"Aw, come on Asche. I was givin' you a hard time. It'll be fun. Maybe I can get a fight picked for you or something."
"Thanks, Krays!" follows the little kobold out of sight.
"I suppose we'll go. Who knows maybe one of the bands will be good." Asch says with a shrug.
"I suppose we'll go. Who knows maybe one of the bands will be good." Asch says with a shrug.
"Oh, good!! The more the merrier!" ^.^
Some mild screaming from the kitchen staff erupts when an oozy, nearly transparent tentacle, tinged with purple on the edges, and wearing a jaunty set of semi-preserved eyeballs perched on the tip, comes out of a drain in the main kitchen. It sniffs around, the misaligned and over-sized eyeballs lending it the appearance of a cross-eyed and extremely curious King Cobra.
When help and curious gawkers arrive, the snake is busy trying to drag an entire Dim Sum cart down the drain. It succeed in putting a prodigious bend in the solid metal cart and swiping three bamboo steam trays filled with hum bao and shui mai before fleeing the scene...
The girls and Spin (and anyone else who wants to tag along) head on down to the basement. Loud music can already be heard as they get to the doors as several musicians are warming up.
A random student goes flying through the basement doors and skids to a stop a few feet away from Ephebe & Friends. Standing in the doorway is Kamenwati, his illusion down and his true cambion form revealed.
"And don't comeback until you learn some manners!" He shouts at the fallen student. He smiles as he notices Ephebe. "Hey Phebes, how are things?"
"Hey, Kam. Guess you're still getting a little awkwardness, huh?"
"Actually we're here for him," she said, nodding at Spin. "Spin's a drummer and he's looking for a band, so if you can point him int he right direction...?"
Spin sidesteps the kid as he slides to a halt, happy Ephebe took the lead with the new guy. When she mentions his drumming, he whips his drumsticks out of his back pockets with the same smooth precision as he did earlier (well, almost), letting them spin across the back of his hands. (For once not letting his mouth do the initial talking.) .
"It's not too bad here in band practice. The other bands are already okay with it by now. As for the new guy..."
"Nice trick, but you'll have to try for one of the other bands. Fly Free has been full for a while now."
"So who does need a drummer?" Spin says, looking around at the collection of potential posers. "And which bands are actually any good?"
"Oh no, I'm not going to say anymore! If you turn out to be more than just fancy tricks, I don't want to be the one that sent you to a rival band!" Kamen says with a laugh as he turns and walks back to his band.
Spin, undaunted, follows after the demon-boy with an unwavering smile, "So what you're really sayin' is that Flying Free only has an opening if I'm good enough, huh?" When Kamenwati looks back he continues, "Look, at least let see if I can use your guy's drums to get some warm up in?"
"Is that a normal occurrence down here?" Asch comments as smoothly sidesteps the living missile. When he sees Kam he steps closer to Amada just in case he freaks again.
"No no no, we don't have any openings! I was just saying if you turn out to be good and are playing for another band, I want it to be entirely Ephebe's fault! But yeah, you can use our drums." He gestures at Fly Free's drummer. "Su'Ta, get up and let the new warm up!" Su'Ta grins, shakes his head, and moves off to the side so Spin can get his skills warmed up.
"Let's see if any of the other bands notice you."
Spin nods to both Kam and his drummer as he nears the kit. He pauses before sitting down, eyeing each piece of equipment in turn. "Nice rig," he mutters to Su'Ta. Then he takes his place.
He sits, feeling the stool, laying a hand on each piece of equipment in turn, getting a feel for everything. He tests the kick as he runs his fingers up the stand of the cymbal, finishing with a light tap which brings a low tiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnngggg. With a slow smile, he silences it with a pinch.
For the first time, those few who have spent time with him get the feeling that he's alone. The basement, the students, Fly Free… all are gone. Iit's just him and the drums.
He opens with a slow rhythm from the bass. A heartbeat. Letting it roll for a few breaths. Then his hands rise to add some play to the rhythm. It starts simple, but quickly builds. In a matter of heartbeats - both real and of the bass - he's gliding over the kit, the intensity building as his arms become blurs.
He looks up, his grin all confidence, and his eyes shoot over to his group of friends. Eye contact with Ephebe - the pace alters and becomes simple and easy but intriguing. Eye contact with Nasima - it quickens to a fast rain-shower, light and refreshing. Eye contact with Asche - it slams into high gear with pronounced crashes of the cymbal like gunfire. And finally, as his eyes land on Kam and his crew….
