00 Searing 122
“Can you play?”
As excited as the question had been asked, the woman’s stomach turned at the phrasing. Can she play? Like she merely carried around her instrument for the fun of it. A guitar strapped to her back, there only for the look of it. If it had not been for the heat, maybe the simmering of distaste she felt toward the question would have been lessened. Beads of sweat swiped away from her brow as she grimaced in response, blinked hair from her eyes. The choppy mess of her bangs had not been rectified in her stay in Zaichaer thus far and she doubted she wanted to.
Besides — Jieun liked it.
But — could she play.
Preposterous. How ridiculous a thing to ask. So ridiculous that the bard had started to laugh. Crossed her legs in the midst of her laughter, a slight rock back with the action. As if she were actually greatly amused by such a question. “Of course, I can play, you ninny.” Her Common accented with a Kalsazern flavor that neither of the two young women beside her had. Made up pretty, they were. And — they had approached her. Which wasn’t all that unusual, but it stank of something here in this city. Maybe she should have stayed in the manor. But, people called silly folks ninnies around these parts, didn’t they? Her Zaichaeri lingo was lacking.
“I’ll do you one better, and I’ll play you something, yes.” The previous wound dealt licked with the softer tones of her voice. Still a measure hoarse and underused; rusty in both guitar and vocals. But she could handle such things just fine. She was a performer. That actually knew how to play the instrument she carried with her. Another shift in position to drape limbs over her chair, swing the guitar to her front.
A short titter of excitement from the two women, sitting more upright to hear the bard play. The first plucked notes drew their attention, and that of all other passersby. Innocuous plucking that lead to strumming that carried into more elaborate slides and the beat of their palm against the wood of the guitar. Hoarse notes carried from her mouth.
As excited as the question had been asked, the woman’s stomach turned at the phrasing. Can she play? Like she merely carried around her instrument for the fun of it. A guitar strapped to her back, there only for the look of it. If it had not been for the heat, maybe the simmering of distaste she felt toward the question would have been lessened. Beads of sweat swiped away from her brow as she grimaced in response, blinked hair from her eyes. The choppy mess of her bangs had not been rectified in her stay in Zaichaer thus far and she doubted she wanted to.
Besides — Jieun liked it.
But — could she play.
Preposterous. How ridiculous a thing to ask. So ridiculous that the bard had started to laugh. Crossed her legs in the midst of her laughter, a slight rock back with the action. As if she were actually greatly amused by such a question. “Of course, I can play, you ninny.” Her Common accented with a Kalsazern flavor that neither of the two young women beside her had. Made up pretty, they were. And — they had approached her. Which wasn’t all that unusual, but it stank of something here in this city. Maybe she should have stayed in the manor. But, people called silly folks ninnies around these parts, didn’t they? Her Zaichaeri lingo was lacking.
“I’ll do you one better, and I’ll play you something, yes.” The previous wound dealt licked with the softer tones of her voice. Still a measure hoarse and underused; rusty in both guitar and vocals. But she could handle such things just fine. She was a performer. That actually knew how to play the instrument she carried with her. Another shift in position to drape limbs over her chair, swing the guitar to her front.
A short titter of excitement from the two women, sitting more upright to hear the bard play. The first plucked notes drew their attention, and that of all other passersby. Innocuous plucking that lead to strumming that carried into more elaborate slides and the beat of their palm against the wood of the guitar. Hoarse notes carried from her mouth.