[Shooting Star Inn]Look Into My Eyes(Shri)

[Julian]

Day 47 of Spring 511AV By Lhavitian standards, Julian was up early. Whether it was the piercing daylight or his staunch inability to adjust his schedule, he was plagued by an insomnia that hadn't let him truly rest since he'd arrived in Lhavit weeks ago. It was stifling to stay in his room all morning and all afternoon, surrounded by these shards of himself - his cello, his father's journals, his wife's ring, and the other meaningless things he'd acquired over the past fortnight or two. Of course, he found things to do in the meanwhile. Practicing his cello wasn't the most considerate thing he could do in the daytime hours when Lhavitians were sleeping. So he wrote, he read, he'd try his hand at writing music, then immediately toss out what amounted to inane garbage. When the harsh ways of the sun that shown through his window softened into a comforting orange, that was his saving grace. Tourists were common in Lhavit, and as evening drew near, businesses began to open and cater to them. Julian himself would grab his cello and head downstairs to the dining area to play for its guests. It wasn't exactly the image he had of a dream career, but after being pent up in his room for hours, getting little more than an infrequent sequence of naps, he was elated to be out in public again, bathed in soft lighting, conversation, and soothing, mind-numbing ambience. As it often happened, Julian was sitting by one of the richly adorned table, entertaining a traveling Vantha couple. The cello cradled against his body, he delicately selected notes on the instrument's neck with his fingertips, sawing his bow across the strings to play out a rich, velvety sonata. The melody he was playing was a Syliran folk song, Ships in the Harbor, written by an old sailor. It was meant to be played fast, and on a fiddle, but slowing the melody gave it a more haunting appeal - which was really all the cello was good at. While he played, Julian glanced occasionally up at the Vantha pair. He knew that their emotions were reflected in their deep eye color. By looking at them, he should have been able to tell whether they were truly enjoying his music, or just politely paying attention. While their irises did seem to flush with new hues, Julian actually had no idea how to interpret the change in color. Was it boredom or passion? It was impossible to tell. Ultimately giving up on the prospect, he returned his attention to the song. "Wonderful!" the Vantha woman remarked, clapping as Julian drew his bow to play the final note. As she continued to speak, she did so very slowly, spacing out her words and enunciating them clearly so Julian would be able to understand. She'd mistaken him for a native Lhavitian. "That... was... very... pretty!!" "Darling, what's that word for 'thank you' in Lhavitian?" The woman shook her head. "Oh, I've forgotten already." She turned to Julian again. "Thank... you! You... play... nice-ly!" Julian stood out of his seat and nodded with a polite smile. Yes, yes, and he also spoke Common. Fine job, wasn't it? Bowing courteously to the couple, he lifted his cello and his chair to a far corner of the room. Settling in the shadows there, he sat down again and pulled his instrument close. As he returned his bow to the cello's strings, he played a new melody, slower and quieter. He didn't spare the couple another thought. Julian was certain they weren't as awful as the impression they'd given him. In another few days, they'd be gone from Lhavit, and wouldn't remember the cellist from the Shooting Star, and he'd only remember them as one of several couples he'd played for while he visited the city. Sighing to himself, he resolved to get something to eat as soon as he finished this next song. He was practicing, now, more than playing for the entertainment of the Shooting Star Inn. This song, And So It Is, required the rapid mid-note manipulation of the strings to smoothly change octaves in an almost canon-like quality as the melody changed. His pacing felt a bit off as he sawed the cello, but every time the octave changed (every eight measures), he had a chance to try again. Though the song the cello gave him sounded fair, he felt as though he weren't truly playing as well as he could. The way it was looking, this might already be turning out to be a long night.

