[20:06] 14Stranger has been puttering around the hideout much of the last few days, and been shut up in his room for much of that time. Xia Lan has likely heard some muffled disorganized musical sounds coming from in there, but Stranger is being careful not to practice too much while she's around. [20:06] 14Of course, he's had other business to take care of -- Emissary business -- so a lot of this is happening at night. [20:07] 13Smart. Keep your enemy from knowing what you're capable of. It's just solid tactics. Xia Lan's past few days are a blur - everything after the tomb raid just seems to run together. [20:10] 14One of the rare times she will find him just sitting around is a few days before the contest, making tea in the common room -- something that's briefly become a rare sight. [20:12] "Ah!" 14He puts down a cup of Lapsang Souchong. "Xia Lan. I had a question." [20:13] 13She pauses - having intended to retreat to her room and avoid potentially awkward conversations by pretending to answer fan mail. "Yes, Stranger?" [20:15] "What instruments are we going to have access to, during the contest?" [20:15] "Are there rules on that?" [20:17] 13Xia Lan: "Ah. Anything you need, plus a backing band for numbers that require one." 13She quirks an eyebrow. "Why? Picking something up?" [20:18] 14Stranger: "Keyharp. I learned it while travelling with the Ambassador in the East." [20:19] "Unfortunately they're rather large, rather expensive, and rather difficult to fit through the door." [20:20] 13She covers her surprise with a quick, respectful nod. "There was one last time, I'll make sure there is again before the duel." [20:20] "Thank you." 14He sighs. "Now I just need to find one to practice on." [20:22] 13Xia Lan: "You could--" 13Hm. Probably would have been better to check first, but... "Tohu might let you. Doesn't hurt to ask." [20:22] 14He nods. "I've considered doing that, though I didn't get the impression his grand version moves around very much. And practicing in public feels...egotistical. [20:22] " [20:23] 13Xia Lan: "...we could get one for here?" [20:24] 13Really turn this place into some kind of... fancy parlor. [20:24] 14He shrugs. "Perhaps. I wouldn't want to impose. Also appropriating funds for a keyharp at this particular moment would feel wrong." [20:25] *Council funds [20:30] 13Xia Lan: "I think our options are pretty limited, then. For now, at least - unless you happen to know of any extremely generous donors who simply want to assist in our continued home with a keyharp for the common room." [20:32] "Public practice, a donation, or dipping into coffers to be replaced later through a mutual benefit concert." [20:32] "...Mutual benefit concert. I like the sound of that last one." [20:32] 14Stranger: "We could invite your friend. The Tellurian. The Tellurian? Mister Tellurian? Something Tellurian." [20:33] 13Xia Lan: "Hm? Oh, right, yeah! And I'd been meaning to bring it up anyways -- interest people into signing up to defend Nexus, or donate funds for its defense if they can't or are unwilling to fight themselves." [20:34] 14He chuckles. "We should get Bastian, Keldar, and Xu Sim into a baritone trio. Do you think any of them can sing?" [20:36] 13She makes a face. "Not in the slightest." 13After a moment, she offers: "Maybe Xu Sim can figure out how to bottle talent." [20:37] 14Stranger: "I suspect Keldar could do alright as a frontman. You know, the lead of one of those Songbird groups where the hook is that of course the guy can't sing, but he's still compelling as a performer." [20:38] 13Xia Lan shudders. "He'd scare them off. Besides, he'd be training the recruits, they can't get that kind of image of their commander." 13Though... she taps her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe if he got a makeover to go along with it. Really sell the 'guy who's in the pit with you' look. Or if he performed in disguise. A true mystery frontman." [20:40] 14Stranger: "Perhaps we could disguise Princess as something that actually looks like a dog, while we're at it." [20:40] 13Xia Lan: "I don't know that that's possible." [20:42] "She's hopeless. Too many different horrid mixtures left a permanent mark on the poor thing." [20:43] 14Stranger: "At least she owns it." [20:45] 13Xia Lan: "Does she? Mostly she drools and licks herself. Presumably like the dog she was before the... incidents." [20:50] 14Stranger nods sagely. "Sometimes that is all that we can do." [20:51] 13Deliberately misunderstanding: "Drool and lick ourselves? I think we're capable of better." [20:52] 14He shrugs. "Perhaps I spent too much time among the Lunars, then. ...Don't tell the Ambassador I said that." [20:54] 13She snickers. "I won't. I will ask her about when you picked up the keyharp, though. Nothing like musicians starting out stories." [20:59] 14Stranger chuckles. "You know how some expensive keyharps are made from worked bone? Ivory keys and so forth. The one I learned on took that...a bit far. But yes, I think she would enjoy telling that story." [21:01] 13Now that's a heck of a hook. Next time she sees the Ambassador, she'll steer the conversation that way. Or just ask her outright. 15[21:06] <@VoxPVoxD> How long before the show to Xia Lan and Stranger arrive? Are they picking Tsuka up or meeting him somewhere? [21:07] 14Stranger will arrive fairly early to examine the instruments, since he'll be using the house set. He will arrange things so that Xia Lan and Tsuka can meet up without an erstwhile chaperone/duel opponent looking over their shoulders. [21:12] 13Xia Lan and Tsuka aren't far behind. She left at the same time as Stranger did, but split almost immediately to go collect Tsuka from the Green Apple barracks. She's wearing a rather nice jacket that covers most of her performing outfit for the evening, even, so he won't have a nosebleed. So thoughtful of her! [21:14] 13What's Tsuka wearing, by the by? 15[21:16] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka's wearing the same white-trimmed red silk coat and sash he wore the last time he went out to the CIO with Xia Lan. It's freshly laundered, at least. [21:17] 13She'll have to take him shopping sometime. Not before this contest, but... soon. You can't be anybody in this town with just one good outfit. [21:17] 13In this or any town, really, but we're here now so that's what matters. [21:19] 13Nevertheless, she'll stroll in well before the beginning of the duel, likely while Stranger is still examining the instruments, Tsuka in tow. 15[21:19] <@VoxPVoxD> There's a surprisingly brisk afternoon crowd there today, one of whom Xia Lan and Stranger recognize: the pale, delicate-looking woman who was rude to them last time. Neither Mr. Tellurian nor her short purple friend seem to be here yet. But it's a new face that greets them first; a big man with deep red skin and a coal black beard waves at Xia Lan, Tsuka, and Stranger as they enter. "A round for my friends!" [21:20] 14Stranger: "...Well you know what they say. A stranger is just a friend you haven't met yet. And I am Stranger." [21:21] 13Xia Lan studies the greeter. They've never seen this man before? [21:22] 13...has Tsuka seen them before? 