RP:Touched by an Angel. Sort Of.

Summary: Sidd wanders into Schezerade on a drinking tour and meets his first winged Avian, Celandine.

08/22/2017

The Fountain of Wishes

Sidd was a fish out of water, metaphorically speaking. He stood out from the rest of inhabitants of this city, being one of the few that didn't seem to have wings sprouting out his back. And those clothes. Those pitiful, commoner clothes. He was definitely not from around these parts. A tourist of sorts, Sidd wandered along the path in amazement until he reached the Fountain of Wishes, where his jaw would drop in wonder. "Dude." he murmured, drowning the stunned vocalization in a swig of whiskey shortly after. He casually approached the fountain and peered into the water, seeming blissfully unaware of all the stares he had been receiving. Apparently land dwellers weren't really thought about in any high regard.

Celandine was up in the skies giving her wings of an off white that faded into a form of ombre into black once away from the tools. Platinum blonde hair flowing behind her, like her wings ombring into black. Lowering herself to the ground near the fountain of wishes, tucking the thirteen foot wings span of wings against her back. A warm smile given to those around, soft chestnut brown eyes scanning the area. Turning to sit down, only to spot Sidd, her eyes scanning him. Noting he had no wings or pointed ears, he must be a human. With her attention on him, her klutzness took hold making her fall backwards into the water instead the graceful sitting. Sitting up to have a fish hanging from her earlobe, blushing deeply thankful for the curtain of hair in front of her face. “Oh dear.”

Sidd burst out laughing as someone took a dunk in the pool. He had been a bit mesmerized by the craftsmanship of the city itself, that he hadn't really taken much notice of the people around. He didn't see those distinguishing features that separated himself from the locals. It was that splash that finally got him to snap back to the present, his first instinct already showcased- laughter. The second, he would lean over the edge and offer a hand to the unintentionally bathing woman. "You good? Must be a slippery seat!"

Celandine lifted her right hand, parting the veil of hair in front of her face revealing the red of her face. A nervous giggle escaping her, looking to Sidd as he spoke out to her. “I..uh...i meant to do that.” She looked away and then back to him, from here he would start smelling his favorite scent coming from her. Placing her left hand into his, accepting his aid only to stand up and almost stumble into him. Correcting her stance she stood a tall six foot two and a quarter, “No. I'm just a klutz, unless I am in the air.” She rubbed her right arm nervously, “I am Celandine Virellio, you?”

Sidd has another stunned appearance taking hold; Mostly for two reasons. First, when she stood, he realized how tall she was. It wasn't a whole lot bigger than himself, but still, it wasn't something he was exactly used to. Second, and most importantly, he saw the wings. "Uh... S-Sidd." he stammered, his gaze shifting around now to see all of the other winged entities bustling about. He stepped back once. He had only ever seen one winged creature in person, a woman he had grown very close to- And she was a product of a union between Gods. This many winged entities? The construct of the city? Something was different here. He looked to his bottle and then to Celandine. "Am I dead? Are you here to like, usher me off for judgement or something? Can't I have a do-over? Seriously, whatever happened, I'm sorry! I don't want to be dead yet!"

Celandine 's chestnut eyes looked to him in wonder when he looked stunned. "Nice to meet you Sidd, welcome to the avian city of Schezerade." He took a step back, she then frowned. Ugh. she knew it had to be the fact she wasn't graceful on her feet like the other avians. Or maybe was how she had two colors on her wings? Once he spoke again, it made sense! "Oh no! I am an avian! Winged human like elf creature. The fact you think I am something like that is sweet." She did the best to hold in her own laughter, only to bend over to laugh. Which only caused her to sway forward, faceplanting the ground. A muffled "I'm okay!" Came out of her, standing back up to wipe away the dirt. Spreading out her wings to flutter them making any left over drops of water to leave. Blinking, she blushed as she pulled the fish off her dangling earring. "It's not food!" Gently tossing the fish back in.

Sidd breathed a huge sigh of relief. You could see how happy the news made him. "Oh thank... you know." Suddenly he points up and screams, "HAH. Not this time sucka! Survived another day!" Sidd plopped himself down on the side of the fountain and gave Celandine a very close up and down. "So, avian eh? Schezerade? That's cool. What do you 'Avians' do for fun up here? Seems a little classy, n' all." A soft chuckle was let loose when she put the fish back into the water, his blue eyes trailing then and situating on her wings.

