Scarlet Nocturne The setting The flourishing of art in the new age brought big changes to the culture of this world. Those that predominate in this society are the artists. Writers, Musicians, Painters, Sculptors, etc. This is a world that shines thanks to the wonders of art. Those that is most valuated, those that it cames from the heart, and although this isn’t a law precisely, this is an implicit fact that society respects. But that is not the only thing that is unique from this world, but also that fantastic element proper of this tale. It could be considered magic, however is something completely different. This power is called “Expression” , and it is the manifestation of the “Art beyond the simple concept of Art”. Great musicians that literally create life while playing melodies from the deepest part of their souls. Painters that carve reality with their painting and they can even modified it. Writers able to maniphest their words into reality. Yes!!, in this society, in this world the art maniphests with essence, and this is precisely the fantastic element. However besides the art, there is another predominant element, and it is religion. The population of this world are great devotees to their god, and a lot of the art is a tribute to it. Of course a lot of the art is inspired by it. Also legends are popular on the culture, though religion tend to oppose to some of them, specially the dark tale of the Scarlet Nocturne The city of Anheldrim Welcome to Anheldrim The characters in this story are citizens of this world. Many of one city in the one the story will begin, the city of Anheldrim. A city in the one the biggest exposition halls, biggest concert halls, biggest congress of arts are located, in other words, a city where the main artistic events are realized. Players would be either citizens or visitors to the main event of the year to be celebrated in Anheldrim. They had been born into this world filled with art, and due to this they’re used to it of course. But also remember the art is expressed into energy, this giving them powers similar to magic. So they’re also used to it. But as the heart of every person is different, their inspirations and creations are too, and thus their powers differ. Another element to consider is that the religion is an important factor in their life, It’s not strange if many are blind followers of the church. So, what's going on? A world made of bright fantasy into the shape of art. A dark legend of a mysterious sheet called The Scarlet Nocturne. Once played a chosen truth would be revealed….. And the idea of the desired happy ending would be inmediatly destroyed if one isn't cautious. Something big will happen this day, and it isn't the great event in Anheldrim, but something that will completely change the structure of this world. The whole life of the characters will suddenly change today. The fate of Anheldrim, no, the fate of their world will rest into their shoulders. The game will be separated into parts, beginning with an introduction, followed by certain plot twist. After that each part would be commanded by any player who would like to GM the current arc, of course following the rules of the world, yet to it’s own image. But don't be fooled, each arc GMd by any player will be of vital importance to the main plot, the one will retake it's true shape after a certain number of arcs. The beginning The players, either from Anheldrim, or arriving to it; will be assisting to the main event of the year. The great exposition. Where all kinds of arts will be showed and compete for numerous prizes, but overall, for recognizment. Players can be participants, workers or just part of the audience; this is of no big relevance to the initial plot (Though it may be of relevance for your personal plots) After an introduction period, something big will happen, both a chance and a danger, thus forcing the players into the true nature of the game. Character creation Name: Appearance: Personality: If you want to, otherwise you can create it during the course of the story Background: Optional, also you can ommit information if you wish to Art: This can be any kind of art, not only the examples I showed. But the idea is that your character is devoted to one single art Expression: Here you won’t describe the skills of the character, but the manifestation that will guide its skills. For example, you could say that via playing the flute X character can control sound waves to a certain degree, etc. Skills: Now here you’ll post the skills indeed. Gave a name to the skill and explain how it works and its limitations. At the beginning a maximum of two skills are allowed, but you will be granted to develop more in the future Other: NOTE: Be imaginative with skills, do not limit to your typical elemental magic (although it is allowed). But also try to be more haxx if you want to. For example skills able to temporally create laws are a good idea. PD: The current technology of this world is equal to the technology of our era, yet shaped to the way it works (Renaissance like period greatly focused in art overall). Also characters are used to all the fantastic elements within its, so there is no room for surprise regarding the "magic" (Well there are exceptions of course)
