An Empty Orchestra – Velania Kalugina – 18/04/2021
May 25, 2021 11:12:31 GMT
Jamie J, Greebo, and 5 more like this
Post by Velania Kalugina on May 25, 2021 11:12:31 GMT
It was a rasping, breathless night. The Moon cast an uneasy shade of silver over the people of Daring Heights. The whole city tossed and turned in their sleep, unable to rest. The light of Selûne was playing tricks on Velania’s mind as she lay there blinking. Her mind was foggy from half-sleep, and swimming with ideas for the future. For temples and religious conversions she could work on this week. But was Daring Heights really the place for her? Had she misunderstood when asking Seyen, her guardian angel, for guidance? Maybe this whole Kantas thing was a mistake and she was better off in Feyrûn…
And then she heard it again. That unearthly, ethereal music. The haunting notes that had recently attracted her, and Varga, and Kelne to wander in a daze out of Daring Heights and into the Angelbark Woods.
Velania blinked and stumbled out of her quarters, out of the city, and across the plains into the trees one more time. She soon found herself at the mysterious piano in the woods. Was fate drawing her in again? Was she destined to travel to the Realm of Music once more? To reform Two Bishops and a Warlady, and perform with Kelne and Varga again? Even though Kelne only had limited propeller helmets and Varga could not afford to smash lutes every time she went on stage? She sat at the piano and played those fateful notes, knowing where the dizzying whirlwind of teleportation would take her…
She stood in a large stone hallway, and outside the room, the air vibrated with the thunderous roar of a distant crowd. A gigantic goliath loomed over her, his immense warhammer slung over his shoulder. “It’s an honour, Sister Velania. I didn’t think you’d be back so soon.”
“Oh you know me, Stanley. I like to do my part.” Velania greeted the MC.
“Your usual spot? Two Birds One Stone are on at the moment. The crowd love ‘em. But we can pull them off stage if you’re ready to go on.”
“No, I’m in a good mood today. They can finish.”
“Good luck, then. Not that you’ll need it. Oh and… how is Varga these days?” Stanley blushed.
Velania sighed and looked up at the massive goliath. “You know, Stanley, one of these days, when a hot half-orc offers to arm-wrestle you, you’re going to have to let her win.”
“I know, I know. It’s just not in my nature to admit defeat.”
“Or hers! But since you’re not a man of words, giving her a victory over you is probably the best thing for both of you. That or you could stay and talk with her, instead of scurrying off to drink alone. Otherwise, great MC that you are, you’ll never get any hammer time.”
Stanley nodded sheepishly. “You’re right. I’ll handle it differently next time I see her. Thanks, Sister Velania. You’re the greatest.”
Velania shrugged humbly and placed her hand over her heart. “Well, I try, I try. That’s all I can do.”
At the edge of the stage, Anton greeted her. “Two Birds One Stone are just finishing up.”
“Thank you, Mr Dec,” Velania said, peering out from side-stage at the grand finale of Sparks-in-Shade the kenku, Elias the eladrin, and Pieni the aarakocra. Elias’s eight-legged horse Elchior was galloping across the stage, flecked in twinkling frost. Pieni’s direwolf howled at the moon, and Sparks gave an impassioned rendition of “You’re as cold as ice!” It was a stunning performance and the audience were enraptured… mostly of their own will. They ended with a flourish, the stage exploding with glittering motes of ice magic. It was stunning. After accepting the applause, Two Birds One Stone ran off-stage and warmly greeted Velania.
“We’re so glad you’re here, Sister Velania! We’ve got them warmed up for you, just the way you like.”
“You’ve done the perfect job,” Velania said magnanimously. They accepted her thanks with heartfelt glee, then tucked themselves behind the curtain backstage, to eagerly watch her performance. Velania took a breath, braced herself, and walked on-stage.
She stood there, listening to the rapturous applause. At the front of the crowd, there sat Simon, he of the Cowl, and the other judges, waiting avidly for her to begin. Finally, the crowd hushed, the lights dimmed, and a single silver spotlight lit up over Velania.
