"Orsin Bessatte so dreamy." the girl who helped Adrea comments.
"He sure is," rumbles one of the customers.
Daniel forgoes the massage, waiting patiently in the medieval equivalent of a husband chair, though he blushes and tries not to stare at the vision that is Lucrezia. In her normal battle dress the woman was already a natural beauty, but the armor and weapons gives her an earthy hardness that detracts enough to allow one to address her as a warrior. Now however, stripped of all warlike rainment and dressed for show she had the power to steal his breath. She was a raven haired tribute to Shelyn. But the fact he could still see such fire in her eyes in contrast to the draw of her neck....he shook his thoughts free and attempted to focus his attention outside. Doing a poor job of it.
Gerard just shakes his head... at Daniel. That boy needs to get out more.
The group arrives at the theater and is promptly escorted to a balcony box reserved just for them, which has the prefect view of the entire theater and stage.
Orsin casts heroism on himself before going on stage.
Once the audience has settled, the orchestra kicks off into a fiery, storm-like cascade of notes. Beautiful, transcendent harmonies emerge from the tumult of violins, celli, and harpsichord. Orsin, outfitted in a grand, architectural costume sweeps onto the stage, managing to retain his masculine charm while bedecked in only the most flamboyant garments. His battle aria is a flurry of coloratura, his caramel voice the vehicle for a destructive and war-like anthem. Spectral soldiers, created offstage by Robahl's illusionist, appear alongside the massive baritone, joining him in haunting chorus. The final cadenza is a deluge of fioratura and the audience is breathless throughout. The orchestra concludes in a thunderous staccato.
After the applause, Orsin addresses the audience directly.
"Ladies and gentleman, thank you for joining us, especially so close to sundown. As some of you may have already heard, the rumors are true: this will be my last performance. Which, I must say is a relief since I thought the last I time I would be alive on stage was in The Six-Fold Trials!" "But truly, it has been an honor for me to grace the stage of a city whose illustrious history it only outdone by its hospitality. In light of that that spirit, I welcome you to this afternoon's performance: Lights Over Westcrown. All of my proceeds will go towards to the establishment of more continual flames so that Westcrown, like the jewel that it is, can sparkle even in the dark. I urge you all to make donations as well, so that we might bring even greater beauty to the Cradle of Cheliax."
After the applause, he continues. "Today's performance will include arias, duets, and overtures from my favorite works; some that I have performed in Egorian and Kintargo, and some I have performed here in Westcrown. Here to sing with me the lover's duet from The Winter of White Roses, please welcome Miss Calseinica Nymmis."
Lady Andrea, your communication magic would be appropriate? How far does that work, anyway? I'm going to find Bianca.
The crowd erupts as Calseinica Nymmis glides on the stage, she kisses actor's cheeks as is the customer and bows to the crowd. The crowd thunders everyone forgetting the horrible one day show - The Winter White Roses
Gerard mustering as much "nobility" as possible, looks for someone of the Brotherhood, wanting to know the results of the theatre sweep. He also looks for Trent and Bianca.
Gerard, I am afraid I do not have that communication magic. Faelyn usually cast it, perhaps Lucrezia has memorized it?
Andrea has her silver dagger strapped to her leg under her dress. She also has her Circlet of Blasting.
Such a wonderful performance.
From your positions you see the theater critic, Flav'r T'Dj'more, sitting next to Thesing.
Gerard you locate the Missepi's in a private box and out side the box they have six well armed guards. They stop you as you approach.
Andrea nudges Lucrezia and waves her fan over to the theater box. Looks like the critic and the limp noodle are watching. No doubt looking for anything wrong so they can sling mud.
Good evening. May I please have a word with Lord Trent Missepe or Lady Bianca Missepe? Gerard Nisroc awaits permission.
Gerard bows his head and takes a respectful step back.
One of the guards disappears and goes into the suite, coming back a moment later and escorts you inside.
The crowd's applause eventually dies down as the performance begins...
Joining in harmony with Calseinica:
♪
♫
"Love, thou art best of human joys,
Our chiefest happiness below,
All our pleasures are but toys,
Music without thee is but noise,
And beauty but an empty show."
♫
♪
The performance continues for the next thirty minutes before intermission, showcasing a lament, a triumphant anthem, two reverent hymns to Asmodeus, and a comic air.
Andrea weeps in joy from the sublime beauty of Orsin's performance. Oh! Oh! If only! A single tear trickles down Andrea's cheek, catching the candlelight and sparkling.
During the intermission, Andrea pats her face with a handkerchief and has a little chilled wine before heading down to the dressing room to see Orsin before the next act.
♪
♪
"The joys of love,
Are trials of the heart,
My chest heaves,
At the scent of your breath,
But he destroys the hope for anymore."
♪ ♪ ♫ ♪
♫ ♪
Daniel watches the performance as much as he can pull his eyes from Lucrezia's.
Finding opportunity when Gerard is away and Andrea moves off for intermission, he gets to speak to her casually for the first time.
I must apologize for I was stunned speechless by your transformation at the boutique, I was unable to utter compliment. You are certainly a vision this afternoon, pardon my forwardness.
