a rock to it. As if he barely had to try at all. “Do you want it all the time? But darkness helps us all to shine. Do you want it, do you want it now?” His voice flows in a minor with the last word which would send chills up a spine with the alternative, poppy song. The guitar strums stop as he presses his hands against the strings in dramatic flare before driving back into the regular versus from before. “Pick you up like a paperback with the track record of a maniac~” the phrases continue before dropping to the final chorus, “You don’t know my mind. You don’t know my kind,” there is a dark glaze that touches his eyes. His shoulders move with the quirky, edgy acoustics. He is smooth with his transitions and a completely different person when he sings in this groove. Tiberius Lowell is not Tiberius at all. Someone carefree and confident in front of the group of students--a performer. Once the song reaches the end, he plays a few strums before the guitar fades out. Once he is done, he leaves the guitar hanging around his body before cooly placing two fingers against his forehead in a peace-out salute before returning his focus towards the witch and the halfling. Like the performance never happened. Yeah, Tiber was very collected with that straight face of his.

Brennia :: Mary-Anne lets out a hearty chortle at Lanara's excitement, "you don't say, dearie." Once the artist before her melts into his on stage persona, the counselor is floored! What a performer! Of course the students already gathered respectfully listen and cheer the man on, but even those milling about onto their next class for the day have paused to look on from the railing along the mezzanine. It is as if time has stood still to make room for this very performance and in doing so, allowing the listeners to truly absorb the talent. Mary-Anne breaks her focus only for a hiccup of a second to look upon Lanara out of curiosity and to recognize that look of love, swooning for the other. At the culmination of Augustus' performance, there is a silence that follows and one might think there would be no applause for him, but they would be wrong for there is a roar of celebration after. Not only has this school earned a treasure back into their halls, but she brought with her an artist where many students from all walks of life may learn from. Mary-Anne's palms hurt from clapping so hard, but once Tiber returns, she is still clapping just before wiping away tears of joy, "that was amazing young man, positively amazing!" With that, she addresses the small crowd of students, "I will be showing these fine Professors to their classrooms and I trust the rest of you will return to your studies." As she waves the couple to follow, the students do as they are told while politely thanking Tiber as some of them walk by. "Lanara, your room has been kept vacant, but recently I had it cleaned and replaced the old barre with a new one along with all new mirrors," there had been a lot of damage done to the castle while Kahran stationed his forces here in Schezerade, but they all had worked hard together to make the space feel like home again. "Let's take a look before moving on to Professor Augustus' classroom," she said with excitement before pausing before the door which indicates that it is the, 'To The Pointe', classroom and with a quizzical expression looks up to the pair, "or will it be Professor Tiber? Maybe Professor Rivers?" While he mulls it over, she proceeds with unlocking the class and handing the key on over to Lanara before pulling the door open for the couple so they may venture inside to see the spacious room. The basics are all there to match Schezerade, a marble room accented with gold and platinum with mirrors covering the entirety of one wall while the other walls are adorned with large windows for perfect natural lighting. There are a couple of magical magelight chandeliers above which are both mystical and beautiful in their own right. There are plenty of chairs, loveseats and couches along the wall opposite the mirrors so students may change into their dance shoes freely or sit while Lanara is demonstrating certain dances. Of course there is a wonderfully hand carved desk which is already stacked high with fanmail and student requests.

