A Gathering of Bards

[Kender Bard]

((Talen'sul, Spring 1022))

Desira road in a carriage back to Talen'sul with Aneiah as her companion. Their performances in Aegestrom had been well-received and Desira was growing eager to show off the new talent to her peers as well as continue to foster goodwill with Aneiah. That was something her mother had taught her well; if you find someone of considerable skill or wealth, befriending them is always the best course of action.

And while perhaps most of Desira's motives were more selfish in nature, she did also feel pleased to know that she'd be helping out another person as well. It wasn't as though she were preying off the poor thing.

"Have you been to Skyheort before?" Desira asked as the carriage bounced and jostled on its way towards the gates of Talen'sul's capital.

[Navian]

Aneiah had been staring out of the carriage window at the countryside. The trip was taking too long for her liking and Aneiah was growing impatient to be outside, once again. However, she knew better than to complain, since her companion had helped her and was willing to allow Aneiah to accompany her to Talen'sul. Aneiah turned to Desira and shook her head.

"No." she said. "I've been in some of the smaller villages, but never the capital itself."

[Kender Bard]

"It's a crowded place," Desira replied, nose wrinkling slightly. "Fortunately if you're a person such as myself and my family, you can have the luxury of space. Still, one does get used to the crowding."

As the carriage slowed so that it could pass through the streets, Desira continued, "We'll be there shortly. Will you be requiring a stop before we arrive?"

[Navian]

Aneiah frowned as Desira described the city. She was used to open space and clean air.

I'll just have to get used to it. she thought.

She shook her head.

"No, it's all right." she answered. "If we're almost there, then I can last a bit longer."

[Kender Bard]

Desira nodded in mute approval, remaining silent the rest of the way. Eventually the carriage came to a halt outside of a large and colorful building.

"The guild," Desira chirped as she stepped out of the carriage, allowing the coachman to take her hand and assist her. As soon as her feet were on the ground she looked around for a familiar face.

[Navian]

Aneiah hopped down after Desira, looking up at the brightly coloured building belonging to the local bardic guild. She then looked to see Desira looking for someone.

[Darastrix]

As Desira looked about, a tall man with yellow-tinged wings made his way out of the guild, pausing for a moment when he noticed the pair of them.  "Hello, Desira," he greeted as he approached, glancing briefly at Aneiah.

"I don't think we expected to see you for another day or two.  Did the festival in Maelstrom go well?"

[Kender Bard]

"Quite well," Desira agreed. People had been enchanted by firedancing in general and Aneiah's skills were nothing to sneeze at. Desira had put her considerable talents to charm and show off to good use so that she could benefit from it as well. "And, in my exploits, I've uncovered this little gem here." She nodded to her companion. "Nathan, this is Aneiah. Aneiah, Nathan."

[Navian]

Aneiah tried hard not to gape as she was introduced to Nathan. Sure, she had seen some strange things in her short time as an entertainer, but never had she encountered someone with wings.

I wonder if they're real...? she thought to herself, then mentaly shook herself. Keep it together, Aneiah!

She held out her hand to shake Nathan's.

"It's... nice to meet you." she said.

[Darastrix]

It was easy for Nathan to overlook Aneiah's expression - he'd been a guild bard for far too long to be concerned with someone's staring, and he assumed it was just due to guild in general.  So many of the Winds in Talen'sul bore wings that his didn't even cross his mind as a potential curiosity.

"A pleasure," he replied, clasping Aneiah's hand in a gentle grip.  "I take it you're a performer some sort?"  She looked to be a bit too young to join the guild proper, and he wondered if Desira was planning to patron her as a student until she could formally join.

[Navian]

Aneiah nodded.

"Yes, I'm a fire dancer." she told Nathan truthfully. "But you'll probably have to ask Desira for specifics, since I can't show you here."

She smiled mischievously at him.

"Trade secrets, you know." she said. "Besides, the road is too crowded- it's too dangerous to show you here anyway."

[Darastrix]

Nathan's expression turned amused at the mention of "trade secrets."  In his opinion, there wasn't much of a dancer's trade that could be secret; all the movements were out there for all to see.  "If you're a Fire, I can very well guess," he said.  "We had a dancer here by the name of Soleil years ago who used her Fire signs in her performances."

He looked at Desira.  "That would have been a touch before your time.  She was one of several who moved to New Anarlina when Cass had our sister guild there established."

[Navian]

Aneiah's smile grew.

"Maybe you can." she agreed. "And maybe you can't. You'll have to wait and see."

[Kender Bard]

"I'm hoping to show her around," Desira explained to Nathan. "And then present her to someone more senior to see if there's an idea on what we could do with her. It'd be a great shame to let raw talent go to waste, after all."

Desira didn't really mind talking about someone in front of them. She took it for granted that it might be rude.

[Navian]

Aneiah didn't really mind Desira talking to Nathan about her, in front of her. She was used to it. Back on Ekaitz, the Storms used to do it all the time. And some of what they said wasn't very... pleasant. Especially not with them all leering at her as well, while she tried to work.