Cythra/Concert 442

Cythra's 442AV Concert

(August 3, 2022)

Resumption of the resurrection of the revival of The Arthe Dale Concert Series

Sponsored by: The Arthe Repertory Team (TART)

A Concert consisting of never before seen comedy, songs, and acting by THE Cythra

Introductions by: Nilme Iondu'il

Attendees

• Daisy
• Cythra
• Eurynomile
• Nilme
• Akeiro
• Akolu
• Alanarue
• Allye
• Almarius
• Amaci
• Baelor
• Carronade
• Chrysagon
• Cote
• Dallylia
• Dromond
• Elurora
• Erieck
• Harsh
• Hebion
• Hvinir
• Iryta
• Kaedan
• Kintryn
• Mourghanna
• Nesra
• Psychmenon
• Pyppa
• Rhadyn
• Ruven
• Ryeka
• Saslisena
• Siendra
• Sliyder
• Sonatina
• Stelling
• Tichond
• Tirost
• Useff
• Vixonia

It Begins

[Arthe Hollow Inn, Common Room]

The room is filled with long, low tables and stools, where several people sit eating hearty bowls of Arthe Hollow's popular lamb stew. A large stone fireplace dominates one wall. Daisy Burdock, the inn's cook and waitress, crosses the room carrying a precarious arrangement of bowls and plates. She stops briefly to tease and joke with a regular customer or glance out the window. A sign is posted prominently next to the archway.

You also see a wooden menuboard, a polished wooden bar with several things on it, some wooden stairs and an open doorway.

Obvious exits: out.

You say, "I suppose you are all wondering why I called you all together."

Nilme whispers, "ready?"

You nod to Nilme.

INTRODUCTION

Nilme recites:

   "Hi!  My name is Nilme Iondu'il and on behalf of The Arthe Repertory Team (TART), I'd like to welcome you to the Arthe Hollow Inn for another in the Arthe Dale Concert Series."

Your mind hears Eurynomile thinking, "yes TARTs is continuing their concert series at the Inn in Arthe Dale featuring THE Cythra's stories and songs"

Nilme recites:

   "Daerlynn Soulmyste founded the Series and presented solo performers in approximately 20 concerts per year between 360 and 387 AV.  In recent years, she founded TART - with the idea to focus on Stage Performances of all kinds, and to revive the Arthe Dale Concert Series.  The first in the current series was held not long ago, and featured Tirost."

Nilme smiles.

Almarius chants in a sopranino voice: "Guild Mom! Guild Mom!"

Almarius lets out a hearty cheer for Nilme!

You giggle.

Nilme laughs!

Nilme recites:

   "Today we are excited to feature a well-known Bard, THE Cythra.  If you haven't heard of her, it won't be for lack of shameless self-promotion!"

You curtsy.

Nilme recites:

   "Cythra came to Crossing as a child from the West and never went back."

You mutter something into the air about regardless of how much they begged me to go.
You smirk.
Nilme smiles at Cythra indulgently.
You stand near Nilme.
You get a stippled slate vellum greeting card painted with a happy sea otter from inside your traveler's pack.
You clear your throat.
Nilme blinks.
You smile innocently.
You offer your greeting card to Nilme, who has 30 seconds to accept the offer.  Type CANCEL to prematurely cancel the offer.
Nilme gives you a puzzled look.
Nilme has accepted your offer and is now holding a stippled slate vellum greeting card painted with a happy sea otter.

You quietly say to Nilme, "Read this."

Nilme glances at a stippled slate vellum greeting card painted with a happy sea otter.
(Nilme smiles to those assembled, glances at Cythra with a raised eyebrow and reluctantly accepts a slightly crumpled greeting card.  She reads the card with a confused look, flips the card over, and a look of understanding crosses her face.)
You hum to yourself.

Nilme quietly says to herself, "She wrote it on the back of the - oh - I see."

You nod emphatically.
(Nilme looks down, reading the notecard to herself, stopping half-way through to give Cythra an incredulous look.)
(Cythra points at the huge crowd that has gathered and says, "To them".)
Nilme peers quizzically at you.
You reassuringly say to Nilme, "You can do it."
You nod.
Nilme quizzically asks you, "Seriously?"
You seem to be waiting for something.
Nilme clears her throat.
Nilme sighs.
You blink at Nilme.

