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Post by DornKoon on Nov 3, 2024 21:18:07 GMT
Yugo had never seen a bard before, so he did not know what to expect, and truthfully, he was not prepared for what Elyssa was doing, but neither did he have the luxury of sitting back to enjoy as the patrons did. He often ran out of the kitchen, getting more stew and refilling drinks.
Still, when Elyssa played, the little boy lingered in the kitchen door, watching and listening; the melody was melancholy, sad, and comforting. He was just about to return to the kitchen when something happened; a pang of a weird feeling appeared in his chest, and for just a few seconds, it was as if he was not looking at Elyssa at all... he saw a very different woman, her face soft and round, with the kindest eyes Yugo had ever seen. Her hair and most of her form were enshrouded in a pale, soft light.
Yugo raised a hand to his face, noticing that he was crying, yet he was not feeling sad or could not think of anything that might make him grieve. He had not personally been affected by the attack, Dad was unharmed, and the Inn was spared most damage. So, what was going on? What did Elyssa's magic want to show him? Who was that woman, and why did he feel so sad upon seeing her?
"What's the matter, Yugo?" The father's voice pulled him back, and a gentle hand on his shoulder pressed him back.
"Nothing, Dad," Yugo hurriedly said, shaking away the feeling and smiling at his father. "It's just nice music-- I'll check if anyone needs a refill." He walked into the crowd before Alibert could say anything else, but he could tell something was up.
Alibert looked over to where Elyssa was performing, watching the spectres appear in the crowd. The mayor smiled, enjoying the music briefly before returning to his duties. Perhaps Elyssa coming here was a sign that something big was about to happen in the town.
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Post by Azallus on Nov 3, 2024 23:02:15 GMT
When the melody stopped, Elyssa looked up, tears gleaming in her eyes. She let out a little sniffle and wiped her eyes as the patrons applauded. Smiling, she said: "Thank you, thank you! Like I said, there'll be stories and other interesting tidbits in a moment, maybe even some acrobatics! Before we do any of these things however, I just want to take you all on a little journey to a faraway land!", she said, smiling at the crowd as she dismissed the flute and conjured a small little lute-like instrument, a ukulele. Playing a short little comp on it, she started talking as illusory images appeared. "In a land, far far away from here, they don't use horses or other beasts of burden", she began. "They instead use.. -birds-", she put emphasis on the last word, grinning at her audience as if to say 'That's weird!' as the illusory shapes took the shape of large, horse-sized birds. Some people in the audience scoffed, surely she was joking! Others were intrigued. Could these large, cuddly-looking birds be real? "Now I love my mule Xarxes, he is a faithful companion and I would never replace him, but -if- I were to have another companion pull my wagon, I think one of these would be my choice", she said, reaching a hand up to pet the illusory bird, which still seemed to enjoy it with a little 'wark!'. "This is a Chocobo", she said, following some 'aaaws' from the audience. She continued playing a few notes on her ukulele as spectral versions of her appeared on stage, playing a variety of instruments to accompany her melody. "I once spoke to a traveler from these far off lands and he told me all there was about these cuddly, feathery friends! Now children in the audience, this one is for you!", she said as she stepped down from the stage and started strolling through the crowd, the feathered friends following behind her as she started playing another melody. As she made her way through the crowd, she moved with a silly sway, almost like a strange bird strutting around, which made the locals laugh. As she invited for the children to tag along on her silly bird strut, her song rang out: Ukulele de chocobo~I want to ride my chocobo all day
I love to watch him run
I love to watch him play, yay!
I want to ride my chocobo all day
I want to have some fun
And watch that bocco sway!
When my chocobo can play no more
We'll take us a little break and have us a little snore
Did you know that my chocobo can talk?
