RP:Say Something
Summary: Brennia sings her goodbye to her love, but something else unexpected happens in harmony with such a sad song. Music can Lyrics by A Great Big World
Brennia's Miniature Castle
After finding your way through the Topiary Garden it would only be fitting to come upon a building which looks like a section taken right out of any castle in the same style as all of Schezerade, in all it's decadence; marble forming the entirety of the large home accented with gold and platinum in which you'll have to cross over a glass bridge in order to reach it. The front door is welcoming for all shapes and sizes that are the citizens of Hollow and spans a great distance in it's solid French Door of a design. Opening it up one might be perplexed at the ability for the home to hold such music coming from the main room there, provided the owner of the home is present. Once immersed, the eyes might be stolen by the gaping cathedral ceilings above, spotted by gold and platinum in which encircle mini glowing stones to mimic the night sky, but beauty is not what the ceiling is for; it carries one's voice in the ear most pleasing fashion. The walls of the room have shelves carved into the marble upon nearly every wall of this vast oval-shaped room, but the walls are shelves, carved into small squares. Each square hold scrolls to nearly any song someone might wish to hear and it should be clear now that a bard lives here; explains the marvelous white-wood, gold-accented, concert grand piano in the middle of this large room.
Nearing further into the tiny castle one's nostrils might pick up on the scent of mouth watering food being cooked wafting from the kitchen which is north of the main room and it also holds a small, but elegant dining area. In the corner of this kitchen there is a winding staircase which travels below and is illuminated as if gold is to be kept down there. If you wish to stay and listen to the bard or wait for her to emerge there are luxurious sofas strewn about with the softest throw blankets and plushy cushions, but be careful; an unsettling feeling may overcome you as your eyes spot a locked door, which houses a staircase to take you up, with an outreaching design in onyx stone overlay which seemingly inking over into the pristine luxury you’ve found yourself in. It's as if the area beyond holds a darkness that's attempting to leak out into this little slice of heaven… Better just leave that door alone.
A white concert grand piano is here.
Zachaël, wearing a chef's hat is here.
Brennia had not been in the mood to drink for the past week and much to her surprise Inky hasn't given her much trouble. She figures it wont last long though, it never does as it seems to wait until she has her guard down to strike when she is at her weakest. This time she wont care as much since there is not a thing it would be able to ruin these days. Everything she's wanted is gone, left, dead or lost and she's becoming numb to the pain anymore. Brennia spent most of her day toying with her piano and trying to find the right melody to fit her mood at the moment for she wants to say goodbye, maybe he would hear it, maybe not; she has to try for her soul to start healing. She focuses on how quiet her mind went when he left, the emptiness that ensued when their connection stopped and how every morning she just wishes he would… 'Say Something'. The lump in her throat returned when once more she heard nothing, but there it was - her muse, so valiant and brilliant as always and she felt it fill her all the way to her fingertips making it so clear. All that was needed was a slow and simple melody for such a desolate topic; this heartache was nothing like she felt before as she just wanted to know why and she starts to think it was easier when her loves died. A shaky sigh as her words came out, fragile, deep and slow in that usual alto timbre.
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'll be the one if you want me to
Anywhere I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
Brennia's eyes have closed getting into the song and so into she was as she didn’t notice or even feel the ink of her tattoo swirling atop her caramel complexioned skin. Once the second verse kicks in, she hears it, how is it this thing had it's own voice so beautiful and sweet sounding while it stole her gaze, but did not skip a beat in the song. This unity between master and object has never even been attempted and her blue optics couldn't believe what she was seeing as the Ink has taken a shape very similar to her own and looking right back at her sitting upon the pianist's bench with her. The image and the voice raised goose bumps on her own skin, but for now she just goes with it while Inky gently tucks a lock of Brennia's hair behind the pointed ear. This affectionate motion caused the threatening tears on her water line to individually and silently escape from the corners of her eyes to trail down her cheeks. Inky would stand up during the chorus and saunter it's way around the piano in order to gracefully climb atop the close piano lid during this impeccable duet. Brennia was entirely taken and enthralled in what she was witnessing and she could start to feel it as if a hand reaching out to her to lead it and control it. From atop the piano Inky reached a hand out an wiped away Brennia's tear as they continue to sing together until the bitter end.