You proudly say to Nilme, "Is my best handwriting."
You preen!
(Nilme pulls together an enthusiastic smile and turns to those assembled.)
You cheerfully say to Nilme, "Which means Eerie took notes for me."
You beam!
Nilme appears to be trying hard not to grin.

Nilme recites:

   "Well, if it's in Eerie's best handwriting, let's continue on?"

You nod emphatically.
(Nilme continues on with the introduction, reading from the back of the card, occasionally squinting at it to make sure she's reading it correctly.)
(Cythra keeps peering over Nilme's shoulder.)

Nilme recites:

   "Silvyrfrost immediately discerned the greatness that would be THE Cythra, and took her in, where Cythra became one of the best known, most popular, and prettiest bards ever."

You giggle.
You beam in loving admiration at Eurynomile.
Nilme quietly says to you, "Eerie managed to fit a lot on here."
You grin slowly.
Nilme chuckles.
Eurynomile laughs!

Nilme recites:

   "Cythra, the brilliant young starling.... wait, what? Starling?"

Eurynomile babbles something incoherent at you.

(Nilme shows the card to Cythra who whispers something to her.)
(Nilme nods and examines the card more closely.  A look of recognition crosses her face.)
Eurynomile mutters something into the air about just has suggestion.

Nilme recites:

   "Starlet! The brilliant young STARLET - not starling - and groundbreaking performer worked hard and yet without any difficulty at all to become an Award winning singer, songwriter, and a consummate storyteller."

Eurynomile hums to herself.

You snicker at Eurynomile.

Nilme blinks.
Nilme observes you with fascination.
Nilme blinks at you, shaking her head in exasperation before resting her face in the palm of her hand.
You preen!
You tactfully say to Nilme, "You missed where it says about great sense of humor."
Nilme sighs.

Nilme recites:

   "This Legendary Bard, who would later be known as both Diplomat and Lady of Snark, accomplished all this and became known as "THE Cythra", recognized most for her humble, unassuming demeanor."

(Cythra randomly wanders across the room.)
Nilme glances at you.
You ask Nilme, "Wha?"

Nilme recites:

   "Well then - there you go, in Eerie's best handwriting.  Please join me in welcoming the very humble Word Mistress - THE Cythra!"

Eurynomile grins at you.

Almarius giggles at Nilme.

Almarius exclaims, "Sooooooo humble!"

Nilme takes a seat near Useff.

You giggle.

Eurynomile exclaims to Nilme, "You did great!"

You grin at Eurynomile.

Nilme offers you a stippled slate vellum greeting card painted with a happy sea otter.  Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it.  The offer will expire in 30 seconds.
You accept Nilme's offer and are now holding a stippled slate vellum greeting card painted with a happy sea otter.
You glance at Nilme, a female Elf.
You quietly say to Nilme, "I busy right now.  I'll autograph this for you later."
You wave your greeting card around.
You put your card in your traveler's pack.

You smile and dashes onto the makeshift stage which is really just the front of the room.
You say, "Wow, what a great introduction."

Nilme gives a half-hearted grin.

You recite:

   "Thank you Nilme!  Let's hear it for Nilme!"

You giggle.

You recite:

   "Isn't she awesome?"

Nilme grins.

You quietly say, "She reads pretty good too."

Nilme raises her voice in merry laughter.

Stelling says, "She's the best Nilme ever."

Useff gently kisses Nilme on the cheek.

You say, "She works harder on this than I did."

Nilme grins.

You recite:

   "Now let's hear it again for me!"

Placing one hand on your hip and the other behind your head, you strike a sultry pose while batting your eyelashes.

Eurynomile is giggling at you.

Nilme looks at you and applauds!

(Cythra subtly motions for more applause)
Grin at yourself?  That's a good mental attitude, I guess.

Nilme looks at you and lets out a hearty cheer on your behalf!

Vixonia is giggling at you.

You recite:

   "Welcome to the final show in my "Life in Elanthia" tour!"
You say, "Hi, I'm Cythra."
You wave.
You quietly say to Nilme, "You din't wave."

