Shainman Rehearsal Hall (#4130)
The largest room in the Istan Harper Hall, save the Ballroom, this room has wonderful acoustics that make sound bounce off the walls just so. From lessons to rehearsal to just listening to the marvelous sounds always filling the room, there's always a surplus of people about, harpers of every rank, and even a few holders. Tiers fill almost every wall in the room, the choir levels on the right, the orchestra one directly in and other smaller areas for more specific group rehearsal on the left. The room is spotlessly clean and only completely empty in the early hours of the morning when most harpers have to tear themselves away from their work for a few winks of sleep.

Rijalvas settles himself into a chair quietly, instrumentless and a bit distant. His eyes angle up toward the ceiling, and deep breaths mark his slow efforts at calm. As Renrow, speaks, he turns and nods. "Yeah," he says. "Original songwriting. I'm a bit nervous, though. I shouldn't've left it a cappella."

Kaeryn rushes in, her skirts flowing around her legs as she does, and comes to a skidding stop at the chair beside Caramak. A sheepish grin is offered to the master as she drops her bag to the floor, before turning to face those gathered. "We'll start in just a moment, doing the songs first and then the poetry. I know some of you are supposed to be working various booths and things, so if you need to go first, let me know, please?"

Delilah slips in, smiling at the people she knows, with a quick polite bob like curtsy to the important, ranking people. She moves through the growing crowd to an empty seat.

Renrow chuckles gently as Rij's nerves seep though and taint his words, echoing the confession. His hand lifts with the other bubblie in his hand, tapping against the side of the stand with the knuckle of his other, "Y'want this'un, then? Ye'll do fine, don't worry about it...jest remember to keep a beat. Any tapping or snapping involved to help?" Of course, Rij already knows all of these offered tidbits of help...but hey, Ren's trying. And even offering his -last- bubblie! He quickly stands as Kaeryn enters, brushing himself off and sitting in the closest seat.

Sirri nods with nervous smiles to all present, paying special attention to Kaeryn as she hums tunelessly to herself.

Sorcen does an admirable job masking his limp as he trundles into the room, and immediatly heads towards the back of the room. He gives a grin of greeting towards Marianne as he goes, then seats himself and pulls out his gitar, tuning it as softly as possible. He's not nervous, really. Least, he won't admit to being nervous. He stops his tuning while Kaeryn speaks to listen, then goes back to it. He has nothing going on immediatly after this, so no rush for him.

Caramak flashes a smile to Kaeryn as she appears; his own entrance preceded hers by not more than a few minutes. He folds his hands across his stomach -- a posture which conveniently conceals the few extra pounds that have finally begun to creep on with the years -- and prepares to watch, still silent.

Falada is followed by two other apprentices, one toting a lap harp, the other a gitar and sheet music. They seat themselves together.

"Oh, /too/ kind," she gushes to Renrow, just as if she had no idea he was going to say that, considering she took a piece right off of it. Waltzing over with her normal dancing stride, she sweeps over the floor to take the rest of the bubbly and pop in in her mouth small piece by piece. Noticing Jalvas right behind Renrow, her smile falters slightly for a moment, but recovers, as if remembering they'd gotten on in the past at times. Offering him a pleasant nod, she says, "I'm sure you'll do fine..." Turning around with her smile attempting to remain... it has no trouble as she notices acquaintances and friends waving, and then she notices Sorcen's grin. With widening eyes, she strides determinedly towards where he sits and offers him a smile of greeting. "Mind if I sit down here?" She clearly wants to say more, but apparently decides against it for the moment, nodding to people as they pass.

Rijalvas eyes the bubbly. Oh, tempation. "Can't," he says. "Singing. The voice, you know." His hand opens and rubs against his pant leg, sweaty palm scrubbing off. He nods slightly to Kaeryn's words, but doesn't speak.

A young harper strides purposefuly through those gathered to Sirri, small guitar clutched revrently as he mutters softly to the girl, pointing out various notes and noding with little jabs of ink.

Renrow blinks and tilts his head to the side, brows the faintest bit together...then a simple 'Oh' is stated towards Rij, nodding as his eyes slowly slide back to Kaeryn. His eyes flicker back towards him, mouth opening along with his index finger rising, though mouth is closed again with a shake of his head and waggle of his finger through the air, "Ye'll do fine...shells, ye've heard /me/ sing in Chorus..." Muttering the last part, he leans back and slightly slumps in the chair, slashing through the air with the finger for effect.

The thought of that should make him at least a -little- more confident about his own voice...and hopefully lighten his nerves, too. (dang enter button...)

Kaeryn moves toward the front of the room and steps up onto a small stage that has been set up for today. "Thank you all for coming, and if you've entered, I wish you all luck. We're going to get started so everyone can return to the Gather fun soon. So, starting with songs..." she pauses and looks at the hide in her hand, "Falada?"

Sorcen looks up from his gitar as he's addressed by Marianne. "Nay, not at all. Sit down." A wave of his hand to the seat next to him adds to the vocal invitation, even as the shaking of his hand betrays his slight nervousness. "I'm going fourth." Just in case she wasn't sure. "You didn't enter this did you?" The strings tuned to his satisfaction, he brings his thumb down across them one last time before giving his attention to Kaeryn.

Kaeryn waits for everyone to settle down before stepping from the stage and moving back to her seat.

Sirri glances up at Kaeryn and poviting lightly on a heel glances over to the girl named with a confidant smile. A small "Good luck" is muttered though barely within hearing as she continues her rather repentent humming.