And I... am feeling so small
It was over my head
I know nothing at all
And I... will stumble and fall
I'm still learning to love
Just starting to crawl
Valen's ears would be ringing with that sorrowful music as he approached the doors to the castle, as he had arrived at the near beginning of the melodious but heart wrenching cacophony. Once more he felt himself identifying with the owner of that voice, as well as the owner of the castle, in such a way that it was all too easy to be moved to tears by every note, pitch, and beat of her music. They both shared so much heartache...so much pain, that he felt it must be some cruel trick. Had she been male, he could have forgotten everyone instantly and tried to brighten that darkened soul with his own words of admiration, but alas fate never seemed to be in his cards. Recent events were more than evident of that solemn fact. Even the child he had adopted, seemed to be apathetic towards him. Regardless of all these things, though they might help the reader determine the look on his face as he walks in, he would be there just in time to see Inky move that strand of hair. Only once had he known someone, a female as well, who possessed what seemed to be a darker extension of themselves, and he knew these things were to be greatly respected and so it was he stood in silence, heart breaking at those words "And anywhere I would have followed you." Tears in his eyes now, how many people had he thought those exact words, this song even spoke to his soul about his ex-husband...as he had thought this almost exact same song but in different words. As he watched the magnificent but soulful duet from the very void of the pit of darkness of the recesses of the soul, all he could do at the end was be silent...tears pouring out for both of their lost loves. It should also be noted, that Valen had a mark on his neck...and it looked like it had been rubbed raw as if he had tried to remove it.
Say something, I'm giving up on you
I'm sorry that I couldn't get to you
Anywhere I would've followed you
Say something, I'm giving up on you
Brennia sighed softly when the song finally ended in a near whisper although the vastness of her ceiling still carries every note beautifully. Even though she felt the presence of Valen it changed nothing, she was sitting there before Inky who dissipated in the air in order to appear next to Brennia and place a sweet kiss on her cheek before a hug was given. Brennia couldn't believe it as for the first time she felt Inky was more of a gift than a curse and burden. Brennia's tears were gone and Inky returned to it's home on her skin before a long quiet pause hung in the air, "Hello, Valen." Her usual seducing tone returns as if nothing even happened she stood from her piano and made her way to the sitting area, "Shall we fetch you some wine from the cellar? How are you finding everything in the castle?" Once seated she crossed on leather legging clad leg over the other, but her gaze was stolen to her tattoo on her hand, still very still not making a peep or move and she wouldn't notice anything amiss about Valen until he came closer.
And I... will swallow my pride
You're the one that I love
And I'm saying goodbye!
Say something, I'm giving up on you
Say something…
Valen watched the interaction, so very reminded of his friend Awne and her darker half Enwa. The latter was even the reason he could use the shadows in the first place, that deadly assassin could carve her way through even the fiercest of battles and the thought of those two made him frown, until he was greeted by the Angelic woman, and would offer a smile instead. "Hello lady Brennia. Everything is perfect, what did you expect me to say?" A light melodious laugh would sound from his lips as he stated that, though bit his lower lip for a moment before walking towards the female. "Wine would not go amiss, but I must ask that you not pretend in front of me. Wishing and pretending only wound the heart further once the cold stab of reality sets back in..." Finally a hand would go to rest on the side of her cheek with a serene gentility. I do to think I could bear one such as you suffering any more than what your song conveyed, acting or no." Seeing as she was a master at deception, seduction, and otherwise acting in general, she would certainly notice that he was keeping something hidden inside as well though the way he spoke...he was not pretending to be happy, just not focusing on it now that the sorrowful melody was over.