15[21:24] <@VoxPVoxD> No and no. This man looks totally unfamiliar. [21:24] 13Xia Lan: "A pleasure...?" 15[21:28] <@VoxPVoxD> Red man: "The pleasure is mine! Sit! Sit, please. Relax before the show." [21:28] 14Gently: "I believe the young lady was asking for your name. As am I." [21:29] "After all, we should like to know whom we are addressing in friendship." [21:31] 13Xia Lan has not been called "the young lady" by anyone other than Stranger since she was twelve. It's still weird. 15[21:32] <@VoxPVoxD> Red man: "Call me Otto." The pale woman slowly rotates her teacup in its saucer, eyes flitting between the table and the door. A pair of emancipated neomah are sharing a private joke in a rear booth. Tohu's asleep on the stool behind the counter. [21:33] 14Stranger got old fast. [21:34] 14To Otto: "Then I shall. Well met, Otto. I am Stranger-Visits-Heaven." [21:34] 13Any other Tohu running around? Or just the one sleepy one visible? In any case, Xia Lan takes a seat. "Hello, Otto. The Unfettered Xia Lan." 13She affects a slight bow as she sits, and gestures to Tsuka, assuming he will introduce himself. [21:35] 13...though she's prepared for the alternative, should he become awkward. 15[21:35] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka, to his credit, only misses half a beat. "Tsuka." Short bow. [21:35] 13He's improving! She refrains from calling this out. 15[21:36] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "He's done that to everyone who's walked in all day." [21:37] 14To Pearl: "Has it been true for everyone who's walked in all day?" 15[21:39] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "I seriously doubt it." 15[21:39] <@VoxPVoxD> "Maybe he's been practicing." [21:39] 14Stranger: "Perhaps. How have you been, Pearl of Great Price?" 15[21:41] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Busy." 15[21:41] <@VoxPVoxD> "They're late." [21:41] 13Xia Lan: "Tell me about it." 13It's not clear whether that's comisseration or an invitation to expound. [21:42] "That they are," 14he laments. "What sort of tea do you prefer?" 14It's directed to Pearl but is an open question for the table. Stranger's about to wander to the bar for a fresh pot or two. [21:42] 13commiseration* 15[21:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "They have a nice red here." [21:44] 14Not quite an answer, but he'll take it. He knows Tsuka and Xia Lan's preferences by now, and will return with a pot of the red and a pot of whatever they'd like. 15[21:45] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "Who's late?" 15[21:45] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "The rest of our party." [21:46] 13Jasmine for Xia Lan, though she ought to know Tsuka's favorite by now. 15[21:47] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka doesn't really care for tea. He'll drink whatever's around. [21:47] 14Sigh. [21:48] 13The uncultured youth. What is to be done with them? 15[21:49] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "I'm looking forward to meeting them." [21:49] 14'Doesn't really care for tea.' Preposterous. [21:49] 14To Otto, over tea: "So. Otto. From where do you hail?" [21:49] "Everyone in this city seems to be from somewhere else, save Keldar." 15[21:51] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "So it is. My home is a beautiful city, of cloud-capped towers, gorgeous palaces, solemn temples... it is very far from here. What about you?" [21:51] 13Well if that's not just vague as all get out. [21:52] 14Stranger: "I'm from a small village on the Gray. No one lives there anymore. They're all dead or moved on." [21:53] 13Xia Lan makes a noise of sympathy, but doesn't elaborate unless asked. [21:53] "We used to fish, though. Right there in the water, under the Sun." [21:53] "...Days gone by." 15[21:54] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "The river goes where the water flows." [21:55] 14Stranger is good enough at this not to narrow his eyes. "But no one knows when the Batcave closed." [21:55] "I take it you met Old Selin." [21:55] 13Xia Lan: "That guy." 15[21:55] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "I knew it!" [21:56] "Hm?" 15[21:56] <@VoxPVoxD> "The shamelessness! Just coming out here in open air and daring me--" [21:56] 14Stranger sips his tea. [21:56] 13Xia Lan: "Sha- daring you to...?" 15[21:58] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto chuckles. "Your reputation precedes you, Madam Underdirector. But I had to wonder if so long upstairs hadn't dulled your skills." 15[21:59] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "It's a shame to see that such a long field deployment so eroded your common sense, Mr. Underdirector." [21:59] 13Xia Lan: "What am I missing, here?" 15[21:59] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "Is that what they say about me on the other end of the street?" [21:59] 14Stranger: "It's work chat." [21:59] 14Stranger: "It's work chat." 15[21:59] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Not at all, sir." [21:59] 13She sips her tea. 15[21:59] <@VoxPVoxD> "You don't want to know what they say about you." 15[22:01] <@VoxPVoxD> The door swings open. "It's five after five. Where's the beer?" Sober enters, and from behind her comes a "Hey hold up!" as Mr. Tellurian pushes through behind her. 15[22:02] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober's carrying a lumpy sack over her shoulder. Mr. Tellurian has a stack of books in his arms. [22:02] 13...there's a lot going on here. 15[22:03] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "Hey!" He acknowledges Xia Lan and Tsuka on entering. "Sorry, I'd wave, but." [22:03] 14Stranger: "Understandable." 15[22:03] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl looks mortified. "You let him bring the briefing books?!" [22:03] 13She waves herself, at least. "Arms full, I got it. Heck of a place to study, though." [22:03] 14To Sober: "What's the most ominous question in Creation?" 15[22:04] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "'What's that wet spot?'" [22:04] 13Xia Lan: "'Where were you on the night of the...?'" [22:04] 14Stranger: "Close. 'What's in the sack?'" 15[22:04] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "I caught crabs! You in?" [22:05] 14Stranger: "Incredibly." 15[22:05] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "Sorry, we took a little detour. I couldn't stop back at my place." 15[22:05] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Give me those immediately." [22:05] 13Xia Lan: "Don't worry, I won't tell the Ambassador about this, either." [22:05] 13She winks exaggeratedly to Stranger. 