Closed River Dancing (Zydrunas)

[Sayana]

Winter 32, 514 AV Her earlier sickness had taken quite the toll on her and her few days back at the Stallion had been subdued to say the least. She had kept to slower tamer songs and simply let the musician entertain the tavern for the faster ones. But today her strength was returning and her face didn’t look nearly so gaunt. And so, that morning she decided she would bring out a new prop for her audience to enjoy – a beautiful silk veil. Sayana already felt more energized just at the thought of using the silken material that she had purchased before the terrible snowstorm. So long ago it seemed and she had hardly touched it. But that would change today. In the morning the Eypharian practiced with the veil in her apartment, swooshing it this way and that, trying to recall the dancers she had seen in Ahnatep. Now these weren’t the Eypharians performing the Semhu. Their dance was entirely different and filled with acrobatics and martial arts. No, this came from the Benshira. Most of her dancing came from the Benshira. Although, for the most part only from the Benshira slaves who were palace concubines. Sayana had rarely encountered Benshira in Ahnatep who were not slaves. Sayana had a moment’s panic when one of her candles tipped over and smothered itself on the stone floor. She instinctively gripped the silk close to her chest not wanting it to catch and then carefully went over to the candle to set it in place again. She’d have to be more careful practicing her dance in the small dark apartment, particularly with candles placed around the room. She moved a few to safer locations and went back to practicing with the veil for the rest of the morning. By early evening she had been out a couple of times desiring company rather than the solitude of her apartment and was soon on her way to the Rearing Stallion. The winds were fierce and the snow was still piled high in some places as she walked bundled up through the streets of Syliras. She was very glad of her warm wool coat even though it was a depressing colour of grey. As she stepped into the tavern she was greeted by warmth and the busy hum that usually filled the tavern. She headed towards the kitchen in the back and gave a wave to one of the barmaids and a smile to the cook. This was where she belonged – not alone in her small apartment. As she took off her coat and other winter gear and pulled out her dancing props: two pairs of finger cymbals, a tambourine, a pair of shakers, and of course her new veil. She also took the time to brighten her lips with red lip pomade and noticed it was starting to run low. Another thing she’d have to get around to. She glanced around the corner preparing to make an entrance and noticed that the tavern wasn’t as busy as usual. Perhaps the wind and cold had kept people home. When the bard at the front finished his song, there was some soft applause and then he struck up a lively sailor’s ditty. Perfect. Or close enough. As long as it was lively Sayana was ready to make her entrance and if it had been mellow she would have waited for the next. As it was, the Eypharian skipped through the crowds from the back of the bar to towards the dais with the silk fabric spread between her open arms and billowing behind her. She got a couple of startled looks from her sudden entrance but soon people were clapping along to the fiddle tune and Sayana was more than happy to be performing again. With a swoop of the fabric to the right and then one to the left she then spun on the spot with the veil whirling and floating about her. As the fiddle raged on with its rambunctious tune she began to clap a syncopated rhythm to it. She kept to simple movements with the silken fabric, whirling it around her body in one direction and then around the other way. And all the while she was happily bouncing upon her toes enjoying the lively ditty. Prancing about the dais she let the veil trail behind her and as the fiddle sped up she simply clapped even harder spinning this way and that while letting the silk ripple through the air. “Faster faster!” She cried to the musician. Sure enough, the tempo increased even more and she was soon doing quick little foot work while trying to keep up with the silk weaving through the air. Just as her mid arms were beginning to burn from all the movement of the veil the fiddle came to a sudden but conclusive end. A few moments later Sayana managed to strike a pose with one mid arm to the sky and the other stretched out straight with a beautiful display of the red silk. If her lateness was noticed, her audience didn’t seem to care too much and there was even some applause for the fun lively song. OOCDon't feel that your posts need to be this long. I was just feeling out some of her events prior to this thread and making sure I knew where she was at. PSAlso, if Zyd has his quarterstaff in view then Sayana definitely has a specific reason to interact with him (but if not, I'll still come up with something).

