RP:Slave Songs for Surfacers

Part of the Surface Tension Arc

Synopsis: After escaping the watch of a drow assassination squad, Nymh, a drow slave, wanders onto Kelay Way and, inspired by the night sky, plays his ocarina. His song attracts the avian Tylania, who lights up the sky with colorful fire arrows just as Nymh is being taken away by his captors. This further attracts the feline Neveah and the human warrior, Zendor. Tylania throws a rock at Nymh's captor, but before the squad can counter attack, Nymh persuades the drow assassin squad to stand down. Neveah asks the captors to let Nymh play more music, which is allowed. Tylania and Neveah are moved by Nymh and want him freed. Zendor asks the drow guards if he may meet Zendor's owner, or attend the next slave auction. The three surface dwellers learn that an auction will be held in Trist'oth in a few days, but that it is unlikely they could beat the wealth of the noble houses of Trist'oth. Zendor lets Tylania know that the elves are looking for warriors in their war against the drow.

Kelay Way

You had shaken the drow assassination squad once more, to wander the streets of Kelay by himself. It had been a changing of patrol, and this group was more lenient than the other, if only because they cared less about his presence. The drow sat on a barrel, marveling at the night sky. Where even the moon and stars might be too bright for most drow eyes, his eye was not so offended by them, perhaps due to his half wood elf heritage. They were amazing to watch, twinkling above in an endless dance, along with the huge orb of the moon above. What incredible sights! It stirred him to play a song, and the drow would hold ocarina to lips, delicate fingers pressing upon the holes, as he played. It was a slow, but cheerful piece, full of wonder and quiet joy. The music, magical as it was, might mesmerize any who listened, to some small extent.

Tylania had simply been wandering around kelay relaxing in the warm springs air, when she heard a beautiful melody. Curiosity taking over, she slowly walked towards the sound. She found her feet clacking against the stone underfoot in time with the song. she felt oddly compelled to dance. She resisted the urge however as she came upon a man sitting on a barrel. She stopped about ten feet from him, and watched intently as he continued playing.

Nymh was used to his music drawing listeners towards him, 'like flies to the web', as it had once been described... though he'd never appreciated that comparison. He'd look up, and see the avian, smiling, as his musical piece finally came to a conclusion. "Did you enjoy it?" He'd ask, an innocent question, from a creature of a heritage that was marked anything but innocent.

Tylania snapped out of what seemed to be a daze by his question. "O-oh yes, it was..." looking for a proper word to describe what she had heard "intoxicating " she smiled slightly, and the tip of her wing had suddenly become very interesting. "Where do you learn to play songs like to that?"

Nymh blinked to see her wings. Such wonders, in the world above! She probably flew freely in the skies... something to marvel at, indeed. "I taught myself. My people know little of music, I'm afraid. It makes me somewhat of an... oddity." A collectible piece, a pretty songbird of a slave. Magical compulsion would draw him back down into that dark abyss, soon enough. "You have wings. Tell me... what is it like to fly?" There was wonder, in his eye, as he asked the question.

Tylania turned a crimson red at the question, believe it or not, it wasn't often asked. "w-well...the first times exhilarating, it's like being punched in the stomach though. And if you're scared of Heights don't ever try it. but once you get over the shock....it's beautiful. you have a new perspective of everything, you can see the whole world from above." realizing she was rambling she quickly shut her mouth, "e-ermm, sorry, I tend to talk a lot...." and once more the tip of her wings were calling her attention.

Nymh actually laughed for joy of her answer. He'd never been able to carry on such a lighthearted conversation before, and her nervousness was endearing. "I bet it is beautiful. I'd love to be able to fly, one day... though I doubt that'll ever happen." He'd look up towards the stars again, wistful. "My place is in the dark, deep places, after all." A frown crossed his visage. Yes... and what a dark, deep place it was, where only horrors dwelled. Things of a... wicked and perverse nature. His people.

Tylania walks a little closer "i umm....i could fly with you..." she really didn't want him to believe her strange, but if flying was a wish he had, she could help him grant it. she had carried people before. she stretched her wings to their full extent at least ten feet from tip to tip, or at least that was last time she checked. she settled her wings back into place, tucked neatly on her back. "i-i mean if you want" she refused to meet his eyes "You don't needto ,worry about me dropping you.

