Civility Counts
and two songs

presented by Lady Ylena

(Ylena licks her upper lip thoughtfully.)

>You tap your staff proudly upon the floor. Strangely, the runes along its surface seem to shift and pulse with power each time an enruned ebony staff strikes the ground.

>You exclaim, "May I have your attention please!"

Esserae asks, "Arwen, did you announce that Ylena is the BEST singer in the entire whole giant Festival?"

>Esserae peers quizzically at you.

Ylena blushes a nice shade of off-pink.

You say, "I'm about to."

You poke Esserae in the ribs.

Esserae beams!

Esserae clasps her hand over her mouth.

>Sammeal says, "Runes are scary..."

Ylena takes a drink from her Rone's Own.

>Belnia says, " runes are overused"

>Ylena nods to Belnia.

Ylena takes a drink from her Rone's Own.

>Ylena takes a drink from her Rone's Own.

>You say, "We've a small group tonight, so I'll forego most of the rules...."

>Tesserah takes a drink from her Haakon's Choice.

>(Ylena scarfs her drink.)

>Ylena nods.

Sammeal takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Tesserah smiles at you.

>Ylena says, "Don't need rules."

Belnia says, " if ya a dhe'nar or a waggler ya gotta cover yerself in squiggly little lines"

>You say, "However, there is something I would like to share with you..."

Ylena blushes a nice shade of off-pink.

>You say, "this afternoon, at the Blaeston Bardic Contest....our very own Ylena, took first prize for a song "The Breath of Spring""

>Esserae applauds.

>Ylena blushes a nice shade of off-pink.

>Esserae offers Aubery some thick dark ale.

>Tesserah beams happily at Ylena!

Emeraldwand beams happily at Ylena!

Ylena grins.

Ylena stands up.

Tesserah raises her Haakon's Choice in a toast!

You exclaim, "And, before she tells tonights tale, I think we can convince her to perform it for us....with a bit of encouragement!"

Ylena grins.

You applaud.

Emeraldwand exclaims, "Ylena, sing the song or I'll raid your wardrobe!"

Sammeal mutters under his breath.

Aubery exclaims, "sing! sing!"

>(Esserae encourages Ylena with the sharp end of her falchion.)

>You exclaim, "Sing!"

>Ylena says, "Everyone needs to scrunch on that side of the room."

>Emeraldwand says, "And sell it off to Esserae"

Esserae pokes Ylena in the ribs.

>Belnia glances at Emeraldwand.

>You applaud.

>Accappella cackles!

(Ylena points to the south.)

Armaxis says, "No no, sing it or we'll spill wine on all your dresses and outfits."

Aubery applauds.

>Accappella waves to Esserae.

>Belnia says, " if she singing i hiding"

>Armaxis nods to Ylena.

(Zerbinetta moves south)

(Tesserah scoots south)

>Armaxis gazes heavenward.

Ylena says, "You have to be in front of me, this round thing doesn't work."

>(Aubery moves to tha south just a bit)

>Ylena grins.

>Tesserah coughs.

>Ylena peers quizzically at Belnia.

(Emeraldwand scrambles over to the South side of the eye)

Tesserah fidgets.

>Esserae scratches under her nail-covered cloak, trying to reach that pesky itch on her back.

Sammeal says, "I ain't scrunchin' for no one."

Tesserah leans forward.

>Ylena grins.

Ylena says, "Well."

Belnia says, " yer ears"

>(Esserae scrunches Sammeal.)

>Belnia waves to Sammeal.

Sammeal wails!

Esserae sticks out her tongue.

>Slightley sighs slightly.

>Aubery says, "just dont sits close ta Esserae"

>Sammeal exclaims, "I've been scrunchified!"

>Sammeal whimpers.

>Tesserah chuckles.

(Belnia runs and jumps behind a convienient over-turned table)

>Ylena says, "The rules today were that it had to be a spring song, or about the festival, or about the
Liabo gods."

You grin.

>Fahone shrieks!

You sit down.

Esserae shows Zerbinetta her nail-covered cloak.

>Emeraldwand exclaims, "Don't touch Esserae, those nails puncture!"

Aubery takes a drink from his dark ale.

>Emeraldwand clasps his hand over his mouth.

>Zerbinetta beams happily at Esserae!

Tesserah asks, "how bout love?"

Armaxis mumbles something that you don't quite catch.

