Awaken thine courage

[Symbri]

716th arc 14th of Vhalar.

what does it mean to be entertaining? It was a question the dancer pondered as they made their way through the city, A citizen of Ne'hear and survivor of the chaos that ensued when the shadow beasts attacked. Such events had instilled some new beliefs in Symbri that had not previously existed. Humans, or mortals in general as it were, were resilient creatures though sadness hung heavy in the air even after the smell of corpses and debris had been cleared, there was a darkness that the shadows had left behind, a darkness that lingered in people's hearts, a fear, if creatures had attacked once they could attack again, and so people were left fearful and were suffering needlessly unable to enjoy what little warmth the sun still showered on the cold city.

Walking towards the center of the city the lone dancer looked for a place to enact a plan. a plan to restore some cheer and goodwill to the city now tainted by a grim darkness. Miking their way to the town center were merchants hawked wares and both farmers and well to do merchants could hawk wares and trade, but even in a city center were food sold and trade and commerce bloomed there was a dark mood that hung over the place like some grim miasma choking the very life out of the cities inhabitants.But what could a singular dancer do to lift the mood of such a place? Moving towards the center of the market the dancer sashayed looking for the perfect spot to perform and when a central location was found the dancer kicked off their shoes and threw of their dark cloak to reveal a blue and yellow dancer's raiment. Shivering slightly in the cool air the dancer shook off the chill and faced the glum crowd in hopes of creating a potential audience.

"Ladies and gentleman of Ne'haer, In these dark times Iv'e come to bring good news, the shadows have passed and our grand city still stands, and yet our lovely people still walk as if shadows loom behind them, PEOPLE! WE WERE, WE ARE, VICTORIOUS! We must not allow these shadows to steal lives from us, but also our joy, and our happiness. we mustn't allow our spirits to be broken and our hearts to be shattered, come shadowy monsters or the drums of war, we are the brave people of Ne'haer, we cannot fall so easily. so beat thine chests and refute the darkness that encroaches, show me you still have joy and courage to face the day."

Stomping a foot and then another the bells that adorned the dancer's body shook in time to the rhythm of the stomps. clappin in time to their stomps the dancer created a Rhythm that the people could follow, but it wasn't enough to dance for the people to motivate them, the people had to be incorporated the dancer had to find a way to include the people the share their joy with them,

Steeping forward while still stomping out the beat the dancer found a young child still entranced by the beat and took their hands. Clapping with the child moving their hands in time with Symbri's own Symbri smiled at the child as they began to clap with them, and with that the child's mother too began to grin in spite of herself and like a small infection the clapping spread through the small original group of people watching the dance. Letting out a whoop the dancer grinned and cartwheeled away from the child, hand over hand and foof over foot the small flip brought the dancer back to the center of the group. Dancing still now roused on by the group of people clapping in time the dancer grinned and twirled.

"that's the way! show me your grinning smiling faces!"

[Luo]

T'was all over at last, the city seemed amiss with the chaos and others preying off the opportunity it presented. The weather was changing with the coming of the new season now it was passed. Didn't change anything, the nightmare was still fresh on the minds of many and the aftermath was very much still in clean up. Shadows impaled and the living slaughtered like lamb, it seemed one sided other than just sheer will and tenacity from Ne'haer's citizens, and among them had been Luo since the first trial of the attack all the way until the end.

The young man wasn't much of a fighter, and it was strange for him to even concern himself with such matters. But he still did it, with the accompanying haunts to come. In the market he meandered along with the rest, wearing only his street clothes and the ever present dagger strapped to his belt. He helped some of the people here in the market, assisting one man collect his scattered things when his cart had toppled over from some of the frantic moments. Though he hadn't conversed much, silently only helping the man with a stoic stare and left with only a nod of the head to acknowledge his thanks.

Luo stood among some of the people, off near a wall with his back to it as he leaned against it as silent observation went on. Reflecting on what he saw, the people were tired or simply panicked from recent events. With arms crossed, he exhaled slowly and looked on at everyone. Then a person tossed off a cloak and revealed rather colorful garments, with a rather attentive gathering voice to boot. Others around turned and watched to see just what the commotion was and Luo was thinking one thing and one thing only.

