Bre'Cheye
Honored Warrior
HW5
ussta zhennu ventash'ma zhah ussta zhennu abbil... My Great Leader is my Great Friend!
Posts: 8,369
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Post by Bre'Cheye on Jun 7, 2012 19:44:19 GMT -5
The sun was shining and it was a perfect day to get out to check on the local Fair which had been set up only a handful of days. Bre'Cheye had put on her pale pink dress with the ruffly hem and short sleeves. She opted out with her hunting boots in favor of a pair of dainty sandles. The suede bag she had slung over her neck, hung on the left side and only held her coin purse. Maybe she'd get lucky and find some fresh turnips, a bard and lots of other friends.
Entering the gate with hanging ribbons, she looked out across the fairgounds at the many booths and various rides. She wasn't sure about the rides but the aroma of Deep Fried Butterflies grabbed hold of her "smeller," so that would be the first booth she would check out.
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Irishman
Honored Warrior
Clan member[wCP:0]
Traveling Bard
Posts: 6,871
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Post by Irishman on Jul 4, 2012 13:27:36 GMT -5
Irishman walks out of the Inn, and squints in the mid-morning sunlight. He stretches his arms and back, rolling his shoulders to limber them up after a long night of playing. After a few moments, a sound creeps into his awareness. A sound he vaguely remembers but cannot quite put his finger on what it is.
Hefting his pack up on his shoulders and lacing his lute in its oilskin bag on top of that, he wanders in the general direction of the sound. Shortly he finds himself at the gates to the Castle. Stepping to oneside to allow a tinker to pass before him through the gate, he nods at the town guard before stepping through the gate himself. He walks alongside the tinker, who is leading his donkey, and speaks quietly of the fair weather and how nice it is for traveling.
The tinker glances at him, recognizing the man as the one who had set a lively tune at the Inn he had stayed at the previous night. As he follows the lower path leading around the hill on which the Castle is on, he gestures to the other side of the hill. "Young feller, you should go that-a-way. There be a Faire round ta the ot'er side. Ye could mebe fetch a few coins if'n ye played half as well as ye did last evenin'." With a smile and a light pat on the Bards' arm the tinker led his donkey the long way around the hill.
Irishman decided to take the mans advice and started up the hill. As he crested the hill he was hit with a wave of sound that he now firmly recognized. He realized that the sound he had been hearing was that of a crowd of people gathered at a Faire. He gazed at all the tents and temporary fencing that had been set up for the gathering. Setting off, he strolled into the Faire, looking for some entertainment.
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Bre'Cheye
Honored Warrior
HW5
ussta zhennu ventash'ma zhah ussta zhennu abbil... My Great Leader is my Great Friend!
Posts: 8,369
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Post by Bre'Cheye on Jul 9, 2012 11:02:33 GMT -5
She smiled at all the visitors, who like herself, were enjoying the Faire. Jesters with painted faces & pointy hats with bells were jumping here and there in the crowd. A tiny green dragon was sitting on one of the stands keeping an eye on his Mistress who was holding a Fried Turnip on a Stick. A floating magical balloon was tied to her wrist and ribbons trailed behind her that she had tied in her hair. A Jester jumped to her side and "pulled" a coin from her ear; handing it to the laughing Druidess before running off in the oposite direction. She stopped, turned slightly to her left and closed her eyes. The smells of the fried food filled the air along with scents of floral soaps in a nearby booth. With her eyes still closed, she concentrated; using her Druid tracking abilities. Sensing a certain type of music, she smiled then opened her eyes before heading directly in the the direction she needed to be. The tiny green dragon took flight to follow the Druid who's path wove in and out of the crowd until she stood before the prize.
"Irishman!!" she exclaimed, dropping her Turnip on a Stick.
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Irishman
Honored Warrior
Clan member[wCP:0]
Traveling Bard
Posts: 6,871
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Post by Irishman on Jul 22, 2012 21:29:46 GMT -5
Irishman looked up from the bench he was warming. His back was to the posts between two tents, one selling food, the other ale. He was playing a lively tune on his lute while youngsters danced around him. Their parents obviously taking the chance to imbibe in a mug or two while their children were thus distracted.
At the sound of his name, he looked up and saw her standing before him. The sunlight was just behind her causing her hair to glow and her face to be in shadow. But he needn't see her features to know it was she. He stilled the strings of his lute with a gentle hand, then he played a different tune.
This one was also lively, but of a different sort. The music was elven, meant to lift despair from the long-lived ones hearts and remind them in the depths of winter of the warmth of Spring to come. The children solemnly held their parents hands, who had come out of the tents to better hear something out of folklore, for this music was rarely heard in the human realms.
