RP:This Bard Stinks
This is a Bard's Guild RP.
Summary: Brennia welcomes another wandering soul into the fold.
Smyth College of Bardic Arts
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 its decadence; marble forming the entirety of the large building 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 fortress to hold such music coming from the main hall there with all of the astute students practicing their talents. 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 most pleasing fashion. This main hall is quite a vast oval-shaped room, but the walls are shelves, carved into small diamond shapes. Each slot contains a scroll to nearly any song someone might wish to hear or practice in it's magic. Among the marvelous white-wood, gold-accented, concert grand piano in the middle of this large room there are a plethora of nearly every musical instrument imaginable, one just has to look.
Nearing further into the 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 an elegant dining area containing a handful of small tables. In the corner of this kitchen there is a winding staircase which travels below where students are bustling to and fro. If you wish to stay, grab your favorite spirits from the well stocked kitchen and listen to the bardic magics, relax in one of the many luxurious sofas strewn about these two areas. Off to the east corner of the main hall, there is a locked staircase with an outreaching design in onyx stone overlay which is seemingly inking over into the pristine luxury you’ve found yourself in. It's as if the area above holds a darkness that's attempting to leak out into this little slice of heaven… Better just leave that door alone.
Brennia was performing this early to do a demonstration for some of her students about being able to tie real emotions to song in order to allow it to have power. The song serene and gentle while the vocals show off more of her talent in that area as every low note warm and every high note sweet. Those plump lips elaborating every word and the feeling slithers over most in a warm seduction, but one thing is different than most when she performs, her eyes stay closed. Whether it is from concentration or precaution no one really knows, but once the song ends it leaves an emptiness in the air while some students wipe their tears earning a soft applause. One of the students, Hinder, asks, “But Miss Brennia… Why do you keep your eyes closed the entire time? Is that apart of it?” She have a slightly forced smile while she stood from her grand piano now to address his question, “It is best for everyone involved if I do… Sometimes eye contact can make it a little too powerful for those listening.” She glanced around in the silence awaiting any other questions.
Alex couldn't be more lost if he tried, the human wandered with a wrinkled and torn piece of parchment held tightly in his hand while Rattimus perched on the top of his left shoulder. Unfortunately, those outside of the school wouldn't allow the massive dire bear known as Adagio inside so he wasn't allowed to see how beautiful this place really was. "So this is the college, huh?" he mutters to himself while wandering the halls and soaking in the sights with those bright blue eyes of his. The man had been recommended to visit this place by no less than seven people at this point and even though he finally managed to find it with his battered old map he couldn't shake the feeling of embarrassment in his gut as his dirty skin and matted hair stuck out like a sore thumb among the grand hall. Suddenly the sound of music can be heard growing louder as he ventures further into the building and he decides to follow it, ultimately spotting Brennia as the source with her class in the massive main hall. "How the hell did I miss this coming in?" he mutters before leaning against a wall and keeping his distance to listen and watch, unlike the others, Alex doesn't seem phased by the song, an oddity for sure as he notes the emotions of the others. He hums to himself while waiting to see how things play out, still unsure if he should be here in the first place.
Brennia had felt another presence in her hall while performing as with her powers dabels more in the soul. She noticed her students were eager to try for themselves so she motioned to them, “Demonstrate.” One by one each of them started on their own their own instruments with great focus while her oceanic blue eyes set directly on Alex unable to place his familiar face at the moment. She saunters her way closer coming around the piano and her outfit now visible. A form fitting pencil skirt ending a little under her knees and a silky white blouse tucked into the high waist of the skirt and at first her large onyx wings look like a cloak around her neck until they open up a little to fold close to her curvaceous form. “Merry meet,” her plump lips spread into a kind smile which pokes dimples in her caramel cheeks, “How may I as-” She’s closer now and Alex might pick up on his favorite scent coming from the Avian while her blue eyes recognizes something about him, “I remember you... Alec?” She knew that sounded wrong, but she only met the guy once.
Alex was already uncomfortable being here but the moment Brennia steps out from behind the piano he feels his heart sink into his stomach and a lump form in his throat, despite a terrible memory for years of drug abuse the human immediately remembered the avian as he stared at her wings without a pause to blink. In fact, even after she speaks he's still standing dumbfoundedly in silence for a solid six seconds before suddenly snapping out of it, "Oh, uh, uhm, Alex actually, heh... I'm surprised you remember my face. Last we met I had been fresh out of the bath and now I stand without one for close to a month... I figured the dirt and grime would have masked any visible reference by this point." He jokes though his odor is quite foul from his recent time spent in Gamorg. Rattimus doesn't seem to mind however as he sticks his tiny snout out closer to Brennia and begins sniffing the air towards her to pick up her scent. "I, uh, I'm assuming I'm in the right place. We'd spoken briefly a while back and a few others have suggested I find the college and well..." he nods to the students playing away "this does seem like a class."
Brennia doesn’t make a remark on his smell or his attire for she really never cares what other’s wear, she’s the least judgemental. “Welcome Alex… Apologies.” She stood aside to look at the large main all with him, “Well this is the college. The Bard’s Guild does some things with us, but I mostly run that from the headquarters. Are you still interested in joining in my guild?” She finally got around to getting it up and running once more and she’s excited about it. “But I do offer my home and college to Guild members for I know the wandering soul of the true bard far too well.” She continued to look slightly down at the man seeing as he’s mere two inches shorter than her, but that’s more so with her satin black pumps on. “Would you like me to show you around? Or would you like to grab some food from the kitchens and have a relaxing soak in the hot springs next door? You know, recharge before having to take this all in?” She motioned about the marble castle she wouldn’t care if he wanted to stay grimy and smelly, she figured she would give him the option though.