Lanara claps along with the others, equally as moved by the performance, and she presses a chaste kiss to Tiber’s cheek once he rejoins them. “That was amazing!” She’s a lucky witch, this she knows! Obediently, she trails along beside Mary-Anne, her gaze traveling from one feature to the next as they make their way to her old classroom. Some things have changed, while others remained the same, and it’s a blast of nostalgia and heartfelt memories from a much simpler time in her life. Lana gently nudges the woman, “I missed this place so much! It truly feels wonderful to be back inside these walls.” She has only but a few loves in her life; Tiberius Lowell, magic, animals, and dance! As they arrive at the door marked ‘To The Pointe’ Lana cannot help but hold her breath, because this has been a long awaited welcome home, and she squeals when Mary-Anne hands over the key. The trio enters the room and Lana chatters animatedly, pointing here and there, and reliving some of her favorite moments within the confines of the dance studio. The new barre pulls her attention and she runs her fingertips along the steel, before she eyes her reflection in each of the mirrors, “Everything is perfect! Thank you so much for welcoming me back, Mary-Anne!” Overcome with emotion, Lana pulls the petite woman in for a hug, before she notices the pile of letters upon her new desk. Getting back into the swing of things, she neatly organizes them into piles of fanmail and those that wish to sign up for her class. She also gives Tiber and Mary-Anne a few minutes to discuss his future at the school, as it’s entirely up to the male, and she doesn’t want to influence him to make a choice on what he wishes to be called. “So, where will Tiber’s classroom be?” Smiling, she takes her mate's hand and waits for Mary-Anne to lead the way, reassuringly whispering to Tiber, “I told you this would be a wonderful decision to work here!”

Tiber waves with the crowd of students clapping. He then wanders back over to Lanara and Mary-Anne with a cool smile on his face. Tiber was not greatly talented, but music truly showed. He must have taken something from his brother a time ago. “Thank you, I appreciate it.” The sound of “professors” made him blink. The audition worked, and truly, he did not think he would get this far through the college. They move through the halls and Tiber is looking up, down, left, right as he takes in the sight of the school. Schezerade had been an elegantly pieced together city. Why had he not moved here from his time at a young age? Perhaps fate had taken its course, for if he was in Schezerade… there would be no Lanara Banks. Tiber looks down at Lanara and smiles. “I’m glad that you can come back to a piece that makes you feel whole.” Plus, he could not wait to watch Lanara Banks move. The man has to blink away the thoughts quickly, and thankfully, the room that Mary-Anne addresses is beyond them. Lanara’s room. “Professor… Rivers.” That might have been a good name to remember his brother. Keep the name living. As the door is unlocked, the man walks inside. “Holy,” amber eyes stare up at the chandeliers and stare at the marble that surrounds them. “Talk about fancy. Dang, miss thang, when can I take your class?” He teases with a wink at the Kelvarian. He looks over at the mail she stacks which causes his brows to lift before he stares into the mirror. Then… ‘Where will Tiber’s classroom be?’ Good question. “You never disappoint. This is… a whole world on its own.” Meaning, the college was amazing. He pivots to look down at Mary-Anne in anticipation.

[1 of 2] Brennia :: Mary-Anne feels her heart swell with pride when the pair marvel at the room and she hopes they keep the same energy for Tiber's classroom. "Professor Rivers it is then," she says with finality before waving them to follow along back out onto the mezzanine. "The acoustic guitar class was called String Theory, but it is your own room and class to conduct, so call it whatever you wish! Anyway," she continues on and there is a pleasant mix of students practicing their instruments below. There are even bits of a monologue that can be heard from the door to the 'performing arts' classroom as they pass and soon they are graced by wonderful works of art done by the students in the 'Fantastical Creations' room as they round the corner, "your classroom is just across the way here, Professor Rivers."

[2 of 2] The halfling produces a key similar to Lanara's as she unlocks the stained glass double doors, but before she opens the door, she mentions the bulletin board next to it with a list of names belonging to students who are interested in a guitar class and explains, "we didn't want to overwhelm a new professor with a desk full of mail on his first day." A warm grin adorns her rosy cheeks again as she finally unlocks the door and allows the couple within first once more so they may acclimate. There aren't as many windows and nice thick curtains that adorn the large few ones that are there. Even though the room has the basic makeup of the rest of Schezerade as well, there is a definitive edgier style to Tiber's classroom. The space is candlelit, decorated with rugs, band/musical artist illustrations (posters), and plenty of stools with a guitar partnered with each one. The seating is set up in a half circle with one solitary stool in the center and one sturdy dark oak desk off in a corner for the more technical aspect of the job. Best of all, there is a large portrait mounted singularly on a wall of a certain dancer done by an alum who used to take her class but is now a renowned artist.