He only says one thing and it is his favourite sound: 'Wark'!~Soon, there was a line of children trotting along behind the bard, following the funny, feathered bird and the funny woman with a feather in her hat, imitating the bird, letting out the same 'wark!'. The mood turned from the previous sad state it had been in to a silly one instead, and people were humming along and having a good time. This show, just like any of her performances, was just Elyssa bearing her heart to the crowd, showing them who she truly was. While she could absolutely be a sultry seductress when she wanted to, or an acrobatic adventurer, in her heart of hearts she was a big 'ol goofball. |
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Post by DornKoon on Nov 8, 2024 19:34:14 GMT
Yugo, while continuing to serve the guests food and drink, listened in as Elyssa was making her performance. She was good, very good, and the place had not been this busy in ages, it was going to be one of the best nights for sure! He smiled slightly as Elyssa did her silly dance, joined by some of the children of the town.
Taking a break at the bar, Yugo sat on the counter, with his father leaning on it next to him.
"Are those birds actually real?" He asked, aiming the question at Alibert, Az resting on his master's lap.
"Oh yes, that they are," Alibert replied, "Chocobo's are often used as mounts in other parts of the world, and there is a great export of them, booming trade."
"I see," the world sure was a place filled with weird things. "Why don't we have them here in Hyrule?"
"Hyrule has a long history of using horses, so I suppose that's part of it. I imagine you could find one or two at the capital, usually from some foreign people."
Yugo nodded.
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Post by Azallus on Nov 8, 2024 23:43:15 GMT
After finishing up her song to thunderous applause and laughing children, Elyssa made her way back to the stage. "Now, I dunno if a lot of people recognize me", she said, "But truth to be told, Hateno is my old stompin' ground. Born 'n raised". There was a murmur of recognition from here and there in the crowd. "I 'aven't been around for a great many years though, 'cause back when I grew up everyone expected me to be a trophy wife 'cause I was a pretty face so I didn't wanna stick around, plus I was lured to the glorious life of a bard". She gave the audience a big grin. "But I don't 'old it against you, Hateno, in all 'onesty it feels good to be 'ere again, even though the wild, open road is me home nowadays". As she was talking, she brought out her lute and was playing a little melody on it. "I'm not sure what reputation that 'as earned me among the more gossipy of the land, but I don't mind, sometimes we get a bad reputation even if we don't deserve it. For example, now I'll relay to you an interestin' tale of a real person of legend. 'Er name is Jaina Proudmoore. Beautiful as can be, some would even say she rivals me in beauty, and a powerful mage to boot, per'aps one of the most powerful ones in the world". She made a pause to let the audience take in her story. "Now, she was born in a seafarin' nation, and I've 'eard that due to some misunderstandin' that lead to her father, the grand admiral's death, the people there composed a sea chanty about her, statin' she was the reason he died, and the song was made to make 'er sort of a cautionary tale. The thing is though, folks, people often gotta make 'ard choices, and sometimes it might even cost'em dearly. The song I sing for you know relies the perspective of the people of Jaina's home nation, it doesn't necessarily reflect the truth". Strumming her lute, she played a few accords and then nodded as she began. "This song is called The Daughter of the Sea". As she was playing, again the ghostly, illusory images swirled to tell the story of how such an esteemed individual as Lady Proudmoore earned such a fearful reputation. |
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Post by DornKoon on Nov 22, 2024 10:51:51 GMT
So, Elyssa was from here? Yugo did not know this, and a glance to his father told him Alibert did not know either; most had been before they came to settle down here. Still, it felt even more like it was more than a coincidence that the bard had turned up here at this point, that was for sure.
Yugo did not know who this Jaina person was, but the song itself was very nice, even if it was also... sad.
Pausing to look at the illusions of Lady Proudmoore, the little Eliatrope could not help but feel sorry for her. To be blamed for her father's death because of a misunderstanding? That was harsh, so very harsh. Still, it made him curious about what Elyssa meant, and it did not necessarily reflect the truth.
Still, the boy shook his head and returned to work. It had been a long time since the place was this bustling with activity, and it was a good thing they made extra stew. It was going like hot cakes.
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