Music in the Dark (Shale)

[Archon]

Season of Spring, Day 25, 511 AV There was darkness everywhere. No matter where Shale looked there was nothing to see but the inky blackness. What she heard was a different matter however. Dozens of musical voices screaming, crying, wailing, and yelling strange words all at the same time. The voices echoed in her head, and they carried with them feelings of loneliness, sorrow, and despair that seemed to fill every corner of her being. Beneath it all was a deep set of nine notes that repeated over and over again. Soon the voices and notes started growing louder, as if whatever was making the horrible noise was coming closer, and it was slowly overwhelming her... Before the nightmare could progress further Shale awoke with a start. The sounds of Syliras, people moving about the corridors of Stormhold and muffled conversation, reached her ears, letting her know that it was daytime at least. Whispers about Syliras recently had spoken of people having nightmares just like the one she had just experienced. The rumors also said that anyone who had such a dream was haunted by it all day, and Shale could feel the light web of sorrow and despair over her thoughts. Those feelings were not strong, but something she could overcome with some mental effort. More present than those feelings however was the desire to get outside Stormhold, to see the light of Syna and breath fresh air. She had not been awake for even a full chime when she heard the sound of screaming. Unlike her nightmare this was the sound of a man screaming in the corridor she had been sleeping in, and from the sounds of it he was running as he screamed, "The Music! The music will consume us all! Darkness will cover the world again just like during the Valterrian! The Music!" As the man's voice grew louder she saw him come running around the corner and start running down the hallway she was in with a frantic pace, "The music, and the screams! Can't you all hear it!?" the man's screams echoed off of the corridor walls as he ran towards Shale, soon he would pass her, and Shale could now see the wildness in his eyes, like a terrified animal. It seemed the talk of nightmares was more than just rumors.

[Shale]

Shale shuddered unconsciously as she was flung first from her nightmare, and now flung into a confused awakening.

A voice cried out. "CAN'T YOU ALL HEAR IT?!"

Oh yes, she was very, very awake now. Shale scrambled to her feet, dressed in her usual performer's outfit. She paused only enough to squint at the man who was rapidly encroaching, panicking, like a thing of the wilds was pursuing him. A wave of dizziness overcame her as she noticed how the walls seemed to be closing in as the man ran. And the smell of the city wasn't helping.

Beyond that, she was drawn to the source of the screaming. This man, he had the dream too? Her curiosity was sparked, as was her own nauseating memories of the nightmare from mere moments ago. She had to find out what he knew, did he have it before?

Shale ignored the negative feelings of her senses, spurred to action by the energy of the moment. The 6' 4" Kelvic moved to block the panicking human's way in the claustrophobic halls of the castle and grab a hold of him in a bear hug. Anything to make him stop so she could get some answers!

The fever of the moment was getting to her as well; she talked with the voice of someone on edge, rattling the words off in quick succession. "Stop! Hold on now! Calm down there's nothing here! It's gone it's gone now!"

[Archon]

The man didn't even slow in his run as Shale moved to block his path, and the two collided with enough force to send them both crashing to the floor as Shale locked her arms around the man. The earthy smell of dirt and green things filled Shale's nostrils as she held the man tight, like what you might expect a woodsman or hunter to smell like. Shale's word's seemed to have little effect on the man as he shook his head violently, struggling to get out of Shale's grip, "No! It's all still there, echoing! The first few nights it went away with Syna's light, but now the voices and music won't be quiet!" In the man's flailing finally caused his head to collide with Shale's chin. The force of the blow was enough to not only rattle her teeth, but also to cause her to smash the back of her head against the stone of the floor. It wasn't enough to cause any real damage to her, but the man used the opportunity to scramble free and start running down the corridor screaming again, "It will consume us all!" Just as Shale was recovering from the blow to her head a pair of Knights came running up in their full plate armor, and while one continued running after the screaming man the other paused and crouched down next to Shale, "Are you alright Miss?" the voice the came out from the Knight's helmet was deep and definitely masculine, "Do you need any help?"

[Shale]

Shale groaned. There's that awful feeling again. "Yes, I think I'm fine, thank you." She started to get back up on her feet once more and dust herself off a little. "Just one thing; could you tell me about any nightmares that may have been mentioned lately? I've heard these rumors, you see."