Falada turns pink and, with gestures from her companions, leads the trio up to the stage where they all set up. The gitarist remains standing and says, "We are playing a song written by Falada, who will be playing flute." He sits down and they begin.

Softly, the gitar sings the intro, chords struck gently, creating a sense of peace and giving a romantic air. Then the singer's voice breaks in gently, softly, almost crooning,

"Tonight it's very clear, as we're both lying here,
"There's so many things I wanna say.
"I will always love you, I would never leave you alone."

"Sometimes I just forget, say things I might regret,
It breaks my heart to see you cryin'.
I don't wanna lose you, I could never make it alone."

The music crescendoes to a strong chorus, the singer strengthening her voice as well,

"I am a man who will fight for your honor,
I'll be the hero you're dreaming of,
We'll live forever knowing together,
That we did it all for the glory of love."

The music drops back off, decrescendoing sharply, the singer gentling her voice.

"You keep me standing tall, you help me through it all,
I 'm always strong when you're beside me.
I have always needed you, I could never make it alone."

Again the music crescendoes to an intensity.

"I am a man who will fight for your honor,
I'll be the hero you've been dreaming of,
We'll live forever knowing together,
That we did it all for the glory of love."

A flautist joins in as the music crescendoes to the bridge, then drops back out as the singer takes it back up.

"Like a Lord in shining armor, from a long time ago,
Just in time I will sieze the day, take you to my holding far away."

Flute and harp join in now for a short interlude, both strong and emotional at the same time, and the harpist joins in with backup as the flautist withdraws her sound.

"I am a man who will fight for your honor,
I'll be the hero that you're dreaming of,
We're gonna live forever knowing together,
That we did it all for the glory of love."

Again the harp and flute join in for a second interlude, the flautist withdrawing at the end when harpist and lead sing a reprise.

We'll live forever knowing together,
That we did it all for the glory of love."

Their voices fade with the music in a thrice repetition of the last line.

The trio all stand, bow, and calmly process off the stage and back to their seats, led again by the blushing and highly nervous Falada.

Just as if they haven't not seen each other in almost a month. Is that how he's going to treat it? She seems to be able to make a rather teasingly indignant comment, but noticing his shaking hands... it's not the time. Covering it with a light friendly squeeze, she smiles reassuringly, a twinkle shining in her eyes, "Hey, if you can get through everything else I've heard, this should be a snap, right?" As the song starts, she leans back in her seat, her attention on the stage, just offering her silent support for now as she listens to Falada's song lilt over the gathering, clapping softly when it is done with a congratulatory smile on her face.

Safri smiles slightly, edging into the room so she won't disturb anyone. She stays near the back, her book of poems clutched tightly. She claps softly at Falada and her trio's work, but not loud enough to really hear well.

Renrow sits up straight after the first few lines, expression on his face softening as he listens. The deeper it goes into the song, the more he leans abit more forward in his chair, grin twitching onto his face at the interlude. As the song dies out, his hands come quickly together, vigorous applause letting forth as he nods, grin having spread across his face, "Ah like that one...really like it..." He mutters towards Rij, beside him.

Kaeryn puts her hands together in an appreciative applause as the trio finishes the song and return to their seats. After waiting several moments for the musicians to get settled, she gets to her feet once again. "Very nice work. Next is.. Rijalvas." With a nod toward the stage, she sits again.

Caramak watches the performers quietly, still in his seat while they play. As they fade into silence, he begins to applaud quietly but firmly. He leans over to murmur quietly under his breath to Kaeryn, sitting next to him, after she returns but before Rijalvas begins.

Renrow lightly backhands Rij's leg as he stands, nodding and again telling him that he'll do fine...and much better than -he- would.

Nali ducks in just in time to hear the tail-end of a song, apparently. The brownrider joins in the applause. With the next contestant called, she quickly sets about finding a proper vantage point from which to relax and enjoy the performance.

Rijalvas rises a bit nervously and walks to the stage, pausing in the middle of it to draw a deep breath. His eyes close for a moment, then open again as he looks out across the crowd.

"You have got a point," Sorcen replies to Marianne's comment before the song started, applauding with the rest. "This'll be easy." Having boosted his confidence a little, he settles back into the seat for Rijalvas' performance.

His voice light and clear, Rijalvas begins singing with no real build-up, just the advent of music. A rich minor key provides the musical foundation, but the notes that comprise the song are only a faint whisper atop the base, strongly supported but wistfully tentative.

I'll capture the end of evening
Hold the dawn's first dewdrop
In the palm of my mind
I'll wear the morning grasses
As they ripple in the shadows
With a pocket for the things I've left behind

Shifting without transition into the piece's relative major, Rijalvas modulates his voice upwards in both pitch and volume, hesitation crescendoing to a peak of greater confidence.

You burned so brightly in the winter sky
The night wore your blaze like a scar
I watched you burn bright in the winter night
And I saw the blaze of a falling star

Fading back down to a comfortable quiet, the song retreats again into the safety of its delicate dance, a carefully choreographed ballet of gentle touches and light measures.

Who captured the dawn of your glory
Who held your cloak as you dawned
In the dark of the light
I saw your every shimmer
As you shone across tomorrow
And I wondered how your light could stay so bright.

You burned so brightly in the winter sky
The night wore your blaze like a scar
I watched you burn bright in the winter night
And I saw the blaze of a falling star

In the brief pause between verses, Rijalvas lets his eyes drop, lifting again from floor to ceiling as the song rises. One hand lifts with an abstract movement, uncertain but not self-conscious. His voice touches on urgency, lending the motion an air of entreaty.