15[22:05] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto has produced a small pad of paper, on which he makes impossibly tiny notes, considering how thick and clumsy his hands are. [22:06] 14Gary rarely ate crabs; they're not river creatures, at least not in his neck of it. [22:06] 14Stranger, with exaggerated dryness to a confused Tsuka: "It's a sex joke." 15[22:07] <@VoxPVoxD> You can't just assume Tsuka was c-- "Huh? Oh. Wait, what?" 15[22:07] <@VoxPVoxD> You can't just assume Tsuka was c-- "Huh? Oh. Wait, what?" 15[22:07] <@VoxPVoxD> You can't just assume Tsuka was c-- "Huh? Oh. Wait, what?" [22:08] 14Ah, Cathak Tsuka. He's too pure for this world. 15[22:09] <@VoxPVoxD> At some point the neomah filtered out. It's just the seven of them in the bar right now. 15[22:09] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian hands off the books. Pearl: "What are you writing?" [22:10] 13Xia Lan adjusts her cloak, but remains seated. "I admit, I'm still really lost. Not about the crabs thing," 13she clarifies. "Just the everything else." 15[22:10] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "Oh, this? Preparing for my eventual debriefing." [22:10] 14Stranger could explain this, but he isn't about to mention Bubo in mixed company. 15[22:11] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Unbelievable." 15[22:13] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Yeah, you tell him! Two can play at this game!" After hopping up to sit at the table she produces her own notebook, which she proceeds to tear several blank pages out of to lay across the table and laying out the fresh, steamed crabs that she produces from her sack. [22:14] 14The agents of Heaven can be so reasonable. 15[22:14] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl makes a sound like she just closed a door on her own nose. "Sober!" 15[22:14] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian, sitting down, murmurs to Xia Lan: "Five days of this now." 15[22:15] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "You're being calibrated! It takes time." [22:15] 13Xia Lan snickers. Sober's good at this. To Tellurian: "They just keep going, huh." [22:15] 13...calibrated? She raises an eyebrow. [22:15] 14Five days of steamed crabs? Heaven forfend. [22:15] 14...Nix that, it actually might. 15[22:16] <@VoxPVoxD> Whether he was talking about the crabs or the company, Mr. Tellurian shows no sign of abstaining from either. Otto eats too. Tsuka will if Stranger and Xia Lan do. 15[22:16] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober, mouth full: "So whash the plan?" [22:17] 13Xia Lan will at least have some, but not too much. Stress-eating before a performance never leads anywhere good. [22:17] 14Of course Stranger will partake. He hasn't eaten yet today. [22:21] 14After gutting a crab: "We're going to get drunk and play a bunch of music." [22:21] 13Xia Lan: "I'm gonna crush him like a bug. Musically." [22:22] "And alcoholically." [22:22] "Crabs are a delicious kind of bug." [22:22] "Also extremely crushable. Snip snap." 13She pops off a leg to demonstrate. 15[22:22] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Like demons do? That's wild." [22:23] 14Stranger: "That's where we got the idea. She beat Vladok last time around." [22:23] 13Xia Lan: "Besides, that's where the dispute arose. It all comes full circle." 15[22:23] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "I heard you really brought the house down." [22:23] 14Stranger coughs with slight warning. The source of the dispute doesn't necessarily need to be public knowledge. 15[22:24] <@VoxPVoxD> "Figuratively. Not like that noodle shop someone tried to have you murdered in that burned down." [22:24] 14Especially not if it could get back to Vladok. 15[22:24] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl sips her tea, pinky fully extended. [22:24] 14To Sober: "As the audience for both, I much prefer the contest to the arson, yes." 15[22:25] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "How's it work? Are there judges?" [22:25] 14Stranger: "The crowd." [22:26] 13She covers her glare to Stranger with mild surprise at Pearl's knowledge. To Tellurian: "Crowd acclaim, mostly - the liquors... change you? Sort of? In one case literally, myself and Vladok switched bodies, but mostly they drew emotions to the fore, and we performed with those in our hearts." 15[22:26] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "Magic liquor? Oh man. Do they sell that here?" [22:26] 14Deadpan: "It was an experience." [22:28] 13Xia Lan: "I don't think so. Apparently they were pulled from deep storage expressly for the competition. Can't be easy to make them... besides, what happens when you drink the body-switching liquor alone?" 15[22:29] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Oh man, that takes me back." [22:29] 13Xia Lan: "Experience?" [22:29] 14To Xia Lan: "Are we doing the special liquors or just doing shots?" [22:30] 13Xia Lan: "Some of Vladok's private stock. I don't know if all of them are from there, but at least some are." [22:31] 14Stranger: "Excellent." [22:31] 13Xia Lan: "If we get anything weird, I'm blaming Xu Sim. It only seems fair." [22:32] 14Stranger: "It does." 14He stands. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go begin warming up. Age before beauty and all." [22:33] 13She waves a hand vaguely. "See you later, second place." [22:33] 14Mildly: "I prefer 'first loser.'" [22:33] 14Then he's off. 15[22:35] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "What's your strategy?" [22:38] 13Worst loser. Nice. Mental fist bump on that one. "It really depends on what the liquors are. That really sets up your whole... setlist, strategy, what have you. If it's anything like last time, though..." 13She shrugs. "The songs just kind of, came to me on stage. Some of them I knew before, some of them came as is. I think it's part of the competition. The stage abhors a poor match." 15[22:40] <@VoxPVoxD> As if on cue, the door swings open again, and a long gray nose sticks out from between a scarf and a heavy hat. Vladok trails smoke as he enters, carrying an enormous black doctor's bag with both hands in front of him. 15[22:41] <@VoxPVoxD> Vladok looks at the crab-laden table and sniffs. "I don't like new people." [22:42] 13Xia Lan: "Hello to you, too, Vladok." 15[22:42] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "Hey! I remember you. It's nice to see you again." 15[22:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Vladok: "I don't know you." 15[22:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "I'm pretty sure that was you. I think we were both pretty hammered..." 15[22:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Vladok: "Then it didn't happen." 15[22:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "That's the rule." [22:44] 14Ah, the Nexus rule. 15[22:44] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl look at Vladok like she expects him to explode any moment now. 15[22:44] <@VoxPVoxD> Vladok: "What are your names?" [22:44] 13Xia Lan: "Then let me introduce you two. Mr. Tellurian, this is Vladok, Vladok, this is Mr. Tellurian." 