>Tesserah smiles at Ylena.

>Esserae says, "Shhh."

Slightley cowers away from Tesserah!

>Slightley begins to twitch.

Accappella touches one finger to her lips.

>Tesserah chuckles.

>Sammeal takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

>Belnia says, " my nephew sang and he wasn't even a bard"

Ylena says, "Love too.. Gods, I forget."

You touch one finger to your lips.

>Slightley says, "don go arounn wif dat luv stuff.."

Ylena says, "I've been drinking since then."

>Ylena grins.

Tesserah smiles at Ylena.

>Belnia says, " oh the tunnel of love"

Slightley says, "hert sumwhuns"

>Esserae says, "Arwen, feel free to silence us...."

Esserae gazes in wonder at her surroundings.

>Ylena says, "Been a rather long day."

>Belnia asks, " ya seen the fish in there?"

>Belnia just tried to pull Slightley towards her!

Emeraldwand says, "Hush everyone, drink your ales and be quiet"

You chuckle at Esserae.

>Sammeal takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Emeraldwand takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

>Ylena says, "Anyway.."

>Sammeal squints at Esserae.

Belnia says, " the Oleani kissin fish at the end, setzier almost had a heart attack"

>(Ylena walks to the center of the room.)

Belnia snickers.

Slightley cocks his head at Belnia.

Slightley asks, "in wha?"

Aubery says, "shhhh"

>Aubery leans back.

>(Ylena surveys the expectant faces in front of her.)

Tesserah smiles at Ylena.

Esserae says, "Not as bad as seeing Jubuls gawking at thew cavorting halfling lasses on that float..."

Esserae gazes heavenward.

>You smile at Ylena.

>Slightley begins to twitch.

Ylena says, "I know what you're all thinking."

>Aubery smiles expectantly

>Belnia says, " eww"

>Belnia buries her face in her hands.

(Ylena puts her hands on her hips.)

(Sammeal removes a nail from his side, and casts an irritated glance at Esserae.)

Fahone asks, "what am i tinkin?"

Ylena grins.

Ylena says, "Ylena - spring - Bardfest - skimpy clothing - marginally tasteful."

Slightley says, "no.. nots really.."

>Esserae leans forward.

Tesserah grins.

Sammeal takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

>Esserae winks at Ylena.

Belnia glances at Ylena.

>Aubery leans forward.

Emeraldwand nods to Ylena.

You grin.

>Belnia says, " dun encourage the boys"

>Accappella takes a drink from her golden apple wine.

Ylena sighs.

>Ylena says, "Which, admittedly, is terribly tempting - but it's not a challenge."

Esserae chuckles.

Sammeal asks, "Would you mind leaning to the left, Esserae? Or at least not sharpen your cloak?"

Esserae leans to her right slightly.

Tesserah chuckles.

Sammeal wails!

(Ylena nods. A young boy hesitantly walks in, carrying a plain wooden stool. He places it immediately behind Ylena, then scurries offstage. He returns, carrying a stark black five-panel screen, which he sets behind the stool, then ducks behind it.)

Sammeal falls over.

Tesserah grins.

>Belnia removes a faded scroll from in her spidersilk greatcloak.

Belnia says, " bad"

Slightley coughs.

Esserae smiles at the young boy and offers him a drink.

>Slightley sits down.

Esserae removes a snifter of warm golden brandy from in her nail-covered cloak.

Sammeal says, "Empath..."

>Belnia says, " very bad"

>Ylena smiles serenely, perching gracefully on the edge of the stool, her simple white gown falling in
soft folds around her.

Ylena removes a silvery haon-inlaid lute from in her instrument case.

>Fahone says, "heh"

Ylena smiles thoughtfully, brushing her long fingers gently over the strings, producing a lovely dischordant jangle that echoes and lingers.

Esserae drops a snifter of warm golden brandy.

Ylena says, "I've been thinking a lot today about what it is that really matters."

Ylena says, "It isn't shoes, or gowns, or possessions, or money, though they certainly make our lives
more comfortable."

Ylena carefully checks the strings of her lute, plucking them lightly and adjusting the tension until the sound is perfectly pitched.

>You notice Fahone slip into a hiding place.

You notice Fahone slip out of hiding.

Ylena says, "It's the people whom we touch, and allow to touch our hearts. In the season of renewal and rebirth, my prayer is that everyone is willing to risk pain to find their heart's desire."