What was this vulture seeking? He thought with a slight venomous intent, but she spoke and Luo listened as he watched this spectacle as he leaned upon the wall. Arms still crossed, he wasn't much to get into the groove of a social gathering -- especially one so spontaneous. The words spoken were honeyed and perhaps what some of these people needed to hear, the words spoken were sweet yet the man couldn't see the coat and already thought just what they were striving for. What was the angle?

The bells and rhythmic motion of sound, motion and pep talk already had a few in the grasp of the display and Luo breathed in and watched out of curiosity, it hadn't been much. Truthfully he found the whole display a bit noisy despite the morale, as he still hadn't shown much of an interest other than the curiousity he held. Were they a traveler with a performance, or a merry person who'd happen to be nearby? Or was it a clever ruse for something else.

Luo scoffed to himself, he threw aside any prospect of suspicion and he uncrossed his arms and got off the wall. He walked slightly a bit away with the rest of the crowd to get a sight of the performer, such a peculiar person would at least be noteworthy. Now a good few feet away, among the others, he stood and crossed his arms once more.

"A display most interesting." he said. "A lot of people need such joy after it all, it's commendable." Luo lessened his hard look and eased himself as he spoke with interest, yet neutral either way. Still, he was inwardly critical with how he saw many people.

[Symbri]

Winding down the dance after a few minutes for a finale the dancer did a large twirl with arms spun out the transformed into a front roll that ended with a handstand. Holding the handstand the jingling of bells ended and the dancer grinned at the crowd of people that looked significantly happier. Flopping backwards the dancer sat crisscross on the ground before waving at the crowd.

"remember as you go out, Ne'hear is a strong city with strong people, so believe in yourself as you travel onward, depend on one another as we rebuild a new, bigger better stronger Ne'hear, Ok"

Rolling Up the dancer popped tho their feet wrapping their cloak around themself before bowing to the man speaking to them.

"Yup, right now the city is a little sick you know, so I'm trying to help it get better, hope and joy happen to be pretty good medicines too... but Hey! you don't look all that happy... or hopeful! what's with the serious face?"

Circling the brooding fellow the dancer sashayed around them cocking their head as they did so looking at the man before coming to a stop in front of them crouching and looking up at them on hand placed on their chin in a look of mock curiosity.

"Yeppers, this man looks to be horribly infected with a case of grumpiness, hrmmmmmmm But how does Syndri cure it? Hrmm What do you say mister sourpuss? What would make you happy? I mean you're already talking to an adoraaaaaable dancer, and It looks like you survived the monsters, so there can't be too much to be sad about riiiiiight? So what'll make you happy?"

Flopping back onto their bum the dancer looked up at the decidedly sullen figure.

"OoooH~ are you lonely? you can play with me for a little while? Though if it's a date you're paying ok? Or did you want to learn to dance? That'd be fun right? I can teach you to shake it with the best of em' Oh or are you the mysterious type? do you take long walks in the forest? Or hang out in dark alleys playing cards... Oooh tell me about you, what's your name? Whaddya do for fun?"

Rather bored with no particular plans the man had been trapped in Symbri's mind already he'd made the mistake of talking to them, so now he had to pay the price and be entertaining.

[Luo]

He didn't seem too interested in the flamboyance, though intrigued if at best. The excessive talking was something he was used to, even knew how to handle in his own right. In the end it reminded Luo of Soile, a talkative woman he lived with and he chuckled slightly at that thought. Bells, bright clothing and seemingly loose for ease of movement and the motions were indeed a dance.

Curious, Luo shrugged slight when the mention of medicinal hope and joy being a thing. "To some it is. Others it's not, it's just a matter of perspective in the end." Luo said. He unfolded his arms and paced back and forth as he observed the surroundings, looking about the people there and still the others had the joyous looks, though he felt some shared his sense as well. A scoff.

"I was out the first night, so I did more than survive." He mused almost to himself and he eyed this dancer as they circled him. In his eyes, it was like a vulture once more - this time it picked a morsel to feast on. Inwardly he thought about that comparison and how it wouldn't go away. If vultures had exaggerated motion of their bodies and walked upon two legs, and had been inquisitive more than the chattering nanny back home.

Luo thought for a moment and nodded as the one known as Symbri spoke, waiting for an end in the long string of questions. So did he want to answer everything? Or leave it all as an enigma? Was it safe to say anything?

