Private Tales Comfort 'Neath the Moon

[Ispir Sione]

Spoiler: The Hole in the Wall

The Hole in the Wall was, well, a hole in the wall of a very special variety for Elbion. Foremost was the fact that the majority of the above-ground structure was nothing but a façade to make it more obvious the place was a tavern in the first place. While patrons were allowed to drink and converse on the ground floor and above this was the secondary section of the somewhat famous tavern. What really made The Hole in the Wall stand out was how popular it was with those more artistically inclined from Elbion College, for loaners, bookworms seeking peace and quiet, and most folks who just simply didn't quite fit in. This was due to the fact that the true tavern was actually below ground, with a much darker, more intimate atmosphere. They also allowed smoking inside so, hey, that's a plus.

'Neath the bright moon the world was cast in a shade of silver-grey from the moon's near-full splendor tonight. So bright was the moon tonight that someone with good eyesight or used to the moonlight would be able to navigate even without the light of the various lanterns lining the street. Whether Kilien had ever been to this particular tavern before, or if some other business had brought him here this particular night, as he made his way down the secured staircase to the true tavern he would hear a voice mid-speech that was seemingly calling to the gathered patrons.

"-.....my next song will be much slower so I hope you all enjoy~!"

As Kilien finally pushed through the deep purple curtain at the end of the stairs into the tavern itself a gentle song would begin to fill the Hole in the Wall along with a unique sight. This small, tucked-away tavern where everyone was usually holed up in their booths to their own business had somehow a much mellower atmosphere than even the subtle clink of drinking and occasional conversation from a group who thought they were being more quiet than they truly were. But not tonight it seemed. While not everyone had been pulled from their booths by the music being performed by the small woman on stage most were on their feet, gently swaying and dancing with partners either of existing relationships or those formed in the moment. Even the bartender, a middle-aged dwarf with a series of tattoos that sleeved his arms and even went part-way up his neck, was gently dancing with his wife behind the bar. Her face was red and she would lightly, playfully smack his chest as he whispered something to her.

Spoiler: Small woman

But as Kilien came into his line of sight the bartender would kiss his wife's hand and move to the bar as the song finished and the bard woman would bow to the crowd, speaking in a much different voice than they sung with. A more masculine voice but still rather androgynous.

"Thank you all so so much for letting me play here. I hope you've all had a wonderful time.~"

A light round of applause was given, coins deposited in a very simple, humble wooden bowl at the edge of the stage, as the bard began to gather up their enchanted instruments and stow them away. More than a few of the people there now not only sat down with their new people but those that were obviously already in relationships snuggled up in the boots even closer than before.

Kilien Basmarc​

 

[Kilien Basmarc]

It was the tune that brought him here, arriving upon ears far more attuned to listening than any set attached to a normal human. Beneath the waxing moon there was no comfort to be found. He who spent nearly every full moon locked away deep beneath the ground was now exposed to the world at what was soon to be his most dangerous and most vulnerable lunar state.

With naught but a sliver of shadow left to the silver medallion in the ink above, Kilien could sense the world around him with such precision it nearly drove him to madness. Every scent, every movement, every heartbeat of every living thing. His eyes, typically hazel in his more gentled state, had drawn into feverish lamps that flashed in the dark. He'd taken leave from Vittoria Larrainth's side for a walk to find some semblance of peace and along the way the lilting tune cut through the din.

They often say that music could soothe a savage beast and until now Kilien wasn't sure he'd ever found that to be so true. Something about the dulcet tones of the Bard called to him, spoke to his racing heart, calmed the encroaching boil of his blood. The closer he got, the greater the relief until he found himself near stumbling through the green curtain and into a wash of soothing sounds.

Kilien breathed a deep sigh of relief as he made his way past tables and patrons alike to the stage where the last few notes dwindled out.

"W-wait," he murmured as the crowd clapped and began to disperse.

The absence of the song felt like someone sucking the air from his lungs to let the anxiety fill them back up again, "One more song," when he made it to the stage his knees buckled as he felt his heart began to race again. A hand gripped the stage edge to keep him from spilling entirely with the other latched onto his chest, "please. Just one more."

 

[Ispir Sione]

As Kilien made his way into The Hole in the Wall and staggered to the stage Ispir would give a small jump, somewhat surprised at his demeanor. The gathered crowd also seemed to pause, initially thinking Kilien may have been rushing the stage for ill purposes, but upon seeing the man gasping and pleading for another song Ispir would blink rapidly. Even blushing a tiny bit as the young woman.... man... averted their eyes and coughed into their hand. Giving a slightly nervous chuckle as they set their instruments back down and nodded.

"O-Oh. Very well Sir. I suppose I have one more song to share."

Ispir would set out all his instruments, from strings to winds to drums and even some chimes. Once that was all done he would purposely take up the violin and take a breathe. He would then sit on the edge of the stage right by Kilien and give him a smile. Nodding his head a bit as he met the man's eyes. Shining, kind aquamarine meeting the feverish hazel lamps of the other man. Calm, oceanic hues unafraid of the disquiet there as Ispir placed the bow on the violin and spoke.

"If you have someone who holds your heart Sir, kindly keep them in your thoughts for this song for the greatest thing I can give is to remind others of love."