Fahone takes a drink from his Solhaven Swill.

Fahone falls over.

Fahone takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

(Ylena softly strums her lute. A sweet lullabye resounds through the air, echoing faintly from the walls. She begins to sing in a clear, pure soprano.)

Ylena sings:

"The breath of spring is faint and gentle,
Spreading secrets in the air,
Stirring hearts to sentimental,
Drawing eyes to faces fair."

Aubery leans back.

Ylena smiles thoughtfully as a small flutter of yellow rose petals cascade over the top of the screen, spiralling lazily around her and scattering at her feet.

Ylena sings:

"The breath of spring is warm and kind,
Caressing all with tender care,
Touching all who hope to find
A soulmate with that certain flair."

Tesserah sighs happily.

>Aubery sighs.

>(Emeraldwand sips his ale thoughtfully)

(Ylena glances thoughtfully from face to face. She assays a tricky modulation, looking relieved as she finishes it flawlessly. A small shower of red rosebuds falls from over the top of the screen, as if in reward.)

Slightley shakes his head.

(Sammeal props his head up on his hands.)

Tesserah applauds.

Ylena sings:

"The breath of spring is clear and pure,
Cleansing us with sparkling light,
Preparing us, so when we're sure,
We'll take the chance, the time is right."

>Tesserah applauds.

(Ylena changes her melody subtly, adding more bass, and lingering on the off-beats. She sways on her stool, smiling almost secretively. A colorful burst of vivid red rose petals fly over the screen, blowing into the crowd.)

Esserae gazes in wonder at her surroundings.

Accappella ducks her head.

Ylena sings:

"The breath of spring blows hot and strong,
Compelling us insistently -
To give in to her siren song,
And do what just comes naturally."

Aubery raises an eyebrow.

(Ylena closes her eyes, playing passionately for a moment. She holds a long, ecstatic chord - then slowly, softly, returns to the original refrain, as a few pink rosepetals drift on the stage from behind the screen.)

Esserae rubs a crystal amulet.

Esserae gets an odd look on her face.

Ylena sings:

"The breath of spring is fading fast,
The blooms are fading on the vine,
But what spring works is meant to last,
Cherish her gifts, they are divine."

(Ylena stills her strings. She stands and takes a few steps forward, away from the swirled colors at her feet, onto a bare patch of floor.)

Sammeal applauds.

>Ylena sings:

"The breath of spring is cold and still.
Shadows lie upon the snow.
Let winter wreak whate'er she will -"

Sammeal blinks.

(Ylena touches her lute strings, letting a high, clear note echo through the room.)

Ylena sings:

"For spring will come again, I know."

(Ylena reaches in her purse, pulling out a bright handful of rose petals, and with a gentle wave, lets them fly through the air, landing all around you.)

>Tesserah smiles as she lets the beautiful music from Ylena's lute seep into her sould

>(Esserae whistles loudly as the song trails to an end.)

Armaxis splutters.

Ylena curtsies.

Sammeal applauds.

>Aubery applauds.

Tesserah applauds.

Esserae applauds.

>Tesserah applauds.

>Esserae applauds.

Tesserah applauds.

Tesserah exclaims, "wonderful!"

>Aubery raises his Winterberry Ale in a toast!

You applaud.

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Tesserah beams happily at Ylena!

Sammeal exclaims, "Mmmfl dumph norkp!"

>Emeraldwand applauds.

>You hear someone give a sigh of contintment.

Accappella applauds.

>Emeraldwand says, "The part I heard was great"

Aubery chuckles.

>(Ylena gracefully steps aside as the lad scurries out from behind the screen, quickly picking up the stool and screen, and sweeping away the petals.)

Emeraldwand beams happily at Ylena!

Ylena blushes a nice shade of off-pink.

Tesserah smiles.

>Ylena put a silvery haon-inlaid lute in her instrument case.

Accappella takes a drink from her devil chaser.

Accappella exclaims, "Twas a beautiful song!"

Ylena says, "Actually.. that isn't my FAVORITE spring song."

>Ylena leans forward.

You say, "Beautiful, both times I've heard it."

>Tesserah smiles.

Ylena asks, "Want to hear my favorite one?"

Sammeal says, "Nice song. Needs more aurochs though."

>Tesserah nods to Ylena.

Accappella nods to Ylena.

Ylena asks, "You sure?"

Esserae nods to Ylena.