The reality of this world This world is covered by numerous wonders…Friendship, Love, Trust, Partnership, etc. But all of them have something in common, and that is they come from the purest essence of a being, those that we call pure feelings. And in this world, those feelings are those that are the most important, and they're turned into beauty through art, creating great wonders. Sculptures that decorate squares, parks, and streets. Great cathedrals that are blessed with the fine spice of the Gothic architecture. Painters, that although work in the streets are very respected, recreating aspects of reality or perhaps their own interpretation of it. There is no silence, there is hustle, all are covered by the music created by the talented artist that mix their creations. Great works fill the galleries showing the heart of their creators: Looms, Silvers, Jewels, Clay, etc. All carefully worked by delicate hands. Yes! This should give you an adequate impression of how wonderful this world is. But it's very important for you to consider that all beauty covers those that are ugly. And this world possesses very dark stuff too. One that is very noticeable is the fierce competition between the artist, to the point that they forgot the feeling. They create with the only objective to defeat the other and then scrub their greatness over the face of the rest! The business born from the art is another dark aspect, and similar to our society, the one of this world is very corrupted by money. Originally the art worked as the expression of the inside or a tribute to the god...But today a lot of people simply work for the money. And perhaps the darkest of all…the contempt. Perhaps for those that shine on this world is not very significant…but what happens with those that don't have talent? In our society there is always the option to explore more alternatives. But in this world that doesn't work at all. Art is all, and if you’re unable to create it, then your destiny is to wander through the streets seeking for food as a dog. Well…before entering into our tale dear reader, please remember: Where there is beauty, there is ugliness. Where there is ugliness, there exists the fear for this to be noticeable. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Regarding the speech of one as a prelude for this day A common tale known by many… It was never stated, but clearly implied. It was a game of the gods who created it, a gamble it could be called. They gave no knowledge to the human, no capacity to think…only a basic instinct to survive. The same rule that a big amount of species share. And yet they hid their capacity to think and know, in a lake. A lake existing in an impossible point within this world. It was obvious that they didn’t want the species to have knowledge…but they couldn’t contain it within a single place…who knows why? So they placed it in a non-existing spot. A fail of logic you say? Maybe. But aren’t all myths like this? If you apply logic to them, you ruin their charm. So continuing, when the human reached the non-existing point, they found the lake of knowledge. The human being bathed in it and the seed of adaptation via thinking was placed on them. At first they didn't notice it…but their descendants were blessed. But is this truly a bless or a curse? Sure, they gain the capacity to stand over others, yet they also were cursed with a thirst for more knowledge. If the man doesn't know more, it would feel insecure…that’s our weak spot. And the fault of that weak spot…is that I want to know the truth of this world. Call it curiosity based on insecurity, but that’s so common, after all many people make their lives an investigation about the mysteries of the world. I’m the same…I’ll just take a more aggressive method, that’s all. I only need one more piece of the sheet… ------------------------------------------------ The Great Concert Hall of Anheldrim This moment was a very special moment for the musical art in Anheldrim, and the art in general, this because those that weren't musicians were still able to enjoy this art. The philharmonic composed by more than a hundred different musicians were already settled on its respective place. Despite they were experienced while executing their art, it could not be denied that they were nervous, after all this was probably the most important event of the year. The great exposition of Art in Anheldrim!!!, an event that happens only once each four years, in the one artists from all around the world expose their creations and compete for recognizment in the great city of Anheldrim; and actually it was the turn for the philharmonic group of Eisendin to expose their pieces. Despite being called the philharmonic group of Eisending, it had been already a year since Lord Eisending, the patriarch of the Eisendin family passed away. Hence the true master of the philarmonic was no longer there. He was a man of many mysteries. Dark rumors spreaded around the man who was considered to be one of the greatest minds of the century, and despite the philharmonic expose their expression of art within their performance, no one was ever been able to seen the expression of Lord Eisendin. The man already old, was heavily striked by the degeneration of the body. Sight, hearing, mind, etc. All was deteriorated for a long time before he died; hence even if he had an expression, he probably didn't even remember what was it. So the person leading the philharmonic today was a man around his forties called Corel Nehilam, one of the disciples of Eisendin, and a friend of the