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 Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 10:35 am
The Tempest, 3. 3
Who: Ethan, Vyn, Isikoro and Eirdirsceol.
When: Early evening.
Where: Durem Theatre.
Weather: Scattered clouds with a moderate chill in the air. The Durem theatre was a grand affair. Like much of the Gaian’s city’s architecture it was styled in a Gothic manner with high quality stonework and an imposing aura. With the light dimming and the twilight colours seeping into the clouds above it was a truly impressive building and a popular one at that! Around the entrance a medley of people came and went. Some were ticket sellers, of the less official kind, touting their questionable passes to performances with amazing vigour and yet somehow avoiding the detection of officials. Others included those going to the performance in different states of formality. Those occupying to the ground level were in casual everyday wear – jeans and jumpers in abundance – however, the owners of the pricier tickets allowing access to the higher stands were in dress shirts, slacks and ties. Some women had hair coifed into pleasant evening styles and the men were all neat and proper.
Vyn and Ethan fell somewhat into the latter collection of people. Their tickets were for one of the royal boxes and as they were making an evening out of it they were both dressed for the occasion. The rose’s hair was pulled up and tied into a loose up-do, supported by a few hairgrips. Her dress was the same as what she had worn to Ebony’s new years eve gathering. No extensive effort had been put in but she looked nice none the less – her natural looks doing most of the work, as per usual. Ethan was in a dinner jacket which he straightened quietly, looking into the people milling around for the faces he was expecting to meet.
He had mailed the tickets to the Deleran residence just over a week ago and a brief phone conversation had confirmed that they had arrived safely and in good order. However, only now that he was standing at the venue did the thought of how the teenager would travel crossed his mind. Isikoro was technically a cripple – he needed his leg crutches to get around plus he lived too far away for him to walk... Driving was also out of the question both because of his disability and because of his age. Therefore Aphismet would probably of had to act as a taxi or the boy would’ve had to pay an official taxi company for his and his raevan’s travel. Ethan should’ve offered to pick him up... It was quite rude now that he thought about it... And the fact that he hadn’t left the minty frei on good terms last time wasn’t helping as he mulled the situation over...
“There they are..” Vyn murmured, gently tapping her guardian’s crossed arms and gesturing to the pair moving towards them, the shock of white and the jade green splash that was Eirdirsceol were easily distinguishable.
“So they are... Isikoro, Eiry. Over here! So nice to see you could make it.”
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 12:21 pm
Isi, surprisingly, was more excited about the tickets that Eiry was, a strange turn of events for the two Delaran brothers. Ever since Christmas, Eiry had suffered a wilt to his personality, no doubt brought on by the new residents living in their home, and he seldom came down from his new room in the attic. When Isi managed to snatch hold of his attention and tell him about the tickets that Ethan had so generously bought for them, Eiry feigned excitement and floated on back up to his room. Isi frowned at his Sigel's reaction, but demanded participation regardless. He was dead set on getting Eiry out of the house and meeting some other raevans. That, he was sure, would cure his raevan's lopsided mouth and damp attitude.
So, forcing Eiry into nice clothing they had discovered in the attic, a nice loose sleeved tunic the color of eggshells along with a nice button up vest, Isi put on some nice clothes of his own and dragged his raevan out the door, just in time for Aphi to take them both down to Durem during his break at the restaurant. Eiry wasn't happy to be in a car again, and he certainly didn't look pleased at the idea of meeting Ethan and Vyn again after their previous encounter, and on the way over, he tucked his head underneath Isi's arm, and cowered from the roar of the automobile, a book clutched tight to his chest. The Tempest, it read. He refused to leave it behind, despite Isi's prattling. It was then that Isi realized that Eiry, as good as he was hiding it, must have been excited for his first Shakespearean play.
Finally dropped off at the theater and waving goodbye to Aphi, Isi fit his crutches underneath his arms and moved forward, his raevan trailing close behind. Eiry's hair was tied back with a red string, making a short stub of a ponytail that refused to keep together. Loose strands and his bangs hung loose, even through Isi's efforts to calm the wisp's wild hair with hair spray. Isi, wearing nice black slacks and a white button up shirt of his own that he borrowed from Aphi, hobbled along, trying to lean up on his crutches and toes for a better scan of the crowd.
"Do you seem them, Eiry?" Isi asked, finding it hard to navigate through the crowd. He kept on getting pushed by people rushing to get last minute tickets and others who just didn't give a care. The boy gave a growl of frustration and pushed back at a person who threw him off balance, straightening his dark blue jacket.
The wispy frei lifted himself above the crowd, peering with his red eyes. He hoped that he would find them, and yet, at the same time, he didn't. The wispy Sigel was dreadfully nervous and he was sure that there was a rectangular impression on his chest with the pressure he held his book. There was a part of him that sorely wished for the return back home, but it was mostly overwhelmed by his fangirl-ish dedication to The Bard. In the end, he decided, he couldn't miss a production of one of Shakespeare's finest.
He nodded at length, after finally spotting the familiar floating form of a fellow raevan. "There," he said, pointing Isi towards their general direction. "Hark, they call for us. Isi, allow me grasp your shoulders, I will part this crowd for you." Leaning down, he wrapped his grip around Isi's shoulders and, with a push of his will, forced himself and Isikoro into intangibility.
Isi got the clue and started hobbling forward without care for the people he passed through. He hated the feeling of passing through things, walls, people, whatever, but there were times, times much like these where Isi very much appreciated the momentary gift of ghostly properties. they made it to Ethan and Vyn with very little trouble.
As soon as Eiry released his shoulders, Isi faded back into reality, his color returning to his form. He gave a welcoming smile to Ethan and Vyn, nodding his head at each of them in turn, since he had no hands with which to shake.
"Ethan! Vyn. Thank you so much for inviting us. We could hardly wait until the day came! Right Eiry?" he cast a meaningful glance at Eiry.
Eiry gave a nod, his grip on his copy of the Tempest compounding with anxiety. At Isi's glance, the Sigel gave an exaggerated nod of his head. "Astounded and heartbrimming with eagerness, sir." He glanced to Vyn, his smile weakening with a tint of red to his cheeks. My, did she bloom ever so beautifully this night.
