Forever Elysian Erudition... (Apprentice Song, Eir'helm/Private)

[Peach]

The deceptive simplicity of the courtyard, more than anything else, was its most astounding feature. White stones decorating its bared floors spiraled constantly inwards, towards the fountain that was its center. They were flat pieces of rock, arranged in a pattern that almost could be overlooked by an imperceptive eye, seen in its wholeness only through thought. Reaching their end, they sloped slightly upwards, making it appear as if the flowing statue had grown from the earth itself. A suggestion of a blooming flower, subtly carved from snowy marble, was its centerpiece. Chellen hardly noticed the art of the Academie as her unshod feet tread its corridors... Unlike many of her kind, the Esh'laheir's interest lay in other senses of the word. Beautiful colors could not move her as much a sweetly sung ballad, although they did not go without effect. In unison, works could combine to create an untold splendor, the twisting of stone accompanied by the wanderings of music... Sadly, most artists were purists.

They wanted their children, per say, to be born only unto an individual. To work together and make exquisite was a secret, present only in the eye of the mind. At the moment, however, the half-blood's thoughts were not on such weighty matters... The coolness of the stone beneath her feet, like the icy surface of a pond, had drawn her attention. Eyes fixated upon her small, silent footsteps, the young woman carefully watched. A paradox, when one pondered them carefully, How could things so small take an individual to the corners of Telath and back again? Then again, such short patterns could easily and quickly carry one through a long life time. Turning her head, the pale elf looked towards the trail of misty foot prints that she had left, each one fading rapidly away. No hint of her departure was left on the firm stone, so adamant throughout the monolith of time. Not that this mattered... It was only natural to be forgotten by the things that had survived for so long, watching mortals pass by like butterflies in a spring breeze.

Multi-colored dark hair caught rays of candle and sunlight, causing it to shimmer with blue and green highlights. To many outside of the city, Chellen would have been called attractive, in an exotic way. Although her features carried a hint of sharpness, the blue on black eyes that adorned them were far from dark elven. Many a time, she had gathered surprised glances from the relatively tanned color of her skin, tinted ever so lightly with the color of the sea. Unlike the majority of those bothered by racism, however, the half-blood was rarely bothered. She may not have had a close group of peers, but the songs that Chellen played were more than enough to keep her content at heart. Air stirring gently about her, causing cream colored robes to flutter with the smallest of sounds, the dark elf entered the court yard. Small, yes, but it was set apart from the academic stillness of the thick walls.

In that small space that Chellen often called her own, it felt like she could breath... Inhaling deeply, the woman settled herself upon the edge of the fountain, eyes staring into crystalline depths. Seeing the water, so precious and fluid, made her desperately miss the lake that she had recently left behind. A melody of sighs as her only lyrics, the elf began to strum a simple tune, cadences dancing rhythmically. It was a song that one of Eri'helms sort could easily understand, the beats simply accompanied by a drum. And who was this student that Ra'shell had spoken so hesitantly of? Truly, his presence could not have been so controversial as to cause her discomfort. Shrugging lethargically, she continued on with her playing.

ooc: Sorry that this is so bad, will do better next time

[Eir'helm Mithania]

There hadn't been any sign of the woman who was suggested as the likely future teacher for the young lightborn bard on the brightening prior as Ra'shell had expected. However the charm of the removed courtyard had been one offering some peace to the young likewise misplaced soul. There however had been little more then a few seconds of reasonable silence before some others chose to make use of the chamber driving the sometimes quiet male away and into the rain. Ra'shell however was waiting at her post again her head hidden away in piles of forms. It was rather sad but for the moment not a thing that the young elf could change so instead he took to wandering for the lingering brightening hours.

The nest few brightenings had been a leisurely exploration of the white city for the self made servant to an adorned lover. It had been a slow process of trying to soak in the beauty offered without the dampness of the cool winter season. It was however on this brightening, near mid brightening that the elf had managed to force himself from his bed opposing old habits to rest until after the first meal. It was a kindness that he was here at this early hour and one he hoped his intended teacher would be thankful for.

The green eyed soul didn't have any device for his music save for the rhythm set in his step and the faint song that slipped from his lips. So it was the plainly dressed servant to a noble who slipped into the company of the lovely sea born. She was the first of her kind he had the fortune to meet. So while the male tired to master his eyes his gaze drifted softly poorly bound to manners. There was little doubt that they were quite a pairing among the dark children of Phedos and with a faint smile pulling at the males lips he spoke out. It was a hushed tone, one concerned with disturbing song and dance.

