[The Crooked Playhouse] Encore (open)

[Fela Meason]

OOCThis thread is open to everyone, including any mods who wish to pick it up and mod it. Day 43 of Summer, 511 AV Fela stumbled out into the street. The world was spinning in a whirlwind of colors and sounds. For ever pitter and patter of feet on the cobblestone she could see the sound waves emanating from the stones. Each note had it's own color and speed at which it traveled through the air. I'm losing my mind Fela whispered to herself and rubbed her eyes. The noises seemed to be becoming stranger and more twisted. Fela rammed her knee against a brick wall. Girly? Are you ok? A stranger asked her. Pink spirals circled out of his mouth and bounced off the nearby brick wall. Fela lost the contents of her stomach and the man scurried away. Blackness ate at the edges of Fela's vision and she tried to recall her day leading up to this point. It was all a blur of colors and disembodied voices. A bright light shot out of the wall ahead of her and drew her closer to it. After a bumbling trek Fela was staring down a staircase which seemed to stretch down into the very soul of the earth. The staircase was the only thing within her vision that was not moving. Determined to escape the madness plaguing her brain Fela took the first step down into the soil. She stumbled and slid down several steps feeling her skin peel back from the contact with the stones. Once at the bottom of the stairs Fela's mind righted itself and everything came back in focus. The sight in front of her was both beautiful and terrifying. The room was a giant amphitheater bathed in color, which was not moving thankfully. The walls seemed to shine and glow under the soft light. Fela could not find any source for the illumination. A strong gust kicked up and threatened to knock her down. The odd breeze seemed to be rolling in from the far side of the theater which was strange considering the only way she could see out of here was behind her back up the stairs. The colors seemed too dark yet too bright at the same time. The red streamers strung from the ceiling reminded her of blooding dripping from a fresh wound. A ticket man walked calmly up to Fela and held out his hand with a pleasant smile on his face. Remembering her manners she greeted the man with a quick bow and looked at his outstretched hand. It took a moment for it to sink in, he was asking for a Miza. Looking around her she could see other locals milling about and some finding seats among the crooked chairs. Fela dug her purse out from between her breasts. She was not sure of the price and was too addled at the moment to ask the man, so she produced two gold Mizas and placed them in his outstretched hand. I hope that will do. She said with a tone of question. The man nodded and gestured with one arm for her to follow him.

[Fela Meason]

Day 43 of Summer, 511 AV The man led Fela up a long case of winding stairs. How the structure remained in place was a source of amazement for the young Kelvic. None of the steps matched and some seemed to be floating without any support. She carefully placed one foot on one of the above mentioned steps and reluctantly applied pressure. The step stayed in place. She let out the breath she was not aware she was holding and continued up the steps following behind the small man. The steps were growing more narrow and more erratic, with each step Fela was having to catch herself from falling. She glanced below and reeled from the height. If she was to fall she would be smashed to pieces on the seats below. The usher gabbed her arm to steady here with a warm smile. This way miss. At last they reached their destination. The private booth was lavishly decorated in bright reds and oranges. Everything seemed to sparkle in the stage lights. She could see swirls of color dance in front of her vision. The realm of the fey seemed to be right there in that room, filling it with it's presence. The man indicated a seat right in the front of the room. It was covered in purple velvet with gold tassels and fine stained hardwood rests. Her stomach felt floaty and giddy, like a girl on her first date. Fela giggled and eased herself into the seat. She had been swept up in the lights and colors and had no idea how she had been pulled in. This strange world held an appeal she did not find out on the streets. She never wanted to leave this magical place. A hush fell over the crowd, the play was about to begin.

[Fela Meason]