Celandine saw how happy he was, which made her grin. Unbuttoning her shirt and removing it to reveal underneath was a bikini top. (don't be a perv) Twisting her shirt up, making more water drip out of it, which having her shirt off revealed the highly toned stomach of a six pack. Laying her shirt on the fountain to dry off, placing hands to her curvaceous hips. Looking back to him to how he looked her up and down, causing another blush. "I, um, i." The avian stutters, sucking her lips in and reaching up to girls a lock of hair. "Train to be warriors, drink...go to school. I like to sing and write. We like art, I love books." She swallows deeply, draping her wings around herself shyly. "I just write books, others do other stuff."

Sidd was totally a perv! But a polite one around strangers. Well, as polite as one can be for being a loud-mouthed trouble maker. He looked, but quickly turned his head to the ground as she rid her clothing of all that water. "That's rad." he stated, another swig of whiskey taken as he picked and prodded at the words Celandine had spoken. "School's cool, I guess. Gotta learn somethin'. The whole writing and art thing, I could never really get into, myself. Don't have the skill or imagination, I guess. But the singin', that's something I can admire. Music sets the soul on fire, ya know? it's worth livin' for." Finally he turned back to look at the avian, one hand ran through his currently flattened mohawk. "So, whatcha write about?"

Celandine lit up, he liked art and music! She smiled widely her wings moving to hang against her back, "I write children's books about life experiences to help them finds peace and be positive. I donate the stories to the orphans. I love singing! I love playing the lyre! I went to college an all to write. I want to be a journalist one day." She twirled holding her hands to her chest, "You are the first to explain music to be that way! It is such a fire that the soul needs for the warmth. Music is life!" She pulled out her lyre from her side satchel. "Do you play?" She sat beside him, looking into his face.

Sidd had to think back to his school days. Lyre. Lyre. ...Lyre. "Lyre. Ain't that like, a mini-harp or something?" Suddenly he had a revelation and laughed. "Whoa. meta. You sure I ain't dead?" When she sat down, Sidd was able to get a better look at her facial features, steel blue eyes offering to dance with her own. There was something about the avian that had him pretty interested- Much like his first run-in with the crab-man or the Fermin. "Yeah, I play. Well, not recently. Been a while." He wondered then where in fact his instrument had gone! Did he have it on the ship with him? Did it sink down into the icy depths? "Though, I've never played anything so fancy, like a Lyre." he said motioning to the instrument she revealed. "I played guitar. I think I can still play a little piano. Not so good with it, but I knew a few songs."

Celandine chuckled, shaking her head. "Yes it's like a hand harp, I usually go to the gardens or park or tavern to practice my music." She blushed again, tucking hair behind her elongated ear, "You are definitely not dead, I might need to be pinched though to find a fellow music lover." When his steel blues offered such dance to her chestnut, she inhaled looking away for a second then back down to her lyre. The blush deepening, being so close to him he might start smelling his favorite scent coming off of her once more. "My mother would play the piano and I would mimic the notes with my voice. We should get you a guitar next we meet, could play together." Her eyes went wide, "I mean instruments of course." He couldn't fly, so there would be no playing. She was innocent, so her type of play was flying through clouds. "What songs? I write my own."

Sidd 's ears perked at word tavern. "Drinkin' spot? Up here? Nice! Is it full of stuffy people sippin' wine, though?" Of course, this comment reflected his observation of the more properly dressed citizens of the city. Most other towns he had hit up thus far had been pretty casual types. The conversation was briefly put on hold as he looked around curiously. He swore he could smell chocolate-chip cookies. Was someone baking? Was there a street vendor? "That would be sweet!" he replied, finally making the avian his sole focus. "I've been keeping my eye out for an instrument shop around. Haven't had too much luck, yet. You know of a place?" To the latter-most question, he then answered, "Ah. Classical stuff?" He wasn't sure that 'genre' of music was around this part of the world. He often forgot that Lithrydel wasn't anything like home. "I mean, like, Orchestral? Piano anyway. When it comes to guitar, I play loud and fast. I write my own stuff, too." He grinned. "Only creative bone in my body, writing tunes. What sort of songs do you write? What do you like to play?"

