abraxaslogs | [open] a fantastic public charity event!

Entry tags:

[open] a fantastic public charity event!

Who: Jaskier, open to all of the Free Cities!
What: The bard is holding a concert at Cadens's Old Public Hall in order to raise money for its renovation!
Where: Cadens
When: The end of March, a bit after the eclipse/Singularity event shenanigans
Warnings: None. This is a family-friendly event. :)

The Event

[Flyers hand-written and posted around the city of Cadens promise many a thing: a lovely night of community and belonging, beautiful decorations, a precious place to bring your bonnie sweet (the most important.) Jaskier fully intends on this being the perfect date night; the more lovers who become closer thanks to him, the better. The hall will see a larger audience than it ever has before! And hopefully more money will be thrown at it than ever before.

Of course, that’s what this is: a charity concert being held to raise funds for the old Cadens speaking hall, a large hall that has long fallen into disrepair. Through the efforts of Jaskier (and mostly) Alucard, restoration of the hall has begun. However, it has far more renovations ahead of it, and coin will be needed.

The concert is meant to be a grand time, but, it is about the money. This is a charity event, technically. But there's no reason he can't have fun with it.

And since Jaskier does nothing by halves, he has gone fully all-out. At the concert, any goers will be free to partake in:

+ free food (courtesy of himself, Alucard, and Sam's cooking, generally fresh bread, rolls, sweets, cheeses, and various finger foods and slices of roasts)
+ free wine and local juices (mostly paid out of Jaskier's pocket)
+ flowers will be given out, though it is STRONGLY IMPLIED a donation is expected (bouquets can be purchased for your honey, as well)
+ Nadine will be going around the crowd and providing small samples of tonics and potions

There will also be a small raffle that Jaskier will be running. Tickets can be bought for a small fee, and ticket holders can win small prizes of bouquets (courtesy of yours truly), a box of fresh pastries from the local bakery, an array of prized feathers from his pet toy gryphon, or a slightly fancier bottle of wine. The ultimate prize will be a free song written personally for you by Jaskier, all topics and requests accepted. Yes, it is a grand prize. For the small prizes, you can decide whether your ticket is a winner or a loser!

Please, remember to keep your behaviors amenable, fair citizens of Cadens. This concert is for charity, and no roughhousing, fighting, or generally ill tempers will be suffered. And as an event on city property, it is meant to remain completely neutral. No politics or you'll be kindly escorted outside the event!]

The Old Public Hall

[The Cadens Public Hall is an old, large speaking hall hosting distinctive architectural features that are strongly Thornean in influence. Like the old days, the concert is mostly meant to be standing-room only; the second floor mezzanine has been blocked off due to unsafe conditions (mostly old, rotting floorboards.) There's a slight musty smell that lingers despite Jaskier's best efforts to hide it.

His attempts to hide it are vast in number: every where one looks are richly colorful groupings of flowers, tied to pillars, hanging from strings of semi-magical lights that have been criss-crossed over the main concert area to mimic the sight of stars, and growing from pots meant to hide dusty corners. Illusionary birds fly and flutter about, adding spots of color and life to the old hall.

Small tables and chairs have been set out the entrance for folks to eat and relax at while music fills the hall and spills out.

Jaskier himself headlines the music, accompanied by a flautist, a drummer and a cellist. Songs that he performed at the Summit are part of his set: a song that venerates the magical accomplishments of Thorne (which may earn some grumbles from local Cadenites, but that same magic flows through the hall itself, amplifying the music and preventing echoing and regulating temperature.) His ballad about Lyfbringr, one of the gods of Solvunn, features, with a slightly baudy edge to it. But most prominent are several songs about the Free Cities themselves: bastions of hope for those who have lost their home, rich mixing pots of culture and people, with fantastic advances in technology.

Peppered among the songs are general fun, upbeat songs. As the night draws to a close, the songs become slower and softer, meant for dances between lovers.

Between sets of songs, Jaskier can be see moving through the crowd, shaking hands, dancing, and showing off his precious new pet toy gryphon named Mog, with black fur and feathers and an owlish face. (Yes, you can pet him.) Mog accompanies him on stage as well, flicking his tail and sleeping inside his lute case.]

