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 would keep his words for between volleys, trying to give context and framing for each series of dazzling explosions. He'd actually bunged his ears up with a couple of pieces of cork, not wanting to risk them with the loudness of the bangs, and there was going to be a lot of it.
He began to play much louder, pressing hard with his fingers and keeping the chord sequences clear and relatively simple. This wasn't a test of his musical skill, per se, as much as it was of his able to perform continually for a good while and compete with concussive blasts of air above him. He'd worked out the choreography with Perry, and hoped the timings would fit in with the music as planned, as he wouldn't be able to change his tempo fast enough if they didn't.
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 threw the first spark into the air. And that was all it was; a spark, harder to guide than to keep lit. In fact, it was much smaller than the late summer glow bugs that were bouncing around the edges of the field.
The spark hit Perry's carefully wrapped arrowhead dead center and streaks of bright blue flame took off in a circle all around it. She connected with the next arrow seconds later and the fading blue streaks were overcome by the green ones. She paid no more attention to the crowd or the glowing bugs after that, only Perry's arrows.
Ely keep up the steady stream of sparks that ignited each arrow as they were shot up into the sky. Dom's music was getting louder and the arrows had changed direction to simulate the battle going on between the star warriors. She had fallen, so easily, back into rhythm Perry set. She had no trouble keeping track of him or the arrows either, they were highlighted by the blue and green flashes going off above his head.
But, this was only foreplay.
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 left a pause for Dom to fill in a bit more of the story as planned, then it was time to start getting seriously mobile. The story opened with what was ostensibly a chase, but was to end with a battle at a moon-sized fortress that could destroy the whole world.
So he began shooting arrows in twos, threes, even fours, sometimes moving at a dead sprint across the field to get the proper angle in on it. They were aimed to frame the moon in the sky, part of the inspiration for the story of the giant fortress. His lungs were beginning to burn by the time this was coming to an end. And it was now time for the finale.
Dom would have the time it took for him to get to the middle of the field and set himself, picking up an oversized arrow, longer than the others by a good twelve inches. The packed powder on the end was a much larger charge than those before and he took a deep breath, gritting his teeth as he overdrew his bow.
The damn thing was so heavy, and if it went wrong he'd catch a fireball of molten metal in the face, but he had to try it. His fingers ached, his arms screamed, his bow creaked as it was drawn back further than it should be. Then he loosed the huge arrow at the moon.
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]
When Perry paused, Dom filled in the tale of the rebels finding out about the fortress, setting out to attack it. His head was buzzing with the explosions, even through his ear bungs, and he was playing far far harder than usual to be heard over the din.
His fingertips felt slick and sore. He must've split his callouses. But he had that performance high that so few things could match. The crowd, the music, the spectacle. Oh how he loved these moments. The huge battle in the sky paused, as he knew it would, and he trumpeted to the crowd.
"And so! The brave farm boy, pursued by the Black Lord, assaults the fortress alone, his friends dead or wounded. And as he trusts himself to fate as the fortess prepares its final strike...."
Now all that had to happen was the kaboom.
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 managed to keep up with Perry by splitting the single sparks into multiples. She conserved her energy that way instead of creating them one at a time. But, she was starting to show signs of fatigue. The explosions were causing a halo effect over her vision and she was having to blink several times to keep focused.
The energy from the sweet roll had burned away. Her mouth was dry. Ely squeezed her eyes so tightly shut that tears leaked from the edges of them. They glittered on her lashes, put bright spots in front of her face, but at least she could see Perry again. And then right on cue Dom's voice sundered the stillness of the field.
She saw Perry pick up the arrow. She heard the crowd as the story came to it's crescendo. She felt the warmth of the campfire on her face. The spark took off. It hit the huge arrow at the apex of its flight and the sky burst into light.
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.”
He's not actually made an arrow of that magnitude before, and he'd sort of just guessed at ammounts before. The effect was...profound.
A detonation louder than anything he'd heard before, he could actually feel the heat from the burning particles of metal, and the countless multicoloured sparkling motes flew out in all directions. He sagged slightly, arms aching horribly, breathing deep to steady himself. His ears were ringing but when they cleared he heard the crowd.
They were whooping, cheering, applauding ans hollering. He turned, face split in the broadest grin and took a bow as he advanced toward the group. This show had been one of the most incredible he'd ever put together, in no small part thanks to Dom and Ely. He went to the rope, shook some hands, and generally basked in the glow of a job well done.
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 winced at that bang, feeling it right down into his bones. He smelled the burning metal, then the roar of the crowd assaulted his ears and he smiled. Well, it was impressive at the very least. He continued to play as he heard Perry approach the roped off crowd before taking his own bow. It was too bad the fire mage felt she wasn't able to do the same, since she had been as instrumental any of them.