"Serale"

[Peach]

His melody was almost silent, but it was enough... Chellen's sharp sense of hearing picked up the sound of the elf's rhythmic footsteps, and the tune that he sang almost as an afterthought. Without noticing that she was doing so, the half-blood began to change her own music, fitting the sounds that the world naturally produced. It was a song of walking, of movement, the steps that all must take to the wing beats of a few. Simple, yet profound, the hushed tones of the sonnet intertwined through the air... Although this was something that any beginner could have played, the woman moved her slender fingers in such a way that suggested mastery. Spending so much time with her instrument, learning every curve of its wooden form, the position of its strings, Chellen had learned much more than how to coax rhythm from its depths. The guitar had become a part of her, its music as much of her spirit as the air that sustained it.

As Eir'helm entered, the song came gradually to a halt, as flowing water would eventually dry. Graceful hands rested upon the strings, stilling the small humming vibrations that they still produced, like the echo of a voice. For a few moments, she did not look upwards... The magic of his entry, accompanied by the undulating resonance that she had grown to love so, would have been disenchanted by a physical form. Song was not entirely something that could be taught... One had to carry the capacity for it inside of them, allowing for the sacred music to flow into every aspect of their lives. Not until a being heard tune in every part of the earth, even in its rawest forms of dissonance, was one a true musician. Without skill, the ability to deliver something in a charismatic way, an individual could still have the mind of a master. Power came from the feelings, the essence that surrounded them, not simply the invisible waves that could so skillfully be produced. "Vendui... Eir'helm, I suppose?" Her voice was not unpleasant, but slightly off none the less. Almost as if there were parts of it that could not be heard by the average ear.

Obsidian eyes turned towards the Silrosian lord, looking at him rather appraisingly. Chellen, unlike almost all citizens off Ethgan'tor, did not judge him by his race. To any aside from Esh'laheir, she was almost unrecognizable from her mother's ocean-dwelling race... It was difficult, indeed, to find one perceptive or knowledgeable enough to notice the differences. Unlike so many, she was not suspect to the complete racism and distrust of the light elves, known a traitor only by a few. Would Eir'helm, with his green eyes and blonde hair, judge her as a pale elf now that he knew the truth? Perhaps it was unavoidable... But they were not there to make accusations, or anything of the sort. The Acadamie was a house of learning, not hatred or warfare. "I see that you have no instrument." Chellen's vision slipped over his slender form, like fine silk against smooth skin. He was not unattractive... Nor did his posture foretell any sort of unmatched wisdom.

Yet, she was not a person to judge by looks alone. His music would tell her all that she needed to know. If he did, indeed, have the intention to play. Pushing herself up from her seated position, Chellen rested her guitar carefully upon the marble and strode towards the small storage cupboard. Inside were the tools of the bard's trade, from flutes and violins to drums and harps. "Here, pick what you would." After Eir'helm had chosen, the half-Telera made her way back to the fountain and picked up her instrument. A small smile slid across her soft lips as she strummed a single chord, finally satisfied with how she had tuned the stringed thing. "If you had not guessed, my name is Chellen. I will be watching over your progress towards proficiency. It would help me to learn your individual style if you played your favorite song from the time when such lessons began."

[Eir'helm Mithania]

The young elven man hadn't been expected the the dark eyed, gilled female but neither was the would be bard upset with the unexpected turn. He had rather expected some ages gray haired Esh'laheir woman with a cool exterior to reflect her heart. So no, the younger then expected daughter of Ke'trala was a pleasant surprise. The lightborn's intended teacher had a browned tanned surface laced with shades of blue and green which a lesser breed would have missed. Those same shades ran through the sea breathers eyes and hair likewise providing a grace in its fluidity. Chellen was attractive and the toned form lent her by years submerged in the ocean complemented such. Eir'helm would have been tempted were it not for the charming lover who had drawn him the holy city but one could not turn a blind eye to beauty.

Instead a faint smile pulled at the elf's lips and he couldn't help but bow his head softly as the mistress of song asked of his identity. The action was a gracious affirmation to her question without a further word.

A second of the slight actions was provided to the mage as she offered from her collection of musical devices and her newly met student moved to explore the instruments.

However while quiet for the moment the near boy did actually have a tongue although under-used. In stepping behind one of the woman's drums and laying a hand on it the students digit circled its edge once. A single finger and feather light touch passed over the edge as though trying to call some echo from it as one could a crystal goblet. It was some foolish tradition and an attempt to get to know the tool on a personal range.

Likewise there was a need to know his teacher but the intimate touch over the edge of her own skin would be unlikely.

"Might i ask, where are you from?"

Eir'helm's fingers first struck the surface testing it. He tested them both on some level as he would expect to be quizzed.