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 1:43 pm
Ethan quirked a brow as the duo noticed his greeting and quite literally drifted through the crowd. At first it wasn’t obvious what was happening as they just seemed to be moving towards him and Vyn, but the ripples of disruption left in their wake made the businessman look closer. Disgruntled theatre goers that the torso and teen passed through gave prompt squawks of discomfort and a few stared at the raevan and guardian with wonderment or even accusing looks. The green haired lad had displayed his ease at moving through solid objects last time Ethan had encountered him and he hardly blamed the crowd for protesting – it was a profoundly odd talent and he didn’t imagine it would be entirely pleasant to experience - but as far as he was aware last time the ability had been exhibited in front of him only Eiry had been intangible. Now it seemed the white haired youth was also passing through the final row of people to stand a metre or so away..
“No, it was my pleasure. I remembered my suggestion of taking Eiry here to see a Shakespeare production and since The Tempest was being performed I thought you would appreciate it if I secured us some tickets.” He returned the youth’s smile and polite bow of the head, chuckling lightly at the sigel’s animated addition to the conversation. If Rivener and Eirdirsceol were really brothers then they were the chalk and cheese variety of siblings. On several occasions Ethan had winced at the profanities that the scorpion had produced but he couldn’t even begin to imagine the boy in front of him swearing as he clutched a book tightly to his chest...
Something about Eiry was different... Vyn couldn’t quite place a finger upon it though. Even as he glided through the crowd (literally) and all she could see was his ethereal head of hair she had noticed something distinctly different about him. As he came closer and shifted from intangibility into the physical world her thoughts were confirmed; he was brighter, full of more vibrant colours. The dull hue that had once clung to his skin was no longer there. It was almost like he was a fresh leaf after a long winter. The rose wasn’t intending to say anything about it though – it would sound daft. It’s simply be grasping at straws to make some sort of conversation. However, as the other raevan drifted away from Isikoro a more definite change came to her attention.
Eiry wasn’t a frei anymore. Just like Rivener, Lazarus and Melisande he had an abdomen. Admittedly he wasn’t flaunting the newly formed stomach like Rivener had been when he had first gained his, but behind the old-fashioned tunic there was most definitely more to his body than her own. Now that she could comment on without sounding odd... Though the rose didn’t quite know how she felt about this development. Eiry was much younger than her – even younger than Rivener... Being overtaken by yet another raevan in terms of growth was unsettling. But Lazarus’ words from her training session numbed the green growth of envy. He had said that she could be near growth... That was promise enough for her to display a trace of a smile and greet the ghost in a positive manner.
“Eiry.. You’ve changed since we last met,” she drifted forward, her dark eyes gaining a closer look at his life filled face. “How have you been?”
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Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2010 3:18 pm
"Oh, we do," Isi beamed, wiping at his nose and freckles with his sleeve. It was rather cold outside and the chill in the air was tickling his nose, making him sniff as he stood awkwardly on his crutches before Ethan. He felt so short compared this man, even though they were, quite literally, an inch apart in terms of height. This man was a business giant and the air with which he carried himself gave him an extra foot of imagined height. Isi continued on, "It's something Eiry's been wanting to do for a long time now. When we read Shakespeare together, we usually take control of the different parts and act it out. It's Eiry's favorite thing to do besides play pranks and tricks."
Isi awkwardly reached into his jacket, where he produced his own two copies of the tickets. He handed them over to Eiry who finally had to relieve his tense grip from around his book to take them, and he made another comment, this time laughing from sheer surprise as he returned his grip to his crutches, fitting his arms into them snugly, "You should have seen the faces on Aphi and I when we saw that you got tickets for us in the royal boxes! I still can't believe it. I thought we'd be sitting in the cheaper seats. I've never been to a play before where I had to make an actual effort to dress nice."
He glanced to his side, watching from the corner of his eye as Vyn moved forward to greet Eiry. She was just as sweet as he remembered her, if not sweeter. Isi hoped that this girl would help Eiry lighten up. For so long he had been mopey and downtrodden. He thought that he had seen the last of Eiry's gloomy days when he finally grew from Frei to Sigel, but not long after, the virus hit, distorting their well-vested happiness into something mad and murky. The wisp was still rocked and ravaged by the effects of the virus, not so much those of the physical nature, but those of his own mental stability. It was terrifying to know the kind of power he had, the kind of strength he could unleash on his own family, despite his good judgment and love.
Not to mention the change in the Delaran household. Alex and Zul were a welcome addition to the family, and both Isi and Eiry were glad for the extra company, but still...Things were different. Eiry noticed them more than Isi, he knew.
Eiry tucked the tickets away into the cover, keeping them within 'The Tempest' for momentary safekeeping. When Vyn spoke to him, making note of his growth, Eiry couldn't help but gulp. He readjusted the thin book to the nook of his arm, scrambled around in his mental dictionary for something adequate to say, and ended up giving her a lame smile instead. The lad had a terrible time talking with pretty raevans. Lulu was a different matter, so was Lucia, but the raevans that were graceful and delicate always made Eiry trip over his tongue like a fool in Spring. He hardly even knew Vyn! Heat rushed to his cheeks, his mind circling over and over again on his incompetence and his stupid tendency to freeze up in situations like this with these kind of people. He didn't have a hard time when tricks and pranks were involved, it gave him strength, even. So, Eiry tried that tactic, perhaps a small prank to loosen him up.
He reached for her hand in greeting, offering her a shake, but when she reached for his, he willed his hand intangible and let her hand slip through awkwardly.
Eiry watched her face, awaiting the reaction and whatever it was, it gave him strength enough to speak. "Vyn, an honor still, as was our meeting last, to see you," He gave a nervous chuckle and let his hand phase back into reality. He bashfully took her fingers then, upturning the back of her hand before he leaned down and gave a curt brush of his lips to her knuckles. It was the gentlemanly thing to do, right? Leaning back up, his book now effectively delving a cleft in his side, Eiry quickly retracted hsi hand and ran it through his hair, further messing up his lame ponytail, "I've grown, yes. Some time ago it occurred, before the deft and dreadful strike of the virus. I've been better...I mean!" Eiry slammed his free palm to his forehead, mentally beating himself for his vocal mess up, "I. Am. Better. I am better. I am fine. And yourself?"