Nymh paused, at that offer. How wonderful it could be... but had to shake his head, in refusal. "Sadly, I cannot. My movements are magically tracked, you see. My people will be sent to fetch and... punish me... should I go too far from where I should be." Should he take her up on that offer, it would cost him his life. He felt almost compelled to accept anyway... to see one, beautiful thing before the darkness of death took him.

Tylania looked up at the man for the first time, she could tell he was at least part drow, but she felt bad for him anyways. after all, he didn't seem like a bad person. "o-oh" she said softly, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you, and I would certainly hate to get you into trouble" she walked over to the barrel he was sitting on and sat down on the stone ground. "u-um.....i thought your music was really pretty, could you play some more?" there was a seemly indistinguishable hope in her eyes. she had a way of seeing the best in people after all.

Nymh smiled. He'd prefer to play for this avian, than any of his own people. "Of course." He'd hold the ocarina up to his lips, fingers tapping away at the holes as he began to softly blow. The melody was long, and soft, a sheet of silk falling from the sky to blanket the area inwhich he played. There were no words to the song, only a the expression of a feeling difficult to grasp, but full of joy. A sweet serenity, in the form of a magical song, from a dark creature that craved a life in the light, where he could never be.

Tylania she hadn't realized she started crying until the melody was almost over, and a small tear splashed onto her hand. ignoring the urge to clap, it would ruin the quietness after the song, she slowly wiped her face with her palm. "it's so...beautiful.." she sniffed quietly and stared at the man in wonder. could he really be evil? someone who didn't belong to the light? she refused to believe it, he seemed much to gentle. "I could listen to that forever..." speaking quietly,as if she would wake the night up,and he would leave.

Nymh was genuinely surprised to see that the avian was crying, when the song ended. Her words took him aback. He'd never gotten quite such a strong reaction. "I could play, forever, were I allowed to. I find a rare peace, in music." Much like what she'd found, in his song. "I'm glad I was able to play for such an appreciative audience." There was a faint smile on his lips. His elfen ears twitched, as he picked up on a subtle signal by one of his shadows. "I might have to leave soon, however. All good things must end, eh?"

Tylania looked down at the ground sadly "suppose so neh, you'll he around?" The last part was a question. she stood up and streched, holding her arms a over her head, and her wings streched upwards as well. she stepped back, bowed slightly, and gave him a smile. "it was lovely listening to your music mr. ...... err...." she suddenly realized she had never gotten his name. "I'm tylania by the way, most people call me ty though" she smiled once more to the strange man who's music seemed to touch her soul.

Nymh gave a shadow of a smile, filled with sorrow. "I'm afraid not. I'm to be auctioned off soon, to a new master. They're not likely to give me the bits of freedom I enjoy now... I'm only here to expand my musical repertoire by seeing new things, as it happens. To increase my value." He'd look to her, and give his name. "Nymh. It's been a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Tylania." Parting was such sweet sorrow. He stood, before the drow could come and make him do so at knifepoint, turning towards the shadows from which he was beckoned.

Tylania frowning slightly she decided she just had to see what a real smile would look like on him. so bending her knees and stretching her wings, she launched into the air with a powerful push. pulling three magically decorated arrows back on her bow she let them lose into the sky. bright colors filled the night, blocking out the stars and moon, lighting up the darkness. I pulled three more out and let them fly, and again they burst into a multitude of colors in the sky. she landed down next to him to see his reaction.

Nymh was shocked, when she took wing, and shot those arrows in the air. They exploded into a plethora of colors, so bright to him that he had to shield his eyes. The colors, though! He had a truly ecstatic smile on his face as he looked up at them, lost in the moment, seeing something so new and wonderful for the first time. A dark hand gripped his shoulder in the middle of the display though, roughly dragging him away, to which he winced, but did not protest. It seemed his bit of fun was coming to an abrupt end.

Neveah comes out from the shadows, and sees the man grabbed. she was dressed in all white from head to toe. A white designed dress that came to right above her knees, white laced stockings almost knee high white heeled boots, and to compete out all a white hair ribbon in her hair. Which held her strikingly white silky hair up in a ponytail. her tail swishing about, though her strikingly blue eyes never leaving the scene. she had saw the light show and came to investigate. wondering aloud "I wonder if i will ever find a decent bard in this forsaken area."

