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Re: Glimmer [Finn]
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2021 9:41 pm
by Arvælyn
The exaggerated bow yielded a withering sidelong glance from Arvalyn, whose jaw tensed slightly. Being an imposter, he was ever on guard. The suspicion that he might be eliciting ridicule by not passing as the intended race or economic class rendered him self-conscious which, in this instance, presented itself as umbrage.
He strode a bit ahead of Finn, his steps were long and graceful- That of a dancer, ever mindful of the angles of his body in motion or in repose. Long ears perked as the street minstrel began to impart his knowledge in advance of any agreement between them. A free sample or perhaps Finn's way of imparting that Arvalyn was to pick up the bill for his lunch.
"I try to be relaxed." He responded. His left hand rose to gently rub his throat, a leather, bronze-studded brace covered the wrist. "But I have tension in my neck, when I sing high or sustain a note overlong. I don't know how to get rid of that. It isn't something I've been able to just... Will away." He griped, with a grimace.
"A boy observed my rehearsal this morning, and was very complimentary. I think it was the storytelling, as you say, but I've not had the opportunity to perform alone before a proper audience. Not out on the street, nor anywhere else." He led them halfway up the next street, and then gestured to the left down an alleyway. Sidestepping a scurrying rat, he made his way toward a wooden sign which was emblazoned with the image of a three-legged stool tipped precariously up onto one leg, whilst another was cracking in half. A little burst of three lines seemed to indicate that the crack was in progress.
"More a broken stool than wobbly, I know, but this is the place." He gestured for Finn to enter ahead of him.
Re: Glimmer [Finn]
Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2021 11:00 pm
by Finn
Finn drew back a bit when Arvalyn's reaction to him seemed to cool. But he listened to what the elf said, nodding. He also watched how he moved, which gave him ideas, as well. He wasn't a teacher, really, so he supposed he would have to listen and point out what he observed, things that he knew tricks for fixing, whether something he learned from a teacher or from experience. Perhaps when Arvalyn was a bit more confident, he would graduate to a teacher who truly understood the pedagogy of singing and performing better than Finn did himself.
He looked up at the sign, then to his companion, and smiled. "Thank you."
Inside, it was much like many of the places he performed—higher than the Low-City, but not so fine as other venues. He indicated a corner with a table that had more room than some of the others if he was going to pull out the lute. With Arvalyn's approval, he headed in that direction, sitting with his back to the door so Arvalyn could have the bench against the wall
"If you don't mind me saying," he began again, more diffidently now, "you walk gracefully. I haven't seen you perform yet, but it made me think — a lot of singers will just stand up there and do their thing, but if your body understands rhythm, that can be a really powerful foundation. I don't think you saw me playing anything where this would be obvious, but I find that when I'm playing the melody and rhythm, if I dance the subdivisions, it helps get the music into my body. Even though I'm certainly no dancer, I personally find that it helps me shake some of my tension. I will probably tell you lots of different things to try, by the bye. I would encourage you to at least try them. If they don't work for you, though, don't use them. We all have different voices and different ways of using them. So, I can guide, but you really have to take the journey."
Re: Glimmer [Finn]
Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2021 1:29 pm
by Arvælyn
Arvalyn nodded assent as Finn gestured toward the corner table, and followed as the human led. He claimed the seat against the wall, perching straight-backed and regarding his tutor-to-be.
"I don't mind in the least." The apparent Hytori smiled faintly. He realised he'd been reticent, thus far. Back in the open street he was nervous about being seen or overheard by a colleague or regular patron from his place of employment. It wouldn't serve the image he wished to nurture if he were to be found entreating a street musician for vocal tips. To his mind, that was not a stop on the golden path to stardom. In reality, however, he felt it might be a necessary one.
"To be candid, Finn, I am an entertainer professionally, but I'm..." He leaned across the table and lowered his voice just above a whisper, "...a chorus boy." His tone in the saying was some marriage of disdainful and apologetic. "At the Velvet Cabaret." He was a bit anxious to share this much information with the human stranger, but if they were to work together on so intimate an instrument as Arvalyn's voice, there would need to be some element of trust.