Esserae nods to Ylena.

Ylena leans back.

>Tesserah nods.

Tesserah nods.

>Tesserah exclaims, "please!"

Tesserah smiles at Ylena.

You grin.

Ylena sings:

"Oh, spring is in the air, and love is everywhere
And the snow is gone - earth reveals her crust
And the flowers are in bloom, and there's no more winter gloom...
So naturally our thoughts all turn to... "

>Ylena leans back.

>Ylena recites:

"Dating."

Tesserah smiles.

>Sammeal blinks.

>Accappella giggles.

>Aubery blinks.

>Esserae says, "Trolls..."

Esserae nods to Ylena.

>Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

>You grin.

>Aubery glances at Esserae.

>Sammeal says, "Aurochs."

>Ylena sings:

"So you find that special one to be beside you
The one whose arms have always brought you luck
And you go out for the day, just to have fun and play
And soon the two of you just want to...."

>(Sammeal nods conspiratorily.)

>Ylena seems to be waiting for something.

Armaxis says, "Dating trolls..? Eh.."

Armaxis shudders.

Esserae asks, "Ird?"

>Tesserah says, "wooo"

Ylena recites:

"Hunt."

>Tesserah touches one finger to her lips.

>Esserae nods to Ylena.

>Aubery chuckles.

Sammeal says, "Snagh."

>Tesserah giggles.

Zerbinetta grins.

Ylena sings:

"Oh, he gazes in her eyes..it's no big surprise
He loves her for she's better than the rest
And maybe if he's brave and kills a beast and saves her
He can get his right hand on her..."

>Ylena leans to her right slightly.

Tesserah giggles.

>Ylena recites:

"Sword."

>Tesserah blushes a nice shade of off-pink.

>Aubery leans forward.

>Ylena gazes in wonder at her surroundings.

>Aubery smiles as he stifles a chuckle

>Tesserah chuckles.

Sammeal asks, "Mana?"

Aubery says, "his maybe"

Ylena sings:

"She thinks he is so manly and so handsome
She loves to watch that strut he calls a walk,
And even though it may not be quite ladylike,
She can't help but wonder how big is his..."

Aubery blushes a nice shade of off-pink.

You wink at Aubery.

Accappella begins chuckling at Aubery.

>Sammeal asks, "Transom?"

Esserae says, "Lair."

Tesserah giggles.

>Esserae nods to Sammeal.

>(Ylena glances at Aubery's large hands, smiling to herself.)

Aubery blushes a nice shade of off-pink.

>Ylena recites:

"Armor."

Tesserah clasps her hand over her mouth.

Esserae pokes Aubery in the ribs.

>Tesserah giggles.

(Aubery puts his hands in his pockets)

>Aubery coughs.

Ylena sings:

"Their embrace is full of passion and of love
They're both quite filled with tingling sensations
So they end up at Silvergate before it gets too late
So that they can have some intimate..."

>Tesserah says, "wooo"

>Tesserah giggles.

>Ylena leans forward.

Ylena recites:

"Dinner."

>Ylena smirks.

Aubery grins.

Ylena says, "I LOVE Spring."

>Tesserah chuckles.

>Ylena giggles.

>Tesserah chuckles.

>Ylena asks, "But, we didn't come here to talk about Spring, did we?"

>Ylena paces back and forth.

Ylena says, "No, no."

Tesserah raises an eyebrow.

>Accappella says, "Hhmm. Sounds like an effective form of birth control."

>Esserae says, "Manner."

Esserae says, "Manners."

>Ylena says, "We all came for a tale."

Esserae nods to Ylena.

Sammeal says, "Well, maybe YOU didn't."

>Aubery glances at Ylena.

>Aubery nods.

>Tesserah smiles.

Esserae says, "I came to learn how to sit still and be silent."

>Esserae beams happily at Ylena!

Sammeal says, "Tingling were we, Armaxis? Sounds like someone needs dinner..."

>Ylena winks at Esserae.

Ylena says, "Practice."

>Aubery begins chuckling at Sammeal.

Armaxis shows Sammeal his iced cobra venom.

>Rlen says, "The earth shall tremble"

>Esserae blinks at Ylena.

Ylena giggles.

>Armaxis says, "I've enough refreshment at the moment."

Esserae says, "Aluisa usually webs and silences me..."

Esserae rubs her chin thoughtfully.

