Forums » Fantasy Roleplay » A musical duo (1x1)

Elder Oak tavern. A lively and large tavern hall in the middle of a quant lively village known as Oldwood. The name seemed fitting as it was in the middle of a huge forest, and a loved spot for traders to stop and take a rest. It was a logger's community, mainly human by the looks of it. Their numerous hovels were of simple build; wooden exteriors with hay as a roof. They were a friendly sight from the endless dust road and thick forest trees.

The tavern was the longest building Oldwood had to offer. It was situated right next to the sawmill and right across from the inn, where traders would rest after a day of walking through the woods, scared of any possible bandit attack. But this was not where Aearion found himself.

This Mer could be found in the tavern, playing his driftwood lute as almost half the tavern filled with millers and travelers, looking for enjoyment, were clapping along with his music. He strummed so hard on his strings his fingers were actually getting chafed, and the Mer couldn't care less. This was one of the most cheerful audiences he had played for in a long time. Once he was done, the workers cheered the Mer on, at which he took a deep bow.

Content, he took a seat. he had to enjoy a pint of ale after that one. What the Mer didn't know, though, was that was this simple tavern song would bring him a new story.

Never had he so enjoyed being lost.
After an unfortunate event resulting in his separation from the rest of his troupe, he had wandered around the countryside for no less than four days, asking villagers and travelers alike if they had spied a caravan going "that way". Nobody he spoke to had seen more than a horse and cart, however, which led him to believe that he was going the wrong way and would do better giving up altogether. His troupe had no real home and lived on-the-go, stopping anywhere to set up camp and leave the next day. They were extremely difficult to follow and even harder to find.

Arriving at this tavern purely by chance was a welcome change to sleeping in orchards and stealing the odd apple here and there, because although he could afford neither a drink nor a night at the nearby inn, here he had found something far better: music. It could be heard as soon as he stepped foot- or hoof, rather- into the forest, and he had followed it to the tavern where he presently sat, clapping in time to the music.

The sweaty men surrounding him were stomping their feet and singing tunelessly along as though they had never sung before. It certainly sounded that way, at least, but to Krotos, no sound had been sweeter. He strained for a glimpse of the singer but he was obscured by those surrounding him. His (or her) voice was hidden under an overlay of bad singing, but the sound of a sting instrument being played was loud and clear.

The music stopped all too soon, and Krotos kept an eye out for the musician. As men moved away, he became visible: a long-haired man, blue man wearing a coat bedecked in seashells, drinking from a tankard and very much alone. Krotos leapt from his stool and took the seat beside the blue man, introducing himself rather suddenly. "Good evening, sir. I quite enjoyed the last tune you played."

Aearion had taken a sip from his drink until Krotos came into his vision. Was that a Faun? Or a Satyr? He had no idea. What he did know however was that his kind not common either. The Mer cracked a smile and straightened himself up.

After listening to his compliment, Aearion couldn't help but chuckle a little."Oh why thank you, young fan. I aim for enjoyment." He smiled at him as he took another sip."Are you from around here? I haven't seen any mother and father Faun here." He spoke, feeling like making some small talk with this talkative creature.

"I'm from here, there, anywhere. I travel, see, with my troupe, and we never stay in the same place for long. Or I did, until recently. I just wandered here on my own." He looked Aearion up and down unabashedly. "What about you? Where do you come from? Do you play here often? You're blue. I've never seen anyone blue. Purple-haired, yes, but not blue."

He would've liked to say more, but decided it was best not to annoy the man with am incessant stream of questions, especially since he had not had a proper conversation with anyone for days. So he contained himself and sat back, drumming his fingers on the table and resisting the urge to find out what blue skin felt like. He did, however, allow himself to ask one final question. "Have you seen a caravan going, um... anywhere?"

Aearion seemed amused as Krotos rambled on with his questions. To be fair, he had a few more of his own, but he'd allow the Satyr to get enlightened first. He only answered him once he asked his final question.

"I can't say I have, friend. Word of a troop of Fauns would surely spread like wildfire. If you want my opinion, you went searching the wrong way." He sounded a bit cheerful as he said that, but soon realized that mistake and took to sounding a bit more glum."Sorry about that, friend. I'm sure your family's searching for you as well. They're probably near, so no need to worry. You'll be back with them in a short while, I'm sure." He grinned at him, raising his hand at the bartender and pointing at Krotos once Aearion had the man's attention.

"Now as to answer your questions, let's start at the beginning, shall we?" He chuckled."My name is Aearion. I am a Mer of the Coral Reef, and no, it's my first time playing here, though not my first song. These dry land wood cutters were long due for some amusement." He explained, looking at the now merry folks.

