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[Epifanio Snowsong]

Striking a Chord
15th Summer 516 A.V.

Some things are best left to be said without words. Many nights Epifanio would be in his room simply playing through the day’s struggles to himself. Despite his charm his feelings were fairly complex. It showed in most of his music. Though, the piece he had been working on recently was like a plague to his beloved Eisen (gamba.) The truth in it all is that despite being a flirt and a charmer, he was lonely. He realized this after a number of events between different women within Avanthal recently.

It seemed like for the past few nights he would strike page after page of notes down on paper after playing them out. Remembering the specific tones he improvised while playing out his heart was complex.

It is simple enough to just play, but remembering or playing a specific song required memory and a sort of intelligence to perform without mistakes. During that time, he took to the advice with a few of the Snowsongs on how to incorporate flutes into his music while playing Eisen at the same time. He wasn’t ready for such a feat. Though, often in practice he would put the occasional chirp in between notes.

Performing in a tavern was also a difficult thing. People go there to get away, to enjoy life and drink, and hopefully some passion. Working there held a different story for Epifanio. He was doomed to see others having a great time without a worry and drinking away their problems. Often this resulted in him acting and playing along with them.

This time. Just this one he figured he would give it his all. Give his heart to Eisen. The result was spectacular to say the least. When he finished his first rough play through he even shed a few tears through it. As it was like no other song he had ever played before. It felt a bit more modern and different than playing on a series of notes which just seemed to follow a pattern. That was far too easy.

- - -

The night at the Red Diamond Tavern started off early. Flames creaked and passionate lovers sat by the hearth. All while Epifanio was working his way through the tavern, his instrument case open and ready for tips to the busking. People were off telling their own stories of excitement and plea. “Did you ever hear of that guy that got sent to prison for fire reimancy? A mage! Out in the open! It’s almost unthinkable!” Rumored a woman from afar. Luckily, Epifanio overheard it.

“The Beserk Vantha! His eyes ever red with the fiery flames!” Outspoke Epifanio. He grabbed most of everyone’s attention. In doing so he grabbed a nearby torch and held it to his face being careful not to set it afire in the act. Epifanio wasn’t sure of who all was in the tavern this night, but he sure did have a show to perform.
His voice went dark and cold to portray the horror story in its fullest.
“The nearing city with lights dancing on,
Like a distant fire burning in the night,
Each step coming closer in sight,
Fueling the rage inside the con.”

During the end of the stanza his voice got deeper and coarser. Each syllable more potent than the other.

“Ideas sparked and smirks emitted,
Freedom from prison,
His intention has risen,
His face lit up, a thrill hid what he committed.

Hands in his pockets, twiddling about,
Moving with a sweat of nervousness,
His eyes rampant with aggressiveness,
The city was in a drought!

A group sat in the streets,
People looked at him crazily,
He smiled towards them easily,
Every one of them sat still in their seats.

He went out of control, possessed by the heat,
They all danced with his white flames,
Not a one playing along with his games,
They all turned to crispy meat.

He laughed with a delightful joy,
his cruel heart wanted him to commit suicide,
He strapped his body with djed and replied.
His intentions were to destroy.

People screamed, cried, and pleaded,
He looked at them with sorrowful eyes,
They were the ones that led to this demise,
They all went down with him when he conceded.

His death was heard by many,
The fire-reimancer sentenced to death previously,
Was falsely accused which made him act deliriously,
In the end it caused him to kill plenty.”

A grisly story to be sure. A few of those that were drinking and watching Epifanio could almost see his own eyes turn red during the acting. Every now and then he would walk up to someone drinking or eating and tease them with the flame, being careful not to harm anyone, but still adding to the effect.

After the story was finished the Bard simply took a pause and offered small talk to those that were curious.

“How are you Epifanio”
“Oh, doing well, doing well! How is your son doing? I hear that he is coming of age tomorrow!”
“Wow! What a memory you have! He is excited and at the same time nervous. Poor kid hasn’t seen Morwen in person yet.”
…
“Ah! Epifanio! Great story!”
“Thank you, it would be nothing without your charm gracing this tavern, though!”
“Oh no, you’re rightfully insane as that beserker vantha!”
…
“Hey bard, how about a drink!?”
“Oh thanks, just the thing I need for my next performance!”
“Its on me! What you got planned for tonight?”
“Just a song, gather your maiden for this one!”
“Oh-ho, you hound!”
…
Epifanio travelled about the tavern all while thinking about the song. The song devoted to the Isur which had opened herself up to him. Then he almost froze as the door to the tavern opened.

