[Kelp Bar] A Poor Man's Retreat [Open]

[Seluj]

Day 16, Summer 512 AV...
Late Evening...

A place like Zeltiva was full of two sorts of people. There was your academic sort, who wonder the streets with some degree of well mannered dress about them and protocol as to how they were suppose to act and speak. They inhabited the university and spent their days learning in forums and lectures, or at least that's how he imagined it in his head. They could be seen walking on one side of the street while on the other side of the street was a second kind of person. This was after all a dock, and having one of the largest populations of peoples in the entire world, Zeltiva had a thriving lower-middle class of individuals that was made up of sailors, fishmen and people that found life by the sea primarily. Of the two classifications, the second were those who were normally visited places like the "Kelp Bar".

So where did Seluj fit in this spectrum. A dark skinned human wearing the only clothes he could hang on to, too young to drink by some standards, thankfully there were no standards here. Seluj was a dancer, a performer, and most importantly a party starter. He was here to stir up the stagnant feelings in these people and pull forth their spirit, to make the taste of tangy salt water booze only slightly less unbearable and bring men with bum knees and numb hearts to sing and dance and forget the day. After all that's why they were here. No man drank kelp beer without a good reason, or a bad memory.

And in exchange for a night of merriment, a tip here and there added up to enough to make a living. Not only that, but by closing out the bar, when everyone else left, he could at least have a well lit place to call his shelter for the night, for even he had lost everything that he had once upon a time...

He walked in, checking out the place. It wasn't the first time he had been here but it was the first he had been for this purpose; to entertain. He found a corner and settled in, looking about the place for familiar faces or perhaps opportune moments. There was an art to inspiring gloomy and tired men to smile and chant after all. The place was quiet in spite of being full to the brim. Not a stool in the bar was empty as only small whispers of men conversing among themselves could be heard. Most men kept to themselves, looking down and not making contact with others...

This was going to be a tough crowd.

[Zayar Feraoun]

Tough crowd it was, the half dead tavern just seemed a bit too calm in his own opinion, and coming from a race full of polite yet eccentric males, this was pushing it. Zayar frowned as he studied the bar, his mind wandering to the poor young woman who probably was getting thrashed by her boss for helping the wayward Akalak along his way. It never seized to amaze him how lovely the female form looked, regardless of race, and though he never considered himself a playboy, he was no slouch when it came to flirting. Back to the matter and hand however, he continued to stalk the scene, taking in the dingy atmosphere and the lively educated talk that the more sophisticated patrons were having. Having trekked past the university on his way here he could tell that they were more than likely discussing a new project that their professor had given, though that was ruled out due to it being summer. Gazing over the individual heads he spotted who he was looking for, the Matron of the Tavern, Ms. Bennie Li.

Working his way over to her, he noted the young male who happened to be setting up his own space on the entertainment floor, his interest piqued as he stepped to the matron, hoping to barter a good price for a days show, and even more hopefully, a bed to sleep in for the night. Stepping away, he could tell the woman was a charmer, even though she was pushing her sixties, he could tell she was attempting to put the moves on him, not that he was going to pull the age card, he himself pushing almost eighty, not that years mattered anymore. Managing to land a place to sleep for the night he went back to scoping the place, his trademark fiddle strapped to his back as he strode over to the stage, the standard band equipment already set up even if he wasn't going to be using it. He mentally recounted several of the tales he had heard over his lifetime, attempt to pick the appropriate one for the rather depressing crowd as he stepped up to the younger entertainer. Giving him an appraising look, he had the lithe build of a dancer, and that was probably his profession. Shrugging mentally he pulled a stool up and squatted on it as he slung the rather small instrument from over his back. Strumming a few notes he looked to the boy with a rather calm yet piercing look in his eye, as though he weren't all there at the time.

"You know how to dance to folklore boy?" he asked simply in common, knowing that he probably didn't know Tukant, and didn't feel like translating the speech he would have probably given into common when he could simply just use the language. The notes he pluck sang true, somehow managing to lift a few heads and he pulled his bow from his napsack. Beginning to strum a few notes to pick up the pace, he settled into a slow yet upbeat tempo, his foot tapping to the music as he attempted to set the mood of the bar.

[Seluj]

As he scanned the bar, he made note of the different kind of people that were there. Not everyone there was human, which always peaked his interest as none-humans were the vast minority in Zeltiva. While humans were at least somewhat predictable, he had no clue what to expect from others. It wasn't that he was particularly cautious around them, he just didn't want to give them a hard time for fear that rubbing them the wrong way would be a one way ticket to no longer being alive. So it was particularly surprising when one would settle down, wielding a fiddle in hand and look to him, "You know how to dance to folklore boy?" He would say. It wasn't that this seemed like a challenge or anything, but it was the most excellent opportunity that he was originally waiting for. A few heads were already perking up to search for the origin of the tune of the plucking of strings.

