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 Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 12:43 pm
Senja was excited: they were finally in Sulburi! And she had a baby on the way.... but mostly Sulburi! Where she could rest, meet Zimbasi's family and finally visit a real Oban dancing hall and try to see if they'd be willing to teach her the dances or their songs. She could always steal the songs... she had a good ear and could easily just write out any compositions from memory.. but she wanted permission. Wanted to talk to the musicians and dancers. Get their stories on the pieces as well as learn how it ought to be performed.
She heard from some of the locals at the inn that a place called the Amaryllis had apparently a Yealian dancer! And that interested her even more. Oban and Yealian music and dances? Yes! Please, Serin, let them be wiling to let me learn, she gave a quick prayer as she stepped out into the hot sun and followed the directions.
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2016 8:06 am
It was rare that others visited the dance hall, but it did happen once in a while and Afsana let it happen in the hopes that she could recruit someone else into her services. Since Aseara was the lowest rank of the bunch she was the one who was stuck waiting around for this person. Itotia had already been given her morning lesson and they’d cancelled the evening one, honestly Aseara would rather be teaching the Yaeli than be here. Sometimes those who visited ere just folks who thought the place was an attraction, why Afsana let it happen she had no idea.
Aseara made her way to the entrance and lounged on one of the chairs lining the walls of the entrance. It was awfully quiet here, usually the chairs held nobles in the evening who were waiting to be served and given to a dancer, or musician or singer of their choice. Now though, the place felt cold and empty. The wind girl sighed and eyed the door, hopefully she wouldn’t fall asleep, a nap would have been appreciated right about now. Aseara closed her eyes just a little yawning in the process and laying her head back. They’d knock whenever they got here.
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 11:28 am
Senja stopped outside the building and looked at it. It was smaller than her theater... but considering how old her's was and how much they'd grown since the war most small time dance halls were small in comparison! She didn't hear any music either... perhaps they were an evening dance hall? She quietly opened the door and peeked in and was greeted by an empty room. Strange; she thought as she peeked in and then silently slipped inside to look around some more. Normally there's a greeter.... Her thoughts stopped when she saw the wind woman in one of the chairs to the side. Interesting. A wind dancer all the way out here? Perhaps the woman wanted a change in scenery or had hoped to be a main attraction in a foreign land? She tried to approach as quietly as she could before she cleared her throat and held back a giggle.
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2016 4:19 pm
Aseara snapped up so quickly it was a miracle she hadn’t out right stumbled in the process, though when she saw who it was she relaxed.
“So sorry,” she said before stepping forward. “It’s been a long day.” She held out her hand. “I’m Aseara and I’ll be your guide around the hall today.” It sounded all so formal but the woman was a guest after all and guests were treated with formality. She hoped that the woman wouldn’t tell Afsana she’d been caught sleeping otherwise she’d get in even more trouble and it really wasn’t the kind of attention that she wanted to have on herself right now.
“So what made you come here of all places?”
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 10:10 am
Tasinei this is the top of my rps to tag first so it should be tagged faster than usual "No problem!" Senja said, eyes twinkling. "I am called Senja." She shook the offered hand. "And I am traveling to the other lands to gather up different types of music, dances, songs.. that sort of thing." She left out that she was with another theater... some people got protective and wouldn't share if they knew another business would profit from their music and the like... which was foolish! But that was people for you.... "So whats a woman from the wind tribe doing all the way out here? Are you settling down in Oba? What's it like performing here?" She asked curiously; performing in different towns and lands was always interesting! Everyone reacted differently it seemed.
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 11:57 am
“Aseara.” That meant Senja would probably want to visit the upper levels and speak to some of the other performers. Afsana hadn’t given her any restrictions so she didn’t see why not and if Afsana hadn’t wanted Senja to go somewhere then she ought to have told her. “It’s nice to meet you Senja.”
The wind girl motioned for Senja to follow her, “I came here when I was just a prentice. Afsana, the owner of the Red, took me in. Though I guess you can say I am settling in now, I’ve got friends and people I care about here and there is nothing for me back in Sauti.” It was a good question, though Aseara omitted a few details. “Perforing here I wouldhave to guess is perhaps like performing anywhere else? I’m not really sure, I’ve only ever performed here. What about you?” And then without skipping a beat, Aseara added,
“So what would you like to see or do first? I can give you a tour of our halls and client area. Or we can go up and you can speak to a few of the other dancers or singers or musicians?”
