Mendira/Logs/20230526 Arthe Dale Concert

Event Name: Arthe Dale Concert

Event Instance: Prime

Real Date: 2023-05-26

Game Date of Event: 445-07-01

Point of View: Glemma

- [Arthe Hollow Inn, Common Room] The room is filled with jovial conversation, laughter, much toasting and a layer of smoky haze. Guests of all races mingle at the long, low tables. A Halfling holding a very large mug of beer jumps in front of the stone fireplace, lets out a whoop and bursts into a spontaneous song. Daisy Burdock, the inn's waitress, maneuvers adeptly through the crowd carrying a tray of mugs and occasionally glancing out the window. A menu is posted at the archway next to a prominent sign. You also see a crimson firesilk picnic cloth with golden bananas embroidered along the edges with several things on it, a bright yellow plaid cloth with several things on it, a pristine white arctic bear with hoarfrost hues that is sleeping, a wooden menuboard, a polished wooden bar with several things on it, some wooden stairs and an open doorway. Also here: Mountain Lord Ezerak, Veteran Apprentice Anuril who is surrounded by a pale electrical sphere, Anesthesiologist Timorias, Coethi, Lady of Elamiri Ayrell, Shaman Atvus who is shrouded in ghostly flames, Dawnsworn Briaen who is surrounded by a corona of fiery light, Stargazer Glemma who is crowned by a ring of glimmering stars, Diva Iryta who is circled by ephemeral phantom sharks, Son of a Gelapod Ironjonn, Mischief Maker Ariya who is sitting, Grewd Leknis Aluwyyn who is sitting, Minstrel Ysindre, Truthseeker Elurora whose figure is gracefully highlighted in a soft aurora of silvery-violet light, Songbird Mendira whose figure is gracefully highlighted in a soft aurora of silvery-violet light, Smoke Xenoseal, Transcendent Empath Leayne, Fearless Crobin, Heart Tender Kethrai, Dancer Vixonia who is trailed by softly glowing silvery-blue musical notes, Mother Jaelia who is emanating a benevolent holy aura, Anesthesiologist Timorias, Peace Keeper Vaddon, Sonic Sonance Sonatina who is surrounded by a golden cloud of glitter and Langen Esturi Nilme. Obvious exits: out. (Nilme smiles as she moves to the front, facing those assembled.) Raising his Shorka's Venom to Nilme, Stelling gives her a toast. Nilme recites: "Hello! My name is Nilme Iondu'il. For more than two decades, people have been gathering at The Arthe Hollow Inn to attend The Arthe Dale Concert Series' performances. It is my sincere pleasure to continue the long-standing tradition started by Daerlynn Soulmyste in 360 AV, and extend my warmest welcome." Xenoseal leans against a polished wooden bar. Kethrai perks his ears up happily as he gazes at Coethi. Aluwyyn gazes at Nilme. Atvus puts his pipe in his black wool cloak. Nilme smiles warmly. Crobin waves to Coethi. Atvus whistles at Nilme. Atvus gets a goblet of blackberry stout from inside his black wool cloak. Raising his blackberry stout to Nilme, Atvus gives her a toast. Nilme recites: "Today we are in for a real treat as we feature Mendira! In consideration of her hard work, I'd like to ask everyone to keep distractions to a minimum." Stelling takes a sip of his Venom. Nilme smiles. Elurora smiles at Nilme. Jaelia applauds. Stelling gets himself a flagon of Elven frostwynne. Yum! Sonatina applauds. Raising her ginger beer cocktail to Nilme, Vixonia gives her a toast. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Atvus points at himself. Atvus nods. Nilme recites: "Mendira is a Wind Elf and a Bard, having grown and come of age in Leth and the Crossing. She lives now in Ilithi with her husband Briaen, not too far from Zaldi Taipa." Mendira grins at Stelling. Vixonia takes a sip of her cocktail. Ayrell smiles at Sonatina. Timorias just arrived. Briaen blushes a bright red color. Nilme recites: "She is a dancer at heart, but over the recent years has also picked up some new skills, thanks to valuable mentorship from her fellow Bards: Vixonia, Navesi, Stelling, and Emyrose. She hopes to showcase some of what she has learned for you all here tonight." Mendira begins chortling at Briaen. The cerulean orb of light hovering near Atvus pulses, as if alive. Briaen grins like an idiot. Vixonia makes a rumbling noise of contentment in Mendira's direction. Iryta gawks at Stelling. Mendira beams at Vixonia! Atvus pats Briaen on the back. Nilme recites: "Please join me in welcoming MENDIRA!" You see Songbird Mendira Huns, Dancer of Zaldi Taipa, an Elf. Mendira has pointed ears and large expressive faded lilac eyes. Her dark brown hair is hip length and silky, and is worn in an elaborate braid coiled into a knot and held by a fragile sungold hairnet woven with translucent whisperlayne blooms. She has warm caramel-hued skin and a gracefully slender figure. She is statuesque for an Elf. She appears to be young. She has several interlocking rings of green jade that pierce the flesh to follow along her right eyebrow, each notched in even intervals and rubbed with indigo. Her shoulder has a tattoo of a brightly colored songbird darting through a cascade of musical notes. She is in good shape. She is holding an elegant filigreed sungold dancing fan trailing lengths of lilac whisperlayne in her right hand. She is wearing a whisperlayne and petalette bandeau illumined by sungold beadwork, a wispy skirt composed of lilac whisperlayne entwined in fine strands of sungold and some delicate toe-bells of filigreed sungold. Kethrai quietly says, "Gosh, what a pedigree." Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Elurora looks at Mendira and applauds! Kethrai lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Iryta exclaims to Stelling, "You're a Bard?!" Vixonia lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Nilme lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Atvus whistles at Mendira. Kethrai applauds. Leayne applauds. Ysindre applauds. Raising his blackberry stout to Mendira, Atvus gives her a toast. Sonatina lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Stelling grins at Iryta. Aluwyyn applauds. (Nilme smiles at Mendira and makes her way toward a nearby chair.) Iryta jumps back from Stelling! Stelling asks Iryta, "Shocked, shocked, are you?" Briaen just blew Mendira a kiss. Nilme takes a seat near a polished wooden bar. Sonatina just hugged Anuril. Ayrell applauds. Jaelia applauds. Iryta looks at Mendira and applauds! Atvus sits down on the stool. Jaelia applauds. Nilme gazes at Mendira. Atvus leans against a polished wooden bar. Anuril smiles. Iryta takes a sip of her fizz. (Mendira moves forward and steps lightly onto the stage.) Raising her blackberry stout to Mendira, Jaelia gives her a toast. Stelling lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Stelling takes a sip of his frostwynne. (Mendira squints into the spotlight for a moment before shaking her head slightly, as if clearing it.) Vaddon takes a sip of his mead. Mendira haltingly says, "Hello... everyone." Atvus whistles at Mendira. Vixonia lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Nilme smiles. Mendira smiles out at the gathered crowd, seeming a bit nervous. Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Kethrai lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Elurora smiles at Mendira. Mendira clears her throat. Crobin puts his almanac in his kirmiko pocket. Stelling says to Mendira, "Pretty sure we're all figments of your imagination and have no reason to be nervous." Aluwyyn lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Nilme grins at Stelling. Vixonia chuckles at Stelling. Anuril blinks in amazement at Kethrai. Elurora looks at Stelling, obviously trying not to grin. Anuril blushes, the tips of his ears turning a deep shade of red. Mendira loudly says, "Public speaking, er... Well." She glances down to where her hands are balled into her skirts, consciously releasing them and giving them a slight shake as she presses forward. "I guess you could say it's never been my forte." Mendira blushes, the tips of her ears turning a delicate scarlet hue. Coethi nods. Aluwyyn gazes at Mendira. Mendira exclaims, "But as the popular saying goes: Anything for Nilme!" Iryta takes a sip of her fizz. Nilme laughs! Mendira grins at Nilme. Iryta gets an impish expression on her face, and lets out a hearty cheer. Raising his mulled sicle cider to Nilme, Kethrai gives her a toast. Aluwyyn takes a sip of his tea. Atvus chortles softly at some secret joke. Elurora chortles softly at some secret joke. Elurora nods to Mendira. Iryta snickers. Briaen grins. Vixonia lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for Nilme! Jaelia grins. Nilme grins at Mendira. Aluwyyn smiles at Mendira. Anuril gets himself a glass of sparkling cider. Yum! Mendira says, "I jest, of course. I'm very grateful for the honor to be standing here before you all today." Anuril takes a sip of his cider. Anuril moves a glass of sparkling cider to his left hand. Iryta gets herself a glass of sparkling cider. Yum! Leayne takes a sip of her Favor. Vixonia takes a sip of her cocktail. Mendira says, "Thank you to Nilme and to TART for allowing me to perform for you all. And thank you all for being here. I will aim to be worthy of your generosity." Crobin waves to Anuril. Anuril nods to Crobin. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Mendira smiles. Mendira slowly empties her lungs. Nilme smiles at Mendira. Jaelia takes a sip of her stout. Raising his peppermint tea to Mendira, Aluwyyn gives her a toast. Mendira gets a brass lotus lamp from inside her leather pack. Mendira gets a brass lotus lamp from inside her leather pack. Timorias closes his eyes for a moment and grows still. Mendira says, "So, shall we get started? This is called, 'Flicker'." Mendira kneels down. Vixonia angles her ears forward, gazing curiously at Mendira. Kethrai gazes thoughtfully at Mendira. (Mendira leans forward and places both of her lotus lamps at her feet.) Atvus takes a sip of his stout. Aluwyyn gazes thoughtfully at Mendira. Iryta takes a sip of her cider. Mendira gets a piece of black flint from inside her leather pack. Mendira gets a silversteel thin-bladed fan adorned with lotus blossoms from inside her leather pack. With a practiced flick of her wrist, Mendira snaps open her thin-bladed fan, fluttering it gently. Oddly enough, you spy a gleam of sharpened edges as it moves. Mendira turns her fan easily in her hands and ends up with it in position to be used as a light edged weapon. Mendira strikes a piece of black flint with a silversteel thin-bladed fan adorned with lotus blossoms while holding it over a brass lotus lamp, causing sparks to fly. Some of the sparks land on the lotus lamp and with a few quick breaths in the right place Mendira manages to get a flame going. Leayne leans on Crobin. Sonatina says, "I knew a squirrel named Flicker." Mendira strikes a piece of black flint with a silversteel thin-bladed fan adorned with lotus blossoms while holding it over a brass lotus lamp, causing sparks to fly. Some of the sparks land on the lotus lamp and with a few quick breaths in the right place Mendira manages to get a flame going. Mendira grins at Sonatina. A brass lotus lamp's light grows much weaker. Elurora grins at Sonatina. Crobin snuggles up to Leayne. Mendira says, "That's a wonderful name for a squirrel." With a practiced flick of her wrist, Mendira snaps her thin-bladed fan closed, slapping it against her palm. Mendira turns her fan easily in her hands and ends up with it in position to be used as a short staff weapon. Mendira puts her fan in her leather pack. Mendira puts her flint in her leather pack. Mendira gets a small ash music box from inside her leather pack. (Mendira gently places her music box to one side upon the floor.) (Mendira winds a handle that protrudes from the side of her music box, listening intently to the mechanisms within until she is satisfied the box is ready.) A brass lotus lamp's light grows much weaker. (Mendira picks up both of the lit lamps, placing them at the centers of her palms. Given their small size, the width of the lamps barely stretches to her fingertips. Glass petal-shaped panels set into the wrought brass glimmer in shades of white and pale pink with the light emanating from the central wicks.) Mendira stands up. Aluwyyn takes a sip of his tea. Ironjonn licks his lips. (Mendira brings her open hands to her chest, careful to hold them steady so as to not spill the lamps' oil. She gives a slight nod to the barmaid, who extinguishes the lights around the bar.) Vixonia quirks her ears outward in surprise. Kethrai casually observes the area. Mendira smiles slightly as the room dims. The area would now be cloaked in darkness but for the wan light of the lotus lamps. Elurora gazes at Mendira. (Mendira tips the lid of the music box open with her toe, the movement eliciting only the barest jingle from her toe bells.) A brass lotus lamp's flame flutters slightly. (Mendira's music box begins to play a delicately sweet melody, reminiscent of a soft breeze whispering through the leaves of starlit woods on a warm summer night. The opened lid reveals an intricately carved figure of a forest nymph clad in robes of layered oak leaves, spinning in time with the gentle tune.) The brilliant silver glow dissipates from Atvus. A wisp of spectral fire sweeps about Atvus briefly. (Mendira spreads her arms wide, her motions slow and deliberate. The flame of each lamp remains steady, illuminating her face as she keeps her eyes cast down.) Mendira smiles to herself as she begins to sway. Her movements begin gently, ever cognizant of the lamps upon her open palms. The music box on the floor continues to play its soft whispering melody. A brass lotus lamp's flame flutters slightly. Atvus takes a sip of his stout. Iryta takes a sip of her cider. Vixonia takes a sip of her cocktail. (Mendira's lotus lamps also cast flickering light over the tiny porcelain face of the nymph within her music box, whose features glow as if in response to the wordless joy of the dance. With arms stretched high the figurine turns and twirls, her eyes closed and head thrown back.) Anuril takes a sip of his cider. Mendira kicks one foot out in a graceful arc, and with a dip of her shoulders and a tinkling of sungold toe-bells, she pirouettes in a dazzling spin! (Mendira dips to one side and mimics the graceful rotation of the nymph, raising her face to the ceiling with a soft inhale. The lamps' flames sway and lift with her turns, bobbing to and fro like fireflies in the dark room.) Aluwyyn raises an eyebrow. Timorias puts his tart in his white backpack. Sungold toe-bells jingling in a staccato cadence and feet a blur of motion, Mendira throws her head back and lifts her arms high in the sheer joy of dance. A brass lotus lamp's flame flutters slightly. Iryta takes a sip of her cider. (Mendira pitches forward and rises once more, smoothly raising her arms high over her head. The music box on the floor plays a few more soft notes before winding to a stop and falling silent.) (Mendira brings her arms down and back to center at her chest, finally extinguishing the lamps with two sharp exhalations.) The glowing aura fades from around Atvus. The lucent sphere fades from around Atvus. (Mendira dips into a deep curtsy, her eyes lowered, as the bar is plunged into utter darkness.) Sonatina looks at Mendira and applauds! Atvus whistles at Mendira. Aluwyyn smiles. Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Xenoseal applauds. Elurora lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Raising his blackberry stout to Mendira, Atvus gives her a toast. Coethi applauds. Sonatina applauds. Vixonia looks at Mendira and applauds! Raising his mulled sicle cider to Mendira, Kethrai gives her a toast. Mendira puts her lamp in her leather pack. Raising his peppermint tea to Mendira, Aluwyyn gives her a toast. Nilme lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Kethrai lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Mendira puts her lamp in her leather pack. Anuril applauds. Ysindre applauds. Sonatina praises Mendira. Nebby applauds. Vaddon applauds. Crobin gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer. Jaelia applauds. Aluwyyn softly says, "Impressive." Aluwyyn nods. Atvus praises Mendira. Kethrai takes a sip of his cider. Xenoseal grins. Raising his honey mead to Mendira, Vaddon gives her a toast. Ariya giggles at Ironjonn. Iryta beams at Mendira! Iryta takes a sip of her cider. Xionara applauds. Nilme praises Mendira. Mendira quietly says, "I remember the first time I performed that piece at a song circle. It's difficult to imagine how so much time has passed." Her voice is soft, wistful, as it floats through the darkness. The sound of rustling fabric can be heard above, high in the rafters, as the stage is set for the next performance. "And still, the andaen fly by." Nilme smiles. Atvus nods at Mendira, obviously agreeing with her views. Mendira puts her box in her leather pack. Vixonia giggles at Stelling. Anuril takes a sip of his cider. Stelling takes a sip of his frostwynne. Mendira smiles. Xionara begins to listen to Ironjonn teach the Stealth skill. Mendira says, "This next piece was inspired by a story I once read in a library in the jewel of Velaka, Muspar'i." Aluwyyn takes a sip of his tea. Kethrai's ears perk up happily. Mendira says, "It is called, 'Hhshal's Revenge'." (Mendira is revealed at the center of the stage as bold purple and red lights suffuse myriad panels of pale chiffon draped from the rafters high above.) Leayne gasps and chokes as her face takes on a bright reddish hue! Xenoseal takes a sip of his grog. Mendira gets an elegant filigreed sungold dancing fan trailing lengths of lilac whisperlayne from inside her leather pack. With a practiced flick of her wrist, Mendira snaps open her dancing fan, fluttering it gently as she does. Vixonia trills softly at Mendira. (Mendira gives a subtle nod to a huddled group of musicians gathered at the edge of the stage.) Nilme smiles. (Mendira's figure is silhouetted in profile, the shimmering metalwork sewn across her bandeau and skirt veiled by the lengths of whisperlayne suspended from the dancing fan she holds aloft. A rich, meandering melody begins to flow from the assembled musicians. The twining refrain showcases a keenly sonorous sarangi, accompanied by the steady syncopation of a tapani.) Ariya leans back against Ironjonn with a loving smile. (Mendira fluidly turns to face forward, and a bright spotlight illuminates her form.) Aluwyyn leans forward. With slow, barely perceptable movements, Mendira begins to dance, using her dancing fan to emphasize her grace. As the tempo increases, her fluttering fan moves more theatrically until, with a final snap of her wrist, she brings her fan up to veil her face as she sinks to the ground. With lowered lashes, she holds her position for a moment before rising fluidly to her feet. Aluwyyn takes a sip of his tea. Crobin puts his almanac in his kirmiko pocket. Iryta takes a sip of her cider. Nilme gazes at Mendira. Mendira smiles and raises her gaze to the audience, the curve of her lips subtly shrouded by the sheer fabric of her fan. Aluwyyn cocks his head. Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "I pray you'll allow me to spin you a tale, A story of intrigue, desire, betrayal. Of conquest and monsters, of lover's lost plans, But most of all, the tale of a very bad man." Emerald Knight Zeylinn drifts out. Sonatina's voice takes on an almost lyrical quality as she launches into the chorus of Faenella's Grace, each word flowing to the next with a seamless ease. Ariya's voice takes on an almost lyrical quality as she launches into the chorus of Faenella's Grace, each word flowing to the next with a seamless ease. Vixonia angles her ears forward in curiosity. (Mendira sweeps forward, the diaphanous whisperlayne of her skirt and fan fluttering with her smooth, lithe movements.) With a graceful flick of her wrist, Mendira raises an elegant filigreed sungold dancing fan trailing lengths of lilac whisperlayne until it veils all but her eyes. Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "Thus we meet Mariq, so arrogant and brash, Burst through a drake's lair to claim its jeweled cache. Potion-maker Hhshal was there first, but got thrown aside, And so lost the gems meant to win him his bride." Crobin laughs! Xionara chortles softly at some secret joke. Iryta appears to be trying hard not to grin. In a single lissome motion, Mendira goes high on her toes to whirl in a pirouette that sends her wispy skirt flashing out in a gossamer circle all around her. Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "Hhshal sat alone, as the clan lauded his rival, But his morose mood was lifted by a sudden arrival. His beautiful Isna'le, how her moonlit scales did glint, Her gentle hand on his shoulder sent his heart to a spin." Mendira kicks one foot out in a graceful arc, and with a dip of her shoulders and a tinkling of sungold toe-bells, she pirouettes in a dazzling spin! Mendira sings in a soprano voice: ""My friend, I must ask a small favor," she began, He would offer her anything, he was so entranced, But she wanted the one thing he could not foresee, Her sweet voice said firmly, "Make Mariq love me."" A pained expression crosses Kethrai's face. Vixonia winces. Leayne frowns. (Mendira's feet move more quickly across the floorboards, and the driving beat of the tapani urges the song increasingly, desperately forward.) Jaelia nibbles her lip thoughtfully. Nilme gazes sadly at Mendira. Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "It was then that an ache in his chest grew and spread, In horror and hurt, he merely nodded his head. She left him from there, he did not watch her go. Instead, cruelty festering in him would soon overflow." Coethi cocks his head. Aluwyyn frowns. Atvus's skin gleams with a fiery lustre, his eyes determined and ready. Xenoseal nods. Xionara winces. Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "He went to her that evening, a vial in his hand, And in meticulous detail he laid out their plan. "See that he drinks this, and gaze in his eyes. If you do, he will kiss you, and you'll have your prize."" Elurora chews on her lip, looking deep in concentration. Ariya snuggles up to Ironjonn and cradles him in her arms. Mendira softly says, "The kiss will make it final." Aluwyyn clucks his tongue and shakes his head. Vixonia fidgets nervously. Mendira smiles to herself, a portentous quirk marking the corner of her lips. Her hips and arms move in agile, sinuous arcs as she traverses the stage, and the lengths of whisperlayne attached to her fan undulate in trembling waves around her. Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "Later that night, Hhshal watched the raucous fete, Emotionless as stone as Isna'le approached her mate. The potion was slipped into the hero's cup of drink, Mariq, unknowing, took a swig and threw her a wink." Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "The maiden stood then before the object of her dreams, Her expectant gaze missed that all was not as it seemed. Leaping eagerly to kiss him, she saw not his faltering grin, But shrewd Hhshal spied it, his eyes blank and cold within." (Mendira's feet seem to fly across the stage as the song builds to a frenzied pace.) Moving in a rhythmic circle, Mendira swishes her wispy skirt quickly side-to-side, creating a blur of color and motion as she dances. Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "Mariq pushed her away fiercely, hissing then in anguish, Having at last discovered a foe he simply could not vanquish. He grabbed his eating knife and gave forth a terrible wail, Lunging forward, his blade found Isna'le's heart without fail." Aluwyyn winces. Nilme gasps! Aluwyyn takes a sip of his tea. Vixonia quirks her ears outward in surprise. (Mendira reels backward, clutching at her own chest as if struck. In a series of graceful twirls and tumbles, she swings back around to face the audience once more.) Aluwyyn's large eyes drift, scanning the area with an intense yet aimless gaze. (Mendira comes to a sharp stop at the front of the stage, her eyes woeful as she gazes up into the spotlight that trails her movements. The music from the orchestra shifts, growing slow and desolate with the discordant croon of a yarghul soaring over the ensemble.) Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "The poison coursed so quickly through the afflicted fighter's veins That soon after his maiden, he too collapsed, lifeless and slain. The clan was in an uproar, every attempt at rescue fruitless. Through it all Hhshal just smiled, lips twisted in gruesome hubris." Elurora frowns. Xenoseal smirks. (Mendira stands eerily still as the closing verse echoes through the area, her voice ringing out only to be answered by the fading howl of the yarghul.) Ayrell nibbles her lip thoughtfully. Mendira somberly says, "The kiss will make it final." Mendira turns her skirt in a blaze of purples as she sways to her right and makes a deep curtsy. She turns to her left, swaying gracefully and ending with the same low reverence. Aluwyyn sighs heavily. Aluwyyn shakes his head. Leayne nods to Crobin. Aluwyyn takes a sip of his tea. Vixonia looks at Mendira and applauds! Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Elurora looks at Mendira and applauds! Anuril applauds. Stelling says to Vixonia, "Makes your sad songs seem pretty bright and happy." Raising his Arthe Hollow grog to Mendira, Xenoseal gives her a toast. Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Nebby applauds. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Kethrai applauds. Atvus whistles at Mendira. Stelling takes a sip of his frostwynne. Nilme grins at Stelling. Raising his blackberry stout to Mendira, Atvus gives her a toast. Crobin applauds. Aluwyyn praises Mendira. Ayrell looks at Mendira and applauds! Mendira chortles softly at some secret joke. Vixonia laughs at Stelling. Elurora says to Stelling, "I don't know if I'd say that." With a practiced flick of her wrist, Mendira snaps her dancing fan closed. Coethi applauds. Vixonia just tickled Stelling, who laughs and returns the favor. Nebby says, "Seems fair." Atvus takes a sip of his stout. Leayne applauds. Nebby nods. Mendira puts her fan in her leather pack. Stelling squirms. Xenoseal says, "Wow." Leayne nods to Crobin. Atvus asks, "Was that a sad song?" Ezerak looks at Mendira and applauds! Stelling says to Elurora, "Well you should." Stelling winks at Elurora. Anuril takes a sip of his cider. Atvus says, "I couldn't..." Vixonia exclaims to Stelling, "That was just tragic!" Elurora says to Stelling, "A Paladin is honest." Atvus sniffles. Elurora sticks her tongue out at Stelling. Atvus says, "Couldn't tell." Vaddon takes a sip of his mead. Atvus sniffles. Mendira smiles broadly. Atvus takes a sip of his stout. Mendira says, "A shocking tale, isn't it? I admit, I was quite taken aback when I read it in that library one quiet afternoon." Aluwyyn praises Mendira. Vixonia exclaims, "Beatifully done, but tragic!" Fingers of spectral flame flicker down Atvus's forearms to dance playfully over the surface of his blackberry stout. (Mendira glances up into the rafters as the lengths of fabric are pulled back up and out of view. She brings her gaze back to the audience with a smile.) Atvus exclaims, "Someone put that in a book?!" Stelling nods in agreement. Stelling takes a sip of his frostwynne. Xenoseal takes a sip of his grog. Mendira beams at Vixonia! Elurora grins at Atvus. Mendira nods to Atvus. Atvus says, "Sounds dangerous." Vaddon nods. Atvus grins crookedly. Stelling casually observes the area. Mendira says, "But learning something new often has that effect, I find. There were many such moments during the course of my mentorships." Mendira grins at Vixonia. Stelling rubs Vixonia's head. Anuril takes a sip of his cider. Mendira says, "This next piece is the product of such a moment, when Vixonia taught me the value of using props in dance performances." Mendira gets an intense persimmon camlet umbrella with a carved dragonwood handle from inside her leather pack. Aluwyyn gets a prismatic lightning amethyst flask engraved with the words "Liquid Courage" from inside his thigh bag. Nilme grins at Mendira. Stelling ponders. Mendira hugs Vixonia, getting a smile in return. Mendira says, "This is called, 'The Blessing of Divyaush'." Vixonia hugs Mendira, who wraps her arms around Vixonia with a warm smile. Stelling says, "Knowing Vix, this might get dangerous, get ready to dodge everyone." Vixonia emits a rumbling noise of contentment. Iryta smiles at Mendira, revealing the dimples in her cheeks. Stelling takes a sip of his frostwynne. Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "Ancient golden fields and dales All scorched by sun to no avail The farmers and the townsfolk cry Into the hazy orange sky, For a single bit of mercy." Iryta gives Stelling a playful poke in the ribs. Elurora just nudged Stelling. Iryta takes a sip of her cider. Aluwyyn puts his flask in his thigh bag. Mendira winks at Stelling. Vixonia gasps! Aluwyyn takes a sip of his tea. Aluwyyn wipes his mouth. Nilme chuckles at Stelling. (Mendira sways about the area, her feet slipping from side to side with a practiced ease.) Mendira gives an intense persimmon camlet umbrella with a carved dragonwood handle a quick spin from its handle, twirling it through her fingers. Stelling gazes thoughtfully at Mendira. Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "Offerings of milk and bread Left on doorsteps, beneath beds Whispered prayers filled the night To end their awful plight. Would anyone hear them?" (Mendira pauses her movements, bringing one finger to her chin in exaggerated thought.) Mendira tilts her head, clearly curious about something. Mendira opens an intense persimmon camlet umbrella with a carved dragonwood handle with a snap. Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "The welkins came in deep of night Their presence not a cause for fright As milk and bread they each did take Dark clouds rolled in behind their wake And it began to rain." Mendira smiles brightly. Vixonia flashes a quick grin. Mendira twirls an intense persimmon camlet umbrella with a carved dragonwood handle over her head with a wink. Iryta grins, revealing her dimples. (Mendira dips and spins, light on her feet as she gazes upwards, leaping between imagined raindrops.) Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "And then with Divyaush's blessing All was well and green again!" Anuril grins at Kethrai. Elurora smiles at Mendira. Mendira slides an intense persimmon camlet umbrella with a carved dragonwood handle closed. Mendira taps an intense persimmon camlet umbrella with a carved dragonwood handle on the ground and it flips up under her arm neatly. Mendira curtsies gracefully. Elurora lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Kethrai applauds. Vixonia looks at Mendira and applauds! Xenoseal moves some Arthe Hollow grog to his left hand. Aluwyyn applauds. Xenoseal applauds. Anuril applauds. Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Ayrell applauds. Jaelia applauds. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Ezerak looks at Mendira and applauds! Ysindre applauds. Aluwyyn gazes at Mendira in admiration. Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Coethi applauds. (Mendira glides across the stage and slips out of the room, nodding to Nilme.) (Nilme smiles and moves forward.) Songbird Mendira wandered into an open doorway. Elurora glances at Nilme. Nilme stands up. Vixonia grins at Nilme. Aluwyyn gets himself a flagon of Elven frostwynne. Yum! Kethrai quirks one ear sideways in confusion. Aluwyyn gets a prismatic lightning amethyst flask engraved with the words "Liquid Courage" from inside his thigh bag. Nilme recites: "Wasn't that just wonderful? Now, we'll take a few moments for a brief intermission. Feel free to use this time to refill your drinks!" Vaddon takes a sip of his mead. Nilme smiles. Vixonia stretches her arms. Atvus guzzles down some of his stout and then smacks his lips and wipes them with his sleeve. Xenoseal moves some Arthe Hollow grog to his right hand. Atvus raises his hand in an imaginary toast. You hear a distant but hearty chuckle as a mug of Mule Spit Ale appears in Atvus's right hand! Vaddon nods at Nilme, obviously agreeing with her views. (Nilme moves out of the way as several workers prepare the stage for the next performance. There is a bit of movement from the side where musicians shift their chairs, switch to different instruments and quietly tune them.) Stelling snuggles a flagon of Elven frostwynne in his arms. Aluwyyn pours some frostwynne into his flask. Kethrai says, "How mysterious..." Atvus blanches. Elurora gives Stelling a gentle poke in the ribs. Aluwyyn gets himself a flagon of Elven frostwynne. Yum! Xenoseal grins. Jaelia puts her stout in her spidersilk bag. Anuril puts his cider in his leather haversack. Xenoseal takes a sip of his grog. Atvus casually observes the area. Aluwyyn pours some frostwynne into his flask. Elurora says to Stelling, "We could get you a puppy." (Nilme returns to the front and waits patiently as everyone settles back down.) Aluwyyn gets himself a flagon of Elven frostwynne. Yum! Aluwyyn pours some frostwynne into his flask. Anuril's cambrinth spiderling emits a startled "hiss!" Aluwyyn gets himself a flagon of Elven frostwynne. Yum! Stelling chuckles at Elurora. Aluwyyn pours some frostwynne into his flask. Aluwyyn gets himself a flagon of Elven frostwynne. Yum! Aluwyyn pours some frostwynne into his flask. Vixonia asks, "He has a puppy?" Aluwyyn gets himself a flagon of Elven frostwynne. Yum! Atvus whistles a merry tune. Aluwyyn pours some frostwynne into his flask. Aluwyyn gets himself a flagon of Elven frostwynne. Yum! Stelling nods at Vixonia, obviously agreeing with her views. Elurora grins at Vixonia. Nilme smiles. Vixonia angles her ears forward, gazing curiously at Stelling. Ysindre hugs Stelling, who wraps his arms around Ysindre with a warm smile. Songbird Mendira just arrived. You see Songbird Mendira Huns, Dancer of Zaldi Taipa, an Elf. Mendira has pointed ears and large expressive faded lilac eyes. Her dark brown hair is hip length and silky, and is worn twisted in a series of narrow braids caught at the crown by a wide spun glitter ribbon stitched with shimmering rainbow-hued gardenias and allowed to tumble down the back. She has warm caramel-hued skin and a gracefully slender figure. She is statuesque for an Elf. She appears to be young. She has several interlocking rings of green jade that pierce the flesh to follow along her right eyebrow, each notched in even intervals and rubbed with indigo. Her shoulder has a tattoo of a brightly colored songbird darting through a cascade of musical notes. She is in good shape. She is holding a very fine wildflower-patterned shireli lace veil dyed with an ombre rainbow in her right hand. She is wearing a silver rosecloth bandeau, an enchanting silver wildflower bangle, a spectacular spun rainbow pancake tutu ablaze in a cacophony of colors, some polished toe bells with slender velvet ties and some silvery silk dancing slippers accented with tinted glass beads. Jaelia gets a flagon of honey mead from inside her spidersilk bag. Stelling hugs Ysindre, getting a smile in return. Anuril's cambrinth spiderling emits a startled "hiss!" Jaelia takes a sip of her mead. Nilme recites: "The next performance is a special piece - a duet! Not only do we have the pleasure of the return of Mendira back to the stage, but she will be joined by the very talented Vixonia! They will be presenting 'The First Ten'ra Agalith'." Atvus guzzles down some of his Ale and then smacks his lips and wipes them with his sleeve. Atvus guzzles down some of his Ale and then smacks his lips and wipes them with his sleeve. Atvus guzzles down some of his Ale and then smacks his lips and wipes them with his sleeve. Aluwyyn puts his flask in his thigh bag. Mendira smiles. Xionara applauds. Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Kethrai gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer. Vixonia trills, her ears relaxing minutely back against her head. Elurora lets out a hearty cheer for Vixonia! Nilme looks at Vixonia and applauds! Xenoseal smiles. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Aluwyyn takes a sip of his frostwynne. Elurora lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! (Nilme smiles warmly and takes her seat as the lights dim. Figures can be seen approaching the stage.) Raising his Elven frostwynne to Vixonia, Stelling gives her a toast. Kethrai snuggles up to Anuril. Atvus whistles at Vixonia. Vaddon smiles. Jaelia coughs. Jaelia lets out a hearty cheer for Vixonia! Xenoseal takes a sip of his grog. Nilme takes a seat near a polished wooden bar. Vaddon lets out a hearty cheer for Vixonia! Atvus raises his hand in an imaginary toast. You hear a distant but hearty chuckle as a shot of Skullcrusher whiskey appears in Atvus's right hand! Jaelia lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Nilme gazes at Mendira. Vaddon winks at Jaelia. Nilme gazes at Vixonia. Atvus guzzles down some of his whiskey and then smacks his lips and wipes them with his sleeve. Atvus gasps and chokes as his face takes on a bright reddish hue! Atvus guzzles down some of his whiskey and then smacks his lips and wipes them with his sleeve. Atvus raises his hand in an imaginary toast. You hear a distant but hearty chuckle as a dram of Shorka's Venom appears in Atvus's right hand! Aluwyyn casually observes the area. (Vixonia moves quietly to pose with her back to the audience in the dark of center stage as a lone flute starts to play, the melody winding around the room. A sudden spotlight brightens the dark and illuminates her as she holds her arms akimbo and one leg drawn up and to the side.) (Vixonia pauses and cocks her head to the side as one hand slowly starts to wave back and forth as she turns and smiles with wide eyes, eager to start the tale.) Vixonia sings in a soprano voice: "In days long past, when Shard was new, The land was shaped and the city grew, By the Lake of Tears' crystalline shine, In the sheltered embrace of the Dragonspine." (Vixonia's arms sweep through the air, gesturing as if to show off the pristine land and beautiful vistas. She spins and leaps, her skirts swirling around her enthusiastic form then turns to Mendira, beckoning for her to come and see the views.) With a slight tremor in her voice, Sonatina reprises the last few words of the chorus of her infectious tune, drawing out the final note of each phrase and letting it gradually fade. Iryta smiles, revealing the dimples in her cheeks. Iryta takes a sip of her cider. (Mendira steps smoothly onto the stage and glides forward to stand beside Vixonia, her hand resting upon her dancing partner's shoulder as her trailing leg points back in a clean line. She leans forward and sways back and forth, her features bright with appreciation for the beautiful sight.) Iryta just nudged Stelling. Xionara gets some fire-roasted sand prawns in an herb-butter sauce from atop a crimson firesilk picnic cloth with golden bananas embroidered along the edges. Vixonia smiles at Mendira, her eyes glinting with overly emphasized happiness as she starts to sway back and forth in sync with her partner. Then, as a playful drum joins the flute, they both lean forward at the hips as one foot each slides forward, flexed with toes pointing up. Tapping the heels of their feet on the stage floor twice, their toe bells jingle merrily and they raise their arms up into a sweeping arch. Xionara takes a bite of the prawns. Iryta takes a sip of her cider. (Mendira and Vixonia continue their mirrored movements, their feet knocking against the wooden floor in a synchronized tattoo that follows the driving clip of the song. As their arms arch in parallel, Mendira raises her voice to sing.) Iryta smiles at Vixonia, revealing the dimples in her cheeks. Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "There in that burgeoning, bustling din, Lived a young cleric by name Serillyn, Devout and devoted to Eluned divine At the lake she'd commune by day and by night." (Mendira steps back from Vixonia, their palms pressed together and gazes sinking downwards in the semblance of humble piety. The pair take measured steps backwards to the pace of the music, finding themselves at center stage.) Anuril gets a glass of sparkling cider from inside his leather haversack. Anuril takes a sip of his cider. (Vixonia leads the duo as they raise their reverent hands up towards the heavens, as they reach the apex of the arch, fingertips diverge and wrists stay pressed together. Stepping forward with a stamp of bells, they hop on one foot and then stamp and hop again with the other in sync with the music.) (Vixonia frowns softly and once again takes up the vocals with a slightly concerned trill in her voice.) Vixonia sings in a soprano voice: "All thrived for a time, but alas, could not last, As troubles and woes quickly amassed, And the booming city so poised to bloom, Instead fell upon a startling doom." Mendira ruefully sings in a soprano voice: "Wild creatures ravaged distressed caravans, Gutting every merchant's well laid plans, Hot rain drove pits in the once glistening place, And children of Shard vanished without a trace." Anuril raises an eyebrow. Nilme frowns. Iryta ponders. (Mendira and Vixonia's hands pinch into large droplet shapes, drawn from aloft to nearly brush the ground. With each sweep of their arms, the graceful pair leaps in unison from one side to the other, dodging the falling drops of rain.) Mendira glances about with concern on her face. Vixonia just left. Vixonia arrives, grinning broadly. Stelling rubs Vixonia's head. Vixonia blinks. Mendira beams at Vixonia! Mendira nods to Vixonia. Vixonia sings in a soprano voice: "When Serillyn's young brother too disappeared, Back to the lakeside in grief she was steered. For three days and nights, the young cleric prayed, Though weakened by hunger and pelted by rain." (Vixonia falls to her knees in a supplicant's pose, her face a mask of disquiet and despair. She rocks back and forth in a frenzied motion, then falls forward until her outstretched hands rest on the floor, reaching towards Mendira who stands poised and peaceful.) Mendira faithfully sings in a soprano voice: "At last the fair goddess took pity on the girl, And a shimmering mist upon the roiling lake swirled, It gathered in shape before the young cleric's eyes To reveal an ethereal woman, luminous and wise." (Mendira stands perfectly straight, her visage serene and her arms outstretched and undulating to mimic the watery tresses of the diety. The song woven about them begins to waver before all at once fading to silence.) (Vixonia stays poised, her body raising and lowering dramatically, as if sobbing as she lays across the floor. Then suddenly she seems to notice Mendira and raises her face with a look of awe and wonder, one hand raising up to beseech the glorious goddess.) (Mendira's voice rings in a shimmering cascade, barely more than a whisper but clear and dulcet in the silence of the still room.) Anuril quietly says to Kethrai, "Is this the lake around Shard? Think I got eaten in that lake once... didn't see any ladies." Mendira recites: "Sweet child, your devotion is commendable, In this young city with but two small shrines for worship. We gods of the Light are forgiving and patient, However, other Immortals are not. They make their displeasure known to you. These are the answers you have sought." Aluwyyn chortles softly at some secret joke. Elurora chuckles at Anuril. Anuril appears to be trying hard not to grin. (Mendira swings her undulating arms out wide in a broad, sweeping motion. She leaps backwards in a nimble spin. The lithe movement places Mendira at Vixonia's opposite side as the woman draws herself back up to her full height.) Kethrai quietly says to Anuril, "Gotta pray harder next time..." Anuril nods at Kethrai, obviously agreeing with his views. Mendira looks at Kethrai, obviously trying not to grin. Aluwyyn snickers. (Vixonia finally seems to realize she's still reaching out and pulls her hand back to her chest, holding it over her heart as she slowly raises from her knees. Hope and determination radiate as she turns with a flare of her skirts and dashes to the other side of the stage, taking Mendira and the spotlight with her.) Xionara nibbles on her sand prawns. Aluwyyn takes a sip of his frostwynne. Iryta stretches her arms. (Vixonia's voice rings out as the flute picks up the driving melody of the song and she sings with conviction.) Aluwyyn casually observes the area. Vixonia sings in a soprano voice: "The misty form dissipated, the stormy waters calmed, And then all was placid, the whispery voice such a balm, The young cleric, with purpose, stood and strode forth, To alert the town's Elders of the Goddess' words." Sonatina gently strokes the otter. It chitters with pleasure. Iryta smiles, revealing the dimples in her cheeks. Iryta gently strokes her otter. It chitters with pleasure then licks her hand with its small pink tongue. A young Halfling lad, holding a large mug of ale, leaps in front of the fireplace, lets out a big whoop and bursts into a spontaneous song. "Old Woolly Tanglefoot, he has no teeth! He's a furball on his head that defies all belief! But you won't see me singing this when he's around Cuz old Woolly can still chase me from town!" Vixonia smiles as the drum rejoins with a driving beat and gazing back over her shoulder, she starts to spin and twirl around the stage, traveling the entire perimeter. Elurora blinks. Kethrai frowns and shushes the drunken Halfling lad. Anuril frowns, shaking his head with an expression of exasperation before resting his face in the palm of his hand. Aluwyyn raises an eyebrow. (Mendira follows Vixonia in a series of neat leaps and spins around the stage area, their figures elegantly matched in each movement. The bells on their feet jingle in unison, set to the dynamic tempo of the drums.) Stelling quietly asks Elurora, "Rude lil fella interrupting eh?" Elurora nods at Stelling, obviously agreeing with his views. Mendira sings in a soprano voice: "The Elders were chastised by the priestess' stand, The Gods indeed led them to this prosperous land. At once the town's people set to their charge To devise a special tribute most suitably large." Jaelia takes a sip of her mead. Aluwyyn stands up. (Mendira bends and sways as she moves in a diagonal to approach the corner of the stage, leaving her dance partner at center stage. One hand mimics a grabbing and gathering motion, while the other is bowed as if carrying a pile of offerings, ever increasing in size.) Grewd Leknis Aluwyyn strolls out. Mendira beams! Anuril takes a sip of his cider. Jaelia takes a sip of her mead. (Vixonia stands poised on one foot, her other raised in front of her and crossed over so her ankle rests on the opposite knee. Her fingers twirl as she raises her hands to the side and then sweeps them around and then finally brings them back to center with palms pressed together as she sings.) Grewd Leknis Aluwyyn just arrived. Vixonia sings in a soprano voice: "Prayers were whispered, incense was burned, Hymns cried resoundant of gratitude learned, The Gods were appeased, and the city was righted, And at last, the faithful cleric and her brother reunited!" Nilme beams! Aluwyyn calmly says to Elurora, "Went and lodged a complaint with management." Kethrai's ears perk up happily. Aluwyyn nods. Jaelia gets an impish expression on her face, and lets out a hearty cheer. Kethrai takes a sip of his cider. Stelling nods at Aluwyyn, obviously agreeing with his views. Elurora quietly says to Aluwyyn, "Good idea." (Vixonia gazes fondly over at her dance partner as she lowers her foot to stamp once on the floor and then starts to move again. She glides forward to stand beside Mendira, her hand resting upon her dancing partner's shoulder as her trailing leg points back in a clean line.) (Mendira gazes back to Vixonia as the music comes to an end, a warm smile spreading across her features. She gives her mentor and friend a grateful nod, and the pair turn together to face the audience.) Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Mendira curtsies gracefully. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Vixonia, Stelling gives her a toast. Elurora looks at Mendira and applauds! Nilme stands up. Elurora looks at Vixonia and applauds! Vixonia curtsies gracefully. Xenoseal gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer. Kethrai gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer. Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Nilme looks at Vixonia and applauds! Ayrell applauds. Ezerak applauds. Mendira hugs Vixonia, getting a smile in return. Xenoseal applauds. Ezerak gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer. Briaen grins. Mendira beams at Vixonia! Vixonia hugs Mendira, who wraps her arms around Vixonia with a warm smile. Nilme lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Aluwyyn applauds. Kethrai applauds. Vixonia trills, her ears relaxing minutely back against her head. Jaelia applauds. Nilme lets out a hearty cheer for Vixonia! Jaelia applauds. Aluwyyn lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Vixonia stands near Nilme. Aluwyyn lets out a hearty cheer for Vixonia! Xenoseal exclaims, "Woo!" Anuril gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer. Nilme grins. Nilme hugs Vixonia, who wraps her arms around Nilme with a warm smile. (Mendira walks with Vixonia to the edge of the stage, where they part ways. Her gaze follows her friend as she steps away to take her seat in the crowd.) Sonatina continues to chant the infectious strains of Faenella's Grace, seeming to lose herself in the very rhythms she produces. Xenoseal takes a sip of his grog. Mendira asks, "Could we please have another round of applause for the incredible Vixonia?" Elurora looks at Vixonia and applauds! Ezerak applauds. Nilme looks at Vixonia and applauds! Raising his Elven frostwynne to Vixonia, Stelling gives her a toast. Vixonia grins at Mendira. Kethrai lets out a hearty cheer for Vixonia! Elurora gives Gridaksma a slight curtsy, barely more than a quick bob. Ayrell applauds. (Mendira raises her arms and claps appreciatively in her mentor's direction.) Briaen applauds. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Vixonia, Aluwyyn gives her a toast. Nilme looks at Vixonia and applauds! Ayrell looks at Vixonia and applauds! Stelling takes a sip of his frostwynne. Raising his Arthe Hollow grog to Vixonia, Xenoseal gives her a toast. Gridaksma bows his head, acknowledging Elurora. Anuril applauds. Nilme smiles at Mendira. Coethi applauds. Vixonia bobs down and back up in a quick curtsy. (Mendira makes her way back to center stage, still illuminated by the bright spotlight. She raises her arms into a rounded starting stance above her head and tucks one leg backward behind the opposite knee, carefully balanced.) Vaddon smiles. Iryta lets out a hearty cheer for Vixonia! Mendira says, "This next piece is called, 'In Spring.' It was written shortly after the first anniversary of my marriage to my husband, which comes around every year on the first day of spring." Iryta gets herself a goblet of Dalesian white wine. Yum! Nilme smiles at Mendira. Elurora smiles at Mendira. Mendira smiles. Iryta smiles at Mendira, revealing the dimples in her cheeks. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Low, hummed tones form a soft backdrop for the opening notes of Mendira's song. You decipher the signs of an Elemental utility spell. Stelling takes a sip of his frostwynne. Vixonia makes a rumbling noise of contentment in Mendira's direction. Nilme smiles at Briaen. Iryta takes a sip of her wine. Jaelia applauds. Jaelia takes a sip of her mead. Jaelia gets a goblet of blackberry stout from inside her spidersilk bag. Jaelia takes a sip of her stout. (Mendira's wordless, hummed refrain echoes through the room, warm and soothing. She dips into a crouched position and begins a low spin, her torso twisting dramatically.) (Mendira raises up to her full height as her whirling dance continues, and she begins to spin faster, until the colors of her costume blend into a prismatic silvery light reminiscent of the hues of the sky at spring's first dawn. Her arms reach outward and upward in the semblance of petals unfurling.) Xionara looks thoughtfully at Mendira. Mendira briefly spreads her arms outward as her humming intensifies into song. A few hushed notes meander unrestrained by tempo before settling into a steady pace. An electric light shines around Mendira, pulsing and crackling in time with her song. The softly worded rendition of the main theme of Mendira's song carries quietly through the area. Anuril takes a sip of his cider. Iryta takes a sip of her wine. (Mendira's twirling comes to a neat stop as she forms words for her unaccompanied melody.) An electric light shines around Mendira, pulsing and crackling in time with her song. Mendira softly sings in a soprano voice: "Like the stark winter's ice shall melt in the spring, You are my fair dawn, my light in the dark. Like drops of dew and petals to which they cling, I pray we two shall never have cause to part." The melody of Mendira's song turns to a more sonorous theme, dancing in a stately cadence that allows certain words to linger on the air. Mendira sonorously sings in a soprano voice: "Like vines reaching out to climb to the sun We stumbled and rose in turn, all alone. Like untuned strings each plucked one by one, We stretched and we sought sweeter tones." (Mendira's arms drop as she sings the verse, dipping to wrap about her torso. The soft spun rainbow of her tutu rustles quietly as she sways back and forth.) Mendira's voice resonantes with strong vibrato as she appears to pour more energy into the next words of her song. An electric light shines around Mendira, pulsing and crackling in time with her song. Mendira resonantly sings in a soprano voice: "Like a needle now pierced by soft cotton thread, The thought of you colors my every stitch. Like a ship at last steadied by calm seas ahead We sail forth free of harsh cant and pitch." Briaen just touched some green jade spikes notched in even intervals. (Mendira takes delicate steps to one side as she sings, her body leaning gently against the motion as if being pulled along by her own feet. Her arms unwind from about her torso, bending along with her sweeping movements.) Aluwyyn takes a sip of his frostwynne. The resolute tones of Mendira's music give way to a lighter one as she returns to singing the softer melody that began her song. An electric light shines around Mendira, pulsing and crackling in time with her song. Aluwyyn closes his eyes for a moment and grows still. Mendira lightly sings in a soprano voice: "Like a current so swift that draws me to shore, You anchor me no matter where I should roam. Like the tales in old books of lovers of yore, We seeking souls have at last found our home." Mendira smiles at Briaen. The final words of Mendira's song fade even as they glide into the air. (Mendira returns to her starting position, poised at the center of the stage. A tranquil smile crosses her face, and she takes a light step backward before dipping into a low curtsy.) Briaen smiles at Mendira. Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Xenoseal grins. Elurora looks at Mendira and applauds! Kethrai lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Coethi applauds. Nilme lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Xenoseal moves some Arthe Hollow grog to his left hand. Xenoseal looks at Mendira and applauds! Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Aluwyyn gives her a toast. Vixonia lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for Mendira! Briaen whistles at Mendira. Xionara takes a bite of the prawns. Xenoseal takes a sip of his grog. Mendira grins. Nilme smiles at Mendira. Mendira says, "This next piece is an untitled veil dance. This particular veil was a gift from my mentor, Navesi Daerthon. I hope this choreography will do it justice." Mendira smiles happily. Aluwyyn shifts his weight. Mendira slowly pulls her lace veil free as she turns in a slow circle. Aluwyyn leans against a polished wooden bar. Aluwyyn takes a sip of his frostwynne. Mendira smiles slightly to herself and continues to move in a languid turn, drawing the veil up before her to hide her face and torso. (Mendira comes to a stop, one leg pushed back as if preparing to dip into a curtsy. Instead, she taps the ground with the foot of her bent leg, her toe bells jingling a steady cadence.) Kethrai gazes at Mendira in admiration. Mendira holds her lace veil at arm's length to sway seductively behind the sheer curtain. (Mendira lowers her veil, inch by inch. Her eyes glance up as they appear from behind the shimmering fabric, soon followed by a coy smile.) (Mendira dips into a spin, her veil trailing behind her.) Iryta smiles, revealing the dimples in her cheeks. Toe bells jangling rhythmically, Mendira stamps her feet in a light shimmer of sound. Iryta takes a sip of her wine. Xenoseal gnaws lightly on his lower lip, as if lost in thought. The razor-sharp tip of one of his fangs breaks the skin and causes a tiny bead of blood to appear. Almost absent-mindedly, he catches it with the tip of his tongue. (Mendira's legs never seem to stop moving, and her feet hit the ground to continue the steady rhythm with her toe bells. She arches back as her arms sweep out, only to pull herself up once more and draw her arms in. The veil in her grasp shimmies and billows before her.) Vixonia trills softly at Mendira. Mendira whirls into a dramatic turn, her lace veil streaming behind her. Mendira smiles brightly, slipping into another quick turn with one arm outstretched while the other reaches toward the sky, her fingers splayed gracefully. The veil flutters to the floor behind her. (Mendira nimbly leaps from one side to the other, jostling her toe bells by neatly crossing her ankles together in mid-air only to land on the opposite foot.) Mendira laughs happily. (Mendira covers ground quickly as she strikes a wide circle, her gait long and smooth. She bends at the waist in a rolling motion with her arms extending high above her head, reaching outwards as she moves.) Mendira kicks one foot out in a graceful arc, and with a dip of her shoulders and a tinkling of toe bells, she pirouettes in a dazzling spin! (Mendira's spins grow tighter and quicker as she continues pushing forward. Her arms pull close to her torso, wrapping around her frame in a kind of hug as her toe bells ring out in an increasingly rapid staccato cadence.) Vixonia makes a rumbling noise of contentment in Mendira's direction. Aluwyyn closes his eyes and makes a sound of contentment that resembles purring in the back of his throat. (Mendira goes high on her toes in a single lissome motion to whirl in a pirouette that sends her tutu flashing out in a vividly-hued circle all around her.) Aluwyyn nods. (Mendira comes to a stop mid-spin. Her skirt whips around her as she sways slightly, catching her breath. She ends in the same position where she began, one leg pushed slightly back and tapping out the steady, jangling rhythm.) Aluwyyn gazes at Mendira. Anuril grins. Mendira curtsies gracefully. Elurora lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Kethrai lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Vixonia lets out a loud "Huzzah!" for Mendira! Kethrai applauds. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Aluwyyn gives her a toast. Nilme lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Xenoseal applauds. Gridaksma applauds. Vixonia wraps her arms lovingly around Ishimmer, snuggling close. Jaelia lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Xenoseal grins at Mendira. Vixonia looks at Mendira and applauds! (Mendira bends down and picks up her veil, brushing it off with her hands.) Jaelia takes a sip of her stout. Coethi applauds. Mendira grins. Ishimmer suddenly gives voice to a fast, thrumming purr. Mendira wraps her lace veil around herself, tucking the ends securely. Anuril quietly asks Kethrai, "You get all that?" Anuril appears to be trying hard not to grin. Kethrai glances at Anuril. (Nilme smiles at Mendira and steps forward.) (Mendira is still a bit flushed as she gives Nilme another nod. She flits offstage quickly, slipping once more out of the room.) Kethrai coyly gazes out from under his eyelashes while absently tracing the outer seam of his lotusweave garter. Songbird Mendira wandered into an open doorway. Nilme recites: "We'll take a few more moments for another brief intermission. Please allow us a moment to prepare the stage for the evening's final performance." Nilme smiles warmly. Anuril chuckles. Vixonia beams at Nilme! (Nilme quickly steps out of the way as a group of Olvi descend upon the stage. The Halflings move with astounding speed and agility, quickly setting up a simple rigging system dangling a single sling of silvery aerial silk at center stage.) Xenoseal leans against a polished wooden bar. Xenoseal gets himself a glass of sparkling cider. Yum! A grizzled Human, wearing a black felt hat at a cocky angle, stands up swaying back and forth. He holds up his empty beer mug and shouts, "More champagne!" After a moment of cautious studying and sniffing, an adorable jet black kitten hops up on top of a polished wooden bar, then gets out. Kethrai quietly says, "Wow, a very few moments." (Nilme blinks at the assembled crew as they climb atop one another's shoulders to reach high into the rafters and finalize their work. They pat one another upon the back jovially as they each hop back down.) Timorias sniffles. Vixonia quietly says to Ishimmer, "Good to see you, handsome." (Nilme returns to the front and smiles as they scamper off.) Iryta smiles at Timorias, revealing the dimples in her cheeks. Timorias smiles at Iryta. Kethrai takes a sip of his cider. Xionara takes a bite of the prawns. Songbird Mendira just arrived. You see Songbird Mendira Huns, Dancer of Zaldi Taipa, an Elf. Mendira has pointed ears and large expressive faded lilac eyes. Her dark brown hair is hip length and silky, and is worn in an intricate braid threaded with some faceted clusters of heliotrope spirea flowers strung upon a slim silver cord and allowed to fall over one shoulder. She has warm caramel-hued skin and an ethereal spun glitter cape lined in heliotrope icesilk swirling around a gracefully slender figure. She is statuesque for an Elf. She appears to be young. She has several interlocking rings of green jade that pierce the flesh to follow along her right eyebrow, each notched in even intervals and rubbed with indigo. Her shoulder has a tattoo of a brightly colored songbird darting through a cascade of musical notes. She is in good shape. She is wearing an ethereal bodysuit covered in fluttery layers of heliotrope icesilk petals and a pair of heliotrope aerial slippers crafted from silk. Nilme recites: "Mendira's final performance this evening is an aerial dance, inspired by her mentorship with Emyrose Dane-Ilarion. It is called, 'Fledgling.'" Kethrai takes a sip of his cider. Xenoseal takes a sip of his cider. Iryta dimples at Mendira. (Nilme smiles warmly and takes her seat as the lights dim once more.) Mendira brushes her hands across the ethereal bodysuit, smoothing out any wrinkles or creases while being attentive to any decorations upon it. Kethrai gazes at Mendira. Nilme smiles at Mendira. Aluwyyn raises an eyebrow. Xionara applauds. Ishimmer says, "Sweet to see the most beautifull sweetheart." Vixonia beams at Mendira! Anuril applauds. Checking each set of laces in turn, Mendira makes sure her aerial slippers are neatly and securely fitted. Ishimmer wraps his arms lovingly around Vixonia, snuggling close. Mendira grins. Iryta gets a jaunty black hat from inside her enshrouding clouds. Iryta puts a jaunty black hat on her head. Ishimmer kicks Stelling! Jaelia pets an adorable jet black kitten. The jet black kitten looks up at her adoringly and purrs gently. Ishimmer hums to himself. Iryta gasps at Ishimmer! Kethrai whispers something to Anuril. Jaelia applauds. (Mendira shakes her hands out for a moment, taking a deep breath that seems to steady her as she approaches the silken hammock.) Elurora blinks at Ishimmer. Atvus observes Mendira with fascination. Jaelia gazes intently into her sanowret crystal, and scintillating sparks of light dance across its surface. (Mendira nods to the musicians huddled beside the stage, and they take up their instruments once more. An elegant harmony of string instruments flows forth, fluid and fearless.) Iryta quietly asks Ishimmer, "Its because he hasn't handed you a drink yet right?" Aluwyyn takes a sip of his frostwynne. Anuril gets himself a snifter of Rissan brandy. Yum! Iryta gets some mulled sicle cider from atop a polished wooden bar. Anuril takes a sip of his brandy. Iryta moves a goblet of Dalesian white wine to her left hand. Iryta moves some mulled sicle cider to her right hand. Stelling laughs at Ishimmer. Iryta offers Ishimmer some mulled sicle cider. (Coethi taps his fingertips together.) Stelling moves a flagon of Elven frostwynne to his left hand. (Mendira holds one side of the silken loop, drawing her leg up and through, her toes gracefully pointed. Straddling the fabric, she grasps each side above her head and slowly leans back to raise both legs off of the ground, sweeping her second leg over and across in a languid fankick.) Ishimmer says, "Havnt got my pittiful pat." Anuril moves a snifter of Rissan brandy to his left hand. Stelling gets himself a flagon of Elven frostwynne. Yum! Stelling pats Ishimmer on the back. Ishimmer grins. Iryta begins chortling at Stelling. Atvus takes a sip of his Venom. Ishimmer says, "Pittiful." Nilme gazes at Mendira. Stelling offers Ishimmer a flagon of Elven frostwynne. Stelling nods at Ishimmer, obviously agreeing with his views. (Mendira tucks her leg behind the opposite knee, her hands holding tight to the silks as her shifting weight pulls her figure parallel to the ground. She releases one hand to reach out, stretching lithely in the opposite direction of her pointed toes. Her posed figure rotates gently as the silk adjusts to her movement.) Timorias gets himself a glass of sparkling cider. Yum! Ishimmer declines Stelling's offer. Timorias sniffs at a clay jug of sparkling cider. Ishimmer slinks up to Vixonia with fluid grace, curling his tail lazily in the air. Iryta takes a sip of her wine. Vixonia gazes at Mendira. Iryta offers Timorias some mulled sicle cider. Timorias frowns. Stelling chuckles at Ishimmer. Kethrai gazes at Mendira in awe. Ears tilted forward, Vixonia curls her tail around Ishimmer's waist loosely. Timorias accepts Iryta's mulled sicle cider. Timorias smiles at Iryta. Stelling puts his frostwynne in his oilcloth rucksack. Stelling moves a flagon of Elven frostwynne to his right hand. (Mendira pulls her outstretched hand through the gap between her opposite arm and the fabric, allowing her body to follow through the motion and roll into a new position on the silks. She once again holds the pose, stretching her arm and unbent leg in new, opposing directions.) Stelling takes a sip of his frostwynne. Anuril takes a sip of his brandy. Ishimmer reaches over and grooms Vixonia's ears for a moment, purring softly. Stelling gets himself a flagon of Elven frostwynne. Yum! Iryta holds her hand out towards Timorias for a highfive. Timorias sniffs at some mulled sicle cider. Timorias and Iryta highfive each other. Aluwyyn gazes at Mendira in wonder. (Mendira reaches up to grab the silks with both hands and leans her body backward, bringing the nadir of the fabric loop behind her knee. As the music swells, she tips her head back and braces her free foot against the fabric, pulling herself up to first a seated