You rose o'er the plains of glory
Shone the plains of morning
With a whisper of dew
You burned the evening over
As it stole away your sunset
And your shine's the glory that we never knew

Closing his eyes and his throat, Rijalvas sings the chorus with the force of willpower behind it, a pained sound of emotion pushed out despite its desire to turn inward.

You burned so brightly in the winter sky
The night wore your blaze like a scar
I watched you burn bright in the winter night
And I saw the blaze of a falling star

The quiet of the verses, and their tremulous uncertainty, resolves itself to a definite composure, one that has met its grief and grown. Still minor, still sorrowful, there is nonetheless a richer air to the melody, a better-grounded melancholy not so mired in doubt.

But I still remember the morning
Hold your startled talent
In the palm of my heart
I'll sing your life remembered
By the ones who never knew you
With a silence
    where you sing the tenor part

The briefest of pauses interrupts the verse in the middle of its final line, just a shade too long for a natural breath. Finishing as if nothing had lent hesitation to the verse, Rijalvas enters the chorus.

You burned so brightly in the winter sky
The night wore your blaze like a scar
I watched you burn bright in the winter night
And I saw the blaze of a falling star

With the final crescendo of the chorus, Rijalvas lets his voice soar, waiting to drop in volume until the last word, where he lets the syllable fall away into silence, rather than the sharp fracture of a cut-off.

Renrow's index finger on his right hand begins tapping a soft beat as Rijalvas begins, his foot unconciously joining with tapping as the appy's voice lifts. His hands lift during the pause as his friend's eyes drop, though hover a handspan away from each other, quickly noticing that an applause would be -much- too early at this point...he loosely crosses his arms, wrinkle forming across his forehead as the words begin to sink in, head tipping the slightest bit to the left. Voice rises, then lowers, and fades off on the last word, leaving Renrow still thoughtfully leaning back with loosely crossed arms, almost sorrowed expression on his face. Silence, blink, then he sharply inhales and stands, forceful applause being let forth for his friend...though he leaves the whistling out, as he's been repremanded for -that- before.

Caramak waits several beats after the end of the song to begin applauding, allowing the notes to fade artistically away. When he does applaud, however, it is once again firm, his large hands cupping the air between them.

Kaeryn's mouth curls up into a small, pleased smile, and, once again, her hands come together to form an appreciative applause, tilting her head slightly to the side to give Caramak a grin and a nod.

Rijalvas dips his head awkwardly as he finishes, hurrying off the stage to reclaim his seat by Renrow. Okay. Over. Done.

Sirri watches the singer with quiet contentment, lifting her own hands to add her after thoughts of inspiration with everyone else.

Safri takes a quiet seat, only to find her foot tapping away with the beat. A silence rings through her ears, only to be replaced by applause as the song ends. She realizes this and adds her own clapping to the bunch, this time feeling a bit more confident. A smile tugs at Safri's lips, which in the end she stops fighting and let's loose on her face.

Standing, once again, Kae gives Rijalvas an approving nod before calling out the next performer. "I looks like... Sorcen is up next?"

Caramak returns Kaeryn's expression when he finds it directed his way, and lets his hands gradually fall still once again, this time crossing his arms, as Kaeryn announces the next performer.

Renrow's laughter begins bubbling out as Rij draws closer, sitting as he does and shrugging as he tips his head towards him and mutters, "You -know- Ah would've whistled, too...'ear piercing', they said, pfft, so're hundreds of people -clapping-." A roll of his eyes, shrug, and attention returns to Kaeryn.

Marianne listens Rijalvas' performance with an air of interest, her eyes closed.. or half closed, her dark lashes hiding her green eyes. Being a performer herself, of course, she can hear the emotion that he is putting into his song and appreciates it for it what it is. As the song winds to an end, Marianne smiles and joins in the applause for Jalvas' talent, her hands coming together with sincere appreciation. As Sorcen is called, she leans over and gives him a quick, encouraging hug and a sparkling glance. "Go on... and remember, just have fun!" Marianne repeats her motto with a quick, last sqeeze.

As the last note spills to the ground, Nali puts her hands together in appreciation of the song. "That was lovely, don't you think?" she remarks to her neighbor, who agrees with a vigorous nod and continued applause. "Oh, another song. Wonderful!" The brownrider seems in a particularly cheerful mood today. Nothing like a good Gather with good music to get the spirits up.

Delilah is left with a solomn expression on her face, and applauds as the song is over. She silences the clapping when someone else is called though.

Sorcen adds his own applause to everyone elses with a few nods, then stands and heads up towards the stage, gitar in hand, his slight limp showing through as most of his concentration is focused on what he's about to do. He gives a respectful nod to Journeywoman and Master as he passes, then heads up onto the stage. Not one for introductions, he immediately begins playing in a harmonic major with a driving, definately dancable beat. After a few measures of the introduction, he comes in with the vocal, his tenor entering with a consistent metsoforte, contrasting the fluctuating forte and piano of the gitar. "Illusion/ Not a dillusion/ Full of confusion/ Can you help me see the light?" For the bridge between verses, he switches from 3/4 time to 4/4, then continues the verses. "Rotation/ No appretiation/ Full re-creation/ You can help me get through the night."