"So I am not a complete dilettante. I dance and I've sung in ensemble settings, but they never give me the chance to take centre stage with an entire solo to myself. I think it's because my voice could still use work, but it might just be that they don't like me. I don't know, I'll let you decide." He paused, nodding.
"I am prepared to work, worry not. This past year I've striven to get better and the results have been palpable, but I am eager to surpass this plateau. I'm wanting for a breakthrough..." He paused, "Oh, whenever you're ready to order, you just go up to the bar. The menu is on the wall behind it." He reached into his coin purse and handed a gold piece over, "Please bring back the change."
Re: Glimmer [Finn]
Posted: Mon Feb 08, 2021 5:46 pm
by Finn
"Ah," Finn said, face lighting up a bit in recognition. "I have played the Cabaret a handful of times when they needed an extra musician. They always seemed quite nice, but I suppose I was never seen as competition — just the hired help. I can see how they might get territorial around you when there's only so much limelight to be had. A strong work ethic is important. Every instructor I've ever had has told me that talent gets you in the door, but hard work and training get you the job. Or... various versions of that sentiment. But I'll do what I can to help, and I guess you can pay what you think my help is worth. Singing is a talent; critiquing and nurturing another voice is a separate talent. But if you find me insufficient, I can also point you to a few solid teachers or... maybe you can do what I did: get the attention from someone in House Zatrian for patronage at the Academy. I'm going to learn Mythrasi while I'm there. Oh..."
He took the golden coin. "Thank you. Would you like anything?"
Arvalyn's answer in his pocket, he went to the bar to place their order. His own was modest: a bowl of whatever was stewing in the kitchen and a mug of spiced cider. When he returned, he set a decent amount of change in front of the elf.
"So I was thinking... since I don't have any sort of, like, curriculum for you, why don't we focus on creating a solo for you? I do a little composition myself, so I can help you write it. As I get to know your vocal strengths and weaknesses, we can compose around those. And all the while, I can help you with tips and exercises to release vocal tension and whatever other hurdles we find along the way? Then, perhaps, by the time we've finished it, you'll have something to audition with. Something tailored to make you and your voice shine." He watched Arvalyn carefully, wanting an honest response but not knowing him well enough to guess what he would say.
Re: Glimmer [Finn]
Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2021 12:51 am
by Arvælyn
"Indeed." Arvalyn inclined his head, "It's not awful, by any means and I'd say in general the musicians aren't as catty as the singers who don't play instruments, the dancers... Oh, and don't get me started on the career hookers, they're the worst." He was no stranger to the most intimate of private command performances himself, but that was always with an eye for advancement. And, for whatever reason, his coworkers who made all their money in that arena came off surlier to him than those who dabbled in other work.
"I have the work ethic. Lunaria tells me so, and I'll prove it to you, as well. I am tireless when it comes to things I care about, and there's nothing I care about more than improving as a performer. I consider this my life's work- I won't let you down." He said with a firm nod.
"Ah, no thank you." He sat back and lowered his head, slightly as Finn slipped off to place the order. Arvalyn had partaken of his shift meal not long ago, and preferred to eat for free when at all possible. He rarely went to pubs at all, unless someone else was paying. He only felt obliged in this instance in the hopes that it was an investment that would pay off in his education. He suspected he would work better with a teacher who actually liked him, and Arvalyn liked people more when they bought him things, so he paid it forward to Finn.
When Finn returned with his food and an idea for their future work together, Arvalyn's eyes widened.
"You mean... a brand new song? Just for me?" His spine straightened and his expression softened to an extent hitherto unseen by Finn. He was utterly disarmed, to the point where a bit of the guileless Arvine of the past might have slipped out of the meticulous Arvalyn of the present.
"Yes. Yes, I think I would like that very much." For just a moment before he cast them down toward the table, his eyes seemed to glimmer.
Re: Glimmer [Finn]
Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2021 5:12 pm
by Finn
"Excellent," he said, grinning. Finn had exhibited a bit of showmanship while busking, but in person, he was largely in earnest—tentatively gregarious until he knew how his audience would react to him.
