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 Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2015 6:34 am
It was good to be back home where she belonged, Aseara had taken to her new managerial duties quite well though she still missed her private dances she also enjoyed nights where she didn’t finish so late. It also gave her more time to prepare her own dance, the one where she wanted to recall the war that had passed. She’d never made up such a large production before but Afsana was sure that the nobles would enjoy it greatly considering most had not attended the war themselves. Aseara wanted to make sure that all sides were properly displayed and that costumes were ordered in time.
Today though, Afsana had given her a different task. A travelling troupe had come to town and Afsana had heard that they had made quite the impression amongst the nobles. She wanted them to come play at the Red Amaryllis in the hopes of gathering more nobles, especially those who had never come to the Red Amaryllis before because of its darker secrets. It also gave all the girls a night off for dancing since the troupe would be playing for the duration of the night. No one had protested everyone liked a good night off once in a while.
In the early afternoon Aseara had set off towards where it had been reported the troupe was staying. It was strange for Afsana to consider a troupe that was made up of what she had heard were only Matorians. Granted one could never tell what the nobles liked and didn’t like, there were Matorians after all at the Red Amaryllis, they were just quieter and less visible than the rest of the girls. Discretion was needed after all, when an Oban wanted a private dance from a Matorian specifically. Aseara found them easily enough, though she didn’t know which one was the leader she walked up to the first that she found.
“Excuse me, are you the troupe we have all been hearing about?”
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Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2015 8:30 am
Their performances had been going… surprisingly well, actually. It wasn’t that Vodyanoi doubted the quality of their art, and he had had no doubts that the water earthlings of Oba would be excited to see them. But that he hadn’t expected was the interest that their troupe had gotten from the native Oban residents – and not just the common folk but the nobles as well. Last night there had been several in attendance, with their fine clothes and large, glamorous retinues of family, servants and friends.
Sure, their music had a strong Oban influence, as Matori music always had after generations of servitude to the other race. But it was still distinctly theirs, made up of traditional fishing-songs and sailing-songs, speaking of Matori customs and animals and land. And the troupe was almost exclusively water earthlings; the only exception was Takaia, a young leaf girl – and she had been born in Matori after the end of the war, so she dressed like them and lived by their customs. Had it been pessimistic of him to expect more… hostility, or indifference at the least?
He mused over this as he tightened the strings on his hand drum, hitting the skin ever so often to check the sound.
It was while he was doing this that he noticed the sweep of brilliant fabric moving towards him; he looked up from his drum to face a pale-skinned and resplendant woman in red. She wasn’t an Oban, although she was dressed somewhat in that fashion, and when she spoke the words came finely-articulated and smooth.
“Well,” He grinned, bolstered by the confidence of their success. “That depends on what you’ve been hearing. If it’s good, then yes.”
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2015 8:07 am
“Only good things,” though she herself hadn’t heard them play, Afsana liked to boast about their prowess and the clients seemed to agree with her. “Which is what brings me here today. My employer would like to hire you for an evening.” Afsana had given her a huge spiel to make sure she brought back the musicians but Aseara opted for the shorter version. “We’re a well-known establishment among the nobles and since a few of them have been speaking about your company we thought we would hire you for an evening.” She still wasn’t sure if she was speaking to the right person but she continued anyways.
“Most of the revenue would be yours but the Red Amaryllises would take a small portion of the earnings. You would have back up dancers if required and anything else that you need can be made available to your disposal.” She paused trying to think over if she’d missed anything. “So, wuld this be something that interested you?”
Stereochrome Sorry this took so long asdfghjk. I will be ore prompt from now on!!
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2015 8:09 am
Tasinei no problem! o u o as far as i'm concerned it's all just bonus rp till the shop opens, lol.
They were making reasonable money depending on the coins tossed at them by those who watched, of course. But the fact of the matter was, most of the folks who came down to the market for entertainment were poorer and threw little but pocket change into the big clay jars they set out for just this purpose (with tall, narrow necks so that itchy-fingered thieves could not make any easy pickings). There were those occasional nobles with heavier purses, of course, but… a job that earned them a solid fee was not to be scoffed at.
He glanced towards the rest of the troupe, assessing the members he saw. Yuna and Oriole (who ran the troupe) had left to see an ‘old friend’ of theirs -- had they been around, Vodyanoi would very easily have passed this lady on to their care.