"Ha, glad you asked! Just try to keep up with that fiddle." he said. It was time to execute his plan of attack. But this wasn't just any battle field! This was all a dance floor to him, and there was no place he was more comfortable. Truly in his element, it was like a flip was switched. He searched for something percussive, and found a wooden broom sitting against the wall. Taking the broom in hand he would turn it on it's head and began thumping it against the wooden ground in time. While the fiddle was kind it was almost like elevator music in comparison. This got people attention much quicker. As he watched people turn their heads like a wave, as if more curious what everyone was looking at then by the thumping sound, he would search his mind for a number of rhymes. He was no singer, but folklore didn't need any talent!

He looked to the man playing the fiddle and smiled before summoning forth a deep, mantra like voice; the kind of voice you would hear at an epic speech before going to war. It was meant to rally the people and excite them! And when spoke to the melody of the fiddle, it was like wake up call for the rowdy spirit within.

"Said the Men of the Docks to the Wives of the Sea!"
-THUD THUD THUD THUD-
"That the Ocean's the Only True Love For Me!"
-THUD THUD THUD THUD-
"So She Pack All My Bags And Burnt Down Me Ship!"
-THUD THUD THUD THUD-
"And Let Loose My Dogs, And Cut Off My Lips!"
-THUD THUD THUD THUD-
"No Job, No Wife and Nothing to Lose!"
-THUD THUD THUD THUD-
"So Off to the Bar to Drown In Boooze!"
-THUD THUD THUD THUD-

And by that point people were already stomping and banging on the tables and keeping in time with him, making a bass like feeling that shook through the floor board. He danced a jig himself, with an excited look on his face. Hopefully the fiddler would be playing it up with a fanfare like solo with his stringed instrument. His steps were quick and in time with the throbbing beat, like a river dance, or a tap dance, his quick movements were his 1/8th time. He warned the fiddler to keep up after all!

All the dancing was just watching entertainment as some men clapped along. He himself, was thinking for more lyrics and verses. He wasn't a poet or anything! It's not like rapping was a skill! (Yet)

[Zayar Feraoun]

Well would you look at that, the boy knew what he was doing after all! His focused eyes dilated as amusement and vigor began to swim up in their deep pools, light of the oil lamps reflecting off them entrancing many a female with their exotic hue. The fiddle would naturally increase in tempo, the boy setting the speed with his dancing as the fiddle became a mind and soul of its own, the tune carved into the ears and souls of the bar goers, it's rough haughty nature laden with his own inherent yet controlled bloodlust. Nothing got the body moving faster than a grand ol' bar fight.

Body swaying with the beat he stood from his stool dancing in time with the music, his movements while sloppy still held some grace befitting one who grew up fighting in various stances. Spinning about with a rather twisted section of the solo his foot caught onto the under side of the stool. Smirking while closing his eyes he continued the spin before flicking his foot, the stool flying into the crowd after bouncing off one of the walls. The patrons who were none the wiser due the amount of alcohol and merriment in their veins instantly began searching out amongst themselves who was the culprit. Deciding to fuel the flames he began to strum an irregular yet incredibly sharp tune yet somehow managed to maintain the flow of the song in 1/8 time as to keep the dancer from tripping up from the changes.

'Yes... this... this will do well' he thought to himself as he let the bloodlust waft over him preparing for an all or nothing fight in the middle of the Kelp Bar.

[Seluj]

Perhaps there was a reason these men were left docile, but even as he finished his verse and danced a jig, men ordered another drink, or took a drag out of the ones they already had. The intoxicating and equally nauseating liquid wasn't just a drink tonight. For any one man it was an escape; a freedom from burden. A chance to once more put to sleep the qualms and tribulations of manhood and be a child, if only temporarily. There was no other time than the now and rightfully so! In Mizahar, any day could be a mans last! And so the verses of the chants, though morbid or depressing themselves, were said with a fierce, vibrant and jovial tone, so that men, sharing their stories with one another, could laugh and celebrate those things which for on this night only they were trying to forget. And if they lived to see the next day, then they would celebrate that next day with the same vigor!

He dropped the broom stick, stopped dancing and in time, leaning over a table, clenching his fist and beating the percussion against the wooden table like a drum. Men readily grabbed their mugs and clammed them against the wood along with him and the Bar went quiet to hear his next line!

