[Conservatory] A Gathering At The Observatory (Open to all Naturan Bards)

[Avrie Eventide Drega]

TS: Early Evening, First cycle of Immanis, Era I, XVI (pf)

The Observatory was located atop the south tower, which was one of the pair of stone towers that dominated the main structure of the Conservatory. Placed on the southern tower, the view of the night sky was clear and unobstructed. Traditionally, it was used heavily for star gazing in clear summer evenings, and was often considered a prime location during the day for gatherings. The center of the observatory had a large in-floor firepit that the bardic students were fond of lighting for warmth and light of an evening before their stargazing got into full swing. Otherwise, throw pillows and small low tables were scattered throughout the circular room, arranged in small groupings or about the fire in a comfortable manner.

It was too this place Avrie found herself wandering. It was a difficult climb for her up most of the steps, and she was winded when she arrived. However, her lost breath was soon forgotten as she got a look at the outdoor room and the breathtaking view it provided of the surrounding forest and sky. She was enchanted as she slipped in, and picked a large cushion as her own. She left her mandolin on the low table next to it, and went to light the fire. Avrie's goal was to get some fresh air, stay warm, and perhaps do some playing.

Along with her instrument, she'd brought a stash of fresh fruit, bread, and a skin of wine. She also had one of the small common lanterns the students used to navigate the corridors of the Conservatory after dark. It would be a lovely evening, that was for certain.

[Alphonsus]

Alphonsus felt that it was a great evening, and one that he felt he should be alone in some place high up where he could sing all he wants while enjoying the starry night. That was the problem, as Alphonsus could not think of any place that was high and safe enough. A tree was high, but it could be quite dangerous as Alphonsus was not one that could climb trees like a monkey, though he could do it better than most humans.

The pondering had made him look up into the sky, scanning all over the place when he remembered one place that he visited before, and it had a long stairway. That should be high enough. With that in mind, Alphonsus made his way to the place, the conservatory southern tower.

The climb up the tower was rather easy, though it was also rather monotonous, but the reward when he reached the top, proved to be worthy of his effort. Alphonsus smiled to himself, and quickly scanned around for a good place, and that was when he saw a familiar figure nearby.

"Vedui there!" He called out. "I'm Alphonsus, mind if I join you?"

Alphonsus called out for courtesy sake, as he himself would not want another to intrude into his own private moments without notice. If the figure ahead wished to be alone, Alphonsus would move to another corner, where he could lay back and watch the sky for a while.

[Avrie Eventide Drega]

Avrie turned her head and dropped her gaze from the beginnings of a wonderful sunset she'd been enjoying. She smiled, and nodded. "No, please join me. I'd be glad for the company. It's nice to meet you, Alphonsus... or, have we already met?" She knew the Masterbard had let it be discretely known that her memory was tentative. And thus it was, that the servants had all taken to politely identifying themselves around her unasked, which had turned out to be a great help in her stay here this winter.

"In case we haven't, I'm Avrie Eventide. I've only just arrived at the first of winter. But you seem familiar." She said, indicating any number of seating possibilities in close proximity. "I hope you don't mind. I lit the fire, but if you wish to stargaze later, we can let it burn down to nothing." She'd brought her heavy cloak with her, and was not concerned with catching a chill just yet.

So instead, she spent time studying the newcomer and wondering if he too was a bard of natura.

[Alphonsus]

Alphonsus looked at Avrie as she asked if they had met, and his brains began ticking. "I think we might had, maybe once or twice... We could even have spoken during those times! Natura is not really that big I guess."

Alphonsus paused for a moment. "I guess we did, since you can call me by my name, but let me introduce myself once again, just in case my manner was on holidays during those times." Alphonsus composed himself. "Good to meet you Avrie, I am Alphonsus, and have been in Natura a winter earlier, thus it's not very long ago."