Celandine nods, "Yes a drinking spot, you are a bit weird for a human. You are a human right?" She had to giggle at the stuffy comment, "No we get all kinds in the tavern, and different drinks too." Tilting her head as he looked around, "Oh fun fact, I will smell like your favorite scent. It's an avian thing. So the closer you are the stronger the smell. Some avian use it as an allure to get what they want." Standing up slowly she tried to make sure she wouldn't fall again, "Sometimes there is a instrument maker in the tavern, with such a beautiful place many catch the music bug." Biting on her pink lip, "I don't jazz, opera, blues and sometimes a soft rock. I haven't tried to sing anything fast pace before, only mediums." He wrote his own stuff! She jumped with excitement only to fall on her bottom, "Heh.." She truly wasn't the most graceful, "I write about anything, mostly life experiences or things I witness. I take little notes down in a journal too."

Sidd laughed when she fell over onto her backside. She wasn't kidding about the klutz thing. He stood up and once more offered a hand to help the avian to her feet. "That's the best way to write, I think. From your own experiences. More raw and genuine that way. Though, there's a place for just being a silly ass or telling a tale too, I guess." With a grin he adds, "That's pretty funky. I hope there's nothing you want from me though. I'm a poor broke ass hobo!" A teasing wink was thrown into play with another hint of laughter escaping.

Celandine watched his feet get close again, lifting her left hand to place into his own. Moving back to her feet, "Uh huh." She spoke out nervously, if only she could stop being a clumsy fool for a day. "My stories for kids I sing those, the orphans get into it more." Pulling her hand away, moving to pick up her shirt and button it back up. "Funky? What is funky?" He was good looking, maybe? But she did want a few things from him, "Well, how about I treat us to drinks. I'll sing you a song, in return you have to play for me some day? I don't have any friends, so maybe friends?"

Sidd shrugged a shoulder to the idea- what could it hurt? He didn't really know anyone and was also friendless. "Sure thing! Can always use a friend. Especially in this strange land." He took another swig of whiskey, the last in the bottle. "A drink sounds real good right now! I ran out." Then to address her earliest question he tacked On, "Ah sorry. My slang is a little different. Funky is like.. odd. Weird. But interesting."

Celandine smirked, "Well you are funky then, Sidd!" She turned, looking over her shoulder to curl her finger for him to follow her. "Well. Then we should get going? Where are you from that you speak such weird language? Er, I mean slang." She waited til he was nearing or even beside her before she would begin walking to the tavern. "You would be my second friend then, my first is Irenic he is a wingless avian. My cousin Charlie hates Irenic, he thinks he is trouble and I should stay far away from him. I had my first alcoholic drink when I hung out with him last, but then it began to thunderstorm. So I ran home, I hate thunderstorms."

Sidd Begins moving his legs to follow alongside Celandine as she lead the way to the tavern. Her questions of his origin had him temporarily lose that grin of his, the mood turning pretty somber. He didn't want to answer, exactly. First of all, when he spoke of his home in the last land he had visited, he was almost committed. Secondly, it just bummed him out, realizing all of the people he would never get to see again. Still, he didn't want to be rude. "Uh, far away. I think. A land across the ocean. Ruled only by humans. No avian or elves or crab-people. Just humans." A shrug. He used the other information she parted with as a means to shift the topic, "Irenic? Whoa. I met that dude. He and a chick called Meri. First two I ever interacted with around here. And bummer about the thunder. I love it personally. A good rain is so damn relaxing."

Schezerade Tavern

Celandine had her lyre in both hands held out in front of her as they walked looking down to the ground, not seeing his grin fade due to this. She grew up in this city, sheltered and it didn't benefit her being so sheltered. It made her shy and not knowing about the world. Never traveled far from home or out of the cloud city. "Ruled by only humans? Are they racist against others? Or do you all not have a really well known land? I've never traveled far out, I get nervous about that." She shuddered about the thought of thunder, "Well my parents were flying during a thunderstorm which turned tornado. They got sucked in and died. Thunderstorms just scare me, no one has tried to show me not be afraid of it." She opened the door to the tavern skipping in only to run into a bar stool, "oomph!" She stood back up right, smiling to the twin avian. They both shouted her name, "Lady Virellio! We heard about your new book!" They spoke in unison. Such acknowledge meant made her look down. her wings draping around herself as if trying to shield her blush from view. "Green tea and what ever my friend Sidd once. My tab." the twins looked back to the other and smiled, whispering about the avian bringing a man with her. Moving away quickly to sit at the furthered table from the others. "I haven't met this Meri."