Brennia looks upon Valen now and stood right back up in order to shrink the distance between them and inspect this mark, "What is this? What happened to you lovely." She would grasp his arm and lead him to sit down, of course he would smell that favorite scent before she called for her chef. Again, Valen would be forced to sit there through their romantic native tongue conversation and for some reason Zachael came in real close to help inspect. Upon such close proximity to the Avain man Valen might notice a different tattoo pattern on him, simple and sweet it was and nearly looked like shapes of flames on his slender forearms. Brennia made her way down to the cellar to fetch the blood wine he likes while her chef kept Valen company and even saying something softy to the man in that unknown language. He reached his hand out and gently pushed up on Valen's chin to inspect the mark before placing a cool rag on it. Brennia returns shortly with the wine and again said something to her chef, they have a shorter exchange before Zachael's olive green eyes rest solely on Valen now and let Brennia do her work. Brennia takes her dagger and slices Zachael's wrist until it filled a bottle and Brennia sealed his wound with a soft hum. He disappears into the kitchen to prepare food for them.
Valen would almost recoil at the shrinking distance, before answering "Just...tried to get rid of it is all. Thought I found something, only to be given stipulations. I mean I care for them, but I just don't think I can do that with one who is simply waiting on another, and says that they may leave for someone else. I wanted to give it a try, but I just do not think I can." There was sadness, sure, but deep down he knew that the Naga would never truly be his, nor he Xzavior's. Damn these feelings. Damn them to hell and back. A tear would come to his eyes which he would wipe away himself. The exchange between Zachael and Brennia had him once more admiring the language, idly wondering if he might learn it one day, and then Zachael gets really close. The different tattoo pattern was noticed, and as always...when smelling that favorite scent, would take in a deep sniff most likely right in the male's proximity. As he spoke, he had to look at him sadly and say "I...apologize Sir, I have no idea what you are saying." He looked so sweet though, so caring and yet he had only seen the vampire a number of times. The mark on which he pressed, as stated would be rubbed raw but still clung fast to his skin, almost like a tattoo though if anyone could sense what magic had caused it, they could deduce it was done by a cryomancer. Those olive green eyes staring into his, plus that cold rag, would make a small shiver go up his spine. However, when Zachael's wrist is sliced Valen could only stare at her in horror and confusion "Miss Brennia please I appreciate what you are doing but. Please I don't want to be ungrateful but there is no need for any of this." He was not unappreciative, just a bit out of his comfort zone.
Brennia waves his concerns away, "It will not matter in the least. I told him he didn’t need to… He wanted to, flat out insisted. I only did it because I didn't want him to accidentally slice something important." She shrugs, "I try not to argue with him much, he puts up with so much already. I think he misses him, too." She mentions, possibly giving Valen a bit of insight on who left her and that they were probably a vampire. Zachael returns with hors d'oeuvres and he made a concerned look at Brennia when he noticed the vampire's wine went untouched and they exchange words again of which Brennia motioned for Zachael to join them. Zachael opted to sit on the same sofa as Valen, "He's concerned his blood isn't good enough for you to accept…Anyway… What is this you are talking about?" Brennia relaxes back into her couch and only sipping gracefully on her wine, as she is in quite the opposite spirit as their last encounter now. There was a little slice of hope in her heart.
Valen was glad she had that sliver of hope still in her heart, though part of him wondered just why it was there...after such a display he could have sworn it was all gone, but he was glad that she still held on...if only just. Looking to Zachael with surprise, and quite possibly touched at the notion he had insisted, a soft coo of thanks would be given. "Well aren't you just the sweetest..?" With resolve, he would lean over and give the male a kiss on the side of the cheek before resuming his position. "I...am sorry that there is someone to be missed, the both of you." Valen, not wanting to be rude, would pick up the wine that was offered and proceed to drink from it...letting that delicious taste wash over his tongue. In response to the question posed to him, Valen would concede. "A naga. He...Well we got attached, and it was so romantic. I flirted, he flirted back. I regarded him, he looked me up and down...He held me in his arms, we kissed, we slept together, and then he told me that he was in love still with another and that he was unsure our relationship would last, and said he did not mean to string me along." A pause, a look down at the wine before another sip. "We worked it out, he gave me this mark...with the understanding should she take him back, ours was to end. I just..." his head drooped in a bit of worry, troubledness, confusion, pain, heartache, all rolled into one sigh. "Is it wrong, to think I am cursed? To think that everything I work for, tires me. I'm tired of the struggle...Tired of watching everything I do turn to dust."