Alphonsus choose a sit 90 degrees from Avrie, a choice that he thought best as he would be able to see her directly, as well as keeping a honorable distance distance, yet a distance not far enough to make anyone thought that he was evading Avrie. "Please do, I guess the stars can wait."

From his backpack, Alphonsus removed a lap harp that belongs to the Bardic Conservatory, one that was lent to him by Auhren. "If you don't mind my medicore playing and singing..." Alphonsus let it hung for a moment, and waited for Avrie response.

[Viola]

It was night, and she felt it was safe, for besides, she haven't been seeing her real self lately and she was afraid her face would disappear if she wouldn't be able to see it once in a while. Yes, she was Viola this special night, her luxurious midnight hair flowing behind her like a graceful, black, waterfall. Nobody had seen her real self inside the bardic school and she prayed that the sole master bard was fooled by her simple illusion as she looked down at her ring, now a pendant in her necklace.

Free to be herself, Viola reckoned it was time to be alone. She had been in the observatory just once and she surmised that it was a secluded place for someone who wanted to be alone. So, creeping like a thief in the night, carrying a large book so she could burrow and hide her face unobtrusively if someone was approaching, Viola silently crept up to the south wing and walked up to the south tower of the observatory, enjoying the night.

It was her voice Avrie and Alphonsus heard first, coming from outside the door, her voice humming a tune and after a few flicker of the candlemark, the hum was now a lyric song and the two inside the conservatory could hear the voice coming near:

"...shelter of my own protection baby
To be with myself and center, clarity
Peace, Serenity.

...I hope you know, I hope you know,
That this has nothing to do with you,
It's personal, myself and I,
We've got some straightenin' out to do
And I'm gonna miss you like a child misses their blanket
But I've got to get a move on with my life
It's time to be a big girl now
And big girls don't cry
Don't cry
Don't cry
Don't---"

To Avrie, there was something hauntingly familiar about the voice, as if she had heard that voice singing once or twice before, unfortunately, the song ended when the owner of the voice came upon the room. A woman, tall with clear white skin, her hair black as the night and falling luxuiously behind her, her grey eyes twinkling with passion and mirth and there was a bubbling excitement exuding from her, as if the woman was somewhat free after a month of being caged.

"Oh," The woman gasped when she barged in upon Avrie and Alphonsus, her grey eyes fleeting between the two. "I'm sorry, I didn't know..." The black-haired woman paused, and the two inside the observatory could see the woman's grey eyes recognized them although her face wore a theatrical look of unrecognition.

"I'm sorry," The woman began again, her voice clear and soft and feminine. "I didn't know this was a private meeting, I'll go back some other night." She hesitantly smiled at Alphonsus, trying to appear as if she didn't know the elf.

Yes, there was something hauntingly familiar about her.
--------
ooc: Song is Big Girls Don't Cry by Fergie

[Avrie Eventide Drega]

Avrie chuckled at Alphonsus' humor. "Mediocre huh? I doubt that, not with you being here. I'd love to play a little with you as well. And yes, the stars can wait." She said, enjoying his overall attitude. He seemed an interesting sorts, and she appriciated his seat choice too. So when he withdrew the harp, she smiled. "I work at Gryffins Song Music Store if you ever want a good deal on a harp. I know the conservatory ones are good quality, but there's nothing like one of your own." She said, smiling, and picked up the tune he started to strum on his harp with her mandolin.

Soon, they were playing together, weaving the tones in and out of one another, as a beautiful woman ascended the stairs and stopped, somewhat startled to see them. Avrie smiled, and beckoned to her. "Come, join us Lady... its just a gathering of bards... harmless. We're playing together and getting to know one another. There's tea if you want it..." She said, gesturing at the empty seats in the beautiful observatory. The night was drawing itself out, the stars now peppering the sky. Avrie laid aside her mandolin and took up a poker from the fire. She roamed around, lighting the sconces of candles here and there, so there was enough light in case anyone wanted to read music.

"I'm Avrie, and this is Alphonsus. We've just met ourselves, so come, make introductions too..." She gently urged.