[Shri]

Shri walked into the Shining Star Inn, and gave out a happy sigh. She was finally here in Lhavit, and she was ready for a little nap. She could relax after this long journey. She walked toward the front desk to check in. She told the manager that she was here for 1 week, and that she was here because of the festival. The manager gave her a room key, and she left to go to her room. As Shri dragged her suitcase across the lobby floor, she noticed that there was a small croud in the room and that there was someone playing the cello. She stopped to listen, and headed toward the player. She asked if one of the people who worked there would take her bag up to her room. She took a seat at a small table that had a white table cloth on it and listened to the cello player play a beautiful melody. She closed her eyes, and took in the music. When she reopened her eyes, a Vantha woman was complimenting the man. She went and bought two small glasses of wine, one for her and the other for the cello player whos fingers must have been tired from playing all those songs. She approached the player, and gave the wine to him. "Here, take this." She said in the common language.

OOCSorry that my post is so short

[Julian]

Julian winced as his cello played a slightly sour note. Snarling in irritation, he set down his bow and turned the cello in his hand, beginning to adjust one of the tuning pegs. He was so busy with the miniature battle he was having with the instrument that he didn't notice anyone approaching him until a shadow appeared over the cello. Julian paused, surprised, then looked up. Seeing a Konti woman standing right in front of him, he straightened in his chair, completely taken aback. "Here, take this," she said in accented Common. Holding her arm out, she offered him a wine glass filled with a dark red, aromatic pool. It smelled like merlot. "I..." Julian wasn't sure at first how to respond. The truth of the matter was that he didn't drink - not if he didn't want to experience a relapse in the same alcoholism that nearly destroyed his life in Syliras years ago (and may well have depending on how one looked at it). However, when a gorgeous woman - from a goddess born race, even - approaches someone and offers free wine... one can't just say no. It would defy some unmentionable cosmic law to refuse her. Reluctantly, Julian set aside his cello, resting it against the wall with the bow tucked in its strings. He put on an intrigued smile before turning back to the woman. Nodding in thanks, he took the wine glass from her offering hand. Hesitating, he brought the intoxicating poison to his face, inhaling the bouquet of pleasing scents drifting up from the red wine. With a defeated sigh, he looked back up at the Konti. "Thank you, that's very kind." Julian gestured to a nearby chair. He'd actually borrowed his own chair from an unused table, so there were three others left to steal. It was probably a good time to set down his cello for a while, so he could battle with himself about whether he was really going to drink. He truly did appreciate the gesture, and it was probably better off he just accept it instead of making an issue out of it. "This wine smells lovely. I feel rather undeserving." He smiled again. "I don't think I've seen you around here before. What is your name?"

[Shri]

Shri watches as the man put down the cello, and takes the wine from her hand. She raises her glass to her mouth, and takes a quick sip. She smiles, as she tastes the wine. Delicious she thought. She takes a longer sip of the wine, and wishes she could just drink the wine right away. She quickly tucks a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "Your welcome." Shri says as she heads toward the seat the man gestured to. She lifted up her knee-length beaded dress, and sits down. She puts one ankle over the other as the man speaks. "You deserve it. You probably need a break after playing the cello so long." She grins, showing most of her teeth. "I'm Shrijonya Varanti, but you can just call me Shri." She pauses and takes another sip of wine. "What's your name?"

[Julian]

Giving out one last disapproving sigh at himself in surrender, Julian drew a sip of wine from the glass. If he was going to break his own rule, he might as well do it without so much clamor. Oh, and it tasted so divine, too. Sweet, but not overpowering. He savored its richness on the back of his tongue for a moment, relaxing in his chair as he remembered the obsession he'd abandoned when he swore off drinking. It was like meeting an ex-lover from years past, seeing that she hadn't changed a bit - only grown more lovely. He took another indulgent sip, smiling another time at the Konti before finding the wherewithal to continue their exchange of pleasantries. "Julian," he responded in turn. "And I don't care for 'Jules,' so we can keep it at that. And I am afraid if I tried pronouncing your name, I'd only thoroughly humiliate myself. Shri is a beautiful name." Julian took another long draught - to the point of it being a bit boorish. The only sort of people who drank wine in gulps were inexperienced adolescents and hopeless women who'd abandoned grace and poise. He drew the glass away and stared at the wine almost accusingly. What a dark thought. Still, his placid smile remained. "I only recently picked up the cello again. It's an old childhood friend of mine." Julian glanced over at Shri. "You're Konti, aren't you? I haven't seen many of your kind in Lhavit. Did you come for the Star Festival?"