>Sammeal says, "Yeah, that'll do it."

>Armaxis says, "If I get hungry.."

>Ylena says, "I call this tale.. "Civility Counts.""

>Aubery takes a drink from his dark ale.

>Tesserah takes a drink from her Haakon's Choice.

Esserae leans forward.

Ylena says, "As you may or may not know.. I've lived in the Landing for a fair bit."

Rlen rubs Ylena gently.

>Accappella chuckles.

Ylena says, "Certainly not as long as Arwen, I can remember looking up to her when I was new here."

>You blush and babble a few incoherent words, looking foolish but sincere.

Sammeal says, "There, you mean."

>Tesserah smiles at you.

Ylena says, "But the days seem to have passed much faster than I would have guessed."

(Sammeal glances North by Northwest.)

Ylena says, "Here, there, everywhere, it's temporal."

>Ylena glances at Sammeal.

(Ylena mumbles something about literalists.)

Esserae grins.

Aubery chuckles.

Sammeal says, "I'm not literal, I just like to leave no nit unpicked."

>Ylena paces back and forth.

Tesserah chuckles.

Ylena asks, "What is one of the things your parents have always taught you?"

(Ylena glances at your shining upturned faces.)

Tesserah blinks.

>Accappella works her fingers under her satin kerchief and scratches her head.

>You rub your chin thoughtfully.

Aubery says, "wears a hat in the rain"

Aubery shrugs.

Tesserah looks thoughtful for a moment, then shrugs.

>Sammeal asks, "Always wash your hands after slaying a krolvin?"

>Aubery takes a drink from his dark ale.

>Ylena says, "Well, yes.."

Armaxis says, "Parents? Hrmph.."

You say, "always wear clean...."

Tesserah takes a drink from her Haakon's Choice.

>You gaze in wonder at your surroundings.

Accappella says, "Wash me turnips."

>Ylena nods to you.

>You clasp a hand over your mouth.

>Armaxis glances at you.

Ylena says, "Or don't wear any."

>Ylena grins.

>Your mind tingles with the knowledge that Emeraldwand just went onduty.

Esserae nods to you.

>Armaxis examines his fingernails.

Esserae knots a white satin kerchief around her short, straight silver hair.

>Aubery nods.

Rlen rubs his chin thoughtfully.

>Aubery chuckles.

>Ylena says, "But that's a different story indeed."

>Tesserah rubs her chin thoughtfully.

>You chuckle at Ylena.

You nod to Ylena.

Sammeal says, "When I don't wear any, people yell at me. My pants are made of chainmail, after all."

Ylena says, "Think back to when you were young, and playing with your brothers and sisters."

Tesserah coughs.

>Ylena says, "Or friends."

Esserae says, "Oh! Kill to win."

Esserae nods to Ylena.

Ylena says, "Well.."

>Accappella says, "to share"

>Ylena coughs.

Ylena asks, "Share and what else?"

>Aubery takes a drink from his dark ale.

Aubery removes a tankard of Winterberry Ale from in his troubadour's greatcloak.

>Ylena says, "Play nice."

Tesserah looks very far away for a moment, a wistful expression on her face.

Tesserah smiles.

Ylena says, "I'm finding the older I get, the more applicable those words are."

Arwen smiles thoughtfully and then says "Earedsil! Be nice to your sister Arwen!"

Ylena says, "But when I was young.."

You grin.

Ylena grins.

>Ylena shakes her head.

>Sammeal says, "I don't get older, just wider."

Tesserah chuckles.

>Ylena says, "I was a nasty evil little thing."

>Accappella cackles!

(Ylena puts a hand on her hip.)

Ylena says, "I was convinced I knew more than everyone, about everything."

Tesserah takes a drink from her Haakon's Choice.

Ylena says, "And there really wasn't a damn thing anyone could tell me."

>Ylena paces back and forth.

Rlen asks, "When did you learn it was true?"

>Rlen ducks his head.

Aubery chuckles.

Accappella snickers.

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Esserae smiles nervously and leans toward Arwen, whispering, "Doesn't she?"

Ylena says, "So, one day, I was sitting on the porch at the Manor."

Ylena says, "Hearthstone."

Tesserah smiles.

Ylena says, "And this brash young bard - blonde, nice teeth, big nose - came in and sat on MY porch."

>Arwen smiles and whispers to Esserae "Oh about certain things like fashion and singing, I'm sure she does!"

