As Eli stood there, slowly enjoying the drink, his attention remained on Aly, though his mind rarely stayed in one place for long. His sharp ears gathered fragments of nearby conversations while his eyes lingered on the exchange before him. The bard’s questions to Evander caught his interest almost immediately. Elves. The word slipped neatly into the endless catalogue within his mind. Mythology, species, ancient texts, foreign lands. But nothing. Not a single mention surfaced. He found that curious.
That, more than anything, intrigued him. If these people truly were elves, then they existed outside every volume he had ever studied. The realization should have unsettled him more than it did. Instead, it stirred the quiet excitement of a scholar discovering an unopened book.
But of course, there also remained the possibility that this was another trap, or another illusion, or another cruel game. Except this one offered open skies instead of stone ceilings, and salt air instead of damp earth. There was music instead of screams, and good company instead of isolation, and betrayal. And, he admitted to himself with quiet amusement, a rather lovely redhead. Compared to the last redheaded female who had dictated the course of his life, this evening was shaping up remarkably well.
His attention returned as she answered Evander’s question about dancing. When she confessed she doubted her own grace, Eli’s smile deepened. “Oh,” He said gently, “I sincerely doubt that.” Before he could elaborate, she offered her name, along with the collection of nicknames that seemed to accompany it. Evander, in turn, produced the invitation and very helpfully explained why Eli knew absolutely none of them.
The Day Court emissary chuckled, the sound carrying easily through the music. “He neglected to mention any of those details,” He said, tilting his glass toward his friend. “Instead, he concluded that stepping through an unknown portal was the sounder course of action.” His smile widened another fraction. “Rather annoyingly… he appears to have been right.”
He took another sip, the warmth of the drink settling comfortably through him as he watched Aly weave the white-and-gold flower into her hair. The rose suited her. Or perhaps she suited the rose. Either way, the effect was lovely. “You wear it beautifully, Aly.”
Then Evander, as predictably as sunrise, declared that the only way to discover whether she could dance was to dance. Eli laughed this time, the sound warm, rich and shockingly deep. It had been nearly fifty years since laughter had come this easily. It was nearly foreign, and he had almost forgotten how light it could feel.
Setting his empty glass aside, he turned toward his friend with knowing amusement. He had attended enough Spring Court celebrations to recognize that particular glint in Evander’s eye. Resistance, he knew, was entirely futile. He watched Evander moved towards the fire, letting the music take over his body as it had so many times before. “You see, milady,” He said charmingly, “Grace is rarely something one possesses before the first step.” His golden eyes sparkle as he offered her one of his large, golden hands. “Care to prove yourself wrong?”
[Posting Order: Flux, Matrimone, Aly, Evander, back to Eli unless someone new joins]
That, more than anything, intrigued him. If these people truly were elves, then they existed outside every volume he had ever studied. The realization should have unsettled him more than it did. Instead, it stirred the quiet excitement of a scholar discovering an unopened book.
But of course, there also remained the possibility that this was another trap, or another illusion, or another cruel game. Except this one offered open skies instead of stone ceilings, and salt air instead of damp earth. There was music instead of screams, and good company instead of isolation, and betrayal. And, he admitted to himself with quiet amusement, a rather lovely redhead. Compared to the last redheaded female who had dictated the course of his life, this evening was shaping up remarkably well.
His attention returned as she answered Evander’s question about dancing. When she confessed she doubted her own grace, Eli’s smile deepened. “Oh,” He said gently, “I sincerely doubt that.” Before he could elaborate, she offered her name, along with the collection of nicknames that seemed to accompany it. Evander, in turn, produced the invitation and very helpfully explained why Eli knew absolutely none of them.
The Day Court emissary chuckled, the sound carrying easily through the music. “He neglected to mention any of those details,” He said, tilting his glass toward his friend. “Instead, he concluded that stepping through an unknown portal was the sounder course of action.” His smile widened another fraction. “Rather annoyingly… he appears to have been right.”
He took another sip, the warmth of the drink settling comfortably through him as he watched Aly weave the white-and-gold flower into her hair. The rose suited her. Or perhaps she suited the rose. Either way, the effect was lovely. “You wear it beautifully, Aly.”
Then Evander, as predictably as sunrise, declared that the only way to discover whether she could dance was to dance. Eli laughed this time, the sound warm, rich and shockingly deep. It had been nearly fifty years since laughter had come this easily. It was nearly foreign, and he had almost forgotten how light it could feel.
Setting his empty glass aside, he turned toward his friend with knowing amusement. He had attended enough Spring Court celebrations to recognize that particular glint in Evander’s eye. Resistance, he knew, was entirely futile. He watched Evander moved towards the fire, letting the music take over his body as it had so many times before. “You see, milady,” He said charmingly, “Grace is rarely something one possesses before the first step.” His golden eyes sparkle as he offered her one of his large, golden hands. “Care to prove yourself wrong?”