Oh, this was going to be a long evening for Eiry.
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Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2010 11:08 am
“Oh, really?” Ethan laughed at that; imagining the pair of them acting was a most quaint and enjoyable thought. Eiry most certainly looked the part with his otherworldly appearance and Ethan supposed he could play most of the roles from Shakespeare’s fantasies better than the actors of the most well respected companies. Equipped with his sloped elven ears, perfect wings of faerie fire and tunic on he could make a most convincing Puck, especially considering his apparently mischievous nature. Plus the words would pose no problem to the raevan who spoke the Shakespearian lingo over modern speech regardless! Ethan had half a thought to suggest this line of work to the ravean then and there! However, it was Isikoro being tagged onto these acting games was the main cause of amusement and with a further chuckle the businessman inquired; “May I ask who was lumbered with the role of Caliban in the Deleran production?”
The teen’s following outburst of discussion made Ethan’s perhaps more pompous and proud side flare up. Treating the boy and his ward to the finest seats in the house had been a rather strategically motivated move – he couldn’t help but display his wealth and if it pleased the raevan who had left his company last time cursing his name then it was a fine way to regain some affection. However in no way was he attempting to make the double raevan bearing family feel inferior, that wouldn’t be good at all. Thus he maintained his smile and made light of the situation, “You and your father must be thoroughly fed up of the need to dress up in my company!”
On the topic of Aphismet Ethan politely inquired as to how the chef had been keeping adding on, “I hope Rivener isn’t giving Aphismet too much hassle?” He was creating a minor joke of course, half assuming that the scorpion with attitude could bit a bit of a handful at times. He hadn’t seen either of them since the dreadful meal, though he had spoken to the human on several occasions via the phone and he knew Vyn had bumped into her ‘brother’ once, and the businessman did have a genuine like for the amiable man. He would have to make an effort to arrange something for them to meet up again – hopefully more successful than his last meeting though.
Eiry seemed quite different to how he had acted last time they had met and it left Vyn a little at odds. Last time she had met the peculiar speaking boy he had been full of energy despite his greyish skin tone, teasing and taunting her puppy and generally acting in a rambunctious and impish manner. Now – despite physically appearing to be topped up with extra vitality – the sigel seemed rather more withdrawn, nervous even... The way he offered his hand was quick unexpected. Shaking hands was an act Vyn only ever saw her father do in more formal greetings, however so as not to be rude she extended her own hand in greeting; a slightly perplexed look on her face.
A cold tingle splashed over her hand as she connected with his and then passed straight on through. It wasn’t at all unpleasant... A little unexpected perhaps but the sensation was refreshing, like splashing chilly yet fresh spring water on herself. The trick was much more like the minty raevan she had been thoroughly amused with last time! A definate smile replaced the frown of confusion as he phased back to the material world and took her hand like a proper gentleman – exhibiting the gentleman like qualities she had received from Zul in the past. “That was a trick!” She gave a giggle of glee and wiggled her fingers; still a little shocked, despite it being an enjoyable shock, at the feeling passing through him had produced.
However, as he continued to speak his charisma disappeared again and she felt herself pitying the ghostly poet. He was tripping over his words like a his usually fast a admirable tongue was letting him down. Her smile weakened slightly, but she maintained it for his sake –Eiry was pleasant enough and if for some reason he couldn’t produce his usual volley of intricate language she most definitely wouldn’t hold it against him. He was after all enthusiastic about the performance he was about to see and she supposed excitement could affect people in a plethora of different ways.
“I am well thank you Eiry,” last meeting she had affixed a kun to his name and added it now too with a bashful grin - it was funny considering he was now her physical elder, “-kun. I was also.. Ill. I’ve recovered from that too.” Her rune glowed slightly as the awkwardness of that topic rattled her cage similar to how it appeared to be troubling the sigel. A new topic would be wise...
“Do you.. know what The Tempest is about?”
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Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2010 1:45 pm
Isi nodded his head in a kind of exasperated embarrassment, his eyes looking up bashfully to Ethan's face. He was glad to hear the man laugh at the ridiculous image of the two toiling away through various Shakespearean plays in the attic. For a moment there, Isi regretted even mentioning the thing, but it seemed that the other man enjoyed the thought of it. He was later proven right when he inquired further details of their artistic exploits.
"Ethan, if I thought you were trying to tease me, I'd get very foul very quick," Isikoro said teasingly, knowing full well what the man was doing. Caliban, of course, was the grouchy decrepit half-monster, the misunderstood slave and whiny cohort of drunken servants, part of Shakespeare's comic relief. It wasn't hard to guess which one of the two would play Caliban. "If you really must know, it was me. Eiry was too intent on playing Ariel and Prospero and all the other characters that he knew by heart."
Then Isi was in the sudden flare of the man's overwhelming pride the moment he mentioned the outrageously expensive seating. Isi leaned back on his crutches and shook his head, "No, no," he said, giving a roll of his eyes, "Aphi's not my father. He's more like a brother than anything. I don't think of him as a father. He's far too young to be a father, but I'm grateful to him all the same for taking me in."
Then, prompted into further conversation by the mention of Aphismet and his scorpion raevan, Isi gave a brief smile, "No, he's doing quite well, actually. He's really gotten better after the virus, especially now with Zul in the house. He's as cheerful as any butterfly, and so is Aphi. Alex and Zul just moved in not too long ago. So those two are on Cloud Nine."
Seeing the change of emotions across Vyn's face, from befuddlement to surprise and then into amusement, Eiry found himself able to relax a little. She smiled. For Eiry, that meant that she held no grudge against him and his actions from last time at the dinner table, where he was driven to near madness from sudden grief. He feared that she would remember and hold it against him. He had no doubt, that somewhere in the back of her mind, she was comparing him to that first encounter, but as long as she didn't bring it up or hold it to him, he felt like he could continue.