"Where did you study lady Chellen?"

That first song came slowly as the child of Moonwillow closed his eyes seeked an escape. Each touch against the tight surface was hardly more upsetting then the first as the intended apprentice tried to play out the Lullaby for Leland. A tune which wasn't easily mastered on the rhythmic instrument but attempted none the less as a sober calm reflecting its source. There was not any need for an altered state only an awareness of how music could change the workings of the world.

[Peach]

Propping a foot on the lowest step of the fountain and putting her elbow upon it, Chellen fashioned a resting place for her chin. Intently, she watched as Eir'helm stroked the drum lightly, as if he could come to know it through a touch... Some may have thought of that philosophy as mere fancy, but the Mistress believed that it had merit. One did not play an instrument by speaking to it, or listening to what it said. The only way was through the sensitive fingertips, finding every anomaly and benefit of the item. The partial sea elf knew every inch of her much used guitar... To those looking only for aesthetic beauty, it may not have been appealing. Yet it had so become a part of Chellen, that she could not help but accept any of its faults... The surface, once light and non-reflective, had become dark and smooth with patterns of use. Small grooves were worn into the places that her fingers had so often rested, giving it her special signature.

The drum that Eir'helm had chosen had been the property of another. It had seen good use, and been trained in the ways of music like the bard looked to be, but the essence was not his own. To feel completely in sync with his instrument, the light elf would need to devote his spirit to the thing... To infuse his playing with emotion, to let the skins and wood know the feel of his smooth hands. He had started well, indeed, with introducing himself. Chellen smiled brightly, already proud of her student's progress. Whoever his last care taker had been, their job was done well. Had that individual been a player of the percussions, like himself, or did their interests lie elsewhere? Sometimes it was good to learn from another being with a common taste, yet as a mage, Eir'helm would learn how to improvise. Feeling the song inside of oneself was much more important than the thing upon which it was sent. Material objects simply grounded them to the world, made it easier for their mortal minds to understand. The raw power of song could be grasped about as easily as a tendril of mist.

"I was born, and grew, in Tk'hzaar." The half-Esh'laheir closed her dark eyes and sighed, remembering with intermingled sorrow and happiness her days in the water. She had never quite been able to keep up with her friends while they swam, always tiring out too quickly for the tastes of a young being... Back then, she had blamed her pale elven father for this melancholy. Now, having a few more patterns to guide her, Chellen knew that there were benefits to having some dark blood. A small shake of her head caused long, multi-colored hair to shift across her slender back. Ah, how she longed to feels its soft touch against her bare skin... Although clothes could be beautiful, they were sometimes a hindrance. "I became a third wife there, but the life did not suit me well. Music had always appealed to me, but I had not the vocal range of a full Telera..." Chellen ran her thin fingers lovingly across the surface of her guitar, expression softening with happiness.

"Learning of my heritage, and the Acadamie in this city, I came to finish what I had started in the Ocean. Learning the ways of my beloved Song." Looking up, she nodded at Eir'helm, and motioned for him to take a seat next to her as he played his tune. The pale elf could not hide her expression of delight as he began to play, immediately recognizing the strains of the Lullaby. It was her most favored song in the Initiate repertoire, being so calming and at the same level as her tranquil spirit. Slowly, she began to add her own instrument's sound to the slow song, each note vibrating ever so subtly. Together, their music rose and fell, until the time that it seemed right to end. For a moment, Chellen savored the satisfied silence of the aftermath, then continued with her words. "Good, Eir'helm, you played it well. Now, to become an Apprentice, you must first be Promoted. I can do this for you... It will not hurt you in any way, only raise your awareness to the Arcane. Are you ready for such a thing?"

[Eir'helm Mithania]

A faint smile worked its way to those lightborn lips as the woman who was his teacher and elder spoke of her own past. His lips pulled back softly as his eyes had drifted closed and the first few soft beats of the relaxing song began. It's magic may not have effected the bard by his own efforts but those of his teacher added the a weight to his shoulders. It was yet midbrightening and still far to early in the daylight hours for him to be awake. Those closed eyes had become so very difficult to open, daring to apply a failing rhythm to the echos which passed from the wood and hide vessel. He didn't see her nod of approval or the motioned offer of a seat. Instead Eir'helm felt the song of her instrument as the strings quivered as under the kind touch. It touched him, passed through him and incased him with a spell.

It however didn't end in a soft conclusion of the tune but a fumble from her student as his hand opposed the action asked of it. The young man only recovering once his teacher followed suit but not before the smile from moments ago was replaced by a wide yawn.

Yet the kind expression returned, with a faint shyness this time.

