Artistically Distasteful|Skyheort, Talen'sul

[Kender Bard]

On a day just like any other day in Talen'sul, a peasant stands amidst the market throng, hawking his only wares; paintings and the offer to paint more. Abruptly, a man carrying a sword walks up and grabs the artist by the shirt, yelling at him and shaking the smaller man.

[jhaal]

(assuming this thread is open for anyone? If not, feel free to ignore. If so, thought it would be as good a place as any to introduce Tam - kenderbard.proboards105.com/index.cgi?board=profile&action=display&thread=1157252215&page=1#1169793499)

Always with an open eye for a story, a reasonably rich looking young male beast/wind type comes to the aid of the peasant- perhaps for little more than the amusement of it.

"Come now, I didn't think his paintings were that bad?" he offers congenially, eyeing up the pair and sizing up his chances of getting hurt should he interfere physically. "What's your fight with this man?"

[Kender Bard]

The fighter snarled wordlessly and stopped shaking the peasant, though he didn't let go. "I paid this bloody moron two copper to paint my picture. And THIS is what I got out of it!" He reached into his pack and pulled out a framed portrait; though portrait was too generous of the word. It was a very humerous caracticture of the fighter, doing something - erm - unflattering with his sword.

The peasant couldn't help but snicker just slightly, and earned himself a muderous glare from the fighter.

[jhaal]

"I... see," Tam replied with the most solemn expresion he could muster. "It's one of those modern pieces, perhaps? I've seen similar in merchant houses in Ilyamen, I believe. I'm no art critic of course, but..."

[Kender Bard]

With the scent of money suddenly in his nostrils, the fighter asked slowly, "Are you saying that some fancy, smancy snob would pay good money for this kind of paintin'?"

[jhaal]

"Oh, I'd say it's reasonably likely," Tam said with a thoughtful nod. "People will do anything for fashion these days, won't they? I'm sure you'd get more than your two copper, at least."

Frowning as if in thought, the storyteller considered spinning the tale further, held back only by a mild anxiety concerning the fighter's quick temper and the likelihood anything he tried to pull on the man would come back and bite him later.

"Though to be honest, I'm not sure why you'd want to part with it," Tam added finally, deciding he was probably going to be in enough trouble anyway. "It's a beautiful piece."

[Kender Bard]

The fighter looks from Tam to the work of art and back again. He's not so thick as to be duped into believing the mockery was 'beautiful', but he figured that by Tam's appearances, he was one of those 'snobs' who'd pay good money for such an ugly picture. Now reinforced by the idea, he let go of the peasant completely and snatched the picture up, stalking off in hopes of finding a buyer somewhere.

The peasant shut his eyes and sagged in relief, sighing, "Oh thank you so much. I was afraid 'e was gonna smash me face in. What's your name, stranger?"

[jhaal]

"Luciel D'Oel, storyteller, magician, entertainer-- and it's nothing, though I might say otherwise when my various good deeds come back to bite me," Tam replied with a comical, overly polite bow. "You seem rarely talented. What on earth possessed you to draw such a... dare I say 'accurate' portrait of our overly enthusiastic friend? You were indeed lucky a story-seeking fool such as I was amused enough to see just how much further the wool could be pulled over his eyes."

[Kender Bard]

"Generally people like that style," the artist chuckled weakly. "I'm Pier by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you." He cleared his voice. "As I was saying, a lot of people enjoy seeing themselves depicted in a manner; or, if not themselves, then someone they know. I guess I got a bit carried away in my painting with that guy though." He smirked. "Call it a mixture of artistic inspiration and being shorted on my bill. I don't suppose you'd like a painting? I do more than just humorous styles."

[jhaal]

"A painting, hmm? Well, I could do with a little advertisement if I'm going to become well known here in Talen'sul," Tam mused, looking over the paintings with a mischevious smile. "and for what it's worth, Pier, I like your style. Some people like our friend just take themselves far too seriously and fill up with self-importance like a boil that needs lancing. I applaud you for your courageous effort to do just that."

[Kender Bard]

"Thanks!" Pier remarked, getting out a canvas and his set of paints. "Want me to do one of you in that style then?" I have just the thing in mind, he thought gleefully getting out the trademark of what made his brushes so special; some of them were made with feathers!

[jhaal]

"Go ahead and don't hold back," Tam replied with a grin. "Say, is business good in these parts recently? I'm looking for a place to establish a name for a while before travelling on again."

[Kender Bard]

"Things used to be better but they're picking up," Pier answered as he set to painting. "I'm surprised I've done as well as I have. What are you trying to make a name for?"

[jhaal]

"Anything, really," Tam admitted with a laugh. "I'm a fair story-teller -- ghosts, monsters and the like... and I've tried my hand and conjuring, simple sleight-of-hand tricks. I'm not trying to make a fortune- just enough to live and eat by."

[Kender Bard]

"You should do fine," Pier assured Tam. "Though if you're a storyteller, you'll probably find refuge in the Bardic Guild if you don't do as well."