play me a song [Finn]

[Talon]

At Finn’s reaction to his introduction, Talon could only laugh. He shook his head waving away the formality suggested by the minstrel.

“I think we are well past such formalities.” Talon finished the wine sitting in his glass then set it gently upon the table. He leaned forward so that he could sit more upright and cast his gaze around the room.

“There is a time and place for such things. Right here? Right now? It is neither the time or place. I invited you to my table to make you feel welcome not because I want you to stand on ceremony.” He thought about some of the events that were upcoming in the season ahead. He would observe enough ceremonial etiquette with his duties to his family and some of the plans for the winter season.

“Lord Haleth’s conduct is no one’s fault but his own. Sadly, he falls under the banner of a House other than my own.” Talon shook his head, banishing the frown that had crossed his features as he thought on Harleth’s conduct. He found it unbecoming of a nobleman to act in such a way, especially where interacting with the common folk were concerned. He regarded the minstrel curiously for a moment before running a hand through his hair. A habitual gesture that he was always being told revealed too much of his mood and thoughts. Talon could not help it, the movement helped to ease his mind and help him think.

“You say you moved to the city. Did you come from one of the outlying villages? One of the other states?” Soon enough it would be expected of Talon to begin making visits to the territories that fell within the sovereignty of Kalzasi. With his father making a point to visit their sister cities, working to bolster their relations in light of recent tensions, he knew that some of the duties within the city-state would soon fall to him to uphold.

[Finn]

"Easy for you to say," he said without thinking, then immediately regretted it. But rather than apologize as was his knee-jerk reaction, he tried to go with the flow of this strange encounter. The events of the evening had already thrown him for a loop. "If you would be so kind as to give me some warning when I should go back to reality, I'd be much obliged. Don't want to get dropped into the Warrens from cloud-level if at all possible."

The minstrel's grin was almost impish. Perhaps the wine and the prince's largesse had made him bold. All the same, he made sure his posture was correct and his manners as well, if not stiffly formal. His father had told him and his siblings that real manners were only meant to put people at ease, to grease the wheels of socialization and interaction, not to be some rigid list of rules to be obeyed because one was told to. Finn wasn't sure that the nobility's version was less arbitrary, though. He had seen them interact from afar, some of them performing like it was some great ballet or masque. It was fascinating but hardly designed to put anyone at ease.

"Thank you for interceding," he added. "It just seemed better to lose the money than to make of Lord Harleth an enemy for life. I haven't any of the protections of rank and once out of your sight, he could punish me with impunity." Going on to answer the prince's questions, "I grew up a bit less than a day's cart ride from Kalzasi. A village on the lake, not consequential enough to have a name. Ma's a smith; Da raised us. Uncle lives in the city, though, and I started spending more time here when it became clear I was better with a lute than a hammer, though..." he made a comical display of self-importance, "I can shoe a horse as well as any professional blacksmith."

His lute was cradled in his lap in case the prince should require another song, but he rubbed his chin and took up his glass of wine for a thoughtful sip in the meantime.

"I believe our little hamlet falls under the jurisdiction of one of House Senue's vassals, but I can't be sure. The tax collector didn't bother wearing livery. She'd been at her job as long as I can remember. Now I live in the Low-City, though. I don't own anything, so I don't know who my feudal lord should be except you, Shinsei. I don't suppose you need a musical biographer to follow you around writing ballads about your heroic deeds...?"

He grinned but certainly a small part of him hoped against hope that the jest might become a reality.

[Talon]

“Many things are easy to say.” Talon let the statement drift between them before laughing at what followed. “Knowing the Warrens, you are likely to fall somewhere that you will survive. For a time at any rate.”

The brief mention of the Warrens made the muscles between Talon’s shoulders twitch. He rubbed at the now mended wound on his shoulders almost subconsciously. He could still feel the scrape of teeth as they ripped into his flesh. He could still remember the jarring pain that made him completely black out and scream as though his every muscle was being burned with white hot pokers. He blinked away the memory and focused on what Finn was saying. It would not do to dwell on such unpleasant thoughts. They were behind him. It was best to leave them there. At the thanks, Talon merely bowed his head slightly but Finn’s next words made the Novalys heir’s brow furrow in genuine concern.