Zendor had been in this region for a little while, and hadn't seen any celestial displays like that one. Did something fall? Was it magic? He came to find out. It was a crowd before he came, and unusual too. An avian girl, a standing lioness, and a couple of drow. One seemed clearly to be subordinate to the other. Being (sort of) aligned with their cause, he decided to stand closer to the two dark elves and ask: "Is everyone here to see the sky fall?" He was dressed more or less like a self-made warrior. None of his armor matched another piece, and it was held to his shape by straps and buckles.

Tylania looked around panicky "m-mr. nymh??" She turned tight circles searching for her new friend. she spotted him being pulled away by another man, and for just a second she had seen his truly happy smile. "N-no..." she wispered quietly, she didn't want to see him go, to see him get sold off to someone and never see him again. She picked up a rock and threw it against the older drow man's head, causing him to look back at her angrily. "oh crap...." Was all she could think

Nymh was almost dragged off without fuss, but Zendor's appearance and questions stopped the drow dragging him away, causing a dangerous narrowing of a ruby eyed gaze. "This half blood is a slave, and his owner beckons." Nymh didn't say a thing, only staring off into the distance as the drow guard spoke. They would soon melt into the shadows unless hindered, and the guard already had a blade to hand, irritated that anyone had interrupted his work. He seemed nonplussed by the lioness, the avian, and the warrior. Clearly, he felt safe in his ability to carry out this task. Possibly because there was more than just one drow watching over Nymh... Then, Tylania threw a rock at the drow. He swatted it away in midair with a dagger, and glared at her. He raised a hand, and a half dozen hand crossbows with poison tipped darts were pointed her way, ready to fire. Nymh felt his eyes widen then, and dashed out of the drow's grip, and in front of her, staving off the fire for the moment. "Leave her be. I'll come." There was magic in his voice, a bard's magical persuasion, which the drow looked to be unaffected by. After a tense moment of staring between Nymh and the guard, he looked away, waving his hand. "Fine. Hurry up. We're late."

Neveah her hand going to her whip gripping it tightly ready tho intervene with darts for she knew they would be poisonous having spent time with drows before. she speaks up. "the child knows not what she did, though for some gold i would love tho hear some songs from this bard slave of yours." she had heard with her cat like ears the drows conversation with the warrior male, and also the magic within the bars voice.

Zendor noted the high value this drow must carry as a slave, such that his masters would rather leave without repaying the insult than risk hurting him. But then he thought that they could just as easily kill her at a later time with less onlookers. "Yes," he said after Neveah, "a song or two couldn't cause too much delay?" From his back pack, he maneuvered his hand exactly into the right pocket, and pulled out a jangling bag. He didn't know exactly why, but he was curious. He stepped over to where Tylania was standing, joing her in the audience. Then he whispered, "That was a rash thing you did just then. Good thing you threw a rock instead of shot an arrow, I must say. It would've been a short story for you otherwise..."

Tylania simply closed her eyes and resituated her wings on her back. she waited to see if nymh would be able to play his few songs. "I know exactly what I did, I knew that there were archers too....i just..couldn't bear to see him go after I saw how happy he was just to see fire-arrows. he wants to fly, he wants to live, not be kept in captivity." she stopped tears from rolling down he cheeks, "being a slave isn't it vendors a life" she stopped, watching the guardsmen around her as they decided weather or not nymh could play. "what would you have done?" She asked quietly, looking at tte ground. The captain of the drow assassin squad agrees and Nymh plays one more song.