"Thankyou and excuse me... I am ready lady Chellen if you would take me under your instruction. But if I may, where is Tk'hzaar... whats it like?"

The young man was curious of any place which may have been protected from the invasion of those graceless races.

[Peach]

The city was hard, indeed, to describe to a land dweller. In actuality, the differences existed mainly in the culture of the Thelyri, not their architecture. Such things as that, however, would take at least a candlemark to describe. Chellen bit her lip softly, trying to concentrate on the most obvious and interesting things. She had spent so long in the under water place, that it had become hard to pinpoint individual things... This question of Eir'helm's was akin to someone asking for a description of the sky. If only she could use her words as well as her song. Gaining mastership was a double-edged weapon, indeed. While one could feel truly at peace with their art, the time that it consumed literally sapped them of many other social and physical skills. Luckily, Chellen had not been one to allow her body to fall into disrepair as her mind progressed. Would her student stay in tune with his health, as well, as much as he did with his instrument?

Not that his beats weren't without fault... The half sea elf had noted his shortcomings with the drum, and dismissed them just as quickly. Eir'helm was only an aspiring Apprentice, after all, and had much time to gain the skills that he lacked. As the light elven man progressed with his Arcana, the deftness of hand would follow suit, calling forth true melodies through much practice and dedication. That was one problem with song magic, though... When one looked at it in a stereotypical way, bards were not the type who wished to be tied down. They floated about like the breeze, playing when their fancy struck them, and stopping when the muse left. Perhaps this was why there were so few of their kind around... A lack of responsibility could snuff out a group simply as a plague could. "It's near Trelore, in the Sea of Sorrow, said to be made by the tears of Llan." Almost instinctively, she began to play softly upon her guitar, a slow and sad tune. Fitting, for the grievous histories that haunted her mother's people, and the crash of the sea that sounded so akin to cries.

"The differences are mostly in culture. Many things common on the surface are rare there, and a sign of wealth. Some families have rooms devoid of water in which to keep their things... They value beauty there, but practicality as well, and do not wear the heavy robes that are so commonly seen in Ethgan'tor. Sometimes the women put crystals in their hair, and it looks like the night sky when they swim." She shrugged, not entirely pleased with the small bits of information that could be provided. They were what stood out to her, however, and were all the Eir'helm would receive without further questioning. After a few moments, as her voice tapered of, the song from Chellen's string instrument tapered as well. The strains entered so easily, it seemed, that they were almost as much of a voice as her natural one was. Both hands extended, she motioned for the Silrosian to come nearer, mood becoming decidedly sober.

His Promotion would be an intricate process, at least inside of her own mind, and required concentration. It may have been a delightful moment for both of them, as proceeding was an integral part of life, but calm was a requirement. "Here, close your eyes and relax, it won't take long." Her words were true, at least in that... In only a few moments, the Mistress had reached into Eir'helm's mind and worked loose a few more boundaries, allowing for his comprehension to grow and his Vis to expand. More bearable for his consciousness than the original Unbinding would be, it was still common for one to be initially confused by their new levels of power and understanding. Letting her hands drop to her sides, Chellen looked towards the newly-made apprentice with her midnight eyes, concern filling their depths. She was practiced with the procedure, but oftentimes worried directly after its execution. "How are you feeling, Eir'helm? Here, let's rest for a moment before we start with the lesson."

Once more, she patiently motioned to a spot beside her, urging the elven man to sit. Arcana was done completely in the mind, but it could still be a taxing process. "Forgive me for not asking earlier... My social skills are not as good as they could be." She smiled in a genuine way, and shrugged apologetically. Another sacrifice that the dark elf had made for her studies. "Where do you come from? Were you initiated there?"

[Eir'helm Mithania]

The young man, the near boy who had fallen to the company of Ethgan'tor's princess listened intently to his teacher describe the elfhome which hid from prying eyes under the surface. He was caught by the very idea that the place was so well protected from the interests of Ioannes's harlot. Untouched and yet free of an unnatural morality as even the need for clothing was unneeded. The child of Moonwillow with his own nudist habits couldn't help but **** a smile at the idea of such. It part it was the passing idea of the young woman swimming naked which added to the expression but then his own presence among the water breathers was of more value.

Issue was that the boy couldn't draw his breath from the temperate waters as his teacher could. He would be more a prisoner then anything in some air sealed chamber, a pretty thing to look at. All the young man could say though was a simple and likely ignored statement.

"Perhaps you can show me Tk'hzaar someday then Mistress?"

It seemed the young man was more concerned with his teachers own past then he was with the process of advancement. Growth came, it was expected so even the promotion didn't have much weight. It was a kindness and little more but regardless Eir'helm shifted to his teachers side as offered by his elder.