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 12:04 pm
Post 4
"Ohh! So you know mostly Oban dances and music then? Interesting... As for me I have performed a lot of places... At my family's theater in Neued, when I traveled with a leaf dancing troupe all the way up to Zena... Though for those I mostly danced and played my pipes while doing so. Now days I do music. Dancing is fun but to me music always pulled at my soul more. I compose and perform solos at the family's theater as well as play accompaniment to the dancers and plays we put on." Since the girl was not the owner.... who cared if she knew Senja would take what she learned here and put it on show in Neued?
"And performing for the Council of the ice and wind tribes is far different than performing in small villages of the leaf tribes!" Senja laughed. "Different cultures like different things.. that and the more um... influential or well known people you get int he audience the more formal or grandiose your performance is! Though sultry dances go over well anyplace." She gave a throaty chuckle.
"I think I would prefer a slight tour... it would be nice to see how other dancing establishments are set up. Perhaps an improvement to our own dance stages can be found. Then I would love to talk to your musicians! And dancers.. but mostly musicians." She answered the question before posing one of her own,
"Do you dance often here? Do you know any wind dances or the like? I will probably gather those when my and my husband head north.. but I would love to pick your mind in case we don't get to Suati."
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 12:16 pm
“Actually, I only perform dances that originate from Sauti or at least the dances that I do remember. My style has evolved though and I’ve picked up a bit from everyone, I’ve also picked up what I call the war dance from soldiers which no one else performs but the Obans enjoy those greatly.” Nuri had taught her his practice moves and she’d gone out from there, she was the only dancer that could perform a dance with weapons.
“We have some larger spectacles here but most of our clients want personal stuff. We have different rooms to accommodate whatever the clients wishes. We only see nobles here; the owner doesn’t let anyone else who can’t pay her high fee in.” Aseara laughed with Senja, indeed sultry dances could be performed whenever one wished, and a lot of the clients they received wanted at least one in the evening.
“Alright come this way,” from the main entrance Aseara turned onto the left corridor. “All the rooms on either side of this hall are the private areas; usually they can fit up to five clients at a time. You can open whichever door to take a peek inside if you like.” The rooms weren’t overly large, large cousins for up to five people, a small stage that could fit another five people though if a dancer was performing usually only them and a musician could stay on stage.
“I know a lot of the old Sauti dances, nothing from recent years. I haven’t returned in a very long time. I usually try and pick up the newer stuff when a younger Wind member comes in, but I like to specialize in my war dance. The Obans love it and that’s why my clients keep returning.” It was rare she performed anything else. “I don’t see as many clients right now as I used too since I’m teaching, but once I’m done that I’ll hopefully return to dancing full time.” Or managing the Red Amaryllis… But that was a secret.
“Sounds good to me, I think I know who we can speak to for music.” There were three main troop leaders at the Red and she wasn’t about to go see any of the boys.
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 12:45 pm
Post 5
"Oh that is interesting! I guess I was thinking you came over here much younger than you were. I was never one for war dances but it might be entertaining.. and the drummers would love that. But then if I danced with sharp items I'd cut myself!" She mused to herself.
"The theater where I work does not do personal shows. We do smaller ones, but those are usually 20 to 30 people in the audience. Does this place do anything other than dances? Like plays? Purely musical performances?" Music was a big hit with her theater: especially when you allowed food to be brought or provided a luncheon/dinner performance along side it!
"Old dances are the best! New ones all tend to have parts of the older dances just mixed up and rearranged. Still good, but I do love the traditional dances."
She peeked inside the rooms: they were... gaudy compared to what she liked. But since Senja lived by the motto of simple elegance she was biased.
"My goodness... how do they pay attention to the dance with all that distracting them?" She muttered to herself.
"Age does tend to make one be less active." She said with a grin. "I used to dance and play music all day every day.. now I spend only part of it playing music while most of my time is spent teaching or composing.. or dealing with my son." And again that was to happen; since there was another baby on the way... but perhaps it wouldn't take as much time away this time since both she and Zimbasi knew how to deal with babies.
"Do you do any choreography? I found that composing was almost as fun as performing! Not that its for everyone, but every place needs new dances after a while or the audience gets bored."