There was an electric moment of silence. And then the piano played, and Velania sang…
Just a barbariuun
Livin' in a lonely Faerûn
She took the Kantas boat goin' anywhere
Just a halfling cleric
Saving little gnomes like… Derek
She took the Kantas boat goin' anywhere
(glitter cascades from the ceiling)
An angel in a silver room
And her singing breaks the gloom
For a prize within the Music Realm
It goes on and on, and on, and on
Strangers, waitin'
Waitin’ for the aasimar
They’re shadows without her
In the night
Moonlight, people
Livin' just to find devotion
Hidin' somewhere in the night
Workin' hard to get my quests
Combat, healing and skill tests
Payin' anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will miss
Some will hit
Sometimes they will even crit
The adventure never ends
It goes on and on, and on, and on
Strangers, waitin'
Waitin’ for the aasimar
They’re shadows without her
In the night
Moonlight, people
Livin' just to find devotion
Hidin' somewhere in the night
Don't stop Selûne
Hold on to that feelin'
Moonlight, people…
Don't stop, Selûne
Roll on…
Moonlight, people…
Don't stop Selûne
Hold on to that feelin'
Moonlight, people…
The crowd exploded. Thunderous applause shook the room. Elves, genasi, dragonborn, centaurs… everyone was on their feet, throwing flowers and garments at Velania. People were weeping with joy.
Velania felt a single tear on her cheek. This moment was sheer happiness. It was perfect… or was it?
She searched the crowd. Searching for one man. Had he come to hear her, this time? Would he have left his work at Fort Ettin, or was this another wasted trip? A false song, a spun fantasy, a trick of the mind?
The audience rushed the stage, and bore her up on their shoulders, cheering, congratulating her in a maelstrom of love and admiration, but she was pushing through them, looking for him, searching, searching…
… … … … … …
Velania awoke with a start. Her room was cold, dark, but the first light of dawn was starting to glow. She shook her head clear and chuckled to herself. A sacrilegious song? Dreams can take you to some strange places. She rose and pulled on her vestments for her morning prayers, then brushed her hair with the hairbrush she’d been singing into, all those nights ago. Then she knelt at the window and gazed out upon the early pre-dawn sky. The city was sleeping, the birds were chirping, the Moon was sliding down behind the rooftops of Daring Heights. Another dawn, another day.
Velania pressed her hands together.
…Selûne, what can it all mean?
And then she heard it again. That unearthly, ethereal music. The haunting notes that had recently attracted her, and Varga, and Kelne to wander in a daze out of Daring Heights and into the Angelbark Woods.
Velania blinked and stumbled out of her quarters, out of the city, and across the plains into the trees one more time. She soon found herself at the mysterious piano in the woods. Was fate drawing her in again? Was she destined to travel to the Realm of Music once more? To reform Two Bishops and a Warlady, and perform with Kelne and Varga again? Even though Kelne only had limited propeller helmets and Varga could not afford to smash lutes every time she went on stage? She sat at the piano and played those fateful notes, knowing where the dizzying whirlwind of teleportation would take her…
She stood in a large stone hallway, and outside the room, the air vibrated with the thunderous roar of a distant crowd. A gigantic goliath loomed over her, his immense warhammer slung over his shoulder. “It’s an honour, Sister Velania. I didn’t think you’d be back so soon.”
“Oh you know me, Stanley. I like to do my part.” Velania greeted the MC.
“Your usual spot? Two Birds One Stone are on at the moment. The crowd love ‘em. But we can pull them off stage if you’re ready to go on.”
“No, I’m in a good mood today. They can finish.”
“Good luck, then. Not that you’ll need it. Oh and… how is Varga these days?” Stanley blushed.
Velania sighed and looked up at the massive goliath. “You know, Stanley, one of these days, when a hot half-orc offers to arm-wrestle you, you’re going to have to let her win.”
“I know, I know. It’s just not in my nature to admit defeat.”
“Or hers! But since you’re not a man of words, giving her a victory over you is probably the best thing for both of you. That or you could stay and talk with her, instead of scurrying off to drink alone. Otherwise, great MC that you are, you’ll never get any hammer time.”
