The crowd continues to cheer and chant. The sound is a loud moving thing that surges back and forth across the crowd, erupting anew from each section of the theater when Marius' gaze swings that way.
Larazod continues to lie on the floor.
Backstage Robahl pumps nervously up and down from his ankles as if he would like to start jumping. He turns to Millech, "It looks like we could have a winner." Then he notices Larazod. "Close the curtain! Close the curtain!"
Millech is quick to obey and the curtain swishes closed behind Marius, leaving him alone on the edge of the stage with a newly adoring public.
Behind the curtain Robahl rushes to the unconscious actor and gently raises his head. "Water, something!"
Akorian comes forward and kneels down to examine the youth. Larazod opens his eyes. Akorian announces, "He is all right. Nothing wrong with him."
A few minutes pass while Robahl fusses over "the finest actor of the age. Apple of my eye. "
Robahl and Akorian help Larazod to his feet where he sways unsteadily. Robahl states, "Are you ready to go! Ready on the curtain. Places."
Larazod mumbles, "Please, Robahl. I don't want to do it."
Marius:
As soon as Waifrin appears on stage and starts dancing, Raven notices more than a few people around him turn their eyes towards her. Sure enough, the elf does the same and quickly makes his way closer to what seems to be a most worthwhile show.
"Well, well," he mutters softly, his golden eyes positively glowing and his expression one of approval and admiration. "It would seem treasures come in all shapes and sizes, not just in the form of gold and gems."
Turning briefly to whoever is closest, he smiles. "Who knew you humans would have such beauties among you, yes?" He turns back to look at the stage, his smile not fading in the least.
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Zarabeta's jaw clenches and unclenches at the way Marius just panders his sister as entertainment before the crowd, but her mood passes as she watches her friend dance.
"She really is quite good." she admits, her outrage withering as quickly as it grew.
"Far more a natural to the stage than her brother..."
Akorian stands next to Zarabeta, staring silently at Waifrin's performance. There's little in his posture to demonstrate approval or acceptance of her dance, regardless of how well she moves. But he offers no outward comment until Zarabeta compares the stage presence of the two Goddons. Even then, his only response is a simple: "Indeed."
Marius has judged his audience well. The crowd is indeed pleased by Waifrin. The cheers go up again, and even louder than for the gladiator's kill. Although Raven does hear a small cadre sniff about "the death of serious theater."
Backstage: Robahl and Larazod resolve their discussion, at least temporarily, when Robahl agrees to let the actor sit out. The director calls Millech, Zara and Akorian for a quick conference.
"They loved that! I was obviously right. Westcrown is ripe for a return of dangerous reality-based theater. But now we've got two problems. First, the big fight scene is next. What can we give them to top that? And where's that elf who was reading parts earlier. We need a new Larazod."
"What does the big fight scene involve?" Akorian asks, "If we need something else, I can arrange for an elemental of fire to appear. Not as potent, mind you, as that devil Zarabeta summoned. But we could make it seem like active hellfire or something? Or, if you have something else for Larazod to battle, perhaps this fire is granted to him as a boon from the gods to defeat his opponents? A sign of their favor...?"
"Or...I suppose I could boost Marius' strength as another favor from the gods?"
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Marius was somewhat surprised that Waif had come prepared for the eventuality and even more surprised by the..lack of substance to her costume.
"She's your cousin..and you subjected her to that mob..and she has them in the palm of her hand too..so who has the real power here" he thinks to himself as he watches the crowd, ready to step in if any of them get too..attentive
Raven: You're summoned backstage by Millech via a message spell.
Backstage: Robahl fixes on AKorian summoning a monster to fight, not buffing Marius. "The crowd relishes the smell of blood." Millech will supplement with a minor image and lends Zara his wand of minor image during the scene so she can help too.
When Raven arrives Robahl tells him that Larazod has taken ill. "Would you mind reading the role for the rest of this performance?"
On stage: Waifrin continues to cavort, gyre, and gimbal onstage. The crowd continues appreciative. Two red-capped young men in the long narrow jackets favored by the nobility two years ago jump up on stage to dance with her. One tries to grab her wrist for a twirl....