"We're all blue down in the ocean, curious friend. It's not an uncommon scale color. Some of us are green or purple, though the Sirens, who'm so many confuse us with are grey skinned. They prefer to stay close to the sea, though, where as I am a more ... adventurous soul." He grinned at Krotos."Now it's your turn, my short friend. I bet you have quite the story to tell. Your kind is not as common as I'd have expected in the forest."

Krotos was glad to have met someone both musically inclined and talkative. "Oh, we aren't all Fauns," he said, referring to the troupe. "Most of us are human, but we also have Centaurs, Elves, and even some dwarves and a Siren. She's quite the singer, I assure you. I lost track of them a few days ago. We'd set up our camp near a small town, and I found myself in the company of a very pretty girl." He smiled nostalgically. "We kept each other company that night in the inn where she works, and when I made my way back to camp in the morning, they had gone on without me. I suppose it was my fault, having told nobody what I was doing, but I like to keep such matters private." He didn't seem ashamed to tell Aearion everything, however, despite what he had said about privacy.

He was silent for a moment, then continued his story. "Nobody knew where I was, and they probably assumed I had gone ahead with a friend of mine. Surely they know I'm not with them by now, thiugh I doubt they'd turn back to search for me. The troupe is on its way to Huntsville as we speak. There is to be a fair there, you see. I hope to catch up to them, don't know where Huntsville is." His face fell slightly, brightening again when the bartender passed him a drink.

He paid close attention to the Mer's words, rapt. "The ocean is quite far. Where are you going? Are you a travelling bard? Looking for someone to sing songs about, and people to sing them to?" He drank deeply and smiled. He had neglected to introduce himself. "I am a dancer by profession. My name is Krotos."

Aearion was taking a large gulp from his drink when Krotos mentioned there was a Siren in this troupe of his. At that, the Mer spat out his drink, coughing rather loudly."A siren!?" He interupted Krotos after he was silent."Are you sure it's not another Mer? Siren like to stick to the coast, not to mention they have a taste for human flesh! If what you say is true, you might have stumbled upon the one vegan Siren in the world.... man, I haven't seen any Sirens since I was twelve years old. That's about sixty years ago." Ge rambled on."Oh, excuse me, do continue, little ladies man." He grinned.

"Pleased to meet you, Krotos." He answered after his introduction."I am indeed a traveling bard. I'm simply a soul with a curiosity towards the rest of the world. But just as I suspected, you're looking in the wrong way. Huntsville is a few villages further to the south, at the edge of the forest." As he was about to explain the way, A few woodcutters started shouting and cheering again for Aearion to play another song. It was a little bit rude, but the Mer simply couldn't leave his audience hanging.

"Excuse me for a moment." He said as he stood up. Instead of his lute, the Mer had revealed a strange looking flute."If I have to get up for you folks, I better see you lot dancing along!" Aearion cried out in a cheerful matter as he started playing the flute. the tune was just as cheerful.

Krotos waited for Aearion to stop coughing before replying. "Oh, we keep her caged and gagged for much of the time. Some will argue that she's just a glamourized Harpy, but most Harpies aren't so good at singing. She can't be one of you, since she's got wings. But whatever the case, I don't think she joined us voluntarily. When I was young, the owners of our troupe often sent us out to 'recruit'. She was brought to us on such a mission." He gazed at the Mer's face closely. "For a seventy-two year old man, you've aged quite well."

He sighed upon discovering the location of Huntsville. "Sounds far. And It seems I've been wandering in the opposite direction. Do you have a particular destination in mind yourself? If you would like some company, I could join you for some of the way if you are journeying close to Huntsville. I have a poor sense of direction and a propensity for getting lost." If he traveled for some of the way with Aearion, he would feel safer and be less likely to lose his way. 

When the woodcutters interrupted ther conversation, clamouring for more song, Krotos leapt to his feet as Aearion began to play, taking a pretty serving girl by the hand and swinging her in time to the music. They weaved through the crowd of dancing lumbermen, with the occasional twirl and twist, until the music died once more. 

Aearion happily stomped along, moving across the tavern like a happy blue flutist, at one point even jumping up on a table, only to get chased off again by the more grumpy patrons of the Elder Oak Tavern. Still the majority of the tavern was happily following Krotos' example and danced along, be it with their friends in a more silly matter, or with a different serving girl or wife. Whatever the case, it would seem this was a merry night for the woodcutters indeed.

After Aearion was done, he gave a deep bow after his performance and grabbed a silver coin in mid air. Silver! He rarely gets paid this much for a song! Usually it's just a few coppers. Especially in human lands. Dwarves were the less greedy race he had ever played for.