… mid-beat Spin's form contorts and spins into that of a huge, all-black Girallon. All pitch black fur, jutting teeth, rippling muscles, but - most importantly - to extra arms that grow two extra drumsticks. The set is dwarfed by Girallon-Spin as he throws his head back in a silent roar. Four arms and two legs pound mercilessly across the kit, the furious assault rolling across the patchy light of the basement. There are some cheers, some annoyed yells, but the drums swell… drive…. thunder for another fifteen seconds. Hands, feet, and fur flashing into a crashing crescendo.
Then all is silent except the remaining splash of the cymbal. Girallon-Spin wallows in the waning sound, then slowly reverts to his own size and skin. As he stands, he draws both drumsticks, pantomiming shooting them as casters at Asche in a friendly gesture. Then stands and steps back, holstering the 'sticks in his pockets.
"So?" he asks to Kam…
"You are certainly skilled." Kam admits with a nod. "The Girallon shift at the end was a nice touch. You'll have no problem getting into one of the other bands."
"Anyone else want to try and match that?" He asks the group.
Asch nods his head towards Spin and let's out a low whistle. "Not bad, not bad at all."
Ephebe grins and applauds.
"Wow. I suspected you were good when I saw how you were air drumming earlier, but...wow."
Taking her fingers out of her ears, Nasima gives a little jump and claps, smiling the whole while. "Yay Spin! That was...ah...very...loud? And fast? Yes! Also very fun!"
Note to self -- get earplugs! Mists and morningrain, get some earplugs. Nasima still prefers the more random sussurous of rain or sleet, but Spin and everyone else is having fun and it's infectious. Plus, she always loves hearing something new. Or at least different.
Spin, wiping sweat from his forehead, practically beams. "Thanks guys. I guess we'll see if I get any attention. And thanks for the support."
He notices 'Sima's particular response to his drumming, "I promise to warn you next time I decide to play."
Years later, from Sinh's perspective, he is still hunting the creature that eluded him most recently in the cafeteria. He tracks it diligently, poking his nose into drains across the school... which brings him at length to the basement at the end of a booming drum solo. Initially, he thought the creature had burst through a wall and was rampaging through the school - but it had only turned out to be an energetic girallon on drums. Well, ya just don't see that everyday.
Sinh pokes his head into several of the basement band rooms, drawing some attention from the music-loving or wincing (in the case of 'Sima) students. He says to a musically-inclined looking student, "Well! I'm glad to see you young folks playin' music. A very worthwhile pursuit, yes indeed.... But does the faculty band play elsewhere? I'm anxious to hear Master Vakkler. They say he sings like a dove."
Spin's face contorts dubiously, "The faculty band?"
Sinh frowns, not quite sure if he's confused. "Yes, young Spin... the Naughty Unmentionables is what I hear they call it. So, they don't practice here? I don't play myself but I'm all eaten with curiosity to hear them."
"This is the first I've heard of a faculty band, Mr. Sinh. But if I find out where they practice I'll be sure to tell you," she said, biting her lip to keep from laughing at the band name.
Sinh's shoulders slump a bit, clearly crestfallen, "Oh. That's a shame, Miss. I hope someone wasn't having a go at me because I'm new 'round here." He brightens a bit, "Maybe they're a new band and keeping it tight-lipped?"
Sinh's shoulders slump a bit, clearly crestfallen, "Oh. That's a shame, Miss. I hope someone wasn't having a go at me because I'm new 'round here." He brightens a bit, "Maybe they're a new band and keeping it tight-lipped?"
"Weeeeel, if the someone who told you about it was Jimmy, then I'm afraid yes, he was almost certainly teasing you. If it was someone else, well, then I can't be sure."
Taps Spin on the shoulder.
"Hi. So...you're looking for a band?"
"You ever heard of that band, Taron?"
"You ever heard of that band, Taron?"
"No.. I can't say that I have." Taron says, with a subtle grin. "Their fans would be interesting to see..."
"Hi. So...you're looking for a band?"
Spin turns, "Huh? Oh yah. You in one?"
That was quick, he thinks. Usually it takes a while for word to get around...
"Hi. So...you're looking for a band?"Spin turns, "Huh? Oh yah. You in one?"
That was quick, he thinks. Usually it takes a while for word to get around...
"Sort of," she said with a shrug. "I'm trying to start one. My mom won't stop bugging me about how a firebird is supposed to sing and I can't keep neglecting my musical training, blah, blah, blah...Anyways, I had to promise her that I would do some singing this term. Soooo...I thought I'd start a band. The kind that plays loud music that would totally irritate my mom. I've got the equipment, but not the musicians....We'd still have to find a guitarist or two and come up with a name....if you were interested, that is."