Lanara laughs at Tiber’s comments about her classroom, a place that feels like home to her heart, and her cheeks flood with color as though she can read his thoughts. Tiber had -never- seen her dance, save for the occasional slow dance at a ball, or that time they had pickpocketed some individuals at a nightclub and she had swayed her hips a bit. Lana knows various styles of dance, but ballet is both her favorite and the most frustrating, as it forces one's body to bend in unique ways and to always push further and harder than the last dance. It had taken the witch a lifetime to earn the role of a prima ballerina, and as she trails her fingertips over the new barre, it seems that a million memories are racing through her mind. “It's perfect, Mary-Anne!” To her fiance, she smirks, “If you want to sign up for one of my classes, you will have to get in line! They are first come, first served, unless you have some incredible untapped talents I’m not aware of on the dance floor?” She teases, but if he ever wants a few pointers, or perhaps to see her moves, he needs only ask! Once they arrive at Tiber’s classroom, Lana walks around the half moon of guitars and stools that are set up, her chocolate gaze sparkling, “Tiber has shown me a few chords, but I don’t think I’m cut out for taking one of his classes.” She can barely handle the beginners stuff, and it always ends with her handing the guitar to Tiber and making him sing her something sweet. “You already have a list of students that want to take your class? That’s awesome, Babe!” Lana is impressed, and she loudly gasps upon seeing a beautifully painted portrait that is in perfect likeness to the Kelvarian Elf. The name of the student rings a bell, as they had rode to fame rather quickly, and Lana takes a moment to study the art before she focuses on Tiber. Does he like the classroom? Is he going to accept the role of a professor, truly? She tries to study his facial expressions, while exchanging an anxious look with Mary-Anne, as they both hope he will find it to his liking.

Tiber follows Mary-Anne out of Lanara’s classroom to down the hall where instruments echo. The man glances at each passing door to see what different classes were going on. “String Theory? I’ll have to, uh, think. I guess I didn’t get that far.” As they come to a halt and the key is taken out, the man waits casually as if he was not trying to show much excitement. Professor Rivers was cool, okay? Either way, honey eyes shift over to see the list of students interested in signing up. The man finally smirks and then the door opens. The Catalian steps inside and all around is the atmosphere of edge. The man was a fan of the alternative setting, and he begins to pace around the room as eyes glaze over posters and his hand runs over the oak desk. Eyes look up at the portrait that is painted of the tiny Kelvarian dancer. His tiny dancer. He grins at Lanara as she tells him he has to get in line to take her classes. “What no free classes?” He flirts as he looks the Kelvarian up and down, but then that grin turns into something content. The space feels like… home. “This is solid. This is just… I can’t wait.” The man looks towards the halfling. “Thank you.”

Brennia :: Mary-Anne claps her hands tougher as a joyous expression, “well, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to our institution Professor Rivers and an excited welcome back to our beloved Lanara.” The halfling gestures toward the door and begins with, “let’s-“ just as they are interrupted by a student who politely knocks and peeks in. He looks well put together and smooths his tousled hair back nervously as he asks, “excuse me, Counselor Dewfoot-Barrows?” Only when she motions for the student to come closer does he procure a document from the halfling and leans down to whisper something. “Ah, okay. Thank you Herald,” she waves him along and turns her attention to the Professors, “Lanara, I trust you can give Professor Rivers a tour of the campus from here? Oh, and your keys work to an apartment on the third floor, the third floor is restricted to students… magically. You know, to ensure the peace of mind to the professors,” the halfling’s cubby little hand covers her lips as she giggles just thinking how chaotic things would be if students had 24 hour access to their professors. “I understand your tentative part time status, but if you’d rather not trek the long path home after a long day's work, there is always a place for you two, Brennia ensured it.” She holds up the scroll of a document and makes her way to the threshold of the class, “duty calls. Again, welcome, everyone is excited to have you two here,” she gives one last look over her shoulder as if she were a proud mama leaving her kids on the first day of college or something. Which is odd because she barely knows Tiber, but that is just Mary-Anne’s matronly way.

This is a Bard's Guild RP.