position, followed in sequence by a standing position.) Ishimmer just tried to pull some sleek black leather pants with gusseted seams. Water drips from Ishimmer's kertig cowbell. Ishimmer just tried to pull some knee-length dragonar bathing trousers with imbricated dark scales. Timorias puts his cider in his white backpack. Timorias puts his cider in his white backpack. Timorias leans against a polished wooden bar. (Mendira stretches her unbraced leg out to the side, and the silks support her back as the braced leg reaches in the opposite direction to balance. She arches her torso, sweeping one arm backward gracefully before pulling it back in to grasp the fabric once more.) Jaelia gazes at Mendira in wonder. (Mendira arches back dramatically as the music soars, her figure nearly upside down, supported by the silk. She draws her outstretched leg upward to bend and hook upon the length of fabric, and as it conforms to the new pose, she pulls herself up even higher, near enough to the rigging now that her arms are bowed and her back arched.) Ishimmer puts his almanac in his viperskin cloak. Xenoseal's jaw drops. Kethrai twitches an ear nervously. Coethi cocks his head. (Mendira grasps the lengths of silk just below their attachment points to the rigging and draws her whole body up to release some of the tension on the fabric.) Iryta grins at Mendira, her dimples flashing into view. Fingers of spectral flame flicker down Atvus's forearms to dance playfully over the surface of his Shorka's Venom. Iryta takes a sip of her wine. (Mendira's frame shakes slightly with the effort, but she manages to utilize the loosening of the silk to maneuver into a full split, relaxing her tight hold and allowing the fabric to support her once more. She sweeps out one hand with a flourish, beaming.) Iryta picks up a sleeping sea otter. Iryta gently places a otter on her shoulder. Atvus takes a sip of his Venom. Anuril raises an eyebrow. Vixonia trills softly at Mendira. Jaelia gestures. (Mendira moves out of the split, bending one knee and sliding her braced foot down the silk until it finds a seat behind her opposite thigh. She stretches into this final pose, her arms extended and an expression of utter freedom bright upon her features.) Jaelia beams at Mendira! Jaelia gasps! Kethrai observes Mendira with fascination. (Mendira dips to the side, straightening her bent knee and flipping over the fabric to arrive once more at a relaxed, seated position. The music calms, a single violin strain playing on as the other instruments fade.) Sonatina pets an adorable jet black kitten. The jet black kitten extends one paw up to gently touch her knee. Elurora lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Aluwyyn smiles in complete and total unbelief and admiration! Sonatina applauds. (Mendira sways slightly upon the hammock, which in this position resembles nothing more than a gossamer swing. She stretches her leg forward and tips out of her seat as the violin ends its refrain, and she lands lightly upon the stage once more.) Coethi applauds. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Aluwyyn gives her a toast. Nilme beams at Mendira! Kethrai lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Mendira curtsies gracefully. Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Kethrai looks at Mendira and applauds! Iryta moves a goblet of Dalesian white wine to her right hand. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Elurora looks at Mendira and applauds! Raising her Dalesian white wine to Mendira, Iryta gives her a toast. Anuril applauds. Xenoseal moves a glass of sparkling cider to his left hand. Xenoseal looks at Mendira and applauds! Ayrell applauds. Aluwyyn takes a sip of his frostwynne. Xenoseal grins. Raising his Shorka's Venom to Mendira, Atvus gives her a toast. Xenoseal takes a sip of his cider. (Nilme moves to stand by Mendira) Nilme hugs Mendira, who wraps her arms around Nilme with a warm smile. Vixonia lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Iryta takes a sip of her wine. Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Xenoseal lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Ezerak applauds. Atvus says, "That's gotta be the most complicated way of goin' ta bed I've ever seen." Atvus whistles at Mendira. Iryta begins chortling at Atvus. Aluwyyn laughs! Nilme smiles at Mendira. Vixonia chuckles. Aluwyyn shakes his head. Vixonia praises Mendira. Ishimmer leans over and scratches Vixonia's back. Xenoseal moves a glass of sparkling cider to his right hand. Mendira says, "Thank you so much, everyone! I hope you've enjoyed these performances tonight, and I'm so honored to be here." Anuril takes a sip of his brandy. Mendira blushes, the tips of her ears turning a delicate scarlet hue. Raising his sparkling cider to Mendira, Xenoseal gives her a toast. Ezerak looks at Mendira and applauds! Stelling lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Raising his Shorka's Venom to Mendira, Atvus gives her a toast. Stelling lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Stelling lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Nilme beams at Mendira! Iryta rummages about her person, looking for something. Ayrell looks at Mendira and applauds! Elurora lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Mendira beams! Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Iryta gets a corsage of Golden Treasure roses from inside an effervescent eddy of honey-hued light captured by a sungold frame. Vixonia exclaims, "Amazing job! What a delight!" Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Anuril gets an impish expression on his face, and lets out a hearty cheer. Iryta moves a goblet of Dalesian white wine to her left hand. Iryta moves a corsage of Golden Treasure roses to her right hand. Gridaksma looks at Mendira and applauds! Ishimmer says, "Shes bendy." Iryta lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Aluwyyn softly says, "Puts a whole new meaning to 'getting your bedsheets all twisted'." Ishimmer grins. Iryta offers Mendira a corsage of Golden Treasure roses. Sonatina continues to chant the infectious strains of Faenella's Grace, seeming to lose herself in the very rhythms she produces. Mendira giggles at Aluwyyn. Iryta just nudged Aluwyyn. Nilme warmly exclaims to Mendira, "Thank you, Mendira, for sharing these special performances with us! Beautiful and lovely, as always!" Ayrell says to Mendira, "A wonderful performance, thank you." Ezerak says to Mendira, "Excellent show, your mentors should be proud." Mendira beams at Iryta! Mendira accepts Iryta's roses. Aluwyyn grins at Mendira. Iryta just hugged Mendira. Mendira beams at Ezerak! Nilme recites: "Let's give Mendira another round of applause!" Vixonia nods at Ishimmer, obviously agreeing with his views. Ezerak looks at Mendira and applauds! Elurora looks at Mendira and applauds! Xenoseal exclaims, "Bravo!" Atvus whistles at Mendira. Nilme looks at Mendira and applauds! Iryta looks at Mendira and applauds! Jaelia applauds. Jaelia applauds. Mendira grins at Ayrell. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Mendira, Stelling gives her a toast. Aluwyyn moves a flagon of Elven frostwynne to his left hand. Raising his Shorka's Venom to Mendira, Atvus gives her a toast. Aluwyyn looks at Mendira and applauds! Mendira curtsies gracefully. Timorias smiles. Nilme lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Jaelia takes a sip of her stout. Nilme recites: "I'd also like to thank the graceful and talented Vixonia for her part in tonight's show!" Kethrai lets out a hearty cheer for Mendira! Nilme beams at Vixonia! Jaelia applauds. Kethrai looks at Vixonia and applauds! Elurora looks at Vixonia and applauds! Nilme looks at Vixonia and applauds! Mendira lets out a hearty cheer for Vixonia! Xionara looks at Mendira and applauds! Vixonia trills softly at Nilme. Aluwyyn looks at Vixonia and applauds! Stelling exclaims, "And a round for Nilme for carrying on hosting these events!" Atvus whistles at Vixonia. Xionara looks at Vixonia and applauds! Iryta lets out a hearty cheer for Vixonia! Raising his Elven frostwynne to Vixonia, Stelling gives her a toast. Xenoseal moves a glass of sparkling cider to his left hand. Xenoseal looks at Vixonia and applauds! Kethrai lets out a hearty cheer for Nilme! Iryta looks at Nilme and applauds! Atvus whistles at Nilme. Raising his Elven frostwynne to Nilme, Stelling gives her a toast. Elurora lets out a hearty cheer for Nilme! Xionara nods at Stelling, obviously agreeing with his views. Mendira lets out a hearty cheer for Nilme! Vixonia lets out a hearty cheer for Nilme! Ishimmer beams at Vixonia! Aluwyyn lets out a hearty cheer for Nilme! Nilme smiles. Vixonia nods at Stelling, obviously agreeing with his views. Atvus pants. Atvus says, "Too... much... whistlin'..." Jaelia applauds. Ayrell looks at Vixonia and applauds! Aluwyyn takes a sip of his frostwynne. Nilme recites: "Thank you, everyone, for joining us today! The next concert in the Arthe Dale Concert Series will feature Lupdels! Watch the calendar and keep an ear out for more information! You won't want to miss it!" Ayrell looks at Nilme and applauds! Stelling chuckles at Atvus. Nilme beams! Mendira grins. Jaelia applauds. Aluwyyn gives Vixonia a measured bow, deepening it ever so slightly. Aluwyyn gives Nilme a measured bow, deepening it ever so slightly. Nilme recites: "See you next time!" Xionara lets out a hearty cheer for Nilme! Aluwyyn gives Mendira a measured bow, deepening it ever so slightly. Nilme hugs Mendira, who wraps her arms around Nilme with a warm smile. Atvus applauds. Aluwyyn takes a sip of his frostwynne. Atvus lets out a loud "Huzzah!" Mendira curtsies gracefully to Aluwyyn.