Closed Sound of the Cityscape

Orchestrating a city takes more than one... (Malus pls)

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Center of scholarly knowledge and shipwrighting, Zeltiva is a port city unlike any other in Mizahar. [Lore]

Sound of the Cityscape

Postby Gwin on February 13th, 2014, 10:24 pm

Winter 72, 513 AV


It took the Akvatari a few days to familiarize herself with the architecture and street patterns in Zeltiva. After that, she started observing and working with that which was unseen, the underlying rhythm and overflowing melodies in and around the city. That required longer bells of work, but Gwin took them on with the meticulous diligence and silent enthusiasm characteristic for her race.

That day, she was sitting at the edge of the Fountain of Cascading Harmony. It was located on a central square and easy to spot if one came up the street from the docks. She’d flown from water to water – that idea provided enough incentive to linger for a while. Of course, the opposite of salt and fresh water stood in her way, but she was ready to ignore that. Maybe it’d become significant later, but maybe not.

Suffice to say, her furry tail was dangling over the edge like a knot of algae, dripping, while her rucksack rested in her lap and on it a sheet of parchment. A case rested against the stone next to her fin, shaped like a string instrument. Long fingers were playing with a piece of charcoal as green eyes stared out into the distance. Was she trying to spot the sea? Hard to say. Suddenly she turned around, gazed at the statues of God and Goddess as if judging the artwork and started scribbling charcoal lines, dots and swirls on the parchment. The water etched its never-changing melody into her mind, mixed with footsteps, voices that were talking, laughing and shouting as well as clinking, clanking, thumping, harrumphing and other noises.

None of them were strange or unfamiliar, Gwin had visited cities and listened to their songs before. Yet the trickling water, the passers-by and other noises all around the square created their own melody. She’d only hear it at that particular point of time in that particular place. Once she heard it, her fingers moved the charcoal at a rapid pace. She only focused on the notes she was writing and the sounds around her, so intensely that all melted into one. If one were to come closer or stand right next to her, she wouldn’t notice.
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Sound of the Cityscape

Postby Malus Tidalwave on February 24th, 2014, 8:32 pm

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Malus stopped at the edge of square, curiosity getting the better of him. Sitting on the edge of a grand fountain was a creature he had never seen before. He’s only heard stories from some of the older sailors, of creatures with the torsos of humans and the lower bodies of seals.

What were they called? He thought to himself….Akvariti’s? No that wasn’t it….akvatia’s….akvar… something?

His face scrunched as he tried to remember the word that was used in the stories, and when he failed to remember it, he decided it was simply better to go up and ask.
The day was colder than what he would have liked, and as such he wore was essentially consisted of his entire wardrobe; sandals covering his feet, a pair of rough tan pants that seemed to made out of the same material as sails, a loose white shirt, and a blue bandana that he had ‘borrowed’ from one of his brothers earlier that day, which served to keep his hair swept back. A few strands stuck out over the bandana which clinked together as the beads and shells that were woven in bounced of each other as he moved. He had let his beard and mustache grow out a little thicker as well, to account for the colder weather, though it was by means unkept.

He approached the creature that he had only heard about in stories, noticing as he neared that it was concentrated on something on its lap…on what specifically he was unsure. When he was only a short distance away, he noticed that it appeared to have the upper body of a woman, and after adjusting his guitar so that it hung from his back, he spoke up, trying to get its attention.

“Excuse me?” he said in common, leaning over to look at her “But what are you?”


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Sound of the Cityscape

Postby Gwin on February 25th, 2014, 2:28 pm

Like the other sounds, human footsteps and the clinking of shells and coins in golden hair didn’t go unnoticed, but instead went into the symphony in her head and were translated into lines and dots on the parchment. Gwin was working furiously, keeping her ears open and her mind empty. Like a vase she was filled up by the music and emptied through the loophole of writing it down, both at the same time and at rapid speed.

When the clinking stopped near her, she continued to write and put all the other sounds into her song. Then a voice interrupted, although the rhythm swallowed it up immediately. A pause. As the voice spoke up the next time, uttering a longer sentence, she couldn’t help but listen. Her mind took in meaning as if the language part had a life of its own. Slowly, the charcoal left the parchment and Gwin looked up through a few strands of wavy blond.