The wisp raevan couldn't help but pull his mouth back in a mischievous grin, "A petite can trip, yes, bipartisan to my nature," he said, finally able to summon back fragments of his fast speaking nature, once he saw her smile from the success of his trick, "Gladness for your well health and being, Lady Vyn, but sorriness grasps me from the news of your ill health. I wish I had but known of your infection, for I would've sent some gift or small token to urge you on your way towards recovery. Fear grips me, though, to say that I was in the worst state of minds and thinking to do little else than cause terror for my Isi. I am stupid to fail to think of the other raevans and their infection. I've...I've little time or little need to seek the others out of my home. Terrible I do feel for my neglect to check up on those I have come to meet."
Eiry took a breath and gave an awkward laugh and smile when she called him "Eiry-kun". He remembered that. She used the same term when they first met and it tickled him to hear her use it again. He again ran his hands through his hair, driven to nervous movements, and when he did, he accidentally knocked his hair free from its ponytail. Fumbling, Eiry gave a brief choke of noise before he looked back over his shoulder and discovered the band on the floor. He floated down and plucked it up, his hair free and wild around his face. "The Tempest," he said, trying to keep up the conversation despite his sudden falling apart of self, "Of course, I know it as would I would my own hand. The tale is of a wronged king, a sorcerer, named Prospero and his daughter, who, banished from his own kingdom by his brother, who convinced a fellow nation to turn against him, drowns in daily woe over the betrayal of his blood. He discovers, many years later, the ship of his brother and those who betrayed him passing by the very island of his banishment, and he strikes them down with a tempest, bringing them to his isle of woe, where he plans to extract upon them all his wrath and revenge."
As he spoke now, he tried to put his hair back into its ponytail, awkwardly handling his book at the same time.
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Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:26 pm
Amused by the teasing that Isikoro responded with Ethan continued to smile. The white haired youth was a teenager and his mock warning sent a pang of humour through him. He did note not to create many more joke’s off the boy’s back though as although the businessman was sure Isikoro was joking a sullen adolescent strop would be most unpleasant on tonight’s little outing. “Ahh, the magical characters must suit him well.” He responded with a knowing smile. He half suspected that many of the Deleran house’s productions would star Eiry as the main fantastical roles – children did rather like to be the centre of attention after all. Or at least, that was the impression he got off of companions with children as he hadn’t had his own and Vyn was hardly the needy type.
Ethan nodded in interest as the teenager responded about Aphismet and he made a mental note not to refer to Aphismet as the boy’s father in the future... He had thought the chef slightly young to be considered a parent... But he wasn’t to know otherwise until corrected. In fact he kind of admired that happy to correct and scold nature of the boy in front of him. It showed character and confidence, despite the obvious setbacks he had experienced in life.
The businessman’s attention was peaked however when familiar names were mixed in wth the report of life in the Deleran household. Alex and Zul? Had they moved in? He quirked a brow. The way that Isikoro was phrasing his words almost made it sound that Aphismet was extra pleased with this apparently new development. “Pardon me for asking but are Aphismet and Alex together?” He inquired with an amused interest, if they had indeed moved into the house then that would certainly result in a thriving establishment! Three growing raevans under the same roof... Ethan imagined their day to day living must be rather interesting.
Suddenly, as if imbued with all the energy she had seen him lacking earlier, Eiry started speaking with such animation and complexity that Vyn felt as if her mind was racing to keep up. When he paused for breath after his sincere regret for not catching up with others of his kind she laughed slightly. Rubbing a slender hand across her temples, she was processing some of the poetic form that he chose to speak in. She actually enjoyed his way of talking – it was lyrical almost; more creative and refreshing than most other mundane conversations. Smiling happily she leaned in for his summary of the play...
However his fervent running of fingers through his hair dislodged his messy ponytail and he lurched to the floor to retrieve it. Something had certainly changed in the cheeky boy since he had grown... Perhaps it was added maturity that clashed with his innate maturity and pranks? Whatever the reasoning was it made him awkward and flustered about nothing Vyn could seem to observe. Not that she minded, he was good company despite his various amiable blunders. Therefore fondly and maintaining her interest she listened to his explanation without comment or queery as to why he was making such a mess of himself..
“It sounds...” She hesitated to produce the right dramatic term, “like a tragedy? Betrayal, vengeance and woe aren’t very upbeat.” Depite the hesitance in her voice she was not scorning the idea of the performance. In the past she had regarded sad programmes on television (not that she watched t.v all that often) and although they produced a c***k of gloom in her chest they had equally proven to be enjoyable at the same time. To express this she gave the sigel another mild mannered curve of the lips, awaiting either his confirmation or correction of her understanding.
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Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 12:01 pm
"You have no idea," Isi said in agreement about Ethan's assumption of the wispy raevan. Eiry did play them really well. In fact, if he could get him out of the house, Isi was sure that he could enlist Eiry as an actor, and if he could do that, then Isi was positive that Eiry could land a star role in the matter of weeks. When they did their miniature plays at home, Eiry had all his lines memorized, had the motions and actions down pat, and he even went so far as to put on the appropriate costumes that he could scavenge from the closets around the house. Not only that, but he was fantastic at switching roles in short amounts of time, completely changing character from one moment to the next. It was hilarious, Isi thought, to see him argue with himself and switch between two pieces of costume.
When he started rambling on about the inner workings of the Delaran household, Isi nodded to Ethan, giving a roll of his eyes. "Yeah," he said, in a manner that suggested he was happy, but exhausted at the same time, "Alex and Aphi are officially dating. Our house now is a ******** zoo, whot, with everyone being paired up, it seems. Aphi and Alex are together and so is Rivener and Zul. It's a hectic mess of lovey-dovey-ness and coos and kisses and blah." Isi made a disgusting face, shifting back on his crutches a bit as he described the situation in the Delaran household, "It's like Valentine's day, EVERY day."
It was around that time that the lights flickered on and off, signaling for the wandering mulling masses to take their seats. Isi startled, looked up at the lights and then to Ethan, "Looks like the play's about to get started! We should go find our seats."
Eiry gave an ear to ear grin, finally freed from the ice that held him before. Speaking with her now for some time was able to melt away the nervousness he had felt beforehand and he felt closer to his usual state of being: Happy, quirky, and excited. While his chest still bubbled with nervousness, it wasn't so bad anymore and he found it a lot easier to speak.