[Shri]

Julian. Beautiful name she thought. "Why did you ever stop playing the cello? You play it very well." She takes a small sip from the glass, and she lets the sweet liquid run over her delighted taste buds. She sets the wine glass on the table, and lifts her hands up shwoing the backs of them to Julian. Her scales shine bright as the light touches them. "Yes, I am a Konti. And yes again, I am here for the Star Festival. I plan on returning to my home in Mura once it is over, and I might stop in Sylrias on the way back for a while." She gently picks up her wine glass. Shri glances over at the cello. It's a very beautiful instrument to play. The wood looks like it was newly polished. She takes a long sip of wine, and looks back at Julian. "What are you doing it Lhavit? Do you live here?"

[Julian]

As Shri showed Julian the glittering scales prominent on the backs of her hands, he leaned forward in his chair to get a better look. Though the population he grew up around in Syliras was very racially diverse, that city felt more like a distant dream in his past by now. He'd only been in Lhavit for about a month, perhaps a little more, but already he'd grown accustomed to the dark-haired humans who all looked fairly similar to one another. Sometimes he could only tell them apart by the color of their garb. Seeing a Konti woman was a refreshing contrast. "I can't really remember when I stopped playing music. Life has a way of making you forget about things you once cared about." Julian took a long, slow sip of his wine as he studied her hands. The scales shimmered - they looked so smooth and soft, speaking of a certain, inhuman elegance. He almost wanted to reach out and touch them, just to feel it, but he abstained. It would be absolutely rude, of course, but he also remembered that Konti had natural talent in divination. He'd heard stories that just by touching someone, a Konti could know when a person was going to die, see their greatest sin, or know their darkest desire. Julian was almost as disinterested in sharing that with Konti as he was knowing exactly what those were for him. "It was years ago, but it feels good to play again, though I'm a bit rusty. My hands feel differently now than they did then. A little coarser than I remember." Julian sipped at his wine again. Talking to Shri was a pleasant intermission in his usual nightly routines. Though he did occasionally make time to have dinner with acquaintances and have long conversations, it was usually he who had to instigate these events. He couldn't remember the last time a woman had bought him a drink. It had to have been nearly a decade by now, and even then, he'd probably been with Liara at the time. Now that he was a widower, this would be the first time he wouldn't have to politely flash his wedding ring. He felt a little guilty, suddenly, considering the prospect of another woman so soon after her death. To be fair, he'd considered other women and then some even before she died. A crisis of conscience was completely moot now. "You're actually from Mura? That's an incredible trek." Julian tipped his glass to her. As he took another drink of his wine, he realized he'd finished off the last of it. He stared irritably at his empty wine glass. That hasn't lasted long at all. "I'm not a raving fan of Syliras, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it there. And no, no, I don't live in Lhavit. Not permanently anyway. I've only been here roughly a month. I'm... well, sort of just passing through, though I couldn't tell you where I'm planning to head next." As a waiter passed nearby, Julian lifted his wine glass. "Sir, another if you please? Make it a Cabernet." He turned to Shri and smiled. "My father drank Merlot all too often. I like variety in my red wines."

[Shri]

Shri listens as Julian speaks about himself. She finds it interesting to talk to someone who wasn't quiet, female, and blonde for once and a while. Her amethyst eyes show interest, sparkling in the light, as Julian speaks to her about the cello. She tucks a stray strand of hair behind her right ear, and smiles. "I originally came from Riverfall, and then moved to Mura with some of my family." She takes a sip of her wine, noticing that her glass was still half-full, while Julians was empty. Trying to continue the conversation, she asks "Do you travel alot?"