"I'm from Silrosia, my family has some slight tradition in bardic traditions and I was taught at first by one of my fathers peers. We weren't close, but then i suppose we met while dancing within the Moonwillow keep to the beat of drums. I always enjoyed listening to the drums echo through the walls of my father's home."

[Peach]

Chellen tilted her head to the side, pondering whether a land dweller could comfortably inhabit the city. The Telera had no problems with cross breeding, that was clear. Not a matter of preference, but simply one of necessity. This would not help Eir’helm much, however. They usually left their lovers to pine on the shore, while they retreated again to the depths of the waves. Actually leaving the ocean to live on land was a very rare thing... Hence the fact that the Songstress was the first sea elf that her pupil had ever set eyes upon. Honestly, it seemed that there would have been more. Thelyri had been hurt in the past, but there was so much on solid land that they could learn... Chellen smiled at the thought, realizing quickly that it was flawed. The sea called to them, and it could not be denied... They would miss the water as much as a surface-dweller would be wanting for the presence of the sun. "Well, there is a song that allows for the bard to breathe under water... Perhaps you will find the desire to use it some day."

She would neither bring up Eir'helm's hopes by including herself in the picture, or completely strike them down by saying that he could not expand his horizons. Magic was known to her, but the water elf was no seer. The future was as mysterious to her as it would be to any other mortal upon the surface of Telath. "With music, you may have been closer than you originally thought." The woman shrugged, not having the words to elaborate upon her statement. She understood the situation, and how Eir'helm would have felt. In the midst of the Song, it was easy to lose oneself to greater powers, expanding their minds while keeping them rooted to the earth. His training may have been casual, but it had worked... Maybe this was the best kind, without too much responsibility weighing down upon the student. Well, he would have the chance to experience it both ways, and decide for himself which one he preferred.

They did not sit and talk for long, as Chellen's student hardly seemed phased by his promotion. Raising an eyebrow, she perused him for any ill effects, and found none. Elves were wise with their years, yes, but this one was little more than a boy relatively speaking. Not that the half-Esh'laheir was much more than a girl... The age of the mind could, indeed, surpass that of the body. "As an Apprentice, there is a new technique to learn. It is called Variation, and can give you much more freedom of expression. By changing the tempo, or another element, it is possible to cause a slightly different effect. Almost any song can be changed or reversed, effectively increasing the amount that you can play... Go ahead and try this with a song from your beginning classes." Here was the start of creativity, when truly skilled bards could set themselves apart from the rest. Eir'helm's past mistress had taught him to play, but what of the soul of the music? Did he have that? Watching as the young Elf prepared, Chellen set him loose...

[Eir'helm Mithania]

To breath underwater? The elf's smile widened in the wake of the womans words as temping as they were but there were questions of how one made music under the surface. The amused expression dulled with the slight mix of confusion and uncertainty for a moment as how had overcome the idea of when...

The moment passed as they all would having little effect of the elven boys light disposition as concern and worry rarely cut any lower then his scarless skin. Time would tell if the oceans were to be a viable playground for the young mage but he would need to grasp what the moment offered first. It was a sad linear habit imposed on a soul but an unavoidable curse.

The elf's teacher asked him to alter the music, to try and reshape the magic by its reflection in the hushed beat of the drum. It was a thing that the mere boy had yet felt uncomfortable in considering as a possible defilement of the spheres nature but it was the womans allowance and push the student made such a ponderance.

There was a method to the process no doubt, one that allowances would have to be made for but likely more then such. The music reached out from the soul it seemed and from there the changes would need to be guided and felt. Reason only served to an extent.

The young man's first thought was to return to the Lullaby but reconsidered when it may have seemed that he lacked the flexibility she must have expected. A tooth caught his lip holding it for a moment before a single word slipped out, followed by another in some perversion of the Sonnet in Solo.

The poetic phrase lacked its common sweet tone and was instead replaced by a somber expression which seemed most unnatural for the elf. Such was a show of the song.

"A child stood in the wake..
One figure left chilled and alone to quiver..
From where the armys brought the city to quake..
To the Umblat the cast out joined the river..

Shadows, shadows in the night..
Never again too see true light..

For what cause?
Put an end too near all the loss.

Only Srennius was left to weep as all the fools of Aeternia or Aetheria had fallen..

One boy was left alone."

With a slow end to the poetic stance the elf's hand reached for his belt trying to find his own dagger and test its merit. He wanted to try its blade over his hand seeing if the weapon could be made useless for even a few short minutes. It was a new tone, a new message and a slow, revised rhythm.