Eurynomile waves to you, seeming not to want to take her eyes from you.

Nilme blinks.

Eurynomile beams in loving admiration at you!

Nilme waves.

Elurora is giggling at you.

You giggle at Nilme.
Nilme chuckles.

Tichond exclaims, "Hi Cythra!"

Dromond quietly says to Nilme, "It's going smashingly so far."

You humbly say, "Yes, THE Cythra."

You recite:

   "I would like to take a moment to thank Nilme and The Arthe Repertory Team for begging me to be a part of their prestigious concert series."
Nilme appears to be trying hard not to grin.
You cheekily say, "They really are a great bunch of TARTs."
You giggle.
You wink at Nilme.
Nilme appears to be trying hard not to grin.

You recite:

   "I'm proud to be joining the likes of such great performers as Tirost who provided the first show of this revived series."
   "I'm sure they waited for a second show because Tirost is such a tough act to follow."
   "For any that missed it, I recommend you get a moonie to help you travel back in time to see it."
You quietly say, "It's a guild secret that they try to hide."
You say, "Shhh."
You say, "If you want proof just go ask Kssarh about time travel and he will pretend he doesn't know what you are talking about."

You recite:

   "For those of you familiar with some of my previous work, don't worry..."
   "Tonight's show will be nothing like that."
   "So, without any further ado, here's... me!"

Nilme looks at you and lets out a hearty cheer on your behalf!

You curtsy.

Almarius exclaims, "The bestest you!"

You say, "Nae worries.  I give you every opportunity to applaud."
You wink.

CRITTER INTEREST

You recite:

   "To borrow a line from Eerie, it's good to see your faces."

You smile.

Eurynomile frets.

Eurynomile grins.

You recite:

   "You know, even though I can't really see them because I have the stage lights in my eyes."
(Cythra squints and tries to shade her eyes with her hand.)

You recite:

   "Actually, some of you look better this way."

Eurynomile blinks in amazement at you. Good heavens, dear!

You say, "I tease. I tease."
You grin.

Eurynomile hums to herself.

You recite:

   "Are you having a good time?"
You angle your ears forward in curiosity.

You recite:

   "The lights are in my eyes so I can't hear you very well."
(Cythra shades her eyes again.)
You yell, "I said... are y'all having a good time?!"

Nilme grins at you.

Akolu throws his head back and howls!

You beam!

You recite:

   "Nice. It looks like my work here is done."
You wink.

Iryta chortles softly at some secret joke.

Nilme laughs!

You recite:

   "For a change, I'm not here to tell you that your parents hate you."
   "Instead, this is going to be something new for me and might be an Elanthian first. I call it stand here comedy."
   "That's where I stand here and say funny stuff."
You mutter something into the air about hopefully.

You recite:

   "Since I've never had to write spontaneous jokes in advance before I asked someone about ideas on how to approach this."
   "She said that biggest part of any performance is looking good on stage and acting like you know what you're doing."
   "I thought to myself, "I've totally got this.""
You mutter something into the air about killin' it.

You recite:

   "She was like, without thinking about it what's the funniest thing you can think of?"
   "That seemed a little contradictory to me but I played along and off the top of my head said, "Rhadyn.""
   "How many of you never think about Rhadyn?"
You smirk.

Rhadyn raises his hand.

You say, "Asking for a friend."

You ponder.

You recite:

   "How many of you go hunting?"
You raise your hand.

Eurynomile says, "The lights she nae can sees."

You babble something incoherent at Eurynomile.

You ask, "Right?"
You say, "Like I can see you raising your hands."
You chuckle.

You recite:

   "Which critters do you hunt?"

Eurynomile babbles incoherently.

You say, "Just go ahead and yell it out."
You listen intently to the sounds around you.

You recite:

   "Oh sure, I hunt those too. They're pretty tough."
You nod.

You pace back and forth.

You wink.

You ponder.

You recite:

   "Have you ever wondered why they drop coins from all over the lands?"
   "Lirums, dokoras, and kronars.  What's up with that?"
You try hard not to grin.

Vixonia scratches one ear, looking bemused.

You scratch your head.

You pace back and forth.

You recite:

   "No, it's not because they have victims from all over."

