Re: Act 1, Scene 2: "Taking Care of Business" (Game Thread)

[TristenC]

[OOC: Guilliam, like many others, has finally begun to see Elsa as simply a short woman (She is a 'Tallfellow' halflling after all, and wears tall boots so she's about 4'2"). Still, Guilliam was definitely staring at Mira; but I think Chris knew that and was making a joke. Kender, however are perpetually childlike in height and features. Cal, well, he might eventually be taken for a very short adult (he's only 3'6") but since he's invisible right now... ]

Merrick escorts Jerry down the hall to the others. Guilliam looks shocked when she mentions being outside after dark, but he nods, I will introduce you now and tend to you friends. The inkeeper hurries to the stage and raises his hands to quiet the place down. As soon as he is gone Merrick translates for Jerry (and pyros can hear the translation). Once the common room has been calmed, the group hears Guillam announce, La Rouge Gitane.

[Chris1234]

Jerry claps enthusiastically but in a refrained, ladylike manner.

[Jenara]

"thank you." Taking a deep breath Mira steps out off the last step with a slight limp and lets her hair fall around her shoulders, pulling the shawl around her shoulders she keeps most of herself hidden at first, only allowing the brown skirt to appear as she strides forwards. Lute grasped firmly in her hand she hums softly, the noise increasingly amplified as she appears in stage.

"I am sorry I kept you all waiting, I had a problem.. I hope my performance will make up for the delay." She speaks in clear harmionan, hoping Elsa can keep up with the words taking her seat she takes a deep breath and starts to play.

"Do you think we could be millionaires one day?
Is it possible to fly from my mistakes?
Across the rain, start again
We'll spot all the errors along the way

Do you think we can run away from tears?
Do you think a girl has more than her years?
Across the rain, crashing waves
Maybe we'll be crying on the ocean to sail away."

At this moment she shrugs the shawl off her shoulders, a green bodice that covers the essentials coming Into view as she continues to sing.

"Do you think we would be happy in a great big house far from city
With the sun shining deep
Take it far, far from the fantasy
To the real life and you say it's crazy
And although you still believe
Do you think you could believe in me?

Do you think that love is left better unfaced?
Is it possible to dream yourself awake?
The lights and rains, you start to gaze
Well I've been singing in my sleep these days

Do you think we would be happy in a great,big house far from city
With the sun shining deep
Take it far, far from the fantasy
To the real life and you say it's crazy
And although you still believe
Do you think you could believe in me?
Do you think you could believe in me?

Do you think we could be millionaires one day?
Is it possible to fly from my mistakes?
So tell me
Do you think we would be happy in a great big house far from city
With the sun shining deep
Take it far, far from the fantasy
To the real life and you say it's crazy
And although you still believe
Do you think you could believe in me?
But I promise you , you're all I need
Do you think you could believe in me?
Do you think you could believe in me?"

Do you think

Taking a breath she lets the final note hang on the Lute, and takes a bow (well as much as possible in the Bodice). Strumming quickly she plays a quick piece, the music broken by the words (in common).

"There is a wolf waiting outside the door for you
He's ready to pounce on you.
Or is he ready to muzzle you?
Everything is fire, everything is gone.
Yet you.. Carry on."

Then the music continues.

"Before I sing the next song, I'd like to say thank you. There a few people in the audience who know who they are." Her eyes fix on Pyros. "And if you like the Corset.. Thank the lovely Marie."

With that she starts to play.

"I left my heart out in the rain
Forgot my head in winter again
Drink myself into a grave.
I left my issues at the door,
They don't make me strong at all

They don't make me strong at all,
They won't look better in the morning.
I'm highly strong, never needed anyone!

Don't save me,
I won't learn, because I'm wasted
I keep hurting everyone alone
They've had enough for fortune!
I'm not bleeding, but I try to
Just my way of bleeding anyone
Save me from myself!

