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| A Tune For You | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 15 2008, 01:53 AM (89 Views) | |
| Florizel Iris | Jul 15 2008, 01:53 AM Post #1 |
 
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"Lookin' like a brilliant sort of day, my fine friend, is it not?" Florizel cooed as he patted his best and lazily rolled up his sleeves. There was a wide smile on his face, one that rarely fell away, and a certain amount of life in his eyes that seemed to match that of a four year old--not so much a man of his age. He rolled his head around on his neck and gave his fingers a few good cracks before reaching into the pocket of his vest and pulling out a small pocket watch. It was gold, engraved with brilliant flowers on the cover, and had long ago belonged to the Mad Hatter. At least that's what Florizel liked to tell people--that he, a common merchant of the streets, owned the watch that was once owned by the Mad Hatter. In truth, it was something he had bought off a grungy old man as they passed through Gretel's Grove a few years back. It made for great conversation and even better donation. He flipped open the top, turning it every which way (as if it were a compass) before snapping it shut and grinning wide towards his partner in crime. He pointed forward. "That way, my lad...that way we go. Those people there will surely enjoy a show." He told him delightedly with a wink before scooping up his battered case and leading his friend and fellow performer towards the corner of the two streets. It was only then that he set his case down and brought out the polished, silver trumpet. His entire look seemed expensive--extravagantly so. From the patterns of his vest to the silkiness of his shirt and from the smoothness of the trumpet to the brightness of his teeth--Florizel was seemingly perfect in each and every way. Much like a well painted puppet standing up tall and ready to take on the world. "You there sir--do you enjoy a note or two? Will you let us play a lively, magical tune for you?" Florizel called out, catching the attention of a man and then of a few others as he looked towards Marcellus and offering him another wink. It was all an act--the word play, the rhyming, the clothing. All of it was to get more coins in their pockets and food in their stomachs. "And you sir, do you care for a song? A junt or a jive to ease your soul. How about something loving and sweet to accompany you on your stroll? Perhaps a tune you have never heard...maybe something quick and fluttery like a blue-jay bird. Whatever it is, whatever we play...we promise it will make your day." Florizel said as he nodded towards the man. He seemed younger than him, hair messy and spikey for whatever reason...but Florizel figured he was a perfect target for the start of the day. He brought the trumpet to his lips, starting the song they both knew so very well. |
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| Ashton Lionel | Jul 15 2008, 03:17 AM Post #2 |
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Ash was on business. Ash was always on business it seemed. It kept him busy, he liked it that way most times. He was actually looking in a book as he strolled along when the man addressed him. He didn't notice at first. It was after he kept speaking that Ash looked up at all. When he did he felt his cheeks get hot from embarrassment as he'd been rude enough to not acknowledge him prior. Ash's fingers dug into the pocket on his vest. He felt three gold coins. It was certainly enough to offer the street performers, as it was all he had on him he dropped the coins in the man's money pot. He didn't really give them a second glance or even notice the song - it was all reflexive. Had he had more gold Wendells he likely would have dropped them in too. He walked on without turning back or hearing or even looking at them again. He could still feel the embarrassment warmth in his face. However after he'd walked up the length of the street, several houses down from where they'd set up he paused. His head popped up and he stared forward blindly. Slowly he turned back to them. If he was going to pay, he realized, he should likely get his money's worth. With care and direction he moseyed back. "Excuse me." He said, raising a finger. "Do you know the one the regales the events of the Kingdoms two hundred years ago - the 5 Dames of History?" He asked. It was his favorite ballad. He pointed at the other boy. "Have you a lute?" He glanced back at the trumpet player. "Surely you know the one." He pointed at the passers-by. "It will draw a larger crowd. People love a ballad." It was in Ash to explain it as such. He saw the potential in them. The chances they had to be great. They could bring in more money than they did now - if they marketed themselves differently. "What people love more is a love ballad. Do you know any of those?" He asked in sincerity. |
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| Florizel Iris | Jul 19 2008, 01:22 AM Post #3 |
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He had long ago brought the silver trumpet to his lips, playing a quick and lively tune as Marcellus set up the rest of their little station. It was meant to catch the attention of the townsfolk and was already working as a few more gold Wendells were dropped into the money pot, the sound of the coins falling drowned out by the brassy noise from his trumpet. Florizel's eyes caught Ash as he came back, his fingers slipping only slightly when he began to speak and Florizel trailed off the note, bringing the trumpet away from his lips. He couldn't remember ever having someone come back to them after they had offered up money. To request the music no less. But a grin crossed his face and he looked towards Marcellus with a tip of his head. "Well, well...a man of music, I see. A man who knows his notes, isn't he?" Florizel asked with laughter in his voice and eyes before he turned back to Ash and