Performance at Dusk [Dra Nivera, Iliana]

[Sam Mentes]

Winter 37th, 511 AV (Dusk)

It was the end of a beautiful day in Alvadas. The sunset made the sky melt into shades of reds, oranges, blues, and purples. The sun was a fading disk quickly leaving the city of illusions. Many men and women were making their way home from a tired day's work. All was peaceful.

For Sam, however, work was just beginning. A weave of confusing alleys and roads made it difficult for her to even find the Bizarre, and getting back was even more of a hassle. Now, however, she was ready to begin as she took the violin out of its case. Setting the case down on the ground next to her, she tuned her instrument until it was in tune and cleaned any dirt off of the precious fiddle. She tossed a few copper mizas into the fiddle case to encourage people to leave a tip. Then, Sam began to play.

It was a sweet, cheerful tone that began playing out of her violin, yet it seemed to have an eerie quality to it. As it was with Alvadas, everything was not as it seemed, and Sam's happy music slowly evolved into a solmen, mournful tone. She had no set music, no boundaries, and no limits: her music was inspired by the city and the inhabitants around it. Today, however, nobody was in the mood to stop and listen. Rather, many were exhausted from a long day's work and would rather go home quickly than listen to a poor busker's music.

This did not deter Sam. Her goal in life was to give music and the money was merely a benefit. This encouraged her to play, encouraged her to strive harder to get someone's attention. Her music became faster and more passionate, body swaying and eyes closed. She threw herself into her work, and she would not stop now.

OOCSorry for the short post, I couldn't really think of anything...

[Dra Nivera]

Dra Nivera stood alone in one of the many alleyways the City of Illusion had to offer. The sun was already low on the horizon, its size slowly melting into the ground, its colors splashing wildly across the sky and over the walls of the houses that lined the alley. The city had been alive with the bustle of the day not half an hour before, but now the streets were almost bare as people finished there daily lives and returned home.
The ethereal figure of the ghost went unnoticed by all who passed as she slowly drifted through the city. She was new to Alvadas after all, and she did not want herself to be made the center of ordinary folks attention. Passing through a street here, a side alley there and quickly skipping around the city's large bizarre, she found herself lost staring at the face of a house she did not recognize.
Well this is pointless, she thought to herself, a ghost getting lost. She looked around and took note of how dark it had become since she started her drifting. The sky was no longer the flaring reds it had been, but instead was through here and there by streaks and rays of purple and dark blue as the darkness of night began its encroachment into the sky.
Looking back down from the sky, she set herself to traveling again, hoping to find a suitable land mark with which to guide herself by. But before she could move forward, a sound caught her attention. A light melody, drifting on the light winds of the night as it made its way to the ghosts senses. The sound was soulful music that seemed to embody the essence of the lonely, haunting feel that shrouded Alvadas.
Dra stood a moment to just listen to the sound that had been brought before her, then she set off towards it with tentative haste. The music was her guide as she floated through the city towards its source. The melody seemed to be getting louder, so she assumed she was on the right heading, when at last she came across the musician herself.
The fire haired women stood alone, violin raised, case at her feet, playing her song with a passion and a thrill that only comes from one who loves what they do. In the space of a moment, Dra shrunk away from the musician, her caution flaring up within her. Taking a few quick glances back where she'd come, she steeled herself and began to approach again.
The music began to fill her as she moved and her pace quickened slightly, before she recognized what had occurred, she stopped barely two arms lengths away from the violinist. She stayed there in hesitation for a moment longer, then materialized beside the musician, turning slightly and ducking her head in hopes of not seeming to suspicious.