Speech, Speech, Speech

[Like all good events, it must begin with a speech.

At the beginning of the concert, while his band behind him plays quiet music, Jaskier takes the head of the dais that is acting at the stage, giving the concert-goers a hearty bow with a sweep of his large, feathered hat.]

Hello and greetings, my fellow citizens of Cadens! While you may not know me -- though I highly doubt that, if you've ever stepped foot into a local tavern -- I have been dwelling in your city in some time now as the conveniently-dubbed Summoned. I am the Master Bard Jaskier, and tonight we have gathered for a few hours of good will and merriment.

I have been welcomed into your city ever since I came here by chance, and have long wanted to give back in what ways I can. This concert is being held for the good of the very hall we stand in, long having fallen to disrepair in lieu of other pursuits -- important ones, I'm sure! -- by the city. However, as a musician, I have high respect for any such beautiful place, and I have recently began working tirelessly with an anonymous patron and friend to restore this grand old beauty for the use of all Cadens citizens.

Please, peruse the first floor of the hall to see our recent work in restoring and preserving historical Cadens architecture. There is free food and drink for all -- though, if you're a known glutton, learn a bit of restraint for the sake of the children. [Laugh track.] There are small gifts available in return for donations at the stands just ousdie. There will be collection plates placed around the tables, and by the door -- you'll see that lovely young man there, yes? He'll be glad to take your coin off your hands! [Another laugh track. He's hilarious, he knows.] All donations will go straight to the restoration of this historic hall.

By your leave, lovely gents and beautiful dames, I bid you a wonderful night. May your hearts be light, and your coin purses even lighter!

For ideas about the general mood of the music:

Youtube Bardcore Playlist

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Is Alucard actually shocked that somehow, in all of this energy and noise and magic, that Sypha's found her way towards the front? Nope. Is he more than a little concerned? Absolutely.

Because Sypha's defending herself is often things like set a thing on fire or bisect a vampire and these would kill the mood.

So when familiar firey red hair passes by, he's quick to follow.]

You have been observing this, I trust?

[No fire or ice involved, only sharp elbows and the occasional stomp. She assumed there'd be a crowd, and swapped out her open-toed sandals for sturdy boots accordingly.

Sypha's on the short side for a human, and basic manners dictate short people either get to stand at the front or lifted up by taller audience members. Listen, she doesn't make the rules.

Luckily, a much taller audience member makes himself known before anybody tries to jostle her back.]

I have! [She almost has to shout to be heard over the celebration] It looks amazing! This is going to be so good for your project!

[Sypha, your elbows are also very dangerous weapons. Alucard was just relieved to see boots on her feet when she arrived.]

Jaskier knows how to attract a crowd. [Luckily for Sypha, Alucard can hear her easily over the noise. Less luckily for Alucard, it is becoming a bit much.

He takes a step forward, and there's a little parting of the crowd. There's a nod of his head towards Sypha, letting her fill in the space if she so desires to.]

Can you see better from here?

[Gratefully, Sypha tucks herself in to the hollow at Alucard's front, careful not to touch. The press of the crowd must already be winding his nerves tighter.] Much better, thank you!

[Aside from the sheer number of people here, someone had to arrange the vendors and the tables and the drinks, all the little logistical pieces that call for lists and organization. Sypha doesn't know Jaskier very well, but she can't quite picture him bending to that sort of task. The extremely anal retentive dhampir behind her, on the other hand...]

How much of this was your brainchild?

[Alucard's managed, so far. Hanging towards the back or at least limiting his dives into the fray to be temporary security checks instead of anything intense. In truth, Sypha is the closest he's been to anyone in terms of physicality tonight.

They've not talked about everything that was said back at the summit. And tonight is a fine time to forget that fact.]

None, aside allowing it to happen and assisting with today's set up. [He had assumed the same thing.] He is incredibly resourceful, as it turns out.

[If not for everything that was said at the Summit, she might ask to stand on his feet so she can get a clear view of Jaskier warming up the crowd. She cranes up on her toes instead. What if she summoned a cusion of air for lift--no, too many people wearing skirts in the vicinity.]

Well then, it sounds like I owe him an apology for underestimating his organizational skills! I'll bet there are some useful artisans looking for work here, too, unless you're also an expert glazier all of a sudden.