[Alphonsus]

Alphonsus smiled without holding anything back. "I would love to, maybe I will go down and have a look the following brightening, if another orc doesn't decides to take a leaf out of Grugnar book and visit us." It was as good as a promise for a chance for such incident to happen could only be decreed fate herself.

Alphonsus begun strumming on his harp, playing the accompaniment portion of the tune from Avrie's Mandolin, and time flowed gently by until they were disturbed. He decided that being disturbed was true, for he felt he had met Viola somewhere, yet he was sure he would never forget a face such as Viola. It might be her mother or a twin that he met in his travels. "Yes, do join us." Alphonsus invited with a gently wave of his hand from left to right, moving up and down slowly, portraying the gentle waves of the seas. "I'm Alphonsus, though..." He chuckled a little, "I am not a simple harmless bard for I can be rather grumpy and play real bad music that I'm sure I'm not capable for doing now before I have my first meal of the brightening..." Alphonsus smiled brightly, trying the lighten the atmosphere.

[Avrie Eventide Drega]

ooc: Viola seems to have disappeared so I hope you don't mind me posting without her.

Avrie smiled. She really enjoyed Alphonsus' playful tone and his cheerful attitude. The other woman would be more than welcome to join them, for the company was greatly needed. There was something about the bardic conservatory that made Avrie long to surround herself with music and friends of the same or similar passions that she herself had. Mainly, living and breathing music day in and day out. There were few that understood such things; though none better than a fellow bard.

But in reality, she didn't know what to say to the gathering. Avrie had never really met other bards before. She'd only read tales about them, or seen them from a distance. And, it was safe to assume all the people gathered were further along in their studies than she was. That in itself was intimidating.

"Its good to meet you Alphonsus... would you care to play something with me?" And with that, she strummed her mandolin, and picked up an old familiar tune.. a proviencial tune about the passing of time... popular among farmers and those who grew crops dependent upon the seasons. If the song had words, Avrie didn't know them... she only knew the haunting melody.

And so she played for her new friends, weaving her melody around hers if they choose to join her.

[Alphonsus]

ooc: It seems so too

Alphonsus fiddled with the harp a little, wondering if there was any further needs to tune it, but he found that there was not. "It's a pleasure to meet you too Avrie, and it will be my honor to play something along with you."

Alphonsus allowed himself a little time, listening to Avrie's tune, capturing the music. It was an unfamiliar tune, and one that he visualized as Spring moving on to summer and then autumn and finally at winter, it went back into spring. It also told him about animals, newly born, growing, maturing, giving birth and finally returning back to the soil. It was a song about the inevitable - The passing of time.

The harp strings began to sound as Alphonsus fingers ran through them, softly at first. It grew gradually louder as Alphonsus finally found the correct chords and additional melodies that would complement Avrie's song.

[Avrie Eventide Drega]

Alphonsus' harp playing was truly lovely. As the two bards picked up the tune, they altered it slightly as musicians had a tendency to do, weaving the melody in and out of each others notes.

Avrie's foot tapped to keep time, and she passed the end of the song, and slipped into it again, beginning anew. The harp and the mandolin were instruments that wove themselves together neatly. One complimented the other, and easily enabled the pair to keep the music going until at least Avrie called a halt for a rest for her fingers.

She turned, then, smiling at Alphonsus, and told him how much she enjoyed his harping. "You play lovely... I can tell you just started with it too, but I imagine given a few years, your even going to rival Auhren." She said, grinning her encouragement.

"What made you decide to become a bard and study song?" She wondered if it was like her... she hadn't made a conscious choice to study song. She was simply born a bard. Pure and simple. Music had always been a part of her life, and no matter how much she'd tried to concentrate on being a winecrafter, she'd not had much luck at all... finding song far more seductive.

[Alphonsus]

Alphonsus face burned a little after Avrie had complimented him after the song, but had decided not to say anything and began a show of cleaning and caring for the harp. It was when Avrie asked the next question that Alphonsus turned to her and smiled, eyes misted as he went down memory lane.

