RP:What's a Guitar?
This is a Bard's Guild RP.
Summary: Brennia gets a feeling about people sometimes in the way their souls feel when she performs and Pilar has a talent. She knows with the right support that Pilar will succeed.
The Messaging Service
Wherever Pilar will be found this large White-Winter Owl will find. Its dark orange eyes spot Pilar upon swooping in or next to her weather she be indoors or not and seems to sort of waddle around as if looking for something before setting that unnerving gaze on the vampire with a "Hoo…". The Owl drops the envelop from it's beak and inside the wax sealed parchment she would read in very clear writing:
Merry Greet Madame Pilar,
I have an inkling you are interested in the Bardic Arts and if that is true I would love to give you a tour of the Bard's College where we are accepting of all races, classes and creeds. I would be delighted to see you there and the directions from The Dancing Destrier are:
1e, 2s, 1w, 1s, 1u, 3n, 1e, 1s, 1e, 1s, 1e, 2n
Blessed Be,
Headmistress Smyth
P.S. If Whoolio has not bothered to leave you yet, just toss him a little treat and he will fly back home.
Smyth College of Bardic Arts
Main Hall
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 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 room 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 to 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.
A white concert grand piano is here.
Zachaël, wearing a chef's hat is here.
Pilar was surprised to get the letter while she was en route to Xalious. How convenient! She took a detour to the field where the portal to the land of avians was, and followed the directions to the magnificent college. She was wearing her usual yellow dress over a white blouse with gold-colored shoes, but she had foregone stockings. They got caught in her silver leg, which peeked out from below her hem. Slung over her back was a guitar case. She looked around the campus, lost and too nervous to talk to anyone.
Brennia and Eloni were sitting in the common area on one of the many plushy sofas and holding hands while listening to one of the students practice on their violin. The two Avians sit very close to each other and steal glances and it would be evident the two women are an item. Pilar coming into the castle would be no unnoticed thing as many bards gawk at her uncommon instrument and whisper excitedly in hopes to hear her play from it. Once Brennia spots Pilar she whispered something to Eloni and she nods at whatever was told to her to motion for some of the bards to come with her to the training yards for some moving target practice, but not before placing a sweet kiss on Brennia's forehead. Brennia stood to her six foot two natural height and seemingly glides her way over to the vampire, "Greetings! Would you like a tour Madame Pilar?" Those large blue eyes fix down on the woman with a kind smile on her plump lips.
Pilar blushed at all the attention she was getting and stared at her feet as she walked. If not for Brennia's greeting, she would have walked right into the avian. Pilar jumped, and looked up at the avian, who was nearly a foot taller than her. "Oh! Hello Ms. Smyth. Um... Yes, a tour would be nice." She looked at a couple whispering students and blushed. "Um... Thanks for... inviting me."
Brennia neared closer to walk side by side and in doing so Pilar could pick up on her most favorite scent from the Avian. "No problem in the least!" In hopes to ease Pilar's nerves a bit Brennia curves one of the hypnotic onyx wings around her visitor without actually touching her in order to grant her a little privacy. Brennia shortened and slowed her guiding steps, "This is the Main Hall where students all over come to practice or pick up on one of the many scrolls of sheet music." She motions to the fact that the never ending oval wall houses shelves upon shelves of music in he marble structure. "I've dug out and hunted down many musical instruments this land has to accompany all bars types," they come closer to the kitchen after passing the opulent seating area, "In here is a canteen of sorts which Zachael loves to cater to." The winged chef bows before continuing to prepare meals. "Through here," the come to a spiral staircase going down, "I've build many rooms, each with their own amenities such as wash rooms." They land on more marble flooring as they seem to have arrived in what looks sort of like a lounge or library with many books and desks with hallways spanning through each side of it. Oddly enough it's vacant down here and they find themselves alone. "Other than this there is a relaxing hot spring next door and a plethora of lavish gardens in the surrounding area." Being down here would be oddly quiet away from the bustle far above them, seems the rooms are enchanted with a noise dampening spell.
Pilar was grateful for the screen, and looked around the college with wide eyes. "It's so beautiful, Ms. Smyth." The library was of particular interest to Pilar. She adored books. "It's so quiet down here. I could spend hours in this room."
Brennia agrees with a smile and nod. "It is very cozy especially over there," she motions to a large marble fireplace and the many sofas and traditional cushy chairs with ottomans to match. "You are always welcome to. This is where many screenplay writes and poets come for some splice to do their writings." She motioned to the many desks and none of them alike as she does well to make it obvious that no student will be the same here at the Bardic Arts University. "And please, call me Brennia, Madame Pilar." The way Pilar's name twisted on the Avians tongue made it sound sweet and soothing.