He had to get his hair back into place! Pinching his book underneath his chin, he awkwardly slipped the band back around his fingers. Lifting his arms behind his head, working his stubborn and flighty hair back into a ponytail, Eiry shook his head, giving a nervous chuckle, "No, no, woman, not a tragedy at all! The plays of sorrow end with the end of life! Nary a soul escape death's grip in the tragedies of Shakespeare. Nary a soul. It's death to all and to all a night's good," Finishing with his hair, he put his arms back down and was almost immediately bothered by the fact that his fingers had nothing else to do. "The Tempest, Lady Vyn, is considered to be one of Shakespeare's comedies. There are clowns and ridiculous pairings, word plays, many jokes of days gone by that we of modern standing find hard to understand." It was then that the lights flickered on and off and Eiry felt a lump of anxiety climb up into his throat.
"The play!" he said, holding his book tightly, "It begins and we do not have a seat?" he looked to isi who gave him a nod of the head. The two humans were beginning off in a direction, supposedly to their seats. Turning to Vyn, he grafted a smile onto his face and offered his arm to her, "The wild winds of the Tempest call to us, Lady Vyn!"
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Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 2:01 pm
Ethan was on the verge of waving a hand and suggesting stage school for the ethereal winged sigel, but stopped himself before the proposition could leave his lips. The Delerans were not as well off as he was, sending the budding acting star in their midst to a good enough stage school would cost a lot for the family. It was a shame but so as not to insult them or dangle taunting prospects in front of them he simply nodded with a smile fixed onto his expression. Hopefully the raevan boy could practice enough on his own. Isikoro was obviously giving him all the support possible... Eirdirsceol evidently had a natural talent and if he decided to go into that field it was most likely his natural flair could carry him where any formally schooled actor could get to.
The teen’s following bad language and response on the happening of the household made a small vein pinch in Ethan’s neck. Obtuse language like that was a pet peeve and hearing the boy use cusses like that did not impress him in the slightest. However, the white haired youth was not his child and he had no power to scold him. All he could do was express his distaste with a little quarry of his brows. “Really? I didn’t know..” He mused on this newfound information. The cook was a very pleasant man and he supposed that he made a good match for the intelligent animal passionate woman. They both had raevans after all so they would have a lot of common interests. “Give them my congratulations.”
The other news dispensed to him did make him a little uneasy though. Zul and Rivener... Both of them were male raevans and although Ethan accepted homosexuality – he had to for business reasons – it didn’t mean that he agreed with it. Especially when it concerned two of the raevans he was relatively fond of. Rivener was Vyn’s brother... Did she know about this? If so she hadn’t told him about it. Perhaps she thought it was natural? Casting a nervous glance at his ward he wondered rather awkwardly if an explanation of the birds and the bees would be required sometime in the future...
Shaking his head of the thought for the moment he forced his face back into a pleasant smile, what Zul and Rivener felt was their own business and he shouldn’t so openly pass judgement. “So there’s no girl in the apple of your eye then?” He joked, brightening his face with a more genuine chuckle before following Isikoro’s lead and moving towards the main entrance of the theatre.
Bowing her head as the sigel’s explanatory words danced around her Vyn decoded his fanciful words with pleasure and gave a slightly relieved laugh as he assured her that The Tempest was not a tragedy as she had wrongly interpretive but a comedy. His words painted an image of old fashioned overzealous expressions, gaudy colours and carnival-esque entertainment that jarred confusingly with the elegant wording and verse that she knew Shakespeare utilised to well renowned effect. However, rather than pressing the wisp for further information she readied herself to actually see the play in reality... The lights had changed indicating the approach of the start of the performance and almost instantaneously the rose could see her companion’s anxiety and eagerness to get seated.
“Indeed, let’s go Eiry.” She sighed, voice like soft velvet as per usual but imbued with a new level of excitement and curiosity. Taking his lead she swept after their parents, rune glowing and pulsating as they entered the now brimming reception area. Behind the main desks were several ticket sellers though they were no longer vending tickets as neat little plaques noted to those in the theatre that every seat had been sold and that they hoped that they enjoyed the show. Promotional posters further raised Vyn’s sense of anticipation as large elaborately costumed figures beckoned with dramatic expression from the walls.
However, before she could examine the hunched decrepit figure dubbed ‘Caliban’ by scrawling font beneath him Ethan and Isikoro were moving up a flight of stairs towards where the entrances to the royal boxes were located. Looking at her fellow raevan for confirmation – Eiry might have desired a programme or some other form of merchandise - she hovered on the first step. The performance was certainly about to start... A voice across the intercom was saying how the actors would take to the stage in less than five minutes!
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Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:25 am
Isikoro hardly noticed the effect of his foul language on the proper business man beside him. He didn't give a damn what people thought about his choice of words, and quite honestly, playing the part of a polite and manner-aware youth (for as long as he had) was a rare delight for others. Isi couldn't help but slip back into old and familiar habits once he felt comfortable. It was just how Isi ticked, and how he would continue on ticking. It was a good thing that he wasn't the focus of charity efforts at the moment, otherwise his foul language would be a much more prominent and potent additive to his side of the conversation.
To Ethan’s set of congratulations, Isikoro nodded, tucking away that note into his mental files of things to tell Aphi later. It was really good for the cook, Isi thought, to have finally found someone. After the whole incident with Chloe, Isi was afraid to think that Aphi would never find another someone to love. His depression was so stiff and so consuming. But, as fate would have it, here they were, two years later, with Aphi’s girl living underneath the same roof. The cook had never been happier and Isi was glad for it.
”Thanks, I will,” Isi, fixing his crutches underneath him and working himself into a steady walk as they made their way through the lavish corridors and colors. The architecture was magnificent, finely detailed and overwhelming if one was to stare at the designs for too long. The plush carpet underneath his feet was weird, considering that he had been living for so long in a house with wooden floors specifically put in because of his infirmity. Walking on carpet was just a tad bit more difficult for him to walk on. As they came up to a lady dressed in a cute and curt formal uniform whose job was to show them to their private box seating, Ethan made a comment concerning his own relationship standings. Isi made an offended frown and scoffed, ”Are you ******** kidding me?” he said incredulously, ”Ethan, take a look at me. I’m going to remain a lonely hermit until the end of my days. Besides, I don’t think I’d have the time. Eiry’s more than a handful for me and I’m already really young. Come on, I mean, I may be a kid still, but I’m more mature than I look, thank you very much.” Of course, as he said that it was with a mixture of amusement and bitterness, but he strayed quickly from the topic, not wanting to stray on it more.