[Aliana Hilt Terras]

☾ Title and Date ☽

Aliana walked through the streets away from the Warrens. The lady at the front desk had spoke highly of a local tavern. So the woman decided to head there since she was off from work. The light chatter and a good mug of ale would be nice to help relax her. The bard that had requested the flute had yet to leave her mind. At least outside of the forge that is; thankfully though while working he had not distracted her. The Isur looked up seeing the sign on the outside of the building.

"The Red Diamond Tavern," She read before opening the door.

She could hear people speaking through the door prior, but did not understand their words. Many of them spoke their native tongue making her feel out of place. Walking in the woman closed the door behind her and made her way through the crowd drawing little attention to herself. A stir of whispers started almost instantly about the outsider in their midst. The Isur sat at the bar ordering some food a drink hiding the pain.

"Did you hear what Kevana said? The outside will steal your man," one woman said with a glare to the woman.

Aliana just rolled her neck trying to work out the soreness. She was not bothered by what everyone said. A part of her was hurt and hated the woman even more now. The two had not gotten along at all since their first and really only meeting in the forge.

"Here you are miss," the barmaid said with a smile and handed the woman her food.

"Thank you," Aliana said and bowed her head some before beginning to eat.

hello
hello
hello
Hello
Hello

[Epifanio Snowsong]

Title and Date

Calming his nerve for a few seconds Epifanio felt like he was going through what happened during his last big show again. ‘Why is it every time I make a song about a woman they mysteriously appear just before I play it?’ he asked himself as taking a large gulp of air. He was nervous and it started to show. This time however he thought he would take a different approach. “Patrons and Maidens of Red Diamond Tavern. Tonight I planned on playing a song dedicated to someone I had met. As it turns out… She is right here in the bar!”

People clapped, hooted and hollered, and few gasped. The ones who had gasped knew of what happened last time, but it wasn’t of any concern. As he got up and walked towards the bar he kicked out his case pretending it to be an accident. The ‘accident’ served as a reminder to his busking, but he largely didn’t mind much. Instead he turned his attention straight to the woman who just decided to get a bite to eat.

Walking right by Kenava for a moment the poor lady probably thought it was her. But, approaching the actual woman he had his eyes on he smirked and reached out his hand. “May you accept this song?” He asked her… none other than Aliana. If she chose to take his hand he would walk her over and sit her in the best seat in the tavern. If she chose to ignore him he would simply look at her deeply in the eyes for a moment and then turn around abruptly smiling, and never looking back.

Taking out Eisen from her case, and properly his bow… the note was still held within his heart. He memorized them by playing countless hours. It couldn’t be helped that this song would be used to woe the woman of fire.

And so bow met string and chords were struck. From there on he remained silent. He let the music do the talking, and everyone in the tavern just seemed to fade away. Aside from a hallucination that made it look like Aliana was the only one there. As if she was glowing under a bright moonlight.



Though, the song managed to move more than just who it was directed towards. Couples placed their arms around each other. A few shared passionate looks as the music reminded them of something that might have been lost. A feeling that was indescribable by words alone. Epifanio himself had no idea or concept of love. He figured it to be a failed hunt. One where the game would always get away and win. For Vantha weren’t always loyal, specially to matters of the heart… so that is why he didn’t believe in it.

The song however tended to say something completely different. Though, it would probably never be found out if it was just a moments fling like it always was. He was a hopeless romantic. Whom chased after far too many women in the hopes of getting that one thing that would complete him. That one thing that would tie the bonds of his lost family. That one thing that was described in another work of his called the ‘Theory of Love.’

[Aliana Hilt Terras]

☾ Title and Date ☽

Aliana continued to eat as a familiar voice caught her attention. She looked over while drinking some water as he spoke. The black haired woman was not expecting to see the man in the least when she had arrived. Listening to him the woman went back to her meal expecting him to stop at the other Snowsong. Going back to her food Aliana was content just to listen. To say she was surprised when he offered his hand to her was an understatement. Swallowing she looked to the barmaid still a little in shock. The woman motioning her to go on while taking her food to move it with her.

"Yes," She said and took his hand.

Aliana walked with the man and sat in the seat beside where he was going to play. She curled on leg under her while drinking more of the water. The woman leaned back against the bar and smiled gently while listening. A part of her wanted to hug him afterwards, but she reframed not sure how he would take the sudden invasion.

hello
hello
hello
Hello
Hello

[Epifanio Snowsong]

Title and Date

A few moments after the song, Epifanio wasn’t sure how everyone would react. A few distant murmurs from fellow Vantha whispered and a few more were into the moment. The show couldn’t obviously end there. After standing up and looking intently at Aliana the only thing Epifanio could do was offer a bow. A few clapped and some headed out of the tavern after having a far bit too much to drink.