man. An extremely beautiful young girl who wore a blue dress waited nervously for the beginning of the concert. She wasn’t part of the philharmonic, she was just part of the audience…still her seat was an special one…The seat reserved for the young daughter of the Eisendin family, and well, she was the daughter. Her name was Nadia Eisendin, still young but a fervent aspirant to shine inside the philharmonic one day in the future. This was going to be the first time the philharmonic wouldn't be played by her grandfather, Lord Eisendin, hence the nervousism. Besides she felt something strange within the man named Corel. After all, for some reason, this man didn't like Nadia at all, he avoided her at all cost. This sparked curiousity on the girl, hence wanting to know what's going on. Regarding all the people in Anheldrim; the cultural mix of this day was enormous, after all the event was something "too big and important to be missed". There were artists of every kind, workers, visitors, sellers, etc. A bit of all. So this story begins with the arrival of all those people to the musical event of The great exposition of Art in Anheldrim. Many were expecting to see the changes within the legendary philharmonic now that Lord Eisendin passed away. While others were just waiting for their turn in the music, or their turn to show a different art, or perhaps something of a totally different nature. But there was a person waiting for something completely different and unexpected. Mixed within the enormous quantity of people heading towards the concert hall, this person smiled; after all he knew that his event would truly be the biggest of this year. Soon the legendary melody will be played.... Scarlet Nocturne
Audible gasps could be heard as a crowd thronged about a single figure, watching with wide eyes as the young woman seemed to nearly cut the very air they breathed. If only i could, but then maybe I am. One can never truly know the laws of physics. Jaharra thought, landing for a split second on a chalked foot before flipping back into the air again, her twin swords whirring as she tucked into a barrel roll, just avoiding the dozens of knives that two assistants had been told to fling at her with no mercy. They literally skimmed her tattooed arms, but never broke the surface, as they darted between one master to the next as she made her deadly dance of metal and wind. Ching! a dagger with a blade as long as her forarm stabbed into the floor, having been deflected by her katanas with ruthless efficiency. Then, to stunned watchers, it cracked and scattered across the floor -making her act all the more dangerous. Now there were tiny metal shards all around her feet, and should she misstep she could be distracted just long enough for another of the flying daggers to stab into her throat. One . . . Two . . . Three . . . Jaharra landed on both feet, bringing her blades up just as four more dagger were flung her way. They spliced through the air, and even though they were hardly even a blur to the audience, they seemed to move in slow motion for her. Such was her art in combat to control every variable -every movement in her body- to match the lethal weapons that were both used for and against her. Leaping high, the blades skimmed the sides of her bare calves before clashing against one another, knocking themselves out fo the air and stabbing too into the ground before shattering. Her katanas had moved so fast that no one had seen them even twitch, but she had spliced the small metal blades that had been flung at her into exact equilateral triangles, thus each shard looked exactly the same, gleaming silver in the light. Amidst uproarious applause she landed, her dark eyes searching the audience with little interest -as if to see and recognize someone when she knew she wouldn't- before withdrawing her swords back into their sheaths and giving them a small bow to be polite. But this act had only been the tip of the ice-berg. Her true act waited for the stage upon which all artists would compete for the ultimate prize. A slow smile crossed her face, and her eyes sparked dangerously from between long black bangs. Sweeping on her cloak with a flourish, she waved a pale hand to her two assistants, who quickly gathered up the shards and poured them into a sack, which Jaharra slung over her back to take to a talented metalworker later. As for whatever art she held, she knew to have respect for others. Each artist had their purpose, and so all lives were linked. Like the chicken and the egg, one cannot have come to be without the other, she thought, making her way idly through the crowd to her seat. Glancing once at her ticket number, her smile widened. She would not have to wait long before going on stage. Then the fun would really begin.
Broken shadows flit along the floor. The tint of fear and horror that pervades all it touches and see's in this giants colliseum of sight and sound. He walked, he stood, he looked. Masses parted but never knew why. People turned in horror to finish laughing at a well told joke. Children started crying for no reason. Screams died to laughter, and everything went on as it had before he arrived. In the midst of the chaos, he was alone. The devil who no one remembered, the ghost the haunts their dreams. The nameless figure that stands in the midst of everything, never to be seen. This was Arthur, but who was he behind the mask?