[Peach]

Her body began to sway lightly as Eir'helm began his sad tune, reacting without any sort of mental leave. This was not a song to dance to, causing joy and merriment for all to hear... No, it told a story, interwoven with the notes that people could become so absorbed within. Chellen was impressed that the Elf had attempted at his own lyrics, instead of merely plucking them from a well-known source. It showed creativity, the desire to learn and put his own mark upon things. Did the words reflect anything of himself in their meaningful depths, or was he simply lamenting the state of the world? The dark elven woman, quite like the one sitting next to her, did not see the need for war. In that way, she differed from the strong past of her people... They had fought to preserve their tradition, the culture that still ran strong to the very brightening in which they existed. Both sides of her ancestry had shed much of the other's blood, creating a bond of distrust that would never completely be broken.

They were accepting people, in the brimy depths of the ocean, but neither were they foolish. Chellen had been reminded of that every brightening, by the love that they gave her so readily... The care that would never be the exactly the same as the kind they gave their Naiad born children. It was the very thing that had driven her away, the difference that was never much acknowledged, a need to set her feet upon solid ground. Long, dark eyelashes touching their opposite, the elven woman closed her eyes and simply listened. For one that was supposed to be so cheerful and carefree, Eir'helm certainly loved the slowest and most difficult of songs... Perhaps he wanted to challenge himself, or it was simply the fact that these touched him the most. True, that Telath was connected by its sorrows, not the happiness that it could potentially share. Was glee simply too superficial a feeling to be felt across the world? People called laughter a gift from the gods, but it was so frequently under appreciated...

Her own life had been based off of tears. Chellen felt music itching at her fingertips, and a song fluttering like a recently-born butterfly in her throat, but she contained them. This was not a time for selfish fulfillment, but one of learning... It was Eir'helm's hour to grow, teaching himself of his own artistic potential. And, indeed, it seemed that the Silrosian was already furthering his rather small selection of workable melodies. The dagger drew unfelt across his hand, skin resisting its cutting touch. Ringing with the magic that was now resonating through it, depriving it of natural ability, the weapon had effectively been made worthless. A philosophical thing, when one looked at it closely... With a single short song, Eir'helm had effectively reversed the thing that was driving their society towards the most violent of means. Maybe something small was the only way, then. Large resistances could be easily detected by the Empire, their wings crushed before they could lift themselves from the ground.

"You've shown to me that you understand the technique... I commend you, it was nicely done." Chellen remained silent for a short time, idly turning the knobs that controlled the tightness of her guitar's strings. An action that was not needed, but gave her something to do while she thought of new words. Although curious towards the man's source of inspiration, it did not seem right at the time to ask... Almost as if doing so would be prying into the personal matters of his soul. "If you want to, we can learn the Aquatic Aria now. The song that will allow for those who have heard it to breathe under water for a time." Its melody seemed to ride forth from the Mistress's instrument like sea foam, bubbling with tune and flowing with an undercurrent of emotion. At one time, it was fast as a stream of rapids, at others slow as a placid pool. The words that she had created for it were not fitting to the purpose... They sounded within her head alone.

Sometimes I'm afraid
That I've lost the magic
Sometimes I'm frightened
at the fact that I've deserted myself

Not once do I feel
the emotion of moonrise
Never do I see
The candle of my soul

Glistening orb in the black meadow
It shines for another
across the sea
Its songs echo for a stranger
Never for me

...So Hopeful

[Eir'helm Mithania]

The elf had armed himself. He had provided himself a tool that was more potent then the mind bending mystics or the forceful shields of a fool sorcerer. The softly resonating melody had changed the very workings of the universe for a time and it was in the light of these new rules that minds and views could change. It was a kinder thing to ease the revision of the ways people had by providing a chance for that alteration and save oneself from the bitter sight held for less pure spheres.

The music was a shield and while it was a carefree face the world was allowed to see pain was felt by all. It collected in every heart. It could be a unifying force or if need be a tool, a weapon of its own. Eir'helm wanted to drown in that small puddle or see the suffering of others someday as surely as he hoped to see the city under the sea. All things came to one in time.

The lady elf was content with her students efforts it seemed as she went about playing with the tuning of her device only to dispel the mood of his own rhythm with spoken word. Eir'helm however didn't follow in his teachers example.

Some odd humor had caught her student with his last song and lingered now as he closed his eyes to listen to the rhythm she had tried to teach him. The lightborn's hands met with the hide as it had been forced across his drum. The echoing within the device was soft at first, even outside the elven range of hearing but with passing seconds as they progressed through the set of chords the beat grew deeper.

