abraxaslogs | [open] Local dhampir renovates old public speaking hall that has some fun magic

[Write to his memory that Alucard is about as bad with animals as he is with people. Luckily, Mog is not insulted by the lack of attention from one man when the other is currently scratching his ears. Jaskier gives him a pat, then sets him down. The gryphon starts sniffing at boards, and as he walks around to take everything in, one of his eyes stays on the gryphon.]

Luckily not, they assured me. Apparently some madman had the bright idea of domesticating gryphons! A, ah, toy version. Though, to be fair, I believe I've considered the same.

[Look, they're cute! Even when they're bisecting a cow. It's a matter of perspective.

He again looks at the ceiling. It's so much larger than nearly every building he's been in... except the castles. The ballrooms, specifically.] You've been doing some research, haven't you? [It's a bit of a tease.] I think a concert hall is what this place needs. Less... emphasis on war, and a bit more on art.

[He can imagine it already. If he can find that purveyor of string lights Ciri bought their flowers with, this place could be lit up like a night sky, without the oppressive heat of actually being outside.] It'll be breathtaking when we're done with it.

[He understands wolves and bats! Excuse you, give him some credit!]

I would hope that they wouldn't be much bigger than this. I am curious if you've seen him fly though, the idea of it is-- [Well, okay. They're in an enclosed indoor space. If Mog is going to fly, it is probably safer in here.

He'll leave Mog alone for now. The little fellow can get some time an really feel out the space.] You know, that's the second time in just as many weeks as I've heard art brought up in relation to the climate here.

[It is an observation, but one with a faint warmth threaded in it. Cadens has museums and libraries, filled with culture. To add to it is far better than to see this place used for more rousing sentiment against one's neighbors.

Wait.]

We?

[That doesn't count when he turns into them!]

Not much more than a flutter so far! Though I think he's quite capable, he's only what you would call a bushcat.

[It's dangerous territory, mentioning bushes around Alucard, but for once this conversation is not steering anywhere around his various body parts. You're welcome, Alucard.

His smile grows wider. Perhaps even slightly mischevious.] You didn't think I'd allow you to take this all on alone, did you? Without inserting myself into a magnificent music hall? If we're holding an event, we're holding it correctly. Which means this old girl is getting gussied up.

[It counts!]

So long as he is comfortable.

[Leaving little flying friends aside, that's--

--oh that grin on Jaskier's face is a thing to be wary of. Alucard makes a point of not reacting to it, but he makes a note for the future. Beware that look on bards with too much time on their hands.]

I assumed you'd let me do a little more legwork before putting the building through any paces as a performance venue. [Truly, the fault is Alucard's for not anticipating correctly.] For example, the two balconies? Unstable with rotting wood, people cannot be permitted up there.

[He'll have to note that Alucard clearly has no misplaced trust in him so far. It doesn't matter. Jaskier will prove his vision rings true, once he starts... gathering all the supplies he needs.

It's going to take a bit. And a few pouches of coin. Between Ciri and Geralt and himself, however, they're more than doing well. Much better than most Summoned, he would surmise; their talents certainly lent themselves well to this world.]

Of course I'm not inviting anyone onto rotten floors! However, if we're to encourage loose purses near our collection plates, we should show them what, exactly, they'll be saving. The potential of it. Even rotting in places, and... well, smelling faintly of mildew, it's still beautiful.

[It is definitely better than Alucard's approach. Then again, the man has free rent for living in a cactus.]

The smell is easier to address, and would likely get lost among the crowd, so long as it is large enough. [Humans in large groups can sometimes smell, that's all he's saying.]

Never mind the particulars though - only one part matters. [With that, Alucard gestures to where the podium is currently placed.] See how your voice sounds. I've only seen the magic at work with spoken words so far.

[The comment has Jaskier wrinkle his nose. Alucard is far from wrong, unfortunately, and Jaskier has plenty of experience among the unwashed masses (and being one of them, but that was when he was literally thrown in a cell and he will not speak on it, thank you. Worse than the cell was not bathing for weeks.)

Annyyywaaay. No one needs to relive that! And today he's freshly bathed and smelling faintly of patchouli, which he's been experimenting with growing.]

Oh, when you're right, you're very right. For a success, that's what matters most. [He sweeps past with a twirl -- because he has to, his very body is brimming with the promise of this old place -- hopping onto the podium with a few jumps. His boots creak over the boards, but it holds steady. Not rotting, apparently, like the second floor. Far from reaching for a normal little chord, he sings a few lines from his ode to Lyfbringr:

But surely you know well this warmth in me,
Did you not craft it yourself?
When you grew me in your garden between bud and bloom,
Rose me straight from the earth?

Alucard was not joking, he thinks. There is magic in this air, because the notes carry, but do not echo. They ring warm. His skin bumps with goosepimples.]

Oh. Oh, yes. This is lovely. We're going to leave quite the impression.

Yes, I know.

[Alucard may sound a hair smug with that, but it isn't the intent. He just would like to be acknowledge that every so often he gets to be correct about things, and it is nice.

He makes a point to step back from the dais and podium, choosing a spot just a little off to the right on the floor itself. There is a deep and abiding curiosity to see how music might carry, and--

--really Jaskier, the horny for god one?

There's no outward sign of magic in the place, unless you know to be sensitive to it. It manifests as a slight warmth, which will barely be noticed in a large crowd. Satisfied, Alucard realizes something else.]