It is a skill I'd like to learn.

[Alucard's voice is, of course, far too serious. It's who he is, and it wouldn't be a bad thing to know how to do all things considered. But moreover and more important is this particular moment.

So he can be forgiven for taking a step to the right so that Sypha can inch closer to the stage, just as someone else tries to angle in. Alucard being Alucard means he barely feels someone bouncing off of him entirely.]

Don't expect to hear much more from me, I expect things about to become very l--

[And there it goes.]

Of course you would [she says, disgustingly fond, barely checking herself from patting his shoulder. Sometimes she thinks he'd put her people to shame with his enthusiastic adoption of the 'no knowledge is wasted' adage.

Sypha shuffles a little closer, trying not to frown at that ominous warning. Does he think she won't just come here to pester him, or is he asking her not to (and does he think that'll really work?)? But then there's a scuffle at his back and a sudden uptick in the music's volume. Someone at her side whoops and flings their hands up, jostling her into Alucard's hip.

Oh so it's going to be that kind of party!]

[He has a lot of time and hands he needs to keep active lest he go feral again. New things to learn helps!!

The warning is only ominous because Alucard was around for soundcheck and has a decent idea about things like volume. Now admittedly, this kind of a space is hell on his hearing. He's this close only because Sypha is, and a rowdy crowd and a fire mage might be a little bit of an issue.

Alucard moves with the bouncing Sypha though, her movement easy to work with so that she doesn't bounce off of him. She's the exception to everyone else, although he won't let that be obvious. Not inclined to get caught up in the enthusiasm though, he stands there with crossed arms, eyes moving from Sypha to Jaskier to the crowd just to make sure everything is under control.

And it is. For a few moments, there's none of the baggage of Sypha's presence. There's just her, wild and caught up in the moment. No monsters this time, no fights, just joy. It is a wonder to see, and a reminder of feelings from a less complicated time.

No one in a wild crowd can hear a wistful sigh. Thankfully.]

[Oh. Oh this is good. It turns out Jaskier has skill to back up all that charisma. The music's unlike anything she's used to, but it grips and tugs and demands reciprocal movement.

The person who bumped her grabs hold of her forearm and pulls her into a spin, and she lets them; she can't not, it'd be an insult to the music and the party and the life they're all breathing back into this old building. One spin leads into another, arms over her had, someone's hand on the small of her back, to steady her or catch themselves, she doesn't know. Only it occurs to her that the palm is too small, and that has her craning her chin over her shoulder to find Alucard again.

The eddy of the crowd hasn't carried her far, a few arm-spans maybe. He's easy to pick out, a spike of white all shrouded in that dramatic bone coat. Sypha applies her elbows again to wriggle her way back to him and grab it by one morbid cufflink.]

Don't just stand here! [She practically has to shout to be heard] Show some appreciation for your friend's music!

[Sypha takes to it like a duck to water. That's not a particular surprise, all things considered. There were probably speaker gatherings that had rowdy music and wild dancing. Not that Alucard's ever asked, and it isn't as if the stories about speakers are unbiased. But some things feel true deep in their bones, and this is one of those things.

She comes back eventually - no whirling dervish but a woman of sharp elbows and sharper wit with strong opinions on how to do things correctly. Even appreciate music.]

What, making sure no fights break out doesn't count?

It absolutely does not! [Poor Jaskier, imagine putting on all this effort to help a friend, only to look out over the audience and see them standing like an awkward statue in the middle of the revelry.] It's an insult! An insult!

[Sypha tugs more firmly at both cuffs, then scuffs the toe of her boot against his ankle. Her mere bodyweight is never going to be enough to move an uninterested dhampir, so insistence will have to serve instead.]

Sypha, this is still work!

[Alucard knows he's right. But he has also met Sypha for more than two seconds and knows to weight the benefits of being stubborn vs. doing as she insists.

They've yet to talk about the things revealed at the summit. Maybe this will put it off a little longer. The dhampir doesn't huff or sigh, but he does look at her very sternly.]

I will sway slightly. That counts. [But he does let himself be tugged. Slightly.]