*cough*, I understand you are a practitioner of the arcane as well as an archer. It is a difficult art, magic. Though my brother does not appove, I have managed to learn a couple of spells.
The intermission flies by uneventfully. The curtain raises for Act II.
"You're quite forgiven for your forwardness. And yes, I've just recently began studying the arcane arts in an attempt to better able hurt the creatures we have been dealing with. I believe in using the best tools available to deal with the situation at hand. If those tools need to be magic, then so be it, that's what I'll use."
A wise warrior. They were speaking of warfare, it would be disrespect to address her as a woman in that regard, as though she were not an equal soldier.
While I do not condone evil acts, magix is not inheritly so. Many of my order feel it's use is dishonorable, though a soldier who turns away a tactical advantage does himself error. I will never be a practitioner as yourself but you will find me most grateful for you efforts in mastering such opposing disciplines. Your dedication is remarkable.
As the curtain rises on the second act, Orsin is standing center stage, a sword in each hand. He's changed into his exquisitely embroidered doublet, breastplate, and breeches. Striding forward, he slings a blade over each shoulder.
"As I understand, we have a very special guest in the audience tonight. A star whose brilliant career, unlike mine, is still on the rise and holds many wonderful things. To help me perform, the Duel of the Devils from The Feast of Asmodeus, please assist me in welcoming to the stage, Thesing Umbero Ulvauno!"
The audience goes silent, then heads turn trying to locate Thesing, then there is slight murmur. "Thesling...thesling...thesling," the chant begins. "There he is!
The bard reluctantly stands and the theater erupts with applause, he bows in all directions. "This is such an unexpected treat but I...must humble deny Orsino Bessatte's request tonight." There is murmuring all around. He continues, "This is his night to shine, and I shall sit in his shadow this evening, besides I am here a guest not a participate, and I have not prepared for such a performance. Certainly Orsino Bessatte would not want to improperly show me up in front of the esteemed crowd and the acclaimed, Flav'r T'Dj'more." The crowd really cheers on agreement when he says this.
"I had it on your good authority that you'd had sung this role only a few seasons ago. I had hoped to surprise the fine audience that you will come to perform for in the years to come.". Addressing the audience, "Perhaps he needs more applause?" Orsin encourages the crowds to clap on for Thesing to perform.
The bard waves you off and the critic leans in to whisper something in his ear which brings about laughter.
someone from the crowd yells, Get on with it, the shadowbeasts will be out soon enough."
Andrea begins clapping her hands. Like I want to believe he is a great performer!
Thesing! Thesing! Thesing! Andrea chants and waves a scented hankerchief towards him. Judge of the Six-Fold Trials! Andrea says his role in the blood play. Show me your skilled sword play again!
Limp noodle, limp noodle.
Seeing that his attempts to undo his rival have been in vain, Orsin stabs both swords into the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, we continue then with something a little different. I give you a ballad from distant antiquity, the Lullaby of Ember the Ancient." Orsin confines with the second half as planned. Finishing with a vigorous duet between him and Calseinica.
Hmph. Perhaps he does have some cunning after all.
The crowd applauds greatly and the conclusion and then provide the standing ovation for the curtain call.
Daniel's attention is drawn away by the strange turn, Was this planned, Lucrezia
Andrea stands. Bravo! Bravisimoe She throws a boquet of flowers towards the stage, tears of happiness on her face as Orsin has achieved a dream of his; departing from the stage in triumph.
May your life continue to be filled with such triumphs, dearest brother.
Orsin bows deeply at the audience's applause, graciously acknowledging his co-star along with the orchestra and its conductor. If the applause continues long enough, he performs his favorite aria, the Dirge of the Victorious Knights, as an encore.
The applause continues....
The bard continues with one final aria.
"Ride on ye stately knights of Hell,
Who, clad in plately armor'd shell,
Lay waste to all our enemies,
And see them crumbling to their knees,
Their cries shall echo cross the seas;
Our strength is legion."
"Claim your victory,
Onward Hellknights,
To stem the lawless tide,
On hellish steeds we ride!"
Andrea is overwhelmed once again.
Such a fantastic aria, my friends. It is a shame we can't sing as well as he can so we could join him.
"I am not sure exactly what Orsin had planned for tonight Daniel."
"As for joining Orsin on stage Andrea, I had my fill of that and do not care to try it again."
I think he wanted to upstage Thesing. Understandable, but a potential marring of his final performance.
The evening goes by as a smashing success. The crowd cheers and there are few well wishers that remain to speak to star, including the famed theater critic Flav'r T'Dj'more, along with handsome man who is trying to get your attention.
Gerard Nisroc respects the arts, but isn't one to indulge. Even his love for Bianca must be put aside at times like these. Well, perhaps not aside... But, he will tuck it in deep beside his heart. An eternal ember warming him in times of need.
Ember, what that the word in the song? Hellknights, right. It might not be the divine sort replete with sulfur and brimstone. But, soon the time will come when Gerard will unleash hell upon his enemies, the enemies of Westcrown.
There is work to be done.
Bidding his beloved adieu, he confirms the positions of his new friends... those he can see. Then he moves to find a Lantern Bearer, requesting access to the back entrance and roof.