He approached the archer after retrieving his staff and shouldering the guitar. He sucked on his fingertips, tempted to pop a healing potion to help seal them up, but that stuff tended to weaken callouses the same way it could reduce scarring and the like. Unless he wanted to be chugging a bottle every performance it was probably just best to bind them and let them heal on their own.
"Well damn. That was impressive." he drawled, popping the corks out of his ears. He leaned on the staff, listening to the crowd dissipate. Hopefully Ely could come join them soon. Some celebratory drinks in the tavern might be in order.
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 slung dirt over the campfire. She killed what remained of the flames completely. She was exhausted, her hair was damp, clingy, and all the muscles in the back of her spine ached. But, her head was clear and her eyes were having no more trouble focusing. She was, in fact, rather pleased with herself.
She had kept up with Perry.
A faint smile pulled her lips up. She had not expected him to follow her here. But, she was glad he had. Perry somehow always managed to keep her amused and challenged while they traveled together.
On the surface, Ely was the same chaotic catgirl that he'd first run into years ago outside of Brindisi. She loved people, places, books, and shiny things. She lived in the moment. She had needed the distraction of Perry's shows, too, at that time. He had given her back pleasure and pride in fire magic instead of derision and disgrace.
Ely shook her head. She was being too introspective today. Perhaps it was the time alone earlier practicing, or Perry's show, or maybe it was night sky over Wistvale. Ely glanced around and put her thoughts back on the shelf of her mind. The crowd was dissipating. She stood up and brushed off the dirt from her clothing. Perry and Dom would be looking for her. She headed back toward the front of the field.
"Perry! Dom! Did you hear the crowd? That last explosion..."
Ely rushed toward them. She flung her hands around Perry's waist and hugged him fiercely.
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.”
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]
Leaning on his staff and half-smiling, the bard knew the job had been a good one. Oh he'd heard the crowd again, loud enough to make his head throb. He also considered that maybe he should shuffle off before he witnessed anything he oughtn't.
"Well, you two. I'll be waiting for my payment at my usual seat in the Tavern, first installment should be delicious and edible." he drawled, heading away.
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Perry self-indulgently handled the bag of coins. Nice weight. It always felt nice to hold that kind of cash. And then he nearly dropped it as Ely barreled into him. His heart had just calmed down from the performance rush and the exertion but it was going like a military marching drum as soon as she pressed to him.
Panic started to set in. Dammit he'd made his mind up and this was not helping! He hesitantly patted her head and softly hugged behind her shoulderbladed. "Yeah, I heard them. Thanks, Sparky." he managed to say softly.
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!]
"Wait! Dom don't go just yet. I have a great idea! We should celebrate!"
Ely stepped back from Perry, but her green eyes were tilted up to look at him and excitement was all over her face.
"Right, Perry? Celebrate and relax?"
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.”
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 turned slowly, pondering exactly what might be suggested. He was all for celebrating, but he didn't really know Perry all that well, and was only close acquaintances with the catgirl. He tilted his head.
"Okay, I'll bite. But I can't play. Not until my finger heal. And somewhere a little quiet would be nice. Feels like someone just tried to kick their way out of my head through my ears."
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.
Perry so wanted to just let the embrace fall right there and then. Really very much wanted to do so. It took him an effort to unhook his arm from around her but he didn't step away, not just yet. Celebrate? Well why not. It'd been a resounding success. And relax. Ohhhh yes he could definitely go for some of that. And a drink too.
"I'm with Dom on the quiet. And definitely something relaxing. And I need a drink, I think I might have wrenched something in my shoulder loosing that last shot." He turned his eyes down to Ely. "So what do you suggest?"
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 brushed hair back from her face. Her tail was swaying back and forth in a rather rapid fashion. Truth tell she had not had a specific place in mind, she just felt too good to want the evening to end. But, when they both mentioned some place quiet the Hot Springs jumped into her head. It was certainly empty enough these days.
"There is a Hot Springs outside of town, Perry. It's not that far. We could walk there from here. It would take maybe twenty minutes or so. It will be wonderful for your shoulder, too. And, even Dom's fingers!"
Ely had, in fact, decided that even if they were not interested she would spend the next few hours there herself. It was not the quiet she needed but her body could do with the relaxing power of the Springs.
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.”
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 quirked his head to the side again, pondering. Oh he'd been to the hotsprings before. With Ely there even. And with Perry along it might prove to be something quite chuckle worthy, even songworthy. Especially if Kiga caught wind and got the wrong idea. Or maybe the right idea. Who knew?
No, his concern was far more practical than that. "Kitten, playing callouses tend to get softenend up some in water. I tend not to soak my hands if I can help it." He had to admit though, especially after some of the events recently, he could do with a good soak. "I'm gonna need something to take my mind of that. So if we're going there, I want to see if any of the stores or taverns sell rice wine. Can't hit a hot spring without rice wine."
Love, like Hope, has too few letters for a word so powerful.