I ran away from everyone,
Couldn't face the things I've done,
I'll drink until my memory's gone.
I taught myself how to be cold
I like impulsively ..
So selfish and it chose.
I'm hard to please, never needed to feel free

Don't save me,
I won't learn, because I'm wasted
I keep hurting everyone alone
They've had enough for fortune!
I'm not bleeding, but I try to
Just my way of bleeding anyone
Save me from myself!

I used to feel like flying,
I need something to believe in,
Because I don't believe in myself anymore!
I need to feel like lightning,
The darkness when the morning comes
Because I'm spiraling down, down, down!

Oh, don't save me,
I won't learn, because I'm wasted
I keep hurting everyone alone
They've had enough for fortune!
I'm not bleeding, but I try to
Just my way of bleeding anyone
Save me from myself!

I left my issues at the door,
I don't need them anymore,
They don't look better in the morning!"

Save me.

"That was for someone close to me, I wish he would be here to hear the words... But I think he knows."

She continues to play, the music becoming more instrumental as she scans the crowd.

------------------------------------------

Singing[1d20] = 13

Playing [1d20] = 11

(She opted to play without Cantrips today)

[TristenC]

As she descends into view the common room is scattered with sparse applause. Apparently waiting for over an hour for the performance has not sat well with some of the patrons. A few of the men stare at her outfit and some of the women look at her with disapproval, jealousy, or mixture of both. Mira notes most of those she invited, including Marie, though the woman's husband is absent.

The barred door makes it obvious why the frustrated patrons had not left. Hopefully they won't think it is some ploy. Merrick and Jerry return to their seats at Serath's table, and Pyros finds a place to stand there.

[Nocturno]

Pyros will stand engrossed at the first and last song.

The middle song will get his feet moving and fingers taping.

When it is all over he will hoot and holler.

[Rivi]

cross will cheer along with pyros loving the last song best

[Chris1234]

"Nice tune," says Jerry at the end. She has a nice voice, and claps appreciatively, even though she didn't understand the words.

[Jenara]

"So how are we all tonight? I know some of you are thinking? Is the wait worth it? Let me just say I'm just a girl who is a long way from home... I'm here baring my soul.. Hoping you'll listen." She strums softly, finding the note she wanted.

"The night is hot,
Got a full moon rising
And you know this is the time I get a little bit lonely
And I can't fight it, I can't hide it.
Don't know where you are,
But I want you just like lightning
Shooting straight out of the sky,
Come and strike me with your light igniting
Yeah, igniting.

Gotta get to me, gotta get to me
You gotta spread your wings and start flying.
Like a drop of rain, gotta find the way
Don't hit the brakes, just come and crash through my horizon.
Bring back the air, I need to breathe, baby
You gotta get to me.

The bottle is empty
And I'm dancing in the shadow of a memory.
Yeah, call me crazy
But I still got this girl's dream.
You're gonna show up and kiss me,
Pull me in, hold me tight, love me and carry me away
Like there's no more tomorrows and no more yesterdays.

Gotta get to me, gotta get to me
You gotta spread your wings and start flying.
Like a drop of rain, gotta find the way
Don't hit the brakes, just come and crash through my horizon.
Bring back the air, I need to breathe, baby
You gotta get to me.

Gotta get to me, gotta get to me
You gotta spread your wings and start flying.
Like a drop of rain, gotta find the way
Don't hit the brakes, just come and crash through my horizon.
Bring back the air, I need to breathe, baby
And get to me.
Get to me, get to me, yeah
You gotta get to me.

The night is hot,
Got a full moon rising..."

Hanging on the note she watches the crowd.

(Trying to influence reactions)

[Nocturno]

When it ends, Pyros will applaud, then yell in common: "Play a jig, I'll get these fogies into the act!"

[Jenara]

Mira drops the note and starts to do as Pyros suggests, taking the tempo up as she had planned to do for the next song.

(Mira follows the Grunge idea.. Slow / fast. Quiet / loud.)

[Nocturno]

Once the beat picks up, Pyros will start to dance among the crowd trying to get them excited along with him.