”Hey there’s our booth,” he said, gesturing with a nod of his head to where the lady pulled back the curtain for them.
Eiry followed after Vyn, his eyes darting around the decorated hallway. The posters and signs and overzealous means of advertisement for both Shakespeare’s shows and the others that were to come overwhelmed him. He was so excited! He had read in the author’s notes about the Globe Theater and the ways that the Bard’s famous plays were performed. In the days of old, the performances were things of colossal entertainment, Eiry read, and the stands were always full.
It seemed, to him, that this performance was going to be full as well!"
When Vyn stopped to look at him questioning, glancing at the merchandise for sale, Eiry shook his head. The voice over the PA was telling them to go take their seats and Eiry didn’t want to miss any of the show, even a second. Besides, he and Isi couldn’t afford the t-shirts and the professionally bound books of photos from the show. Eiry had his own copy of The Tempest and that was enough for him.
The two raevans whisked their way through the crowd to catch up with Ethan and Isikoro who were just navigating their way into the booth. As soon as the humans took their seats, Eiry and Vyn moved in, gingerly taking theirs as well. Waiting politely for Vyn to sit first, Eiry glanced out over the decorative railings and into the crowd below. There were so many people! All sitting down in their neatly arranged rows and from them an ear-deafening rumble bubbled like the hum of a thousand bees. The stage, draped in blood red curtains of heavy fabric, was quiet, like an awaiting beast caged in by the elaborate frame of the theater with carved forms and wings, lion heads and curling figures of plants and architecture.
It was beautiful.
Eiry stiffened, positively overcome with excitement as he fitted himself and his ribbon into the seat beside Vyn. He glanced to her, his face bright with anticipation and his grin stretched wide, ”I cannot wait, the Bard, he makes my heart thrum in my throat!” he squeaked above the dull roar of the crowd.
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 2:22 pm
As they shuffled into the box, taking their plush crimson seats, Ethan seemed to oblige to Isikoro’s sarcastic request. He was looking at him; taking in his youth, the not far from attractive face. Sure enough there were the obvious faults – the crippled legs, the weakness of some areas of his body... But the businessman couldn’t help but feel that the boy was selling himself short and keeping their little discussion going, despite the fact that it would no doubt sit well with the teenager.
“Perhaps now, with Eiry to look after.. Yes, you’ll be without a girl on each arm.” He reclined casually into his chair, trying to make it seem not like he was arguing with the young chap but rather... Offering him some advice.. “At your age girls are looking for a good time... A boyfriend. When you’re older they’ll come to you for a relationship with a man. There’s nothing wrong with you in that aspect.” Half-smiling, half feeling awkward at the nature of this conversation (he was treading on Aphismet’s toes – he was the one closest to a parental figure) he tapped the drink holder sunken into the arm of his chair. “Would you like a drink? Coke, fanta, water? Anything you fancy really.”
Vyn was also now in the box and settled into her seat, admiring the perfect view that their positioning offered. Up so high she felt like a god her darks eyes surveyed the crowd below – milling about and getting to their own allocated seats. With a rising sense of excitement her pale face turned to the minty sigel beside her. “Yes, it is exciting.” She bobbed forward slightly, half leaning out of her seat to gain a good look at the other spectators below. They were like an ocean. Hundreds of bobbing heads all facing the same direction but doing their own thing, holding their own conversations, at the same time. It was hard not to get a sense of elation off the miasma of expectation now building up as the music thrummed behind the deep red curtains.
When a shudder ran through the people below her, like a pebble dropped into a pond.. However, rather than a ripple of disturbance the people were all quieting down, their once animated movements as they conversed with their neighbour stilled. So interested by the audience Vyn very nearly missed the beginning of the performance.
Slowly and surely the curtains were being retracted, the heavy fabric pulled open to reveal the set on stage and to be quite frank it was so utterly impressive that Vyn slumped back into her seat. Centre stage was a huge elevated section – constructed from sections of the very stage floor itself. The creation heaved and groaned as the sound of a terrible wind and the slapping of huge tidal waves rushed through the theatre. Eyes fixated on the site before her Vyn was astounded to see actors on the great back of this beast of a set... It was a ship! A colossal ship made from the theatre itself. Dark blue lighting and the occasional crack of lightening set the scene. This was the play’s namesake... The tempest was happening right before her eyes!
Without a question of a doubt Vyn was enthralled and quite literally riveted to what was happening. Those ant-like actors were rolling with the movements of the swaying boat – falling, tumbling, and coming close to the edge before being tossed back to the centre again... Some fumbled with ropes, evidently trying to assert some control over the bucking titan. However, the rose could feel the force of the ocean through the rally of orchestral instruments and knew as the first line was uttered that these sailors had lost their battle...
What had Eiry said? The Tempest’s plot required these men to fall foul of the water... Yet that knowledge did not spare her from the awe and enchantment that she was experiencing – if anything it enlightened her... Made her eager to see how things developed. With only the slightest turn of her head she looked through her peripherals to spy Eiry’s expression... If the opening was having this impressive effect on her she couldn’t even begin to imagine the ecstasy that the ghostly boy was going through.
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Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 9:58 pm
Hearing the man open his mouth, Isi did not expect him to continue on on their last topic of discussion. He raised his thick brows, in surprise, but gave the man his respect and listened to his wild (well, wild to Isi's point of view) assumptions and ideas. Isi couldn't help but give a large exaggerated roll of his eyes, animating his disagreement with a shake of the head and a heavy sigh. For one, Isi knew himself better than anyone else did, that was something he truly believed in, and he knew that he was no one to eye with a look of longing. Time and time again, throughout his short life, despairing glances have been turned in his direction. Not only just for his legs, Isi believed, but for himself. He was not the pick of the litter, the cream of the crop. He would be the last to get picked for a team, he would the last to be fed, and he WAS the last to be chosen for adoption. Isi just took it to heart that he was never going to be the top of the pick. That's that. Nothing more.