"This way, you get the added benefit of my instructors at the Academy, albeit indirectly. As we work on your song, I can take its various iterations to show them and get input as we work. It'll likely end up more sophisticated, more polished for their input. We might even have you perform it for a couple of them to see if they have ideas for making it better suit your voice." After a momentary pause, he beamed. "Well, I hope you're excited because now I am. I've only ever written for my own voice and... if someone else wanted to sing one of my songs, that's great. But it'll be a new challenge writing specifically for someone else's talents."
That said, he took a sip of the cider to warm his throat and then tucked into his stew. His manners were perfectly adequate. He just didn't want it to get cold now that he was thawing out in the warm taproom. He swallowed.
"We should think up some topics, some themes, some... any ideas to help us hit on the winner. I mean, it ought to be teasing and at least vaguely sexual if you're singing it at the Cabaret. Hm. And we should decide if it's something you will dance to... how strenuous the dancing will be so that we make sure you have the breath support to sing it as well..." His mind was at least still in the game while his hands were busy feeding his stomach. Finn thought better when he wasn't hungry, in any case.
Re: Glimmer [Finn]
Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2021 12:50 pm
by Arvælyn
"Instructors? An an academy?!" Saucer-wide twin suns gaped in disbelief at the notion that he might be asked to perform in an academic setting. He was the farthest thing from classically trained. Arvalyn hadn't been properly 'trained' at all, and his entire term as a singer had lasted little more than a year. The idea of being put in front of scholars in the area filled Arvalyn with equal parts ecstatic hope and abject dread. His critics at the cabaret were little more than philistines next to academicians. This could answer, once and for all, whether he had any natural talent whatsoever worth honing, or whether his dreams of stardom as a chanteur were misplaced.
"I don't think I've ever been more excited in my life!" He said, sliding his chair around closed to Finn so he could throw his arms around the human for a proper squeeze. He hummed happily into his shoulder where he buried his face, and hid the glassy tint that glistened in his eyes at this prospect.
After a lengthy, enthusiastic embrace, Arvalyn withdrew and met Finn's gaze a tad sheepishly, as he scooted his chair back toward the wall.
"I think, maybe, something without much dancing... I'd like to focus on my voice, first. Maybe in the future, if... If all goes well, and you don't hate working with me, we can do more songs and I can do some with movement in mind." He trailed off, and glanced down.
"Can I ask you..." He hesitated, "If it's all right, Finn, maybe I could help with the lyrics? You can say no, if that's part of what you want to work on. I just think I might not be terrible. My friend Aurin says I'm clever sometimes, and I make up lots of little puns and rhymes." He bit his lip, then sat upright and cleared his throat:
"There once was a boy from Kalzasi,
He thought he was terribly classy.
At least til one day,
At the old cabaret,
When his singing paid less than his ass...y"
Re: Glimmer [Finn]
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 12:09 am
by Finn
The shift from the noble elf slumming it in the Plaza to the vehement embrace had been rather quick, all told. Finn hadn't known Arvalyn long at all, but he smiled dumbly for a while afterward. He wasn't displeased in the least, but certainly surprised. When they were working on this project, perhaps he would have to open up and listen to the elf's symphony to get a better sense of who he as and what he was trying to express. That would also give him some warning of a sudden shift in mood, at least.
"Well, I'm certain you could attend if you chose," he managed after a moment. "Even if you didn't want to go full-time, the instructors give private lessons as well. That's what I meant when I said I'd help you find someone else if I prove insufficient to your needs. Well, I know some teachers who aren't at the Academy as well, but... hey, music is meant to be shared. I might as well share the resources available to me, as well." He smiled.
He guffawed at the lyrics.
"I think it would be best to sing without dancing if you're trying to focus on your vocal work," he said, nodding. "And we can certainly collaborate on the lyrics. Or, I mean, you can write the lyrics yourself if you prefer and I'll write the music. We would certainly be trading ideas back and forth on both regardless. But those are decisions that needn't be made right now, not until we start actually collaborating and see... how that works. But humor is good! There's supposed to be an element of humor in cabaret performances... I mean, from what I understand. You're the professional." He laughed self-deprecatingly. "I'm just a fill-in musician who sings whatever dirty ditties come to mind while the courtesans charm the wallets out of people."