Vixonia quietly says to Stelling, "I never thought to ask that..."

Stelling grins at Vixonia.

You giggle at Vixonia.

You recite:

   "Some of you might be familiar with a special ability bards have..."

You pace back and forth.

(Cythra stops pacing and looks at the audience.)

You recite:

   "That's right, it's called making stuff up."
You snicker.
You say, "Hey, I would never lie to you... except sometimes."
You smirk.
You ask, "I mean we're all friends here, right?"

You pace back and forth.

You say, "Unless the crime families showed up."
You nibble on your lip.
You say, "It's a joke.  Please don't kill me."

Ruven says, "Friends is a relative term."

You recite:

   "Once upon a time..."
You say, "You knew that had to be in here somewhere."

You recite:

   "The Riverhaven banking council was trying to find a way to increase their customer base."
   "So they came up with the idea of special interest rate critter club accounts."
You grin.

Almarius exclaims, "Ewwwwwwwww math!"

Almarius flails her arms about.

You recite:

   "The bank opened a special branch just outside of town just for critters."
You say, "Seriously, rock trolls ride the ferry to Haven to take advantage of this."
You say, "Of course you never see them because they hide to avoid the pickpockets."
You mutter something into the air about tradition.

You pace back and forth.

You recite:

   "So the critters go to the bank in Haven to make their deposits and get some of their change in kronars and dokoras to spend on the critter wine tours."
You say, "I'm sure you've heard of those."

You pace back and forth.

You say, "I just got back from entertaining at one."
You mutter something into the air about tipping taking on a whole new meaning.

You recite:

   "The tour leaves from the critter bank near Haven"

Elurora quietly asks Vixonia, "Critter wine tours?"

You recite:

   "Goes through Crossing."

Useff says, "A gig's a gig."

You recite:

   "Through Shard."

You snicker at Useff.

You recite:

   "Winding up all the way down in Hib."
You point out.

You pace back and forth.

You recite:

   "They're sipping wine and shopping all along the way."
   "Rock guardians aren't invading, they're just a little rowdy after getting all sauced up on merlot."
   "You've probably seen their leaflets."
You get a neatly folded leaflet inked in periwinkle from inside your traveler's pack.
You wave your folded leaflet around.

You recite:

   "These are the leaflets for the wine tour, they just don't print anything on them to avoid all you crazed hunters."

You pace back and forth.

You recite:

   "Otherwise they would say things like..."
You quietly peruse your folded leaflet.

You recite:

   "Party at historical sites like the gates of Crossing and Haven!"
You mutter something into the air about Think about it.
You grin.

You recite:

   "Ride the gondola and see the famous ghost!"
   "Enjoy a meet and greet with young adventurers and then kill them!"
You chuckle.
You put your leaflet in your traveler's pack.
You say, "You just can't make this stuff up."

Iryta says to you, "YOU can."

You say, "It's a good thing that I can though."

Iryta sticks out her tongue at you and lets loose with a loud, "Thbtbtbt" from her lips!

You grin at Iryta.

You pace back and forth.

You ponder.

(Cythra stops pacing)

Almarius is giggling at you.

You recite:

   "Just imagine..."

You pace back and forth.

You recite:

   "...some guardian getting home with a display case full of rocks collected from Kermoria's hot spots."
   "...or some rock troll out there sporting a brand new weapon...  an Illithian oak tree."
   "...or some xala with a pile of skulls that..."
You ponder.
You nibble on your lip.
You say, "Forget that one."

You recite:

   "...or maybe some warklin getting home after the tour and tacking up a painting of..."
   "Picturesque..."
   "Beautiful..."
   "Scenic..."
   "Undershard."

You nod emphatically.

You pace back and forth.

You recite:

   "On black velvet."

You pace back and forth.

You recite:

   "Purchased at a roadside stand."

You grin.

You recite:

   "Though if they had waited, that same painting is like twenty plat less at roadside stands in Illaya Taipa."
You chuckle.
You say, "It could happen."
You grin.

You pace back and forth.

You ponder.

You recite:

   "Have you ever thought that we should rearrange the common alphabet in order of priority?"
   "Starting at A every time means that it sometimes takes too long to get to more important letters."