Sidd thought about her questions pretty hard. He had so many theories on what had taken place in the last few years, but nothing would ever be concrete. Educated guesses at best. He was vague in his answers, a bit of a chuckle lightening his mood. "Racist. Yeah. You could say that. I mean, against one another, really. We have explored a lot of our part of the world. I honestly have no idea why we've not seen others, like yourself. Although, we have, eh, legends I guess. Of heavenly places. Winged "angels" that embodied all good. So maybe, once upon a time, we coexisted. Who knows." It was as honest as an answer as he could give. He shoved his hands into his pocket, a half frown displayed when he came to learn of her parents. "Oh man. I'm so sorry to hear that. Yeah, that would be traumatizing. Though, in all honesty, thunder's not so bad. it's the Lightning that's worrisome. Or I guess, tornadoes in your case. Do you have tornadoes often in this part of the world?" He was a bit scared of the idea. He had never seen a tornado up close, but he had seen the devastation they wrought in their wake. As the pair entered the tavern, Sidd winced when she hit the stool, expression then shifting to intrigue when the twins greeted the blonde woman. A two finger salute was offered to the duo with his order, "Beer. Please." Turning to Celandine, he smiled, "Ah ha, new book, eh? Seems like people know of your work. Guess you're my second celebrity encounter!" A short laugh and he added, "Ah yeah. I only met the chick twice. First time she paid me to bother a waitress. Second time she was having lunch, so I thanked her for the gold she gave me. Nice lady. Runs a business in Larket."

Celandine || Once he sat with her she would carry on their conversation, finding it easy to talk with him. Crossing her learning legging legs as she placed the lyre on her lap gently striking the strings. "Angels are beautiful though, I'm not an angel. But some of the avian frnalea could be confessed as such or even the males too. Like Irenic, he could be confused as a fallen angel." She said his name in a dreamy manner, only to catch herself. "No, they liked to travel far out. My twin brother, he liked to train as a warrior and chasing skirts as he called it. He annoyed me to death about his new conquest and the girls that were his fans. He is six foot seven, and muscles as big as my head." She wanted to dodge the thing about a celebrity, but when one not the twins delivered the drinks she spoke up. "Uh yeah. She writes the Virellio children books, doesn't ask for a gold in return . Just donates them. She has a golden heart take care of our little author. As well our little song bird, she could sing into anyone's hearts." She placed the pint of beer in middle if the table. "On the house, first time we have seen her bring a guy around. You must be special." Off she went, and Celandine was wrapped up in her wings once more.

Sidd lofts a brow as he leans back in his chair, pulling one leg up onto his lap to fix the lacing in his boot. "Don't sell yourself short. Nothing wrong with you. Not at all." He noted that dreamy look upon her face when Irenic's name came up, a bit of a smirk hitting his lips. He knew that look. A pup infatuated! " A twin, eh? He's how tall? Jeeze, man. he's not overly protective is he? Like, he's not gonna come in and beat my ass if he spots me with you, right?" Sidd and musclebound types never really saw eye to eye. Different circles and all. When the beer was placed down before him, a nod was used in greeting to the waitress, genuine confusion setting in as those final words hit his eardrum. "Special? HAH. I think, that she thinks we're totally a thing!" he commented to Celandine. "Not that there's anything wrong with that. Just, haha, wow." The glass was tipped back and he took a drink, his next observation presented, "You seem pretty well received around here. You donate your books? That's pretty awesome of you. Very, uh, 'avian'itarian of you." Did he just invent a new word? The one he wanted to use definitely didn't fit in. It would work for now!

