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Missing the Music by Ysabeau (Crossing, Zoluren: 122 Shorka 364)A white-haired Elf enters the tavern and requests a glass of honeyed orange-water without meeting anyone's eyes. By the faint traces of her scars, you can tell she is a healer. By the faint trembling of her hand, you can tell she is concealing strong emotion. After a few sips, she tilts her head toward Baresh and gazes quietly until his work is done. When she has his attention, she smiles slightly at him and, leaning against the bar, begins to speak. "Like many others in Elanthia, I watch people come and go. Most of the time, they pass quietly. Some carry songs in their hearts that can be heard, if the audience but listens. It has been my privilege to listen to some of the finest." She pauses a moment, shaking her head slightly as if to clear it. After another sip of her drink, she continues. "I could list out names for you. I could spend more time than either of us have explaining to you how their lives touched mine. A part of me is aching to do that. But I know that each of us carries names in our hearts." Her gaze drops to the bar, and her fingers wrap more tightly around her glass. After a few deep breaths, she is composed enough to speak again. "Today, I learned that one more song-bearer may be gone from my life. She's spent more and more time travelling, and perhaps this is just another extended trip..." Her voice breaks here, and she leans against the bar for support. When Baresh reaches over to pat her hand reassuringly, she flinches slightly and raises her eyes to meet his. She relaxes when she sees the sympathy in his eyes. After she finishes her drink and sets the glass on the bar, she speaks again. "I thank you for your time, Baresh, for being here day and night to listen to us as we come to tell our tales. You're a rare constant in a world of change, and that can mean a lot." The Elf places a few coins on the bar and walks to the door. Before opening it, she turns back and clears her throat. She begins to sing in a voice so soft it barely carries across the almost empty tavern.
"You are the wind that blows every morn, "Those lines are from a song of hers that touched me. If she is truly gone..." The Elf pauses for a deep sigh, "When you meet those song-bearers who touch your heart, be sure to let them know. They come and go, and you never know when one of them might not come again." Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, the Elf turns and leaves the tavern, silently.
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