“Are the streets so poorly patrolled and the law so infirm that such a thing worries you?” It was a genuine question. Kalzasi was not perfect. Talon knew that. He was also well aware of the fact that not all of the noble houses held their vassals to such high standards as his own family. But if there was one thing he did not question, or at least he did not care to question, it was that the people of his country could believe in the justice of Kalzasi’s laws. The nobles, not even the Great Houses, were so lofty in their position that they could avoid being held to the laws of the Elder Council. It was one of the reasons his father, the Shokaze, was not the law maker but rather the law enforcer of the realm.

“Kalzasi is a place filled with dangers but…” Talon studied Finn closely. “...I would have thought we were better than that.” This disturbed Talon to no end that a common man would live in fear of his life for merely sticking up for his honor in a simple tavern.

It was something he would bring up with the council when next they were in session. While his father was away, meeting with the leaders of their allied city-states, some of his ceremonial duties in the council chambers had fallen to Talon to assume. It was an honorary gesture, one the council did not have to extend, but it was granted to him nevertheless. In matters of voting for House Novalys, his mother still stood in for their family. He wondered if soon that matter would fall to him as well.

“You have shoed many horses then?” Talon arched an eyebrow before smiling, glad for the more lighthearted tone. “I would know a thing or two about the forge. My trade is that of a craftsman when I am not called to my duties to our people. So, while I cannot say that I am searching for a personal bard, I have been in search of an apprentice to help me around my shop. If ever you set down the lute and take up the hammer, perhaps you should visit me at the Skyforge in the Plaza of Jeweled Arches.”

Before Talon could say more, Aoren approached the table. Talon turned to regard his companion warmly. The man made a show of making a formal bow.

“Great Shinsei, I am afraid we must depart for the night. You have a busy morning.” The raven winged Avialae winked at Finn before waiting on Talon expectantly. The Novalys heir sighed.

“Yes. It is that time.” He smiled at Finn. Reaching onto his belt, Talon grabbed the small coin pouch at his hip. He set it on the table in front of the minstrel. “For your time and the pleasant company. And Finn?”

Talon’s grey eyes studied the human for a moment.

“Consider seeking a patron from House Zatrian. I think you would make a skilled addition to the College of the Arts.” Bowing his head, Talon turned to accompany his companion and bodyguard out of the tavern.

Off Topic

You may add +30 gp to your ledger. Courtesy of Talon!

[Mirage]

Talon

Lores
Etiquette: How to settle physical disputes in Kalzasi
Leadership: Demanding nobility act honorably
Persuasion: Coercing with coin
Persuasion: Convincing a performer of their worth
Intimidation: Using status to force compliance
Intimidation: Using stature to coerce compliance

Loot:
- 30 gp

Injuries: N/A

Points 8


Finn

Lores
Music: Improvising a Set List;
Music: Playing Unfinished Work for an Audience
Lute: Playing With Shaking Hands
Negotiation: Talking Down Rich Drunk A-holes
Persuasion: Proposing Win-Win Scenarios
Politics: Basic Novalys v. Senue.
Singing: Humming
Survival: Surviving Rich People
Survival: How Rich People Are

Loot:
+ 30 gp

Injuries: N/A

Points 8

Comments:You know, combat threads with tons of action are fun, but threads like this are really what I love to read. This was awesome. Finn I really enjoy reading your writing. If I had to describe it, it feels 'soft'. Not harsh or difficult, but pulls you in like a warm blanket in winter. I also liked the dynamics between Talon and his brother, something that I enjoy seeing is the interplay between players and NPC's. All in all, fantastic. More of these, please!

Unrelated, but Talon really is a big spender isn't he!

Question your Reality,
Mirage