[Zydrunas]

Zydrunas had become a magnet to heat. His body stiffened the moment he was exposed to the outside air, and looked only to get from one point to the next enclosure as quickly as possible - seeking to defrost his freezing form in this winter season. It left him sapped, strained and drained, and it was only as he managed to shuffle along among the stone and bodies of the citadel, taking every fleeting tick to warm up. Teeth chattered, his eyes looking up as he managed to drag himself - barely - into the Stallion. The wave of warmth was numbing, legs locked in as he shuffled forward out of the chill. His grip was slack around his staff, the golden orbs dulled as his mind was momentarily locked in a state of stun. He did not even really take in the music as he was wheeled in and out the way of the entrance, and into a chair. The rest of him collapsed into the chair after that, a string of grunts barely escaping as he huddled in on himself to encourage blood flow.

As time ticked on, the evening voices and cheers filtering in and out, did the tavern entertainment begin to stir into life. It was by that point a clunk of some liquid was placed down onto the table, his brow briefly furrowing at the barmaid and then shaking it off. Coin was slapped onto the table, as gestured by the other and one of those serving smiles was given in return - he was cold, and could not bring himself to partake in any true conversation just yet. At least not without some chattering noise escaping from between his teeth. So choosing to save face, the Dhani looked and slowly eased into comfort and simple watching.

When the Eypharian however climbed up into view, he paused. A flicker of surprise rose up on his face, not expecting to meet a fellow foreign desert race within the city. A slowed blink, he begun the process of uncurling and unfurling from his chair, a moment of recognition to lift up the staff and balance it more safely against the chair - instead of discarded against the tavern floor. And as he watched, did he simply fall into silent study. It was dance, the fluidity of the body, movement of water and the continuing without stopping. Relentless, but gentle - it was not a furious stab - full of speed yet a greater level of grace than his normal styling. But, that was the gap of culture and learning, everywhere had their own methods and preferences; a normality of dance best looked upon. His just was a lot more raw and rough than the current showing.

His fingers slowly begun the process of uncurling, slipping around his drink as he watched, tasting the bitter liquid as he adjusted to the warmed air. The mind was coming round, thought still thick with lethargy, and his lips had pulled back into a stupid grin. When the audience errupted into noise however, Zydrunas looked to blend in, clapping alongside the others the mighty cheer of "Bravo! Wonderful!" and other such similar calls even with his foreign accent. The weave would be set, that layer of protection to the world - otherwise he would just enjoy himself the best he could, "Grand!" He leaned over to another cheering patron then, his voice almost hushed, "Did not know they had fair Eypharian here," and was promptly answered by a snort. Yes. It was to be a good night, for now at least.

oocLet me know if you need more to work with, I'm still learning the ropes with Zyd.

[Sayana]