Nymh saw an opportunity once coin was presented. The captain was a sadist, who loved to torture with expensive toys... some were poisons that Nymh could extract from the large milipedes that produced them, saving him a lot of coin in the process. He used Nymh for personal gain often, and though he was strong willed and hard to move through magical persuasion, simple greed might work to stay his hand for a moment. "Surfacers are known to be quite rich." He stated simply, though there was magic in those words. "Yes..." The captain agreed. He was strong willed, but not the most intelligent. "Fine. One song. Hurry up, or I'll make you taste my favorite lash." Nymh winced for that. He put the poison on that lash himself. "Right." He drew forth his ocarina, watching the tears roll down Tylania's cheeks, as the others gathered around looked on. Delicate fingers pressed to the holes of the ebony instrument, as he began to gently breathe life into it. The song was one of mourning, falling like a tapestry torn asunder, and raggedly stitched back together by an unskilled hand. It had a harsh element to it, for the captain's benefit... underneath his cowl, the drow smiled while reminded of his cruel pleasures. For others, it would be a song of triumph in the face of adversity, as even a raggedly stitched tapestry could be whole once more, still retaining its beauty and color. The melody was magical, and might mesmerize or daze all who listened, drawing to life memories of their fears, coaxed forth and soothed by assurances that they can contend with what lies in the darkness of their hearts. When the song came to an end, Nymh had his eye closed, and his head bowed, snowy wisps of hair covering his gaze.

Neveah bows her head ever so slightly a tear escapes her clenched eyes as she remembered her past, though she non longer lives that life any more it still hurts to think of it. which happens often enough everyone her hand hits one of those scars she still has from her past. though she looks up as if nothing ever happened in her past or the tear she shed though she knows at least nymh could have seen it, and could have guessed what it was from. for she had winced along with nymh when she heard ts tasting his favorite lash. she looks up seeing his head bowed and eyes closed. without realizing what she was doing she moves close to him and silently puts a hand on his shoulder. her touch was caring and knowing.

Zendor clearly found the question difficult. "I..." Suddenly he cleared his throat and gave up apparently. "Fire arrows?" So THAT'S what they were. How silly. "Have you any money? Buy him. Beyond that it would be hard to free a man as well tended to as he. He's valuable to them." In a moment, he understood why. As he stood, the soft sounds enveloped him and rendered him defenseless. Whisked away from the present and back to a time years past, Zendor began to remember things he hadn't wanted to in some time. He blinked not once, and met the moon with his gaze until the soberest of moments passed. He glanced at Nymh, and then at his captor. He thought he could see the ugliness in his soul just then, and clearly came to a conclusion. "Ahem. This man is not your slave as I understand it. Then I wish to speak to his master. Or tell me when the next auction is, if you please." He adjusted his backpack, making the straps an inch longer.

Tylania blinking slowly through her gruesome childhood memories, tears streamed down her face once more. she watched the strange lady with cat ears walk over and put her hand on his shoulder. she hadn't even really heard the man next to her speak. before she could register what she was doing she walked over to nymh, and put her arms around his shoulders. she wrapped her wings around their upper bodies and slowly picked a feather from one. "t-these don't grow back t-to easily, so don't lose it." she mumbled through tears and she stuck the feather into his hands. "i-if you ever get free....c-come find me again" she stood up slowly, unwrapping her wings and setting them back in their rightful place

Nymh would accept the hand on his shoulder, with some surprise, and the embrace with much surprise. He'd never been hugged before... and especially not with wings! She handed him a feather, and he took it, with a faint smile. "Aye. I will remember." The captain looked furious that others dared to touch his charge, but Zendor's question of the auction distracted him. "Hah! If you think you can compete with the houses of Trist'Oth in wealth..." One of the drow behind him spoke up. "It's the coin that matters, captain." He looked back at him, and seemed to acquiesce. "Yes... the house needs it." He looked back to Zendor. "The auction will only be in a few days time. If you have wealth aplenty, come to Trist'Oth, and try not to die before you reach the market." Nymh would be grabbed again, and dragged away, and this time, the drow would brook no argument. "Farewell." It was the last word he was allowed to speak to them, as they disappeared into the shadows. Neveah moves back allowing the female that was with him first hug the male. she did not give affection greatly herself or easily. reluctantly she let him be dragged away.

Zendor ignored the captor's quips, not giving him the satisfaction of being able to see his doubts. Instead, he about-faces, and begins to walk past Tylania and Neveah. One quick glance over his shoulder assures him that the devils are out of sound's reach. "Auction in a few days," he regurgitates in case she was emotionally hard of hearing. "That's not a lot of time to get the money they're looking for. But you know where he's being kept (sort of), and you already have at least one sympathizer." He looks to Neveah, she was clearly whelmed by the feelings of his song, and nods. Then again to Tylania, "...The elves are looking for warriors, and you're a warrior aren't you." It was implied to be a question, yet there was no such hint of inflection.