Another brief bridge and Sorcen begins singing again. "Devotion/ Perpetual motion/ Heavy emotion/ Maybe we can change the world today." He's far from still as he sings, walking about and looking around as if requesting what he's singing from some unseen person hovering above the audience. "Elevation/ Revelation/ No levitation/ Through the stars we'll find another way." He suddenly stops moving, looking intently into the audience. A chord goes awry due to the fairly recent loss of a finger on his left hand, but it's fixed almost before it's detected, and he goes into the vocal bridge. "You're nothing but an illusion/ A trick that eyes play on the mind/ Optical and mental diffusion/ Playback that none can rewind." The gitar suddenly drops into near silence, then re-enters nearing forte volume. "Revolution/ Can't find the solution/ To my evolution/ Tell me, what else can I say?" Ending the vocal suddenly, he brings his right hand down across the strings with a firm strum, ending the song with finality.

Dropping a quick bow, Sorcen drops back off the stage and returns to his seat next to Marianne, breathing a little heavier than normal, but seeming to be glad it's over.

"Very nice, Sorcen," Kaeryn notes as she gets to her feet, clapping her hands together as the harper returns to his seat. "There are a few others listed here, though I don't see them, but maybe they'll show. So, we'll go on with... Liesana."

Tapping her foot on the ground, Marianne appears to almost move with the music's beat in her seat.. but only her feet, of course. As the song winds on and on, more of her body seems to sway and almost dance without moving, her hands tapping lightly upon her seat with an even tune. The words of the song appear to go straight into her, one line a determined one following the next As the song comes to it's rather abrupt conclusion, Marianne is out of her seat.. or perhaps before that, she's out of her seat. Her arms are raised above her head, clapping enthusiastically with a grin on her face of pride for her friend. As he walks down the isle, she puts her hands on her hips and questions, "Hey, not bad for a person who was shaking like he was in an ice storm..." As he sits down, she settles herself in and gives him a friendly hand on the arm for just a moment before withdrawing it.

Rijalvas hesitates for a moment, as if contemplating his reaction, but, finally, he offers a grudging applause. Good sport and all. A wry smile directs itself at the performer as he settles.

Liesana is seated on a single stool in the middle of the stage. Her hair is styled simply, graced with a few meadow flowers. The song that rises from her gitar is just as simple, at least on the surface. It borrows elements from both the sea chanty and the ballad, creating a tune with a defined rhythm that is also gentle, with a faint touch of old sadness to it.

As a rider is one with his dragon,
So a sailor is tied to the waves,
'Though one lives on the shifting decks of a ship,
And the other's a dweller in caves.

So though many a seaman is charming
And he'll court you with protesting plea,
Remember, oh maidens, remember,
His first love is always the sea.

The tune continues it's tone of old longing, and the soprano voice of the singer continues to impart the hard-earned wisdom that the music suggests.

The sea is a jealous mistress,
And a siren's call hath she,
And though you'd rather your sailor stayed safely ashore,
He'll always head back to the sea.

So though many a seaman is charming,
And he'll court you with protesting plea,
Remember, oh maidens, remember,
His first love is always the sea.

Liesana's voice takes on an even more haunting tone, which is matched by the gitar, and helped by a chord shift into the minor.

For one day his lady may take him,
Whether from your shore or others, unknown,
But one day he may not come homewards,
And you'll be left to face living alone.

So though many a seaman is charming,
And he'll court you with protesting plea,
Remember, oh maidens, remember,
His first love is always the sea.

The distant tone that has been part of the song finally shifts to something more immediate. The pitch drops, and the chords return to the major, as the story reaches it's close.

I tell you this tale as a caution,
You may take it however you may,
But know that this story is truthful,
For it's happened to me this same way...

The haunting, delicate rhythms of the gitar quietly stop, and Liesana lowers the intrument to her lap, a faraway look in her eyes.

Renrow's head tips from side to side as the beat goes, though a distant look remains on his face, one that could easily be called slight confusion. His eyes follow Sorcen as he moves, his head changing from tipping to bobbing lightly with the beat, though the grin that twitches up on the left side of his face as chord is missed is unable to be stifled, clapping heartily as the song ends and giving thumbs up towards Sorc as he returns to his seat and the next continues. Eyes follow Liesana as she walks up, grinning and offering more wild applause as the song quiets down, a few seconds before the final note is actually completely gone.

Nali claps appreciatively for the song, adding the sound of her applause to that of everyone else's. A mournful sigh, however, is blended with the cheerful atmosphere. "I wish I could stay longer," she notes wistfully to her neighbor, "but I've got to skip out." With that, she stands and walks towards the door.

Rijalvas's hands again touch lightly together, a quiet applause to Liesana as she finishes and descends from the stage. He wets his lips nervously, glancing around for the next performer. His hands drop to toy with the bottom hem of his shirt.

Caramak applauds for Liesana as for each of the previous performers, deliberately keeping his lauds evenly distributed...at least before the judging.

Kaeryn sets aside the hide she had been scribbling on and picks up the poetry sheet. "Alright, that's it for songs, we have a few poems. I believe Sirri has two to read for us, and Delilah has one, as well as one by Ashlyn. Delilah, would you like to go first?"

Sirri quakes lightly at hearing her name, and smiles with as much confidance as she can muster.

Delilah looks a little surprised, but nods, getting up and walking over to the stage.

Delilah takes a deep breath and begins softly...