But… well, some of the other musicians… had a rather low opinion of Obans, especially well-dressed ones, and Vodyanoi did not quite trust them not to offend their prospective client.
“That sure is,” He stood, hooking his drum to the back of his sash belt. “Could I see the place we’d be playing? That’ll help us figure out what we can do. We play outdoors, mostly, so… if your establishment is indoors we’ll have to make some considerations. And, uhm, you can tell me more about these… backup dancers.”
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Posted: Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:01 am
“Oh course.” Aseara didn’t know if she was supposed to show the troupe around the Red Amaryllis, but if he needed to know for specific considerations… The Wind girl could not refuse him. Plus, if he visited the place and it happened that they could not play there to find out before they actually showed up and made preparations for guests. If Afsana threw a fit than she simply would have to explain it to her, surely even she would see that the nobles could not be disappointed if it just so happened that last minute the troupe cancelled.
“Do you have time now for a visit?” The sooner she showed him around the better. “I think we could possibly arrange for you to play outside, but I’ll have to ask.” If the weather was good and Afsana was in a good mood perhaps they’d get to play in her garden. “As for the dancers, you can meet them if you visit. We have about three or four that would be available for you if you needed them.” She wasn’t really sure what else he’d need to ask. “But if you are short on time I am more than happy to answer your questions on the way over there.”
If he was ready to leave right now, she would take him straight to the Red Amaryllis. It was still early enough during the day, but there were still some preparations that had to be done. Invitations hadn’t gone out yet, and they’d have to make sure they knew the exact count of the nobles attending. Plus there would be food and drinks to attend to and the dancers if the troupe decided to have them or not. Aseara’s mind was already making a mental check list of everything they’d need to get done tonight.
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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 6:35 am
“Yeah,” He nodded, swinging around to stand beside her. He made a merry little sound as he moved, his rattling anklets and bracelets keeping time with his stride. “Let’s go have a look.”
If anything, he was sort of excited to see this place. What kind of establishments did the nobles here go to to hear music (or see dancers, he mused)? So far he had only seen them gathered on the street outside their caravan, and that itself seemed like a bit of a novelty for some of them. And then of course he had seen the manor where he had once served, where his old masters had sometimes entertained gatherings of their friends… but what this woman was talking about now sounded rather different.
They started towards this ‘Red Amaryllis’, and as they walked Vodyanoi noted the difference between them, her brilliant Oban-style garb against his drummers’ costume. It was sort of pleasant to look at, what with the contrast between them came down more to style, color and texture than to class.
“I’m Vodyanoi, anyway.” He spoke to fill the space. “I’m fairly new, as far as the troupe goes, but… well, to be honest I’m one of the few who worked as a household slave, so the others depend on me for… well, ‘Oban relations’ from time to time.”
This was not normally a socially-acceptable conversation subject (his past slavery, that is) -- but he felt the need to explain to her why he was qualified to be making this inspection.
“Not that you’re Oban, of course. And you aren’t, are you? You’re sort of… fair.”
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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 10:25 am
Brought out of her mental musings, Aseara turned and offered Vodyanoi a small smile. “It’s nice to meet you Vodyanoi, I’m Aseara.” She didn’t know if she’d properly pronounced his name or not, hopefully she hadn’t insulted him.
While listening to him, Aseara tried to keep her expression neutral. She’d heard that the Matori had been slaves to the Oban, that’s why they’d had the war after all… And without that war she would still be back home with both of her parents. Still, she couldn’t ever imagine someone working as a slave to another race, it was a horrible fate and she felt sorry for him. She knew some Obans were of the opinion that those who worked for the Red Amaryllis were along the same lines as slaves, though Aseara had never felt constrained by the rules Afsana put down, and she was paid quite nicely for her work too.
“It must be hard to find work after the war, I know things still feel quite a bit tense here sometimes.” A bit tense was an understatement, but it had gotten better as more and more Earthlings came to Oba.
“No I am not,” Aseara gave a small chuckle. “I am a Wind Earthling. I moved here when I was young for work.” Probably the best thing that had happened to her in a while. “My employer is Oban though; it was her idea since a few people had mentioned your troupe to her. It would be a nice change in pace to have a troupe here one night, with dancers or not. I know the girls wouldn’t complain if they got a night off.” She wasn’t complaining, but a night off might mean she could see Nuri while everyone was busy watching the troupe.