"Now, listen here, Mr. Blake," Isi said, shifting his position in the seat so that his nice black pants stretched against the pull of the velvet seats. He shifted again to allow for the uncomfortable nice clothes he had, before he started again with his defense, "I know that you're trying to make me feel better or give me hope or something, but really...You and I both know that Eiry's not the reason why I don't have anyone trying to snag my attention and time. There are plenty of other "potential boyfriends" out there that are up for a "good time" that should be with those interested girls. They probably already are. They're in their own world, doing their own thing with their own people. I'm not a part of that. I'm not in line for relationships, because I know nobody will come to me. They go to the other more equipped guys first. And quite frankly," Isi glanced away from Ethan and to the stage. The Tempest was setting up quickly, music blaring against the roaring mumble of the crowd, drowning them out to a distilled and anxious silence. The multicolored lights of jade and oceans of blue were beginning to fall, obscuring the flicker of sadness that danced over the younger Delaran's face, "...Quite frankly, I don't like to talk about when I'm older."
To the man's kind request, the Delaran shook his head and said, "Nah, I don't need any charity. I wouldn't have accepted this without paying for it myself if it weren't for Eiry's sake...But thank you all the same," Isikoro gave a brief smile to the man before glancing to his ward. "...he's really going to love this."
And love it he did.
Eiry hardly spend three minutes in his seat before he found himself rising up out of it to peer over the edge of the balcony as if he were peering out of a boat. It was his luck that there wasn't anyone there to tell him to sit back down. He could enjoy sticking himself to the railing and peering beyond it with saucer-sized eyes at the opening and folding of the stage's heavy curtains. He could hardly keep himself in check when he saw the rock and roll of a gigantic ship! ON STAGE! Eiry's little fangirl heart was pit-pattering in his chest like an entire flock of birds and he released a little gasp of joy.
Never in his wildest imaginations did he ever see a boat like this painted on the backdrops of his mind. Never. He was well-read and quite creative, but he never once imagined a roaring beast of a boat lumbering its way across the stage, tipping forward just enough so that the scattered and rolling mess atop the boat's dock could be seen by the audience. The boson was scrambling across the deck while the King and his men floundered about on the railings, struggling to keep their grip and roaring over the howl and moan of the deafening gale. There was even mist spraying from all sides of the stage, spewing in great clouds that drifted into the air, misting the peach fuzz on Eiry's cheeks. His long fingers where wrapped around the railing, tight with excitement as he gaped like a fish out of water at the enthralling sight.
Glancing excitedly to Vyn, Eiry pointed out the figure at the top of the stage, the floating figure of Ariel, the sprite and Prospero's servant, who was cackling with glee at the chaos of the men as their ship was torn asunder. His hands and legs were moving in grand gestures, yanking against the air as if he were pulling the boat itself with invisible strings, and his head rolled atop his shoulders in glee. That mischievous sprite was attacking the ship with the greatest of squalls on Prospero's will, Prospero's magic, while the men below wailed and cursed and howled with dismay.
"All lost! All lost!" cried the men on stage, "Farewell my wife and children! Sink with the King! All lost!"
And as they spoke, Eiry mouthed the words he knew quite well, his eyes brimming with moisture and his mouth stretched into an ear to ear grin of awe. Beckoning Vyn from her seat to share his view, Eiry pulled her up and pressed her to the railing. She had to see what he was seeing!!
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Posted: Sun May 09, 2010 2:44 pm
Ethan could have persisted in the argument with the youth, to him the morbid suggestions put forward by Isikoro were simply productions of the hormonal angst that most teenagers suffered at some point, but his words died in his throat as the production began. And what a grand start it was. Ethan revelled in the magnificent opening scene – he had been to many productions in his time but this wonderful dramatic opening was breathtaking. The theatre company had really outdone themselves! Despite the attention that the floating for of Ariel demanded of him, he managed to wrench his eyes away from the scene being portrayed to glance at his daughter and the Shakespearian raevan... The minty boy was leaning forward out of the box, his fiery trace of a ribbon swirling behind him with his rune shimmering with firefly-like glow at his core. Judging by his enraptured expression the sigel was enjoying the performance and this pleased Ethan tremendously. Isikoro might be a little sullen but the raevan boy was having the time of his life!
Pressed to the railings by her theatrical companion Vyn felt as though Eiry had pulled her right into the storm – the effects used on stage reached up to the boxes and the wind whipped her wine red tresses into a frenzy. Leaning out into the empty space, with just one hand clasped on Eiry’s forearm and the other gripping the banister, made her heart pound sending adrenalin fuelled by the moment round her body; She was in the heart of the action, like Ariel she and Eiry were spiritual figures regarding this catastrophe. Vyn was sold to this experience and her usually lukewarm expressions were in a state of heightened joy. Eiry definitely had the right idea, leaning out like this, it was so much more involving that regarding the events from the seat. Ethan and Isikoro didn’t know what they were missing out on.
A long call was made by a figure at the stern of the ship and though her racing thoughts stumbled with the verse over the excitement of the storm Vyn could just about understand the closing lines of the scene. “Now would I give a thousand furlongs of sea for an acre of barren ground, long heath, brown furze, anything. The wills above be done! but I would fain die a dry death.” Then, with a strike of final brilliant lightening the boat collapsed into the raging sea created on stage.
Her heart in her mouth Vyn used this opptunity, the brief relief between scenes, to incline her awestruck face to Eiry’s and utter, “Eiry-kun! That was so...” Her voice trailed off as her dark eyes flicked between his minty features and the transformation from sea to island on stage, “...amazing.” She squeezed her hand on his tense and excited forearm. “What happens next?” She whispered drawing in closer and leaning even further forward, keen eyes picking out the next two figures to move on stage: Miranda and Prospero.