Time goes by, things change
People grow, memories stay
All else goes by
In a whirl of colors never the same
Swirling together in the blur of life
The friends you know
The people you knew
The times you had
Of good and bad
Known one miniute
A memory the next
Time
Never still
Always moving in a blur of speed
Flying away on wings of time
To the corners of your mind
Delilah's voice gets louder for the last few lines of the poem.
People change
Friends change
You change
Only the memories remain.

Sirri listens to the poem, rocking a bit to the steady rhythem before letting the last lines fade. She clasps her hands together in applause, beaming.

Delilah finishes and with a last glance around, hurries back to her seat.

Rijalvas hesitates when the recitation is over. Is applause appropriate? He waits until someone else has begun, then joins in quietly.

The distance between Renrow's brows once again is slowly depleated as the poem goes further on. In a few places, he even nods, as if in reply, and sighs as the last line is spoken while rubbing the bridge of his nose with his right hand, applause beginning quietly after a few more moments of thought.

Caramak's hands come together again, quietly. Once again he leans over to Kaeryn to make a brief comment before next performer is announced.

Kaeryn applauds after pausing just a moment long enough to write something down on her piece of hide. "Just like everything we've heard today, that was very nice. Thank you, Delilah. Next. OK. Sirri?"

Sirri looks over to Kaeryn with a rather hesitant shuffle of feet before standing and making her way to the center of the stage.

Morning Klah

Within the awning of days anew
one wakes to an imminent comfort
Sweet scents arise to lap upon unsuspecting individuals.

Cozy tides of familiarity
the seasoned brew rests upon a jovial soul
Klah invisioned in cold, mistled mornings with elation.

The first spiced sip
dazzles and inspires us
Slipping from the confines of sleep.

Once more prepared
for what lies ahead
Klah is drained and taken to heart.

Sirri smiles with another small shuffle of feet. Looking rather quickly about for any lasting reaction before she readies to recite her next poem.

Rapa runs in, hoping that she has not missed the contest. She looks around for anyone she knows. She walks up to Kaeryn and asks, "Am I late?" She turns are waves to Jal.

Renrow grins as the first poem begins, crinkling his nose as it finishes with his grin only wider on his face. "Liike that'n, too...tis true, tis true." He mutters towards Rij in the pause between poems, silently chuckling as the energy-inducing drink is known all too well by this hyperactive apprentice lad.

Kaeryn applauds politely for Sirri's poem, motioning for Rapa to sit beside her, whispering softly. "You can go when the poems are done, don't worry."

Sirri beams with gaining confidance and clears her throat, silvery voice slipping into her next poem..

An Ode to Wine

Of cinnibar hue and tantilizing flavors
Of blushing poppy and alabaster bubbles

A Tillek Creation

Of claret vines and flushed grapes
Of crimson tinct and ruby flavors

A Gar Creation

The hellebore hued bottle
The glowing liquid quilted within

Wine

Sirri finishes with a lingering emphesis on her closing word and with akward grace, returns to her seat.

Once again, Kaeryn's hands come together into applause, giving Sirri an appreciative nod before she gets to *back* on her feet. "Alright. Those were both very nice. Next is... Safri?"

Renrow covers his mouth as the next one begins, hiding the widened smile for a moment just in case a chuckle were to escape, his right brow lifting as he awaits the rest to begin...another good one. With gentle nodding as she finishes, his applause begins once he's sure she's done, "Goood topic..." He glances around as the next name is called, another unfamiliar one...

Safri nods slowly at Kaeryn, standing and making her way over to where she is to perform. Her hands tremble a bit as they hold out her book of poems, and she finds the correct page.

The housekeeper arrives to cart Mithrril off to bed.

Sirri catches the words of Renrow, and feeling more at ease, turns her attentions to the name called.

Delilah smiles and claps quietly for Sirri's poem, and then turns to watch Safri.

Safri slowly lifts her book closer to her face, trying to hide behind it. She opens her mouth hesitantly, not sure of what she is doing as dark locks of hair fall in front of her harsh features. Finally, her voice rings out throughout the room, loud and clear with only the slightest wavering. Safri speaks with an off-beat that seems to match perfectly with her poem.

Where fiery crimson turns to pastel peach,
On a face of dire beauty,
One can only wonder,
And truly wonder,
Who is that person really?

Safri pauses, knowing that most people would answer themselves to that question, not knowing that it's rhetorical. She takes one hand away from the old book, to brush the hair from her face. Her other hand wavers slightly, causing the pages to fall out of order. She quickly recovers and continues sparingly.

Faces are but masks,
Hiding the truth of being,
And if you look behind them,
To the truth that is held there,
What is it that you are really seeing?

She taps her foot slightly, letting a firm beat guide her words. Safri pauses again, letting herself breathe a few simple times. Her violet eyes move upwards a bit to the others, and she gives a slight jump of fright. Just keep going. Safri readjusts the book in her hands, voice once more taking the room.

Names are also set in,
For every person has a name,
A form of identification,
We match with the person inside,
That they hide behind without shame.

Safri adjusts her book as she finishes the stanze, but does not pause for long. This time, she keeps right on going, the only thing to signify the break being the waver that returns to her voice for a moment or two.

When the painter gets out to paint,
It is more than what colour and what lines,
It is what is behind the picture,
In our hearts,
In our minds.

Safri let's the last word drift with a cautious sound, slightly wavering with fright. She closes the book, standing still and rigid. Her stomach moves up and down awkwardly in great intakes of hurried breath. Her heart begins to pound softly, as fear of performing grips her being.

Sirri listens intently, foot tapping lightly as her fingers flourish a bit with each word. She smiles warml and begins to applaud.

