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A Reunion, Surprise!
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2021 9:34 pm
by Urs Wardell
2nd of Frost, 120 AS; The Hillsglade House
“I could recognize him by touch alone, by smell; I would know him blind, by the way his breaths came and his feet struck the earth. I would know him in death, at the end of the world.” - Madeline Miller, the Song of Achilles
The parlor was, ordinarily, one of Urs' preferred rooms. Large, arched windows covered the walls, offering views that stretched out over the winter garden. The floors, varnished maple (imported), were covered in hand-woven multicolored rugs. The ceiling, textured and painted, giving the already impressive room an expansive feeling. Chairs of all sizes decorated the room in a random pattern, a strange fashion that had recently infected the elite of Adira's Promenade. A few crowded by the ornate stone fireplace, which was always tended to in Frost.
And in the morning, sunlight tinged everything gold.
Urs had spent the last few days lounging, alone aside the servants required to maintain the hearth. He'd read or draw or do nothing, content to watch the snow-covered lawns for hours. He'd wonder and idle, enjoying the privacy and the vastness of parlor, trying very hard to ignore more pressing matters.
Today, however, Urs wasn't alone in the room; in fact, it was crowded. Nobles dolled up in silks, furs, and expensive make-up. Servants trapped in suits and balancing trays of canapés. Musicians, dressed to the nines, carrying (or lugging) their instruments around the room.
"I liked the violinist," Gaston said, his wings extended solely to impress himself, something he did even in private. Always irritating, but in a crowded room, it was claustrophobic.
Urs nodded, grabbing a cracker loaded with cheese and jam, "Who's next?"
"Not sure - but father would like to have someone picked out for the wedding soon."
Urs ate the cracker and immediately started looking for champagne. It was early, but this was supposed to serve as some sort of party. They'd invited musicians from across the land to perform for a chance to entertain one of the most important events of the year. His wedding.
Re: A Reunion, Surprise!
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:20 am
by Finn
Though he had begun to attend classes at the Academy, the patronage of House Zatrian only went so far. Finn was still playing quite often for coin. Though it rankled to be here at an Avialae lord's house to play for nothing, the uncertainty of the future meant he was at the mercy of those who had money and influence and were willing to pay—at least in theory at some future point. He was committed to his renewed study of music, but he didn't feel at all comfortable counting the continued patronage of a noble house as a surefire thing. If it failed, it wasn't like he could throw himself upon Talon Novalys' mercy. Though their stations were wildly different, he felt a friendly sort of kinship for the man who had pointed him on this path. He didn't want to fail.
He didn't want to go hungry either.
Even early winter in Kalzasi was cold enough to remind a man that he had no desire to be homeless for his art. And so here he was at Hillsglade House, playing for free as a sort of audition for the lord's impending nuptials. At least, Finn was resigned to the fact that this would be unpaid. When a lord's man didn't lay out terms beforehand, it was as good as sure they would be paying in exposure to the elite crowd attending the social event. And so the minstrel was there, playing the rich man's game.
The lord's man snapped his fingers to get Finn's attention and made a peremptory gesture with his hand. Painting an urbane smile over the sincere one that came with performing, he brought his song to a close and followed him to be presented to the lord of the manor.
"My lord," the unctuous man declaimed, then paused, muttering, "what's your name again?"
"Finn, my lord," he announced, stepping past the forgetful servant, bowing over his lute to the son of Dahshida. Well, he was handsome. Finn was convinced that all Gods-blessed Avialae were attractive creatures. "Hopefully Finn the Fantastic."
Re: A Reunion, Surprise!
Posted: Fri Jan 08, 2021 8:10 pm
by Urs Wardell
It felt like forever ago, when he'd held choice firmly in his grasp. When he hoped to make the ground the illusion of freedom into something real. When, once upon a time, he wasn't a promise and he should've stayed. When, instead of running, he should have embraced rumor and scandal, two weapons to bare against his family name.
He caught his past, in-between introductions.
"...Gaston Dahshida, the Fourth Son of the Current Lord and...," it was easy, now, to tune him out. They'd spent weeks together, before the official announcement, to ensure compatibility. He hadn't needed to the time to see through to his insecurities, his titles wielded like shields to defend his precious ego. Gaston would go on, for hours, for days if he could, about his own accomplishments, his natural ability, and his family. Things he couldn't brandish and leave on his walls.
It was all Urs could do to not roll his eyes. Instead he prepared The Smile. Uneven, a gentle curve, kind, but knowing. Understanding. The impression of a shared pain, a secret one, a 'let him talk, he needs it, just smile like this and...'.
But The Smile, of course, wasn't intended for lovers, past or present. No, because, sadly, it was the same expression he used for flirting.
"And this, sprite creature, is my promised, Urs Zauber of...," Urs didn't catch the rest. It didn't matter. He knew his name, he knew the titles he'd inherit by marriage, he knew the things Gaston liked to discuss. Finn. The man who surprised him, twice now, once in bed and now here, in public. He'd been so sure even if Finn had managed to get an invitation, he wouldn't brave his face - certainly not for free.
And yet, here he was. All of him, every square inch, his smile so kind his eyes so beautiful.
"Hello, Mr. Finn," he said, The Smile now contorted into a stretched warning. Not here, not now. "You play for House Zatrian, correct? I've heard great things about you talent."
Re: A Reunion, Surprise!
Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2021 10:43 pm
by Finn
Not rightly certain why a scion of House Dahshida would have his titles regaled to a Low-City minstrel, Finn maintained an amiable mien all the while. And then, Urs of House Zauber—well, that was a name he knew. Urs was the one that mattered. Zauber meant little to him. They had met in a park. There had been music. Later, there had been another kind of music. If he had been hopeful when they parted, the hope had long ago died. Urs Zauber hadn't broken his heart, but he might have bruised it. Silly Finn, believing in the things he sang about.
His smile didn't falter. It was easier to wear his mask around the rich and powerful. The only person who had made him feel like his identity was sufficient in any company was Talon Novalys. Here he wasn't unctuous as the man who introduced him to the lord of the manor, but he knew his place. A minstrel could get away with a bit of jest, much like a jester, but it was only because they were seen to have no power. Artists could speak to power in that way.
He didn't know Urs well—well, he only knew parts of him well—but he recognized the warning. The lordling needn't have bothered; Finn was neither vengeful nor desirous of the vengeance of Urs' intended. Virginity needn't be prized in a marriage between those who could not procreate, but one never knew with the rich and powerful.
"House Zatrian has undertaken to patronize my further education at the Academy, yes, but I still support myself with my music." His hand caressed the curve of his lute. No, he only touched it to indicate how he got by, but his hand touched it with all the care in the world. Perhaps Urs remembered his hands, though, strong, rough from the calluses of music and sword grips, but beautiful to look at, whether pulling music out of the aether or pleasure out of a lover. He didn't begin to play, though, waiting to be told what the master of the house wanted from him.
Though, of course, he had to wonder now if he was well and truly wasting his time. Though he bore the pretty man no ill will, he didn't know if Urs would want someone he had slept with playing at his wedding. Regardless, his face gave none of that away. He supposed he was happy for Urs, who would have all the comforts of life in a Great House now.
Re: A Reunion, Surprise!
Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2021 8:46 pm
by Urs Wardell
Urs considered the lute as if it were his romantic rival.
It was pear-shaped, and wooden, which he supposed were points in his favor. The lute had a longer neck than he did. It had strings, fifteen he counted, which was more than he had. It could be played to sing, but so could Urs, as Finn had demonstrated so readily. And, perhaps most damning, the lute was there, by Finn, and Urs was here, by Gaston.
He watched as Finn caressed the lute and felt jealousy twist his stomach. He could imagine it still, the bard's touch. Calloused fingers that could shock noise from stone.
"Zatrian?" Gaston's lips soured into a frown. "How do you find them?"
"Well enough that he's agreed to their sponsorship, I imagine," Urs answered for him. He had no tolerance for small talk, not at these events, not with his fiancé so annoyingly close. He wouldn't allow Gaston to torture Finn with idle prattle. Well, he would, just not when he had was around to listen.
"I've heard you play before," he said, reaching out as a waiter passed with a tray of champagne. "At a cousin's wedding. She married an ambassador from some southern city-state," he sipped from the glass, bubbles tickling his tongue. "That was some time ago. I doubt you remember it, or me." Urs smiled, coy, pretending this wasn't a conversation they hadn't had before - he wondered if Finn would catch on.
Perhaps this too could end up where that conversation had led them, with Urs in the lute's place. Urs was beginning to hate the instrument. He fantasized smashing it against the floor.
"He is extremely talented, even my grandmother thought so. She doesn't usually compliment people."
Gaston considered Finn and his lute. "Play something, then, Finn. Show me what Zatrian saw in you."
Re: A Reunion, Surprise!
Posted: Wed Jan 13, 2021 4:10 pm
by Finn
"An amusing story, perhaps, my lord," he began. Urs was trying to hurry things along, but Finn wasn't about to ignore a question from a Dahshida. But he was getting better at gauging how long and how in depth his stories ought to go for any given audience, the which was more difficult with the upper crust because to him they were like another species entirely. Well, Avialae were, in fact, almost another species.
"I made the mistake of winning at cards against a lord in Prince Rien's inn. When he took issue with this—the lord, not Prince Rien—the Shinsei stepped in to defuse the situation, thankfully. I gave up my winnings to keep the peace." He was still a bit glum about that. Financial security was no laughing matter for an artist. He invited me to his table to play for him and suggested I seek patronage from House Zatrian as they are great patrons of the arts and education. I prepared for nearly an entire season, but he proved wiser than me, and so now I split my time between the Academy and musical venues."
That seemed succinct enough.
"Thank you, my lord," he said with a shallow bow for Urs, who had always made a point of not being a lord. It wasn't a dig, exactly—he would be a lord as soon as he exchanged vows with Gaston Dahshida. For a brief moment, he wondered if all parts of an Avialae were as massive as their shoulders. Perhaps slender, slight Urs would have his work cut out for him loving one.
As they gave him no prompt, he took a chance on B-flat major. It was simple and sweet, but suitable for a first dance at a formal wedding reception. He didn't know if they would let him get to the parts that swelled and soared, but it was more organic to build to them than start just before them. His voice, too, started simple and sweet. Urs might appreciate its earnestness. Gaston might appreciate how it spoke to building something that lasted the test of time.
Time would quickly tell how his song was received.
Heart beats fast, colors and promises
How to be brave?
How can I love when I'm afraid to fall?
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer
I have died every day waiting for you
Darling, don't be afraid
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more.
Re: A Reunion, Surprise!
Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2021 5:23 pm
by Mirage
Finn
Lores
Acting
We've Never Met Before
Drawing Attention to an Object
Gauging the Audience
Music: Lute
Romantic Chords
Singing
Tonal Control
Earnest Emotion
Etiquette
Don't Ignore Questions
Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A
Points 8
Urs
Lores
Please PM me for these when you are back.
Loot: N/A
Injuries: N/A
Points 8