Stanley nodded sheepishly. “You’re right. I’ll handle it differently next time I see her. Thanks, Sister Velania. You’re the greatest.”
Velania shrugged humbly and placed her hand over her heart. “Well, I try, I try. That’s all I can do.”
At the edge of the stage, Anton greeted her. “Two Birds One Stone are just finishing up.”
“Thank you, Mr Dec,” Velania said, peering out from side-stage at the grand finale of Sparks-in-Shade the kenku, Elias the eladrin, and Pieni the aarakocra. Elias’s eight-legged horse Elchior was galloping across the stage, flecked in twinkling frost. Pieni’s direwolf howled at the moon, and Sparks gave an impassioned rendition of “You’re as cold as ice!” It was a stunning performance and the audience were enraptured… mostly of their own will. They ended with a flourish, the stage exploding with glittering motes of ice magic. It was stunning. After accepting the applause, Two Birds One Stone ran off-stage and warmly greeted Velania.
“We’re so glad you’re here, Sister Velania! We’ve got them warmed up for you, just the way you like.”
“You’ve done the perfect job,” Velania said magnanimously. They accepted her thanks with heartfelt glee, then tucked themselves behind the curtain backstage, to eagerly watch her performance. Velania took a breath, braced herself, and walked on-stage.
She stood there, listening to the rapturous applause. At the front of the crowd, there sat Simon, he of the Cowl, and the other judges, waiting avidly for her to begin. Finally, the crowd hushed, the lights dimmed, and a single silver spotlight lit up over Velania.
There was an electric moment of silence. And then the piano played, and Velania sang…
Just a barbariuun
Livin' in a lonely Faerûn
She took the Kantas boat goin' anywhere
Just a halfling cleric
Saving little gnomes like… Derek
She took the Kantas boat goin' anywhere
(glitter cascades from the ceiling)
An angel in a silver room
And her singing breaks the gloom
For a prize within the Music Realm
It goes on and on, and on, and on
Strangers, waitin'
Waitin’ for the aasimar
They’re shadows without her
In the night
Moonlight, people
Livin' just to find devotion
Hidin' somewhere in the night
Workin' hard to get my quests
Combat, healing and skill tests
Payin' anything to roll the dice
Just one more time
Some will miss
Some will hit
Sometimes they will even crit
The adventure never ends
It goes on and on, and on, and on
Strangers, waitin'
Waitin’ for the aasimar
They’re shadows without her
In the night
Moonlight, people
Livin' just to find devotion
Hidin' somewhere in the night
Don't stop Selûne
Hold on to that feelin'
Moonlight, people…
Don't stop, Selûne
Roll on…
Moonlight, people…
Don't stop Selûne
Hold on to that feelin'
Moonlight, people…
The crowd exploded. Thunderous applause shook the room. Elves, genasi, dragonborn, centaurs… everyone was on their feet, throwing flowers and garments at Velania. People were weeping with joy.
Velania felt a single tear on her cheek. This moment was sheer happiness. It was perfect… or was it?
She searched the crowd. Searching for one man. Had he come to hear her, this time? Would he have left his work at Fort Ettin, or was this another wasted trip? A false song, a spun fantasy, a trick of the mind?
The audience rushed the stage, and bore her up on their shoulders, cheering, congratulating her in a maelstrom of love and admiration, but she was pushing through them, looking for him, searching, searching…
… … … … … …
Velania awoke with a start. Her room was cold, dark, but the first light of dawn was starting to glow. She shook her head clear and chuckled to herself. A sacrilegious song? Dreams can take you to some strange places. She rose and pulled on her vestments for her morning prayers, then brushed her hair with the hairbrush she’d been singing into, all those nights ago. Then she knelt at the window and gazed out upon the early pre-dawn sky. The city was sleeping, the birds were chirping, the Moon was sliding down behind the rooftops of Daring Heights. Another dawn, another day.
Velania pressed her hands together.
…Selûne, what can it all mean?
