On the seventieth day of winter, 517 AV...
Within the plaza, there were a few people milling about, chattering with one another, colorful coats shrugged against the chilly winter wind. Save for their voices, the stillness of the snow seemed to soak up the common sounds of the city, and it made for a lonesome, empty atmosphere. The buildings that surrounded the plaza seemed to be homes that had been vacated for the day, some wooden others glass, but all hollow.
Thus, when a man's clear tenor broke the silence, it was no surprise that the few gathered stopped what they were doing to stare with a mix of confusion and entertainment at the spectacle unfolding before them. Clad smartly in what seemed to be an expensively tailored set of formal clothes, a dark haired man with bright, eager eyes thrust himself into the plaza, his legs sweeping the snow out of his way with wide dramatic strokes, arms outstretched to either side of him. None of the observers had seen where he'd come from, but it was difficult not to smile at the seeming abandon with which he moved and sang.
"And all I want to be,
Is someone who sees,
Falsely accused,
Just walking free!"
Whipping around in a tight spin, the man grabbed a young man standing near him by the shoulders, pulling him close, his vibrato growing more intense.
"And I hope
you will agree..."
Without missing a beat, the young man who, up until a tick before had had an amused panic on his face, burst out in an even but equally confident, "Oh, I sure agree-" Holding the last note out as he and the dark haired man took a step out the side, their closest hands clasped together and farthest extended out to either side.
Together, the finished the verse, both grinning widely at the other. "A lawyer he will be."
Those who had started the show in good spirit began to look nervously around, especially the small group of now two people from which the man had been drawn. There was a quiet, unsettled worry, and several of the more weathered Alvads hurried off down a side street. Those who were not quite so quick found themselves joining in with the dance, their bodies moving, seeming, of an alien volition.
A woman who had previously been giggling at the second man who had joined in now rushed to the forefront, leading the growing group of dancers with a waggle of her shoulders and splayed palms.
"Now I know you're thinking..."
Her voice trailed off as she spun off to the side, replaced by a severe looking Akalak who stomped in beat to the front.
"There's no courthouse around."
His voice was a deep base, his head shaking a dramatic side to side. He, in turn, was shoved aside by the second man to sing, face bright with a knowing smile.
"But these things will come to order,
We can build one from the ground!"
Bowing low as the first man burst fourth from the now seven others who danced in a synchronized, arm waving march to some unheard beat, his tenor ran high and smooth, grabbing the first Akalak and a second by their shoulders and hoisting himself up between them.
"Right now a dream,
But I know that we can,
All of us together..."
And in one booming chorus, they all rushed forward, down the street, boisterously joining in and breaking down into a looser formation, their movements exaggerated but still on beat with their song.
"All he wants to be,
Is someone who sees,
Falsely accused,
Just walking free!
And we hope,
You will agree..."
As they held out the note, more passersby where pulled into the whirling, brightly smiling chorale of singers and dancers, each looking similarly panicked for a tick before joining right in with gusto to spare, matching their peers and seeming to have no issue with having never heard the song nor lyrics before.
"A lawyer he will be!"
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-
Having been wandering around the city for the past bell or two, Gomer settled down on a bench, his frost nipped cheeks and nose a pleasant cherry red as he happily surveyed the scene before him. Though the initial wonder of snow had worn off long before the season had even started, he still appreciated the stark contrast it gave to the city's other illusions, like a blank canvas that allowed the colors to pop out all the more.
Of those illusions, he spotted what looked to be a parade, though there were several people running out ahead of at an impressive pace. As they neared, he realized that the look on their faces was one terror, and he quickly rose up from his bench, waving to get the attention of one them. All the man said as he rushed by was a frenzied, "Run!"
By that time, however, it was a tick too late. Gomer felt a warm hand wrap around his wrist as the parade's song seemed end, spinning into the person's chest in a tight embrace before he was released, staggering into the center of the small square he'd stopped to rest in. At first, he stared confused at the eager faces gathered around, all of which had began to hum a low, constant note.
"I apologize. I'm a little confused...
What exactly is that you want from me?"
Though, in a way, it was what he had meant to say, there was rhythm to it that was not his own. Eyes widening for a just a moment as he felt himself draw in a deep, preparatory breath, he immediately regretted his curiosity and wished, instead, he had fled when he had the chance.
"All of you here,
You don't know me.
It's fine, I'm no one,
As you surely see.
I barely know who I am,
But I just want to be free!"
Starting low and rising with intensity, Gomer's typically uncertain baritone had no question of confidence, and while his tone was off and his voice happened to crack as he held the final "free", his arms spread out the side and his face made a dramatic, pleading expression as he gazed up into the sky. Those around him had begun an acapella accompaniment, some of them a bit more in tune than others, but all participating with zeal.
"My mother died,
I feel I am to blame,
Even though brother helps,
I feel insane!
I stay busy and try not to think,
For I just want to be free!"
The crowd swelled, their voices joining in with his as he stepped forward, grand gestures to either side of him as he continued, unable to keep his mouth shut.
"I am worthless and useless and crumby.
I am weak and pathetic and plain."
In a brief moment he was free and he frantically glaced around, locking eyes with a short, dark haired woman and shouted a frantic, "Help me!" before continuing his verse once more, face reapplying the tragic expression as he dashed forward toward the woman, kneeling at her feet and taking her hand in his, a silent I'm so sorry. running through his mind.
The chorale joined in on Gomer's final lines, echoing each quietly as he drew into a crescendo.
"I use laughs, and a mask,
To hide my pain!"
Then, they all fell quiet, expectantly staring up at the woman, all semblance of music stopped. Though he wanted to blush deep red with the knowledge that he'd just shared a part of his history with a group of strangers that he'd never shared with anyone else, he couldn't help himself from the pressing thought, I wonder if she'll keep on with mine or start her own?
music :