[Iliana]

The days waning sunlight brought Iliana's attention to the closing hour of the day, and to the lateness of the hour. Smiling, Iliana stretched her arms over her head and giggled. The day had been fruitful, not in mizas but in delight in her craft. For a moment the girl thought back to the days events, to the crowds in front of the Colosseum who has cheered for her as she hand spun from one dance to another. Her smiling broadly, Iliana cast her thoughts out to the universe in a silent prayer of thanks to Makutsi, Oh thank you for your gifts this day my Goddess. To you I have dedicated my performances, and I give more of my growing abilities to you each and every day! Absently she wondered if, this time, the Goddess had heard her, but then she shook her head. AFter all, what would a Goddess see in such a lowly follower as Iliana. Pausing a moment as she picked up the dusty old hat she used to collect loose change, Iliana cast her gaze upward once more. Faintly, she thought she heard a sound on the wind. Scrunching her brow in thought she shook her head and smiled, Was only the gurgle of the fountain once more, but some day... Some day she will hear me. A warm feeling spread through her body, making her fingers and toes tingle as she finished the thought. Yes, one day the Goddess would hear her, and one day Iliana would perform for the Gods themselves. Finally, after her hat and mizas were collected, the girl dusted off her leggings and set off at a light skip down a random alley. Iliana had long since learned that the way to travel in Alvadas was to walk with no particular destination in mind. True, there were times when Iliana never made it back to the Manor where she lived with Miro and his friends, but the city always seemed to take her to such wondrous places and new adventures that Iliana was still happy to brave the chances. After all, what was life without a little random chance? Giggling happily Iliana cast her thoughts upward once more, calling out to the city of Alvadas, and perhaps Ionu as well, asking for guidance as she traversed the streets, and she let her mind wandered aimlessly, content to let fate guide her steps. The wind... It carried a different sound this night. Slowing her steps, Iliana tilted her head as she listened. It was... Music? Brushing the blue hair behind her ear, the girl listened closer. It is... It is music, but why would someone be playing at this hour? Closing her eyes, Iliana cleared her mind, letting the sound of the notes carry her thoughts where they would. Sadness... Longing... Iliana breathed in and exhaled slowly. As if of their own accord, her feet began to tread a seemingly random path, her steps swaying gently from side to side. The notes carried Iliana from one alley to another, her eyes closed and her form guided only by the music and her swaying dance. The song began to change, to alter and sway to a different rhythm, and Iliana felt her heart respond in kind. Her steps became lighter, treading across the ground at a faster rate. The music, it seemed to change just as the city itself was changing around Iliana, guiding her to the source of the alluring sound. The passion... the heart... the feeling, it all pulsed within Iliana as the music began to rise to a crescendo. Her movements flowed smoothly into her dance, her arms arcing and form twirling from once stance to another, her hair a blue halo that encircled her as she spun and twisted. Bending at the waist Iliana threw herself into a half cartwheel, transitioning into a tumble and handstand, arching her back so that her toes touched the ground and she returned to her feet once more. Rounding the corner she would suddenly be visible to the source of the wonderful maelstrom that guided her dance, though she was guided by her heart, not her eyes, and thus took no notice of anyone while the music still played. At its pique, Iliana smiled brightly, a giggle escaping her lips as she cast her gaze upwards, the light of her eyes reflecting the pure joy of her craft. The dazzling light of the setting sun reflected off of her hair, causing blue sparkles to dance and glitter as she spun from one form to another. Her heart and her body were one and in perfect harmony, each hearing and responding to the other, and both responded to the music played by the mysterious violinist. In her passion Iliana could sense the ebb and flow of the tune, and as the melody began to shift into the its final cadence she readied her finale. Her mind calm as a still pond, Iliana summoned her res to the palms of her hands and soles of her feet. As she made an arching motion with her arms over her head she transformed the res into its liquid state, letting some it flow down and coat her hair and changing it to water as she spun and dipped with the rhythm of the music. The res around her feet she transformed into the gaseous state, letting it rise around her in a cloud as she stepped lightly to the sides and around her as she twirled. Taking a deep breath Iliana spun in place as the music began to reach its end, releasing the rest of the res in her hand into its gaseous form, willing it to spin in an upward motion and transforming it into air as she did, creating an area of low pressure directly above her. Then, as the final note was played the girl halted her spin, willing the gaseous res around her to continue spinning, and bowed low, her soaking hair falling over her face. With a sudden burst of energy Iliana's eyes snapped open as the final note came to an end, and in one sudden motion she whipped her form backwards, sending thousands of water droplets upward into the cold pocket of air above her causing the droplets to freeze into tiny ice crystals and fall about her. Finally, the remaining res that spun around her she transformed into air, sending the frozen droplets scattering about her. The affect of her work was a dramatic finish that she had worked many hours on perfecting. When she whipped her head backwards snow began to fall about her, and the sudden gust of wind sent the crystalized droplets spinning around her form, causing a glittering vortex of snow and water to incircle Iliana as she breathed heavily, a smile still forming her lips even as exhaustion began to take its toll. The girl could feel her limbs trembling with the exertion of her dance and the use of her legs, and there was a faint metallic taste in the back of her throat. Shaking her head Iliana opened her eyes and bowed low to the musician who had guided her steps, but the effort was to great and she found the world tilting beneath her. With a less than graceful fall, Iliana landed on her knees directly in front of the musician and the ghost, though she did not notice the ghost just yet. With a sheepish smile Iliana laughed and settled on her knees in a more dignified position, brushing her tassled hair behind her ears as she looked up at Sam, "Y-your music was wonderful. Thank you for allowing me to honor the Goddess to your melody." Blinking, Iliana glanced over Sam's shoulder, a bit surprised to see a partially visible person standing there. More than a bit surprised, Iliana fought for something to say, but finally smiled and laughed. Looking back at Sam she touched her cheek, "Alvadas never fails to surprise me, for now I have come to meet a musician who plays for the spirits. Please, tell me your name?" OOCAnd yes, she dropped her hat lol