[Posting Order: Flux, Matrimone, Aly, Evander, back to Eli unless someone new joins]
Tyll grinned over at Aly, “The art of using a bow takes no less skill than being able to use an instrument. I would say it might take more skill to use a bow, especially when one is riding on horseback.” The grin got even bigger whenever their hostess called it a lute. “That is what we call it as well. It is indeed my favorite instrument, though I can use a myriad of others like the drum, flute and harp.” The disguised half-elf was versatile and could eventually teach themselves to use almost any instrument, if they had the need and motivation. “Your mothers recipes are indeed delicious, I wish I could give her my compliments.”
The shapeshifter was indeed skilled at interrogation, it appeared that they had a lot of experience in questioning people. The subtle and not-so-subtle flatteries, the smooth quality of their voice, were all utilized. Whenever ‘Tyll’ spoke with someone, their interest was genuine. They’d forgotten all about their past predicament, fully immersed in the scene here. Addressing Evander, they replied, “Your mask would be perfect for a masquerade or similar social function, but it would certainly be an annoyance to be stuck with it. It must be a powerful curse? Again, if I am being too nosy, my apologies.”
“I have never heard of the Island of Pryhtian, and though I hold no office I have traveled far and wide and heard of lands even beyond what I’ve walked. Though, the fae certainly have the ability to travel between planes and worlds. I suspect they’ve branched many times from their origins. This is all fascinating to me. Do either of you know how to play any music?” Turning their body somewhat to face toward Matrimone, they asked, “Would you be willing to let us know what world you have arrived from?”
Tyll reminded themselves that they had a role to fulfill. There was talk of dancing, and they began to shift from their simple melody into something that would be worthy of this occasion. Most of their drink was gone by now, savored slowly so that their thoughts or music would not be muddled. They had indulged in the cheese tartlets as well, it was the best food they’d had in a while. Their focus and posture shifted so that they could set aside food and drink for now and focus entirely on their craft. Their fingers danced along the strings, practiced and dexterous.
Dancing music
[Posting order: Matrimone, Aly, Evander, Eli, back to Flux unless someone new joins ^.^ My apologies for posting out of turn, my enthusiasm gets ahead of me at times]
The shapeshifter was indeed skilled at interrogation, it appeared that they had a lot of experience in questioning people. The subtle and not-so-subtle flatteries, the smooth quality of their voice, were all utilized. Whenever ‘Tyll’ spoke with someone, their interest was genuine. They’d forgotten all about their past predicament, fully immersed in the scene here. Addressing Evander, they replied, “Your mask would be perfect for a masquerade or similar social function, but it would certainly be an annoyance to be stuck with it. It must be a powerful curse? Again, if I am being too nosy, my apologies.”
“I have never heard of the Island of Pryhtian, and though I hold no office I have traveled far and wide and heard of lands even beyond what I’ve walked. Though, the fae certainly have the ability to travel between planes and worlds. I suspect they’ve branched many times from their origins. This is all fascinating to me. Do either of you know how to play any music?” Turning their body somewhat to face toward Matrimone, they asked, “Would you be willing to let us know what world you have arrived from?”
Tyll reminded themselves that they had a role to fulfill. There was talk of dancing, and they began to shift from their simple melody into something that would be worthy of this occasion. Most of their drink was gone by now, savored slowly so that their thoughts or music would not be muddled. They had indulged in the cheese tartlets as well, it was the best food they’d had in a while. Their focus and posture shifted so that they could set aside food and drink for now and focus entirely on their craft. Their fingers danced along the strings, practiced and dexterous.
Dancing music
[Posting order: Matrimone, Aly, Evander, Eli, back to Flux unless someone new joins ^.^ My apologies for posting out of turn, my enthusiasm gets ahead of me at times]
Matrimone didn’t say anything, simply listening to the passing conversations. She still remains by the drink stand, but was able to listen to the conversations.
That was until Tyll asked where she came from.
The half-Raccoon did not answer right away. It looked as if she ignored the question, but was acknowledging the question, pondering about it before she answered. Usually, she wouldn’t answer a ridiculous question about her homeworld, but High Priestess did say to let it out…
If Matrimone must…
“…I am from a continent of a medieval past,” she answered carefully. “Where gods and goddesses walk the Earth, and where Mythical beings, animals, humans, or anything could live in harmony…”
(OOC: Next postings order; Alysann, Evander, Eli, Flux and then back to Matrimone unless someone new joins us!)
That was until Tyll asked where she came from.
The half-Raccoon did not answer right away. It looked as if she ignored the question, but was acknowledging the question, pondering about it before she answered. Usually, she wouldn’t answer a ridiculous question about her homeworld, but High Priestess did say to let it out…
If Matrimone must…
“…I am from a continent of a medieval past,” she answered carefully. “Where gods and goddesses walk the Earth, and where Mythical beings, animals, humans, or anything could live in harmony…”
(OOC: Next postings order; Alysann, Evander, Eli, Flux and then back to Matrimone unless someone new joins us!)
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