Delilah nods her head slightly to the beat of the words. She grins at Safri as it ends, applauding quietly.

"Thank you, Safri, that was very nice," Kae announces over the applausal of the audience and her own. "I believe there's just one more poem. Ashlyn?"

Safri smiles slightly at the applause, though she returns to her seat as quickly as is possible, aching to get away from the horrid performing. Safri shudders slightly as she takes her seat again.

Ashlyn stands up straight and tall, her hands clasped together at her waist. After taking a long, deep breath, she opens her mouth and speaks.

My Poem is called Diamond Light. I hope you enjoy it.

The night sky sparkles with diamond chips
Nestled deep within a velvet cloth
Flashing light of the candle
Left on the mantle
Hot wax dripping to the wood
Creating a mirror of fire
Shimmering above the floor.

After a long moment, a small smile touches her lips and she forces herself into a nervously forced curtsey before scampering off the stage.

Renrow's hands come together again as she smiles, nodding faintly as the crooked grin on his face and faintly distant look hints of the many changing visions that the poem left smoothely flowing through his head.

Delilah is still for a few moments and then begins to clap, a smile spreading over her face as she fully absorbs the poem.

Rapa slowly slides back in as she retakes her seat. She sits and listens. Then, she claps along with the others, who just went?

Kaeryn watches as Ashlyn runs back to her seat and gets to her feet for, hopefully, the last time. "Alright, I think that's it for the poetry. There is on final entry in the song competition. Rapa was delayed, but is here now, so if you will, sit back and enjoy her song?"

Rapa looks around, "Me? OK..." She gets up and walks over so that everyone can hear..."Hello, my name is Rapa and I will be playing a piece I composed entitled 'The Threats of the Depths'." She nods and smiles...

Rapa lifts the flute to her mouth, takes a deep breathe, and begins to play.

A peaceful and blissful song starts. Instantly you can feel the notes roll over each other. As the waves of the ocean, the tune has a mellow sound. Being in a lower octave the notes seem to almost place you in a sleep. Her fingers move slowly across the flute as she controls her breathing. Come to me, it calls, let me show you the many wonders of my world.

With such sweet sounds, you almost don't realize when the tempo starts to pick up and the anger of the mighty sea released! The middle section is vigorous like a raging ocean. Speed and height is all that you can comprehend as the flute screams with the strength of the deep waters. And yet, it's music to the ears as it describes and portraits the depths of the seas.

Her tempo picks up only to then slow down again. Consisting of a couple of different scales and trembles, it ends once again with the mellowness of the waters. Like anything, the time is sweeter once the anger has passed. With a much smoother tempo, it invites you to come and play.

With the power it possesses, it can still show kindness. It ends on a low note, as you hear the note continuously ringing in your ear.

She suddenly starts to blush. Rapa didn't have the before jitters, she has them afterwards! She looks around and smiles, as she takes her seat once again...Wow...That went better than hoped..."Yes!" She grins as she realized that she did the best she could!

With raised brows, Renrow again nods and claps vigorously as the flute is lowered, eyes flickering over to Rij, then scanning the others that are currently here, glancing over his shoulder towards Marianne and Sorc as he lifts two fingers in a lackadaisical wave. So that's where she went.

Delilah waits as the note dies away and then claps, smiling at the preformer.

Rijalvas hesitates before clapping lightly, his eyes sliding away from the stage towards Kaeryn, then back to Rapa, and then to Renrow. "Glad you avoided it?" he wonders.

Kaeryn's hands come together in applause one final time, for the final performer, giving Rapa a moment to soak in the applause before getting to her feet and motioning for the harper to join the others on the floor. "Alright, I think that's it for today. We thank you all for participating. There were some lovely songs and poems heard here today and you should all be proud of yourselves. The results will be announced this evening at the ball, and we expect to see each and every one of you there, in your best garb, enjoying yourselves." A motion is made in the direction of the ballroom and she holds up her hand one last time, "Dinner will be served in the Dining Hall in about a candlemark, so be there if you want to eat."

Rijalvas glances over to Delilah, hoping to catch his fellow appy's eyes. One candlemark? That ought to be enough, right?

Noticing the wave, Marianne, now sitting by herself since Sorc' departure, waves back discreetly, trying to not take attention away from the performers as Rapa finishes. However, as Kaeryn makes her announcement, she stands up from her chair with the lazy stretch of a cat flexing it's muscles and applauds all the performers as a whole with soft hands coming together. Walking slowly over to Renrow, she leans against a nearby chair and raises one eyebrow inquiringly, "So, how did you like the pieces?" She gives him a slight smile tinged with impishness. "You seemed to be enjoying yourself..."

Delilah looks around the room, a little smile on her face. She catches Rijalvas's eyes and nods a little.

Caramak claps once again and pauses long enough for Kaeryn to speak. As she finishes, he rises and steps up to the stage to inquire, "Should we go and deliberate or something?" he asks, a slight drawl making him sound half amused.

"Probably so," Kae replies with an agreeable, if tired, grin and nods toward the door, "Shall we go to the office? I think it's the only place that isn't crawling with people today."

Rijalvas rises then, mouthing the word: "Here?" The room is certainly large enough; there are empty corners. He watches as people start to sift out, inching over to the side.