Esserae giggles.

>Tesserah chuckles.

Esserae rubs an exquisite vaalorn-clasped cloak of nails.

>Esserae gazes heavenward.

Ylena says, "Yes, well, I notice faces."

Ylena grins.

You grin.

Ylena says, "Not cute enough to get away with anything."

>Sammeal reaches down and works his fingers inside his burgundy socks to scratch his foot.

>Arwen smiles and whispers to Esserae "Particularly handsome ones."

Ylena says, "I was singing for my friends."

Ylena says, "It wasn't one of my better works, but it was adequate."

Ylena says, "And this..this REPROBATE.."

(Ylena holds her breath a second.)

Aubery asks, "reprobate?"

Tesserah raises an eyebrow.

You rub Ylena.

>Ylena exclaims, "Has the unmitigated gall to begin criticizing my verses!"

>Sammeal says, "Yeah, only louder."

Sammeal nods to Aubery.

>(Ylena humphs.)

(Esserae blushes, stands and dashes off to help a bleeding friend in the tunnels.)

>Esserae stands up.

Aubery begins chuckling at Sammeal.

Esserae just went up.

Ylena says, "Well."

Ylena says, "I stood up."

You touch one finger to your lips.

(Ylena pushes out her chest.)

Accappella ducks her head.

Ylena says, "And gave him the look."

>Tesserah chuckles.

Aubery blinks.

Ylena says, "That one."

>Ylena asks, "See?"

Ylena grins.

Sammeal wails!

Ylena says, "The 'I know everything and you don't' look."

>Tesserah blinks.

>You cower away from Ylena.

>Ylena says, "All women have it."

Aubery nods.

You say, "I use it on Kerl sometimes."

You nod to Ylena.

Ylena says, "And I said.. 'Who are you to be critizing my verses?'"

(Ylena takes a step to the left, her fingers wiggling agitatedly.)

Tesserah takes a drink from her Haakon's Choice.

Aubery asks, "magics?"

>Sammeal whimpers.

Aubery blinks.

Ylena says, "He just looks at me and says, "Someone who knows more about poetry than you do.""

Ylena gasps.

Ylena says, "Well, that hurt."

Tesserah blinks.

>You rub Ylena.

Ylena says, "I said, "I may not have been perfect with the terminal rhymes.. but at least my nose doesn't look like a potato.'"

Ylena smirks.

Aubery chuckles.

Accappella snickers.

Sammeal chuckles.

>Ylena says, "He reeled a bit."

>Tesserah clasps her hand over her mouth.

>Tesserah giggles.

You clasp a hand over your mouth.

>Aubery says, "musta been a hobbit "

>Ylena says, "Looked me over and said.."

Aubery babbles something unintelligible.

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Sammeal takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Ylena says, "Well.. at least people care enough about me that I don't run around in purple socks.""

Tesserah raises an eyebrow.

Ylena says, "Which was true, at that point in my life, I did."

>Ylena grins.

You grin.

(Sammeal opens his mouth, with a sarcastic look on his face, but glances at Arwen and closes it with a
clack.)

Tesserah chuckles.

>Sammeal clears his throat.

>You smile at Sammeal.

(Aubery hides a grin behind his tankard)

>The bright luminescence fades from around Accappella.

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Sammeal squints.

>Ylena says, "From there, we went onto parents, maternal lineage, possible bastardy.."

Ylena says, "It got very ugly and very heated, very fast."

Tesserah says, "eek"

Tesserah's face turns slightly pale.

>You shudder.

Ylena says, "We were standing, and yelling, jabbing each other with fingers."

Ylena says, "By this time, quite a crowd had gathered."

Ylena says, "And no one lifted a finger to stop us."

Ylena says, "In fact.."

Ylena leans forward.

Ylena says, "As mob rule will, they were egging us on."

Tesserah rubs her chin thoughtfully.

>Ylena says, "Then.. all of a sudden.."

(Ylena raises her hands.)

>You lean forward.

Ylena says, "Out of nowhere.."

>Your mind tingles with the knowledge that Avira just went onduty.

Ylena says, "I'm looking at him, and I see a twisted soul escape from his body and ascend into the air."

>Aubery blinks.

You feel the blood drain from your face.

>Rlen just tickled Esserae.

>Aubery gulps.

Armaxis examines his fingernails.

Ylena says, "And in the same moment, I feel this strange sort of twisting feeling, here.."