"We'd still have to find a guitarist or two and come up with a name....if you were interested, that is."
"If you need a name, and you are a firebird that sings..." Taron starts...
My mom won't stop bugging me about how a firebird is supposed to sing
"We'd still have to find a guitarist or two and come up with a name....if you were interested, that is.""If you need a name, and you are a firebird that sings..." Taron starts...
"Then we would suggest Phoenix Rising for the name.." Kamewati finishes.
"Then we would suggest Phoenix Rising for the name.." Kamewati finishes."We'd still have to find a guitarist or two and come up with a name....if you were interested, that is.""If you need a name, and you are a firebird that sings..." Taron starts...
Fieri made a face. "Everybody always gets firebirds and phoenixes confused....although it is a catchy name...."
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Fieri made a face. "Everybody always gets firebirds and phoenixes confused....although it is a catchy name...."
Nasima's eyes widen. "A firebird! I've met others of your kind! Oh, have you ever traveled the planes? Ever been to the plane of Air? Visited djinn or cloud giants? We may have friends in common! I'm Nasima by the way..." she says, beaming and holding out her hand. The young sylph seems quite excited to meet Fieri.
"Weeeeel, if the someone who told you about it was Jimmy, then I'm afraid yes, he was almost certainly teasing you. If it was someone else, well, then I can't be sure."
"No offense, Miss, but I wouldn't consider young Jimmy a good source... given as how I still got crockery to clean up in the cafeteria from his recent shenanigans AND I'm chasing one of his other pranks."
The janitor steps back and gets a calculating look in his eye, "You're roomin' with the lad, are you not, Miss? I expect he's a messy one. Would you like your room thoroughly cleaned?"
Fieri made a face. "Everybody always gets firebirds and phoenixes confused....although it is a catchy name...."
Nasima's eyes widen. "A firebird! I've met others of your kind! Oh, have you ever traveled the planes? Ever been to the plane of Air? Visited djinn or cloud giants? We may have friends in common! I'm Nasima by the way..." she says, beaming and holding out her hand. The young sylph seems quite excited to meet Fieri.
"Ummm...other planes? No, I've only been here. What's a plane?"
"And I'm Fieri, very pleased to meet you."
"Stop tugging at that blouse, Ephebe, I told you, it's supposed to fit that way. It looks fine. Just relax a little. Geez."
"Weeeeel, if the someone who told you about it was Jimmy, then I'm afraid yes, he was almost certainly teasing you. If it was someone else, well, then I can't be sure.""No offense, Miss, but I wouldn't consider young Jimmy a good source... given as how I still got crockery to clean up in the cafeteria from his recent shenanigans AND I'm chasing one of his other pranks."
The janitor steps back and gets a calculating look in his eye, "You're roomin' with the lad, are you not, Miss? I expect he's a messy one. Would you like your room thoroughly cleaned?"
"Oh, would you? I'd love that! The last time I tried to get into my room he'd turned it into a sandbox and I had to borrow clothes from Fieri. I don't even know where he gets half the stuff he's got strewn all over."
"Interesting." Taron thinks to Kam. "A firebird native to Agartha, with no idea what it means to fly in the sky..."
"Don't dwell on that day yet, Taron, we are years from being ready. Besides waiting makes the cage grow rusty."
"Of course."
Mr. Sinh's slow smile goes from sweet to villainous in 3.428 seconds. He winks, "Well, Miss. I can help you out there. Make sure you remove everything you value or that young master Jimmy will need. Anything that's left... won't be there when you get back. Most likely, we'll have to pull your bed into the hallway briefly.."
"Tell ya what, Fieri. I'll be happy to help you put together a band. Don't be offended if I wait to see what comes together before I give a definitive yes or no, though. I'm Spin, by the way, and I'll start thinking on that name."
From the corner of his eye, Spin is watching Mr. S's conversation, "Wait a minute. What are you doing down here again?"
'Sima gives Fieri a puzzled look. "Oh. Okay. Well, it's nice to meet you, too. Maybe one day you'll get to travel the planes. It's quite wonderful. Firebirds are so inspiring to see when they really let loose." She has a dreamy expression on her face. Looking at Spin's suspicious expression, she giggles. "Spin, Mr. Sinh is just very thorough. That's why things are so clean! He's the custodian and cleaning guy, he's supposed to be everywhere."