With that moment, her momentum was lost and a wave of frustration and sadness washed over her. She’d need time to find back into the song she was working on, but the loss lingered. So she could as well answer the question. “A musician. An artist. Someone with no place to go but the infinite sea and sky, a traveler like yourself. We take many roles in our lives, don’t you agree? Most call us Akvatari though.” While nodding a greeting, she wondered if she was confusing the human. If there was one thing she despised though, it was saying words that weren't true.

Only then did she have a proper look at the stranger. He seemed a free spirit, flapping shirt, sea-colored scarf, trinkets in his hair and all. The guitar on his back attracted her attention. “It seems like we’re more of the same than it seems at first glance. Do you play often?” she asked, voice barely rising over the hustle and bustle. Her fin twitched against the instrument case next to her, a subtle hint.
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Sound of the Cityscape

Postby Malus Tidalwave on March 3rd, 2014, 3:27 am

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It seemed to him that he had interrupted something, by the look on her face. She began to speak, “A musician. An arti….” what odd way of speaking he thought as she answered his question. While she rambled, he took the moment to look her over, noticing the blond hair and overall attractiveness of the upper part of her body. Where she lost him however was with the dark green seal tail and the wings sprouting from her back… “Most call us Akvatari though.”

“Akvatari!” He exclaimed, “Thats it.” He straightened up, placing his hands on his hips as a smile appear on his face. “I av hearrd stories of akvatari told, back’n the Suvan, wit me pod. Though I havn’t met one b’fore.” He extended a hand in greeting, accompanied with an introduction, “M’name is Malus! Pleasure t’meet.” He said in his broken common.

As he waited to hear the akvatri’s name he noticed some sort of case resting by the end of her tail, just as he heard her ask him about his guitar. Do you play often?” Taking back his hand, Malus smiled even further, swinging the guitar over to his chest from where it hang on his back. “Aye! I play. I play when sob’r, or with wine. Do you play anyting?”


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Sound of the Cityscape

Postby Gwin on March 3rd, 2014, 10:04 am

The man didn’t really reply to her musings, although the question had been more on the rhetoric side. It seemed like all he wanted was a word for her race. Gwin didn’t mind, although his lack of interest in philosophy disappointed her just a little.

However, that feeling faded when he spoke the next words. The accent hinted at his heritage and would’ve been a clear enough sign even without him mentioning the Suvan Sea. “So you’re a Svefra… What kinds of stories do they tell about us? I’m Gwin.” Hesitating, she took the charcoal in her left and shook his hand. As a greeting, it didn’t appeal to her, too much dirt on the other’s hands, too close and often too warm. So the way they shook hands was more of a fleeting touch before she fled again. Her palm was cool like the ocean and dry like the parchment in her lap.

As he swung the guitar around, Gwin was surprised at the worn look. It seemed to have traveled many miles, seen many places and heard countless stories. She wondered if that Malus even took proper care of it, especially when he mentioned wine! On the other hand, she was curious about the tales that guitar would tell in his hands. Eventually she rolled up the parchment, dropping it and the charcoal into her satchel. Then she placed the case in her lap and opened it, just wide enough for him to see her instrument: a violin of light wood, polished and obviously well-tended to. “This is what I play. Now that you’re here, I think I’ve never tried to match the violin with a guitar before… Would you like to share a song?” Unlike the Svefra, the Akvatari didn’t smile, but her features still radiated an air of friendly enthusiasm.
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Sound of the Cityscape

Postby Malus Tidalwave on March 7th, 2014, 4:15 pm

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Malus had never seen a violin before, so when she opened the case he peered in inquisitively. It seemed to him that it was just a smaller version of a gea’tar, and with fewer strings. It did however seem to be in better condition than his own instrument, shinier and with what looked like well-oiled strings. Perhaps I should get a case for my gea’tar he thought. While he did try to take care of it, the long stretches of sailing exposing it to sea, sun, and salt did have its effect. Brushing aside his musings, he cocked his head to one side and looked at the instrument before him. It did seem elegant to him, and he was curious to hear it be played.