"A Banker, A Copper, A Silver A Gold!"
-BANG BANG BANG BANG!-
"The Men of The Rich Be Getting Too Bold!"
-BANG BANG BANG BANG!-
"Feasting On Pig So Plump and So Fat!"
-BANG BANG BANG BANG!-
"I Stole Me A Swine, And That is A Fact!"
-BANG BANG BANG BANG!-
"AND I WOULD ESCAPE TO TELL THE TALE!"
-BANG BANG BANG BANG!-
"After Spending A Year and A Season In JAIL!"
-BANG BANG BANG BANG!-

He once again broke into a Jig as the populous laughed, of course the comedy being that he would only escape from jail because he was in fact CAUGHT for stealing. You see the thing about folk jigs is that they weren't about the context nor the story. It took no talent, just a throbbing beat, a fiddle and Men with a story to tell and the lower inhibition to say what was on their mind! The next of round someone else would jump forth and yell their six line verse of a story, and when they were done, men would clack their mugs together and laugh and continue to the beat as Seluj hooked arms with the man and skipped in a single circle. The joyful dance of two men in misfortune, and he would do the same with the next man who delivered his verse!

It was a boiling pot of diversity and culture! But that wasn't the only thing boiling... Tempers easily brewed hot! Seluj, already having fun, wouldn't have noticed that some men were already getting too rowdy.

"Tips here! Much Appreciated! Thank ya kindly!" He said, holding out his cap and letting men throw coin at him. A single gold piece between a few willing patrons was all he needed to make do for the day after all!

[Zayar Feraoun]

The boy knew how to draw a crowd that was for sure, great roars of song rose above the sound of the fiddle. Eyes closed with a devilish smirk on his face he could just feel the excitement and vigor in the air, the many clashing souls and minds within the pub were getting to him, but the rather unique lyrics his new found companion was coming up with along the spot were rather colorful to say the least. Drawn closer by the charismatic group of gents he focused on keeping them in time, already hearing the drunken sports slurring off key and tempo.

Over in the corner of the room however, far away from the high spirits and merry dancing, the clashing tempers were growing alright a few harsh words had already flown off of loose tongues and egos were quickly being stepped on. Men were such simple beings, Brutes at their core and enhanced by the instincts and knowledge that they gain over their lifetimes. Those who grew in knowledge tended to avoid needless bloodshed as they knew that in the end it was not the man who was stronger but the man who survived. Even a god can fall to the trap of mortals goes an old Akalak tale. With that in mind fists began to fly, caught by the attentive eye of Zayar he grinned and danced vigorously with his compatriots, keeping them preoccupied and away from the fight in the background.

Tables were flipped as the educated sports who were sitting inconspicuously towards the back of the bar began to shuffle away from the brawlers. A lone scream pierced the air as one of the hostesses was grabbed roughly during the brawl, one of the inebriated men taking advantage of the confusion to have some fun but was stopped by a rather large bottle cracking over his head another rather dainty male behind escorting the woman away as the man laid unconscious on the ground.

'Humans, so simple, yet some of the most unpredictable and revolting beings on the face of the planet...' he thought with a rather crude smile on his face, he'd have to record all of this later in his observation diary.

[Seluj]

It was quick that things were to get out of control and the violence that started in one corner would spread quickly like a sickness! While many who wanted no part in it were quick to rush out, some men though this to be exciting and fun. Even if they weren't involved in the violence directly they were more than happy to indiscriminately throw fists about. There was something of code to a bar fight. No one actually used weapons but like sport the only real weapons were bottles! Comically enough one of the people that found this particularly fun and exciting was Seluj. Snatching up what money he was thrown in tips he would pack it away and join the fray in his own way.

Being completely sober in a room full of drunks was like being a genius among a bunch of idiots! So this is what academics felt like. Seluj leaned over to the man with the fiddle... well he wasn't exactly a man, but he assumed that he was at least male! He spoke with a smile as their was no reason to whisper among all the ruckus, "Keep the Fiddle going would ya! It really sets the mood!" With that he would take off like a kid in a candy store. His steps kept time as though he were still dancing, but more than that he was just avoid men as they pushed and shoved. Some that worked there tried to quell the violence but Seluj was just fine with continuing the provoke the men! A nudge here a push there! He'd step on a mans toe then point to the man next to him. No one paid him much mind after all he was just an entertainer right?