The Bard had identified himself as more than a tune-smith almost as soon as his hands had touched the strings. He didn't look at his lute as he played, his hands seemed to know exactly where they were to be placed. The music seemed to come, not from the instrument, but from the man.
At the end, when he stilled the strings once more, coins flew from hands into his lute case. Men and women bowed their heads and had firm smiles on their faces as they applauded him. He hardly noticed, beyond expressing kind words of thanks for their patronage, his gaze was fixed upon her.
One young lass came to stand before him. Her hands trembled and she fixed her eyes on the ground. In a trembling voice, she asked "Sssir, c-can you sh-show me h-how to p-play like th-that?"
He winked at Bre'Cheye then turned his gaze upon the child before him. "Ah, so ye'd like ta learn a tune or two? An' I s'pose you'd use it here at the Faire fer yer own profit, eh?"
The girl looked up in alarm at the implication. "N-no Sssir! I'd like to learn it so me grand-fa could hear it. He's too sick to come to the Faire this year."
Irishman's tone changed immediately, "Lass, come, sit beside me." After she had sat down he continued, "So, yer grand-fa couldn't make the Faire, eh? Tell me d'ya 'ave an instrument? One ye can play, mind ye."
The girl slowly withdrew a small flute from a pocket in her dress. Seeing this, Irishman politely asked to see it. After the girl placed it in his hands, he pulled a cloth out of his case and gave it a good polishing. Then carefully checking to make sure there were no burrs on the flute, he played a soft tune on it. The sound came out clear.
"Alright lass, I want ya to listen close. I will play another tune on me lute, and I will play it three times. That should be enough for you to learn it, right?" At the girls nod, he picked his lute back up. He played a simpler tune this time. Not as complex, but still warming to the soul. Bre'Cheye might recognize this one, as it was taught to elven children.
After his third time through, people made as though to add more coins to his case. He raised a hand, then gathered the coins he had together and placed them in his purse. He winked at the girl and told her, "Now 'tis yer turn, lass. Play us a tune, eh?"
The girl looked at him in wonder, then placed the flute to her lips and played. The sound soared, high above the crowd. Others in the area came to listen, following the clear notes to their source. While she played, her eyes closed. The music became almost a physical thing, calling out to others in the crowd, drawing them in. As she reached the critical point in the tune, the Bard saw what he had been looking for. Her aura changed from the earthy tones most humans had and blazed a deep emerald that surrounded her. Only a trained Bardic eye could see this...or a wood-elf attuned to the music.
The girl completed the song, and looked at the Bard in wonder. She had felt the resonance in her heart, though she didn't know what it meant, yet. A shower of small coins was tossed into the open case. The Bard stood up and bowed to the crowd nodding to the girl to do the same. He waved the crowd off, letting them know that the playing was done for a time.
Pulling a small purse from his rucksack, he separated the coins. Placing most of the copper and three silver coins into it, he handed the purse to the girl, showing her how to tuck it behind her belt and tie it securely so no quick-finger could get it from her. Placing a finger on her lips he stopped her protests.
"Now lass, I want ye to run home and give two of the silver to yer parents. Don't lie about where you got it. Then play that tune for your family, especially yer grand-fa. When your done playing, the next part will be easier on them. I want you to get permission from yer parents ta join me in towne." The question in her eyes didn't even need to be spoken aloud. "Aye, lass. Yer to be trained as a musicker. And if my old eyes don't deceive me, ye've the makings of a Bard if yer willing to do the work. Just come to the Heart and Clan Inn when ever your done. If I'm not there yet, Cook will get you settled until I arrive, OK?" At her nod, he nodded back. "Good lass, I shall see you there. Head fer home now for I'd rather ye didn't have ta make the trip at night."
The girl ran to the end of the Faire and on down the path. Her face covered with a huge grin.
Irishman looked after her until she was out of sight, then he patted the bench next to him and smiled at Bre'. "So, what brings you here, my lady? It cannot have been me bad playing," he said with another of his winks. Laugh lines radiating from his face as he smiled.
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Bre'Cheye
Honored Warrior
HW5
ussta zhennu ventash'ma zhah ussta zhennu abbil... My Great Leader is my Great Friend!
Posts: 8,369
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Post by Bre'Cheye on Jul 25, 2012 15:07:33 GMT -5
The sun was warm on her back as she watched the bard work magic with the strings of his lute. She smiled then quickly looked toward the ground to hide the blush that she felt creeping upward across her face when the brawny bard looked her way. She sat on a nearby log to watch the spectators as they slowly surrounded the source of the music that seemed to float on the breeze. She closed her eyes at the familiar notes of a tune her mother had played for her as a child and was briefly taken back to her life she lived in the complex city of Freeport. She ran her fingers through a ringlet of blonde hair that had fallen from her braid while seeing herself as a child in her mind. Had she not been aware of who played the soothing tune, a frown would have appeared instead of the peaceful smile that had found it's place on her face. She opened her eyes to watch the bard weave the elven music with such finesse and ease that it was plain to see why everyone around was enjoying his music every bit as much as she. Their eyes were locked as he finished the tune; each one's eyes speaking volumes to one another.