Sayana was beaming by the end of the song. Nothing like a performance to get the heart pumping and the adrenaline going with every eye upon her. She acknowledged the applause with a swoop of her veil and then also gestured towards the musician who had produced the brilliant music. During the slight pause while the musician picked the next tune, Sayana glanced about her audience. Most people were seated about the tables on chairs or benches. A few near the dais had actually turned their chairs to face her but plenty seemed to enjoy the show interspersed with conversations of their own. There were plenty of knights and squires as usual – some fully armed and armoured, but most with minimal garb and simply having a casual drink after their patrols. There were also many citizens that filled the tavern, some who were regulars but some who Sayana didn’t recognize. The musician then made a motion to catch Sayana’s attention and she nodded as if to say “ready when you are”. The next song was a huge contrast to the first. It was slow and rather eerie set in a minor key. The Eypharian started off small, not sure what to expect of the song, and moved about the stage with slow but purposeful steps. As it became more apparent that the song wasn’t going to change and speed up, she tried to mimic the eerie mood by bringing the translucent veil to hang in front of her so that only her head was fully visible, with a blurred form of her body twisting and winding with the music. “Bless us, fair Yshul. Our Princess of thieves.” Ah, of course. A song for the goddess of thieves. Finally understanding the song, Sayana wrapped the fabric fully around her except she held a slit open for her eyes and began to mimic a thief in the night. She walked slowly, then quickly – darting into an ‘alley’. She also managed to get one of her low hands out from the veil and mimed picking a pocket. All the while she tried to keep to the music and only moved quickly during the pauses or the faster parts to the song. It helped that it was a longer song and the chorus repeated several times but it meant that she had to be creative with her movements. As the song neared its end, Sayana pulled out her knife that she kept next to the dagger in her belt. Merely intending to use it as a prop she moved it through the air with practiced grace. Just as the last chorus was finishing up she moved it left, right, twist and up. Up into an imaginary heart. For a rather questionable song, particularly in a city like Syliras, it was certainly an ominous ending. And instead of a loud applause there were instead many mutters from the audience. Taking this as a cue to bring about a friendlier tune Sayana announced, “So I’ve had a request for a repeat of one of my dances performed way back. And it’ll let our marvelous musician grab a drink.” She gave a wink in the bard’s direction. The Eypharian sheathed her knife, having forgotten that she still had it in her hand, and then placed her veil in a bundle at the side of the dais. Scanning the crowd, she spotted what she had seen earlier – a sturdy wooden staff. Striding over to the man who sat with it against his chair, she asked, “You kind ser, could I borrow your staff for my next dance?” She held out her left mid hand expectantly, but not aggressively. Then turning slightly to address the audience she raised her high arms above her head and said, “For I shall be dancing of the rivers and water, the lakes and the rain – for the goddess Makutsi.” Yshul’s Prayer : Prayer Song to Yshul Lyrics by Ainyi (Second song in her post) Music by Sayana Performed by Sayana (first verse + chorus) OOCSorry for such a long delay. I got caught up with IRL things as well as mapmaking.

[Zydrunas]

"Well... that be different," he muttered to himself as he watched. The next dance Zydrunas did not quite understand. His head cocked to one side, his feet sliding before him as he tried to work out how she managed to move across with the way the veils seemed to pull and tuck around her. His head turned then to the other side, his chin lifting and his gaze looking down her nose as if to grant himself a better, clearer view - it failed and so he leaned back in his chair. There was only the smallest groan of complaint from the wood, watching the dance turn more slinking, paced and drawn out as she almost seemed to creep across the stage. The Iyvess' face begun to pull and distort, lips pursing as he tried to figure out what exactly it was supposed to represent - if anything at all.

Thievery? Crime? To act and sneak ones way between the city? His lips pursed into a line, his eyes coming down into a narrow as he paused and considered it more clearly. Twirling, action, movement, those quick fingers that wriggled this way and that. He gave an uncomfortable shift in his seat, his gaze turning round to the other patrons. Their expressions were changing; excitement for some, worry for others. Those further away seemed to nurse their drinks disinterested, happy almost to end the day. The eyes turned once more, catching the glances of somewhat familiar faces - but where he could not place completely. Other knights and squires? Perhaps, he could not put the name to them just yet.

Stiffened hands moved, taking the cup between his hands and listening to the sloshing liquid within. There was a long slurp, watching the knife flick and spear at the air - a sign of someone who was capable of using it as a performance prop. There was little more than silence as it reached its pinnacle, the stab and end that left too much to the imagination; enough to leave the Iyvess peering back over his shoulder for any real knives trained at him. Finding none he looked forward, his entire form gave a flinch as he watched the Eypharian come over.

Leaning back in his chair, he nestled his palms against the table edge. Ears strained to hear what was said above the voices of the tavern, the golden orbs flickering down to the out stretched hand in gesture. And for a moment that was how he remained, blinking dumbly as he tried to catch up with what was said.