Brennia smirked softly while setting her wine down and watched how hard Valen made Zachael blush with just a simple kiss. She nods once at Valen's apology, "Yes, we shall miss until one day we simply do not." She listened intently and once Valen's head dropped she was compelled to move herself to sit next to him and place an arm around him. Zachael followed suit and even swing his purely gleaming white wing about the vampire, the wing so soft like fleece and warm. This small action caused Brennia to nod knowingly at her chef because for most Avains to hold someone under their wing in such a way had a deep meaning, for most anyway. Brennia gently rubs Valen's forearm to comfort him while Zachael was gently stroking Valen's hair and said something softly, "Shh, do not worry, we are here and we will take care of you… Is what Zachael said… I agree." Brennia was always someone to easily push her pain aside and focus on other's for a change. "I say… How about some music, food and wine and then hit the hot springs?" Brennia's smirk spread a bit wider in mischief.
Valen noticed the blush, and would give the male a soft smirk in reply before Brennia was there, along with Zachael who had already been. The wing around him reminded him instantly of Irenic, and at the same time not, but altogether he appreciated the gesture perhaps more than Zach knew. At the translation, Valen looks up into the male's eyes as if searching for something, before simply saying "Honestly the two of you. What will I ever do with you." It was actually rhetorical, almost mirroring the same question he had asked his other Avian friend. Brennia's suggestion of food and wine and music, -and- a hot spring certainly roused him from reminiscing about that night at the Schezerade Tavern and fountain, and a shake of his head was given. "I have one thing I need to do first....and I apologize Lady Brennia, and Zachael, for how depressed I must seem, but if I am going to be rid of these thoughts for at least the remainder of the evening, well...singing has always made things seem better, even if the song is a sad and gut wrenching train wreck." It was at least a stab of humor, as he looks to Zachael with a kind gaze once more "But only if he can bare to hear it...I could not break such a sweet heart that beats so softly."
Brennia patted her friend's knee before standing once more holding a hand down to him and Zachael would follow suit, also holding a hand down to Valen. "Come, let's play." Her tone was full of suggestion, as she used to do and a wink to boot. Zachael only guesses where they are going and helps drag the vampire over to the piano bench. "Zachael can take it, he's heard almost every type of songs I've got, besides the torture ones." She offered a dark chuckle at that part as she plops herself atop the piano like her Inky did before as if they were in some sort of cabaret nightclub. "Also, never apologize for your feelings and emotions… Use them." She said it as if some sort of music teacher instructing how muses work and blew him a playful kiss. If Valen was sensitive enough to detect heartbeats he might sense how being nearer to Zachael that the chef's heart fluttered a bit faster, but every time the enchanting vampire made effort to engage in eye contact the heart skipped a beat entirely… Looks like Valen earned a crush from Zachael. The Avian man would stand next to the piano laying in wait to hear Valen play and try to slyly take his chef's hat off which revealed hair as while as his wings and a bit tousled.
Valen would look to Brennia at her words and give her a challenging grin "Well then, have I got one for you to hear at a later time. I can almost guarantee that you will not have heard it, though I can also almost guarantee that you will want to learn it." He would take both offered hands, a feeling welling up inside him as he tried to keep all that emotion bottled up inside, he would need it for his performance, as even noted by Brennia. He had to admit, if he did not know any better he would have guessed her to have been a music teacher or instructor in an earlier part of her life. The vampire most certainly could sense heartbeats, they called to him like a beacon, and would offer the chef a soft, warm, charming, gaze, before looking to Brennia. "If this is alright, I would like to dedicate this to the two of you, for helping me and taking me in." The white hair of the avian caught him by surprise, normally he did not like white as a hair color but this suited the Avian quite well. With that, he would sit at the piano and place his hands upon those keys. Running his fingers over them, a light but fast pace tune would play as his eyes closed...letting that tune come from his heart. His song was one about who he truly was, a person, who even though they made mistakes in their existence still managed to this day, because of the magic of his new friends, he could be true to himself and his heart. At the sound of the first chorus, on the wall behind him, shadows would appear of various people playing instruments as if they invisible but casting quite real shadows, and by the second chorus, he would give off a soft glow. Quite literally, his skin would start to shine with a somewhat bright aura that brought out his inner radiance. His heart was light, his soul was unburdened as he thought on these new emotions, and all that was shining through out into the open though not enough to blind.