Day 43 of Summer, 511 AV The silence of the crowd spread like a sickness and soon the whole place was plunged into a noiseless state like a tomb. The lights dimmed in the house and soon the whole of the place seemed to be thrown into shadow. Light started to glow from the center of the stage without any source. Fleeting images of butterflies played with the edges of her sight. She narrowed her eyes and they were gone, only to reappear again on the outskirts of her vision in an elaborate game of cat and mouse. Fela had not noticed the stage before now, it seemed out of place in this sea of madness. It was flat and appeared well built. Every support where it should have been, all the boards were even and the wood a normal color. A soft wood from where she was looking. Despite the normality of the build and appearance of the stage, it struck her as the most insane structure in the building. The very calm and sane layout of it made it the most enlightening page of madness in the whole place. It was a trick, an illusion, just a lonely island in the mass of writhing colors and invisible creatures that haunted this ground. The light grew to blinding intensity yet seemed contained to only the stage. Fela couldn't see anything of the crowd anymore. She was alone in the theater now, just her and the stage and the man who magically appeared upon it. He was a of average build, but that was the only thing average about him. Dark features and a cloud just as black that seemed to engulf him. The air of mystery that hung around him made him attractive and appealing, like a forbidden treat snagged from a baker's table. You knew it was wrong and you would be in trouble but you just wanted to gobble it down. He opened his mouth and began to speak, words like silk. His rich melodic voice echoed through her mind and the words sunk deep into his brain. Welcome this night to the rest of your lives The sights and sounds all around you, let them in. Let us into your mind. Let us wander into the deepest part of your soul. I welcome you all to my crooked play inside my crooked playhouse. A shadow fell over the stage for a brief moment and when the lights returned he was gone. Not a trace of the man could be found, in his place sat a lonely purple flower. Puzzled Fela leaned forward in her seat. Excitement rolled in her stomach. The flower twitched and soon more popped up. Like a wave the flowers grow and spread. They were ripples on the wood, leaving petals as they rolled by. Soon the entirety was covered in the amethyst blossom and figures rose out of them. The shades took shape and soon the stage was populated by the phantoms of the actors. Features were standing out but each was transparent and surreal. Music rose out of the silence. The bass of the drum reverberated in her bones, the tinny sound of the flutes brought tears to her eyes. The music had no reason to it, the dips and peaks of the music made no sense but was the most haunting melody she had ever heard. Fela could not feel her body moving, could not feel the pull of alluring tune until she found her self standing on the ledge of the balcony. She snapped out of the haze and clung helplessly to the nearby rail. She was frozen in fear yet could not stop herself from feeling the urge to step off, to float with the butterflies. She fought her urges, her logical mind knew to stay put but her own body ached to move and join the ethereal creatures on the stage.

[Elizaveta]

"What should we do today, Rova?" Elizaveta asked her ever-faithful rat, Rova. Rova squeaked, and started running down the street. Eliza chased after her, this being a game they have played numerous times. They ran down the street, and through an alleyway, and stopped to catch their breath in front of a large, imposing building. It was even more so because Elizaveta was a 4-inch-tall Pycon. "Hey Rova, this looks intresting. I wonder what it is?" She wondered out loud, only to be heard by a stranger marveling at it too. "Well this, little Pycon, is the Crooked Playhouse. I was just about to walk in when I heard you talking, so would you like me to carry you up these stairs? I see that each step is at least as tall as you. Would that rat of yours like a ride too?" the stranger said, kneeling so he could see them better. "Oh yes, thank you!" Elizaveta replied. The stranger set the back of his hand onto the ground, and motioned for them to climb onto his palm. They did, and he carefully carried them up the steps. Inside, he set them down and said goodbye, paying for his seat and walking away.

Elizaveta looked at the ticket man, and the ticket man was looking at her. "Miss, would you like to see a play at the Crooked Playhouse?" he asked her, kneeling down. "Oh yes sir, I would love to!" She handed him a golden miza. "Would that be enough?" The ticket man laughed and said "Of course it's enough!" The ticket man motioned for an usher to take Elizaveta and Rova to their seats.

The usher, seeing that it would be difficult for them to walk to their seats, held out his hand for them to stand on so he could carry them, not much different from what the stranger had done earlier. "Thank you, sir." Elizaveta said as she and Rova climbed onto his hand. He lifted them up, and Eliza could see the purple and red streamers blowing in a non-existant wind, and when she looked down she could see each step on the stairs, with no step the same, and some not even held up by anything visible. The private booth he took them to was lavishly decorated in reds and oranges of every kind, and Elizaveta enjoyed it very much.

"There isn't much room anywhere else, so I'm going to sit you next to this young lady over here." He set them down in a chair, and as if he just realized how small they were, rushed off to get something that would make the seat high enough for them to sit on. Rushing back with a stack of books, he set them on the bench and lifted Eliza and Rova onto them. I hope you don't mind sitting on these books, but I think you would rather like to see the play, am I right?" He bowed and walked off, leaving them to enjoy the play.

She set her hand on Rova's head and looked down at the stage, and watched as a mysterious young man appeared on the stage, and started speaking with a beautifully melodic voice.

Welcome this night to the rest of your lives
The sights and sounds all around you, let them in.
Let us into your mind.
Let us wander into the deepest part of your soul.
I welcome you all to my crooked play inside my crooked playhouse.

She enjoyed the illusions of flowers and the ghostly figures of the actors and actresses alike, and the music was truly beautiful.

The young lady he set them next to had bright red hair and different coloured eyes, one blue and one brown, but she didn't notice the Pycon. When the play started she looked like she was in a dizzy, confused state, and Eliza wondered what was wrong with her. Only when the lady practically walked off the balcony did Elizaveta finally speak up. "Miss, are you alright?"

