PM to join [Rearing Stallion] A Different Deal(Mara Fikes)

[Nanuk]

40 Winter 513 AV

Eyes flashed a joyous gold. Hair shone it's velvet hue. The Vantha's smile was white and handsome; his fingers never left his drum. He played a simple, but easy beat at a fast pace, and many a tavern patron laughed and danced. This was what music was about, for him. Nanuk watched a plump woman and a plump man take up a folk dance around the small area, both past their prime and past caring. He saw young women waiting on the side lines, darting their eyes across at their chosen men, trying to urge them over with their faces as words would be too obvious. He saw those very men urging pushing at one another to go first, all afraid of the same failure.

This is why he devoted his life to Rhaus and music, Nanuk thought to himself. It's nothing special really, a simple drum beat, but in harsh times like these, when the weather is cold, and moods are colder, this is what holds the world together. This is why he came here.

He finished the beat on a high paced roll and a pause followed by a good smack. The group of people applauded, and some were kind enough to pass him a few coppers; twelve in total. He smiled at that. That was food for a night or two, maybe. Not a lot, but not starving is better still. A small girl, no older than seven, approached with a copper in her hand, looking up at him shyly.

"Do you sing, Mister Bard?" She asked in a quiet tone. The tentative girl make Nanuk chuckle as he took the copper from her gratefully. "Yes child,I do. Would you like me to sing you something?" His eyes shifted a calming deep blue, welcoming the girl in. The girl was perplexed by this; she must have never seen a Vantha. The girl sheepishly shook her head with a smile and ran to her mother's skirts. He smirked, and got up, fingers lightly drumming as he moved.

As he thought of what to sing, he drummed and hummed melodies along, throwing in some runs in the middle of his range. He could carry a tune, though his range would need work at some pace.

However, as he opened his mouth to sing to the patrons, he bumped quite accidentally into a small woman. She had a fur and a dead rabbit with her, and was apparently talking to the tavern owner. He moved to back away with an apology, but his foot slipped on the end of the fur and he tumbled back first into the wooden floor boards. Most of the cheers and laughs stopped, and he let out an audible groan.

A graceful bard he was indeed.

[Mara Fikes]

Mara straightened herself as she left her bow at her apartment. With a light and soft touch she rubbed her cat's head and bounded out of the door, She was wearing heavy clothing, the same she wore while hunting; Blood splattered pants and a thick cloak with a scarf pulled over her nose and mouth but what she was carrying; That was something different and normally it was unearthly for a woman stride though town with a pack that held a thick doe's cleaned and pelt. A few women glanced strangely at her but she didn't give them the attention they desired and kept her head held high because this was a pare of good kills indeed.

Even as entered the Tavern she kept her scarf pulled over her face and her hood on. A few people turned to look at her but the were more occupied with their meals and the bard. He had been here most of the time, A very popular man he was but she never thought to sit down and listen to his songs and sweet melody. Quickly greeted by the Tavern owner with a firm and strong handshake. Mara was there to converse about selling her pelts for unknown purposes to him, What ever he could make from them. She was about to take out the doe pelt to show him but she was interrupted by somebody, surprisingly enough she almost scream, Jumped slightly and turned to face her interrupter with a glare but it was stopped when she heard the loud laughter and felt simplistic.

For the time being the only main feature you could see was her brilliant green eyes that popped as soon as she took off her hood, Getting on one knee she stopped the conversation between her potential client to help the Bard up but she stopped, Turning towards a man who was the only man who was laughing loudly. Taking off her mouth scarf she growled, " You think this is funny? How about I knock you out on your feet? " She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes with a quick mumble he turned from her and drank up his ale because she was a strong hunter and he could tell that she would give anything to swing at him. With a sigh she turned to the Bard, Examining his face she took in the details she could for now, Her light green eyes meet his and she gave a soft smile, Grabbing his wrist even if he didn't want to except her help he didn't have a choice.

She was rather strong and pulled a grown man to his feet. Waiting for him to regain is balance she said lightly, " Watch your step, Its a crowded place. " Mara was quiet attractive, Her tan skin went perfectly with her dark brown hair and lighter end highlights, She was a sight to see.

[Nanuk]

Nanuk looked up at the ceiling and felt a soreness on his neck. He hoped that wasn't going to bruise. As his eyes scanned the room, the noise quelled and heads turned. The Vantha laughed loudly and happily at his clumsiness to ease the faces of others, encouraging laughs that rippled across patrons. At least, until the woman whose product he tripped over felt the need to threaten the man who chuckled.

" You think this is funny? How about I knock you out on your feet? "

Nanuk stood up and brushed himself off, drumming loosely. At least she was friendly enough to him, with her greeting. He thought of a way to reply to her, to return the friendly nature. Her smile was faint, her features fair.

When he busked as he first got here, he would sing a few improvised lines about someone who generously gave to him. Perhaps he could do something similar here. From the blood stains on her clothes, she wasn't someone Nanuk hoped to anger, however beautiful she was. He smiled wide, eyes shifting before her to a rich, charming purple, matching his hair. He sang a simple tune with minor embellishment in the middle of his range, drumming lightly and infrequently; more to keep time than anything else.

Thank you lovely woman,
Your acts are far too kind.
O Thank you, lovely woman,
Praise the gods I am not blind!


He paused in the small song, going on a falsetto in it's last note. It wasn't perfect, but the crowd reaction did the trick. He wasn't sure how to end it, so he struggled to think of a quick couplet to end it.

Do me the honor, lovely woman
For your name, I must have.

There were a few cheers from the patrons, but nothing major. Nanuk bowed his head to them, and turned his attention away from the crowd. Their chatter filled the room like warm air on the cold night. He stood a comfortable six or seven inches taller than her. His purple eyes mixed a little golden brown and he bowed his head to her politely. "I am Nanuk, miss. Thank you for your courtesy. I hope I did not interrupt your business too harshly." He offered a polite smile to the man who chuckled previously.

