Pleasing the Crowd [Shale]

[Rovan Dermane]

Rovan let out a small "Ah" as she told him her name. She seemed genuinely interested, and it occurred to him that she might regard him as some sort of important figure within the artistic circles of the city. Rovan stood a bit more tall than usual. He loved the feeling of importance. "Mm-well, as said before: I am a scholar, and therefore a man of study. I feel it to be an honorable duty of mine to investigate every aspect of my speciality, in the courtly councils as well as in the simple streets of the city. Watching true circumstances of rhetorical or other attention-drawing skills, can sometimes beat the reading of many an informative book." Rovan placed his hand on his chest. He did not expect her to understand every word of what he said, so he thought maybe an example would be better. "But also mentioned, I still think you could spend more effort in your words. No doubt you have much energy in your arms, and legs--" Rovan paused shortly as her mentioned legs seemed to distract him for a moment. The scholar snapped out of it again, turning his gaze to her eyes with such effort that he seemed to stare at her face vividly. "Anyhow," he started in a correcting manner, "By your leave, I would like to show you the power of the outspoken word, myself."

[Shale]

"Oh~?" Shale narrowed her eyes slightly and tilted her head to the side. The Kelvic visibly thought over it for a moment, her eyes glancing around at nothing in particular. Whatever decision she made in her head was only hinted at by how she seemed satisfied and assured, possibly confident even, about what she did next.

Shale stepped aside smoothly, gesturing to the spot by the wall she had occupied while telling her story. "Please my good man, go forth." Shale grinned, fangs giving it a rather toothy look. "Would you like some help gathering a crowd while you prepare, or would you rather get started now?"

[Archon]

As Rovan stepped up and began his oration his presence and skills seemed to be serving him quite well. The crowd was not only enjoying his story, but he was managing to draw more attention and thus a larger crowd. Unfortunately it was a bit too much attention he managed to draw. Just as Rovan was starting the build up to his story's climax a loud voice interrupted the proceedings, "Hold it!" A man, dressed in shining metal armor bearing the Windoak of the Syliran Knights, pushed his way through the crowd and took a firm grip on Rovan's arm, "Come with me. If you've got time to tell stories and beg for coins then you've got time to work in the fields," the man turned his helmeted gaze over Shale and the rest of the crowd present, "The rest of you lot better get back to your business. That's enough of clogging up the thoroughfare with your bodies." The crowd quickly scattered at the Knight's presence, and after a moment the armored man snapped, "Move!" and gave Rovan's arm a sharp tug as he started to drag him off, willing or not.

OOCMoving the thread along due to Rovan's inactivity for over a month. Feel free to PM me with any questions/concerns you have.

[Shale]

The entertainer was beaten. After so long as a professional performer, she was ashamed. But even moreso, she was in conflict, fussing with her entertainer's outfit and the little streamers.

Shale wasn't sure if it was a good thing or a bad thing, as she watched Rovan being dragged off from the scene. The scholarly man certainly did have some knack for speaking. And now she wouldn't have to stand being upstaged anymore. She locked her gaze on the knight and his new captive, leering through the crowd Rovan had gathered even while it was in the midst of dispersing.

This, this wasn't right. She lowered her pants just ever so slightly, trying to get at least a tiny edge by showing a little skin. Not that her clothing wasn't already designed with the idea of being fairly revealing.

Shale suddenly went into motion, mind racing while she tried to come up with something to say and simultaneously try to walk in as effeminately as possible. She was an actor, darnit! A professional! She could do this!

Hopefully it won't come back to hound her; foxes don't do well in such situations.

The Kelvic lost her look of grim determination right when she got within a few feet of the Sylirian Knight.

"Ahem, sir, sir! I'm terribly sorry but I think there's a mistake!" Shale put on the best impersonation of distress and innocence she could under the pressure and possible backlash she could get for trying to manipulate a knight.

She followed the exclamation up, gripping her hands together pleadingly. "He was just teaching me how to give a speech!"