Instead, Luo shifted his stance and placed on hand on his hip, looping thumb in his belt and he walked a bit away in thought. "Could linger for a time," he said as he turned back around and closed his eyes for a moment. "I was just interested in your movements. Self taught? Seems to be something you specialize in." For the most part he was legitimately interested either way.

"Perhaps not a dance. But the name's Luo."

[Symbri]

Bah he was intent on being boring Symbri thought, though such was the way some people liked to be. watching the man pace back and forth like a caged animal Symbri snickered, he wasn't out and out unpleasant but Symbri had an inkling of a feeling that the man was slowly getting fed up. Not the it was something that put Symbri off, even getting a slightly negative rise out of somebody was a flare of emotion, and that was what everybody needed right now, emotions, feeling things, energy, after all feeling anything was better than settling for the numbness some people seemed to like so much, at least this was Symbri's philosophy.

when the man asked if they were self-taught or not Symbri grinned in response before rolling back into a handstand. Using the cloak as a buffer to hide underwear that the man might be inclined to peek at Symbri stuck a tongue out at the man. Holding the position Symbri pondered the question.

"More like I learned bits and pieces all over the place, and put em' together to make my own style, pretty neat right? It toooooooook foreeever to get good at doing handstands, but i bet if I wanted to by now I could walk a mile upside down if i wanted to."

As the dancer was showing off a trickle of sweat made it's way into the tiny performer's nose causing an experience most unpleasant. Eyes and face immediately scrunching up as Symbri lost balance and fell over in a loud "oof"

"Ermm.... oooowwwww.... I might need a little more practice though.... but..."

Popping back up to look the man in the eyes Symbri frowned to notice that the man's chin was level with Symbri's own eyes. Shortness was a bit of a pain but it did help with acrobatics and tumbles.

"But anyway It's nice to meet you mister Luo... I'd love to hear about you fighting monsters... I bet you looooooked suuuuuper coool right?

Crouching down Symbri through a mock punch followed by a mock kick that went well above Symbri's head, a testament to the dancers flexibility.

"I haven't met many fighters since i came to the city. Oooooh what kind of weapon do you use? Show me pleaaase pretty please?"

Eyes sparkling at the thought of getting to see what the weapons of local warriors were Symbri popped from one foot to the other in expectation of getting to see a new weapon, Symbri wasn't all that interested in combat but weapons were neat and one thing symbri knew was that a person's choice in weapon tended to say a lot about that person.

[Luo]

He stayed his tongue each time the acrobat spoke and he shifted slightly in his stance again, eyes narrowing slightly as he observed this ability of balance and agility. Impressed by the display he was interested in such skill, yet he feigned his attention. The handstand was nothing of the sort that actually he would be concerned with, it was the movement and potential steps he observed the most. It seemed effortless for them to go into such a stance so quickly, even if falling upon the ass was an accident or not. Regardless of what was said, practice or not - it was still skill that had merit and an impression was made.

Luo thought for a moment if he wanted to comment aloud, biting back as he knew whatever he would say from then on would only be met with a onslaught. So, he considered for a moment like a lion sizing up its prey, or he taking in the details of a mark. Keeping silent through the whole ordeal, this person seemed easily pepped up by grandeur and even seemed to be a gullible sort. Just mentioning fighting the creatures a few trials back was just enough to send it off on a tangent of praise that wasn't merited.

He thought for a second more as the little one spoke. Was it a flirtatious attitude that he was witnessing? Or an inner child showing instead? An ego and easily ready to spill the beans with an impression.

"I wouldn't glorify what happened." Was all he said in response to what he would assumed to be a compliment. "I've only done what I was supposed to do." Luo said with a modest tone, keeping to himself the gruesome details of what he witnessed. The flashback of the dead boy was there again but Luo didn't let up his expression. "Just. Luo is fine." He would say as well, to try and hone in his distaste of any possible honorifics that may be added to his name.

By immortal blood and flaming faldrun, the little one was something else yet he wasn't phased by such excessive speaking. Luo instead motioned with his right hand and touched the hilt of the dagger by his side, dull dark blue metal hilt in stark contrast to his leather belt. He pulled it slightly from its scabbard, revealing only a third of the overall length with the cobalt metal and then drove it back home with a click. Luo turned them and stepped away as if considering something, looking around the market and at the people as he brushed back his hair behind pointed ears.