"You what?" He blurted, paused and then looked to the staff as if to try and make a connection, "Oh. Oh! Dah, you may Lady Eypharian." His hand reached back, taking the staff and passing it to her with care, "Don't bring it back in half now, I need it whole." Zydrunas held it there for her to take and released his hold when he did, but it was the gaze that looked her up and down - though far from lecherous. It was more analytical and searching to understand how she managed to move in so many folds of fabric but have things seem to stay relatively in place. It was the name of his patron Goddess however that snatched his attention back up to the Eypharian.

"You will?" Interest flickered up in his gaze, which quickly bloomed into fascination, "Well, Makut'i would like that," He nodded knowingly, "Value people that dancsk-e. Be careful not to make it pour in here like her raindancsk-er' though." The Dhani gave a playful wink, lips peeling back into a flicker of a smile. Small idle chatter, he doubted he would be remembered beyond this night.

[Sayana]

"Don't bring it back in half now, I need it whole." Sayana took the staff gently in her mid hands and gave it a quick half spin. “I will take care of it as if it were my own,” she assured him with a slight bow. It felt heavy in her hands and quite solid too. She didn’t know much about how people fought with a staff but she assumed that’s what the man used it for. Nevertheless, it would work very well as a prop. When he perked up at the mention of Makutsi she grinned at him in return. “I don’t think we’ll have to worry about. I have not yet managed to catch her attention and besides, Zulrav’s fierce cold winds would blow it all away.” With a chuckle she strode back to the dais and spun the staff once around her head to regain the attention of her audience. She quickly checked that she had her shakers tucked in her belt and her finger cymbals in her skirt pocket and then was ready to begin. Turning to face the audience with the staff held horizontally in her mid hands she gave a brief introduction. “When I was a little girl in the distant city of Ahnatep… a raindancer once graced us with his presence and his dance.” She tipped the staff slightly to one side and there was a soft sound of beads rattling. She suppressed a grin as she watched the faces of her audience for rather few had noticed her low arms tucked behind her back where she held the shakers that made the noise. She tipped the staff to the other side, now at a larger angle, and subsequently produced a louder sound with the shakers. “The raindancer carried a magical staff that called out to the river goddess Makutsi.” The Eypharian began walking in a slow circle, finally revealing the shakers behind her back as she faced away from the audience. She moved the staff into her high hands and held it high above her head, every so often bending down into the middle of the circle with the staff and bringing it back up. Her mids now held the finger cymbals which she used to keep time with a gentle, “Ching, ching, ching, ching…” Her mid arms also began to ripple and flow like water. Soon this motion carried through to her stomach and hips, undulating like a reed pushed by a stream. Then bending into the circle with the staff she quietly spoke, “Makutsi, Makutsi, hear my prayer.” She followed it with a quick spin on the spot. She then repeated the process three times, each time getting louder till she could be heard clearly above the bustle of the tavern. Her arms bent low and high as if calling the water from the earth to the sky. “Makutsi! Makutsi! Hear my prayer!” She suddenly stopped, standing motionless with the staff held out solemnly in her mid hands. Then she started with her shakers again. Slowly at first and becoming louder. She then added in the finger cymbals, now in her high hands, and continued to give the impression of the growing rain. Holding the staff vertically she gave a couple of thumps as if to suggest thunder. She gave a slight bow of her head to signal the end of this dance and her audience seemed to really enjoy it. She had shortened it substantially from the last time, and also changed parts of it. The rain had not come right away. It had taken several hours in fact. There was no thunder, just cool blissful rain and it didn’t last long either. But sometimes it was nice to keep things short and sweet for the performance’s sake. As promised she returned to the man who had lent her the staff. “All in one piece,” she said with a wink as held the staff out for him to take. “Well worth the trouble?” She asked idly curious as to what her customers thought of her performances. After all, it did pay her expenses and Kevith was always at her about much business she was bringing in.