You pace back and forth.

Allye cocks her head at you.

You recite:

   "...like P."
   "By the time you get all the way there it might be too late."

You ask, "Oh, you too?"
You giggle.

Allye giggles.

You recite:

   "We got the numbers in the right order so why not the alphabet?"
You grin.
You say, "Think about it."

You recite:

   "We should move P right to the front of the alphabet."

You pace back and forth.

You recite:

   "We could be eating papples."

You grin.

You recite:

   "And if we move A to where P was..."

Almarius gawks at you.

You hear the voice of Psychmenon say, "Papples."

You recite:

   "...it would take longer for adan'f to attack."

You pace back and forth.

You ponder.

You recite:

   "And if we move I right after P..."

You look around, trying to appear nonchalant.

You recite:

   "...it wouldn't take as long to get to the islands."

You grin.

You pace back and forth.

You recite:

   "Another way to make things faster, instead of all that rearranging, would be to just get rid of the last half of the alphabet."
   "Then we would never P again."

You ponder.

You ask, "I got a little sidetracked, where was I?"

Iryta says, "P."

Iryta nods to you.

You laugh!

You say, "Oh yeah..."

Pyppa says, "P ing."

You exclaim, "Are y'all having a good time?!"
You beam!
You exclaim, "Alright!"
You say, "My work here is done."

Tirost laughs!

You exclaim, "Let's hear it for me!"
You curtsy.

Nilme laughs!

PHILOSOPHY OF DELUSION

You smile as Nilme motions to her.
You say, "Oh, I have more time."
You grin slowly.
Nilme nods to you.
You blink at Nilme.

Vixonia laughs softly, trying to hide her amusement.

You recite:

   "I recently heard something kind of strange on the gweth."
You sarcastically say, "What a surprise."

Rhadyn gruffly asks, "So, when does the entertainment start?"

Amaci asks, "Just one?"

You recite:

   "Then a little voice in my head said that it might make a good song."

You give Rhadyn a gentle poke in the ribs.

Rhadyn just nudged you.

You recite:

   "That voice belonged to Nilme."
You grin at Nilme.
Nilme chuckles.
You emphatically say, "I guess all that's left to say is, "Challenge accepted."
Nilme laughs at you!

You get a silverwood faenellica decorated with inlaid cambrinth from inside your velvet case.
You smile and begins hammering out a driving series of glassy chords on her faenellica.

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "When you...
    Are keeping yourself in seclusion,
    And you know,
    That you are lacking inclusion,"

   "You're fooling yourself with illusions.
    You should get your mind an infusion."

   "Seclusion, inclusion, illusion, infusion?
    It's all... a philosophy of delusion."

You smile and strum a single, arpeggiated chord along with each word.

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Oh... my... brain. Am... I... insane?
    It's such... a... pain. It's all... in... vain."

You smile and resumes the original chord progression.

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "It's clear...
    Everyone knows you're just insecure.
    Part of you,
    Always remaining unsure."

   "How much more do you want to endure?
    Take some time and make yourself pure."

   "Insecure, unsure, endure, impure.
    Stuck in... a philosophy of delusion."

(Cythra lets a single chord ring out.)

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "You're hiding inside yourself."

(Cythra resumes playing her silverwood faenellica.)

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "You don't realize,
    You're biding your time in confusion.
    Your brain is all full of pollution.
    One thing you lack are solutions."

   "You spend all your time,
    Making up brand new excuses."

   "Confusion, pollution, solutions, excuses?
    You live... a philosophy of delusion."

   "You can't help...
    Perpetuating delusions."

You smile and lets a final chord ring out as she stops playing.

You curtsy.

You beam!

You exclaim, "Thank you!"

You grin.

THE NOTHING SONG

You recite:

   "The next song was inspired by a different little voice in my head."
You wave to Almarius.

You recite:

   "I'm not sure that it's a good thing to pay attention to the voices in my head, but it seems to be working out so far."

Nilme appears to be trying hard not to grin.

You recite:

   "This time it inspired me to write a song about nothing."
You emphatically say, "Not that I'm saying there's nothing in my head."

Elurora blinks at you.

You recite:

   "This is...  The Nothing Song"

You smile and begins fingerpicking a catchy ditty on her faenellica.