A truly unique sound would come from the violin as Ispir drew the bow, like the solemn mating cry of some unknown creature would those undulating initial notes drift through the air and Ispir would close their eyes as they played. Only when their singing reached specific lyrics would they open their eyes, scan the crowd, and their eyes would once again meet Kilien's. A soft, rosy hue to the bard's cheeks as they sang this part of the song, seemingly, for Kilien and Kilien alone. But why even Ispir themselves did not consciously know.

"......underneath the stars, a wild world sharpens it's claws."

Ispir's gaze swept now over the crowd, leaving Kilien for a brief moment as they continued.

"As the Nightfire burns the Shadows fade."

But then those aquamarine eyes would return to Kilien, the music coming to a vacuous halt as Ispir softly sung the next few words, once again, just for him. Every word slightly stressed, enunciated clearly and sincerely, spoken as if to that fever pitch within the windows to Kilien's soul.

".... and at the blush of dawn we'll be okay."

A heartbeat of a pause before Ispir closed their eyes, tilted their head back, and continued their song. His eyes would not open again until it ended. The notes once again drifting solemnly into memory before Ispir slowly blinked their eyes open, smiled, and looked down to Kilien to see if the song had satiated the man's desire without a word.

Kilien Basmarc​

 

[Kilien Basmarc]

A reminder of love.

Such words that could make so easy a connection to the wayward Initiate. Love was one of those simple truths of life and for him he could think of no other than Vittoria Larrainth. Certainly he'd met plenty of fine young women over the course of the last several years, but somehow the scariest girl of her year had managed to sink her proverbial claws into him.

It must have been the moment she stabbed him with that knife.

A strangled half-sigh-half-chuckle seeped out of his throat, his grip of the stage loosening once the tune began to play. He didn't watch the bard once his gaze shifted away, but allowed the melody to soothe the boil of his blood and the fire of his bones. Finally catching his breath, Kilien slumped against the front of the stage and allowed himself to crumple to the floor there, turning his back to rest against the wooden slats.

The anxiety dissipated, he could feel the tightness of his chest loosen and the weight of his worry lift. He focused on Vi and the way she always met him with a smile or that little laugh she allowed herself to give when it was just the two of them. There was nothing perfect about their match, but that was sort of the appeal wasn't it? She was so far out of his league and he had no dreams of greatness or even of staying in Vel Anir once this charade as an Initiate came to an end.

It helped him cherish the time they spent together all the more with the burden of its impending end sitting at the back of his mind.

"Th-thank you," Kilien breathed to the minstrel, wincing at the return of the lunar pangs, "that was real nice of you."

 

[Ispir Sione]

As the second round of applause dimmed and Ispir gathered up his instruments he would hop gently off the stage and adjust his clothes before smiling down at Kilien as the scruffy man thanked him. Giving a shake of his head he would giggle softly.

"No thanks necessary Ser. Sharing the gift of music with those willing to hear it is what I live for."

Ispir would copy Kilien's mannerisms to sit beside him, back to the wood of the stage, only to blink as the bartender's wife brought them two mugs of warm apple cider, the soft scent of cinnamon sprinkles in the drink reaching them both and Ispir would accept the very large mug in both hands. Nodding and voicing a thank you as the second mug was offered to Kilien, the cheerful dwarvish woman commenting to him.

"Aye ya seem like ye've 'ad a long night lad. Rest all ye need."

Dusting her hands on her apron she would return to the bar as Ispir took a sip of cider and sighed. Giving a sidelong glance at Kilien that was both kind and slightly worried.

"So what brings you here tonight good Ser? Even I rarely meet such enthusiastic fans of my craft."

Kilien Basmarc​

 

[Kilien Basmarc]

Kilien closed his eyes against the turmoil within, attempting with every means he knew to hush the disquiet. It distracted him so, another could have walked straight up to him and put a blade through his heart.

Luckily it was just the barmaid putting a mug of cider in his hands.

His eyes fluttered, still sitting somewhere between the shade of moon frenzy and disturbed forest, and blinked down at the drink. A grunt was offered in response as he quickly tried to catch up with the words spoken to him, now garbled in the ether of disconnection. Something something intent...

"I ... heard your music while I was out for a walk."

"I, uh..." Kilien drummed his fingers along the mug, not feeling particularly keen on drinking, his eyes searched about for words, "been dealing with something recently that's got me real worried. Haven't been myself. Haven't... been able to think straight for a few nights now, but the music helped."

 

[Ispir Sione]

In contrast to the distracted scruffy moon moon next to him Ispir drank heartily from the mug of cider and gave a big sigh. A slight moustache coloring his upper lip as he tilted his head and gave a hum at Kilien's words. His brow furrowing in worry even as he subconsciously copied Kilien's motions of drumming his fingers along the mug he currently had cradled in both hands. Ispir would then turn his gaze down, staring at his murky reflection in the cider before venturing.

"Not able to think straight...."

He mused for a brief moment before raising his eyes to Kilien and asking.

"What troubles you good Ser? N-Not meaning to pry of course but if it's nothing too person, or even if it is, I can lend an ear. Family. Finances. Romances."

Ispir shrugged and ventured a smile before looking up and squinting in thought.

"Umm.... fancy dances? Yeah that rhymes well enough."

A soft, reassuring giggle, a friendly smile, and Ispir waited for Kilien's reply.

Kilien Basmarc​