[Zydrunas]

"Definitely you will, eh?" There was only laughter when she said that, the brow raised in amusement. It was a phrase use to keep people happy, he knew that, something to put them at ease. Let them trust and understand the person before them, accept them for what and who they were and allow that familiarity to settle. Whether or not she actually treated the staff as if it was her own was another question altogether, he realised as he watched her return to the stage with a grin and set herself up, everyone had their own way of treating their property - and Zydrunas, quite frankly, treated his belongings badly. Still, it would be interesting to see how she did in terms of the caring.

Finger and thumb resting upon his chin he observed, leaning back in his chair and listening to the introduction with interest. He knew of other rain dancers existing, but the total amount of them he did not know. It was possible that she had met one, he did not doubt that - but it was always nice to have a face or a name put to the person instead of just the raindancer. He scratched at his stubble, mentally painting the image of the dancer and his magic staff - before only what could be described as a flicker of immaturity rose up. Swallowing a mouthful of drink he pushed away that thought and went back to his observing, mind flickering to his own dance.

That was what it was, a dance, to understand the flow and summon forth the water from its source. Calling out, dragging it, pulling it, and pushing it - a life force that was to be known and respected - all drawn out into a rhythm. Fingers drummed, hearing the beat as the cymbals clacked it out - a useful tool to keep the flow going - as it grew faster, more intense, quickening internally with the own flow. Even his own pulse quickened, the sensation familiar as he watched before suddenly, it stopped. Silence ruled, but quickly crumbled away, his lip curling in amusement as the end came with a mighty clunk of wood. He could almost imagine the rain crawling in now, but it did not. His hands still came together to applaud however, the clear level of thought plastered across his face as he did.

"Wonderful," He took the staff back with a polite nod, leaning it up once more against his chair and hopefully out the way. He halted his finger movement, another pause of consideration to the clothing that went with the dancing - everything was important he concluded to make the illusion whole. He pursed his lips, "Dah, well worth. Trying to figure out how you move with all the cloth though. Be it not..." there was a clicking of the tongue as he tried to find the right word, "Resst-tricting? Like, harder to move?"

"Either way," he continued, "It be good. I approve. It be remarkable to witness another rain dance, even second hand, more when far away from home. Ahnatep be a long way away from here. Amazing that another be... well, north. In the cold, and horrid weather." He grimaced then, showing his obvious disgust for the elements as he wriggled into his coat, "What about you? You think it be worth the trouble to get it?" His head inclined back to the staff then. Part of him hesitated, his brow creasing as he tried to find a way to fill the momentary silence with polite conversation - it felt awkward to him for a moment, but he pushed on regardless, "You, when did you begin learning? When you were tiny?"

[Sayana]

“Dah, well worth. Trying to figure out how you move with all the cloth though. Be it not... Resst-tricting? Like, harder to move?” “You mean my clothes?” She interrupted not sure of what he meant. “You’re not the first man to wish to see me naked.” She playfully started to lift up her shirt just enough to see the curved undersides of her bosom and then with a laugh she pulled it back down. Sayana leaned against the table with one arm as the man continued and gave his feedback on the dance. Witness another raindance? Had she not been paying attention she probably would have missed that but it certainly sparked her curiosity. And it seemed as though he was from Ahnatep too, or at least regarded it as home. She grinned as he grimaced about the cold. It wasn’t that she liked the cold any more than him, but she was glad she wasn’t alone in her dislike for the frigid weather and snow. “What about you? You think it be worth the trouble to get it?” “Oh yes. Besides, it always makes a better show when you engage the audience.” The Eypharian replied but then was distracted by some hand waving on stage. The bard was clearly trying to get the dancer’s attention to do another song together. Sayana gave a dismissive wave of her own. “I did the last one,” she called. “Gotta catch my breath.” With that taken care of she returned her attention to the man. His skin had the soft tanned colour that was quite common for those of Ahnatep and his eyes were a striking gold colour. His speech had a slight nuance to it but maybe Common wasn’t his preferred language. “You, when did you begin learning? When you were tiny?” A smile brightened her face at the question. “When I was tiny I wanted to learn the Semhu, but ma and pa didn’t have enough money, or status for that matter.” She explained. “But then when I saw this raindancer it changed how I thought of Benshiras.” Her eyes lit up in realization. “Ah! Of course you would understand. You see, the raindancer was a Benshira. I just thought he was another slave with miraculous claims. But after that dance he changed how I thought of Benshira and other races – and also of dancing for that matter. It didn’t have to be about acrobatics, fighting skills and intense choreography, it could simply be mimicking the ebbs and flows of the river or catching someone’s eye with a sensual movement.” At this point she had realized she had chattered plenty long enough. But it was all too easy to slip into stories when she was actually talking to someone who had been to and lived in Ahnatep. “You’re not Benshira, are you?” For a moment she was afraid that her chattering might have offended him. But if Ahnatep was home… Ahnatep was no home to a Benshira. Then he must be… A smile lit upon her face as she arrived at the answer to her own question. “You said another raindance?” She followed up quickly, no longer expecting an answer to the earlier question. “What was the first one like?”

