RP:The Day the Music Died

Part of the Thy Kingdom Come Arc

Summary: Alex is brought to Leone to face punishment for his assault against a frost giant. Instead, he receives a very specific set of instructions and loses his title as the bard of Frostmaw.

Middle of Town

Alex is being tugged by the arm down the street of a fuming giant guard who is actually hunched over just to keep a firm hold on the bard. His face is paler than usual as fear is very much apparent in his expression and a green hint lays warning that he might soon spew the contents of his stomach out across the walk way. The guard seems relieved when spots Leone and cries out to her, "Councilwoman Leone! I've been searching for you, this bard was caught in the act of assaulting a giant just here in the square! Knocked him clean on his arse he did!" The human looks to Leone with a feeling of dread washing over him his tone defeated, "It was an accident. It was self defense, I-I..." he drops his story knowing that no one was going to believe him. It was six to eight giant's words against his and here in Frostmaw that was a severe disadvantage, even if you do hold a fancy title.

Leone is under cover of cloak and hood, though she is easily recognizable by the crest embroidered across the back of the woolen covering. The farrier turns, pivoting on one boot heel to come about. She is an older woman, with crinkles forming along the skin at the corners of her teeming, glittering, lime-hued eyes. Several errant strands of sterling hair droop forward, out of the cover of her hood and into her face, feathering against the apple of one cheek as the arctic breeze lifts them with its breath. She exhales, vapor crowding out of her mouth like the emanation from a stoked chimney, and squares the bard as well as the Giant with a stern but sympathetic gaze. "Well," the plover says, singling Alex out of the entire ado to place the full weight of the jadite sights upon, "Which was it? An accident, or self-defense? Certainly defending yourself is no accident," the holy metallurgist continues, the corners of her plump, rose-taupe mouth curling upward in a wry smile. "And such a small lad," the cleric's simultaneously sandy and silken lilt continues on, this time in reference to the Frost Giant, "He must surely be commended for a momentous feat of strength, for either he is powerful beyond his size, or the Giant he toppled was in his cups. But this is not the full story," the diminutive clergywoman surmises, once more allowing the polished, cabachon-like, peridot gaze to bounce back and forth between the Frost Giant and the bard.

Alex is still visibly distraught from the entire ordeal and tries to jerk his arm away from the guard's iron grip in frustration though his attempts are met with repeated failure. A heavy huff is given while his iced blue eyes settle upon Leone and his voice rings out with a defiant tone "Both" he proclaims before taking a pause to settle his temper and remind himself that Leone isn't his enemy, at least not yet. "I can't explain what happened because I don't know. A group of thugs..." his gaze turns to the guard while he speaks a bit louder, "Giant. Thugs. Were speaking conspiracies in the market and cheering for the death of Hildegarde the Silver, they assaulted me when I offered my own opinion and as I begged them to stop... something happened." A heavy, shaken sigh escapes as he doubts anyone to believe the conclusion of his story, "I knocked the giant over with my voice... on accident... and in self defense." The look he gives the councilwoman is one of innocence fused with anger and hatred, there is no remorse for his actions and it's easy to see that Alex would have gone further if given the opportunity. The guard unexpectedly backs up the last bit of his story confirming a thunderous boom erupting just before his arrival and the giant's speaking of magic used in the assault.

Leone clears her throat after listening to both the guard and Alex. The farrier casts a long, lingering look around the markeplace, the searching, jade-colored orbs alighting upon faces and forms for fleeting seconds before moving on each time. Finally, the roving oculars fall back to the giant, and the councilwoman reaches a hand out toward Alex, though she continues to peer up to the guard. "Thank you," the farrier pronounces clearly, "For your service and your loyalty. I can take it from here," she assures the towering male before her nearly phosphorescent eyes once more pivot down to the bard's face. "You should thank him as well. Frostmaw is in upheval, as you've just found out," the sacred shoer posits to Alex, "If this man were not still in support of Hildegarde, you wouldn't have been brought to me for punishment, you'd have been taken to the usurpers' leader, the male seeking to take over Frostmaw. Your fighting against his efforts was your fight against him saving your life. Do you understand me?"

Alex's expression slowly transforms from one of frustration and anger to something more along the lines of perplexing confusion, his attention turning from Leone to guard and then back to her for reassurance that he was understanding correctly, the firm voice bringing him all of the confirmation he needed to look back to the guard and offer a formal apology and thanks, "I... I'm sorry and thank you... for everything." The defiance is all but erased, how could he have been so ignorant to not see what was clearly plain as day before his very own eyes? The guard offers a nod to Leone before releasing the bard and moving away from the duo leaving Alex feeling very, very small in his current situation. He looks up to Leone and parts his lips to speak though they quickly purse shut once again, there is no point in expressing his feelings towards Hildegarde or Balgruuf as they had been made quite clear through his actions. He doesn't even bother asking what's going to happen from here, opting to remain silent and listen for once so as not to poke at Leone's nerves.

Leone steps forward once the Frost Giant leaves, drawing nearer to Alex. The petite plover's head drops forward, her neck curving and her chin pointing toward the ground. She sidesteps, one precisely placed stride bringing her bantam frame alongside the bard. In hushed tones, the blacksmith advises, "Frostmaw is not safe for outsiders: for those of us who are not of the Giant ilk. You must leave, for if the rebels catch you, they will surely harm you. I will announce an official banishment from Frostmaw, though it will not be enforced. You must begin to rally support for the Steward outside of Frostmaw, when you go. Does all of this make sense?"

Alex grows nervous as Leone whispers in his ear, his heart racing and pounding heavily against his chest. He reaches up with his right hand to take hold of her arm and gives it a light grip to help maintain his composure. Chapped lips part and four simple words are spoken to the councilwoman "Make them believe it." His free hand is already reaching up to untie the blue bandanna from around his neck and and once it's dangling before him he runs his thumb across the embroidered frostmaw insignia before holding it out to Leone with the purpose quite clear, take his title and defame him, Frostmaw would have no bard.

Leone gives Alex's response a barely defined nod. "I'm sorry," the diminutive cleric whispers just before her head snaps up. One hand streaks through the air to clutch the bard's token neckerchief and rip it from his grasp. The fabric snaps like a windwhipped flag, thrumming as if a struck drumhead for a single note before it is quickly tucked into the folds of the farrier's cloak. Her opposite arm rises, fingers forming into a rigid curve that pointedly seeks the back of the musician's neck. Provided Alex remains still and does not attempt to fight off the High Priestess's grip, she will then begin to direct him to the southern gates of the city. Not surprisingly, the petite woman is disproportionately strong for her size; she is, afterall, a blacksmith.

Alex doesn't resist and knows full well he is leaving everything behind, clothes, instruments, weapons... everything. But he will not challenge Leone or her intentions, he will do as she asks and rally forces, he will fight for Frostmaw, but for now - he will leave.