She covered her mouth with her fingers and chuckled as she watched a young girl approach him to ask about his music, asking him to show her a part of his skill. It warmed her heart to watch the bard with the young girl and how he took the time to help her learn a tune to be played at a later time. The Wood Elf slowly closed her eyes then as she opened them, a flash of a different scene replaced the Bard and the young girl with the Bard and a very young child with blonde curls and sounds of the forest. "What was in that wassail?" the wood elf whispered to herself, blinking her eyes again. The scene before her was once more of the Bard patiently teaching the young girl the song and the sounds of the Faire filled the air.
The little girl ran off through the crowds with her flute, happy as could be. At Irishman's invitation, Bre'Cheye moved from the log to the bench then looked up into his eyes at the question he posed to her.
"Your bad playing? Silly bard, you could never play your lute badly; even if you tried."
She turned slightly on the bench to lean against his arm then drew her feet to rest on the hard surface. "Look at all the happy people here. This Faire was greatly needed to lift everyone's spirits. And I was hoping that you'd be here; that's why I came, silly Bard."
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Irishman
Honored Warrior
Clan member[wCP:0]
Traveling Bard
Posts: 6,871
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Post by Irishman on Sept 13, 2012 22:34:07 GMT -5
As Irishman and Bre'Cheye converse, the young girl races out of the Faire and down a lane between fields to her home, her hair streaming behind as she runs. She slows as she reaches the house and walks in the front door.
Her parents are sitting at the table chatting with her grand-ma while she snaps beans into a pot of water. As she enters, breathless, they all turn to look at her.
"So, back from the Faire already, then?" her Fa asks. "I had thought you'd stay a'least until noon.
Her Grand-ma sees something that the other two haven't noticed, yet. "Why dear, you seem very happy. What did you get to see in the short time at the Faire to bring that smile to you?"
The girl reaches beneath her belt and withdraws the purse. Reaching into it, she pulls out the two silver and sets them on the table. As the adults look in wonder at the coins, the girl tells them of the minstrel she approached at the Faire and the tune he taught her. Her Grand-ma tentatively touches one of the coins, as though afraid they would disappear. When they turn out to be reassuringly solid she hefts one in her work-worn hand.
"So, this minstrel taught you a tune did he? Might we hear it?" she asks.
The girl pulls her flute from a pocket and starts to play, then stops. "I wanted to play it for Grand-fa. Can I go to his room and play it there?"
At a nod from her grand-ma everyone stood up and went into the bedroom. Her grand-fa lay on the bed looking worn and tired. Grand-ma picked up a cloth from the bedside, dipped it into a wash basin and wiped the sweat from his brow. At her touch his eyes opened and he spoke, "So dear, what brings ye in from the kitchen? Do ye need me ta git up an' help with anything?"
His wife replies, "No. Katarin has just returned from the Faire and wanted to play a new song for you. She is here, and wanted to be sure you were awake to hear it." She gestured to the girl to play.
Katarin lifted the flute to her lips, closed her eyes, and began to play...
As the soft music came out of the instrument, the light coming in a window appeared to strengthen. The room gradually grew brighter and a light breeze, smelling of Spring, floated into the room. As the young girl played the melody, the light appeared to caress her Grand-fa as well as the others in the room. The worry lines seemed to get erased from the adults faces.
Her Grand-fa scooted into a sitting position, pushing his pillows up to lean against. The luster returned to his eyes and he felt as though a heavy weight had lifted from his chest. Her Grand-ma stood a bit straighter as the light caressed her, and the careworn look lifted from her parents faces.
As she concluded the song, the light faded but had left the blessings of Hope and Healing in the house. Katarin opened her eyes and saw her Grand-fa sitting up. She rushed to the bed and sat next to him, he lifted his arms and took her in for an embrace.
"My child, you have given us such a gift today. Why, that music almost made me want to get up and dance...."
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Later that afternoon, the girl made her way to the Castle and quietly asked one of the guards where she might find the Heart and Clan Inn. She had a small knapsack over her shoulders with a change of clothes and a meal her Grand-ma had packed for her. As she approached the Inn, she liked the way it looked. It looked like a cheerful place to be. Still, she hesitated at the door before going inside.
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Bre'Cheye
Honored Warrior
HW5
ussta zhennu ventash'ma zhah ussta zhennu abbil... My Great Leader is my Great Friend!