gave a nod of his head. "We can play whatever you like--although I am quite partial to A Beanstalk Wedding myself. But my friend here..." He indicated to Marcellus. "Is absolutely phenomenal when it comes to the luxury of love ballads. I can even assure you that our rendition of the 5 Dames of History will capture you, heart and soul." Florizel leaned forward, resting the bell of trumpet against his thigh as Marcellus readied his lute. He waved forward a few of those walking the street, taking their attention as he began to speak. "A man here waits, a loving, sweet ballad he states. Maybe it be Five Dames of a lonely history or the world of A Lover's Mystery--" Florizel offered Ash a wink before he looked back to the crowd. "Both I choose, both I hold dear. But neither will I sing unless he joins me, this man here." Florizel pointed to Ash, the crowd's attention shifting to the spikey haired boy in excitement. "Do you accept my terms, young sir? Marcellus, a string of Five Dames to start--good sir, will you join me in a song to warm the heart?" It was another part of their day--their act...they'd rope in locals to their songs, letting them take part in the song whether it was with the tambourine on the ground or even, such as Ash, in a vocal or two. |
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| Marcellus Derosio | Jul 19 2008, 02:58 AM Post #4 |
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Marcellus just stood for a moment, a very small moment, taking in the street around him. It was going to be a good day, he could smell it, he could hear it. It was in the rattle of the wooden wheels against the streets, the voices as they called to each other - everything to him sounded like music and he found the beauty in it all. Here in the towns, it was the rawness of it. The way the people seemed to meld into its beats and rhythm without ever realizing they were doing it. How they all became part of the song with just a step or wink. On one corner was a sad ballad, the other a jig. Over that way a love song, sweet and pure, turn around and it was a monumental moment as the climax was reached, the moment of sheer emotion. It was all intertwined inside his head as he strode through the seats, one hand tucked into his fine vest. As they passed one vendor, he passed over one Wendell, shaking the man's hand vigorously before taking a flower, snapping off the stem and tucking it into his lapel. Throwing their top hat onto the ground to accept any Wendell's that were given that day, he remained quiet as Florizel brought in the people to them. People seemed to think him odd, a little mad, and maybe he was but why must one stay grounded when they simply could not help being caught up in the song of life? He smiled wide as he watched the man return, dropping what he was doing and coming to Florizel's side in a second, looking around with an exaggerated bewildered expression. Did they know 5 Dames of History? Of course they knew that and they knew The Troll's Quarrel and any other song that this man or anyone could list off. At Florizel's compliment on his skill at love ballads, he placed a hand over his heart, animating its beating with a dreamy expression and pulling out his lute from where he carried it behind his back. Plucking out a few notes, making sure though he knew it was tuned by the feel of the strings themselves, as Florizel called out again and at his signal, he began to strum through the song. As he did, everything about Marcellus seemed to calm down and he strode around softly making eye contact with people that passed and drawing them into the performance as he listened to his partner singing, "You remind me of a former love that I once knew, And you carry a little piece of me with you..." Turning his eyes looked towards Ash as he waited to see if he would join in. |
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| Ashton Lionel | Jul 24 2008, 09:16 PM Post #5 |
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"Terms?" Ash asked hastily but the other one had already broken into song. "But..." he mumbled, though he was already drown out by the song as he pointed at the container where he'd put his coins. He was about to protest and say he'd already paid them and that he would hardly be some sort of entertainment - he was just suggesting a marketing plan that would bring more people so they could earn more money. Ash was shaking his head at the bard for fear to turn around. He would hear the people milling about behind him. That meant that they were there, however if he didn't turn he couldn't be embarrassed by them. If he didn't see them, then they weren't there. He frowned as he took a step back but the other bard, who was singing, had already moved up next to him. Slowly Ash turned to look at the people. It took a lot to get him to perform, but the truth was Ash was a performer - he and his brothers sang fairly often in their store. The locals knew and would provoke them to burst into song; Ash was rather proficient on the lute; as were his brothers. They were all singers as well - and they could, among their own familiar people - quite well light up a stage - or a tabletop, depending on their location. There were a few dozen people gathered. All were looking expectantly at him and Ash felt his cheeks grow warm. Most were smiling as if encouragingly; others were merely looking on but all were waiting for him to join in. He glanced sideways at Marcellus and then over to Florizel. It took a moment, but he imagined Payton holding the trumpet and Hayden with the lute in hand. He could hear his brother's voices over that of the bards in his mind. With that he joined in their song boldly. With his brothers at his side he could sing, just like if they were in the tea shop they owned, and not on a street corner somewhere in a nondescript city. "You remind me of a few of my famous friends. Well, that all depends what you qualify as friends..." |
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