It was the rain on the water, hundreds of tiny droplets becoming one and as his teacher concluded Eir'helm changed. The falling rains evolved and the tides grew violent. The rain fell as the tempo of Chellen's song hastened with one hand and the other forced forward the crashing waves of an enraged sea. He offered no placid form or even the rapids or so was the intent. The younger, the student revealed to his teacher the rage, the anger and violence of the sea as it struck the sea elf halfbreed and tried to pull her to pieces with only the rhythm.

Waves broke on the shore and would wear down any emplacement, shattered ships and drowned the surfacers and to that end the student tried to alter the meaning of his teacher's spell. It was a game of sorts for the young bard as he tried to turn the air and threaten to drown a listener with each breath they took as sea water. It was a slow and partial process hoping to control the extent of its effect...

best not to harm her or others...

[Peach]

Chellen did not believe in power. Oh, it was all around her, surrounding each aspect of her life and the art that she loved; the sea elf simply did not recognize it as useful. Whenever someone mentioned their sphere of Arcana, the Songstress did not ponder how many buildings they could crumble or how many lives they could take, but the beauty of the magic in general. Neither did she think that one sphere was better, or more useful, than another… Each had capabilities beyond the wildest dream of any mortal, each could be used in the most creative ways possible. Perhaps if her appreciating of art had been different, Chellen would have chosen a different path.

Druidism, for nature, Ikos for the poetry of written word. If her fingers did not have the option of coaxing such wonderful melodies out of the strings of her instrument, it was highly possible… Even so, she had always felt a special connection with the highs and lows of song, the emotion that it could bring to her dark eyes, whether made more alluring with Arcana or not. The aquatic tune spilling forth from her guitar, pools stroked into miniature storms by the delicate tips of her tan fingers, the Mistress had to wonder once again why her student had become involved.

In the beginning, when students were first shown the ropes of what they could and could not do, magic was almost always a bit about the strength that it could provide. Chellen, even though she played purely for the enjoyment of it now, initially had the same desires that many practitioners suffered from… She wanted to make her music more potent, her songs less obsolete to the desensitized public. Even though the Esh’laheir were tainted with dark blood, their culture still deeply appreciated beauty. To move an audience, an elven bard had to be all but perfect, with enough defining characteristics and passion to make their playing memorable.

Song had helped her towards that ultimate goal, the enlightenment of music in which one became part of the very notes that they so skillfully brought forth. Even though Eir’helm was not an experienced bard, having only begun his first shake steps towards tutelage, his sensitive elven ears could hear it when she played. Could go beyond the music, into her very heart itself, the contents of which she was pouring out with every strum of smooth strings. It wasn’t the mastery of Arcana that allowed her to be so emotive, but the love itself… A feeling that the Silrosian’s song was lacking, indeed. Chellen looked at him with surprise as the beneficial note began to turn violent and malicious, a dark aura surrounding what should have been light and good.

A sense of terror rose up inside of the half-Esh’laheir, not for herself, but for the one who sat in front of her. She had an idea of what he was trying, and was more disappointed than angered. Chellen had thought him to be wise, able to control himself and bring forth lovely tunes with the simple hide of his drum. Apparently, in the natural selfishness that came with mortality, Eir’helm wanted more, wanted to prove his dominance through skill and pain. The note of her tune changed, rising in tempo to match, then overcome, the Silrosian noble’s own. He felt the magic drain away from his instrument, the beat of his hands unconsciously slowing, and eventually resting to a halt upon the soft leather. Chellen lifted her hands from her guitar, a frown upon her fair features.

“Eir’helm, while I appreciate your ambitions, changing the air itself is a dangerous thing. Perhaps when you are a Journeyman or a Master, you will have more success. Do not let this failure stop you… We all experience them. Would you like to try by yourself this time?”

[Eir'helm Mithania]

Light, good, evil or dark were illusions that the mind sometimes made. These were terms often used as weapons by humans and their followers among fallen elven houses. What was a demon save for a spirit of rage? Was it any more destructive then a passive mood touching a people who were forced under the heel of invaders only to embrace their ways? Cities could fall in either case, old ways could be lost and it was a sin... but not evil. So as the elven woman's music disarmed his own the Silrosian born didn't see any insult in her doings but instead her words.

Nothing hurtful slipped from the sea elf's lips save for the act of having said it. The few words were ugly, distasteful in contrast to the refined habit of her music and pest compared to being forced into consuming an under aged human brew after a darkening of delighting on elven spirits. How the young elf wanted to silence her and her foolish claims, the womans views were clear enough from the way she had set out to disrupt his music and he had no right to argue. So simply let the half breed dominate the song as she wished. As his teacher such was the woman's right but to litter the chamber with talk of unsure advancement or the unavoidability of failure was not an experience he would need to suffer. There was no need for words was there? He bit his lip for a moment unsure if she did with laying out her intent admit she saw him as an aided fool. Either that or she was too much the fool for seeing a need for such among the kindred spirits.