Fritz and Avalyn As the city of Anheldrim streets were filled with the bustling of art and good cheer. Two figures walked through the crowds that were awe struck by the performers that inspired them. These two people stood out due to the fact they were neither in awe nor showing off their art talents. Well at least one of them wasn't feeling the joy that so many others felt. Fritz the male out of the two bore a scowl on his face. He could almost taste pure garlic as he breathed in the air. The smell was so intense that his eyes began to burn and tears slipped from his eyes. Of course these were not seen due to the expensive looking sunglasses that covered his eyes. Fritz couldn't help but be disgusted by the city and the people in it. His head actually cocked a bit at his own thoughts. This was his first time in the city and he hated it. Well he had hated it. Satisfaction slowly spread across his face in the form of a sly grin. He targeted that grin at the other person that had been waling with him. A female. "This city was such a waste I tell ya!" He shouted to air but the smile still remained. Avalyn took her gaze off the fashion worn by the people, turning instead to her companion. As soon as she noticed the smile on his face, she mirrored one in return. It's actually a very interesting city, full of inspiration. Almost as if all creativity was born in this place. "You're right, I don't understand why people vacation in this dump." she said and casually primped her leopard print scarf. "What the hell are you going on about Avalyn?" Fritz asked. Her words annoyed him. She couldn't be more wrong. "This city is beautiful now. It was waste because I wasn't in it but now it can go from being a big nothing to a big something." Fritz had serious look on his face. He was dressed in very casual wear. He ran his hand through his light brown hair as he shook his head at her. Fritz was at a wits end with Avalyn lately but he'd never leave her side of course. This meant a lot of misery for her at times. Avalyn kept up her smile, although it was forced. "Well, in that case, Anheldrim is absolutely marvelous, spectacular, inspiring!" She waved her hands dramatically. "Just like us...I mean, just like you! Anyway, um...where exactly are we headed again?" "The Concert Hall." He replied holding up the map that they had brought with them. "I've heard a lot of stuff about this city. Something about a devil phantom, some powerful family called the Eisendin and all other sorts of boring things. I say boring because now that I'm here everything that can be considered a force in this city has just became my bitch." Fritz rounded a corner as he was lost in his own little world. He hardly even noticed the people he was bumping into. Not that he would apologize either way. "Today is the beginning of my name being recorded in the history books and if anyone gets in my way.............." Fritz turned around on one boot heel and sent a karate attack into Avalyn's forehead. "They are gonna get chopped down." Avalyn staggered backwards and almost fell into another man behind her. She didn't only because he had moved out of the way, sending her sprawling onto the hard dirt road. But it wasn't the first time. Avalyn blinked, stood, and quickly regained her previous stance before anyone could lay another foot on her. Brushing a hand over her forehead to see if there was blood, she fought back the initial shock. That going to be a lovely bruise. "No doubt in my mind that will happen." She replied, not missing a beat. "Let's hope they'll get the memo." "Getting it?" He asked with a snort as his face twisted back into a frown. "The memo will be got!" As they approached the hall. He felt the need to say one last thing to Avalyn. Not through violence again but words. "They'll realize I always get my way."
Corel Nehilam A man dressed with a tuxedo who sported a very characteristical moustache and a couple of black glasses, waited for his moment behind the stage. He was not alone of course, but accompanied by all the members of the philharmonic, as impressive as it may sound, the back stage was big enough to contain them all within a single room and still had enough space for more. Corel was nervous and anxious. He wasn't the only one of course; despite have playing numerous times, the philharmonic was also nervous for the incoming act.... However Corel's situation was quite different; this because this act was going to be the first one guided by him, and not only that, he as going to guide the most famous philharmonic of the entire world. All the years this group was being lead by the patriarch of the Eisendin house, after all, this philharmonic was of his creation. However four years ago was the last performance in public of Eisendin, he died a year after that, by that point the man was already very old, however all his vitality was totally drained within a year before his dead. So, Corel was nervous and anxious.... still another feeling dominated inside of him, excitement. He was completely excited as this was the event that would paint his name in the history of music around all time. He wouldn't admit it, but he was enjoying the idea of bathing with the glory left behind by Eisendin... Such a perverse thought for a man that called him a friend more than once. Something bothered him thought.... that girl. That girl was going to watch the performance of the philharmonic. For him, the girl was not a problem at all, neither it affected his desire of glory... Yet she bothered him deeply Nadia Eisendin A beautiful young girl with a long blonde hair and dressed with a light blue dress waited nervously. She was sitting on a VIP seat reserved for her. She knew that the performance of this year was of a different nature that four years ago. Yet for her was even more different than for the rest. The original leader, her grandfather, Lord J. Eisendin was dead. The new leader was the friend of her grandfather, the man who always avoided her. She firmly gripped the black case that rested upon her legs. This was always a natural reaction that reflected her nervousism. Inside the black case was a memento of the Eisendin family that was now composed only by her. The memento, a black violin decorated with golden borders was given to her by her grandfather a little time before he died. She used to practice with the violin a lot of times... however this was the first time she took the black violin with her.... perhaps she thought on it as a good luck charm.... But why would she need a good luck charm today? The man The man smiled as he finally arrived to the great concert hall... The philharmonic?... Sure, he cared once about that... but now that the original owner died, why would he waste his time listening to something that might be the same, but different at the same time? A mix of melodies accompanied of a grim feeling within them, that was what the philharmonic would play this day. But he had something very important to do. After the main event, he was going to met a murderer The Philharmonic The members were anxious and nervous.... It was important to keep the honor of their deceased boss. It was important to give all they had for what they loved to do. It was important to not let down the new boss But they made a vow... To play the last piece composed by Lord Eisendin as a gift to his soul. ------------------------------------------------ Slowly the concert hall filled with a huge number of people.. The lights when out. The performance was about to begin.