Walking by tapping tables and offering his hand to dance.

[TristenC]

Cross and Elsa find places to stand near the others, but all of the seats have long been taken. A waiter brings them pitchers of ale, water and mead as well as plenty of cups. Guilliam informs Merrick, who translates for the group, that they are welcome to eat in the kitchen since no more tables are available. The swinging door across the common from the stage is propped open and the cook and some servers are listing to the performance between their work.

Her initial songs go over well, but there are still pockets of discomfort or frustration evident. Maries blushes a bit when Mira plugs the shop, and shrinks a little from certain attentions. During the first songs a waitress sets a cup and a pitcher of water and a bowl for collections on the side of the stage. Gradually the mood of the room relaxes and she plays her next song with the intention of encouraging the change. As the final strains die out it is obvious her plan is working. People have begun to focus on the music itself more than the circumstances of the last hour. A few make donations between song or trips to the privy or bar.

Mira strikes up a jig at Pyros' urging and the Kender begins to dance around as much as the space allows. He hops around to random people, offering to dance. The Harmonian's smile and laugh at his antics, and one lady even pinches his cheeks! He feels a tap on his shoulder and looks to see Elsa behind him, turning back and forth slightly and grinning at him. I'll dance with you. She looks up at him through long lashes, her sort blonde hair framing her face neatly.

-----
Wayfarer Patrons save vs Influence Reactions [1d20] = 7: Fail. The crowd's mood improves from neutral to friendly.

Her initial performance actually moved them from frustrated to neutral. The bard skill improved it further, but had the potential to drive it the other way.

[Nocturno]

Pyros will take her hand and will lead her through the gaps of the crowd. He will whoop, cheer or clap where appropriate.

[Chris1234]

"Want to?" Jerry asks Merrick, indicating those people dancing.

[Jenara]

"I almost wish I could dance with you." She smiles, standing with her lute, "Have you ever danced in the rain...?" She asks, grinning at Elsa and Pyros. "I have... I hope you have too."

"Dance in the rain
With clouds at your heels
Rosebuds refreshed
The calming one feels

Life is the present
There's no need to wait
Throw back the shutters
And unlock the gate

Dance in the rain
As it cleanses the sky
No tears on sun's cheeks
And no need to cry

Life is what's happening
Through clouds or gray
Sunshine or snowflakes
They're all nature's way

Dance in the rain
It's all part of life
Let hope, your umbrella
Guide you through strife

Dance in the rain
And when clouds tend to loom
Welcome their darkness
Into the room

Life is for living
Through storms, joy and pain
Always remember to
DANCE IN THE RAIN"

The tempo is fast, the tune light and airy.. she resists the urge to summon a small rain shower and instead plays on, the tempo upping slightly as she motions for Elsa and Pyros to continue dancing. As Merrick and Jerry go to stand she feels a small pang of pain.

"Please, everyone dance if you can find room." She giggles through notes, repeating the same in Common.

"The girl goes dancing there
On the leaf-sown, new-mown, smooth
Grass plot of the garden;
Escaped from bitter youth,
Escaped out of her crowd,
Or out of her black cloud.
Ah, dancer, ah, sweet dancer!

If strange men come from the house
To lead her away, do not say
That she is happy being crazy;
Lead them gently astray;
Let her finish her dance,
Let her finish her dance.
Ah, dancer, ah, sweet dancer!"

Kneeling on the stool once more, her hair flys at her shoulders, framing her face as she starts to play a light tune, one reminiscent of the Gpysy tunes she heard on the Caravan.

The woods are full of faeries!
The trees are all alive;
The river overflows with them,
See how they dip and dive!
What funny little fellows!
What dainty little dears!
They dance and leap, and prance and peep,
And utter fairy cheers!

I'd like to tame a fairy,
To keep it on a shelf,
And dress its little self.
I'd teach it pretty manners,
It always should say "please",
And then you know I'd make it sew,
And curtsey with its knees!