[Julian]

Julian flashed a polite smile to the waiter as he returned with a new wineglass, filled with another rich pool of red. After handing him his empty glass, the waiter bowed and wandered off to attend to the other patrons. As Shri spoke of her origins, Julian brought the glass to his lips, hesitating to breathe in its rich, sweet scent. Ah, Cabernet Sauvignon. Just its rich, mature aroma was enough to reignite long dead passions for fine wine. Not that he was any connoisseur, but once upon a time he did occasionally enjoy a tasting party or two among his more well-to-do friends. He did have roots in money, after all. "Not until recently, I suppose," Julian answered her flatly, staring into his wine after taking another slow drink. To Shri, he may have appeared distracted. And he was. A strange, discomforting seed of thought had been planted in his head. Was it the wine? Was it... was it everything that happened lately? His wife, the trip, his cello, that dream, the attack, just... all of it sliding together into one mysterious cosmic plan? It was beginning to feel as though he had no control at all over his life. That was more being led through it, on a leash. Yes, sure, he could struggle and pull against it. Maybe even veer off course just for a while. But eventually his effort had to give out, and here he was back on the same journey he had started. Mindless rhetoric, wasn't it? Gods, that sounded familiar. He could barely make sense of his own thoughts, having them invaded so suddenly by a dire urge to question everything around him. It really must have been the wine. His fingertips turned white as he gripped the stem of the wineglass a little too firmly. It hadn't taken him much effort at all to give up on his vow not to drink alcohol. He guessed it was probably more that, the ready abandonment of his principles, than the spirits in the wine that made him so suddenly, quietly upset. So angry at himself. Julian began to wonder... what did it even matter whether he drank or not? Whether he lost control of his poise and self control and gave into a little self indulgence? Who would be hurt by it, honestly, besides him? The conversation had fallen silent. Julian had been too distracted to keep up his end of it. Smiling suddenly in chagrin, he looked back up at Shri again. Taking another drink of wine, he shook his head. "I'm sorry, I was lost in thought for a moment." Julian stared, fascinated, into the Konti's violet eyes. They held the rich color of fine silk, and there was something so alluring about them. He began to wonder... would she notice... if he tried to influence her just a little through Hypnotism? No, no, he couldn't. But... Shri was the one who approached him. It would hardly be taking advantage of anyone if he showed a little requited interest in her. He wouldn't take it very far. It would just be... a light experiment. That was all right, wasn't it? It was worth a shot. "Shri..." he began, keeping his eyes locked with hers. This was about charisma, timing, and an ability to be suave and effortless. His gray eyes may have seemed to shimmer, just for a moment, as he gazed at her. Begin with something simple. "You're a very lovely woman. Tell me, there must be someone who vies for your affections. Perhaps a lover waiting for you in Syliras? I can't imagine you don't hold someone else's heart in the palm of your hand."

[Shri]

Julian appears distracted to the young Shri. She stares deeply at him with her amethyst eyes, and wonders what he is thinking. Her eyes don't leave him, her face lie emotionless. There is no grin on her face. Shri gently lifts her right elbow up onto the table and lays her head upon her hand, had she forgotten her manners? She was always told that you never ever put your elbow on to a table, that it was totally rude and impolite. But still she did it, not even thinking one thought about it. No thoughts had even entered her mind. She takes a small sip of wine, emptying her glass. As Julians fingertips turned completely white, Shri's eyes widen. Was he angry? At her, maybe even? She had stopped him from playing the cello, but he couldn't be mad. Could he? After moments of silent awkwardness, Julian finally speaks. Shri notices her elbow, she quickly removes it and tips over her wine glass. Luckily it was empty. "Sorry, I was being impolite" She mutters quietly, like she was ashammed of it. Her Konti cheeks flash a bright red. He asks if she holds the heart of anyone. "Unfortunately, I do not. But I still have hundreds of years left in my lifetime, and I'm not even considered an adult yet at the age of 23" She pauses, "I hope to find a love soon, one that will make my day bright, even though I have gone through something like Hell." She lets her lips make a very small smile, one that doesn't look right on her face.