[Fela Meason]

Day 43 of Summer, 511 AV The music was growing louder and a mist started to spread across the stage. Entranced with the sights and sounds of the playhouse Fela barely noticed a little voice calling out. Miss, are you alright? Forcing herself to turn away from the stage Fela looked behind her and found...A doll? The little figure sat a mere four inches tall with lovely carved features and delicate looking limbs. Its skin was a pale grey with orange undertone. Did that doll speak? Fela thought to herself. She wandered towards the small figurine only to jump in mild surprised when the dolls eyes blinked and she shifted in her seat. So not a doll, a living breathing being. Fela's face lit up in a brilliant smile. In all her travels and of all of her many meetings she had never met a person of Clay. Legends had been told of the Pycon, of their creation and they culture. It was amazing to finally meet one in the flesh. Fela crouched down in front of the chair and for the first time since she arrived ignored the happenings down below. Now on eye level she took in all the detail in the small person. Her hair was quite stylish and cut in unusual angles, very beautiful and very detailed. Her dress was just as ornate, covered in lace patterns and tiny beads. I am fine little one, it's just been a very off day today. What is your name my tiny friend?

[Elizaveta]

She looked at the strange lady, with her different coloured eyes and red hair. She didn't look mean, though, and Eliza was sure she was friendly.

"My name is Elizaveta. He," she gestured to Rova, her rat, "is Rova. He's friendly." She looked back up at the lady. "What is your name?" Eliza asked, but she suddenly became worried at the hungry way Fela looked at Rova. She became nervous, especially since she didn't bring her fork today. "Don't eat Rova!" She wrapped her arms around Rova.

The stack of books she was sitting on suddenly turned into a giant flower, and Eliza and Rova were enveloped in flower petals, obscuring their vision of the girl. Eliza stood up and moved a few petals out of the way so she could see the lady again. The lady was quite pretty, and Eliza liked her different eyes. "I like your eyes, though."

[Fela Meason]

Day 43 of Summer, 511 AV Fela Stifled a giggle as a flower emerged from the seat bottom and engulfed Elizaveta and her pet rat. I don't plan to eat your friend. Rats were never of my taste. Too many tiny bones to become lodged in my throat. She leaned forward to peel the petals down to release the girl and her companion. So Rova is perfectly safe. She stroked the rat's head gently and smiled at Elizaveta. And I thank you. My mother used to tell me that my eyes marked me as special. Fela shook her head. It was a nice story. I wish it had been true. Sadly the gods have not sought me fit to bestow any blessings on, but it was a nice story. Her voice held a note of sadness to it. Fela threw her eyes backwards towards the stage as the original man returned and began to speak again. My children, on this blessed night with Ionu's blessing and Leth's watchful gaze we dance. We dance, we feast, we wait and above all celebrate. We celebrate life, we celebrate death. Everything around you is alive. Each word came with a sensation and an image. When he said children the audience became afraid and longed to be held. When he said dance adrenaline surged through their veins with the feeling of jubilation. Death brought an image of corpses, open graves and illness; it was the end of the cycle. Be warned weary traveler, what you see here is not safe. What is illusion and what is real can be a wily task to decipher. Tread carefully traveler and always be prepared to think on your toes. Tonight just may be the most unsurpassed night of your life. You may feel like you have never felt before, tasted like you have never tasted before, see things never before seen and who knows... He paused. Before this night is out you may love as you have never loved before. Instead of vanishing in shadow as before, a ball of light surrounded his form and as he vanished another form began to shape in the mist. A woman emerged from the light and took center stage. She held in her arms a white rabbit. The rabbit's demeanor was calm and tranquil, he appeared at ease in the woman's arms. She began to sing in Vani, the words all melted together until the noise took on a life of its own. Each dip of her voice and each peak brought forth new feelings for Fela with each word. Lovely and enchanting. A beautiful language Fela had heard many many times over the years. She did not understand any of it, how she wished Zan had taught her even just a few phrases. Fela looked back at her new found friend and smiled. I'm happy to meet you Elizaveta, my name is Fela. Fela Meason at your service. Let's enjoy this night. Fela signals to the man who had led them up the stairs. He stood like a faithful servant at the entrance to the box seat. Sir, does the house serve refreshments? I am parched. Fela eased back in her seat and smiled at the man. He nodded and produced out a thin air a piece of parchment. He handed it to Fela, a quick scan revealed a list of food and drinks and their respective prices. Fela handed the parchment back along with two silver rimmed Mizas. Some wine please. The man nodded and turned to leave pocketing the Mizas. With a snap of his fingers the paper disappeared and he made his way out of the room. Do you come to the theater often little one? Fela asked.