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 1:16 pm
“Yea, you do need to be very careful with sharp objects, that’s why I usually practice with wooden items first.” Aseara hadn’t dared touch anything sharp until she’d fully mastered the wooden ones before. She didn’t want scars and she didn’t want to be losing any pieces of flesh.
“We don’t do plays but we do have singing performances as well as musical ones as well.” Those were a bit rarer but they did happen. “Dances are the most profitable though so we have bigger performances for those.”
“Traditional is my favorite too,” Aseara greed enjoying the flow of conversation Senja was easy to speak to.
“Fancy people require fancy things,” Aseara laughed before moving on.
“You have a son? You seem so young.” Though looking at Senja now, she looked like she might be sporting a second child. Aseara touched her own stomach unconsciously, someday she’d have plenty of kids running through these halls.
“That I do! My favorite part actually, and I usually have the other dancers play out whatever I compose in front so I can see it better.” By now they had reached the end of the hall where there were two large double doors. Aseara opened them and stepped into their bar and lounging area. Tall ceilings with large pillars with cousins scattered all over. Their bar was in the middle of the room and lined with chairs. “This is usually where we have some receptions, but most clients come here to have a drink, relax and find a performer they like.”
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 1:49 pm
Post 6
Senja laughed: "Fancy? That's gaudy! I prefer simple elegant decor. Nice simple lines in the furniture, subdued colors that have simple patterns... a few carpets but most of the decoration needs to direct the eye of the audience to the performance!" She chuckled again. "But I suppose there are those who jsut want things to look expensive."
"I do! And another child on the way." She patted her stomach. "I had my first really young so I get that reaction a lot." She smiled gently. "Kids take such a toll on time and energy! But they are worth it...."
"Creating something and watching it be performed is always a joy." Senja agreed. "Though I admit to preferring to play my own creations! I do love being on stage...."
She paused a moment and eyed the girl; "Find a dancer they like? Like you have clients shop for girls? This is a dance hall right? Not a ... dance plus extra house? Not that there's anything wrong with that of course.. I am just used to dancers having their own shows and not having to wait to be.. picked by a client to perform. What if they don't like that client or the client is... um.. unsafe?" This was the second time a "personal" dance had been mentioned and she jsut had to know what she was getting herself into. Not that horizontal dances were bad; she just didn't approve of establishments that did that since the girls often didn't make enough money to support themselves to get out of those places.
That and she was far more used to places that had a set show and you saw what they put on ... not chose something you wanted.
"Seems like it'd be hard other performers not knowing what they are to perform until some client.... picks them...."
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 2:16 pm
“Well the owner is Oban so I would figure she knows what’s best for the other Oban nobles. We do get foreigners but they’re a little bit rarer.” Aseara didn’t mind it; she’d never paid it much attention before.
“Well congratulations,” Aseara tilted her head a bit with a smile. “I don’t think kids are in it for me for a few more years at least.” She wasn’t too young, but Aseara wanted things to be a little more settled around her before she started having them.
“I don’t really miss it and when I do I go up and perform; now I like to admire the works of others. We’ve had some very talented girls over the years.” And it was always a treat watching them.
“Yes pretty much like that. Afsana screens the clients and you can’t come to the Red unless you know another client and they are ready to vouch for you. That is if you’re coming for a performance, the lager stuff we have tickets for. First come first served.” At the question of the more… risky business Aseara chuckled. “No, it’s quite forbidden. The owner will throw you out if she ever finds out you’ve done anything extra with the clients. Though some do extra things, it’s frowned upon.” Aseara shrugged, she’d never done it and now she was with Nuri.
“The stage in the bar area is used for the girls who want to show off. You sign up and are given a time slot; otherwise all the musicians, singers, and dancers would be fighting it out for clients. Afsana likes for things to be orderly and in control.”
Aseara left the room and went down the hall, through the main entrance again and down the other hall. “These are all rooms for performances as well but at the end of this hall, we have our larger stage.” At the end too was another set of double doors, except when those were pulled open you were met with a large area with seating and a grand stage. “This is the main room.”
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 2:28 pm
Post 7
"Mostly obans? Then I suppose you wouldn't have to worry about having something for all sorts... Is this a nobles only place? It seems that the option to 'choose' a performer is something that is for those with money." If that was the case than this was truly different than her workplace. They entertained all; poor, travelers, merchants.. and the wealthy of course. "I prefer a wider base but coming from a city where merchants from all over meet that's probably just what I am used too! I remember when we were much smaller and only had shifters in Neued; the music and performances we gave were quite different!" She preferred today's Crystal Rain theater than the old one she grew up with. It was far more lively and filled with all sorts of different people!