[Archon]

The Knight paused and turned as Shale's call, and she could clearly see his green eyes travel up and down her body as if appraising her. His bland, unremarkable, face took on a rather dirty leer as he finally turned his gaze back to her face, "Just teaching you how to give a speech, was he? So you're some kind of teacher?" the Knight's gaze turned back to Rovan. After Rovan's response the Knight gave a rough noise that seemed just shy of a growl, and then turned his attention back to Shale eagerly, "Be that as it may that little lesson was causing a fair bit of problem here. A bit of time in the Tank should let him think things over and make a better decision on where to hold lessons next time." Despite the Knight's words he didn't drag Rovan off right away. He seemed reluctant to leave Shale's presence, or at least he didn't seem to want to stop staring at her. Green eyes roamed over her body once more, and it seemed Shale would have just a bit longer to try and convince the Knight to release Rovan.

[Shale]

Shale was starting to fret, and in its own Kelvic way, was starting to show. "No, no, the only way to show someone how to speak with," she paused, trying to come up with the followup explanation on the fly. "And attract, an actual crowd." She put her hands together as soon as she was done talking, anything to make her look more convincing.

[Archon]

The Knight was silent for a few moments, his green eyes wandering hungrily over her enticing clothing. Finally he gave a rough growl, and, after extracting a fine of 10 Gold Mizas from Rovan, released the man. "Make sure it doesn't happen again," he spoke harshly to Rovan, and then turned his attention back to Shale and offered her a smile that held a small bit of lecherousness, "As for you miss, you should be more careful who you take lessons from. It's best to not get tangled up with the wrong types here in Syliras." Stepping close to her the Knight's voice dropped to a lower volume that held a hint of a suggestive tone to it, "If you'd like to talk some more later, you can find me at the Golden Dragon most the time. Ask for Ser Yulric." With a wink and a chuckle the Knight turned and started to make his way off into the crowd, apparently going back to whatever his duty was. Back at the section of the thoroughfare where Shale had originally been performing still glittered a few Mizas that had been left by people who enjoyed her and Rovan's performances.

[Shale]

"Thank you so much sir!" Shale waved to the Knight as went back to his business. As soon as she took a step, the reflection of a few coins let her know that there was still a way to make amends. "One moment.[/b]" She said and moved to gingerly pluck the money from the dull stone flooring. "This should help cover the fine."

The Kelvic pocketed a single coin as she kneeled and grabbed at the floor-bound money, taking advantage of the fact that her cloak temporarily blocked Rovane from seeing much of her.

Shale passed the miza from one hand to the other before quickly slipping it into the tight space between her waist and clothing, fussing with it for just a second to try to ensure it stayed out of sight, though she didn't stop to look at just what sort of coinage it was. With the piece of enchanted metal pressed against her hip by a belt, Shale moved along.

The rest of the money she continued to collect until finally handing it off to Rovane. "Here, I guess our lesson's not going to happen right now. Just consider this my payment for a later session's fee. Catch you later, instructor, Rovane."

Heedless of what he might say, she gave a simple smile and walked away, sandals moving to a haughty rhythm.

[Archon]

Illumination of Development Rovan Dermane +2 Observation +2 Persuasion +1 Rhetoric Lores: Presence makes an impression, Busking isn't welcome in Syliras Other: -9 GM -7 SM (-10 GM fine +3 SM from coins on the ground) Care to see more? : Observation experience for noticing a few things, Persuasion experience for convincing Shale to take the lesson, and Rhetoric experience for the bit of speaking. Shale +4 Acting +3 Persuasion +2 Busking +1 Seduction +1 Instrument - Tambourine Lores: Story (Crazy Fox and the old shoelace), Busking isn't welcome in Syliras, Using feminine charms to get (mostly) out of trouble Other: +1 GM, and if Shale wishes to pursue dealing with Ser Yulric please drop a modded thread request by my office, or just stop by the Golden Dragon. Care to see more? : Acting experience for the performance and acting with the Knight, Persuasion experience for getting Rovan off the hook, Busking experience for busking, Seduction experience for using feminine charms on the Knight, and Instrument - Tambourine experience for the little use of it during your performance. Notes: A fun little thread, well done on getting Rovan off the hook! Shame that he dropped out, but his loss.