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 Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:59 am
 Morrow stayed quiet when Nehna brought the instruments out, in favor of sketching them in detail with little labels. He'd let someone else choose... and as it seemed that they'd get to hear them all anyway, it was no loss that he didn't speak up.
The artist found himself most drawn to the first two instruments, especially when they were playing together, eyes lidding slightly as he leaned back in his chair - only to jump and sit upright again when the drum, then trumpet came in. He didn't like those as much... but he could definitely see the applications of them when a few people got up to dance.
Smiling, he did a few quick sketches of the dancers, then leaned back to listen again and take some more notes.
Oh ... but ... now they were supposed to choose something to try out? Oh dear... he was good at drawing, but somehow, Morrow didn't think he would have as much ease with music. Hesitantly, he wandered over toward the cabinets, glancing around to see what the others might choose. For his part, Emrys really enjoyed hearing all of the instruments - and if he hadn't been a shy person, it was likely he would have suggested hearing them all at once. As it was, he just quietly wondered what that might be like... and thought about asking Nehna to hear them later on, perhaps. Though he didn't get up and dance, the slender Empyrean did sway a bit in his seat and clapped his hands softly at the last two instruments, smiling.
The drumbeats made him feel just a bit ... braver, made him think of Arron, a bit. The trumpet too, in a way. The Sanguine was so much more bolder than he was....
Then the call came for them to choose instruments of their own to try and Emrys stood up eagerly - wondering what he should pick. He already had a few instruments of his own, so he wanted to choose something different. Something that he didn't know a lot about. Hm.... but not brass, no...
A drum maybe? With a little nod, Emrys reached out to touch, then pick up, a ring containing a small lap drum. Taking it over out of the way, he activated the ring to release the drum then sat down cross-legged on the floor and started to slowly experiment with a few soft rhythms.
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 5:59 pm
 Khamsyn decided he would wait until after the class was over before deciding which instruments to take home and play around with. He had no idea what he might be good at playing, if any of them at all, let alone how difficult or easy a particular style was. Most likely he would choose one instrument at random from each of the four categories that Nehna had demonstrated for them. Brass, woodwind, strings and percussion. He snicker to himself as he thought about how much his neighboors were going to hate him tonight.
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 9:42 pm
Fenna watched idly as several of her classmates stood and went to the instrument closet to select the instruments they wished to take home and practice. She stayed seated not because she had no interest in selecting an instrument or two for herself to play around with, but because she was in no rush like some of her classmates seemed to be. Briefly she likened them to sheep, rushing to and fro at the whim of Professora Nehna. She'd get up and carefully select something elegant and befitting her personal style later, when the sheep had finished. In the meantime, she lifted her hand and waited for the Professora to acknowledge her.
"Professora, if I had a sensational singing voice, would that also count as an instrument? And could it have a similar affect upon those who hear it, like the other intruments?"
She lifted the tip of her quill to her lips and waited for the Professora's response, ready to take notes. A small smile curled her lip as she started to gently twirl the quill between her thumb and forefinger, tickling he nose. She stiffled a giggle and lowered the quill, poised to write once more.
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:20 pm
 Belwen sat quietly for a time letting the sounds from the instruments settle with her as she considered how she felt about each. As others had noted they each had their own feel about them, it was interesting to say the least and Belwen had an idea that each could be used for different situations or even the same instrument used in another way. Curiously she watched Khamsyn wondering what he would chose to practice with. She had a few ideas leaning more toward the lighter more intricate instruments maybe something like a violin or a flute; if she found herself liking it she decided she'd make Khamsyn help her while she learned. A small grin came to her face, hopefully he wouldn't end up deaf.
Her eyes flickered over toward Fenna, nodding slightly and then looking to the teacher. It seemed possible to her but she suspected only the most trained would be able to pull off something like that. Nadyrr also considered his options instrument wise, he'd likely attempt something that seemed simpler such as a drum. Keeping a beat was something he was sure he'd be able to do.
"The instruments seem to work in different ways as well. A softer sounding one may keep to the background to effect those listening while another with a more pronounced sound might be used to grab attention..." Nadyrr let his voice drift off frowning some as he was sure that sounded better when he was coming up with the idea before he had actually said it.
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 10:55 pm
Nehna smiled and nodded as a few of the students piped up their ideas while others went to the cabinet to select instruments. "Now, keep in mind these aren't the finest of qualities... They've seen a bit of wear and tear from the students who preceeded you. But if you find something you like, you can always purchase a custom instrument that will be perfectly tuned and fitted to suit you." Nehna smiled and then turned back tot he class as Fenna spoke up. "Singing...ah yes. One of my favourite instruments. The voice is a powerful thing, able to harmonize with more energy than any other instrument. However, we Empyreans can only hold one note at a time...which is where Upkeep becomes important - learning how to sustain a note in the air after you've stopped producing it so that you can layer in more notes to weave intricacies and meaning..." Nehna was growing more and more bubbly as her enthusiasm began to boil over. But the Phlegmatic Professora caught herself, and with a bit of a blush settled herself, hovering a tad lower, her fishy tail sweeping the floor beneath her with a graceful arc.