The entire time he was laughing, even if he would be pushed himself, knocked into a table, which was subsequently flipped by someone else as two men wrestled on the floor for whatever reason. The floor itself was now damp here and there from liquid that had been spilled on the wooden surface, and so he had to be extra careful not to slip and fall into the melee. He was punched on the shoulder from out of his side. A man with a huge fist it felt, as his entire shoulder locked up from the blow. That one would bruise... And so in classic bar fight style he snatched a bottle from the counter, completely full, but full of what was the question, and smashed it over the mans head, leaving liquid to flood his face and soon after blood from his head as he fell over unconscious. Two men to his left and right saw the affair, looked at each other, and then looked at Seluj. All at once the three would laugh out loud from their stomachs and go on about their scuffle.

Quickly having his fill of the 'fun' he decided that getting out of the bar was probably the best idea..!

[Seluj]

OOC:

Secret :

I'm posing again a second time because the person I was in the thread with was banned... So I'll just finish out the thread.

What was originally fun and games was quickly losing it's appeal.

Seluj loved a good moshpit style Bar fight like any other male filled with testosterone, however in this situation it was probably best that he make his escape without actually getting hurt. Let's face it, he couldn't afford to get bashed up! Do you know what medical bills are like these days? He didn't save up all his money just so he could go get the miza beat out of him. He couldn't even hear the sound of the fiddle playing any longer, meaning that the man that was playing it had also made his way out... The only problem was that large, overweight burly and robust drunks stood between him and the only known exit of the room.

He had to watch the ground, as it was slick in the spots that were wet with ambiguous liquid, as well as shards of glass from broken bottles. His footwear was far too thin to risk stepping on one and cutting up the bottom of his feet. He could more or less keep out of arms length of people, and no one hit you unless you physically touched them, even if it was a grazing of the shoulder. And so it was like a scene out of James Bond movie where the main character had to duck and weave his way through lasers beams in order to prevent from tripping an alarm or something. The scene was shockingly similar as he avoided legs, arms, flailing, stumbling bodies and toppled furniture to get to the door. There were few things that the dexterity and flexibility of being able to dance couldn't help with it turned out. Even Seluj was impressed with his own sense of balance, and just like that he had made it safely to the door, just as someone else had tripped over into the door and forced it open for him. Seluj nodded with a smile, "Thanks Mate!" He said, though the individual was too incapacitated to hear him nor answer.

Seluj made his way out into the street in front of the bar and did a little jog away from the scene of the madness, snickering to himself. What a story that would be; getting away with having done his job and throw around a bit in a fight. He had been around tumbles before but had never really been in one before. Perhaps he had something of a talent for situations like that! But he wouldn't get ahead of himself... That night he had planned on staying in the Bar to sleep for the night, but that wasn't about to happen. It was night, perhaps even early early morning, and he would make his way to the docks. There were often open boats and dingies floating over the water and he could find a corner of a deck to huddle up in for the night. It wasn't exactly luxurious but it was the life he had to lead...

He had saved up money.. maybe he could go buy a cottage...

Either way, he already knew he wouldn't be getting too much sleep tonight.

[Arcane]

Rewards and Treasure! Experience Points +3 Dance +2 Singing +2 Composition +1 Brawling +1 Acrobatics Lores Zeltiva: Kelp Bar Dodging while Dancing Brawling Weapon: Bottle of Kelp Beer Bar Brawl in Kelp Bar Dancing Prop: Broomstick Miscellaneous +Ledger: 7sm Comments An entertaining and fun thread to read. The way you write and describe Seluj sounds really happy and we all like some joy in our lives don't we? Seluj is like a breath of happy air in this dangerous and gloomy post-apocalyptic world. A few issues however, be careful of your grammar. I don't usually notice grammar, unless there is enough mistakes for me to notice or if it happens in an awkward place. Also try to avoid things like "1/8th timing", it detracts from the mood and setting. Remember that this is a medieval setting. Although this is more of a personal opinion, so it's up to you on this bit. I'd like to read more of such threads, it's a pity it ended early. If you find someone whom which your PC can bounce and feed such energies off from, it'll be awesome. Edit: Your lyrics are hilarious. It really fits with the cheery disposition of what your character brings to the table in this thread. Edit2: I went to check your skill requests in case I missed anything. I'm giving that point in Acro because Seluj has 0 in it. Though, the activity is minor enough that you wouldn't qualify for XP when you have slightly more points in it in this same scenario. I gave Singing+Composition because it seemed Seluj was free-styling a song. However, if you prefer Storytelling instead PM me. Escape Artist is more for well, the escape artist stuff you see in Circus shows, which doesn't really apply here.