Do you have any type of instrument on you?

[You know what? Alucard has been right enough times that Jaskier allows him the smugness. He's far too occupied with the task at hand, after all.

It's a great song, thank you.

It's even getting him attention with the Solvunnites. Their own bloody god!

The last note hollows itself out, then fades. He watches the ceiling above them, as if he can see the music's movement in the air itself.] Well, of course. it'd be a poor test if I came empty handed.

[His lute rests in its case near the entrance, where Mog has now gone to curl up under a patch of sun. ~~Convenient.~~ He retrieves his lute, shining and new (thank you, Ciri) and returns to the podium, though his notes begin to ring, plucked fresh, as he makes his way to it.] Remarkable. This place really should have a terrible echo, but the notes flow as they rightfully need to.

Excellent.

[Alucard takes a few more steps backwards, moving deeper into the concert space itself. He wants to be in the midground, off to one side, just to see what happens with the notes of the lute. It is experimentation to be sure, even if it is not the sort he is used to by any stretch of the imagination.

In moments, there's notes moving through the hall. Even away from the podium, the place's magic seems to key into the performer versus those listening.]

Mm. The ceilings would suggest that is the case. What I am finding is that the magic functions through a combination of elaborate circles on the floorboards, made from carvings as well as how the nails themselves are hammered in to make certain shapes, and some spells that are very literally in the stone of the building.

[He listens in a rare, fascinated silence, continuing to pluck his strings one the last have ended. He can't stop himself; it truly is taking all of his attention, how the sound moves so unnaturally through the hall, but in a way that, to the uneducated, may seem natural. There is no indication the magic works, yet clearly it does.

His smile is touched. He won't say it out loud -- gods forbid he share such fragile, true emotion with his taciturn friend -- but sharing this with Alucard makes it all the more special, he thinks. He wouldn't have even dreamed of working on something like this himself.]

Fascinating. They put so much bloody effort into this place, but left it to rot. I, assume, from its clear ties to Thorne. [He's certainly seen more of that attitude towards Thorne than he expected. He isn't sure how some of his songs will go, should he perform them for Cadens, but there's to hoping something will be brought out of it.] I don't suppose there's anything written of how, exactly, it was built? The, er... ritual in it?

I thought that was the case as well. [There's a shrug, and Alucard's eyes move up to the ceiling again. He can see all the flaking paint he'll have to touch up. Not a priority yet, but it is something he can do without a work team. Floating and all.] But when I was approached, I was informed that this place actually is thought of fondly - it did survive in the first place, when everything else gets destroyed or built over. I think there's just attention being paid in other places.

[He breathes out, returning to meet Jaskier's eyes. This is nice, the quiet enthusiasm between them. A rarity from himself, if Alucard is being entirely honest.]

Municipal archives haven't provided any information, but I'm going to keep looking. I'd hope that there were similar buildings in Thorne that have existent records but there are the obvious pitfalls there.

[But to the meat of it all:] How long do you need to organize something?

True enough. It is universal that the arts should always be pushed to the side in favor of other matters.

[Like war. If the Free Cities are to have one of the most impressive militaries without magic, he can only imagine the amount of funds that are being funneled into it. Enough, apparently, that they have begun summoning and providing temporary housing for more of them.

Without a way to stop it, if anyone has tried.

Other fish to fry, and all that. Jaskier, for the moment, prefers his catch to be quite a bit smaller than tackling... gods. Whatever that all is. He idly strums his lute as he begins taking another walk around, nearly tripping over Mog who has decided to chase dust motes through the air with little leaps. Mog is adorable, but a truly pathetic jumper. (Jaskier keeps this to himself.)] Not very long at all. I'm very used to doing things on a strict schedule. This is certainly a bit different, considering my limited resources, but... a fortnight for something rather good, three weeks for something magnificent. After this, I think, I'm off to hire a band.

Like putting goop into cans and declaring it a meal.

[He's still so upset about that. But Alucard will not poke at that particular and highly specific wound. The Free Cities have their arms, and innovation always goes towards the military first.

At least he has his project. And Jaskier's interest.] Just let me know the decided upon date when you have it then. [Alucard is ready to let Jaskier walk around while he works, but that last part has his attention. (As he nearly runs into Mog's dust mote territory.)] You're not going to be a solo artist for this?

[Sorry, this is genuinely shocking news, Jaskier.]

Ugggh. Don't get me started.

[Even for a man who's made a life out of eating bread, cheese, and assorted dried meats, the whole... can thing.... is horrible. Disgusting, even. Inhuman. Man was not meant to eat food out of a round, metal thing, packed to the gills.

Jaskier spins as his coat trails out, the notes still as perfect as he strums with a smile.] Come now, Alucard! I'm no selfish artist. And if Cadens is to appreciate our efforts, it's only fair they see their own people on stage.

[He is mostly a solo performer, but he knows when to share a stage, all right? With accompaniment, and with a few students -- or those looking for their first big break -- the concert will be a roaring success. Besides. He's going to want to move among the crowd, and he certainly can't play music while he does that.] Don't worry. I'll only find the best for us.

Edited 2022-03-20 07:17 (UTC)

[open] Local dhampir renovates old public speaking hall that has some fun magic

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wrapping up in time for the BIG DAY