"Now then, let's move along. Just as each instrument has specific effects, so too does each note have an effect, thus each chord, each string of notes tells a story. Through how the music unfolds it directs the response,t he affect, the ferocity or mildness by which is influences, the duration it can control and the depth to which it can touch us... Bardic magic is possibly the most complex of all magic casting styles, but the effect is incredibly complex magics - harder to block because of their intricacy - and able to contain a great deal more meaning in a stream of continuous casting. No preperation times or long and finicky rituals. Bardic casting can be applied to any magic - and though it is more difficult to master, its results are supremely sublime." Nehna smiled and clasped her hands together. "Any questions?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 11:26 pm
Perhaps it was because the professor was a Phlegmatic or because Belwen as of yet hadn't found any other type of magic that really called to her for practice but the idea of bardic magic made her smile slightly and her eyes to sparkle with thought. When the professor asked for questions Belwen piped up quickly, "how would one start learning how to refine bardic talents? Or even tell if they have an affinity for such a thing?"
She really didn't know if she'd be good at it, but it did sound interesting and it couldn't hurt to find out if she'd ever actually be able to get anywhere with it.
Nadyrr had gotten up and made his way toward the instruments, pausing near the door he automatically reached for a pair of bongo drums. They appeared simple enough to work with and the two sizes would offer some variety; attaching the ring to his belt he turned getting ready to head back to his seat he after all didn't want to be in anyone's way. His eyes however went to a very large instrument leaning against the back corner of the closet.
The instrument was easily taller then he was, it appeared to just be a long tube that widened at the bottom the top was closer together to allowed to be blown into. It wasn't just the size of the instrument that caught his attention but also the carvings upon it someone had taken time to carve vaguely humanoid and possibly monster images over the sides. He wasn't sure how anyone would attempt to play it but it didn't seem to have much in the way to screw it up so tapping it's ring he took the didgeridoo along with the drums.
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Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 9:24 pm
Fenna knit her brow as she thought about what the Professora had to say in response to her inquiry. On one hand she was happy to hear that her singing voice could be utilized as a musical instrument and even happier to know it could have greater affect on people than an actual instrument. On the other hand however, it wasn't quite as easy to use. It would take time and practise, more so than any of the actual instruments, to master. She seriously considered doing it, but perhaps a little more information was needed before she really commited to anything yet. She raised her hand once more and, again, didn't really wait to be called upon to ask her questions.
"Professora? You said any of the magic types can be utilized with bardic magic, but there have to be some better suited than others, right?" She didn't know much about magic yet, but she did know the basics that there are four types to learn. After their next class, Magical Theory with Professora Bellona, she'd know more. Perhaps Professora Bellona would be a better person to ask, but Nehna had opened the door to this topic so Fenna was going to walk through it. "I mean, Tribal magic for instance might be better suited to bardic magic than, say, Circle magic."
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Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:34 am
(( I'm kinda out of the loop, so Arwen and Eve have nothing to add at this time. n_n ))
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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 8:38 pm
Khamsyn sat back in his chair and listened to the Professora and the other students. He had no immediate questions at this time, but he was ready to take notes should some juicy tidbit of knowledge be discovered in someone elses inquiries. He glanced over at Belwen and smiled, a slight blush on his cheeks, before turning back to face front. Out the corner of his eye he spied Abacus and nodded a silent hello.
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 9:34 pm
 Cypress took notes, though her brow was furrowed in confusion. She had no idea what any of the magic talk was about, really, and the conversation was starting to loose her. Still, most of the class already knew what they were talking about, so she simply made a note to herself to try and get some tutoring in magic, so as to better understand all of the current conversation.
So, when the Professora asked if the class had any questions, she put down her quill for the moment and shook her head in the negative. Those she did have would wait for a later time. Instead, she started thinking about what instrument she would take back to practice. There was one, six strings, and shaped rather oddly with metal bars across the neck . . . guitar? She rather liked the look of that one. Maybe she'd try it!
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:44 am
Nehna listened carefully to the questions and answered with much thought. To Belwen she turned and smiled kindly. "Well, practising the musical skills first is the best way to start. Once you reach a point of comfort with the instrument of your choice - so that you don't need to think as much about where you have to place your fingers or how you need to shape your mouth - then you can learn to incorporate casting into it. Which brings us to the next point. Bardic magic can be used with any of the four types of magic. When one uses Music for Tribal, it is in the form of the incantations and chanting that are required. For Circle, the juxtaposition of notes creates the mathematical balances required. For Grimoire, one paints the spell with sound, rather than with colour. For Ritual, it transcends the ceremony to connect with the heavens. It is a universal leveller." Nehna smiled and folded her hands.