I accept your concession. [She says, mock-solemnity totally at odds with the party all around them. The dancing has grown energetic enough that there isn't much room left to 'sway slighty'. Sypha has to crowd in close, her boots practically between his, to accommodate him.] Can I convince you to spin me just once?

The first and last time you will, doubtlessly.

[Alucard knows Sypha and her will. A concession is a rarity, and he will take what he has won. Somehow. Is it because she feels guilty about things? Who is to say, really.

All Alucard knows is that he needs to accept that concession by giving. And so he offers both hands for Sypha to take, if only to instruct him in the ideal spin. Around them, the music grows louder in intensity, drums echoing off the high ceilings, the cello's speed adding to a cheerful frenzy.]

[An ideal spin is one-handed, unless both partners are twisting their torsos about, which even Sypha knows would ask too much of Alucard. She's left to wonder, instead, if he doesn't know how to dance? He's all courtly manners, but his mother had simple roots and, come to think of it, do vampire courts go in for balls and parties? Could it be possible that Trevor had more schooling in this sort of thing?

That's just sad.

With both his hands in hers, Sypha leads him in a circular sort of sway. Their movement is in no way in keeping with the frenetic music, but the people around them jostle them so much that she might as well be bouncing around under her own power. Someone's back is practically pressed up against hers, which pushes her into Alucard's chest in turn. She snorts a laugh, drops one of his hands, and lifts the other over her head for a very tight spin practically under his chin.]

Speaker dancing is nothing like this! [She practically shouts, grinning.] The music's almost right though!

[Sypha, who the hell is he going to dance with? Carmilla?

But he is willing to let her instruct. The fact that he's holding hands without clawing out of his skin deserves a medal in Alucard's estimation, but never mind that. There's so much noise, so much jostling and movement, and someone bounces right off of his back because Alucard's a seemingly immoveable object in comparison to Sypha.

Sypha spins, the two of them squished together. Her hair brushes across him in that same spin, nothing but a perfect red flame, and she's nearly atop him.

It is a lot to take in. Alucard knows he isn't processing it, but he also is keeping himself collected. That's good, at least.]

Sypha, I can barely hear you!

[Sensitive ears right now mean overwhelmed ears. But he's a decent sport, and he keeps his hand aloft should another spin be in order.]

[See, that's exactly the sort of dilemma that has her wondering if he knows how to dance! What even is vampire court? Did he have any childhood friends? Friends of the family? Somehow she doubts it, but--

He's barely audible over the music; Sypha has to piece his words together from context and watching his lips (she's never really thought about it before, but he shapes words very distinctly, due to the fangs), and then she can't help but feel a little bad at keeping him in a sensory pit.]

Oh no! Right, we can go! [After one last spin. Feeling delightfully indulged, she reaches for his hand and pulls herself into a turn. The bumping and shoving of the crowd is expected, this time, but the foot(?) that hooks around her ankle is not. Sypha lurches, unable to catch her balance in the crush, fingers tightening on Alucard's reflexively. The grip saves her from going down, but she's both pulled up and forward, pitched against him, her cheek bouncing off his nose and her mouth somewhat awkwardly smashed against his jaw.]

[Look Sypha there's probably a real answer in the Castlevania art book but I don't have it, so we'll have to live in mystery.

It is a relief that Sypha can hear him over the volume and the scuffles (can she? Or is she simply skilled at lip reading in addition to other Speaker talents?). Her hand has his firmly now and--

Everything happens far too fast. Someone's ankle catches against Sypha's. The angle she's at has her falling into the dhampir, and for a moment Alucard's worried she might hurt herself by bouncing off.

Except she doesn't bounce off. She's somehow pulled up. He turns immediately to ask if she's okay out of instinct, and in that moment, the lips that are pressed against his jaw are pressed against his and.

This is happening. This is happening a lot.

For a moment, there's actually not a thought in Alucard's head. Instinct, the part of him that's unburdened by everything that transpired in Sypha's and Trevor's absences, says to keep kissing. It is what he's wanted for ages. What he still wants, deep down among all the new emotional problems that try to rear up as the kiss lingers.

They don't. At least, not for a few seconds more.]

[If the universe were keeping tally, it could count the number of times Sypha Belnades has been shocked into stillness on one standard five-fingered-human-hand.