Alex has a hard time looking at anything but Brennia, the avian absolutely breathtaking in her style and stature but the human was not perverted or thinking of ill will, instead he was admiring her kindness and biting his tongue from asking why an Avian was so helpful considering most he'd met were stuck up snobs. Regardless, the thought of a bath is quickly jumped on, "Yes!" he snapped at the offer of food and a place to wash before backing up a bit and covering his mouth with his wrist, "Sorry. Uh, living in Gamorg doesn't really do much good for bath time." He smiles and wipes away some of the dirt from his cheek, "As for your guild, well, I figure I need -something- to do. To uh... occupy my time." To not do drugs is what he wanted to say, he was tired of being strung out in the middle of the forest all the time but as far as first (second?) impressions go, he figured he was already walking a thin enough line this far.
Brennia reached behind her back in in between where her wings meet to procure two items for him. A musical note shaped key and an enchanted lyre with explanation. “Welcome Alex. I am pleased you are eager to help.” Upon his close inspections of her he may pick up on all the little intricate details of her impressive ink work and aside from that the way her onyx wings reflect hues of forest greens and navy blues, she really was a hypnotic creature. Her sultry tone goes to explain the keys, “This little one here allows you into the restricted section of this castle where only close friends or guild members are allowed. The rooms in this wing are finely tailored and adorn their own wash rooms. I am sure you can also find some clothes as well if you like.” She figures you can’t really get clean and then put on dirty clothes, “The Lyre lets you into the room at the headquarters… I will let my chef, Zachael know a special guest will be joining us and have something prepared if you don’t have any special requests?”
Alex is reluctant to take the offered items but eventually does so, turning them over in his hands to examine them closely before looking back to Brennia who was already half way through her explanation. "Wait, so these are mine? It's that easy? Like, what if I was from some rival guild or an axe murderer or something? I mean, I'm not and I'm super thankful for the opportunity but if I was you just trust people like that? A man walks in covered in dirt and troll dung and you hand him the keys to the front door?" He's back to flipping the items over and a smile slowly spread across his features, "Cool!" As for special requests he seems a bit confused at the question but then looks around once more before stammering sheepishly, "Do, uh, do you think you could take me directly to where I need to go? This is kind of a big place."
Brennia beams that brilliant smile down at him exposing perfect pearly white teeth, “Alex, I’ve met you once before and through my song I can feel your soul as intrusive as that may sound.” She goes on perfectly eloquent and sultry in her alto timbre. “I know what it’s like to not have anything and turn to other things…” She gently connected their addictions, “I get it. Sometimes you just need a refresh… Other than that.” She again reached behind her back to pull her obsidian Sai daggers out, gave an expert twirl around her fingers while saying, “I have no worry of enemies.” Also, like, who would to Brennia. She returns the daggers to their sheaths and motioned a hand to the far northern most arch in the great hall, “Through that archway is the kitchen and dining area.” She motions for him to follow as she approached stairs that hug the oval curve of the wall. There is a walkway that follows the oval expanse of the large hall with a plethora of doors and openings to which lead to classrooms and such until they come to an onyx stone door which is crafted differently than the rest of the castle, “This is the entrance to the Favored Wing.” He would notice the musical note key starts to hum and wouldn’t stop until he was facing the door completely and it opens like the shudder of a camera lense. “Is there anything else I can assist you with?”
Alex staggers back as step as Brennia pulls out the daggers, not in fear but out of... ok, fear but don't judge the guy he's super on edge and without a proper nights sleep for over a month. As she returns them to their rightful place his shoulders visibly drop in comfort, "Wait, did you just say you could see my soul or something?" Souls are real? He wonders for only a moment, curious as to how her voice effects those around her, the properties of his own still being discovered after all this time. His thoughts are cut short as she motions for him to follow which he does without delay and upon reaching the magic door he is startled once more when it pops right open. Turning to face Brennia, he gives her the once over once more before smiling, "No, I think that's fine. Shall I come find you once I've got a fresh set of clothes or do you want me to just aimlessly wander and be a general cretin?"
Brennia gives a short soft chuckle, “I am sure you will be joining me in the dining area, no? You seem you can do with a warm hearty meal.” Her curves indicate she probably does eat quite well, but not overly so. Brennia doesn’t mind all the starting or ‘once over’ing of her as she is quite used to such acts from mostly men and sometimes women. She addresses his question from before, “Well, our bardic powers, when accessed correctly, can change the moods which listen. We can enthrall the senses and mend wounds given the right training.” The way her large blue eyes seem to light up when talking about the powers of bard’s is almost adorable, “I have woven my song around the soul and make those who give in forget their dents and scars if only for a moment… And at the right frequencies you can do much more.” She gave a wink before making her way down the hall trailing her hand on the banister while looking down at the eager students below.
Alex was actually pretty hungry but he hadn't noticed since he was still getting over a hangover he didn't really deserve. He nods in agreement with Brennia and then listens to her brief explanation of a bard's voice, the details peaking his curiosity as he wonders if he might actually learn something here. As the avian turns to return to her students he decides to venture into this magic note door to find a place to wash up and a change of clothes.