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"How shall we coordinate the combat? Akorian will conjure something, an elemental, perhaps, as he has suggested, and I could create the illusion of sparks flying off the creature, to enhance the effect, or cause it to appear larger, so that even those who see through the illusion of the enhanced size will perceive the actual creature beneath?"
"If a fire elemental is indeed the choice, men with buckets of water should be at hand, as we don't want to risk burning down the theater during the rehearsal..."
"Perhaps a water elemental, which I could use prestidigitation and illusion to render into the appearance of an animate pool of blood and organs, would be safer?"
"Ill, is he?" Raven accepts the pages and takes a quick look. "Well, certainly. I am sure it will make for a very intriguing experience." The elf smiles confidently, yet inwardly he thinks, 'Thieves are supposed to not have an audience, but I am not currently on the job, am I?'
There is an audible sigh as he flips through the script, engrossed enough that Zarabeta's comment about 'an animate pool of blood and organs' does not register, otherwise the usually glib rogue would certainly have something to say about such a remark. As he looks up at Robahl again, he starts to speak, yet he is cut short as he notices the young men getting perhaps a bit too close to Waifrin.
"Oh, dear...," is all Raven manages to mutter as he turns his gaze to Marius.
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Distracted by her whirling thoughts of how to make the next scene more dramatic, with coloration and illusion, and yet in such a way as to not provoke the illusion-hating heckler, Zarabeta doesn't quite catch the meaning of Raven's statement.
Instead she smirks, as the thought of Uqabi emptying his bowels over the head of the heckler crosses her mind, to give the fool something worth complaining about...
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Hearing Waifrin's gentle protest, Zarabeta peeks from side stage and mutters a soft incantation, attempting to still the wandering hands of the overzealous audience member by clouding his mind for a moment.
If she can catch Waifrin's eye, she'll gesture for her to step off-stage, while the suitor is distracted.
In front of the curtain:
Marius' glare puts the closest young man down. He sinks off the stage and drips back into his chair.
Waifrin's suitor smiles broadly. "OK!" His fingers turn on his topmost button as he steps in a little closer. His breath is heavy with mead. Zara's spell hits him and ...
... he suddenly stops and stares vacantly at the white-haired dancer.
Behind the curtain:
Robahl smiles at Raven's acquiescence. "Good! You'll be just fine. I'll announce the change and we'll start in a few moments." The director tells one of the stage hands to find the scroll with Larazod's lines and cues, "And get the horns on him."
One stagehand leads Raven to his mark. Another stagehand rips the horns and two chunks of hair off Larazod's head. The young actor squeaks with pain. A second stagehand appears with a pot of paste. They present themselves in front of Raven. "These will look better with your ears." They paint the horns with the paste and move to fix them to the elf's head.
The director moves into the wing, confers briefly with Millech, and motions for Waifrin to leave the stage.
Millech rumbles to Marius, "Best get back to your place."
Back in front of the curtain:
She departs to loud, enthusiastic applause and cheers for "MORE!". The young man is left centerstage. A stoneware mug hits him in the back and he comes out of his daze. Red-faced, he jumps down off the stage to hoots and catcalls.
Nonon strides brickly out to centerstage. "Ladies and Gentlemen! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!! I regret to announce that Wilem Carbelono, our beloved Larazod, has taken ill and can not continue tonight's performance. However, we are blessed that the role will be filled by Raevanis Dwin'Alir, of the Mierani Majestic theater, who has graciously deigned to continue in Wilem's place."
"I give you -- the next act in "The Trial of Larazod!"
He walks sideways and the curtain opens at his pace, revealing the actors anew.
Once offstage, Robahl's eyes flick to Waifrin. "My dear, would you come with me?"
Millech growls at Zara and Akorian, "Not water. Stone I think. And you dressing it up is a good idea. I'll try to make one to match."
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"Thanks Zara, Marius - I didn't think frying the audience in public would be good for the play," Waifrin says as she comes off stage.
"My dear, would you come with me?"
"In a moment, sir - just let me get my clothes on - as you can see some gentlemen become a little excited at the sight of a dancing girl," Waifrin slips back into her dress before going with Nonon.
