Serenade the Sea

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Serenade the Sea
Topic Started: Feb 19 2009, 02:01 PM (59 Views)
Jelal Waveskimmer	Feb 19 2009, 02:01 PM Post #1
Level Two Poster Posts: 86 Group: South Tower Guard Member #49 Joined: May 14, 2008	The Compass Point Inn. Always known as a place where soldiers of Black Arch could come and relax. Ever since the death of the previous proprieter, it had been a little more melancholy in recent days, but slowly and surely that was changing. Those who were already inside were being treated to warm, stiff drinks while the afternoon wore on into evening, chilling the air and the hearts of the fortbeasts, who had to sleep in walls of cool stone and endure guard duty in the oncoming windy night. But here in the Compass Point, all was well, the sturdy wooden building with its warm, glowing windows and the heat of cheerful bodies inside valiantly resisting the cold of the night and the wind, which had picked up since Jelal Waveskimmer had arrived after a delivery mission to a tribe of shrews in the woodlands. Walking along the path with his cloak held tight around him, Jelal entered the Compass Point with a particular destination in mind. -- Set up in the corner of the Compass Point Inn's little eating area, Jelal Waveskimmer smiled as he pulled out a lute from the folds of his heavy cloak, which he had put down next to his chair. Underneath his cloak he had been wearing a regular Black Arch uniform, but his duty tonight was rest and relaxation. He turned to the window that overlooked the sea, where he could see the crest of the hills that hid the shore, could look upon the clouds that were parting in the face of the wind to reveal the stars outside. The others in the inn seemed a little indifferent to his presence, not out of spite, but because he just wasn't doing much. A few of them looked over with some interest when he sat the lute on his lap, but that was all. He then started to strum. In the buzz and the noise of the inn, it was a weak, background sound that barely lifted above the rafters, but he didn’t mean it to be all that impressive. He was here just to enjoy his time, and help others enjoy it as well. If somebeast wanted to join him, that was fine. If not, that was fine too. This wasn’t about attention, after all, just setting up the atmosphere. The lute strumming became a little stronger as he began to let himself fall into the tune, leaning over his instrument and closing his eyes. Then he started to sing, in a lilting, alto voice. “‘Tis twenty long seasons since I knew me old mother Awash in the lilies while she set dinner steamin’ I remember the words said with her eyes all a-gleamin’ Rally oh! Rally oh! Oh roo a doo a day, Rally oh, rally oh! My babe has gone astray. I wandered o’er hill an’ dale of home all a-dreamin’ But the pathways did call me to the lands that were painin’ And I met many young males who knew their mum’s weepin’ Rally oh! Rally oh! Oh roo a doo a day, Rally oh, rally oh! My babe has gone astray. I’d strapped a sword on though to war was a stranger And the noise though twas’ fierce I sang out “No Fear!” For I sought those good days when I’d ne’er fear danger And mothers would cry with no tear in their eye Rally oh! Rally oh! Roo a doo a day, Rally oh, rally oh! My babe’s come back this day...” The song continued on, but Jelal’s voice was not predominant in the crowd. Some ears and eyes had turned to him, wondering, perhaps, of homes they missed and mothers they had left. It wasn’t a grand, paw stomping performance. At least, not yet. Jelal didn’t seek attention. Just setting the mood for a night of camaraderie. Everybeast needed it once in a while. And who knew? Perhaps he wouldn’t be alone in playing this night. These creatures looked like they needed a good few players, and the night was always looking for those who would serenade it to sleep.



Simon Flynn	Feb 25 2009, 02:16 AM Post #2
Level Two Poster Posts: 67 Group: North Tower Guard Member #87 Joined: October 29, 2008	Simon cried. It was not a tough-beast's cry, a glacier-solemn face with a single tear rolling down his cheek, or even a more sedated but clearly grief-stricken cry of a young warrior, who's eyes would turn red as they shook in their seats silently. It was, instead, very nearly a full-on bawl. The only thing he didn't do was thump the table noisily with his paws. The mouse had never known his mum - at least, didn't remember ever knowing her. He sometimes wondered, had she left him, or had he simply wandered away at so young an age? Redwall Abbey picked up dozens of orphaned waifs over the seasons, and they still couldn't say exactly what the leading cause was. Probably vermin. Yet he didn't cry because of this. He cried because the song was so sweet, and because, well, sometimes you just had to get a good ol' boo-hoo out of your system and his soup needed more salt anyhow. His wife, Erys, sitting next to him, had the decency to look somewhat embarrassed, but began clapping her paws in time with the song and joining in for the chorusy bits with a soft, whispered soprano.
	Simon Flynn"Yes, that happened once."...my other char's a hare: Enamel Pardon


Jelal Waveskimmer	Mar 3 2009, 02:42 PM Post #3
Level Two Poster Posts: 86 Group: South Tower Guard Member #49 Joined: May 14, 2008	Now the sun's risen high on the fields all a-bloomin' And many's the mother whose hearts are all swoonin' For no banners can stream- Jelal stopped abruptly when he heard somebeast start to bawl aloud. He blinked a few times, staring straight ahead at the far wall. That was definitely not a reaction he had been looking for. A few other beasts in the inn seemed to hope his playing would drown out all the noise. The otter glaned out of the corner of his eye, and spied the culprit. How very odd. He cleared his throat and started again. For banners can stream and trumpets can blow, But Rally oh! Rally oh! Oh roo a doo a day, Rally oh! Rally oh! My babe has gone astray! Now here's to all children with mums all a-keepin' To young golden days when danger was dreamin' Stick fast to your home boys! And you'll ne'er hear keenin' Rally oh! Rally oh! Oh roo a doo a day, Rally oh! Rally oh! My babe has gone astray... The lute gave up on the final tunes easily, letting the music float up to the rafters and out the chimney. Jelal bowed his head and modestly accepted any applause he might get, before going back to tuning his instrument for the next song. He glanced up at Simon, checking to see if he was indeed still making a mess of himself, grinning amicably. "Need another tune ta' cheer you up, mate? Plenty salt in the sea, don't need none of it gettin' in 'ere!



Simon Flynn	Mar 10 2009, 09:37 PM Post #4
Level Two Poster Posts: 67 Group: North Tower Guard Member #87 Joined: October 29, 2008	Simon wiped at his eyes and waved a cracker at the otter. "That's mighty kind of you," he managed. "Something a little more..." "Happy," Erys suggested. "Maybe a love ballad?" She batted her eyes at her husband, who didn't notice. Simon dipped his cracker in the soup thoughtfully. "A love ballad," he said, "would be nice. So long as it ends happily. And maybe then a lullabye?" "Pegg's asleep upstairs," Erys reminded him. "Yes, but I like lullabyes!"
	Simon Flynn"Yes, that happened once."...my other char's a hare: Enamel Pardon


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