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Nothing can keep you busy indefinitely.
    I'll do something else... preferably.
    How will you know when you're done?
    When is it time to stand up and run?"

   "Sometimes nothing is the thing to do.
    I tell ya, doing nothing will get you your due."

   "Sometimes I just save nothing for later.
    Save it for when my head is on straighter.
    I'll dig it out again another other time.
    When I'm not up to my neck in grime."

Rhadyn gruffly says, "This is my fight song."

Tirost grins at Rhadyn.

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Sometimes nothing is the thing to do.
    I tell ya, saving nothing will get you your due."

Rhadyn praises you.

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Put nothing in a pocket that has a big hole.
    I think losing nothing is my special goal
    Cuz when is losing nothing a sin?
    I'm sure I will find nothing again."

Tichond nods at you, obviously agreeing with your views.

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Sometimes nothing is the thing to do.
    I tell ya, losing nothing will get you your due."

Iryta asks, "Did you write this for me?"

Iryta squints at you.

You giggle.

(Cythra briefly plays an ascending series of chiming dyads in a combination of legato and staccato notes with an occasional bend.  She winces slightly as she hits a wrong note then tries to act like it was intentional.)
You quietly say, "That was nothing."

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Nothing can keep you busy indefinitely.
    I'll do something else... preferably.
    How do I decide when my song is done?
    When will the audience get up and run?"

You smirk.

You squint.

Dallylia yells, "Never!"

You smile as your picking fades.

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Sometimes we don't need all the fussing.
    Maybe we should all..."

   "Forget nothing."

You nod emphatically.
You smile and removes her faenellica waving it high in the air.
You curtsy.
You put your faenellica in your velvet case.

Nilme stands up.

You say, "Thank you all."

(Nilme moves from her seat and stands by Cythra.)

Almarius says, "Maybe my pockets have biggie holes in them too! My candy keeps disapearing."

UNBOXED

Nilme recites:

   "This has been a great night so far, but Cythra has prepared something really unique as a final piece - a one woman musical play!  Everyone, let's hea -"

Almarius pats herself down looking for something!

Rhadyn gruffly asks Tirost, "Jealous yet?"

(Nilme, clearly distracted, stops speaking suddenly as Cythra steps away and begins motioning for a couple sitting at one of the tables to scoot their chairs back.)

Almarius says, "Awww, it disapeared again."

(Cythra tells the couple, "Excuse me, I need this."  They look at her in surprise as she starts to noisily drag the table - food and all - to the front of the room.  The couple manage to grab their plates, ale and newspaper.  They grumble as they search for another place to sit.)

Tirost quietly says to Almarius, "That's 'cause you're eating it."

(Nilme shakes her head and gives a half-grin to Daisy who has stopped  serving to watch in amazement as Cythra dauntlessly shifts the heavy table past the fireplace. Miraculously she manages to not spill any water from the single glass remaining on the table.)

Almarius sticks out her tongue at Tirost and lets loose with a loud, "Thbtbtbt" from her lips!

Nilme gazes at you in amazement.

Eurynomile moves a black oak beam mottled by weathering to her left hand.

Eurynomile moves a rainbow-swirled lollipop to her right hand.

(Nilme turns back toward those assembled and smiles as if Cythra's impromptu furniture arranging was most definitely planned ahead of time and not in the least surprising.)

Eurynomile offers Almarius a rainbow-swirled lollipop.

Almarius accepts Eurynomile's rainbow-swirled lollipop.

(Cythra dashes back to the couple and snatches a newspaper from under the arm of one of them saying, "This too".  Cythra takes the newspaper to the purloined table which sits to the left side of the "stage" and places it next to the water glass.)
You ask, "Wha?"

Almarius gets an impish expression on her face, and lets out a hearty cheer.

Tirost says to Rhadyn, "Hard to be anything other than happy at a show like this."

(Nilme blinks at Cythra and mouths a silent apology to the couple.)

Tirost grins at Rhadyn.

Rhadyn gruffly asks, "So I came to hear the bard. When do they perform?"

Almarius hums happily to herself.

Rhadyn coughs.

Nilme recites:

   "I now present Cythra in Unboxed!"