The building of the Red Amaryllis was beginning to grow across the horizon now, they were almost there.
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 10:19 am
Vodyanoi shrugged. “It’s hard to say. I mean, as far as I hear it, before the war the troupe pretty much just stuck to Matori -- going around little fishing villages and making a decent living playing at festivals. They wouldn’t have dared even go through Oba, you know, for fear of getting snatched up by slave-traders or something of the sort... and that pretty much had them trapped in their own land.”
He had loved his own stay in Matori, of course… but sometimes he couldn’t help but wonder how stifling it must have been to be trapped there, with your only way out blocked by a nation who had no interest in your liberty.
“These days it’s rough sometimes, but at least we’re free to travel. Maybe we’ll move on one day, past Oba and towards other places. I’d like to, at least.”
It seemed to be a good subject, as Aseara was just explaining that she was a Wind Earthling -- from Sauti, he supposed. He was somewhat impressed that she had travelled here when she was young. He had gone off on his own too, but… well, he’d been going home, technically. She had left her home.
“I see you’re pretty happy to work here.” He nodded “but what was it like back home, if you don’t mind me asking? Did you learn to dance there? Is it different from how they do it here in Oba?”
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Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 6:47 pm
“That would make sense.” There was absolutely no reason or a Matori to ever come to Oba before the war, not unless they wanted to be slaves. Thankfully, things were different now. “It must be nice to move around now.” She wondered if they would ever travel to even the far reaches of Zena with their music. They’d certainly learn and see a lot if they’d only stuck to Matori and Oba thus far. “I wish you good luck in your endeavors.” She herself had killed the travel bug before it had bitten her and she was okay with spending the rest of her life in Oba.
“That I am,” Aseara responded cheerfully. “I’ve learned much knowledge wise, and my dancing has become quite good.” So far she could not complain about her time in Oba.
When he asked about her home, Aseara didn’t answer right away. She usually didn’t like to talk about home with strangers, granted she didn’t refer to Sauti as home anymore. Still, it was a harmless question.
“I don’t remember much of home. I spent my youngling years traveling. I did return home briefly, learned to dance to make a living from a neighbor. The mistress of the Red Amaryllis found me shortly thereafter and then I came here. Sauti has never really been my home, I consider Oba that now.” She offered him a small smile.
“Here we are.” Aseara moved forward on the stone path and up the single step to open the door for Vodyanoi before going in herself. “This is the entrance; the music hall is this way.” She motioned for him to follow her to the end of a hall and also opened the double doors here. There was a stage at the far end with plush cushioned pillows for nobles to sit on. “This is where we usually hold the music, I thought I’d show you just in case it interested you.”
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Posted: Wed Dec 23, 2015 8:56 am
It was rather nice, he thought, to see someone who felt quite comfortable in their new home after travelling. He wasn’t sure if he felt quite the same way, not yet. He was certain that Matori was his true home, even if he hadn’t spent a lot of time there… but it seemed to him like it was a place where he would return after having seen more of the world. But all that, he decided, was still a long ways away. For now life was fairly easy, and if anything, he was getting to feel quite at home on the road.
The ‘Red Amaryllis’, as it was called, was indeed a rather fancy-looking place. After going through one set of doors they set off towards another, this one leading to a spacious room with a stage and plenty of cushions for seating.
“Well, let’s have a look. Maybe the others would like performing indoors for once.”
Not waiting for an invitation, he took a few running steps and hopped onto the stage, his anklets and bracelets rattling with the movement. He pulled out his drum and played out a very quick few beats of a favorite melody, paying attention to how the tone sounded in the space. It was a bit difficult to tell from the stage, but… he had to admit, it was quite a pleasant view. He imagined the place full of Oban nobles, all dressed up in red and glittering gold.
“How does it sound from where you’re standing?”
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Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2015 9:53 am
“I am happy to hear it!” Afsana would also be pleased to hear it; Aseara didn’t think she would have allowed so many people into her private gardens. Though… Outside would have been really nice too; they could hang lanterns and listened to the music under the stars. Ah well, it wasn’t up to her, she was sure it would be nice whatever the band decided to chose. While he was on his way to the stage, Aseara peeked into the hall and motioned for one of the servants to come closer. They were going to need to gather the dancers so he could see them for himself.