13She gestures appropriately. "My turn to go prepare, I think. You boys have fun." 13She whispers to Tsuka: "Try and talk them out of doing anything stupid." 15[22:45] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "I go by--" 15[22:45] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "DON'T. Answer that." 15[22:46] <@VoxPVoxD> Vladok: "'Mr. Tellurian'?" 15[22:46] <@VoxPVoxD> "That's not your real name. What's your real name?" [22:46] 13After Pearl's outburst, she pauses, a plausibly deniable distance away. 15[22:46] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian hesitates now too. 15[22:48] <@VoxPVoxD> Vladok unwraps his head, more smoke billowing from his ears as they become exposed. A long pipe pops out of his scarf, clenched between his teeth, still smoldering, as if it'd somehow been coiled up in there. He stares at those assembled, particularly Pearl, who goes tight-lipped as the look lingers. [22:48] 13She'll head to the back after that. Clearly not for her ears. [22:49] 13Or. [22:49] 13Or not. 15[22:49] <@VoxPVoxD> Vladok looks at Xia Lan: "These people with you?" [22:49] 13Xia Lan: "They're our guests." 13So much for the deniability. 15[22:50] <@VoxPVoxD> Vladok: "Whatever, then. Where do you want these?" He holds up the bag. [22:50] 13Where were they last time? She'll direct him there, or to the nearest awake Tohu. 15[22:51] <@VoxPVoxD> Last time Tohu brought them on stage as part of the opening ceremony. [22:51] 13Ah. So. Is there an awake Tohu in Xia Lan's vision? [22:52] 13If not, she'll offer to take them where they need to go - or, if that is a taboo, offer to find out while Vladok gets to know these new friends. 15[22:53] <@VoxPVoxD> Vladok will leave them in the back for Tohu, currently a team of four cleaning the kitchen before the evening rush. 15[22:54] <@VoxPVoxD> After that he leaves. [22:54] 13Wow. Rude. I thought we were friends, Vladok. 15[22:56] <@VoxPVoxD> He doesn't like new people. [22:56] 14He's not too fond of old people, either. 15[22:56] <@VoxPVoxD> It's true. [22:56] 13Who among us 15[22:57] <@VoxPVoxD> People start filing in now, nobody seeming to pay much attention to the two tables pushed together and strewn with strange people and crab shells. Tohu tuts about backstage as the warmup band gets to work at the front of the house. "Ten minutes, people." [22:59] 14Stranger was puttering around backstage for most of that time, but now he's shut up in a dressing room. [23:00] 13Xia Lan's still running through vocal warmups,but acknowledges the Tohu with a quick nod. 15[23:06] <@VoxPVoxD> The last warmup song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDrCvZqQlTU) finishes, and then Tohu emerges to announce the contest. Two Chosen duel for their pride, under the fair and inscrutable gaze of the old game! With no further adieu, she unveils the bottles: the gold one is familiar, but there's five new strange bottles alongside it, their contents red, silver, violet, green, and an inky black. [23:06] 14When Stranger steps out of the dressing room, he's dressed...differently. http://version2.andrewkendall.com/images/photographs/livemusic/mcr_reading06/main/mcr_reading06_5.jpg 15[23:07] <@VoxPVoxD> That gets a round of applause from the audience. Tsuka leans back, as if physically moved by the force of that outfit. [23:08] 14He looks a good ten years younger than he usually does, too. Impressively less dad. [23:15] 13Xia Lan's out just after, in an astonishingly cut leather dress. The belt seems hardly necessary, but it must be part of the style. Her cloak from earlier isn't totally gone, but what seemed to be stitched-in design earlier has revealed itself as, apparently, a zipper - she has a clear, thin shoulder portion without covering any of the rest of her outfit. [23:15] 13In addition, her hair falls down along her back, but some new highlights have made themselves clear; as she walks out and the lights shift to follow her, a wavy swept-aside portion of her bangs as well as a thin streak down the back that used to be a ponytail have taken on a prismatic tint. All the colors of the rainbow are visible, and she looks stunning. She's even got a little prop cane. https://i.imgur.com/O5HExMU.png 15[23:16] <@VoxPVoxD> Suddenly Mr. Tellurian is pounding Tsuka on the back, because he started choking on his drink for some reason. [23:17] 13She winks in their direction before turning her focus back to the contest. Stranger's lost the toss, so... "First bottle. Red." [23:18] 14Well. Here we go. 15[23:19] <@VoxPVoxD> 4ROUND ONE: MOSSFLOWER BRANDY [23:20] 14Stranger adjusts his worker's pants and saunters on up. [23:32] 14He downs the red liquor. Tastes good. Puts it back down. [23:33] 14To the Tohus: "Toss me a six-string. Something loud. Get me the guys on drums." 15[23:33] <@VoxPVoxD> The CIO provides. [23:34] 14When he steps to the front of the stage, he looks Cathak Tsuka directly in the eye. "This song's called House of Wolves." [23:34] 14https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kXrPtzZ65w [23:35] 14He's supposed to be singing to an audience, and he is. But his eyes never leave Tsuka. And the lyrics resonate for a kid who has been told he's a bad man, and kicked like a stray. 15[23:39] <@VoxPVoxD> The crowd gets into it well enough, but Stranger hits his mark exactly; Tsuka's pounding his fist on the table as the song ends. [23:39] 13Strong start from the newcomer. [23:39] 14When he's done, he tosses the six-string back to the Tohus. [23:39] 14Not his best instrument. [23:49] 13Xia Lan follows in Stranger's footsteps - big swig of the red liquor. 'Tastes good' is maybe generous, but. [23:49] 13Xia Lan strides up, eyes locked on the same target. "Follow my lead. I'll need some backing - drums, horns, and - you'll figure it out." 13Deep breath. [23:49] 14Haha oh shit. [23:50] "Like an angel with cruel and merciless intent," 13https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmJ5oBdJTXQ [23:53] 14Here's looking at you, kid. 15[23:53] <@VoxPVoxD> The reaction to this is almost more subdued, because of how focused it is on its target. For a few minutes, it's like there's nobody else in the room but the singer and the young man watching her sing, holding a glass of boiling water. 15[23:58] <@VoxPVoxD> When the spell breaks, everyone agrees that Xia Lan has pulled into an early lead, including Pearl, who has pushed a glass of icewater across the table for Tsuka and given him her handkerchief to mop his brow with. 15[23:59] <@VoxPVoxD> But it's still all to play for, and Stranger has the initiative. [00:00] 14Stranger: "Putting my money on green." 15[00:00] <@VoxPVoxD> The crowd oohs. [00:00] 13Oh, you bastard. 15[00:00] <@VoxPVoxD> 3ROUND TWO: ACCURSED WORMWOOD [00:00] 14You want it at the front of the show. [00:01] 14They'll forget it by the end. [00:01] 13When you put it like that, I still hate you. [00:01] 14So it goes. [00:08] 13She takes her swig gamely, and -- oh. Oh right. She's not cheating this time, and BOY does that seem like a mistake to her treacherous brain. [00:09] 13Shut up, brain, we can do this. "Guitars," 13she rasps. "Make it heavy." 