[Sam Mentes]

Sam's mind was now clear of all thoughts. The only thing in the world that existed was her playing the violin, and she must strive for perfection. Her graceful arm moved up and down as if it was something natural like walking. Eyes closed. Lips slightly parted. A trickle of sweat ran down her forehead. These were the signs of a good musician in her eyes, and the feeling that came with it was even more pleasant. In fact, this feeling of excitement and serenity kept her playing for more than she normally would, but eventually the exhaustion came up to her.

She always made sure to finish on a happy or sweet note. After all, a sorrowful song simply made sad people, and that wasn't very good was it? As she held out the last tune, Sam finally opened her eyes since she had started playing. While the ghost next to her did not catch in her gaze, she noticed a blue-haired dancer with snow falling all around her finishing her final move. Normally someone to join in the act was great, but there was something odd about her. For one, the fact that there was snow in winter should not be surprising but there was no snow falling anywhere else. Perhaps she was in the view of a Goddess? What Goddess could it be? It could not be Rhaus, god of buskers, as he was male but there was no one else who she could think of. A new Goddess?

However, the fall of the great snowy maiden signaled that she was not a Goddess, or even magical, but just human. She was much more fair and petite than her by far. Many men would look upon her with satisfaction, unlike her... Sam quickly pushed these disturbing thoughts out of her head and pulled the fiddle down from her chin to underneath her arm, the bow in her hand held like a weapon. But the girl simply sat on her knees before her, a compliment to her perhaps, but when she spoke Sam knew that this was more than a common busker passing by.

Sam's reply back to the first sentence was faint, taken aback by the kind words spoken to her. Indeed helping another person was a great task, and encouraging one to praise music was just one goal on her checklist. But to be thanked was a whole different matter she had not accounted for. "Thank you. I am glad I can help. My name is Sam."

However, the second comment made by Iliana confused her. Spirits? Her knowledge of spirits was that when you had made your graceful or less than graceful exit from this world that you simply go up and then come back down to Mizahar again. Yet a spirit next to her would mean that the stories of her brothers were true of ghosts and evil, bodynapping undead living forever so they could turn you into one of them. Sam slowly turned her head next to her, where the girl was looking, and was taken aback by the fact that there was someone standing next to her.

