• Solo • [Cally's] Playing the Background

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Once an isolated and dying township, an influx of academics, adventurers and thrill seekers have made Scalvoris Town their home. From scholars' tea shops to a new satellite campus for Viden Academy, this is an exciting place to visit or make your home!

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Pash Raj'oriq
Approved Character
Posts: 1200
Joined: Fri May 05, 2017 5:31 pm
Race: Biqaj
Profession: Tankbard
Renown: 315
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[Cally's] Playing the Background

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71 Ashan, 717


Pash had actually taken the time to shop for nicer clothes specifically for the evenings he played at Cally’s in a genuine effort to become more a part of the background than to stand out in public, which was admittedly not the normal reason people shopped for fine clothing. The shopping experience had been a fun one, and all the fussy trouble over dressing like someone who wasn’t a drifter on the Orm’del sea had been educational to say the least. Walking to the restaurant near the Central Square all the way from his sloop at the docks, dressed in a crisp, tailored white shirt, clean, well-fitting brown leather breeches with a matching belt, and his usual worn sandals, mother-of-pearl inlaid lute slung over his shoulder and some bawdy sailor tune on his lips attracted far more attention than even he was used to, though in the cloudy, gloomy drizzle there were slightly less people about to notice.

That said, he’d hardly let anyone he knew purposefully see him—Kali an accidental exception—simply because no one needed the expectation of him looking fancy on a regular basis. Occasionally was alright, though. It was kind of freeing to dress above what he perceived as his station, though the reality was he kind of felt outside of all of that as a musician and entertainer.

During the heavier rain of the last several trials, the minstrel had been forced to wear his every day clothes to get soaked in and carry his work clothes carefully folded and wrapped to keep them dry, arriving grossly wet and miserable. He’d always arrived as early as possible early those trials if he could, aware both himself and his instrument needed some time to dry before being presentable … so, as the rains slowed, Pash was grateful for only a light sprinkle instead of a downpour, no matter how cool the temperatures.

Today, the clouds seemed lighter, as if the suns’ light could peek through them at any moment. The walk to Cally’s was through soggy, muddied streets and a somewhat longer route than necessary, if only because a few quicker side paths were flooded enough to be impassable to someone who wanted to remain clean for a job.

Upon arrival, the shipwright’s son entered through the staff entrance near the kitchens, pausing to wipe his muddy sandals and dry off his lute. He re-tied his hair, half of it pulled back in a way that hid his Biqaj ears from casual view and the other half still falling at his shoulders. He nodded to Taylor, who always seemed content to be in the depths of the kitchen, preferably prepping quietly. Other than a brief introduction, Pash wasn’t sure that he’d ever spoken to the other man. Jo’get was already quite busy, and instead of disturb her with a greeting, he simply made his way to his comfortable chair by the window that was already set with a pitcher of water and a few delectable snacks. About ten bits early as always (with the exception of a few trials the week before when he’d been late due to the horrible weather), the seafaring minstrel spent the first few bits quietly tuning his instrument and warming up with a few chords, glancing about the dining room as he did so.

There was only one couple here so early, already enjoying their meal together. They’d just gotten into their main course, and judging by the bottle of wine they’d selected, had some further plans for their evening once they were finished. He never expected returned eye contact, but still made it a regular habit to let his tidepool gaze wander the room in order to read his audience and adjust his music accordingly.

Settled and ready, he poured himself a cup of water and then began to play softly. His first tune was what one may have been able to call romantic, an encouraging but subtle collection of notes for his only listeners.

His chords were light and breezy, and while he played he watched the couple smile as they talked in hushed tones, touch hands when they poured more wine, and laugh warmly as if they genuinely enjoyed each other’s’ company. Trudi brought them their meal and managed to catch his eye to give him a wink, though it would have otherwise been far too easy to play along with the flirtatious nature he’d learned she harbored while on his mid-shift rest.
Shopping Ledger
  • White cotton tailored shirt: 12sn x .25 (large for standing over 6’) x 1.2 (cotton) x 2 (quality) = 3gn, 4sn, 6cn
  • Brown leather breeches: 1gn x .25 (large for standing over 6’) x 4 (leather) x .8 (color)= 4gn, 8sn
  • Brown leather belt: 1gn x 4 (leather) x .8 (color) = 3gn, 2sn
Total spent: 14gn 4sn 6cn
Last edited by Pash Raj'oriq on Mon Jul 03, 2017 12:59 pm, edited 3 times in total. word count: 828
Rakahi | Rakahi Pidgin | Common | Xanthean

Because of his Competency in Empathy magic, Pash exudes an aura of calm emotion that is always "on." While it's not strong enough to overcome extreme emotions and it also loses strength the more people he's around, it's still up to you how that affects your character in whatever situation we're in. PM with questions!
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Pash Raj'oriq
Approved Character
Posts: 1200
Joined: Fri May 05, 2017 5:31 pm
Race: Biqaj
Profession: Tankbard
Renown: 315
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Wealth Tier: Tier 1

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[Cally's] Playing the Background

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A half a break later and the couple had left, replaced by a few small groups and one rather large table. Mixed races, even one table of his own people, though mostly humans, everyone seemed grateful for the break in the rain judging by the fact that the general conversational atmosphere was cheerful and low-key. Pash adjusted his volume only slightly to make up for the number of occupants, still keeping his music in the background of everything and playing tunes that promised sunnier, warmer weather with each chord he strummed. He kept to familiar melodies and rhythms that one may have called chamber music had he and his lute been in some castle great hall, but he was not.