Celandine pulled her wings away, dropping them low to relax. "My twin would fist pump you and tell you to place a child in my belly. He is a womanizer and thinks his sister should have children to enjoy instead going to other children. Now my cousin, he would glare are you. Threaten to cut off your fingers if you hurt me. He is my guardian since my parents are gone." She nods slowly, "Everyone here is thinking it, I never brought anyone with me before. You are my first friend I have brought along, I hope to have more times too." sipping her tea. looking back to him, "Did you just make that word up?" She smiled widely, giggling at him. "I am respected around here. Everyone is protective of me it seems. I promised you a song yes?"

Sidd tucks both hands behind his head and snickers. "Yeah. I get a case of the stupids sometimes, so I substitute my own words when i can't think of the right one. Doesn't help I've had a bit to drink today, so that's messing with my ability to focus." He didn't come off as drunk, but he was definitely not all too sober. "Ah, well that's rad. Kind of. Sucks he's still stuck in the whole 'wimminz make babies!' mindset. That whole beefcake culture will die out eventually, I think. I mean, I really don't know the culture or religious nature of this place, so I could be wrong." Sidd's chair creaked a little as he shifted his weight, focus then on the subject of her cousin. "Ah gawd. Well, tell'im I'm cool. I've got no intentions of hurting anyone. But it's awesome that at least you have someone looking out for ya with the whole no parents thing. At least someone cares, right?" He lifts his glass and raises it in Celandine's direction. "To good friends and family!" A deep drink was taken of his golden sudsy beverage, the back of hi hand used to wipe his mouth so that he didn't look like a slob when he replied. "Oh yeah! Totes! I'd love to hear you play one!"

Celandine smirked, “My brother could make anyone swoon and spread her legs, he just wants me safe. Now my cousin, he wants me safe and a virgin the rest of my life.” She raised her tea in cheers, “To also new friends.” Sitting the cup down, “Here goes nothing, this be first time I have actually sung for someone just to sing.” With a sigh a nimble voice that is capable of singing complex melisma. She has the ability to hold notes for extended periods of time, except in front a large audience. Her voice can transcend through multiple ranges. The lower register is smooth and velvety down and is reached with ease. The mid-range can be soft or weighty, and is where the voice is it's sturdiest. Notes sung with a more open throat are more powerful and resonant, having an echo to them. The head voice can be bright and piercing or thick and airy. Marking her a mezzo-soprano,because she´s got heavy lows and Soprano highs. Able to quickly change notes in mid word and hold her voice there. Out her voice came, echoing out in the establishment. the lyre playing as if she used the sound as her back up her shadow. “I got a bad desire. Oh-oh-oh, I'm on fire. Tell me now, baby, is my voice good enough for you? And can she do to you the things that I do? Oh, no.” She strikes the strings with much more grace, the bard sung with emotions with her heart. Opening her mouth letting her voice escape again, “I can take you higher. Oh-oh-oh, I'm on fire. Sometimes it's like someone took a knife, she is edgy and dull. And cut a six-inch valley through the middle of my soul. At night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet. And a thunder running through the middle of my heart.” She then hums, letting just the lyre sing for her. Looking up into his face, “Only music can cool my desire. Oh-oh-oh, I'm on fire” She put the lyre on the table, swallowing deeply as she held her hands to her lap. Her Chesnut eyes moved from him back to her tea, then back to him.

Sidd leaned in, both elbows finding the table as his arms crossed over one another. Her voiced coated his eardrum like melted butter, melody and flow putting him into a mesmerized lull. Other patrons too ceased their personal doings to turn and listen in to Celandine's personal performance, their soft, gentle smiles and approving stares noting something almost unearthly about her talent. Sidd smiled, mouth hanging half open, almost unbelieving of the tones coming from the avian's vocal chords. He felt the hairs at the back of his neck lift, and hundreds of goosebumps cascade along his arms. As the song neared its end, the mohawked human leaned back, just blown away. He looked around, waiting for the applause to start- And yet, when none sounded out, he took the initiative. Those clunky black boots hit the floor with a thud and he stood, two fingers inserted at the side of his mouth so that he could give a couple of shrill whistles, his hands then beat against one another in a very embarrassing, loud showcase of applause. Following suit, a few other patrons would clap, maybe not quite as boisterous as the human, but the appreciation was there. After a moment, Sidd slumped back down into his chair and told the woman, "That was kick ass! So beautiful! You're really, really good Celandine." He was very genuine with his praise.