[Mara Fikes]

The Bard, He was handsome and flattering? She was slightly taken aback after seeing his eyes shimmer to a endearing purple shade. He was bound to have Vantha in him but from the looks of him he was also human. Her smile was bright and she couldn't help it but to give a soft laugh. To stop from blushing she attempted to turn back to the back to the Tavern owner but he had already scurried away to help another customers. Mara was going to be there for awhile. Sighing she took her hand and moved it though her brown hair hair. Not meaning to she flicked her hair to the side and crossed her arms, Like a young girl would when she was impressed by a boy.

Taking off the thick cloak she had on and folded it neatly in the bar stool next to her and it removed her bag as well. She had been listening to the lyrics on the spot, her smile grew wider as he ended it. Once he came in for a stop and pondered for a moment, Nobody else would notice it. The song made her blush as she couldn't hold it in. Never had she been complemented by somebody before other than her parents used to. Looking slightly up to the Bard, For some reason she couldn't release her eye's from the fantastic colors it held. Mara nodded to him in return for his bow. " Oh- there is no need to thank me for something so simple. "

As he added the second comment she laughed, " The Tavern owner has far more important things to do at the moment anyway. " and she gestured to him speaking with another customer. Finishing the sentience she looked back up to him, Taking in a deep breath.
" Well Nanuk, My name is Mara it is very nice to meet you. " She normally didn't speak like this to anybody but she could help him, He was so charming and attractive. Making sure she kept her manors up to mimic his she said lightly, " Thank for singing that wonderful tune. "

[Nanuk]

Her smiles and blushes made the Vantha grin wider. Truly, it wasn't a huge deal, being helped up from a stumble. But he took any opportunity to showcase his skills; an entertainer low on work is always on the job. And why not flatter a lovely girl along the way?

He nodded at her remarks, happily taking the break in play time to lean against the wall and rest his hands upon the drum.scanned the room for someone to sing to in similar manner later perhaps, but none seemed easily available. He sighed somewhat at the realization, as did his stomach. Not to worry though, he thought. He'll find food somewhere.

He smiled at her compliments. many people found his little tunes charming enough. So did their coin, which was why he did them. He smiled at her and mocked a little bow, before resuming position. "That little tune? Ah. Tis nothing more than my job, Miss Mara," He offered lightly, eyes a mix of content blue and a festive golden fringe to match the mood of the room. "After all, you feed our bellies with hunting, and cover our skins with their furs." His gaze glanced at the kettle drum slung over his shoulder, with Vantha carvings in the side, painted beautifully. He smirked some, returning his gaze. "Too often, we forget to feed our souls. That is what music does. You learn to go without food for your body a bit more -", he paused, chuckling to keep the mood of the conversation light. "-But at least my soul is well fed."

[Mara Fikes]

As she turned she grabbed her seat, Sitting down on her warm cloak. Listening to him speak. Taking her feet she propped them on the rickety support. Mara inhaled deeply as she watched him. " I'm sure you get payed a lot for what you do. " As of a habit she cracked her knuckles, " I maybe be able to feed others but I haven't the time for myself. "

Taking in the warm hair from within the Tavern walls she watched his eyes, " When I was younger my mother used to sing me a tune. " Shaking her head she said, " Bah, That was in the past. " Of course Mara could remember the words,

The streets grow cold
No longer were the kings covered in gold
Knives went uncontrolled,
We sat back and watched the world unfold
Hey-Hey-Hey x2
Soon after stories went untold,
Houses covered in mold,
Nothing left but a hole
But we must all play our role
To save our forgotten soul
Hey-Hey-Hey x2


Propping her elbow on her knee for a second she unlocked her gaze from his and looked around the room but she stopped almost instantly. Her green vibrant eyes were drawn back to the drum he carried with him and almost interrupting him she locked on the drum, Its majestic patterns, It told a story of it's own but she would never be able to tell. " That drum, Where would you get such a thing? " Slightly memorized she glanced at his eyes then back it the drum.

[Nanuk]

Nanuk half laughed, half scoffed at her assertion of his salary. He took out his water skin to keep his throat from drying and gulped it down, chuckling still as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "My dear lady, if I was making lots of money, I would not be playing in a country tavern," He spoke frankly. "Well paid bards have noble patrons that pay them to live in their house, and play music for them whenever they desire." He looked at the mere coppers in his purse for the night so far, and sighed. "It'll be enough to buy food for tomorrow, if I keep at it till the end of the night." It felt regrettable slightly, but he merely shrugged his shoulders with a sigh, and cracked his neck out of habit. He offered a smile yet, eyes a somewhat pensive gray, and added, "But, it's happy work." He gestured to the little girl, and said, "That one will remember the man with the changing eyes and pretty voice for a while."

As she began singing, he politely smiled along. He didn't recognize the melody, and she clearly didn't spend a lot of time practicing her singing voice, but if he criticized every average person's attempt to out-sing him, he would have died of starvation years ago.

However, she saved him of trying to muster a compliment when she became enamored with his kettle drum. He smiled as she requested it's origins, eyes moving a slightly more cheerful hazel. "This?" He teased, spinning it more in the light to show off the decoration of it. "No, that's a family secret, love. A long, ancient, harrowing, secret." Mischievous deep green eyes flashed in the light. It would be good, to befriend someone who was a supplier of food. Whether more came from the friendship was beyond him at this point, but as his mother taught him, all friends are good friends.

"Now then, you've been kind enough to me this time, and I thank you for that. Can I offer you any of my services in return?" His green eyes flashed gold on it's fringes, dancing in the light like the patrons on the tables.