13https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaIo82uT0qs "It's now or never, and I've got to make my decision..." [00:11] 14Damn. [00:14] 14He claps along with the audience when she's finished, then walks up and downs the rest of the green liquor. [00:15] 14Stranger confers with the drummer for a moment, then saunters over to the grand keyharp. "Yeah! Yeah. Who's reconciled themselves to death?" [00:15] "Well, you will. But good news..." [00:15] "This song's called 'Fake Your Death.'" 14https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T0zrwEmKwk [00:17] 14When the drums kick in, Stranger joins them by stomping with the foot that's not on the pedal. "I choose defeat / I walk away..." [00:17] 13Xia Lan's got her eyebrows raised the whole way through. She'd be taking notes if she thought she could get away with it without people taking note - she'll have to settle for after the match reactions. 15[00:19] <@VoxPVoxD> The whole bar's in a fighting mood after these two songs. It's a shame the war's not tomorrow. [00:20] 13Once they've died down a bit: "Gold! Give me gold!" [00:21] 14Let's do it. 15[00:22] <@VoxPVoxD> 8ROUND THREE: MONKEY KING'S PRIVATE STOCK [00:24] 14Stranger drinks first. He kills half the flask and...frowns. [00:25] 14Grimaces. Nods to himself. [00:32] 14To the Tohus: "Toss me the loud one again. [00:32] " 15[00:33] <@VoxPVoxD> Again it's tossed. [00:33] 14To the audience: "Disenchanted." [00:33] 14https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ol63bo1mv6s [00:45] 13Xia Lan slugs back her share of the round - act like you've been there before - and she belches, before launching into the song that will hopefully cause Stranger to beg off; whatever happens, she sings. "Holy water," 13https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QdpCJIyyi4 15[20:36] <@VoxPVoxD> Stranger's been acquitting himself well, but there's no doubting he's behind. It's his bottle next. [20:37] 14Stranger leans against the keyharp and blinks once, twice, then grins. "Let's bet on black." 15[20:39] <@VoxPVoxD> 1,0ROUND FOUR: CORALITO'S DEMISE [20:39] 13The Unfettered Xia Lan scowls, takes the bottle delicately, and turns it over in her hands. Then: bottoms up. 15[20:41] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka's leaning so far over the table that his chin's almost in his drink. Tellurian and Sober take turns elbowing each other and snickering. Pearl mainly looks concerned. [20:42] 13Oh, this one's even less fun than it looked. She's not drunk enough to have thought she could turn it into a joke, but she is drunk enough to have wished she could have. She sways at the front of the stage, not even sparing a look back towards the band. "I was pulling out my hair, the day after the deal, chemically calm..." 13https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHi1kGbWo9Q [20:42] 13Good, they picked up on the beat anyway, and it's so light and airy it's making this less painful to sing -- "oh, everybody said that Xia Lan is a dreamer--" 13Her voice has taken on an almost mechanical lilt, all sharp edges as she dances from note to note, and she very carefully avoids looking at anyone she knows. "My problem is my problem, that I never am happy~ / It's my problem, it's my problem on how fast I will succeed~" [20:43] 13When she finishes, she lurches as if puppet strings were cut, but catches herself and turns it into a not-undignified walk back to the bottle selection. [20:44] 14Stranger sways along as he drains the rest of the black liquor and tosses the bottle. [20:47] 14He strides back out to center stage when she's done, clapping...once. His face is colder now; much, much colder, with a cocky sneer on it. Some of it's a character. Some of it's the liquor. Some of it's actually him. "Toss me the loud one again, and give me a beat..." [20:47] 14A moment later, he kicks in: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=90MxRK0P1u0 [20:48] 14This song, such as it is, mainly seems to go out to the non-Tsuka members of their table. [20:49] "Take a chance, let your body get a tolerance..." [20:49] "I'm the oracle in my chest. Let the guitar scream like a fascist. Spread it out, shut your mouth, free love in the streets -- but in the alley oh it ain't that cheap well--" [20:50] 14When the song ends he hands the six-string back and heads back to the table, the look on his face inscrutible again. [20:56] 13Xia Lan lets the moment hold enough to build suspense. She waits until just before the crowd starts to murmur among themselves, then: "Violet." 15[20:57] <@VoxPVoxD> 6ROUND FIVE: DREAD OF SIN [20:57] 14Pause. Stranger turns to the Tohu holding the six-string. "I'm going to need that back." [20:59] 14Stranger drinks half the bottle, grimaces with the liquor still purple between his teeth, and swallows. Then, sweating and visibly a bit out of it, he swings back to the drums again, giving them their beat. He walks back to the front. [21:02] 14Stranger grabs the lamppost for support, gripping the six-string with the other hand. "This goes out to all the out-of-season tourists heading in. Following that red star." [21:02] "Check. Check, check..." [21:03] 14https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us_gKmO9aBY [21:04] "Don't believe what they say, we're dead flies in the summertime; They leave us all behind, with ropeburn scars on my honey--" [21:06] 14At first there's some humor in it, but by the time he gets to "If what you are is just what you own, what have you become when they take from you almost everything?" 14no one is laughing. [21:06] 14The end of the song is a terrifying fever dream. 15[21:08] <@VoxPVoxD> Everyone's stunned and uncomfortable. It's a rousing success. [21:09] 14They should do this all the time after they beat the Fair Folk horde, thinks a very drunk Stranger as he sits down. He can open, she can headline. They just get fucked up and mean every night on stage. The Fear and Loathing Tour. [21:12] 13Then it's Xia Lan's turn to drink. She doesn't look at this one before she drains it - she already knows what'll happen. It hits her maybe harder than she expected - the alcohol, not its magic - but that's fine. This is the last round, after all. [21:13] 13She taps her foot rhythmically. "That southern feel, if you will." 13She hums a few bars, still tapping - the guitarist starts in first, then a drummer picks up on it, blessedly, and then it's into the song."From the dusty mesa, where looming shadow blooms..." 13https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gli0ZpmTIYs [21:13] "And when I touched her skin~ my fingers ran with blood~" 13A deep, shuddering breath almost breaks the song down there, but she presses on. The perspective shifts. She keeps singing. "-- I fell down to the thorny bush, and felt the trembling hands." [21:15] 13She closes out, something distant and sad in her tone: "Rise with me forever, across the silent sand! And the stars will be your eyes, and the wind will be my hands..." [21:16] 13She slumps against the stand heavily for a moment, but makes her way back again. It's finished. [21:17] 14Stranger's got his jacket open, already halfway through a water. 