Celandine wanted to crawl under the table and hide, her blush was vibrant against her pale blonde. His whistle and the start if applause made her giggle. The twins hollering out, "Told you she was our song bird! Treat our canary good sir!" Oh lord she looked down, making her hair hide her visage from view. Until Sidd spoke up again, "Thank you, I can't wait to hear yours. I bet it us as handsome as you seem." She leaned forward on the table, "You think my voice was truly beautiful? Not just being nice to me?" She eyes his cup and the pint, "Need anything else?"

Sidd laughs out loud at the twins, two thumbs up shot in their direction. He then began to untie the bandana wrapped around his wrist, an smile accompanying his response to the blonde haired avian, "Nah. I wouldn't do that. I'm the kind of guy that's gonna tell you if you suck at something. That's what a real friend does. They don't lie, even when it means hurting another friend's feelings. You're good. Great, even." That damn knot was tighter than he thought. His arm was lifted and his teeth were set upon that damned thing. "If I cud sin like ya, I'd duh it ah dey lung." Finally the knot came loose and the blasted bandana was removed and tucked into his pants pocket. "You got skills. You could probably make a decent living with it." A firm nod took place as he finally answered her later question, "A refill, if you don't mind. I'm good otherwise!" The glass was lifted and he chugged the remainder of his beer in one sitting, with a hearty, yet stifled burp to follow.

Celandine refilled his cup with the pint, "Well I am glad to get a honest friend, I've heard tales if friends sleeping with so called friends spouse. That is just a pity to waste a friend." She mused as the knot, and how he had yo use his teeth to work on it. Lifting up a hand yo press it to her lips, trying to keep a laugh back. "Come again? I think I almost learned how to understand clenched teeth talk. I sing all day mostly, and everyday. " A living? "Sidd. Do you think I should apply to the bards college then? I been curious about it, I stand in the gardens and listen to them rehearse." She then refilled his drink, and would continue until he was done drinking.

Sidd laughs and shakes his head. "Those aren't friends. Where I'm from we call'em giant douchebags. With a capital D." A nod in thanks and he takes another drink of his beer, his answer regarding college soon to follow. "Well, I'm not sure what bard college is, but if it has to do with music, then hell yeah! Go for it! You'd probably do wonders in there, really. I mean, obviously you have the passion for it, if you're doing it daily. And you've got an impressive amount of talent. You would be insane not to give it a go, you know?"

Celandine finished her tea as she listened, choking at the word douche. Wide eyed she looks to him, her chestnut eyes gazing into his. When she smiled her eyes lit up this time, "Sidd you sure you aren't a figment if my imagination? Maybe I bumped my head and I am dreaming of this? Singing is my passion, I want to be a bard. But a journalist is a passion too."

Sidd gives Celandine a strange look, blue bouncing between shades of brown. "Who knows, maybe I am! Sometimes, I'm not even sure if I'm ever awake, or this is one long ass dream." His left hand crosses his chest and wraps around the colorful ink on his right arm. "Who says you can't do both? If you put your mind to it, I'm sure you could easily balance both vocations in some regard. But I'm sure the two, singing and journalism require crazy amounts of time, I guess. It all really depends on which you favor most. Still which ever you decide to lead with, you can still jump into the other and see what happens, right? I don't know much about this country, continent- whatever, but I can't see any reason not to give both things a shot. The only thing that can stop you, is well... you."

Celandine stood up, moving her chair to sit next to him. When did so the twins giggled, "You know what? It's humoring but sad how these others think we are an item." She noted his ink, only to bend her left hand in front of him. In doing so her ink of a feather moved down to her palm. "My tattoos are alive. But I think I will listen to your advice and try both. But I must go." She leaned forward, pretending to kiss his cheek laughing at how the twins squealed. "Those two are a mess. Can I see my friend again soon?:

Sidd looks a little perplexed at Celandine's own ink. He hadn't seen a living tattoo before. A bit of a chuckle and he responded, "Ah yeah. Gossips gonna gossip. I wouldn't worry too much. Only ones that care about rumors are people with boring ass lives." A bit of a laugh echoes out when he realized what she had done, his voice low as he then added, "Totes, blondie. I'll be around again, for sure. it was nice to meet you, and hey, thanks for the pint."

Celandine makes for the exit!

~FIN