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Posted: Fri Jun 04, 2010 1:29 am
Fortunately for Isi the dimming of the lights provided him a bit of much-needed privacy. The conversation Ethan had spurned him into was an unsettling one, one that Isi very much tried to avoid even with the closest of companions, and it was always one that left a sour taste in his mouth and mood. His face helplessly pulled into a bitter frown and he resisted the urge to wipe at his eyes. Any kind of movement might draw attention to him and even in this theatrical darkness, the dullest of shadows could be seen. Instead, Isi distracted himself with the explosion of action and movement from the stage.
Unlike his frei, Isi wasn't completely and totally enthralled in the dramatic set of the roaring play. In fact, Isi seemed hardly pleased, hardly phased by the massive amounts of current stage magic and progress. But it wasn't for long that he looked like this. As the play progressed, changing from ravaged boat scene to the elaborate Robinson Crusoe-esque hideaway, Isi failed to notice that he was getting steadily drawn in. His ears perked, trying at last to snatch onto the words of the play. It was difficult for him to keep up with the dialogue, despite the fact that he lived with a raevan who spoke Shakespearean to him every hour of the day, but with time he was able to settle into the rhythm of the speech. The words became easier and easier to understand, especially since Eiry used them interchangeably in everyday speech, and he found himself giving a puff of pride every time an obscure word cropped up that he happened to understand. As Prospero retold the terrible tale of his banishment to the forgotten isle, Isi became more and more lost, tangled and trapped in the world of the play. he forgot why he was feeling bitter, who was next to him and even where he was sitting. Like every other audience member, Isi was reeled in.
Eiry, on the other hand, had been reeled in from the very moment they entered their private booth. Awe inspired and entangled in the knot of story and speech, Eiry was all ears and all eyes for the production. As a dedicated, almost obsessed, Shakespeare fan boy, Eiry was near to bursting with excitement every time he opened his mouth to silently echo the spoken lines of the actors. He knew them, all, every one.
As the scene progressed, this time, a heated argument between father and daughter, Eiry felt Vyn cling to his arm. In a normal circumstance, he would've drawn away, become intangible, but he was much too distracted by the play to care. Instead, he placed his hand on hers and leaned close to her ear to whisper a quick and happy summary of the current situation, and the next scene to come.
It was in this way that the rest of the play passed before them, with Eiry providing a simpler translation for his eager companion, and Ethan and Isi watching on in amused and entertained silence. The actors paraded on the stage in flashy costumes of sea green and pearl and the story of two lovers played out before them, softening the heart of the revenge seeking magician, who, at that very moment, was entirely capable of destroying those who would plot against him and each other. There were times when Eiry was quiet, completely enthralled and other times when he was laughing loud at the tomfoolery of the play's clowns. But most of all, was he entertained by the singing of the man playing Ariel!
Struck with palpable joy when the ethereal sprite opened his mouth in melodious reply, Eiry gripped tight to Vyn's hand, his grin wide and splayed from ear to ear. There was something eerie about the way he sang, Ariel, especially since he sang with the strength of several voices, all seemingly coming from his mouth. Eiry wanted to be like that...Sing like that! And it was that thought that he entertained until the very end of the performance where Prospero stood apart from the departing of his newly made friends, and addressed the audience in a solemn vow.
"And you whose crimes would pardoned be...Let your indulgence set me...free!"
And with a crash of lightning and explosion of sparkles, Prospero ripped his magic staff in twain, and let it fall to the stage. The lights descended, and in the distance, the newly freed Ariel sang again, a few sorrowful notes of happy release.
It was then that the crowd erupted into applause.
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Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 1:53 pm
Despite the fact that at points she was relying upon the hushed translation her ghostly companion was delivering into her ear for the most complex and fast paced areas of the play Vyn was still utterly absorbed by the action happening on stage. With her mouth open in half a smile of amusement, half a gasp of amazement she was taken on a rollercoaster of theatrical drama. The twists of fate played out on stage clasped at her mind and emotions and almost like the furious winds that had ravaged the boat in the opening scene her imagination was spun this way and that.
One moment she drew away from the stage, frightened somewhat by the squat and ugly form of Caliban, plotting his rebellion against the magician Prospero with a pair of drunk and disorderly shipwrecked beings. However, the scaly creature was whisked away at the end of the scene to be replaced by the lovers of the story. This drew a more relaxed sigh of appreciation from the rose – they were put together by the girl’s father and their feelings became entangled so instantaneously and genuinely that it seemed that most of the audience shared the frei’s pleased expression as they recited their lines of love and a rose wash seemed to tint the stage.
Finally the winds of fate and plot drew the characters together, the hopes of Prospero’s manipulation coming into reality as the betrayed brother met his treacherous sibling. However, the storm within the magician seemed to have ease and the rose was pleased that rather than condemnation Prospero offered forgiveness. The very scene made Vyn’s heart lift in her half formed chest. Ariel was set free at last and his song echoed around the theatre as the final lines were delivered and all watching the production raised themselves and gave a hearty applause.
Vyn was most certainly included in this mass of smiling faces and clapping hands. She leaned forwards, beaming and buoyed up with emotions that the sweet ending of the production had produced. Some members of the audience below were calling out their approval of the performance with words such as ‘Bravo’ or simply cheering. Vyn did not follow suit but did turn to her companion instead, squeezing the arm she still clasped. “That was amazing.” She was almost breathless, caught up in all the excitement.
“Which was your favourite bit Eiry-kun?” She inquired; keen to know which section the Shakespearian expert favoured most. Right now she could not think of which bit was most enjoyable. All of the scenes were a tumble in her head and it was hard to decide which stood out as the best. She could however identify which character appealed to her most...
“Ariel was really good, wasn’t he!?” She exclaimed, releasing the ghostly boy from her friendly grip and floating backwards – aware that Ethan might want to leave the box now that the performance had finished. She had admired the ethereal spirit right from his first appearance, his wailing voice above the storm as he whipped up the waves and weather had been a grand entrance to be sure and as he was played further the rose couldn’t help but draw a likeness between him and her raevan companion. Both were tricksters of a kind; the way that Ariel had scared Alonso, Antonio and Sebastian had brought back memories of how Eiry had intimidated Thron in an amusing manner. Of course the language they used was similar, rich with poetic form, and even their appearances seemed to have parallels! The actor was wearing colours that glimmered in tones not dissimilar from Eiry’s palette.
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