15[21:19] <@VoxPVoxD> It's over. It was never really his to win, but Stranger made a fight of it and keeps his pride in defeat. Just in time to swallow it as due recompense. [21:21] 13Xia Lan will watch the Tohu pour her water before she drinks it. [21:21] 14No one wanted the character he was playing to take this one home anyway. [21:21] 14'The character he was playing.' Right. [21:22] 14There's a reckoning coming, young man. [21:22] 14There's a reckoning coming, young man. [21:23] 13What's the mood in the place after that incredibly uplifting final few sets? [21:24] 14We probably could have planned that better. Not that the earlier rounds were all that light-hearted. [21:24] 13Our mistake for sourcing the liquors from Vladok. [21:24] 14Still, you show up for a demon drinking game, you probably should expect things to get sad and weird. 15[21:25] <@VoxPVoxD> Xia Lan and Stranger about cleared the place out. Aside from their party, when the set is finished the tables and booths and bar are empty. [21:26] 13Sorry, Tohu. 15[21:26] <@VoxPVoxD> Lot of dark nights of the soul on the docket for patrons of the CIO tonight, and most of them decided to round out their evenings by drinking alone. [21:27] 14Well, that gives them the place to themselves to keep the party going, then. Frankly, Stranger is still feeling it. He's gonna stick with tea and not liquor, though. 15[21:28] <@VoxPVoxD> What state is Xia Lan in when she steps off the stage? [21:29] 13About the same as last time, actually - drunk, and in no shape for a fight, but I wouldn't go so far as to say "hammered" or "blackout" just yet. [21:30] 14As he slumps down at the table, Stranger looks down at himself. "Sun, this outfit is ridiculous." 15[21:30] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka doesn't meet her at the steps off the stage, then, but he does get a pitcher of fresh water for when the two of them sit back down. [21:30] 13After a quick trip back inside her dressing room to down another water and freshen up a bit, Xia Lan makes her way towards their now lonely gathering and sits down with a heavy thump. "Oof," 13she says, eloquently. [21:31] 14To Xia Lan: "Well played. Well won." 15[21:31] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "They party like you, P." 15[21:31] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl rolls her eyes. [21:31] 14Sadly: "I got too snotty to do much on the keyharp." [21:31] 13She gives Tsuka a quick thank-you hug and pours herself a glass. "Thank you," 13to Stranger. "You... don't really play anything like I thought you would." [21:33] 14Stranger: "I didn't start until recently, and in a...non-traditional environment. Not many quiet, contemplative afternoons plucking or plinking away." [21:34] 13Xia Lan: "Was good stuff. We ever get tired of being the Emissary and heroes of Nexus, we can take our show on the road. Just... with less aggressively sad songs, next time." [21:35] 14Stranger: "Probably wise." 15[21:35] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "We'll have something happy to sing about by then." [21:36] 14Of course, they weren't all...entirely...sad. The Tsuka rounds were at least also angry and inspiring. 15[21:36] <@VoxPVoxD> Inspiring is an interesting word choice. Xia Lan certainly inspired something. [21:37] 14Tact is important. 15[21:38] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "I bet that's the first time two non-demons have played that game with each other." [21:38] 14Stranger: "I'm sure there are those who would quibble over the definitions involved." 15[21:39] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "There always are..." [21:39] 13Xia Lan: "Let 'em fight among 'emselves, then. We know what we did." 13Wild, though. 15[21:39] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "That looked hard. You guys stood up, though." [21:39] 14Bluntly: "I'm never drinking Vladok's whiskies again." [21:40] 13Xia Lan: "The body swap one was fun once. Weird as heck, but..." 15[21:40] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Looks like you about cleaned him out anyway." [21:41] 14Stranger would have quietly had that one removed from the stock if Vladok had brought it. The two of them need to work together closely, but certainly nowhere near that closely. And what would Tsuka and the Ambassador think? 15[21:41] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Well, this was fun. Come on, you two. We should leave in the morning." [21:41] 13Xia Lan: "Huh? Where ya going?" 13She blinks unevenly at her. 15[21:41] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "Aw, come on. It's barely midnight!" 15[21:42] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Your friend has to start training for his new job." [21:42] 14Stranger pours himself another drink and listens intently. 15[21:42] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "Yeah... man. I'm gonna miss this." 15[21:42] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Miss what?" 15[21:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "This! Playing music, going to shows." [21:43] 13Xia Lan: "Can you... not do that anymore?" 15[21:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober's snort boils over into a full cackle. "Man we play music constantly." 15[21:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Tellurian: "Oh yeah?" 15[21:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Mmmhmm." [21:43] "What about the crowds?" 13She glances to Tellurian. "It's not the same without 'em..." 15[21:44] <@VoxPVoxD> Tellurian: "You any good?" 15[21:44] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Ha! Well I don't like to brag..." 15[21:44] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober snorts again. 15[21:44] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Sober!" [21:45] 13Something in the way she says that make Xia Lan snort-laugh, too. 15[21:45] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "Well, come on then." 15[21:45] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Excuse me?" [21:45] 14Ah. 15[21:45] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "No one here but us. Scared the band away, too." [21:45] 13Oh! "Oh! Sing!" [21:45] 14A closing act. 15[21:46] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Oh, I couldn't. We really should be going--" [21:46] 14Stranger: "I'm for it." [21:46] 13Xia Lan: "C'mon, c'mon, you heard us." 15[21:46] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Oh, alright, if you insist. Sober, would you sit the keyharp for me." 15[21:46] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Youuuu got it." 15[21:48] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl gets up on stage, Sober behind her. As Sober warms up at the keyharp, Pearl draws something long and thin from the sigil that flares to sapphire life on her brow. A steel violin follows from thin air. 15[21:48] <@VoxPVoxD> "This one's for our new friend." 