“It sounds wonderful.” Aseara smiled at him, it would certainly be interesting to have all the instruments going at once. “We can always check the gardens if you wish it, you will be able to judge which you like better.” Truthfully, she didn’t know much about instruments so she was heavily relying on his knowledge for the entire thing. The servant girl came in and Aseara quickly whispered the names of the girl she ought to go and get before she disappeared again.
“There girls will be down in a few moments, I sent someone to go and get them.”
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Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2016 6:45 am
The sound wasn’t bad, he decided -- although a multitude of drums might complicate things. He didn’t really know, to be honest. The troupe had always played under the light of the stars, but that was more out of practicality than necessity, he figured. There simply were no grand music halls like this in Matori, not where a whole village might fit into a space about this size.
“I’d like to see the gardens.” He agreed, hopping nimbly off the stage with a musical clatter. “If only to look at them in your company. Can we take a peek while the dancers come down?”
He wondered where the dancers were coming ‘down’ from. Did they live here, at the Red Amaryllis? He supposed that would make some sense, if they worked here. The place was quite large, as he had seen it from the outside, and no doubt there were many other rooms down other hallways he didn’t know of. It reminded him faintly of the manor where he had served once… and it came to his attention that he hadn’t really been in a large Oban building like that since he left. Not until now, that is.
But this was… very different from his childhood. He wasn’t a slave now -- he had a profession, a business. A trade to ply.
He straightened his back a little, a blue smile quirking the corners of his lips.
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Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2016 7:34 am
“Sure, they’ll wait here for us.” Aseara gave him a small smile before moving off again down the halls. “What did you think of the hall?” She asked curiously. He hadn’t said anything about it; perhaps they’d end up playing in the gardens anyways. Aseara decided she would take him to the pagoda by the pond; they’d be able to set up some pretty lights and it would be quite the evening. In any case, she’d be happy with which everyone he decided to go with. As long as he played, that was all that mattered to her.
Turning the final corridor, Aseara walked along the windows that over looked the garden until hey reached the sliding door and she opened them before stepping through. Everything here was green, Afsana spend copious amounts of money to keep the place well hydrated during the day. Among the bushes was a small path that led to the pagoda and then the small pond where most of the plants fed from.
“Well this is it. There’s a little pagoda beyond there if that’s something you’d be interested in.” She moved to the side and waited to see what he would say.
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Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2016 7:55 am
“I do like the hall. I mean… I’ve hardly ever seen such a big and pretty room! I’m sure the performances you put on here must look very nice there. I’d almost love to see one, but… I gather I’m not exactly a perfect specimen of your clientele.”
He laughed with no malice in his voice -- she had made it quite clear at the beginning of their encounter that this establishment served the local nobility, and even if she hasn’t said so he would have been able to make it out. Although he hadn’t yet ventured into any of the common drinking-holes in Oba (mostly for fear of being mobbed by a throng of drunk and angry Obans), he had seen many of them from the outside, and they looked nothing like this beautiful establishment.
Doubtless he would have been happy to play up on that stage, and he thought that most of the troupe would love it too -- especially if it paid well.
But when Aseara led him out into the gardens, his face lit up with excitement. Having spent some time now in arid Oba, it was a pleasure to see so many green things, and to watch the sparkle of fresh water against all the leaves.
“Oh, but this is so… so… wow. I didn’t even think that you could find a place like this in Oba!” He ventured down the little path until he spied the pagoda.
“Would you really allow us to play here?”
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Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2016 11:29 am
“Sorry,” Aseara said a little sheepishly. “I suppose anyone could sneak you in, but we don’t have anything planned for another couple of months. Perhaps if you’re still in town I could invite you...” She felt a little bad; he seemed like a genuinely nice person. However Afsana’s entry fee was steep and not many could afford it. That was mainly how she kept the place running with so much lavish going on. Aseara felt she spent a little too much money for her liking, but she was in no position to judge.
“I think most of the nobles like to keep some green in their backyard. It’s not cheap let me tell you, I think most of the owner’s money goes into simply tending to this little piece of paradise. But let me tell you, the nobles love it so they pay for it.” Aseara pondered the question, Afsana hadn’t said anything about not being able to perform out here and she certainly could up the price of admission for it too.
“I can always ask, I don’t think there will be much of a problem tho. You like it that much?” Aseara wondered into the grassy area a little more. “I will definitely ask of course. Personally I hope you come and play here, I’ve heard wonderful things.”
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