“If you have someone you like, never forget to tell them how you feel.” Epifanio said with a slight smile. After grabbing a mug of ale himself that was given to him earlier he went up to Aliana and whispered in her ear. “Sorry for that, not sure how would you take being the center of attention. Surprised to say the least.”

Another short moment passed and it was time to play another song. This time bow met string with more of a familiar tone that everyone loved. Tavern music which always got the bars a bustling. It almost always led to a few moments of people dancing, and it was by far some of the more cheery music the bard would play. Taking bow to string while clapping the base of Eisen he was surely getting feverish into the music once again.

Secret :

It was his passion after all. The entire time he was like a man caught by a spell. Zoned into the music like no other. He gently tapped his foot and moved his legs every now and then all while trying to see how Aliana would react to the scene. Though, another play was in suit. Kenava took to another man through jealousy and started to dance, more than likely trying to distract the bard, but it didn’t seem to phase him anyways.

[Aliana Hilt Terras]

☾ Title and Date ☽

Aliana finished her meal as the song ended and he stood taking a bow. She clamped along with the rest a soft smile on her face. The woman was amazed and stunned that he would write a song about her. Looking a small smile appeared on her face when he spoke in her ear.

"Surprise is right, but I would never turn you down," Aliana said cutting her eyes looking to see his reaction.

The young Isur watched as he played the next song. It was upbeat and caused many to dance and laugh. With a content smile on her face the woman leaned back and clapped along after paying for the meal. Kenava glared to the red armed woman dancing to try and throw the bard off. Aliana caught his eyes and smiled still clapping and having fun. She winks at him and laughed seeing someone dancing retarded trying to make some kids giggle. Watching she wanted the happiness and love of a family. True her father and mother loved her, yet there was something that she yearned for no matter how much she tried to push it away.

hello
hello
hello
Hello
Hello

[Epifanio Snowsong]

Title and Date

After a few moments of finishing the song and milking the crowd Epifanio turned to busking once again. Though, his performance skills weren’t always the best he definitely put himself out there. He was a performer and it was his intention to entertain them. After saying a few words to Aliana in Vantha, almost sounding provocative… “I get off in a few bells.” He went off to chat up some of the people around the tavern.

“Surprised you haven’t taken to your pipe yet, Epifanio!?”
“Ah, don’t remind me.”
“What is you’ve been smoking?”
“Cypharian Tabacco. Nothing fancy, really.”
“That’s still good. I heard that Blue Vision is a great smoke said to bring awareness.”
“Maybe someday!”
…
“Say Epi, I heard Kenava has a thing for you.”
“No way, man! Besides she was dancing with someone else.”
“Yeah, and besides what is with that outsider?”
“She’s just… unique.”
“I bet!”
….
“I didn’t know you played the flute too!”
“Yeah, just started. Not ready to blow any tunes for you guys though.”
“Oh comeon! We are all too drunk to notice your mistakes anyways.”
“Alright… Alright… I will try!”
…
Epifanio once again walked over to Aliana and decided to give yet another performance. “Ladies and … gentlemen, and not so gentle men…” A few chuckles were heard in the distance. “This lady here was kind enough to craft me a flute!”

Although his playing wasn’t the most pristine he sat back down in front of Aliana and gave a wink. Picking up Eisen he started to pluck on the strings instead of resulting to using his bow. Fingers callused from over-use struck at each string as he turned his head and blew into the pipes that Aliana had crafted. Each note was surrounded by a flick on the base of the Gamba and a tap of the strings with simple prolonged notes coming from the flute. It reminded him of the pounds of the forge, and the flute reminded him of the personality within the Isur. She seemed like a workaholic when he first met her, but now in her tavern seemed to have a far different story to her. It was played out once again in an improvisation.

Every smack on the base of the gamba resonated within the acoustics of the hollowed base. It seemed to reverberate into Epifanios chest, matching his offset-heartbeat as he blew into the flute some more. Every strike of the string resembled a similar pattern as the music came hole. It was something remarkable and even he himself was surprised at how well the flute went along with the gamba. There was no contesting Eisen, though… She was definitely the star of the show.

“What a lucky lady.”
“Hardly, just another muse of the devilish Epifanio.”
“Devilish in bed maybe. His heart has always been kind to me.”
“I don’t think that was his heart being kind!”
A few women spoke about and joked in Vantha while looking at Aliana. Epifanio nearly lost his tone when he heard it, but just continued playing half smiling. He diverted his eyes for a second while keeping his head pressed to the right and blowing into the flute on his arm. You see, the flute was a unique one, with six different pipes that offered different notes and acted as an ornate armband. To be honest with himself, he hadn’t even taken it off since Aliana had put it on him.