15[21:49] <@VoxPVoxD> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY1OlR-mDlM [21:53] 13Holy smokes. [21:53] 14Now that...is instrumentation. 15[21:58] <@VoxPVoxD> Their playing is phenomenal, her voice is magic, but somehow the most remarkable thing is the way she can dance so lightly and deftly on her feet without dropping a single note. 15[21:58] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "...damn." [21:59] 13Xia Lan is halfway through working up the nerve to poutily claim that she could do that just as well - but that's the alcohol talking. She stuffs her jealousy back down. "They're amazing." [22:00] 14Scary thing is, she probably could do that just as well. Not Stranger, though. He's a dabbler. [22:01] 13Oh, she could. But she was about to try and do it right here and now, and that wouldn't end well. [22:02] 14Likely not. 15[22:03] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl drags her partner up for a bow. Tellurian whistles. Otto and Tsuka applaud. [22:03] 14Stranger claps as well. [22:04] 13Xia Lan stands up to applaud - slightly too quickly, has to put her hand on her chair for stability, but she cheers enthusiastically. 15[22:05] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl steps down from the stage, but stops Sober before she can do the same. "Don't let the side down!" 15[22:06] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "I dunno..." 15[22:06] <@VoxPVoxD> But Pearl's already at the drums. [22:06] 13Oh no, she's multi-talented 15[22:07] <@VoxPVoxD> So Sober sings. 15[22:07] <@VoxPVoxD> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtNP4aWx7kc [22:08] 14...You know, it's not without its charms. [22:08] 14In fact, Stranger actually likes it quite a bit. 15[22:09] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober gets a healthy round of applause. 15[22:09] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Nicely done. Though I have a few notes." 15[22:09] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober's eyes are at half mast. "Uh huh." 15[22:09] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "You were a bit flat on the bridge." 15[22:10] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Uh huh." [22:10] 14Stranger brought the six-string back to the table with him and idly begins strumming the song softly, but slow and minor key. 15[22:10] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "And you came in a measure late after the first chorus." 15[22:10] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Uh huh." 15[22:10] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "I thought she was great." 15[22:11] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Oh, don't coddle her. That way she'll never learn." [22:11] 13She starts off - not hating it, but it's almost a disappointment coming right after Pearl's. Then she realizes it's... it's very Sober. And Xia Lan doesn't even know her that well. That's what you want out of a performance, more than anything, just - the performer, putting everything they have into it. Leaving their own mark. 15[22:11] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Uh huh." 15[22:11] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Don't sulk! It was a perfectly adequate performance, with clear avenues for improvement!" 15[22:12] <@VoxPVoxD> She smiles. She genuinely thinks she's being helpful. 15[22:12] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "You want me to do better?" 15[22:12] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "I want you to want you to do better." [22:12] 13Xia Lan: "No, he's right. That was exactly what it should've been. You can't--" 13She gestures with a slightly too-full glass of water, spilling a bit, though she doesn't seem to notice. "You can't just. Everything's individualisized. We're not painting by numbers up there." [22:13] "We all put ourselves on stage. And that was rad." 15[22:13] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "No. No, she's right. Pearl's always right." 15[22:13] <@VoxPVoxD> "So let me do better. This song is for my boss." 15[22:13] <@VoxPVoxD> It's just her on the six-string now. 15[22:13] <@VoxPVoxD> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8xYfR--yqE [22:14] 14... [22:15] 14This is also great, but...well, it's not like they didn't just spend their evening working out their interpersonal issues on stage. [22:16] 13Again, perfect. Immaculate. Everything a performance should be. [22:17] 13Something for the uninformed audience to latch on to, and something striking at the deeper truth, and with an undeniable sense of self in the whole performance. Xia Lan doesn't even make the connection to singing at Stranger from earlier. 15[22:19] <@VoxPVoxD> Mr. Tellurian: "Wow." 15[22:19] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Whoo! That felt good." 15[22:19] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "..." 15[22:20] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober punches her in the elbow, which is about as high as she can reach. "Come on. Let's get you a real drink." [22:30] 13Getting a read on Pearl is hard, but Sober wears her emotions more or less on her sleeve. Not that Xia Lan will mention that to either of them. And, uh. Well. With how this has gone so far, this could take a turn for the dramatically worse. [22:30] 13More water. Oh, jeez, she is far too drunk to have the emotionally comforting conversations that will be sorely needed. [22:35] 14As Stranger watches them interact, he begins playing a song softly to himself. He mostly hums instead of singing the lyrics, though, and when he does sing a few words, they're in something that sounds sort of like High Realm and sort of like Old Realm, but isn't either. [22:35] 14https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBSvAPlnDOU 15[22:40] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober gives him a nudge and a wink as she hops back into her seat. [22:40] 14Stranger's about ready to switch back to liquor too, after he's finished his tea. He'll drink with more moderation, though. [22:40] 13Hey, what's Tsuka drinking? [22:40] 14Chugging bottles on-stage is good entertainment, but at the table it's poor etiquette. [22:41] 13Just pass and swig, man. We're all friends here. 15[22:41] <@VoxPVoxD> By now, everyone's sitting down and sharing a drink. Pearl and Tsuka have identical tall neon-yellow somethings with little parasols sticking out of them, because Sober insisted they match. [22:41] 13That's adorable. [22:42] 13Xia Lan: "That's adorable," 13she gestures to their drinks. 15[22:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka drinks in such a way as to hide his face when she says that. 15[22:43] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "I was gonna get you one too but I don't know whose job it'd be to carry your ass home." [22:44] 13Xia Lan: "I can handle my booze," 13she says, vaguely offended. 