(Ylena touches her stomach.)

Esserae says, "You mean there."

Esserae pokes Sammeal in the ribs.

Aubery asks, "ya was in love with em?"

>Ylena says, "And I feel a part of me ripping away, and going into the sky."

Ylena says, "I turned, and there was another twisted soul."

>Aubery cringes.

Tesserah's face turns slightly pale.

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Sammeal squints at Esserae.

Ylena says, "Now, in the heat of the moment, in the noise and the crowd, no one saw."

Ylena says, "Not then."

Tesserah bites her lip.

Ylena says, "Not until a flood of rabid rats came swarming up the Manor stairs."

Ylena sighs.

Ylena says, "My friends and I were very young."

Ylena says, "And in an instant, most of my friends fell."

Sammeal begins to twitch.

Ylena says, "Still jeering, before they died."

Tesserah winces.

Sammeal takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Ylena says, "The elders on the porch had the presence of mind to draw weapons."

You frown.

Sammeal shrinks fearfully away from you!

Ylena says, "The rats were quickly gone, but just as quickly, dark spirits took their place."

Ylena says, "And the strange thing was, even with all of these creatures about, I was untouched."

Ylena says, "So was my adversary."

>Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Sammeal takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

>Ylena says, "I felt.. incomplete, but strangely satisfied, watching everyone get hurt."

>Sammeal sighs.

>Aubery shivers.

Aubery takes a drink from his Winterberry Ale.

Ylena says, "The spirits would touch people on the porch, draining them."

You shudder.

Ylena says, "I saw the twisted souls in midair, outlined against the moon."

Ylena says, "They were gesturing and pointing at one another."

Aubery leans forward.

(Sammeal struggles to remain silent.)

Ylena says, "Everything was so chaotic, and strange."

Ylena says, "And all of a sudden, I felt awful."

Ylena says, "I turned to the man on the porch, and said.. "I'm sorry.""

Ylena says, "And in that instant, as the words left my lips.."

Ylena says, "I saw a malevolent spirit rise from my body."

Ylena says, "And EVERYTHING vanished."

Ylena says, "I mean, everything."

Sammeal glares.

Ylena says, "The dead and dying were still there."

>Accappella gulps.

Aubery blinks.

Ylena says, "You can't undo what's done."

Ylena sighs.

Ylena says, "You can't know how it felt."

Ylena says, "My words.. MY HEART.. my evil feelings killed my friends."

Sammeal rubs a crystal amulet.

Sammeal gets an odd look on his face.

Ylena asks, "Have I been nice since?"

Ylena leans forward.

Ylena says, "No."

Ylena says, "But everytime I start to lose my temper and go beyond what is reasonable.. I see that spirit leaving me."

Ylena says, "Niceness counts."

>Ylena says, "In these days, it's all too rare."

Ylena says, "It was a harsh way to learn a lesson."

You rub Ylena.

>Ylena says, "And one I would not wish on anyone."

Tesserah smiles quietly

Sammeal rubs his chin thoughtfully.

>Ylena removes some thick dark ale from in her white raw silk cloak.

Ylena takes a drink from her dark ale.

Ylena shivers.

Ylena says, "Ask away, I'm sure you have questions."

>Ylena says, "I would."

>You applaud.

(Ylena steps to the right.)

Ylena asks, "Ylena, were you drinking?"

Ylena says, "No, I wasn't."

You chuckle.

Aubery applauds.

Ylena says, "I swear on my honour.. it HAPPENED."

Aubery takes a drink from his Haakon's Choice.

Tesserah smiles.

>Sammeal asks, "Can I talk now, Arwen?"

You nod to Sammeal.

Sammeal asks, "How do twisted souls gesticulate? Aren't they too contorted to do such a thing?"

>Ylena takes a drink from her dark ale.

Ylena says, "All I saw was twisting and twining evil."

Ylena says, "Continuing the conflict I had begun."

Sammeal nods.

You ask, "Did you feel something, before it came out of you?"

Sammeal says, "Ok. I thought you said they were gesticulating."

Sammeal says, "She felt awfullness in her tummy."

Ylena says, "Just a sick sort of black anger."

Ylena says, "And I wanted the idiot dead for questioning me."

Armaxis grins.

Tesserah takes a drink from her devil chaser.

Ylena says, "It's hard to get along with people."