[Zydrunas]

There was little more than laughter that escaped from him, a nervous titter of noise as he caught the flash of dark skin within his eye, and then had it snap away from sight. It made him, if anything, feel a little hot - uncomfortable that such attention had been placed upon him in such away. Part of him squirmed within, the eyes darting away to his surroundings - who was and was not watching? - and the cheeks catching the smallest of blushes. Clearing his throat, he forced himself into playing the idle game, "I think, I will not be the... final one either?" He gave a pause then, brow creasing as he considered his words and if they were correct, "Very pretty though."

Taking up his drink once more he took another slurp of it, his features falling into disappointment once it was drained. His own personal masker had run dry and it would be up to him to consider refilling it. In good time of course, the Eypharian was still answering his questions and it would be rude to simply get up or shout over her for another. Still, she was smiling - for what reason he was yet sure. Perhaps it was his own expression or something he said. he could not bring himself to decide, not yet at least. He caught the wave, his eyes flickering over to the bard who seemed to only glare back in annoyance and forced Zydrunas to speak up, "I will not keep you if you need to carry on. It be work for you, no? But... if that be your want..." He stood at that point, and nudged his chair over to the Eypharian, "Take, I will get another while you catch air."

Continuing his listening he watched for the small social cues, the little hints in the expression as he listened as close he could. His mind was really focusing on translating it as quickly as possible - a trying task as the words came together and formed into large sentences. His eyes gave a blink, his brow furrowing as the conversation leapt about once more, his mouth opening and then closing as the question finally hit him. He was barely able to grasp upon a stool and drag it over to the table at this point, his expression falling blank as he stared and the rest of it finally caught up, "I do... get what you talk about?" He lowered himself down upon the stool, finger and thumb rubbing his chin as he focused. There was a few 'big' words in there that caught him off guard, "Choreo-graph-y, dah?"

"Me? A Ben'hira? No, no," he shook his head then, "But, I have much... He tested the word in his mind before continuing, "Revere for them. I did a lot of work with them. Many year back." Zydrunas watched the smile sprout and grown on her face, that glimmer of realisation at him over something. What information had she exactly gleaned, he wondered as his brow frowned. He could barely keep up, but that did not excuse him from letting the own snippets of himself wriggle free into the open, "Dah, I did. The fir-sst, it be... magical."

His own lips tugged into a curl then, the memory flickering about in his mind, "It be a long time ago, I be... very young. A child. My uncle and a few friend had gathered out in the open, away from Ahantep. Then altogether they began, hand reaching up," his hands rose then fingers curling in as if he had taken hold of something, and then gently begun to pull it down back to the table surface, "And then pulling down. Ass they did, they pulled it past, turning lowering and flicking their hand back up. Pull it down, then let it go. All in a," his finger drew a circle in the air, "It rained... eventually. Then we all dancssed."