Renrow tenses up with held-in energy as Kaeryn stands, nodding rapidly towards Rijalvas in reply, his words pulling forth laughter which is thankfully stifled enough to still hear Kaeryn finish. "Aye, ooh am I /ever/. T'was no -way- I'd be able to do that...I mean," He shrugs, waving his hands through the air, "what /could/ I do? ...Tap my feet and dance? Ooohh, betcha that woulda worked out great." He rolls his eyes, then beams as Kaeryn's last words seep in and she motions out, jumping up from his chair and swiping a closed hand through the air, /finally/ able to release his energy. Bouncing lightly on his toes, a chuckle escapes through grinning lips every now and then, eyes on Marianne as she arrives, "Aye, aye I did. Quite a few of them. Heeheheh."

Delilah glances around the room, still milling with people even if they're starting to leave. She goes through other possible places, and then upon deciding that this is the best place, she nods, motioning to a fairsized, and luckily empty corner. She stands and heads over.

Rijalvas follows Delilah obediently, fidgeting awkwardly with his shirt. "I'm really bad at this," he warns. "Really, really bad. I just need to learn how to do the really simple steps and stuff, because if I try to do anything more, I'll kill my partner. Last time, I nearly killed my partner /and/ some other people."

Doesn't /that/ look familiar, thinks Marianne as remembers boucning in a similar manner just before the performance began. She's even more full of energy now, and she matches his chuckle with a soft lilting laughter. "yes, I knoticed you did. Not that I'm any one to talk, seeing as I enjoyed a few of them myself...." Glancing towards the door, she nods her head slightly to her friend, starting to take a few steps in that direction, "Would you like to come along? I'm heading out to the Gather... or at least, outside for a little bit..." A few more steps, and then she looks over her shoulder once more and then turns back to look over her shoulder, the picture of energy straining at a weak leash.

Braids flying behind her as she runs in, Lorsalia appears less than her thirteen Turns of age. But she quickly settles herself and approaches the master harpers, her little blue drum clutched tightly. She would speak, but surely she's too late to perform, isn't she?

"Lorsalia?" Kae calls out as the youngster runs into the room, motioning her over to the stage. "I wasn't sure if you were still coming. Do you still want to perform your song?"

Caramak turns to Lorsalia as she enters from where he stands by the edge of the stage. As Kaeryn offers the Apprentice a chance to perform, he smiles at what appears to be a somewhat frantic Lorsalia.

Lorsalia nods eagerly, but first turns to gaze at the crowd before climbing onto the stage. "Of course!" She says, assuming that all should know that. "I've still time to sing my song, don't I?" Is her next sentence as she appraises Kaeryn from below, her eyebrows raised and one hip jutted out in the position of her insolent drudge friend.

Renrow laughs, head tipping back as his idle bouncing comes to a halt. His hands quickly brush down his shirt and pants, maybe to smooth them down again, maybe to brush more invisable particles off, or maybe just becuase he isn't moving at this moment. He glances around, brows lowering and a quiet "Hrmm...wh..." escapes before his eyes pass over a corner, catching a glimpse of Rij and Delilah though passing people and lifting his brows, "What is this now?" He mutters to himself, chuckling and shaking his head as he takes a few steps backwards, and almost tripping over a chair as his head swings back around to Kaeryn and the girl that pelts in and is suddenly on the stage from seemingly out of nowhere. "What th..another?" And so he holds a hand out towards Marianne, tipping it through the air, though whether it's a motion of parting or for her to sit is unsure, placing himself in the spot he almost fell over.

"Of course," Kae gives the young lady a nod before turning to the crowd that still gathered and raises her voice to her 'public speaking level'. "Excuse me? Lorsalia has just arrived, and she would like the opportunity to perform her song, so if you wouldn't mind returning to your seats for just a few moments longer?" With this announcement, the journeywoman moves from the stage and returns to her own seat.

Laurenlee steps bouncily, eyes peering about with a sparkle in from the ballroom.

Lorsalia turns abruptly and flashes a bright smile to the crowd. Batting her eyelashes as sweetly as she can, she holds her little drum close and begins her introduction. "Okay. My song is called, um-" She stops for a moment, her grey eyes focused on the ground, then begins again. "Well, it's my song. And it's about me. In case you can't figure it out." Once more, she uses a tone indicating all should know this.

Renrow glances back over towards Marianne as he sits, catching sight of...he leans forward, peering around a few people before his grin fully breaks open, stretching an arm out and waving Laurenlee over...and trying not to let his pent-up energy make him bounce -too- much in his chair.

Laurenlee enters quietly from the hallway. Slippered feet are casually placed on the ground, but at the same instant, they are carefully placed so as not to draw attention. Different from her normal cascade of curls, the blond hair is piled atop her head, as if she didn't care as to what it looked like today. Maybe she just woke up late. Either way, she's here now, and her light blue eyes run across the occupants of the room, smiling at a few she recognizes, but then as she spots Ren, her smiles brightens and she trots over toward him, scooching into a chair with a mouthed 'Hi.'

As the young girl bounces in, Marianne stops on the spot with curiousity, her hair bouncing upon her back in waves as she steps backwards herself in an energetic twirl, settling herself in the seat that Renrow.. sort of indicated. Perching herself on the chair's arm, she looks with an amused grin at the stage as she bounces up there and applauds lightly for her at the introduction, waving to Laurenlee with a friendly little hand as she walks in.

Emmett has heard about this. So far he's avoided hearing the song itself... He sighs, eyes looking nervously at Lorsalia. At least it's not about him this time. At a smattering of applause, he moves his hands uncertainly too--they're not quite touching, but he's almost making the effort.