It might need two hands now.

There's a lot to process all at once, a flood filled with thousands of rocks and pebbles engraved with things like 'oh he's warmer than I thought' and 'he doesn't want this he didn't even want to touch KNEES' and 'but Trevor' and 'that one portrait of Lisa Tepes where she's looking incredibly smug' and 'ow my ankle' and 'he doesn't want this' and 'ow is that a fang' and 'there were little dolls of us in his Horizon were those carried over from real life like the library' and 'but he's actually kissing me and I think I'm kissing him also' and 'oh' and--

Sypha's hands spasm where they're still gripping Alucard's. His grip is tight but the rest of him hasn't gone as frozen-prey-animal as she's seen from him recently. She's able to slip her hands free and move them to his shoulders, where she can steady herself a bit more reliably. Enough to get her balance fully back on her feet and to pull away the fraction of an inch allowed by the crowd. Her hands rise, hovering just above the cut of his jacket.]

I'm sorry! [At least she doesn't have to worry that he can't hear her in the din] I didn't--it was--are you okay? Do you need to...

[Do what, exactly? Flee into the night? Retreat to a cactus?]

I'm not sure I...?

[Because what the fuck is he supposed to do right now anyway? Alucard doesn't know. He just kissed Sypha, or she kissed him first and he kissed back, or something else, she's still hanging on, and he can't exactly go anywhere either because this night is his as much as it is Jaskier's.

So maybe he can be forgiven for looking pretty damn confused all things considered. That's easy enough to follow through the roar of the crowd and everything else. He has no idea what just happened.]

Should we--?

[Move? Somewhere quieter?]

[The confusion is mutual, though Sypha's is edged with wary concern. He's not--he isn't flinching, or wrenching away. Not that he'd get very far in this crush, but he hadn't locked up when she'd been touching him a second ago. That's...good? Progress?

She can hardly hear him, but the way he tilts his head and darts his eyes towards the wall is a pretty clear question.] Yes, we should--let's.

[Alucard doesn't duck and weave through the crowd. He doesn't have to. All he need do is to start walking and others bounce off of him. A moving wall that Sypha can follow before the crowd closes in the wake of him, until they reach a far back section of the hall, hidden by some of the supports for the next two levels.

It's at that point Alucard's actual reaction is plain and obvious on his face. He's cycling through uncertainty and discomfort and genuine delight in perhaps too rapid a succession, unable to settle upon something more precise. There's that faintest panic on his face though, suggesting that he is not as comfortable as he first seemed.

But he can meet Sypha's eyes, even as he leans against one of the arch supports that make up the alcove.]

What just--?

[He knows what happened. But.] What prompted that?

[The bare struts and some distance from the stage do a lot to dampen the noise. Sypha can actually hear herself speak now, though not even she knows what's about to pop out of her mouth.]

Nothing! I mean, not that it was nothing, but it was an accident-- [Her reasons for not throwing herself at Alucard are many and varied, starting with: she strives not to be a predatory piece of shit. But looking at Alucard now, he isn't furious or lapsing into a panic attack. He doesn't look thrilled, but there's something about him that's more open than she's seen since arriving in Abraxas.]

I hope you don't think I would ambush you like that. [The 'unlike some people' is furious and unspoken. Sypha has to twist her mouth up to keep it that way, brows knitting with effort. Alucard continues to look at her, actually engage in a way she hasn't seen much of lately, with an almost-ease that's been beyond him, and that gives her the strength to set the anger aside for a moment. She offers him a tentative smile instead.] I like to believe people can tell when I kiss them on purpose.

I gathered it was an accident, I know you can control your intent, I just--

[They're teetering on the edge of a discussion they really ought to have, aren't they? Alucard knows it. He doesn't know if that's why his heart is pounding or if it happens to be a belated panic attack.

Overwhelmed. The word he wants is overwhelmed.]

Before everything, I wouldn't have even thought it was an ambush, I would have just--

[We'd still be making out is what he means to say. Because that was always the throughline. The other two were sad attempts at replacement for Sypha and Trevor. Logistically Sypha must have figured this out by now.]

I don't know what to do here.

[open] a fantastic public charity event!

CLOSED TO SYPHA

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)