“Would you like to share a song” he heard her say, and as a response he played a quick few notes on a rising rift, accompanied by an even broader smile. “O’course I wou’ld like to play!”

He sat down in front of the Akvatari, legs crossed and gea’tar resting on his thigh. His left arm draped over the main body of the instrument, his hand hovering over the strings. His right hand was holding on the neck, his thumb and forefinger circling the fifth fret down. He began to play a mellow yet steady and upbeat rhythm, one that reminded him of tropical beaches, warm sand and the vibrant colors of the setting sand. He let himself play the rhythm, allowing Gwin to take charge of the melody.

In truth he was curious as to how this vio’lin sounded, and how she could play it. While he waited for her to take the instrument out and prepare herself to play, he answered her early question, regarding the stories of her people.

“Back when I was wit me pod, I wou’ld ‘ear stories of these crea’turs tha were chil’ren of sea and o’ sky. ‘alf human, and ‘alf sea crea’tur.” He started. “They ar’ suppose to be full ‘o music and magic, and tha they can ste’al a man’s own heart, if he don’t take care.” He spoke the last sentence in a hushed and somber manner, trying to imitate how the stories were told him as a child.


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Sound of the Cityscape

Postby Gwin on March 9th, 2014, 10:34 am



Gwin let him inspect the violin, although she hoped he wouldn’t try to touch it or pluck the strings. Like many musicians, she couldn’t stand others touching her instrument. After all, she didn’t know how much dust and dirt their fingers would leave on its shiny surface! Malus was a bit of a colleague, true, but she still didn’t know whether he was the touching and exploring kind or not. When he leaned back and sat down, she breathed a tiny sigh of relief.

While the Svefra began playing, Gwin strung her bow and raised the violin to rest on her left shoulder. Before beginning, she listened to his rhythm and tried to find hints of a melody in it, searching for inspiration. His words cut through the process and distracted her momentarily. “That sounds like a legend from days long gone. Music, yes, but magic? I wonder if one can even be artist and magician at the same time… It seems like no Akvatari have come by the Suvan in a long time, anyway.”

Was she thinking of changing that? It was hard to say. Gwin’s expression remained impassive while her voice sounded steady and cool like the tide. The part about stealing a man’s heart she didn’t even comment.

Instead she reached for the melody in her mind and started playing. Her violin provided the overtones to his guitar’s steady rhythm and basic feeling with a high and clear voice. Of course, being an Akvatari, Gwin chose a somber and slightly melancholic melody, although it lightened up and spiraled into playful capriccios after a few moments. She was improvising upon his theme, taking the seafaring and honest traits of the Svefra and adjusting her play to imagination. The sea was in the wide movements of her bow and her fingers dancing on the board. Although she’d never seen the beaches and warm sand Malus knew, there was a hint of all that in her music as well.

After finding the rhythm and establishing her theme, Gwin looked down to Malus with curiosity. Would he leave the leading role with her or begin a challenge? Change his rhythm and add a new element she’d have to answer to? While they were playing, lost in the images and sounds translating from their minds, a small crowd of spectators was forming.
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Sound of the Cityscape

Postby Malus Tidalwave on March 17th, 2014, 8:00 pm

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Malus’s fingers danced upon the stings of his gea’tar, keeping the rhythm steady and light hearted. His left hand moved up and down the frets, putting pressure on the strings in different places on the neck to produce the notes that he did with his right. He let the conversation die, eager as he was to listen to this strange creature play her strange instrument. She had placed the body of it on her shoulder, resting it there, and with her other hand produced along thin piece of wood, with what looked like fibers strung across it. Curious as to what she was about to do, he waited, keeping sure not to let the rhythm go.

She placed the bow on top of strings and slid it upward. The instrument sung its first note, as clear and as crisp as cool waters of his home; the Suvan. What followed truly impressed Malus. It was as best he could describe it, a beautiful sound, one that he decided there on the spot that he had been lucky to find. His face reflected this thoughts, his smile turning from playful and childish grin to one of wonder and excitement.