[Elizaveta]

She was glad that the lady didn't want to eat Rova, and she actually liked sitting in a giant flower. It was red on the inside of the petals and purple on the outside, and the middle of the flower was yellow and as comfortable as a pillow. She listened intently as the man started talking onstage.

My children, on this blessed night with Ionu's blessing and Leth's watchful gaze we dance. We dance, we feast, we wait and above all celebrate. We celebrate life, we celebrate death. Everything around you is alive.

Be warned weary traveler, what you see here is not safe. What is illusion and what is real can be a wily task to decipher. Tread carefully traveler and always be prepared to think on your toes. Tonight just may be the most unsurpassed night of your life. You may feel like you have never felt before, tasted like you have never tasted before, see things never before seen and who knows...

Pausing for a moment, he continued.

Before this night is out you may love as you have never loved before.

Afterwards, a Vantha came out and started singing. She was holding a rabbit, and Eliza was glad she knew Vani. But soon the singer started to sing too fast for ELiza to catch the whole song, but she caught snatches of it.

I see the trees...greatly...and the valleys...spiraling into the sky...falling...

She soon started singing faster, though, and Elizaveta couldn't tell the words apart. It was still beautiful anyways. Then the lady started talking.
"Nice to meet you, Fela. I never knew about this place until today, but I thought it would be fun to see a play. What about you?"

[Fela Meason]

Day 43 of Summer, 511 AV The man returned to their plush booth while Elizaveta was talking and set the pitcher of wine beside Fela's chair and returned to the shadows. I've only been to a play once before. A long time ago and with a very dear friend. It was not nearly as grand as this place is. This place holds so much wonder and mystery. I might never leave. Fela smiled at the half truth. She meant for it to sound as a joke for the young girl but knew that part of her screamed to stay and blend into the walls. Something about this place never wanted to let her go. Fela poured herself a glass and leaned back in her chair relaxing into the soft velvet. Would you care for some? She motioned to the pitcher. Beside the pitcher on the tray the man had included a very small cup formed of a material she did not recognize. She did not know if Elizaveta could consume wine, but it was thoughtful of the man to include her. The woman finished her song with a sad note and walked backwards vanishing into the shadows of the stage. The music crescendoed with a fierce crash of drums and a blast of pipes. Flames erupted from the stage and licked at the walls. Fela watched with interest as the flames seemed to shoot higher and higher. Dancers materialized on stage, more and more of them with each burst of flames. Interest turned to fear and fear to panic as the flames started to spread to the streamers hung from the ceiling. The whole room was being consumed by them. Fela jumped out of her seat and looked at the door. It was blocked by a wall of fire, inside the doorway stood the usher, he wore a pleasant smile on his face and took a short bow towards her. All the while fire licked at his cheek but left his flesh intact. Do you need anything more Miss?

[Elizaveta]

At the notion of wine, the pycon waved a small fingered hand in remittance. She didn't drink wine. Wine was for other people, not pycons, or rats. Well maybe not rats, but she didn't necessarily want her rat getting drunk if she was to ride him home. Such a thing would be awkward and she didn't want to be more of imposition here. The theater house seemed a bit stuffy, and she was dreadfully aware that she wanted to be out in the fresh air. Maybe picking a few flowers or taking a walk.

Fela seemed a nice enough sort, for an artsy person. 'But who was she to talk?' After all she was haunted by the idea her race were living dolls. Worse, they'd been created as tiny assassins, sneaking into the homes of the rich to end their lives in the midst of night. After all, there were folk tales and horror stories about killer dolls. It just seemed the other races had a likeness for their stories. Not that Elizaveta would have ever thought to do such a thing.


She wasn't like that though, she liked being nice, and her pyconness (if that was a word) agreed with her. She wouldn't hurt a fly unless someone stepped on her or her rat's tail. In the end it was all a matter of tails and tales wasn't it? That was what these theaters were for. Making small talk to the continuing comments the pycon politely looked on as this dancing menagerie prettily floated about and began to dance. That was when the fires came.


"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE​EEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee​eeeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppppppppppppppp​pppp!" she screamed covering her small head with her arms as she huddled down next to her rat and held on tightly. She didn't like fire, not because she was too concerned about burning, she was made of clay. But she'd never had gotten an answer from any of her kind if they could be baked. And she was sure rats didn't like fires either, they tended to flee, and bite whoever was in their way. Even now she felt like dragging Rova out of there.

This place was just too scary for her right now. So she reached up a tiny hand to grasp upon Fela's pinky and tugged hard, once, and then twice more as she held her eyes closed up tight. With a pleading whine she screeched, "Get me out of heeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrre​eeeeeeee!"