Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144][b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Dom was lounging at the base of a tree, hat over his eyes, idly plucking his guitar. He was lost in a bit of a reverie, recent events having been quite taxing. He'd not played in the tavern for a while, though he was not wanting for coin at the moment. He had, however made a promise. Bright and early, at the field.
He'd heard those detonations, the force of the sound quite something to behold, and had considered finding some trumpeting instrument, something bombastic and loud. But the sound of the archer's feet hitting the floor, the sound of the arrows being loosed, that was more dancelike, more balletic. So he'd just have to play Prudence really loud as well as intricately.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Ely [M:164:1653:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=394&page=1#14814][b]A soul on fire...[/b][0:Snuffed][1:Flame On!]
Ely continued to practice. She let Perry see himself out, if he was going to be staying here he would get used to the place soon enough. She had no desire to be a host. In fact, that thought kind of terrified Ely. She loved people. She was thrilled to be in groups of them. IN the group, not there to make sure everyone was having a good time.
It had been a while since she had bothered to practice. At one point Perry would have never gotten through the hay bales without her fire blasts going off around him. The fact that she had gotten distracted enough to miss the timing upset her. A dozen fireballs went off one right after the other with little time in between.
She was surprised to find that it took much less effort than it had in past days. But, she didn't muse on that for long. Instead Ely was just happy that her time spent away from it all had not hampered her ability. She cleaned up and took a little extra time to change her clothes.
By that time it was late afternoon and she headed back to the field.
Catgirl Extraordinaire
“Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.”
Perry had taken most of the morning loosing practice shots and pacing the field. He'd also gathered scrap to make more metal shavings and construct his firework arrows. He wasn't an engineer of any kind, or an alchemist, but it was pretty simple to lash a scrap of cloth to an arrow. He really should learn how to fletch at some point, because unlike his normal shows this one was going to destroy most of the arrows he fired. The gold he'd make would buy him all the ammunition he'd need though, he hoped.
He'd spotted the bard beneath the tree, engaging him in discussions about music and theming and the like. "So, what's the final say on the show?" he asked the musician, feeling more like a performer than a peddlar, what with all the choreography and music and things.
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144][b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Dom didn't turn his face to the archer but grinned. "I'm seeing a story. A war, though you're going to have to shoot fancy to make it seem like there's two sides. You say you can make blue and green and white sparks? I heard that metal powder sparkles pretty when it burns. Well we use the green to represent the bad guys and the blue to represent the good. Make it look like they're fighting and fighting, then bring in the white as an agent of balance."
He strummed a few chords of a trio of compositions. One was a sharp, sinister and overbearing march. One was a triumphant and strident ballad. One was a lilting and etheral tune of complex structure. He'd weave them together, reflect the push and pull of the war set against the stars. His head snapped up.
"That's what we'll call it. War in the Stars!" Hmm...maybe he'd work on the name a little, make it shorter, more...profitable...but it'd do.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Ely [M:164:1653:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=394&page=1#14814][b]A soul on fire...[/b][0:Snuffed][1:Flame On!]
Ely joined them just as Dom was trying to decide on a name. She smiled at them both, pulled the bangs of her hair back with a brand new ribbon, and spoke.
"Star Wars."
She glanced around the field after that comment. Right now it was empty of people but they would be showing up soon enough. You couldn't keep townsfolk away from a good show. Even as prosperous as this one was these days. Hell, Perry might even get some of the docked sailors to carry the tale of his show to other parts of the world. Who knew?
Catgirl Extraordinaire
“Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.”
Perry beamed across his face to see her, ignoring the still nagging pangs of loss. He gestured to the little pile of incindiary arrows he'd made and said. "Well, you certainly took your time. Like the name though. Has a ring to it." His smile became the usual cocksure grin and he looked up to the sky.
"We've not got too much daylight left. I've worked out a routine with Dom, all you need to do is hit each arrow when they reach the apex of their flight. Feel free to add any other flair you think might help." He winked at her "You are, after all, an elusive fire nymph of some kind."
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144][b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Dom shuffled up to the pair, staff brushing the floor and guitar in his free hand. "With all the fire flying about I think it'd be safer for me to stay near the crowd. I'm gonna need to be, if everything's going to be exploding." He chuckled, though inwardly he was a little worried about his ability to project his voice and playing over the bangs and booms.
That thought set his mind spinning to the ideas that a good friend of his had come up with and never brought to fruition, of amplifying sound using magic, though allowing those without magical gifts to make use of the technique. That would have done him right. The pang didn't show on his face though.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Ely [M:164:1653:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=394&page=1#14814][b]A soul on fire...[/b][0:Snuffed][1:Flame On!]
Ely nodded at Perry. She was feeling better about her ability to keep up with him. The show had definitely improved her accuracy and strength a few years ago. But, well, when you don't practice something you tend to lose it. She was happy enough with what she'd accomplished earlier. She had not exhausted herself. She had not felt as if her whole being were wrenched apart with the last few bursts of flame.
"Sure, Perry."
Ely smiled at Dom and reached out to touch his arm.
"Don't worry. Any explosions will be in the air and no where near you."
She had to giggle a little bit at the words, too.
Catgirl Extraordinaire
“Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.”
Perry took a deep breath and rolled his neck. "Well, looks like we're all present and accounted for and sunset's going to be not too far away. Me and Dom spent a while drumming up the hype for it, I just hope there'll be a good sized crowd."