He grinned. Having been a musician there, even though it had only been on occasion, he had been treated more as a comrade-in-arms than a client. Better, probably, since he wasn't any sort of competition, though he liked to think he was more handsome than average. They had all been rather delightful—funny or witty, charming or just plain hot. He just didn't have the swagger to audition for a full-time job there. Anyway, things were taking him in a different direction entirely.
Going back to the last of his stew, he found himself rather optimistic now.
"Who knows...? Perhaps some of my term projects will require harmonies and I'll have to beg the famous Arvalyn to sing duets with me."
Re: Glimmer [Finn]
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 12:26 pm
by Arvælyn
Arvalyn's sunny eyes were at High Noon, as the suggestion that he might actually attend an academy. That was honestly something he'd never, ever considered. Even when he was fully in character, the notion was just so alien to a boy like him, that it had never even felt like a remote prospect. His ilk were allowed to be clever in their way, but in the way that was praised in academia.
"Oh..." He blushed, "I'm sure I couldn't afford to attend an academy." He frowned slightly, "We still need to figure out how I'm to compensate you for your time." His brow knitted at the sudden onset of fear that, perhaps, Arvalyn couldn't provide enough to be worthwhile and this golden opportunity would pass him by. His heart sank at the thought that this might pass like the first time he'd met Aurin and failed. He couldn't let that happen again. He'd do anything to hold onto this opportunity. He lifted his head and tilted his head, seemingly struck by a revelation.
"Maybe that's why they never pick my songs... I like to sing sad ones the most. The one I've been practicing is really, um..." He paused to think of the word, before finding it: "Wistful." At the mention of Finn's time working at the cabaret, Arvalyn considered.
"I can't imagine you ever played whilst I was working." He noted, as his eyes scanned over the minstrel's face. "You're very striking and I'm sure I would remember your blue eyes and that nice hair..." He trailed off and, after a moment, felt awkward about the silence he'd engendered.
"How's the food? I've never had the stew. I like the pasties, best."
Re: Glimmer [Finn]
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2021 11:06 pm
by Finn
"Oh, I can't afford the Academy either," he hastned to assure the noble elf. "It's a funny story, really. I had sort of hit a plateau with my career as well... There are just so many people with an instrument and a voice who can work a crowd in this city. Anyway, I was wearing my best and rubbing elbows with people far out of my class... Really, I was trying to get a feel for a venue that I might hope to play one day where the clientele have more money to share when they are entertained and deep in their cups. I made the mistake of winning too many hands at cards with a nobleman and he started screaming that I had to be cheating... A man like that can ruin your life, you know? Without batting an eyelash. So I was ready to just hand over all my winnings to keep the peace. To keep my skin. And wouldn't you know it...? The Shinsei himself stepped in. Well, I gave over my winnings still because a drunk lordling who feels himself abused could so easily end my career before it's gone anywhere... But the Shinsei offered me a seat, to share his wine, and asked for a song. He persuaded me to audition for Great House Zatrian. They are the patrons of learning in the City. And the arts, as well. Anyway, I took all season practically to prepare, but they liked me well enough to foot the bill for tuition. Unfortunately, a man still has to eat and pay for a roof over his head, so I'm working just as much. Now I just have so little free time."
Realizing Arvalyn might take that as a brush off, he was quick to add, "But working with you, that will be time spent on my education and working on skills for my career as well."
He didn't mention compensation again. It was one of his failings, not demanding what he was worth. But if Arvalyn was feeding him for his time and seemed worried about compensating him, that was a good sign. It would be nice to have a little income, even if it was just something to barter. He wouldn't feel quite so strapped for time and needing to go perform most nights.
"Oh, you're too kind," he said, flushing faintly. "I'm easy on the eyes, I suppose, but all you courtesans are on another level entirely." He found his eyes settling on the golden youth a hint too long and he looked down at his bowl. He had scraped it clean.
"The food is good. Stews always seem best to me in winter. Comforting, warming. You know. Ah... but wistful. Wistful can be good. Perhaps they want you to prove you can command the crowd alone before they let you choose your own music? I'm not certain how it works there for you. I was just told to keep people laughing, keep them drinking, and keep them thinking about sex even if they couldn't afford what was on that menu."