Strangly Aearion had not even flinched at the thought of a Siren being kept as a Harpy. Mer and Siren just tolerated each other. They lived in peace as long as the Siren kept to eating humans and not the Mer. Still it was obvious somewhere in history both Siren and Mer were one. The Mer had the same ability as the Siren when it came to their magical voice, though Mer obviously had less magic in their words. This "troupe" piqued his interest, though. Once he was done gathering the coin he went back to his seat to join back with Krotos, laughing rather loudly.

"My little friend, you are quite the charmer! Even without a beard, by Melora's grace." Clearly the Mer was amused."I came to a descision. I'll come with you to Huntsville. I've not heard of a nomadic gathering of races. It's quite ... curious. Plus, I'd love to meet the Siren. If I remember correctly, they are beautiful creatures."

Excellent!" He clapped his hands together joyfully. "You will find much to do there, I think. Many would be more than willing to hear you play. In several events I've attended, prizes are given out to performers that the public deems most worthy. Gold, wine, lands... This fair we are going to is a celebration of the arts. I have been looking forward to going for months. Our Siren- Agusta is her name- often excells at singing competitions."

Dancing had tired him and he began to slump forward, resting his head in his hands. "I've walked a long way today. Should we carry on to Huntsville tomorrow morning? For tonight, we can stay at  the inn not far from here. If you get a room for the both of us, you needn't worry about getting me dinner. I can go without for a night." 

Aearion found this Agusta character strange. She is clearly kept in the troupe against her will. Yet she partakes in ... musical endeavors? This struck the Mer as odd."Very well, little one. I'll keep on playing until we can buy ourselves a room. And don't you worry about a bite to eat. You'll get that as well once I'm done with these merry folks."

And so he did. Until mightnight the Mer sang songs, played his lute as well as his flute. The singing and dancing went on for a very long time indeed, and soon the Mer had enough money for both a room as well as a hearty meal or two.

The inn, simply known as the "Oldwood Inn", was rather empty. Very few merchants were still awake, and many rooms were vacant. Getting a room was not difficult at all. The pair got a small room with two hay filled beds and a little chest to put valuables it. Aearion didn't bother with that and instantly dropped into the bed."Ahh... now this is the life, isn't it? Goodnight, little friend."

The sound of the Mer's playing nearly lulled him to sleep right there on his stool. When finally they had enough to pay for a room, he followed Aearion to their inn room, mumbled a groggy goodnight, and collapsed onto the vacant bed. He was asleep almost before he hit the straw mattress and slept soundly.

Krotos slept in later than usual. When he did awaken, he stretched and walked over to the small slit of a window overlooking the stables below. The sun glared at him like a Cyclops' single eye, bright and accusatory. Krotos estimated that it was around midday, and wandered to Aearion's bed. His soon-to-be companion had already risen and gone out, perhaps to eat lunch, and left his lute behind- a sure sign that he would return and had not abandoned Krotos.

He sat down with it and plucked at the strings, positioning his fingers on the neck the way he had seem Aearion do it last night. The instrument was slightly out of tune after having been played so much, but in a matter of minutes, he had worked out a melody and began to prance around the room, playing and singing well-remebered lyrics.

The Mer had indeed been downstairs for breakfast. The one thing he didn't like about the dry land was the meat. He preferred fish over any other type of meat. The most favored thing about the dry lands was porridge though. Aearion was as good as addicted to the stuff! Whenever he could, he'd order himself a bowl or two and feast like a king on a fifty course meal.

Once he was done, he'd return to the room, and couldn't overhear Krotos. Was he playing his prized lute? Without asking!? The Mer walked in the room to watch the culprit. But instead of scolding, he watched a little and then shake his head with a sly grin."You, sir, sound horrible." He chuckled as he walked over to him to get his lute back."Best you stick to dancing and leave the lute playing to me."

Krotos had not heard the door open or seen Aearion enter, but when he heard the Mer's voice, he froze in his tracks with one leg raised in midair. For how long had he been watching? "Come to watch my performance?" He spun around to face him, taking a bow, largely unabashed. Aearion didn't seem angry, so he returned the lute with a small smile and asked about breakfast. "You didn't bring my anything to eat, by any chance, did you?" He was being a bit impertinent, he knew, but Aearion didn't seem the type to be so easily offended. But there was also the question of their journey, and when it would begin.

"When we travel to Huntsville, perhaps we can perform at any towns we pass," he suggested. "You play, and I dance. That way, we'll have enough coin by the end of each day to stay at an inn. How long should the journey take us? And when should we set off?"