After finishing the song he spoke to the women who had earlier been teasing him in Vantha.
“Hey now, I heard that. Dare you want a song devoted to you next?” He smirked. The women simple giggled and walked off after dropping a few mizas into his case.

Speaking in common now to Aliana. “So about what you said earlier. What did you mean by you would never turn me down?”

[Aliana Hilt Terras]

☾ Title and Date ☽

Aliana smirked at the man when he spoke of getting off in a few bells. She had played the player it seemed though part of her wanted him to come back with her. Looking over to him keeping his gaze the woman spoke of heading home soon.

"If you were getting off I would get you to escort me home. Alas I must go home before you finish," she said batting her eyes again.

She popped her neck with a yawn ready to head back to the apartment for the night. Scratching her face the woman put her jacket on about the time he spoke of her making him the flute. A blush graced the Isur's face when everyone peered towards her before listening to the man. Aliana listened to the man's song happy to hear how it sounded with his gamba (Eisen). The woman walked to the exit as he flirted with a couple of other women. Turning back she smiled at him.

"There is no reason to turn down one who has been so very interesting. Good night Epifanio," She said and walked out.

hello
hello
hello
Hello
Hello

[Epifanio Snowsong]

Title and Date

Letting out a slight smile and scoff the bard simply turned sharing a slight bow of the head towards Aliana. “Anytime.” He said as she started to head her way out of the tavern. Of course that didn’t end the rest of his few hours entertaining the tavern. He went on to share a few drinks with those willing to allow him. It led to many an interesting conversations and some even teased him that he would never be able to get under her sheets.

“If she even sleeps!” he said in reply. After a few laughs Epifanio put his flute to use once more and started to hum a tune through it while making sounds with his voice. It was very interesting and though it sounded a bit odd at first, some tended to enjoy it. His drunkenness and rejection from yet another woman led him to discover that there is more to singing and his voice can act as an instrument in itself.

The tavern owner seemed to make a killing from food and drinks and the bards simple shift ended as more and more people dwindled away to their holds. Working at the tavern had its advantages. Free drinks on the expense of others, the ability to act out his fiendish flirting without getting in too much trouble for it, and of course the off chance that a little extra money was made. All the while he was doing what he truly loved.

Remembering back, he could tell that Aliana was just playing with him. Though, he enjoyed the game, and he would make it a point to win. He enjoyed the challenge most of all

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[Maro]

Epifanio Skills +Busking +4 +Flirting +2 +Music Composition +1 +Observation +1 +Play Musical Instrument: Flute +2 +Play Musical Instrument: Gamba +4 +Seduction +1 +Singing +1 +Socialization +4 +Storytelling +1 Lores -Some Things Are Best Left to Be Said Without Words -The Beserk Vantha: A Horror Story -Changing One's Tone to Match Changes in a Story -Using Props for Effect: Don't Set the Audience on Fire -If You Sing It, They Will Come -Busking: Working the Crowd -Vantha Aren't Always Loyal -Fingers Get Calloused from Playing Strings -Blue Vision: Said to Bring Awareness Aliana Skills +Flirting +3 +Observation +2 +Seduction +1 +Socialization +3 Lores -The Red Diamond Tavern: A Well-Admired Establishment -Vani: A Foreign Tongue Makes One Feel Out of Place -It's Shocking to Be the Subject of a Song -Yearning for a Different Kind of Family -Playing the Player Shared Lore -A Song for Aliana (Yet to Be Named): An Epifanio Original -Kenava: Views Aliana as a Rival -An Upbeat Song Will Liven the Crowd -Aliana, the Outsider: She's Just... Unique -"I Would Never Turn You Down" -Eisen Plays Well with Aliana's Flute Epifanio's Tips (a.k.a. Loot) +1 golden miza +5 silver mizas +13 copper mizas +1 oz. sample of Blue Vision pipeweed +A cloth napkin with a lipstick kiss on it (unclaimed) Notes : As always, great thread, you two. It's nice to see Epifanio's interactions with all the people in the tavern, PCs or NPCs. I enjoyed the way you worked the flirtation into the regular happenings of the night. Same as always, I appreciate any corrections, so if you feel something is missing, just PM me to let me know. If you'd like lore rephrased, once again, PM me. Please make sure to edit your request to 'graded' in the queue. Epi, thanks for already submitting this for your wages.