"The nightmare has passed and everything should go about pretty nicely these few trials." He said suddenly as a way to steer away from retelling his involvement. Luo had his back turned for a long trill as he continued. "Should perform a bit around here, it takes the mind off the sorrow." He turned around and walked a bit past the little one and still shifted his gaze all around at the other people in the market.

More specifically, he looked at the merchants most of all and eyed the people who interacted with them as he talked. Disaster or not, Luo always kept details in mind and a wry smile worked on his lips. He wondered just how fat some of these vultures lined their pockets with lately, a dastardly plot began working in his mind for a later date... Only one thing he needed to know.

"So. You live here, or just visiting?" He said suddenly, silently considering his plans for later in the season. "Think you could perform here again, if it was arranged as... say an event?"

[Symbri]

Ever sullen the man continued his awkward pacing not meeting Symbri's gaze or deigning to answer the questions the dancer shot at him, a lesser person might have been put off by the man's nature but Symbri was hardly the sort to give up on a person simply for having a crummy disposition. Symbri was quick to pick up on the fact that the man didn't seem to keen to talk about the horrors he'd witnessed when the monsters had attacked and Symbri could understand not wanting to discuss such a thing so she let the questioning on that particular subject die even if she was still curious.

"Hrmm that's a pretty neat weapon, I don't think I've ever seen one like it, but hrmm I bet that that must've been a scary night you must be pretty brave Luo, and yep the nightmares are over, so I'm gonna keep performing tell i give everyone good dreams, I'll keep performing around here tell the people get tired of me, and then! I might even perform a little more. I'd like to imagine that my dances and such can give people a little hope, especially with the monsters being gone only to have war looming on the horizon, I won't lie, i'm pretty scared myself, you know. But when I dance, it feels like all the scary things in the world drift away, and my only hope is to share that feeling with people who get to see me dance."

Then the man said something that intrigued the dancer, he asked her if she'd perform again grinning the dancer did a small pirouette, and nodded emphatically in answer, the thought of performing for an event sounded super exciting, especially if real musicians would be attending, Symbri liked her bells but they could not compare to a real group of musicians to dance to, no the thought of real musicians sounded wonderful.

"Yes! I'd love to perform for an even, with music and latners and food, yep I can totally do that, I'm fairly new to Ne'haer but now that I live hear i wanna make a name for myself as a dancer so performing at an event would be like... like... the best thing ever, do you know about a time when something like that could happen? Is it a festival? a party? Oooh tell me!"

Veritably brimming with energy at the mention of getting to be part of an event the dancer was bouncing from foot to foot jangling her bells as she waited on the man to inform her of what he had in mind, the prospects of a glamourous future as a famous dancer in the future already bouncing through her head.

[Luo]

Curious, yet expected. Luo thought for a long moment as he observed this one eagerly jumping upon just the idea alone of performing. The man had held it in thought a bit more in consideration for himself mostly, perhaps something could be arranged? Distant in his thoughts, Luo pondered a few more things. That would mean a few things that needed to be done and-- He stopped himself in mid thought and glanced over at the athletic one, too much of a long shot but this one was already talking with him. At length at that, though he knew how to tone a lot of it out... it actually started to grate on him but he didn't show it.

Or at least he thought he did.

"Dances and performances are something that could get attention." He said as he finally broke his silence, the black haired man pulled closer to him a loose crate and sat upon it. Arms resting on knees and back hunched over, he heaved a low breath. Exhausted from days passed, Luo had been tired as he looked toward her. Still a few thoughts went through his mind as he shifted into a more relaxed position.

"Brave? Hardly." Luo said suddenly as he considered her words, his eyes studying her more intently as if he were reading a book. Symbri was an odd ball to him and still reminded him of the mage back home. Spunky, wordy but kind. The dagger was held out once more, this time drawn fully from its scabbard as Luo idly weighed it in his hand. Eyes went from her to the blade as he twirled it between fingers once out of boredom.

Snatch. He snapped his hand closed around it then and stopped the motion. For a moment again, he was lost in thought as he weighed the past events rather heavily in his head, was she so optimistic to not show it? In a weird way, he envied the moment to just be like her and by Immortal Blood not even the prospect of picking away at some of the other vultures seemed to take his mind off it.