Tesserah says, "cant get along without them though"

Tesserah sighs.

>Ylena says, "There are so many of us.. so many different paths."

Accappella says, "Take it out on the critters"

Sammeal asks, "When you die, are each of the two souls that popped out of you going to the same place as the one that talks when you're dead, or are you all gonna go your separate ways?"

Ylena takes a drink from her dark ale.

You nod to Ylena.

Ylena says, "You're into metaphysical realms I wouldn't presume to touch."

Ylena says, "I'm a bard, damnit, not a cleric."

Ylena grins.

Sammeal sighs.

Accappella says, "a bardess actually"

>Ylena says, "I would hope that was a part of me that is forever gone."

Ylena says, "I certainly don't want it back."

>You smile at Ylena.

Sammeal says, "Yes, but it has self awareness, and therefore can never truly be gone."

You say, "I'm sure it is."

You take a tiny sip of your blackberry tea, warming your lips and making sure it isn't too hot to drink.

Ylena asks, "Perhaps I will encounter it again someday.. who knows?"

You say, "I hope not."

>Sammeal says, "So somewhere, your icky anger demon is floating around, gesticulating and contorting."

Ylena says, "Life has a way of giving us nasty surprises."

>Armaxis says, "Mm, would be most...interesting."

>Armaxis nods to Ylena.

Ylena giggles.

Ylena asks, "Can you imagine another me.. only dark and twisted and wearing ochre?"

Ylena shivers.

Sammeal rubs his chin thoughtfully.

>Tesserah rubs her chin thoughtfully.

>Aubery grins.

>Aubery takes a drink from his Haakon's Choice.

>Armaxis coughs.

Ylena says, "God, and siren lizard boots or something."

>Ylena shivers.

Ylena says, "There's a nightmare for later."

Armaxis says, "If it was cackling, then it'd be Morandas when he was very young."

Armaxis nods to Ylena.

>Sammeal wails!

Tesserah chuckles.

>(Ylena tosses back a mouthful of ale.)

Tesserah takes a drink from her devil chaser.

Ylena says, "I guess what I want to say is.."

Merlinaa takes a drink from her Haakon's Choice.

Ylena says, "Be nice."

>Tesserah smiles.

>You smile at Ylena.

>Sammeal chuckles.

Ylena says, "It might make you feel better to say it.."

Sammeal says, "Well, tempting as that is, I really really like being sarcastic."

Ylena asks, "But if it's going to devastate someone else, is it REALLY worth it?"

Sammeal sighs.

You say, "Never."

Ylena says, "You remind me of me, Sammeal."

>Ylena grins.

>Aubery takes a drink from his Haakon's Choice.

Sammeal chuckles.

>Aubery takes a drink from his Haakon's Choice.

You smile at Ylena.

Ylena says, "I'd bet you have a lesson or two ahead."

Tesserah stands up.

Armaxis put some iced cobra venom in his Faendryl runecloak.

Sammeal chuckles.

Ylena says, "Nice socks."

>Ylena nods to Sammeal.

>Sammeal nods.

>Tesserah smiles sleepily

>Sammeal says, "I've had them for years."

Ylena says, "Go home."

>You smile.

>Aubery nods.

(Ylena shooes the crowd.)

>Aubery grins.

>Ylena says, "Hug someone."

>Sammeal says, "I am home, durnit."

>Armaxis shudders.

>Armaxis exclaims, "Never!"

Armaxis stares at Ylena.

>Tesserah chuckles.

>Sammeal says, "Or, nearby it, anyway."

>Sammeal chuckles.

You say, "Thank you for your songs and tales this evening, Ylena."

Ylena says, "Most welcome."

Sammeal just hugged Ylena.

Tesserah curtsies to Ylena.

Sammeal nods.

>Ylena says, "Thank you all for enduring them."

>Aubery says, "aye thank yas "

>Ylena giggles.

>Tesserah says, "night all"

>Armaxis stands up.

>Tesserah smiles.

>Tesserah waves.

>Aubery nods.

Tesserah says, "and thank ya"

>Aubery takes a drink from his dark ale.

Sammeal says, "Many thanks, Ylena."

>Tesserah smiles.

>Merlinaa just arrived.

>Ylena just gave Sammeal a smooch.

>Aubery stands up.

Ylena leans back.

Sammeal says, "I'll always come if I hear of it in time, Arwen."

You smile at Sammeal.