[Archon]

The Knight was silent for a few moments after Shale's question, and then with a soft sigh he lifted up his visor revealing brown eyes set in a relatively average young man's face, "Pretty much all there is is rumors Miss. Some people have been having strange nightmares the last few days, and it seems to be causing them problems while awake as well." The Knight turned his gaze down the passageway the screaming man had gone down for a few moments before returning his attention to Shale, "I haven't heard specifics on the nightmare, but I've heard they feature music and voices, like that man was yelling about. I don't know if the nightmare is causing the strange behavior, or the if the strange behavior is causing the nightmares." "Don't worry though Miss, us Knights will figure out what is going on and stop it," he said with a reassuring smile, "Now, would you like me to escort you somewhere? I can understand if your encounter with that man has left you a little shaken."

[Shale]

Shale shuddered once more despite the situation being more or less over and done with. The news from the knight was less positive than she had hoped. "Shaken indeed, Sir Knight." She thought for a moment, returning to her first impulse. Outdoors. "A bit of fresh air and sunshine would probably do me some good and get over this mess. If you would be so kind as to escort me outside... you see I came here quite some time ago, but I have yet to learn all the streets and ways."

[Shale]

-Double Post-

[Archon]

"Of course," the Knight continued to give Shale a reassuring smile as he offered her his arm, "I'm Ser Edward Drason by the way. Might I inquire as to your name Miss?" Whether Shale took his offered arm, or offered her name, Ser Edward turned and lead her through the tight and twisting corridors of Stormhold. In around 10 chimes the passageway opened up, and the two stepped out into the brightness and warmth of Syna's light. While Shale's desire to get outside was relieved at the change in scenery the faint web of of sorrow and despair was still present, at least in the back of her mind. "I hope the rest of your days go much better," Ser Edward said with a polite smile, "But I must be back to my duty," and with that he pulled his visor down and trotted off into the crowds of Syliras as they moved about their daily routines. Around five chimes had passed after the Knight left when a voice called out from the nearby crowd, "Shale!" If the Kelvic turned and looked at the source of the voice she would find a handsome looking man about her height, perhaps a little taller, with sandy blond hair, and he was smiling and waving in her direction with about 40 feet of crowd separating them. He was not someone she would recognize, but judging by the look on his face he recognized her, and was relieved to have found her as he started to make his way through the crowd and towards the tall Kelvic.

[Shale]

Shale watched the Knight walk off with a smile, trying to hide her still somewhat downcast emotions. She had trouble introducing herself properly along the journey to get some fresh air what with being guided around through crowds and echoing halls, but with her voice raised, she was pretty sure he heard her.

With her escort gone, Shale took in a deep breath of air and waited for her eyes to adjust fully to being outside in the blaring sunlight.

Some Kelvic would probably not be so appreciative of the various mixed scents of civilization and all those various activities that went on within it. However, Shale had lived with such things her whole life. Sure it was noticeably different from her hometown, but regardless, amidst the people was where she belongs.

Apparently she belonged more than she thought. Someone was calling to her. Someone she couldn't recognize. Her eyes continued to focus on as much detail of him as she could. She felt like she should have known this guy, but she couldn't get his scent with him downwind like that.

Shale started off started towards the approaching man, gingerly stepping around various people and taking careful whiffs, hoping that the wind would shift in her favor and she'd be able to recall who he was before they actually met face-to-face.

After all, if she couldn't remember a fan and greeted him like a nobody, how would that reflect on her as a performer? Not well at all.

[Archon]

As the man and Shale drew closer together she could make out his fine looking clothing, probably silk by the look, and his bright green eyes. The wind turned after a few more steps and she caught his scent, a slight hint of manly muskiness that was subdued under more bright floral scents. Whoever this man was, it seemed he cared a great deal about looking and smelling good. "Shale, it's you isn't it?" the man said with a bright smile as he approached her, excitement and relief written all over his smooth and clean shaved face, "I know you probably don't know me, but I was a friend of your Master's, and he spoke fondly of you often. I can't believe I finally found you! You look well, I hope life hasn't been too harsh on you since the tragic death of your Master?" his smile fell slightly at his last words, hints of sorrow on his face. After a moment he gave a small shake of his head, "We shouldn't dwell on the sad things of the past though. I am Alphonse, and I was a good friend of your Master. I have something to talk to you about, but not here in the open. Do you have a home here in Syliras?" Despite the man's display of emotions there was something in his words and actions that felt just a bit off to Shale. Perhaps it was the lingering unpleasantness from her Nightmare earlier, but something didn't seem quite right with the man's words.