The figure was eerie and almost like looking through a colorblind man's eyes. A long white gown was donned by this mysterious creature, and a black smudge was the only noticeable feature on its face. It looked to be a girl by the hair, but Sam barely had enough time to look at her before she stumbled a bit to the other side, turning her head to the other side and almost falling over the violin case next to her.

"W-Who are you?!" She said, her voice barely a whisper. While typically accepting, Dra's strange appearance had surprised her greatly and it was only a natural reaction to fear the unknown. "I-I mean, I'm sorry if I'm being rude... It's just... never met..."

OOCYour turn, Dra. And I forgot to mention the hat Iliana dropped... shoot.

[Dra Nivera]

"I'm sorry," said Dra quickly, trying to explain herself to the musician, "I never meant to cause a stir, my name is Dra Nivera."

Turning slightly, Dra ducks her head, realizing what an appearance she must of made. Don't be ashamed, she told herself, you came to her for her music and that is never something to be afraid of. Standing a little straighter, Nivera floated her way closer to the two artists. The two women before her seemed young, as Dra herself was, both of them having the distinct differences that came with who they were, the differences that made them. Dra imagined her own appearance next to the two living women's, her long dress, scars and of course her ethereal body must of cut a very bright figure against the black of the night.

Snow and spatterings of water from where the dancer had completed her finale still spattered the walls and though she could not feel it, she shivered at the thought of cold. Nivera tried smiling at Iliana, to show her appreciation for the fantastic performance her and Sam had made, but quickly put the smile away, realizing how sadistic it must have looked coming from her. Still she kept her head up and her face as light as she tried to form an appropriate response to the spectacle she had just witnesssed.

"I would shake your hands if I could, but I'm at a bit of a loss you see," said the ghost, shrugging her shoulders, "but the show you two put on should be put into every ampitheater, coliseum and noble court on both sides of the Suvan sea. It was amazing."

The ghost smiled now despite herself, recalling the music and dance flowing into eachother, the magic of sound and movement working in perfect synchronicity. The night sky being the back drop for a performance in the street, the gods and a ghost the only witness' priveleged enough to view it. Standing a little straighter, Nivera used up a bit of her soulmist to alter her material appearance slightly, attemtping to hide a few scars and organize her disarrayed hair. As soon as she did she felt a pang of tiredness ripple through her, how long had she been standing ehre materialized? She did not know, but the feeling was unmistakably the grip on her seen form being slowly lost to exhaustion.

A sense of panic suddenly took as she realized that if she disappeared she may never get to ask the artists what she came for. With the panic, Dra accidentally let go of her hold on the material world and puffed back into her ghostly form. Reacting quickly, she focused on her soulmist to condense it into a visible substance so the other two could see her. When she reappered she was quick in getting to her business, hoping to rush her way past the fact that for a moment she had vanished.

"I was wondering if either of you two, or both, would like to do a performance with me?" Dra spat out quickly, moving forward slightly to show her eagerness. "I'm not much of a singer, actually quite poor, but I have a fair amount of mizas stored up and being a ghost I am privy to several abilities which could make a performance with you two quite special," out of habit and not actual necessity, Nivera took a deep breath, hoping to calm her frantic mind. "I - I was just wondering, I understand if you would rather I just leave you two to your night," Dra looked down at herself nervously, "I know how I must look."