He gestured over to a low bush at the other end of the field. "We dug a little trench in there, put some blankets, a jug of spiced cider and some sweet rolls in a hamper for you, Sparky. Nice and comfy and out of the way so no-one'll spot you. I thought about putting some fire peppers in there too, to give you an extra pep, but you seemed plenty peppy earlier." He grinned, taking out one of the little wrinkled exotic vegetables from a pocket and chomping it down. He liked spicy food, a lot.
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144][b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Dom laughed at the mention of the fire peppers. He, himself, wasn't great with spicy or very strong flavoured food, probably a side effect of trying to sharpen his other senses to compensate for his lack of sight. He cocked his head to the side, listening.
"Sounds like we've got our first few audience members coming. Best get into positions and we'll drum them up a bit before sundown." He ambled over to the lengths of rope that had been strung between stakes to mark where the audience was to stand. He began pacing along it, memorizing its line and any little bumps or ruts in the ground. He'd need to keep moving and play, so he'd have to navigate without his staff. He'd done it before, but using echolocation would be nearly impossible with the bangs and the guitar. He just hoped he'd be able to react to anything that might try and trip him, but if one of the crowd got some silly idea he'd be on his face.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Ely [M:164:1653:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=394&page=1#14814][b]A soul on fire...[/b][0:Snuffed][1:Flame On!]
Ely laughed. The peppers were an old joke between them. He knew very well she did not like them, or spicy food in general. However, the sugary sweet roll was great for quick energy and the cider would taste wonderful. She missed Perry, more than she would have thought possible. Maybe she had been cooped up in her library talking to the books for way too long. With Kiga and Perry here she would not have to spent all her quiet time alone.
Ely's eyes brightened. Kiga had offered to help her clean the place up. Though, they hadn't gotten past the kitchen. Another giggle came at that thought and she clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle the rest. She shook the wayward thoughts out of her head for now. It was time to concentrate.
"Thanks, Perry. I'll see you two after!"
She took off to the little hidden spot that Perry created. Now all they needed was a crowd.
Catgirl Extraordinaire
“Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.”
Scanning the horizon with the sun just kissing the edge he spotted the approaching groups, coming on in twos and threes. Perry beamed wildly, always loving to put on a show, though the actual skill involved in it from his end was minimal compared to straight up trick shooting. He took out the little sack for the money and strutted toward the crowd.
"Okay folks. One gold piece apeice for the first ever performance of Star Wars! If you're shorter than my shoulder you come in for free!" He was not a tall man, not by a long shot, and only the very young and the very old came up lower than his shoulder. Coins clinked into the bag, the previous night's show obviously having drummed up enough enthusiasm from the crowd.
Dominic [M:123:1420:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=382&page=1#14144][b]Let me tell you a story...[/b][0:No encore today][1:You have my attention]
Dom flexed his fingers, hearing the crowd gather and the coinage clink in. Well this was quite a lot bigger of a show than he usually had these days. Not since before he first came to Wistvale had he managed to play in front of such a gathering. And with the booms high above he'd have to really belt it out.
As the heat of the last rays of the sun kissed his face before the full setting, he began to stride slowly and purposefully along the little track he'd worn with his earlier pacing, starting up his tune. It's a triumphant tune, more suited to a trumpeter or bugler than a guitar, but he pushes the instrument as hard as he dare, using a steel pick to really bring the twang out of the strings and making best use of heavy chords to give the music impact.
"It is a period of civil war!" he bellowed, voice strong and deep and strident "Rebel Star Galleons..." another name he'd have to change for upcoming shows, as it lacked a little punch even as he belted it loud and clear "...striking from a hidden base have won their first victory against the evil Empire of the Heavens!" Gah, still another name that didn't sound right. He must be off his game, he mused.
The opening theme and the narration came to a halt and the music changed suddenly to that sinister, thudding march, laced with foreboding and dark intent. That was the cue for things to start exploding.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Ely [M:164:1653:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=394&page=1#14814][b]A soul on fire...[/b][0:Snuffed][1:Flame On!]
Ely had helped herself to a sweet roll while the crowd gathered. She had some cider, too, but only a small bit of it. Ely had always thought that fire magic was the only school worth studying. But here, listening to Dom strum out the beginning chorus; she realized she was wrong. Well, not about the other schools being inferior to fire, of course, only the fact they had forgotten to include one.
Music.
Dom's magic influenced the hearts and minds of everyone in the crowd. She could see it. The victory march that started off the show took the chaotic milling of the people and turned it into a line for everyone to follow. The groups filling past Perry and handing over their coins found places to sit with little or no fuss involved at all. By the time the narration ended and the music changed to one much more foreboding the crowd had long since fallen under his thrall.
There was even a hush from them. Silence reigned over the field and Ely waited for Perry to pick up the first arrow.
Catgirl Extraordinaire
“Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.”
Memories of shows past popped into Perry's head as he plucked an arrow from his quiver, much heavier than usual as every arrow was laden with some kind of powdery payload. This wasn't about accuracy, it was about speed and smoothness, as well as mobility. The music gave him extra vim as he started.
The first few arrows flew into the air in slightly differing arcs, hopefully to simulate the explosions of some form of garganutan weapon or magical attack coming from whatever a Star Galleon was. He had to be careful not to fire them too close to Ely's hiding pit or let them get caught and fly back over the crowd. He, as ever, would be standing right beneath them as they went off though, showered in sparks. He'd gotten singed a couple of times himself, but the show had always gone on.