15[22:45] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "For sure. But you handled three or four people's booze already tonight. Even you guys have limits." [22:45] 14Stranger knows. [22:46] 13Xia Lan: "I mean, yeah, but I'm already gonna have a hangover. What's the worst that could happen?" [22:47] 14Stranger: "Not a question with a stand-out history." 15[22:47] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto concurs. "Famous next-to-last words." [22:48] 13Xia Lan: "By calling attention to it you only weaken its hold over me. I'm becoming more powerful than you can possibly imagine." 13She sips her water instead of calling for a drink, though. 15[22:53] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl drags a fingertip around the rim of her glass. "So, Otto." 15[22:53] <@VoxPVoxD> "Do you play?" [22:54] 13Ooh. 15[22:54] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "Not music." [22:54] 14Interesting. 15[22:54] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl, singsong: "that's not what I heard~" [22:56] 13Xia Lan: "C'mon, c'mon, we're all performing here! We've got the location for the night, let's make the best of it!" 13Ooh, wonder if Tsuka can play. [22:56] 14They teach dynast kids to do a little bit of everything. [22:56] 13...he'll learn if he can't. Maybe not tonight. [22:57] 14And as the wags have it, they do mean everything. [22:57] 13I don't know why you italicized that. 15[22:58] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Oh, what's the harm? You're already on administrative leave." [22:58] 13Xia Lan: "Admwha...?" 15[22:58] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "Hmph." 15[22:59] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "You don't even have to take the disguise off." 15[22:59] <@VoxPVoxD> "That's a better voice for singing, anyway." 15[22:59] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto scoffs. [22:59] 13! [22:59] 14To Xia Lan: "It's what they call vacation in Heaven." 15[23:00] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Yeah, if vacation means 'vacate your ass before we Forget you'." 15[23:00] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Sober!" 15[23:00] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober: "Oh come on, like they don't already know--" 15[23:02] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "Okay, fine. On one condition." 15[23:02] <@VoxPVoxD> "You have to sing along." 15[23:03] <@VoxPVoxD> Pearl: "Deal." [23:03] 13Xia Lan tries looking for any sorts of seams, or suspicious bits of makeup, or telltale signs of wigs in Otto, but finds none. Wow, she is very drunk. "All of us? Do I know this one?" 15[23:04] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "It's simple enough. This is a camp song from Lookshy, it can only be so hard to pick up." 15[23:04] <@VoxPVoxD> Sober starts strumming on a six-string she got from the band pit. 15[23:05] <@VoxPVoxD> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glS_7xdJr8o [23:06] 14It takes Stranger a beat or two to get into it, but then he's there with them. [23:07] 14He chuckles afterward. "Solidarity songs." [23:07] "Not something my people were ever much good at." [23:07] 13Xia Lan joins in as soon as she gets a feel for the rhythm. There's a performer's sense for when it's about to switch that helps her avoid singing over the actual song - nothing more embarassing than singing the last bar over the next one. [23:08] "All the ones I've picked up are foreign." [23:09] 13Xia Lan: "Every group has their own solidarity songs. Sort of ironic, but the fact that they're shared is... it's wonderful. Blended at the edges." [23:09] "The Chosen of the Sun don't." [23:10] "That's what I meant. Not river-dwellers or village folk in the forests." [23:10] 14He sips his drink. "No, we've never been much for that particular virtue." [23:13] 14Stranger: "I've got a personal favorite, though. The source is a bit strange. Anyone else here speak Dragontongue?" [23:13] 14Stranger: "I've got a personal favorite, though. The source is a bit strange. Anyone else here speak Dragontongue?" 15[23:13] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka, Otto, Pearl, and Sober all do. [23:14] 13She's more than a little put-out by how correct he is, and can't even cover for it by knowing Dragontongue to take the lead. Ugh. [23:14] 13They can make a new tradition... but it would be new. [23:16] 14He begins strumming and says, "If someone can translate the words on the fly, I think it doesn't flow half-bad in Flametongue, or even Old Realm." [23:17] "If not, you'll get the general idea." [23:17] "Anyway." 14https://youtu.be/oxSPEgqsaec?t=51s [23:19] 13Oh! She's heard the tune before, if not the lyrics to it - fairly common out in the sands, having someone play it without words, just to keep from hearing the awful empty wind. [23:19] 13Does anyone translate for Xia Lan? 15[23:19] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka does. [23:19] 13Xia Lan whispers when he starts: "Thank you." [23:19] "This land is your land; this land is my land; from old Champoor back to the Blessed Island..." [23:21] 14He knows it better on keyharp, but this version has its charms. [23:24] 14When he's done: "That song's not too popular with some people if you go too much farther in towards the center of Creation. Either you'll get outright arrested for it, or find yourself harried and attacked by night. It's very important that it's in Dragontongue; far as I know, that's the original tongue, too. Works the best with the music. That's probably what makes it most offensive [23:24] to the dynasts." [23:24] 13Xia Lan: "I'll have to learn." 15[23:25] <@VoxPVoxD> Tsuka: "Mnemon Bos got exiled over that. He keeps vigil on the Caul now." [23:25] 13Xia Lan: "What, for singing it?" 15[23:25] <@VoxPVoxD> "For writing it." [23:26] 13Well, that would do it. Still. "Good on him, though." [23:29] 13She sips her water. "Wonder if they'd be on me quicker if I started integrating these into my lists." [23:31] 13Xia Lan: "I'd need to pick up Dragontongue first, though. It doesn't quite work in the other -- I mean, you could torture it into shape, but I always hate doing that. Just present the original." [23:32] 14Stranger: "They'll be trying to kill you anyway. Hard to see how this would make it materially worse." 15[23:32] <@VoxPVoxD> Otto: "Write a new one." 15[23:32] <@VoxPVoxD> "The past has already failed us. It's time for a new book." [23:33] 14Stranger: "Too true." [23:33] 13Xia Lan: "Yeah..." [23:39] 13She's still sorting through the old anthems and hymns, most of which aren't worth rehabilitating. There's a few with catchy tunes, but for the most part the old Solar hymns were notable in their performer, not their source. [23:40] 14The most compelling Solar tunes were, by Stranger's recollection, battle hymns. Inauspicious.