Iryta says to Eurynomile, "Stop sugaring her up, we won't be able to wear her battery down for a week."

Sonatina grins at Rhadyn.

(Nilme smiles at Cythra and applauds before returning to her seat)

Eurynomile laughs!

Nilme takes a seat near Useff.

Put Me Away

You smile and raises a finger to her lips
You quietly say, "Shhh."

(Cythra glances around as she winds up her music box with a soft clickiting sound.)
You smile as she raises the music box to hear ear and listens intently to the pretty melody flowing forth. She then carefully sets the music box next to a glass of water and a newspaper that rest on a table off to the side.

(Cythra waves a finger through the air as though conducting the music box.)

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Take me out for a while.
    When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away.
    I can make you cry or make you smile."

   "When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away."

   "Maybe dust me off a bit.
    When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away.
    Pose me here. I can stand or sit."

   "When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away."

You smile broadly as the music box tempo suddenly blossoms into a rousing tune.

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "So tip your server. Have a drink.
    Watch the show but don't you blink."

   "Grab a bite. There's food to share.
    Am I real? Do you care?"

You smile vacantly and her eyes glaze over as she twirls suddenly in dizzying pirouettes like a crazed music box ballerina, her long, auburn mane flying outward. As the tempo abruptly slows to the original tune she instantly ends her maniacal spin making it look effortless.

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away."

   "When the bright lights are all gone,
    When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away
    You won't find me, I'll be done."

   "When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away."

   "Without all your eyes on me...
    When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away
    What is there left to see?"

You smile sadly as the music box winds down and she slowly collapses in on herself with each additional note she sings.

You sadly sing in a sopranino voice:

   "When... it's... no... long... er... time..."

You softly say, "...to play."

You fall over.  Oof!
(Cythra lies still for a moment)

(Cythra looks up at someone you don't see.)

You say, "Oh, hello.  I'm..."
You ask, "Yes, that's me. You know who I am?"
You stretch one arm along your side and prop up your head with the other hand.
You ask, "Who are you?"
You tactlessly say, "That's a funny name."
You say, "I just mean... umm..."
You teasingly ask, "Did you parents hate you or something?"
You wink.
You say, "I'm just teasing."

You sit up.
You ask, "Oh? Which performance did you like?"
You ask, "What do you mean, "not a performance?"
You ask, "You like... me?"
You act puzzled.

You smile and seems to subtly scoot closer to the other person.
You say, "Aesry? No, I've never been there."
You ask, "Right now?"
You ponder.
You excitedly say, "Sure! Let's go."
You leap to your feet!

You smile as she begins to leave arm-in-arm with an unseen someone while laughing at an unheard joke, then she suddenly turns back towards the audience.

You joyfully sing in a sopranino voice:

   "It's love. Someone who sees me.
    It's love. Though I don't know them."

   "It's love. It brings my heart glee.
    It's love. I need to show them."

   "It's love. Such an amazing thing.
    It's love. It brings my heart joy."

   "It's love. Not some kind of fling.
    It's love. I feel so much joy."

   "I'm outside my box and it's love."

   "I know it's love."

You smile happily as the lights fade and off stage musicians play a tic-toc beat for several seconds apparently to show the passing of time.  It's not long before the lights come up.

You pace back and forth.
You smile at someone you can't see and stops pacing.
You bounce around happily.
You exclaim, "There you are!"
You happily ask, "Happy anniversary!  Can you believe it's been a month already?"

You ask, "Tell me what?"
You say, "But..."
You witheringly ask, "What do you mean, "it's not me it's you"?"

You pace back and forth.
You ask, "With who?"
(Cythra abruptly stops pacing)
You say, "But they... You..."
You flail your arms about.

You venomously exclaim, "A hug? No, I don't want a hug! Just go!"
You scoff.
You point out.

(Cythra gazes towards the person she was talking to as they apparently walk away.)

You begin to weep softly.
You scream!
(Cythra falls to her knees)

Scarred

You defiantly sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Shattered.
    I look at myself and see all the cracks.
    Shattered.
    You touched my heart, did you feel the gaps?"

You wearily sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Life becomes a haze,
    My head is full of moss.
    The sleep I seek evades,
    I'm completely lost."