"It really is a case of an iceberg - and all of this is merely the tip. I encourage everyone to see how they feel about music, and if they wish to pursue it further, I am always willing to give a private lesson in a specific area, as well as the number of musicians in the City who will happily play for you if you wish to hear the sounds available to you. Thank you very much for being an attentive class, and best of luck in your continuing studies!" Nehna bowed gracefully to the students and then waved the doors open. Music class had come to an end.
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Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 11:00 am
As the students dawdled and took their sweet time heading into the next class, Professora Bellona, the Magical Theory Professora began to grow impatient. She strode out into the hall on her sharp heels beneath her swishing taffeta with a click-click-click of heels on the tiled floor.
"Hurry up now, Zeroes!" Bellona called with surprising clarity over the bustle and murmur in the halls. Her voice was lowish for a woman, but cold and powerful and clear. Words expressly pronounced, meanings sharp and direct. This was a woman not to be trifled with.
"Hurry up! I will not have my class begin tardily on the sake of those who do not wish to learn! Magical Theory is perhaps the crowning jewel of Empyrean achievement! Show some respect!" And with that she began herding students into the room with hexes and bolts of stinging light that scattered down the hallway and began to zap those students who ought to be partaking of the lesson.
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Posted: Sun Feb 22, 2009 7:07 pm
Cypress hadn't been dawdling too much, but she hadn't exactly been rushing to her next class. One bolt of light was more than enough for her to hitch up her satchel and duck and run towards her next class and the imposing woman that stood in the hall, commanding them to rush. Magic is the crowning jewel of Empyrean achievement? Obviously. But Cypress had the strange idea that she wasn't going to enjoy this class.
As excited as she had been about learning magical theory, Cypress had never imagined that her professor could make it more of a chore than anything else. Still, she was determined to learn . . . if only those hexes and bolts would stop! She duck-ran all the way to the back of the class, hopped in the desk furthest from the professora's, and hesitantly took out her paper and quill, inking it up as she guessed that the lesson was going to move quickly and if she couldn't keep up, she'd be left behind.
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 7:53 pm
Khamsyn was really excited about the next class. Magical Theory was going to be right up his alley, he knew it. He could feel it in his bones. If he was to ever become a Seraphim, which he dreamed of, then Magical Theory would likely be the most important class of all to take and excell at. Not to mention it was taught by the head Seraphim herself, Professora Bellona. He'd heard many, many things about the Professora, most of the a tad scary. But he was never one to rely solely of the opinions of others. Sure, most agreed she was very intense, frightening and had a tendancy to unfairly treat certain types of student, but some of those opinions could just be sour grapes. He wouldn't believe anyone elses critique of the Professora until he'd experienced her class firsthand.
He'd left the Music room a changed man, with new found respect for Music, but changed or not he almost fled the room. Not because he wished to get away from Professora Nehna or the other students, he was just eager to get to Bellona's class. About half way to Bellona's classroom, he cringed in pain and a sharp jabbing feeling shot from his foot up his calf. He walked on, hoping it was just a muscle spasm or something that just needed to be worked out, but the pain continued to jab. He slowed his pace and stopped at a bench, massaging his calf. That's when he felt something in his slipper. Removing it, he shook it out and a small triangular pebble dropped out. Such a small thing had caused the pain. He was in the middle of putting the slipper back on when he spotted Professora Bellona emerge from the classroom down the hall. She demanded that her students hurry and Khamsyn visibly cringed. He didn't want to be late.
Hoping to his feet, and limping just a little as the pain started to dull, he was struck by one of the Professora's incentives and quickened his pace, ducking past Bellona shamefully. He quickly chose a seat at the front of the class so he wouldn't likely miss one thing once the class began. He spread out his supplies and waited eagerly for the class to begin.
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:35 pm
As music class ended, Fenna's heart sank just a little. She'd enjoyed the class more than she had initially thought she might and just as she was starting to get really in to it, it ended. She made a few last minute notes and vowed to look up Professora Nehna later to ask a few more questions that were nagging her still. On her way out, she popped into the instrument room and chose a couple of technorings. One was a wind instrument called a piccolo and the other a stringed instrument called a harp. She didn't exactly know what either sounded like, but she'd find out. And if neither suited her fancy, she'd attempt to try a few others and maybe even coax someone into teaching her to hone her voice even more. She already knew she could sing, but with practice she knew she could use her voice to influence others magically.
In no way was she intentionally dawdling on her way to the next class, but chosing the instruments, packing up her things and allowing her mind to daydream a little too much made her tardy. By the time Professora Bellona made her announcement and started firing bolts of incentive at the students, she picked up the pace. Her face was marred with a look of distain as she took her seat in class, near the middle of the room. She wasn't highly enthusiastic about Magical Theory, but it was something that set Empyreans apart from the things that dwelled beyond the walls. Besides, as Nehna had said, magic could be melded with music. So, if she was really interested in the bardic arts, then Magical Theory was a very neccessary stepping stone. She decided to give it the benefit of the doubt, even though the Professora already rubbed her the wrong way.
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