[PRP Oba] Come Play [Vodyanoi & Aseara] FIN

[Stereochrome]

Tasinei

thanks for finishing this up with me! o w o

“Hmm, don’t worry about it. You’d probably get into trouble for dragging in a tramp, wouldn’t you?” He imagined the whole situation (excepting the performances themselves, of course) would be rather unpleasant. It was one thing to get to know the Obans who lived and worked in the cities, the ones who had no qualms about going out to fetch their own bread and draw their own water from the well… but it was a whole other matter to be surrounded by a whole glittering hall full of the nobles, the very people who had caused his kind to live in slavery for so long. They wouldn’t like him very much, and what cause did he have to like them?

But performing on stage, that was different. It always was, somehow. It didn’t really matter who anyone was, if they were a street-kid or a princeling.

“It’s beautiful here!” He nodded. “I’m sure the others would love to play, and… well, to be fair, there may be a couple who’ll balk at the idea -- it’s the whole history thing, for sure -- buuuuut not so much that a good paycheque won’t silence their concerns. And given how fancy you’ve got things done up here, I assume you’ll pay us well? It takes money to keep us travelling. Or so I’ve heard. Between me and you, I don’t see all that much of it. But, to be fair… I don’t really ask about it. As long as I can keep my clothes repaired and my belly full, you know.”  

[Tasinei]

Aseara gave him an apologetic smile, she wouldn’t call him a tramp but Afsana probably didn’t think the same as she did. “My employer is a finicky old Oban, I wouldn’t put it pass her to punish me for smaller things.” And she had in the past of course. It probably would be hard to get anyone who wasn’t either a performer or noble in to watch a performance, but sometimes the trouble was worth it. Aseara had plenty of friends who were not nobles and someday she wanted them to be able to come and see the dances and such that were put on here.

One day…

“Oh yes of course, my employer will be paying you very well.” Digging into one of her robs hidden pockets she took out a small piece of folded paper and extended it towards him. “That’s the sum she is willing to pay.” Afsana hadn’t told Aseara how much she was offering the band, but Aseara had taken a peek and her eyes had almost fallen off. The sum was larger, very large in fact. So large it made her wonder how much she would be charging the nobles to be able to pay them such an amount. But that was none of her concern.

“If all is in order, I can walk you back to the entrance and will let my employer know you are interested.” From there they’d figure out a day and a schedule to make preparations.

Stereochrome

Of course biggrin People always need RP to grow! And we're almost done too

 

[Stereochrome]

Tasinei

yuss! o u o
just one post left each?

“Well, I suppose they’ve got to hold on to something, these old Obans.” Vodyanoi winked, not without a bit of obvious sass. “You know, now that they don’t have slaves anymore, and they can’t pretend they’ve got the best army, and folks from all over are coming in to make money without caring one way or the other about nobility… If they want to keep thinking they’re special, they’ll have to make all sorts of ways to try and keep themselves apart. While everyone else is busy trying to get together!”

He laughed at that, but not maliciously. “I’m kidding, of course. Well, half-kidding. And all in good humour. After all, I’m one of those lining up to take their money.”

On the subject of money… Vodyanoi reached out to take the piece of paper, on which was written, apparently, the amount of their pay.

“Oooh.” He pursed his lips, impressed with just this bit of paper alone (not having opened it yet). Was this how you did things in Oba? In Matori, people just yelled out how much things cost at the top of their lungs. He was, of course, altogether more impressed when he did finally look at the number. Impressed enough to think he was mistaken at first, or seeing an extra number. But… no, it was all there, and he wasn’t imagining things. Why, this was enough to… to… well, he wasn’t even sure what one was supposed to do with this much money. They would be splitting it up amongst the troupe, of course, and the final amount he’d get would be much smaller, but even then…

“I don’t think I’ll have any trouble convincing the others to play for you, not with this offer! It’s mighty generous. So, when do you want to put on the show?”  

[Tasinei]

Stereochrome

“Of course,” Aseara said with just as much sassiness and a laugh. Oh how that was true. “They are indeed stubborn, though I do hope one day they see that we aren’t all different.” She didn’t think the nobility system would ever die; the Obans would cling to it like their life depended on it. “But you know, I do know an Oban close to me who became far more opened. There is hope yet!” She was referring to Nuri of course, love of her life and Oban solider to the core. Thinking about him made her smile.

“Good good.” She was glad he enjoyed the number Afsana had written on it. “I look forward to seeing you troupe perform. Come let’s get back to the entrance.” Aseara led the way back to the front of the Red and paused at the door.

“My mistress would like for you to play as soon as possible with at least two days warning so we can assemble the nobles and prepare the building for your arrival and theirs. Though I am sure we will be in contact before then.” Aseara paused trying to recall anything else. “Do you have any more questions? It was really nice meeting you Vodyanoi.”  

[Stereochrome]

Tasinei

done! thanks. <3

He was glad to hear that she shared some of his perspective -- and something of his own optimism, too. He hadn’t meant to sound like he thought that all nobles were backwards xenophobes. After all, the very fact that they wanted to invite a traditional Matori troupe to play music for them showed some willingness to reach out and listen to others; at least to listen to the way they made their music, and to Vodyanoi this was not an insignificant gesture. In fact, it made him rather excited for this opportunity. Matori music had been coloured so much by Oban influence, and now… well, now maybe it would be their turn to inspire others.

“We’ll put on a stellar show, I promise.” He told her after she had taken him back out to the entrance. “It’ll be something the likes of which these folks have never seen. You won’t regret it.”

And with that he waved and trotted off, back towards the market square where his troupe was resting, to share the good news.