[Iliana]

Sam's reaction to the apparition was more of a surprise to her than even Dra was. Tilting her head Iliana covered her lips to suppress a giggle as she watched Sam stumble and nearly fall. Could it be she was not used to such surprises, or was it that Iliana had simply lived in Alvadas to know that anything was possible? Iliana shrugged and rolled backwards into a handstand, slowly lowering her feet to the ground and turning to view them both at once. Her blue eyes fell on Nivera, taking in the ghostly girls appearance in a few moments. Inwardly Iliana's mind raced backwards in time, to a point in her past with her mother in the garden. They were boring over a book with strange symbols on the front that Iliana could not read, but the contents of the page they were reading instantly jumped to her mind. Ghosts, she quoted from memory, Are composed entirely of djed, having left all physical matter behind and become creatures of energy and will. The process by which a ghost is formed is still unknown, and the workings of the after life have long since been a puzzle to even the greatest minds. However, it is believed that ghosts are formed when a person undergoes a horrific, or traumatic, occurrence before or during their death. The dangers of this are of course... but Iliana could not remember the rest, for at that moment her father had brought out 2 tall glasses of iced tea and the lesson was all but forgotten that day. Shaking her head to clear it of thoughts of cookies and tea, Iliana looked back at Nivera curiously. With two skipping steps Iliana was mere inches from the ghost, leaning in closer to inspect her. Cautiously she reached a hand forward, passing it through Nivera's arm. In an instant a chill swept up Iliana's spine, and the hairs on her arms and back of her neck stood on end. With a shiver Iliana took a step back, rubbing her arms to try and bring warmth back to them. The sting, while not painful, had been uncomfortable... and it was difficult even for this normally bubbly youth to snap back instantly. Forcing a smile Iliana brush a trembling hand through her hair, trying her best to take the slight tremor from her voice, "H-hello and welcome..." Shaking her head and slapping her cheek a couple of times, Iliana took a deep breath and straightened her curved back, smiling broadly at Nivera and hopping on the balls of her feet. It was clear that she was forcing her own feelings of unease down to try and make the ghost feel more comfortable, "I hope you enjoyed the performance. I am afraid that the finish was a little... rough, but what did you think of the rest? Sam," Iliana motioned to the girl, "played a wonderful melody, and Makutsi was honored greatly by her skills with her instrument I think." Her usual cheer was returning quickly as she spoke, using her hands often to emphasize her words. From time to time she would pull on a strand of blue hair and twirl it around one finger, a habit that she was known to fall into when she spoke. Giggles and smiles fell from her lips like rain on a cloudy day, and the girls uncomfortable feelings were all but gone as she finished. Then, with an exaggerated twirl and spin Iliana came to Sam's side and hooked her arm in Sam's, looking at Nivera with honest eyes, "Please, will you sing for us?"

[Sam Mentes]

A light blush colored Sam's face. Such an embarrassing moment would probably never be forgotten to the two girls. Yet as she listened to Dra explain herself to the girls, her face turned cold. She seemed rather sad, her voice very sober compared to the voices of home. So these tales from her brothers were true? It was such an odd feeling for the things that scared you in the past were suddenly real, and it caused an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. What else was true? Would she really die before she even got to see Syliras?

When the word "singing" was spoken, however, a small smile appeared on her face. Even if the girl was a Zith, someone who shared a love of the arts would always be thought of fondly. Dra's ghostly appearance suddenly vanished from Sam's mind, a mere background thought compared to the possiblities to come. So a girl who could dance and a ghost who could sing? They could be a trio, travelling around... It brought a warm feeling into her heart.

A dramatic shift occurred when Iliana began to speak. Warm, cheerful words and overly-touchy made Sam feel uncomfortable yet welcome. Makutsi? The name rang a bell but she couldn't quite put a finger on where she'd heard it. It was probably the Goddess the girl was talking about. Light on her feet, Iliana seemed to be the perfect model of what a girl should look like, and her behavior was light and bubbly. The compliment to her music was well received, and it was nice to have someone appreciate your music.

Sam flinched slightly when her arms were linked with Iliana, but didn't reject it. She spoke tentatively, as if they could both disappear at any time.

"It would be an honor to hear you sing, Dra."

OOCIliana, you may want to double-check your post. Dra said her name at the beginning, unless I missed something, then I'll correct myself.