The elf leaned forward as his tutor had begun to speak with the intent of hopefully silencing the charming bard and reminding her that he was not a child. He wanted to learn, needed a teacher and friend not a wet-nurse.

Eri'helm was her younger by only a few patterns and her student but what did any of that matter? They were both souls drawn to music and children of Phedos. They were like and the Silrosian born did dare to make assumptions of what he would be allowed and tried to steal a short kiss from his lady tutor. The lightborn male tried to kiss his teacher to put an end to her words and while he did he returned to the music softly. Eir'helm's hands lightly touched the leather drum adding rhythm to his sudden advance and only let the tone deepen with an end to his attempted kiss or sharp refusal. Regardless he didn't expect her to cut in mid song that ended with a hopeful lesson of his own.

"Show the children how to swim, let them feel the deep"
"telling the tales of the sea will not let the insight seep"

[Peach]

To be a fool, to be wise; was this not a discussion that had spanned the millennium? Eir’helm certainly had a brand of intelligence that he could have called his own, Chellen was not about to deny that, and likely neither would any of the other Esh’laheir within the city. Bound by racial constraints, most were made to feel an ingrained sort of animosity towards the young Silrosian, but so far the potency of his mind had not seemed to be belittled. The alchemist that he had met such a short while before had indeed treated him with disdain, but also an opaque sort of respect that loomed off in the distance. Even if they only shared the capability to span many years of lifetime, all of the elven kindred were still connected in some way. Though they were raised in entirely different environments, the accumulation of months did seem to have a markable wear pattern.

Was it not the younger Esh’laheir that were the purist fanatics, taking everything that they had learned without that necessary grain of salt? Until they reached a certain age, children were rather impressionable, even those who belonged to the most unmarred of races. Once they had grown, and passed the important stage of asserting their independence, the pale elves were able to enrich their own culture instead of bogging it down in too much hatred. Chellen, who had lived for a good part of her life with another race, had been given an opportunity that she still didn’t completely understand. When one held no objections against the being that they were teaching, their lessons could become all the more pure, and their students equally more talented. True, Eir’helm held even more standards than the Esh’laheir and thus hindered his own development, but he was far from defenseless.

Even with his amicable nature as the only weapon in his repertoire, the young noble could turn most attacks, a smile and nod of his fair-haired head denying the violent nature of the world. No wonder the half-breed had been surprised when the Silrosian had turned such a beneficial and helpful spell into a means of armament… Chellen sighed once more when she thought of his usually calm aura being whipped into a frenzy, carried by the strains of a harmful melody. It wasn’t that it was impossible to be forgiven, as the elf from the sea had never been completely angered at Eir’helm in the first place. He could try again, and although their long memories would withhold the situation, a veneer of enjoyment could overlay it.

Caught off guard by the Silrosian’s kiss in the middle of her reverie, Chellen’s body instinctively responded in kind, the warm glow of her skin reacting to his own. Carefully, as if she were afraid that he would break, the Songstress reached up a hand and stroked Eir’helm’s soft hair, one arm gently wrapping about his back. For a few moments, they lingered together, sharing in the emotion that all races could understand, connecting both their bodies and souls. The sea elf smiled as he moved back to sing the last few bars of his song, light glittering in her dark eyes at the implications.

Without a word passing from between her soft lips, the Silrosian noble could tell that this was the beauty that she loved in the sphere, the forgiveness and affection. If only the world could have been one that didn’t require means of defense, Song would have been made into such an unbelievably wholesome thing. It was hard to tell that something had changed, but in focusing more broadly while playing his deep notes, the remnants of the spell had taken tentative effect.

The song was not likely to sustain him for long under the waves, but enough to take a few breaths of air. After Eir’helm had finished with his brief lyric, and seemed calm enough to ease back into the rhythm, Chellen softly began to play a new song upon her instrument. It was serene, almost like the Lullaby for Leland, but with a certain quality behind the notes that seemed almost to reverberate. Unlike the relative chaos of the Aquatic Aria, Charisma’s Canto spiraled slowly and smoothly downwards, sinking into the very soul of the listener. Only for a moment, did she let the effects seep through, showing the light elf its most obvious purpose: luring individuals into a sense of security and friendliness towards the caster. Ending with a final strum, she made eye contact with Eir’helm, looking into his greens as if trying to decipher some hidden meaning.

“Children listen wisely, t