Taking his place on stage, Raven looks at the scroll in his hand and then at the crowd watching. Once Nonon introduces him, the elf cannot help but smirk at the director's words. He has time to think, 'Great, now their expectations are even higher,' and then he starts to read his part, at the same time trying to ignore the horns and hair pasted on his head.
On stage:
The new scene begins... the usual gripping dialogue (Raven being much less well received than Wilem) ... the audience begins to get boisterous when it's Akorian's cue to summon their foe. Zara adds some pizazz, and Millech tries to copy their style. The crowd, sensing the return of action, cheers.
Sacrificial earth elemental
Millech's illusion
Waifrin:
Nonon strides toward a chair in front of a mirror lined by candles. "I take it you have some -- stage experience, my dear? You are full of surprises. Have you ever considered serious theater?"
He unbuttons his jacket, folds it, and places it gently over a rack near the chair. Then he begins unbuttoning his shirt.
Akorian applies what little knowledge he has of performances, falling back on the lessons he received in dancing at courtly receptions. Rather than establish anything fancy, he simply instructs the summoned earth elemental to stalk and stomp around the stage in a dance-like fashion, threatening Marius and the other actors.
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As Nonon starts to undress, Waifrin politely turns her back. Oh no ... please let him not want me on the casting couch, Waifrin thinks.
"I take it you have some -- stage experience, my dear? You are full of surprises. Have you ever considered serious theater?"
"I have a talent for sorcery as well, sir, but sadly it does not lend itself to entertainment," Waifrin chooses her words carefully. "I became a dancer as a way of making the most of my looks that did not involve becoming a prostitute - and even so, I have had to decline many offers, as you might imagine. I confess, I have never seen a play performed before, and I find it intriguing," she adds.
"Er, should I wait outside? People might talk and my cousin ... he can be a little protective sometimes."
Marius' attack severs an arm and a leg from the elemental. The two limbs fall to the floor and lie inert. The elemental falls over but continues to circle as another leg, then an arm begin to emerge.
Calseinica dodges behind Raven for safety.
The torturer flips his knife up and grabs it point first .
Dentriss pulls out a handful of red sand, shouts some mumbo jumbo, and casts it at Millech's elemental. It leaves a fine powdery crimson cloud behind it which quickly disspiates. Millech has the elemental waver in to translucency, then solidify. Dentriss yells in frustration and his hand dives back into his pouch of powder.
Perception DC 16 (-2 for Raven and Marius):
Offstage, Millech murmurs appreciatively. "Good with his blades that Marius. I feel a lot better with him in the cast."
Waifrin:
kohl which he begins to apply to his eyelids.
"I can well believe you've had offers, my dear," he replies. "But you've never been to the theater? Not once. It is the highest from of art and our troupes in Westcrown are the best in Cheliax. Better even than the capital's. I dare say we're the best in the world."
"A talent for sorcery you say? You wouldn't consider taking the part of Dentriss, would you? The old man looks the part and he's a solid enough actor, but I see now that his powders and sparkles will look false against the crimson reality of that young bravo's sword."
"And Wilem must go also. He's a genius, but hasn't the nerve for this piece."
"Please say you will. Think of the possiblities. It would open the world of the legitimate theater to you. You'd be the toast of the town, I have no doubt. All the best people would fawn on you. Parties at the finest vaneos and villas."
Raven affords Dentriss a look, noticing blue powder and a round stone in the man's hand, as he too moves towards the otherwordly foe, drawing his rapier at the same time and attempting to flank it. Once in range, he stabs at the elemental.
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"I can well believe you've had offers, my dear, but you've never been to the theatre? Not once. It is the highest from of art and our troupes in Westcrown are the best in Cheliax. Better even than the capital's. I dare say we're the best in the world."
"A talent for sorcery you say? You wouldn't consider taking the part of Dentriss, would you? The old man looks the part and he's a solid enough actor, but I see now that his powders and sparkles will look false against the crimson reality of that young bravo's sword."
"And Wilem must go also. He's a genius, but hasn't the nerve for this piece."
"Please say you will. Think of the possibilities. It would open the world of the legitimate theatre to you. You'd be the toast of the town, I have no doubt. All the best people would fawn on you. Parties at the finest vaneos and villas."