"Many many patterns back, I have lost not only my family, but my memories as well. All I could remember of those time was never ending songs that played through my house. The music never seemed to stop, both when the sun was up, and when the moon was up. It was a beautiful time. In what I can remember, I was brought up by a traveling bard and actor, one who had no arcana abilities, but with skill to play many instruments. It was rather inspiring, to see him play his instrument, not only as a source of income, but as a food for the soul for many people. You see, he would enter places like the city slums and begin his playing, and during these times, without arcanic powers, the people in the vincinity suddenly became more polite and more understanding. It was rather inspiring"

Alphonsus smile faded when he took out a piece of dried long leaf from his pocket. He blew a tune upon the leaf, a short sad tune. The leaf broke into two at the 8th note. "My first instrument that I actually learnt to play, but I can't really say I am truly good at it, for all I could was copy what my guardian did and replicate the sound... Only the sound, not even the effect it could give."

"So, that's enough about the past," Alphonsus smile returned almost immediately, though a hint of saddness could still be seen in his eyes. "After my guardian left me, I survived through playing of simple songs for the others, and doing many odd jobs. But you know what?" He paused for a moment, just enough time for a bird to flap its wings once. "I never had any luck on most of my odd jobs that ain't related to music for I get distracted when songs began. I could hear songs from anywhere, the wind rustling through the trees, animals, and even in complete silence. Yes, there's also music in silence, though I am still unable to put any physical song for the music of silence I so often hear."

"Now, enough of myself, so, what had made you decide on being a bard and study song?"

[Avrie Eventide Drega]

Avrie smiled. Then she leaned closer to Alphonsus, her bright Eventide Blue eyes dancing. "I think its the same with all of us. I was born with it... there's always been music in my blood. Its part of my entire life. I was always hanging around the vineyards, singing, dancing, thinking up songs on the spot, instead of really getting into the work at hand. My parents thought I was a few onces short of a full bottle of wine if you know what I mean... but I had a Grandfather that wholly understood me and told them to be patient. Thats why Ive been taking my bardic training here. I had to get out, away.... get off the Estate and stop thinking about wine and the land and the weather and whether we will loose the crop to frost.... and concentrate on my music. I just wasn't as happy as I should have been... though I do love my ancestral home. I will be back many times.... many many times. But for now, this is where I need to be in life." She smiled, knowing the other bard would indeed wholeheartedly understand what she meant.

"You know.. I don't think we can help it if we are born bards. I think its sorta like a curse in a way. Our minds are scattered, dependent... but do you think the Gods had a plan for us? I mean, why do you think they do this to some of us? Giving us such scattered willy-nilly personalities? I don't know you well at all Alphonsus, but if you are like other bards I know... we don't focus well at all unless its on our songsmithing. We are restless, and ill contented unless its us focusing on something we're doing thats related to making music.... or making instruments... or writing music... or defending things using our music." She looked thoughtful, and then smiled.

"I never knew where I was going to fit in when I was younger. I always thought there'd be very little I'd be good at... but you know? I think I've found my purpose in life finally. Yes, I'm a bard.. and have all the issues that goes with being one. But I've noticed something here in Natura, Alphonsus..." She said thoughtfully, her eyes looking up into his, trusting him. This was a secret that she'd just decided on, and it potentially could sound ludicrous to someone especially an outsider; though she knew Alphonsus wasn't. "We are like all the other sphere's of magic wrapped into one. We can be healers, or cause great damage. We can sooth spirits, invoke courage, and give people the will to fight. I think my duty is here, in Natura, guarding her protectors and making sure someone watches out for them as deeply and as profoundly as they watch after the city and her citizens." She said, watching his reaction to make sure he understood... that it made sense.

She'd give him time to respond... to comment, then she'd ask him.... "What about you? Are you set on a pathway yet?"