Posts: 8,369
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Post by Bre'Cheye on Sept 25, 2012 12:53:36 GMT -5
(just to hold my spot whilst you finish your post)
She continued to sit on the bench next to the Bard and was quickly joined by her small pet dragon Fade who perched on a nearby barrel. The music was still going in the background and the air was still filled by the pleasant aroma of various foods. The soft gentle breeze that blew through the loose strands of hair that had fallen from her braid did little to distract her from the daisy she now held in her hand. One by one she plucked the petals until she came to the last one. With a wide grin and a blush to her face, she pulled that petal from the flower then softly elbowed the Bard she had been using as a backrest.
She had turned to study the bard who seemed lost in thought and oblivious to anyone around him. She twirled the empty-petaled daisy in her fingers then pursed her lips, "I envy your musical talents, you know that don't you?"
His music always had the ability to lift her spirits as well as being entertaining. He was a strong man, yet gentle and at times it was hard for her to remember a time when this bard was not a part of her life. He almost felt like an extension to her soul and without him there was something lacking in her life.
She dropped the battered daisy then sighed deeply, "Do you think I could ever be musical? Probably not...."
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Irishman
Honored Warrior
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Traveling Bard
Posts: 6,871
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Post by Irishman on Oct 19, 2012 14:06:07 GMT -5
Irishman started from his memories at the light jab in the back. Turning to listen, at first he couldn't believe that she would ask such a question, and his face took on a stunned expression. Turning fully towards her, he took her hand in his own.
"Bre', how can you ask such a thing? You put a song in my heart every day. Seeing you walking along, with Fade flying overhead puts such a smile on my face that you would think I was a bit daft. Besides, everyone has a touch of the gift. It just shows up in different ways in each of us. If you ever want to learn how to play, find an instrument that has a pleasing tone for you, and I will assist you in learning how to bring out your side of gift."
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Bre'Cheye
Honored Warrior
HW5
ussta zhennu ventash'ma zhah ussta zhennu abbil... My Great Leader is my Great Friend!
Posts: 8,369
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Post by Bre'Cheye on Oct 20, 2012 23:00:03 GMT -5
She smiled broadly while looking down at her hand in his. The hair that had come loose to fall forward helped to hide the blush on her cheeks. "Truely?" she asked in a hushed voice. She continued to stare at the folds of her loose fitting dress and to imagine how she might one day find some sort of musical instrument to learn to play. And she hoped when she did, and after she had learned as well as could be, she would make this bard proud of her.
Finally, she looked back up toward the bard and gave him her ideas at what type of instrument might be better for her to learn... providing she did indeed have that ability. "I was thinking that I wish I could play a flute but I don't believe I'd have the extra air to do that. What about...." she paused in the middle of her sentence when a butterfly-ey sensation caught her attention. Biting her lower lip with a half smile, she finished what she had been earlier thinking, "what about a small harp type instrument?"
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Irishman
Honored Warrior
Clan member[wCP:0]
Traveling Bard
Posts: 6,871
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Post by Irishman on Jan 16, 2013 16:03:28 GMT -5
"A harp is it? Well, I'm sure we could find one for you. Keep in mind that even a small harp has about twenty strings. The larger ones that are used for weddings and such can have as many as 46 strings," he said.
Leaning towards her, he whispered confidentially, "The secret to playing it is that there are multiple ways to do so, depending on the gathering."
Winking at her and leaning back, he gestured briefly. "Playing a flute is really not all that hard. You just have to remember to blow across and down. It doesn't require alot of wind, as you saw with the lass who just left. The fingering can be a bit complicated, but all that requires is practice."
"So, which will it be? A small harp or a flute? I know a musicker back in town who sells secondhand instruments. Come to think on it, he may have set up a stall here at the Faire."
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Bre'Cheye
Honored Warrior
HW5
ussta zhennu ventash'ma zhah ussta zhennu abbil... My Great Leader is my Great Friend!
Posts: 8,369
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Post by Bre'Cheye on Jan 31, 2013 14:55:23 GMT -5
She leaned her head to one side with a look of doubt on her face, "You must be jesting to think I could play a flute." She smiled at him then rolled her eyes before taking his hand in hers to inspect the ends of his fingertips. She avoided his gaze so that he wouldn't see her smile as she thought to herself about the thought of learning to play a flute. "You silly bard," she finally said, pointing to a small scratch on one of his fingers. "What would you do without my healing spells?" Instead of casting her minor healing spell upon his "injured" finger, she continued holding his hand then looked up at him to say, "I truely would love to play the flute, you know that. Do you think that one of the merchants might have one to sell? Maybe the one I found that lute of yours is here? Hmmm?"
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