Workaholic(Bardic)

[Devon]

Since his departure from Anarlina, Marion had returned to the bardic college where he got his start. The first few days he spent secluded in a local inn where he'd pass the morning and afternoons practicing with his flute and the nights drinking in a tavern until he had to be carried out.

Finally he was ready to reaudition to get a spot back in the guild. Entering the main hall he was obviously not his usually cheerful self. He had managed to straighten his hair before coming, but his shirt was wrinkled and he hadn't shaved in two days. He remembered his way around the bardic college, so he lead himself to where auditions were normally performed and hoped they weren't too busy to see him.

[Darastrix]

Eril intercepted Marion in the hallway, raising a brow at the man's unkempt appearance. "May I help you?" the redhead queried, crossing his arms over his chest.

[Devon]

Marion nodded at Eril, running a hand through his hair as if it would help improve his appearance. "Yes, I'd like to reaudition to be in the bardic guild. I was a member for a number of years, but I moved to Anarlina for a time."

[Darastrix]

Eril looked him over again, noting that he did look vaguely familiar. He knew Zack was in Anarlina, of course, but who was this? "Marion," he murmured, the name coming to him. "Marion Kelly. Flautist." Something of an absentee member, if I recall. "It's not quite time for the fall series of auditions yet. That does give you time to start practicing the pieces you'll be given, though," he told the younger bard, turning to head to the Maestra's office. "Are you back in Talen'sul for good?"

[Devon]

Marion sighed, wanting to smack himself in the head. He had forgotten all about the times for auditions. "Yes, I'm Marion Kelly," he replied. At Eril's question he took a pause, thinking of whether he was going back to Anarlina or not. "I'm...I'm not sure yet. I just want to work for now, clear my head.. Is Maestra Cass busy by any chance?" He hoped maybe she could find something for him to do even if it was temporary.

[Darastrix]

Eril ignored the question for the time being, stopping by the stairs ner Cass' office and leaning back against the wall. "Marion, I'll be honest. We do sometimes allow a former member back in with minimal auditioning, sometimes none at all, but in your case...," he trailed off.

"If one of our more popular bards, like Nathan, left for a time, worked elsewhere, and decided he wanted to return, that would be one thing. He's an established member, has several regular engagements, is well-known and popular, and has a good reputation within the guild," Eril explained. "He wouldn't have to work very hard to rebuild his reputation here; he would be remembered. Zack, as long as he's been gone, would have an easy time of it, partly because of his own reputation, and partly because he's Cass' first cousin and Cass has such a good reputation."

Then there was the fact that she'd married Lord Melissan-Ronoh, and even though the relation hardly made Zack noble, a relative of a noble still made for a slight status boost if you could hire one.

He went on. "But you weren't around Talen'sul very much when you were in the guild, if I'm remembering correctly. I've helped Cass manage the schedules for several years, and your name was seldom on them that I can recall. That alone works against you, and you're not even sure if you'll be staying." Eril shook his head and moved to the door. "I'm not saying it will be impossible to get back in, but if you do, it will be slim pickings for jobs."

[Devon]

Marion nodded to Eril, it was true he had never been one to stay in Talen'sul for long when he was a member of the guild. In fact he could only remember a few times where he was here long enough to take a job, but his time as a student had to count for something he hoped.

"I know, I wasn't a very good guild bard, but I'm here now and I don't care if I get the worst job in the lot," he pleaded to Eril. "I don't think I can go back to Anarlina and if I don't have something to take my mind off of what I left there I just might go crazy."

[Darastrix]

"Simply being here doesn't entitle you to anything," the adviser stated firmly, his hand on the knob. "But the acting Maestro will have the final say. However, if you are allowed membership and I so much as hear a whisper spoken of you overworking yourself to take your mind off of problems the way Nathan used to, I'll have you suspended so fast, it'll make your head spin."

With that, Eril opened Cass' office door and strode inside...and took a seat at the Maestra's desk. "Now then," he said briskly, "What have you been doing since you left us? Were you working as a bard in Anarlina as well?"

[Devon]

Marion followed Eril inside of Cass' office, thankful that the man was at least willing to give him a chance. Taking a seat in front of the desk Marion replied, " I spent a year or so traveling around playing wherever I found an ear willing to listen. I came back to Talen'sul for a short time, played some here and then it was off to Anarlina. I've been working as the court bard for the royal family in Anarlina, I also played private parties by request. "

[Darastrix]

"Working as a court bard, you mean. I know you weren't the only one there," Eril stated.

He tapped the surface of the desk with one long-fingered hand, considering the options. He could pull some pieces and make the man go through the three sets of auditions required of all new members, but in the meantime, Marion would be forced to scrape up whatever work he could. If he didn't pass, it'd be winter by that point and he'd be without a steady job. No, best to audition Marion soon, and not for Eril alone or the council. There was always a considerable difference in a bard's performance for a small formal audition and one for a full audience.

"Since you have been performing on a regular basis and you are a former member, I'll arrange a trial by fire of sorts. House Fell is hosting a rather informal gathering in a few nights. Nothing overly formal or elaborate, given the current state of things. I expect that there will be mostly women in attendance, seeking a diversion from worry over their loved ones. I'll be there, as will other members of the guild. I'll simply add you to the list of performers and see how you fair."

[Devon]

Marion was delighted that Eril was giving him such a chance to prove himself. At the mention of the House he raised his brow, "House Fell, ah Zira's family, I will definitely have to do my best then. I won't disappoint you sir, I guarantee that." Now that Marion had a chance to work again he'd have to clean himself up, he desperately needed a shave and his hair could be shortened some.

[Darastrix]

"Ah, yes, it is," Eril said, rising. "I advise you not to mention Zira to his parents, though. I don't know all of the details, of course, but he did leave the House for whatever reason and it would be tactless to bring it up, especially to the Lady Jane. Be at the Fell estate in three nights at sunset. Simply give the doorman your name and say that you are with the bard guild. If there's nothing else, I expect I'll see you then."

[Devon]

Marion nodded, standing up to shake hands with Eril. "I'll be there early sir," the bard promised. "And I'll make sure my appearance is better than this by the time of the party as well. Thank you again." Turning he left in a hurry to go prepare for the party in three days.

[Darastrix]

((Imma lock this one and post the party in the main forum, since it's not actually AT the guild.))