Iryta gazes sadly at you.

You unhappily sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Shattered.
    Everywhere I look, the world's turned to black.
    Shattered.
    Everything inside is suddenly all flat"

(Cythra stands back up)

You wearily sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Life becomes a haze,
    My head is full of moss.
    The sleep I seek evades,
    I'm completely lost."

You spitefully sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Shattered.
    So it ends as quick as it begins.
    Shattered.
    What's another scar between friends?"

A tear runs down your face.
(Cythra wanders absently over to the table and leans on it with both hands, emotionally exhausted.)
You hiccup.
You sniffle.

Siendra gazes sadly at you.

You blink.
(Cythra picks up the newpaper from the table.)
You ask, "What's this?"
You rub your right eye.

You exclaim, "A song contest? I love those!"
You sniffle.
(Cythra drags her sleeve across her nose.)
You excitedly exclaim, "I have so much preparation to do!"

Dallylia sniffles.

Put Me Away (Reprise)

(Cythra begins to sing a slow, quiet, halting tune.)

   "Take me out for a while.
    When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away.
    I can make you cry or make you smile."

   "When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away."

You smile as she picks up the tempo and sings more confidently.

   "Yes, box me up but not yet.
    When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away.
    I'll win a prize, I just bet."

You smile happily.

Nilme smiles at you.

Eurynomile bounces around happily.

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away."

   "Oh goodness there's not much time.
    When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away.
    I'll never find words that rhyme."

You exclaim, "Hey, that rhymed!"
You giggle.

In a single lissome motion, you go high on your toes to whirl in a pirouette that sends your gypsy skirt flashing out in a gossamer circle all around you.

(Cythra stops)
You ponder.
You nibble on your lip.
You ask yourself, "What rhymes with standing ovation?"
You grin.
You wink.

Tirost exclaims, "Elation!"

Eurynomile asks, "Staycations?"

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away."

   "Box me up but not just now.
    When it's no longer time to play,
    Box me up and put me away.
    People there will all be wowed."

Eurynomile beams in loving admiration at you!

Ryeka looks at you and lets out a hearty cheer on your behalf!

You sing in a sopranino voice:

   "When it's no longer time for fun
    Box me up... I'll be done."

You smile and raises a finger to her lips
You quietly say, "Shhh."
(Cythra Picks up the music box from the table and raises it to her ear.)

You softly sing in a sopranino voice:

   "Box me up and put me away."

You sink into a deep curtsy.
You beam!
You say, "Thank you so very much."

OUTRO

You recite:

    "Thank you all for coming.  I sincerely hope you enjoyed the show."

Rhadyn gruffly exclaims to you, "You should be a bard!"

You giggle.

You recite:

   "Please, remember to get a gift..."

You recite:

   "...at the next event you attend."

Stelling laughs at you!

Elurora laughs at you!

Allye chortles softly at some secret joke.

Nilme chuckles.

You recite:

   "I would like to personally thank Nilme for inviting me.  Thank you!"
You gaze into Nilme's eyes and applaud her heartily.

Nilme smiles at you.

You recite:

   "Let's have a special round of applause for The Arthe Repertory Team.  TART and the Tavern Troupe performing order work hard to show their support of the arts and artists.  I hope we can show them support in return."

Nilme smiles.

Nilme stands up.

You recite:

   "Thank you all!"
You wave.
You curtsy.

(Nilme joins Cythra at the front of the room, and smiles warmly.)
Nilme warmly exclaims to you, "Thank you, Cythra, for sharing a selection of your work with us!  That was just wonderful!"

Nilme recites:

   "Let's give another round of applause for THE Cythra!"
You grin at Nilme.
You shift uneasily, gazing fixedly at your claws.

Elurora exclaims to you, "That was a lot of fun, even if I didn't understand it all, thank you for performing for us!"

You curtsy.

Nilme recites:

   "Thank you, everyone, for joining us today!  To our delight, Vixonia Toryan has agreed to perform, and we hope to present her concert in the coming weeks!  Vixonia is an incredibly talented Bard, dancer, Speaker of the Tavern Troupe, and amazing friend!  Her concert is not to be missed!"

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