Brennia quirked a curious brow his way at the mention of a torturous song and Zachael would blush just slightly this time at the charms of Valen while offering a wide grin in return revealing perfect, large and white teeth. Brennia allows the music to wash over her and paint a mental image until she noticed the shadows, how they move and shape the reality. She taps on Zachael's shoulder and points to the show and he did nod, but his gaze couldn't move off of Valen and how radiant he looked as if hypnotized. Brennia would only simply smirk in the beauty of the melody and song, but it touched Zachael on another level as he was trying to secretly dry his tears. The clung to every note religiously and in anticipation for the end of the song for they could barely hold their applause and cheering in much longer.
Valen would finish his song with those last words about magic inside, looking at Zachael, and a brief glance to Brennia. The song was over, but that glow remained while the shadows dispersed. Noticing Zachael's tears, he would wait for the applause, if any, before going over to him and enveloping him in a soft hug, hand moving up behind his head to cradle it close to him, that glow growing just a bit brighter at the closeness to this male. "There, there sweet one." He had to laugh inside, he was so used to being the submissive that this was a bit of a different role for him. Looking over to Brennia, he would casually compliment her perhaps in an unexpected way. "You know Brennia, you should most certainly open up a school, or go out and teach bards to find their own magic, their own song....You would be great at that, and it may just even help you along the way." His words were sincere, and he continued. "I will also be more than happy to tell others just how talented you are, if you wish. Who knows? Maybe you could do that here, get more people to fill those doors, really have your chance to shine again."
Brennia walked along the vast library of scrolls tucked away in every all of this massive oval shaped room while she left a private moment for Zachael and his first man crush. Before their embrace Zachael would clap ecstatically while attempting to give common a try, "Cheer! Monsieur Vayylen!" The adorable way Zachael's accent twisted so sweetly on Valen's name and it was so cute Brennia giggled softly, to herself. Zachael returned the embrace along with his wings folding over them as their hug lingered. Brennia had made her way back around as Valen's words hit her… "I…" She fell quiet and her own cheeks darkened at the compliment. She cleared her throat, "Well. That is certainly an idea… There was talks long ago of a Bard's Guild and I attempted to reach out to the leaders not long ago to no avail." She sighed, "I really hate to think of the talent out there being so lost. I remember when I first came to Hollow with nothing, I had nowhere and no one to show me the way. I didn't even realize I was a bard and these to women showed me the way." Her deep blue gaze taking in her nearly empty castle, "Maybe I should reconstruct… Make this a place for learning where homeless bards can feel inspired, well fed and safe." She walks up to Valen and offers a big warm hug, "Thank you… Now you have inspired me."
Valen would find himself, once more, pondering things as a nagging thought lay dormant in his mind. This male was head over heels for him, and he barely knew the man. Was this how he had been? If that was the case, he knew all too well that he had better say something lest the sweet bird think he had said the wrong thing. "Look at you lovely. You are certainly quite the adoring fan." With a swift motion, another kiss would be planted to his cheek as the hug was broken in favor of looking to Brennia, though old habits die hard and he would reach behind him to take Zachael's hands...pull his chest towards his back, and wrap the man's arms around him...enjoying once more, a feeling of security though the muscle tongue seemed to be quite different. "Their loss. Start your own Brennia." As she hugged him, he would become a Valen sandwich, and even give her a kiss to a cheek in response to her praise. "You would be a most magnificent mother eagle to all those lost chicks, and I know you would enjoy teaching. It takes one to know one, and just as I love teaching magic, you will love teaching the music of the soul." With all that said and done, he had to admit...that hot spring did not sound like a bad idea. "Now...I believe someone mentioned a hot spring, food, and drink?" a laugh escaped him, that glow still not shutting off, and ultimately he did not know if it ever could now, because he at least had two friends he knew he could count on, and while third would always hold his heart, whatever awaited them he would wait and see. He did miss the sight of Irenic, and hoped that wherever he was, that he was as happy as he felt right now.