Continuing playing the rhythm, he listened. He was content to let her take charge of the melody, and wanted to see where she would take it. He was not disappointed. Gwin was good at playing her instrument, and with it she produced a melody that not only matched his rhythm, but also took on a life of its own. It reminded him of soft breezes and calm waters. Of days sailing with his pod and the freedom it gave them.

He was so intent on their playing that he barely noticed the crowd of spectators that was forming.

After several ticks of listening to the music, Malus decided to change the rhythm a bit, to see where she go. He listened closely to her melody, trying to find the underlying motif. Once he thought he had it, and when there was a moment’s pause when she let a note linger, Malus changed his playing. His rhythm became a little more aggressive; he played a bit faster, his notes were a slight more energetic, but he kept the overall theme roughly the same.

He winked at her as he did, issuing a friendly challenge. He kept up the new style, waiting to see how she would respond.


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Sound of the Cityscape

Postby Gwin on March 20th, 2014, 5:54 pm

Malus’ rhythm was fast-paced and brimming with his enthusiasm for the jam session. Gwin noticed that through his music, feeling a little rushed, although as soon as she recognized that, she mentally took a step back and focused on her melody. The violin produced its own voice and, with it, pace. She simply decided to follow along with the gea’tar, reluctantly, yet strangely intrigued. Perhaps it was the quality of the new and foreign that drew her in and forced her to play on.

The Akvatari’s hearing was impeccable, so she noticed his change of pace immediately. At first she threw him a short glance, too confused not to react, but his eyes taught her. She didn’t wink back, didn’t even smile, but her eyes hardened as a sign of her accepting the challenge. When it came to music, Gwin knew no limit. She wanted to produce faster, more emotional, more precise, better songs than anyone else.

So she played along, easily hopping to the higher stage he’d set for her. The fingerboard rocked up and down slightly as she adjusted to the faster pace and her grassy tail trembled just a bit.

After catching up, she changed the melody that decorated his undertones. At first she sunk into lower tones, relishing in the vibration that went from violin through her body to the tips of her wings, then she jumped up. Suddenly she performed a series of high notes, light and airy. Of course, the sad undertone never completely left her play, but she tried to drown it out by a melody suited to Malus’ theme.

Her technique wasn’t perfect. As her fingers danced through the fast notes, the precision she’d kept up until then blurred a little. As soon as her melody slowed down though, it returned to the crystal-clear quality. After a few tacts, she started a bit of an interlude, daring Malus with a few long notes on the lower end of her spectrum.

A quick glance to the cheerful Svefra told everything. How would he respond to a slow pace that evaded his theme of sand and salty air?
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Sound of the Cityscape

Postby Malus Tidalwave on March 29th, 2014, 6:28 pm

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The change in tempo caught the Svefra off guard. As a result, two opposing sounds intermingled in the air; the slower, lower melody of the violin, and the higher, rapid rhythm of the gea’tar. The mix lasted only for a ticks, while Malus adjusted. Not expecting the change, it was his turn to make some mistake. In an attempt to slow down his playing, his fingers tripped over themselves, causing him to miss a few notes and muddle a few others. He quickly recovered however and continued his playing, smiling ever more fiercely at the challenge.

At first he simply followed the new melody, letting the Akvatari take the lead. The longer notes weaved a more somber tale, the melancholic melody a stark contrast to the music that filled Malus’ life. Once he settled into the new temperament of the their playing, he began to alter it. He did not try to quicken it, returning it its previous melody. Instead, he went along with the longer notes, and the slower pace. What he did begin to change however, was the mood.

Malus let the sounds that the violin made linger. He adopted the melody she played, but began to play it in a higher octave, using his notes to compliment hers. What he wanted to do was to morph their new song into one of lust , love and freedom. He used his own life for inspiration; the joy of being free out in the ocean, the ecstasy of carnal desire, and the love his people had for the ocean, amongst other things. He kept her style; the longer notes and the defined pauses between them.
He enjoyed this exercise with the Akvatari, the challenge was a welcome one, and pushed his abilities beyond to what he was accustomed


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