While he glanced around at faces and studied drinks and meal choices that went with their patrons, he’d often guess at their occupations and their lives outside of Cally’s. What had brought them? Were they traveling? Local nobility? Had they inherited secret pirate riches? He loved to play to the gloomiest person in the room—whoever he could see needed cheering up, who looked annoyed that their meal was taking too long, or who seemed to have had some frustrating day despite their wealth, he’d adjust his music ever so slightly over a few bits and see if maybe they’d relax a little into their seat or actually enjoy their meal. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn’t.

The real temptation, honestly, was to read them even deeper, to use Empathy and see past their well-manicured, well-practiced exteriors to see what kind of emotions played beneath the surface in their lives. That required eye contact, however, and Pash made it a point not to seek that out from anyone in the restaurant lest he break the illusion of his invisible presence as entertainment. It was a difficult struggle, for he was truly ever so curious. It was a hunger that couldn’t ever seem to be satisfied, and so he looked at the floor or watched the motion of his hands on his lute strings or stared out the window when the temptation to magically explore the minds of the restaurant grew too strong for him to otherwise deal with.
Last edited by Pash Raj'oriq on Mon Jul 03, 2017 1:17 pm, edited 2 times in total. word count: 377
Rakahi | Rakahi Pidgin | Common | Xanthean

Because of his Competency in Empathy magic, Pash exudes an aura of calm emotion that is always "on." While it's not strong enough to overcome extreme emotions and it also loses strength the more people he's around, it's still up to you how that affects your character in whatever situation we're in. PM with questions!
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User avatar
Pash Raj'oriq
Approved Character
Posts: 1200
Joined: Fri May 05, 2017 5:31 pm
Race: Biqaj
Profession: Tankbard
Renown: 315
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Partner
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Wealth Tier: Tier 1

Featured

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[Cally's] Playing the Background

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After his short rest and delicious meal which he always remembered to thank Jo for, he returned to his seat by the window that twinkled with rain drops and fiery street lights just in time for the after-hours crowd to begin to roll in. These people were always interesting and seemed eager to spend nel on expensive drinks and light meals, either stopping in after an evening of other activities or just getting their action for the night started. He enjoyed this group of patrons most, not only because their unusual intricacies kept him awake and fascinated, but also because he could sort of drift from the regular menu of light, airy background tunes and experiment a little with chord choices and rhythm.

They were a livelier bunch and Pash played to that, accenting their louder, sometimes more intense conversations and highlighting their more adventurous menu choices with his selection of rhythm and scale. This crowd he often made more eye contact with, though it was honestly by accident. He watched them more, the Biqaj finding their idiosyncrasies too much to ignore, and thus was often watched more in return. He’d smile and look back down to his grandfather’s old mother-of-pearl inlaid lute, chagrined that it was indeed just impossible for him to entirely blend into the background—the salty bard liked the occasional hint of attention, especially if it wasn’t just from Trudi all evening. He just had to be careful not to let it distract him from playing the right chord or keeping his proper tempo.

Tonight, thankfully, he kept it together.

The patrons flowed in and out while his songs came and went, while he breathed in and out and thought about other things, made up stories about the particularly loud last table who clearly had already been drinking and cared so very little for all the nel they left behind as a tip.

By midnight, he was tired, waiting for the last diner to leave before he stood and stretched, squinting out the dark window to see that the rain had finally stopped. Calloused fingers ran through his hair, letting it all fall down to his shoulders before retying it all back again for the walk to his sloop. He said his thank yous and good nights, loosened a few buttons on his far too nice shirt, and then began the slow meander back to the docks.
word count: 407
Rakahi | Rakahi Pidgin | Common | Xanthean

Because of his Competency in Empathy magic, Pash exudes an aura of calm emotion that is always "on." While it's not strong enough to overcome extreme emotions and it also loses strength the more people he's around, it's still up to you how that affects your character in whatever situation we're in. PM with questions!
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Aeon
Posts: 529
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2016 4:16 pm
Race: Human
Profession: Hero :|
Renown: 183
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Wealth Tier: Tier 1

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[Cally's] Playing the Background

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Pash


Skill Knowledge:

Detection: Reading your audience
Detection: Musical preferences change by the amount of alcohol consumed
Discipline: Knowing when not to use Empathy
Lute: Encouraging romance with a melody
Lute: Adjusting play style for a different audience
Socialization: Purposeful eye contact

Other Knowledge:

Location: Cally’s
Cally’s: The Staff Entrance
Cally’s: Rich folks dine here
NPC: Trudi: A flirtatious waitress
NPC: Taylor: Quiet and aloof
NPC: Jo’get: Sous chef

Loot:
N/A
Injuries:
N/A
Fame:
N/A, sorry, you were just doing your job :P (plus, you're just the guy in the background)
Devotion:
N/A
Magic:
These points can NOT be used for Domain Magic

Points awarded:
10

Comment:
Believe it or not, this is the first thread I read from you, and it just amazed me how good of a writer you are. I can picture the scene perfectly, and even hear the music playing in the background while I'm reading your work, it's beautiful, truly. Keep writing, my friend! :D

Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or concerns. Have a wonderful day! :)
word count: 185
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"A hero is someone who steps up when everyone else backs down"
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