[Dra Nivera]

Dra smiled now at the two girls, hoping desperately that it didn't look as graphic as she thought it did. She edged even closer to the two in anticipation and excitement. Seeing their bright faces and lively complexions made Dra remember the good times of her life. She knew that she'd be blushing if her bodywere not ethereal, so she let her own complexion alter slightly, hoping the effect made her look properly abashed and giddy.

When Iliana touched her, Dra felt a pang of regret at the loss of her sense of feeling and shivered visibly as the soulmist within her brushed around slightly. It wasn't necessarily an uncomfortable sense, just a little weird, Dra had never been touched as a ghost, she'd always avoided crowds and close proximity with the living. But it wasn't bad at all, especially from Iliana, her bright demeanour almost made the touch feel like a ray of light, almost.

"You really want me to sing?" Dra asks hesitantly, staring at her hands.

She begins to hum a light tune as she brings the words of her song. Looking up one last time at the girls to see if they still approve, she begins to sing:

"On the cold winters gloom,
a fire doth rage,
the city consumed,
won't the gods come to aid?
As their people are lost,
to the fires of that day,
when the world was shattered
and the blood price was paid
The people are lost and forgotten in death,
for the war of the Heavens sundered every breath.
Life itself is born a new,
the world reshaped and torn in two.
Heaven remains watchful as before,
but I'll never forget the Valterrians lords

Dra held her last note and tried to fluctuate it to add a dashing finish, but her voice feel through and she dropped out suddenly. With another pointless breath Dra looked up at the two girls to see their reaction, she new the song was depressing, and coming from a ghost it must have made it worse. But she hoped the song made its point.

"My name is Dra Nivera, and that is my song."

[Iliana]

Iliana shivered, over come with emotion from the song that the ghostly child sang so beautifully. Her arms tightened around Sam's as she leaned closer, tilting her head to better listen to the chilling sound. It brought forth old memories from far away... Back when she still lived with her mother and father... In the garden of their home her mother was sitting by the flowerbed, reading her favorite book on horticulture, and her father was bringing out tea for them as well. Iliana could remember the smell of the garden mixing with the sent of jasmine and honey from the tea, as well as the looks on her parents face when she had given them her decision... It was that night that she had left, not even saying good bye to the ones that loved her most. Their complete denial of what she KNEW was her dream... It was so crushing a blow that the girl had just... run away... A single tear rolled down Iliana's cheek as the song finished, and it was quickly brushed aside and a smile plastered on those lips once more. Giggling, the sound a little forced, she let go of Sam's arm and clapped loudly, "Oh wonderful! That was so beautiful Dra Nivera! Oh, to make my heart sing and ache at the same time..." The girl brushed a hand over her eyes once more, trying her utmost to keep further tears from spilling from her brimming eyes.

[Sam Mentes]

Sam's expression remained the same during the song, however a mix of emotions was going through her. While she knew the power of music was strong enough to move a crowd, it was rare that she herself would be moved as well. Her heart ached as the mode of the song was more dark and depressing than she was used too. This was something good enough to be played around the world, yet this ghostly figure said that Sam should be heard. Perhaps it is a talent of ghosts to have a beautiful song to sing as the wails of their woes was played in their non-existent hearts.

The song reminded her of the old days with her grandfather as he told the story of the Valterrian. Her brothers and sisters crowded at his feet, hoping to get a piece of candy or two for being a good listener. She would sit out in the edges of the tiny crowd with open ears, more eager for a chance to hear a tale from the outside. Sam couldn't recall it all, only fragments of the tale, but she remembered the sudden change of mood from her grandfather. He hadn't even told them it all, as it was "too gruesome", but he did mention a fire god angry over something. The song didn't exactly describe it either, but it was a reawakening of the memories of her dead grandfather.

It was a good song nonetheless, so when it was finished Sam gave a weak smile to say that she approved.
"Oh my..." The words slipped out of Sam's lips, so she hastily fixed it. "You're a really good singer, I wonder what we would all sound like together..."