Waifrin heaves a mental sigh of relief.
"No ... I think I may have been as a very young child, but I cannot recall much beyond the lights and the stage," she replies. "My cousin Marius is a very able warrior, Master Robahl, I can well believe that little will look real beside his skill," she takes a deep breath, weighing up the odds. On the one hand, the risk of exposure, on the other the chance to make a statement, to make a bigger difference.
"I ... would be willing to try, sir," she offers after a long moment. "The money has to be better than needlework, and the applause less, ah, forward than with dancing."
Raven's masterwork rapier drives into the earthen creature and finds the spark animating it. The elemental collapses into a pile of rubble and dirt.
The crowd goes wild again.
Marius turns his attention to the illusionary beast. Oddly, fighting an illusion is hard to make look good. He's got to swing fast, but slow the blade down when he "hits." Some of the sharper-eyed spectators pick it up and there are cries of "Fake!" and "It's an illusion!" from house left.
Dentriss rears back and throws his stone and dust at the foot of the illusion. It explodes with a tremendously loud CRACK!
Millech is startled and drops his concentration. The illusion disappears abruptly.
The crowd doesn't seem to mind. In fact it loves the explosion. Delighted cheering and applause sweep over
Waifrin :
He stands and begins to shrug on a long heavy stiff crimson coat.
"I'm happy that you're willing to try, darling," he says. "Never fear. I will whip you all into shape. You and Calseinica and your brother's swords will make this the finest production of the Six -- "
A loud BANG! from upstairs interrupts the director. "Upstairs, quickly!"
On stage, Dentriss stares stupidly at the blank space where the illusion stood. The torturer is shaking his head. His hands are clapped over his ears.
"What the...," is all Raven manages to utter before the explosion of sound. Thankfully, the elf manages to bring his hands to his ears a split second before it happens. Although it certainly does not protect him entirely, it nevertheless does so adequately.
"What was that?"
A bearded man in in a long stiff red jacket sweeps backstage with Waifrin right behind him. "What's going on?" Robahl asks Millech.
The hunchback grumbles in reply, "I'd say the fool threw a thunderstone on stage. The crowd loved it but they won't like it whe the players can't finish."
Robahl doesn stop to think, "Get them moving, Millech. We're almost home the show must go on."
Millech grins at Waifrin adn shakes his head. Actors.
[ooc] Marius' save
The cast stumbles through the remaining scenes. Most of them were deafened by the sound and speak their lines at odd, usually much too loud volumes.
The crowd laughs and mocks them, but in a relatively good-natured way.
"Well now..." Akorian deadpans as he greets everyone off-stage, "I'd say that went well. Assuming you can still hear me, of course..."
"Well," Raven offers with a chuckle, "this is certainly different from performing a few tricks of sleight-of-hand, I will give you that. And the crowd... oh, the crowd...."
"Still, at least as you said we are all still alive, although Marius over here seems to be a little... ahem... deaf. Whose idea was that 'magic trick' the old man pulled off anyway?"
Curtains closed, but you can still hear the crowd file out, especially when one of them shouts one of the lines from the last scene at incredible volume and her friends chuckle and do the same.
Millech and the crew move unto the stage, collecting props and resetting scenery.
Dentriss is still looking dazed, " Then softer, "I can't hear. I can't hear."
Drovalid grins, "That put a kick in the show! Not the worst I've had happen to me though. There was a time ... "
Robahl rips into the old man, "YOu IDiot! You BUMbling SOT! YOU COULD HAVE RUINED THE ENTIRE SHOW. What were you thinking you excresance of a syphilis laden sow? ...." The fact that Dentriss can't hear the actual words makes no difference to the director. It seems to vitalize his vituperative tongue. Five minutes later Dentriss has been reduced to a shell-shocked, deafened, unemployed, dejected old man.
Robahl rounds smoothly on the party, "Anyone care for drinks? A round at the bar here, then we can go to The Giddy Philly."
Calseinica collects Akorian on her left arm and Raven on her right.
Visbaronetess Delour Aulama sidles up behind Marius. "Let's go straight to the Philly. I won't drink the swill they serve here."