Aearion raised a brow at the sudden spitfire of questions."You are one questioning Faun, you know that?" He grinned."I didn't bring you anything, for I hoped you'd be awake sooner than this. You're a big boy now, you can order your own food. Don't worry about the coin. We made it together last night, so we share it. That sound good to you?" He offered.

"As for Huntsville. It'll take a few days, I believe. We'll pass two more villages if I'm not mistaken, so we'll have plenty to do in the way of entertaining. Trust me, we won't be sleeping on the streets.. At least I hope so. Once you're done eating we can leave."

"Questioning? I prefer eagerly curious. Or perhaps, curiously eager." He bowed again, then all but skipped away to get a bite to eat. "Don't worry about giving me any money," he called back to Aearion. "I was careful to pickpocket you before bed last night. Couldn't have you making off in the wee hours of morning with all our heard-earned money, could I? But worry not; I trust you now and I shan't pickpocket again. At least, not from you." He laughed and continued down the hall. 

Downstairs, he had goat's milk, bread, and two fish, as the breakfast foods were being interchanged for dishes more suitable to lunch. "I don't eat goat or mutton," he explained to anyone who would hear, and especially to the lovely innkeeper's daughter who said she admired his morals. "I was raised by hand on goat's milk, however, and it is a favourite of mine."

When he had eaten everything save for fishbones, he returned to Aearion. "Shall we leave now?" He walked over to the door and blew the inkeeper's daughter a kiss. "I will think of you on my travels, my lady."

Aearion was NOT pleased when he heard Krotos had taken some of his money."You did WHAT!?" He called after him as he went to check his purse."Are you for real, man?" He mumbled to himself as the Satyr was gone. First his lute and now his money? There were going to be rules from now on!

Aearion had waited by the door for him and held him by his arm."Listen a moment to me, friend. I know it's only natural we share the money we both worked for, but if you want this little deal to continue, I strongly urge you not to presume you can take my belongings anymore. I'm very set in my privacy. I'll let it slide this time, but remember to ask me for my things next time." He spoke to Krotos in a rather angry tone. Not threatening by any chance, but clearly he was annoyed.

Soon on the road, Aearion seemed to have forgotten about the entire thing, though. He took out his lute as they walked and started strumming a few notes."First village we'll reach is Ponkar, if I'm not mistaken. It's a bigger place than Oldwood, so that means more patrons. More patrons means more merriment. And more merriment means more coin. It's a simple trade we live by, isn't it?"

Krotos tried to bow his head and look at Aearion at the same time; the result was an almost comical tilt of his head. "Apologies, Aearion. In the troupe, most of us are happy to share our possessions, save for the owners and a rather temperamental dwarf. So I am rather accustomed to taking without asking." He smiled brightly and placed a hand over his heart. "But I will seek your permission beforehand from now on." 

When they set off, he had a spring in his step and a tune on his lips. "Aye! And more merriment also means more ladies to dance with!" He laughed and did a spin, excited that they were on their way. He was able to contain his excitement until the forest was out of sight, then released it in the form of a skip and a jump. "Oh!" he sang, clicking one hoof against the other as he walked. "Do you know the song about the woman who married the goat, Aearion??

My husband has a lovely full beard, oh!
He's soft and hairy and warm, oh!
They say he's a goat but a goat can't wear a coat!
My husband is a handsome young man, oh!"

Krotos' answer pleased Aearion. How could he stay mad at such a cheerful guy? The whole matter was put behind them instantly.

Krotos' reply struck Aearion as odd, though."You're not skipping all the way to Pontar, are you? You'll be too tired to dance." Aearion mused at the sight.

The Mer listened intently to the song and played a tune to go along with Krotos' singing. He had heard it before, and playing along helped him remember it. He couldn't help but laugh."Oh, so many songs have been born out of confusion. Most of such songs transpire from Human society, did you know that? Humans being both young as well as poetic, it's only natural life's mysteries are simplified to absurd levels in their songs." He explained as he kept playing along."Tell if I got this next part right."


"He works the land and plows field, oh!
He works so hard on his farm!
My husband is my stalward shield, oh!
My husband is a handsome young man!"

Krotos stopped trotting ahead and allowed Aearion to catch up, listening intently. "It sounds right, but a lot less joyful when sung with that lyric," he commented. "And I don't even know what 'stalwart' means. But a husband is more handsome if he has some goatish attributes about him, don't you agree?" He grinned. "Your goatee makes you twice as handsome. And as for skipping, I feel good today. Perhaps good enough to carry me to Pontar, and through it!" But his pace slowed and he settled for a brisk walk, his short legs moving quickly to keep up with Aearion's larger steps.