Waiting for complete silence before she begins, Lorsalia glares at the whispering crowd. "Be quiet, will y'all? You can't hear my song if you're not." She states as imperiously as possible. As voices die down, she nods and begins a light rhythm on her drum and then joins in, her voice somewhere between soprano and contralto as it jumps between notes, flat at one moment and sharp at the next.

"On a soft summer morning, thirteen Turns ago," the song begins, "The world was created, as you must now know. She was a tiny child, though her lungs were quite large- The wails she sent out could be heard near and far. They sang of a song, so filled with young beauty, It aged Turns in all of one moment, Calling the suitors to come and adore."

Emmett starts wincing. He almost manages to get his flinching to the rhythm of Lors' little drum. "Only thirteen turns ago?" he mutters. "Feels like thirty." And he didn't know Lors for five of those turns.

Kaeryn forces her expression into one of schooled impartiality, but her blue eyes sparkle with amusement.

The song stops short and Lorsalia turns her gaze at a small group directly in front of the stage. "Don't laugh!" She commands in her 'princess' tone. "It isn't funny. It's true." Once they settle, she begins again, but this time with a second verse.

As Lors begins, or gets ready to begin, Renrow blinks curiously for a second and glances around, impulsively thinking she'd been talking to him as he's the one whispering most of the time...though not this time, reguardless of how much he wants to, he reminds himself with a nod. His wide grin has remained on his face since shortly before she'd begun, though it hasn't diminished one bit. Untill the command is given, exchanging it for a suddenly surpised expression, then chuckling silently and shaking his head as he notices the others in the front.

"As the days passed by, her beauty grew greatly From curls to curves, though the latter more lately Long lashes frame eyes sparkling with joy Though those same grey orbs ignore nearly every boy Dancing and glancing for one barfly only, Though his interest caught but rarely Emmett she loves forever- and no more." This last line causes a bit of red to creep into the performer's cheeks, but she pushes on with a slightly different rhythm.

Laurenlee settles into the chair, posture upright and proper instead of the laid back she usually was. But she wanted to listen. But only after she grins at Marianne and her own hand lifts in a small, yet energetic wave. But the song begins, and Lauren tucks a loose curl behind her ear, resuming the attentive posture. Lorsalia begins, and she almost giggles, then stops. But the smirk remains on her face for the first verse. Then, at Lorsalia's exclamation, she control her laughter again, though it's a bit harder. She glances to Marianne and Renrow, smiling and nodding towards the singer. She liked the song, thought it was fun.

Emmett slowly and carefully freezes over. He can't physically make himself inconspicuous, but he does seem to shrink in on himself, and already rubicund face goes redder. Those sitting very near him may hear a faint: 'Scorch the girl to...' muttered under his breath.

"Girls can use jealousy as a powerful tool, Making boys hoot and holler like fools." Lorsalia sings, high-pitched and at a quicker pace than her drum, but appears not to notice it. "Little Lorrie did this with ease, But not once was she considered a tease. The adoration she requires hides from her sight, Playing, instead, as hatred or anitpathy." She stumbles over these few words, a handful she had help with wording, obviously not quite her own. But finally, the last line is sung: "For in her they find reason to endure." and she curtsies deeply, waiting for applause.

Unable to control her expression any longer, Kae's mouth splits into a big grin and she claps for the tiny attention demanding performer that's curtseying on the stage.

Renrow's brows rise beneath the locks of rebel hair that have sprung out to hang over his forehead at the confession of love, grin widening even more along with the slight rocking of his shoulders hinting of his silent chuckling. Though as she stumbles over the last word, he can't help it, a few quiet giggles escaping through his grin. And with the last line and deep curtsey, his hands come together in applause, leaning back in his chair an chuckling as he glances back towards Laurenlee, "-Very- nice song. Quiiite the performer th'lass seems to be."

Emmett ducks his face, still blushing, but he applauds dutifully. Even if he's never going to buy Lorrie 'ale' again.

Caramak applauds and smiles, unable to hide amusement at the song. As he does so, he leans over to ask Kaeryn, "Were there any others who signed up and didn't make it to the performance?"

Lorsalia beams brightly at the applause she receives and curtseys again. "I have another I can sing." She suggests to Caramak, attempting to look as cute as possible. "It's even better." The girl glances back to make sure Emmett stays nearby, to hear his song, perhaps, then looks back to the masters. "Really. Everyone said so!"

"No, Lorsalia was the only one," Kae says in response to Caramak's query, still struggling to control her amusement at the little student's 'work of art'.

Caramak smiles at Lorsalia and shakes his head, holding up a hand. "I have to get back upstairs," he demurs, "unfortunately. I need to get ready for the ball, and there's a small sheaf of hidework which needs to get done before I even start with that." He nods his thanks to Kaeryn for the information. "Not that you can't play, Lorsalia, but I'm afraid I can't judge any longer."

Emmett's face raises in sudden horror. She's not going to. "Well now, I think that's good for the poetry--we should have drinking now, right?" he says to the person next to him, hoping to start either a general exodus to the refreshments or else an all out riot. Either one could be better than Lors' singing.

Lorsalia's expression falls, but she gives a little shrug. "That's alright. Someone sang it at the last concert, since I was sick." She states, then climbs off the stage, taking a path straight to Emmett.

"And I have to get to the dining room to make sure it is set up for the feast," Kae adds, getting to her feet and heading toward the door. "But thank you for that song. It was...entertaining. Well written."

Caramak heads out the door as well. "See you all at the ball, then," he wishes, and moves off, back to his preparations.

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