If anyone shows signs of departing -- Robahl reminds them to show up for rehearsal by the ninth bell tomorrow morning.
Calseinica collects Akorian on her left arm and Raven on her right.
Raven gracefully moves to unhook his arm from Calseinica's, but takes her hand in his in the same motion. "If you will excuse me for but a few moments, my beautiful lady," he says with a smile before planting a soft kiss on the young woman's hand. "I will be joining you shortly."
Moving away from the actress and Akorian, the elf goes to join the now miserable-looking man that up until a few minutes ago had played the part of Dentriss. Putting his hand on his shoulder, he makes sure to talk slowly, enunciating and forming the words with his lips, as well as his voice, as clearly as he can. "Are you alright?" His voice and his expression show simple and honest kindness; the mischievousness usually associated with the elven scoundrel is nowhere to be seen.
...
Raven gracefully moves to unhook his arm from Calseinica's, but takes her hand in his in the same motion. "If you will excuse me for but a few moments, my beautiful lady," he says with a smile before planting a soft kiss on the young woman's hand. "I will be joining you shortly."
Moving away from the actress and Akorian, the elf goes to join the now miserable-looking man that up until a few minutes ago had played the part of Dentriss. Putting his hand on his shoulder, he makes sure to talk slowly, enunciating and forming the words with his lips, as well as his voice, as clearly as he can. "Are you alright?" His voice and his expression show simple and honest kindness; the mischievousness usually associated with the elven scoundrel is nowhere to be seen.
Calseinica looks at him curiously (she's not used to men unhooking arms with her) but smiles and gives him leave to go. Then she smiles at Akorian, "Why don't you buy me a drink?"
Dentriss is gathering up his cloak when Raven approaches. "I ... I'm all right. I've got to go. My wife will have dinner waiting." He doesn't look at Raven as he lays the cloak over his shoulders. "Thank you, for asking. Good luck with Nonon. He can be a really bastard. "
Marius -- Delour leads you a few blocks away to the Giddy Philly. Just before letting you open the door, she whispers, "You may have thought Wilem was good today. But he has nothing on the people in here. Believe nothing anyone says." She square her shoulders before nodding for you to open the door.
Inside, Delour is greeted with, "It's Visbaronetess Aulama!" A swirl of light applause follows. While she progresses toward an open large round table there's a constant flow of effusive "Darlings", "Sweethearts", "loved the show", "congratulations", "Heard it was a smash", and "so happy for you alls". She glows with the atttention.
Inevitably there's curiousity about Marius; Delour introduces him as "a new friend", "playing Tybain. -- Very dangerous with a sword", and other generally complimentary terms.
The room is golden; a large candlelabra hangs from the arched ceiling. The patrons are in the uniform of upperclass evening dress, complete with rapiers and daggers for the gentlemen, or in the brilliant black affected by artists. The light from the candles on the tables is low, but sufficient to easily read the menu. She pushes it aside without reading. The waiter appears so happy to see her, "Absinthe please, Hugo. The others will be along soon."
Calseinica...smiles at Akorian, "Why don't you buy me a drink?"
"It would be my pleasure..." the nobleman returns her smile. As they leave, he glances back to ensure Raven and Dentriss are okay, but he lets the actress steer him along.
Dentriss is gathering up his cloak when Raven approaches. "I ... I'm all right. I've got to go. My wife will have dinner waiting." He doesn't look at Raven as he lays the cloak over his shoulders. "Thank you, for asking. Good luck with Nonon. He can be a really bastard. "
Raven smiles at 'Dentriss'' last words, but does not comment. Instead, he says, "Now, neither am I saying nor am I not saying that roles may seem harder to come by as one gets older, sir. Nevertheless, if ever you find yourself wanting to... say, practice your acting skills, you might want to seek out a man by the name of Kaedros." The elf proceeds to give the old man instructions on how to go about finding the former rogue and current "leader" of a group of performer, before adding, "Tell him Raven sent you."
With that, the rogue lets the actor go and goes to join Akorian and Calseinica, his usual smile and carefree attitude once again returned. "I do hope I was not missed too much, yes? But I could do with being missed a little..." A wink directed at the young woman accompanies the words.