"Oh my yes! Watching the younger girls perform and grow is always wonderful! I have yet to find a true apprentice though I do help teach music." She sighed; "One day I would like to train some boy or girl who has talent and teach them from start to finish... one day!"
She did sigh a bit in relief upon hearing that prostitution was frowned upon. "That is good to hear! Tis safer for the performers that way. And having a sign up for performances is interesting! Orderly is best; we performers do tend to get messy and want all the attention on us." She chuckled.
The big room that she was lead to was a nice one; its size far more what she was used too. "Now this one is what I am more used to!"
"So;" she asked with a glance at the other woman; "What is this Afsana's thoughts on allowing someone to learn from your performers but not join your dance hall? If it would get you in trouble I would prefer not to do so.. I'll just find another place to steal oban dances and music from!" She grinned. "Or if you think I can get away with it here...." She trailed off questioningly. Best to get it out in the open; she certainly did not want Aserara to get in trouble just cause she wanted to learn their music and dances!
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 2:46 pm
“Afsana likes to keep it to only nobles yes. That’s what I am used to; I haven’t been anywhere else to be honest.” Perhaps if she had traveled more she would have a different mindset, but nobles paid the most and that seemed to be what everyone liked.
“They can be troublesome! I warn you, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.” Her relationship with Itotia was rocky at best and she wasn’t really her apprentice but she was learning from her so that had to count for something. Itotia was also all grown up, soon she would be able to attract her own clients and do her own thing.
“Oh you have no idea; each type of performer has their own floor here. Apparently everyone used to bicker and so Afsana had to separate everyone. Competition is pretty fierce here.” Not only did the performers bicker with the others, but there were still fights between their own groups as well. Aseara tied to stay out of most fights but at the beginning she was in the middle of all of them. Jealousy was an ugly beast.
“Ha, Afsana won’t know a thing. Don’t worry.” Aseara let Senja look around before going out again towards the main entrance, this time however she took a smaller door closer to the entrance and went up the stair case. They had to go up two floors to see the musicians, so Aseara went up and opened the door which led into a large living area. “So this is where the musicians live.” There were a few who turned to see who had come in but upon seeing Aseara let her do whatever it was she was doing.
“Sabri is this way. She’s one of the three troop leaders, a Shifter and quite friendly. The other two not so much.” Asseara went down a few halls until she came to Sabri’s room and knocked. The shifter asked them to come in.
“Aseara so nice to see you again? How are things?” Aseara knew what Sabri was referring to and gave her a smile.
“Quite well, we’ve got a visitor. She was curious to know some Oban music. This is Senja.” Aseara moved into the room to let Senja come in.
“Ah welcome welcome! Are you planning on joining us?”
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2016 3:06 pm
Post 8
Senja sniffed. "Nobles smobles! You ought to find other places to perform at! Broaden your horizons! I found the cheers of crowds when I was with the troupe to be very thrilling! I never did understand the whole noble thing the obans have going...." She muttered. "People are people, anyone can be noble...."
Senja laughed; "I have raised a teenage son! How much more troublesome can an apprentice get? They at least want to learn! And if not.. then they may leave as I will not force someone to follow my path against their will. A willing student with little talent will become a far better bard than some genius who refuses to practice or learn." That and any unwilling performer would put on terrible performances! Music and dancing had to be done willingly or you;d get trash.
"I can imagine that you would have even more fights and jealousy here since clients choose which ones they wish to have perform for them! Solo performances are fairly rare, we tend to do group ones. But those rare solo performances are very much fought over! Since father only chooses the best to fill those slots getting one is proof you are among the 'best' dancers or bards." Senja was proud to be one of those.. but then she had earned it through long years of hard work.
Senja gave a nod to the musicians but laughed and shook her head; "Oh no! I have my own home in Neued... simply here to vivist the new husbands family.. and figured I'd steal some music while here" She winked at them. "We do get our fair share of young dancers and musicians in Neued but none of them really have the depth of knowledge and memorization yet that I seek. I know of the basic music and fairly popular stuff that travelers bring.. but what I seek are the grander pieces: the ones that require multiple performers or great skill to perform.. those tend not to travel to where I live." She sighed and shrugged. That was why she was out here after all!"
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