rhys kinlan ; steals hearts (stealhearts) wrote in emillion, |
The mood around the camp was clearly not going to become lively anytime soon. After a day of eavesdropping on his fellow traveling companions, he knew that more or less, each of them was here because someone they knew was sick. He would have probably stuck out like a sore thumb, if they knew that he hadn’t come with the idea of curing a loved one in mind. Not even an acquaintance really. He just came because there was an opportunity for something secret to be discovered and that usually reaped great rewards. It was different then the type of risk one took when dealing with people. He probably had a greater chance of getting fucked now that he thought about it, but it beat sitting in an empty tavern hall with no one to perform for. He sat by the fire, plucking the strings of his shamisen. The song was familiar, an old favorite of most drinking groups. He had no need to practice it, but he did miss the sound of offkey voices that usually went along with it… and the jangle of coin. He let out a sigh before looking up and catching sight of the familiar red-haired fighter. He changed the tune to something a little lighter as he came up behind her, letting the music alert her to his presence. The melody dragged Mag out of her thoughts, and she turned to see Rhys approach. “No more drinking songs?” The mood of this song was remarkably different from what she’d heard him play earlier. She was grateful for the distraction, in any case; worry kept nagging at her, not so much for herself but for what would happen to Aspel and everyone sick in the city if their mission failed. “Have you come to serenade me, now?” “No one’s drinking,” the thief said with a shrug of his shoulders. The movement didn’t impact his playing at all. “And I could serenade you, if that is your wish, Firebird.” Rhys invited himself to sit beside her. “Do you have a request?” She couldn’t help chuckling at the nickname. The color of her hair tended to feature in nicknames from men trying to pick her up, but she didn’t much care if Rhys had a similar goal; bantering with him beat sitting by herself worrying herself sick. “Surprise me,” she said, smiling. “I’m ready to be utterly charmed by your bardic abilities.” He rose a brow at her challenge. To be charmed by his bardic abilities? He simply chuckled. This would be much easier with his guitar, but the shamisen was lighter and easier to use. "Well," he started to pick something softer. It didn't have the same sound, but he could make it work for the song he needed. "Close your eyes," he bid her, before he started. It would only help her with the imagery. The song he sang was full of promises of things far away in a land of sun full of beaches with warm sand and cool water. There would be drinking and dancing and nights of creating unforgettable memories. It was filled with descriptions of sensual wonders that only a paradise could provide... if she wanted to go. All she had to do was say yes. She listened with eyes closed, as Rhys had asked. The descriptions at the beginning of the song brought to mind Ordalia, and as the lyrics went on Mag felt a smile tugging at her lips. She was fairly sure she knew where the song was headed, and her prediction turned out to be accurate. The song's invitation was anything but ambiguous, and she couldn't help laughing at Rhys' choice of music. "Very enlightening," she commented during an instrumental break, eyes still closed. "This song has served you well in the past, I'll bet." |