"So." He said, breaking the silence as he dropped the memory of those last few nights.

Luo got up slowly with the dagger sheathed home and paced slightly, looking at the people around again to keep his mind busy. "I don't know any local events, or anything that may happen soon. My suggestion?" Luo paused as he turned his head slightly. "Start small, maybe get a name or two?"

He turned around completely then and gave a small nod, scratching his chin. "But uh.." he began, now rubbing the side of his neck as he cleared his throat to mask the stutter. "Could you show me a thing or two? I've never had a chance to learn from someone who can hand stand." He felt a bit uneasy asking such a thing as Luo's calm composure had broke away for a moment. With people, Luo was always a bit uneasy and kept most at an arm's length and his hesitation really started to show.

[Symbri]

When the man asked to be taught some about acrobatics and such Symbri nodded emphatically, she'd never really taught people but it sounded fun amd the idea of eventually getting a show was alo quite exciting. Stretching out before crouching to get eye level with luo she beamed at him beofre choosing her words.

"Yup, i'd love to show you a thing or two, but practicing in the city is a no no! you ever fallen on cobblestone? But later one if you'll meet me at my house i can take you to my favorite grassy field and teach you some fun and surprisingly easy tricks.... But, you have to smile more ok? Can't learn to dance with a frown on your face."

Looking over her shoulder at the grim faces of the people milling about the city Symbri frowned, her work was not nearly done, she had people to love and protect still so teaching and fun would have to wait, the city still needed her, and even if raising morale and dancing was what she wanted to do all day, she also had a place on the frontlines to again be taken up.

Standing tall once more Symbri eyed the sullen man before her.

"I believe in you, so try to believe in yourself too ok, I know we just met and all but if you've fought those monsters once, then you know what we're up against and why we have to keep fighting, be it monsters or men that are our enemies. So, brave or not I hope you keep on fighting and when things get better we can meet with smiles on our faces, and then I'll teach you all you want. Until then we've much work to do, so Ciao"

Waving at the man still smiling Symbri ran to the next gathering spot to rouse more souls, and if need be she'd join the fight once more and pray for survival, after all this was her city, and it wouldn't fall before she did.

[Pegasus]

Symbri

Points!:

Story: 5/5
Collaboration: 5/ 5
Structure: 4/ 5

Knowledge:

Persuasion: Rousing Speeches.
Acrobatics: Large, child-like movements to please a crowd
Dancing: For groups, exaggerate movement
Dancing: The pirouette
Luo: Not the happiest of fellows
Luo: Has fought the shadow beasts
Luo: Would like to learn acrobatics

Loot:

NA

Fame:

+2 (rousing the crowds), +1 ('cheering up' Luo)

Magic:

These points may NOT be used for arcana

Luo

Unfortunately, I can't review your part of this thread until your CS is up to date. As I said in my pm ~ please update your ledger to include Saun expenses and taxes and any wages that Luo has earned. Then, drop me a pm and I'll be happy to release your review! Thanks!

Overview:

General comments. It was a little odd, Symbri, that you refer to your character as "the dancer" rather than by her name for a majority of your early writing, but then go back to calling her Symbri. That it an interesting technique, but then you talk about Symbri as an 'it' rather than a 'her', which is very distracting for the story. One example where it's particularly tricky to understand who you are talking about when is
'Circling the brooding fellow the dancer sashayed around them cocking their head as they did so looking at the man before coming to a stop in front of them crouching and looking up at them on hand placed on their chin in a look of mock curiosity.'

However, in later posts you move to the more usual manner of writing. I have not deducted any points for this, but think it would be worth to edit early posts if necessary.

Story What a sweet character Symbri is! She is obviously enthusiastic and child-like but equally determined to be a positive influence on her city. A nice story, I enjoyed it!
Structure Your writing had a number of minor errors. Whilst individually these are not particularly significant, as a whole they detract from the writing of the story. Examples include:
" stomps. clappin in time"
"created a Rhythm"
"and foof over foot the"
" popped tho their feet wrapping their cloak around themself"
An edit / proof read will really help with this kind of thing, and it is worth noting that there were more errors in early posts than later ones.
Please do PM me if you think I've missed anything or you have any questions!