Pilar blushed. "O-okay... Miss Brennia. Um... Are there... guitar teachers here? My, my sister gave me this one as a gift, but I... don't actually know how to play it..."
Brennia looked down at such an instrument with wonder gently caressing the neck of it, "I've only seen Eilyo with something similar to this. But no. What we can do is explore." There was that wondrous twinkle in those deep blue eyes once more. "We shall explore and become inspired. I believe in you Madame Pilar that this instrument chose you and called out to you that you will find a way to wield it." She held out a hand for Pilar to take, "Come." And if the vampire did so they would make their way out of the bustling castle once more all the while Brennia blocking the eager views of the students. She lead her outside past the topiary garden and covered walkway until they came to the Jubilant Garden. She distances herself from Pilar and takes a seat on one of the stone benches while looking about so to not make Pilar feel pressured.
Jubilant Garden
The first thing you’ll notice about this garden is its enormous size and the myriad of pleasant scents that waft from it. It has to be the largest constructed garden in Schezerade, and is hexagonal in shape. Flowers of every color, type and scent blossom here; with lavender and dahlias being the most predominant of them all. Medicinal herbs also take up residence in small hidden patches as well. Fruit trees line six sides of the garden, while large white bee boxes line the other three, with bees buzzing in and out gathering food, and in turn pollinating the beautiful garden. In its centre is a marble fountain, upon which is centered a finely crafted glass phoenix that water spurts out of in a fine mist. The fountain also has various koi carp swimming at the bottom, amongst the roots of lily pads and lotus flowers that are pounced on by frogs. Small stone pathways are placed around flowerbeds so one won’t step on the delicate flowers of this clearly well taken care of garden, and some sport stone benches for one to relax and just let the day go on by.
Pilar frowned. "Oh... I guess I'm on my own then." She followed Brennia to the garden and sat near her, unslinging the case from her back. She opened it to reveal the instrument, which was a pearly black with white filigree around the base. She tentatively lifted it into place and plucked the strings. Magic could be felt in the air around them.
Brennia felt the tiny hairs on her arms stand up front the palpable magic in the air and a soft smirk came over her plump lips. "Marvelous," she inspected the different notches and indications on the neck of the guitar when something clicks, "Think of it like a piano." Taking in the sight of the different thickness of each chord, "Let's try to match the notes, yeah?" She hums softly an easy enough one to find.
Pilar remembered her relatives playing guitar. She just didn't know how to do it herself. It took her a couple tries to get the note right.
Brennia would demonstrate another note or two and once Pilar get the hang of which notes are where she lightly suggests, "Now. Just relax and look around. Think of one of your favorite songs.... Then just let the power of it take over." Brennia stares at the Phoenix statue before them with a soft smile in the relaxation this area procures.
Pilar's favorite songs were WAY too hard for her to play at her current stage of skill. But there was one lullaby she knew. It was simple enough. She took a few moments to put her fingers in the right places, and plucked at the strings. She got two notes in when she hit a wrong one and had to start over. Her playing continued much like that for awhile. The 1-minute song took ten to play. At the end, she was frustrated and embarrassed.
Brennia, you see, is ever patient and not once did she care or make the wrong notes evident. She would only hum along softly and sway. Brennia clapped softly at the end and not in a pandering way, "I can tell that once you get the hang of it you will be a force to be reckoned with. This is a beautiful sounding instrument. You just have to believe in yourself Madame Pilar." Her grin widened once more and poked dimples in those caramel cheeks. "May I gently suggest you take up a room in the college? Relax, study and I am sure Zachael will make your favorite dishes..." she got a little awkwardly quiet for a moment as she remembers that vampires don't really need food, they need blood. Brennia knows the signs as she used to be madly in love with a vampire, "I think we still have some blood stored away for-" she cut herself short, for what? Dearmon? Don't think so. "We will just have to do some digging." She stands to either go back to the castle alone or with Miss Pilar.
Pilar cocked her head. "For... vampire students, right?" Pilar could guess that there was something wrong, but she wasn't about to pry. "I... I actually shouldn't stay. I have errands to run. Not, not immediately, but... Soon."
Brennia had no issue being an open book, "Re-purposed for them, yes. It was for a vampire man I knew." She sighed happily, "There will always be a million reasons why you shouldn't do something. A famous poet once said 'Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans' so don't let your talent suffer too long.... I'll be seeing you Madame Pilar." She bows shortly before she starts to make her way back home.
Pilar watched her go before standing and leaving, herself. She wasn't sure the Bard's College was for her, if there were no teachers for her to learn from. But she would think about it.