[Sayana]

Sayana couldn’t help but be a little amused by his discomfort at the clothing remark. But he played himself well and his reply didn’t show any timidness. At his offer of the chair, she graciously took a seat and was careful not to disrupt the small blades and instruments tucked into her belt. And then began her chattering. It was only after his response and questions did it occur to her that the Common tongue was probably not his first language. She made a mental note to go a little slower, despite her excitement at meeting someone from Ahnatep. “Dah, I did. The fir-sst, it be... magical.” At this she smiled as she recalled just how magical her own experience had been. She now listened intently and leaned towards him a bit with her high and mid arms resting upon the table and her lows in her lap. He had also been a child when it happened. And his… uncle and friends did it? A moment’s confusion crossed her face quickly followed by surprise. He knew a raindancer? Personally? She was about to interrupt but then bit her tongue. She had been hard enough on him already, and besides, she wanted to hear the rest of the story. Maintaining some degree of patience she watched as he gestured with his hands. He was pulling at something, air, clouds, magic and pulling it to the earth. All in a… circle. She watched as he crafted the round shape in the air. She smiled at his final statement. To dance in the rain. All those soft water droplets caressing your skin. All the people leaving their homes for even just ten chimes to enjoy the wonders of the light rainfall. The cool wet sensation of the damp sands or the muddy dirt. Sayana didn’t reply right away for she was lost in her vivid memories eventually she returned to Mizahar. He had danced, and he had probably known the raindancer too. A mischievous grin crossed her face and she looked quickly to where the bard was still playing. She wouldn’t have much time but… well she’d have to weed it out of him first. “Ahh, dancing in the rain. It is glorious, is it not?” Sayana said but this time making a point to go more slowly and emphasize her key words. “And you said your uncle and friends were there too?” She paused before asking the big question. “So do you still dance?” For a moment she wondered if she was being too mean by leading him down a trap. But he could take it.

[Zydrunas]

There was the smile, the pulling back of the cheeks in up into the expression. Was it at him? Or was it because of what he said? He tried to keep his own expression neutral, the twitches here and there as he watched the focus fall upon him in streams. Where had he misstepped? Where had he allowed such to occur? Perhaps she was only being polite in front of his butchering of the common tongue? And he was he thinking he was doing quite well - least, up until then. Doubt begun to rear its head at that point and left him chewing at his lip. Regardless he watched the smile turn into mischief. Perhaps then the mental alarm bells started to go off to the woman opposite him.

"Dah, it be good. Cool. I think word be... refresshing? Counter to the warm of Eyktol," He gave a nod to himself, his lips giving the smallest curl back. There was a long, noticeable pause as he tried to think of his next statement, his brow creasing into a line as he did. He rubbed at his chin, before he nodded to the question, "Dah, they were there too. I think there were..." he peeled his hands away then, uncurling them slowly as he counted. Four fingers and two thumbs, he presented them to the woman, "Many, sex many?" he paused to think for a moment, checking that the meaning got across, "Half... dozen? With me there." It sounded about right, so he continued, "It would be the start for me and dance, big welcome in. Partially. Time to learn and know. It be fun, trouble-free time."

The next question caused another pause, golden orbs flickering back and forth to establish his own reading upon her. What sort of question was that? He spoke, "Dah, I do. Not all the time, and mainly when warm. Need to get well... No, better." He nodded to himself then, "Two left feet, not very good, no?" He continued quickly after that, "Recently however... I have not. Like to more, but..." He shrugged, "Not yet. Not right to dance yet. Need to know how people are too, how they react."

It was perhaps then, and only then that he realised the weight of the question that was asked. He had answered honestly - if was his faith and thus he had to speak truth - but he could not help but feel there was more to the question than what met the eye, "Maybe later I will take it up again. When more... sst-ettled?" Zydrunas gave a peer over her shoulder then and towards the bard with a screwed up expression. His gaze flickered back, "Did that... be enough for you?"