I was leaning against a wall near the entrance of the concert hall, my step parents hadn't arrived just yet, I was holding a fountain pen and a book with no cover or title on it, its pages were completely blank. I was watching everyone setting up and enjoying themselves. I was entering in the competition for the best expression, but I was afraid that my own expression wasn't going to even compare to most people's... no I knew that it couldn't compare to most people's. The most I could do was create convincing illusions, but that's all they were, illusions, they couldn't influence the real world. One minute they could confound and amaze people... but the next minute they'd be gone and the illusion would be shattered, not even a shred of it would remain... it would also take a lot out of me to create a very large illusion, such as changing the whole room to look like something completely different. People, animals, objects, simple to create, they were singular objects that would only affect a small area... "I'll have to push myself as far as possible if I can even hope to compete with some of these people..." I thought, I wanted to have fun, but I also wanted to have a chance to win the competition as well, I waved to my step parents as they arrived and walked over to meet them, clutching the book and pen to my chest, I couldn't hide how nervous I was... we quickly took our seats as we saw the lights had gone out, indicating that the concert was going to begin.
Step... Step... Step... Arthur stode through the crowd, 'the face that stopped them' the devilish red mask that he prefered to wear in public covering his face, but then, his face was always covered. Even when he took off that mask, there was his plain white one underneath. He couldn't even recall the last time he hadn't had a mask on. But there were lots of things that he couldn't recall. There were so many people... As he rounded a corner, he saw a street performer having blades tossed at her. He gasped and jerked back around the corner, jerking his mask off, revealing the other beneath. He peered around the corner again sighed in relief. If she had seen him during her act... He didn't want to imagine what would have happened to her. "Hey mister," he heard a small voice and turned to face it. "Why you wearing that mask? It looks so sad..." the little boy said. He had black hair and blue eyes and was probably 8 or 9. "I... I'm... Goodbye," he said quickly and turned away. "You're strange!" The little boy called after him. "Yes, yes I am stange. Stanger than you'll ever know," he said under his breath as he walked away briskly. He considered putting the other mask back on, but something stopped him this time. Pulling a pocket watch from his long black coat he checked the time. It was nearly time for the performance, and he was a long way from the opera hall where the philarmonic would be playing. He started running through the streets. As he ran, he bumped into a few people, one of them was a brown haired man walking with a young woman. He didn't stop, didn"t apologize, just kept running, not used to people actually seeing him. He felt more invisible right now than he had in a long time. But he had to make it back to the opera hall, back home before the performance.
OOC: I will not be able to post again for four days due to a contest in 3D animation -so forgive the wait. * * * "Jaharra, are you sure this is a good idea? You could-" The man choked on his tongue at the look the woman threw at him. Dark eyes narrowing, a cocky smile played on her lips. Her assistant blushed, swallowing nervously. She was quite beautiful, in a dark, dangerous way that whispered come, touch . . . but you'll pay a price. "I know I can pull this off. Yeah, i could die, but those who live by the sword-" "-die by the sword." the man finished for her, but worry still flickered in his eyes as he looked at the great contraption they had set up on the far side of the stage -preparing for their act later on. It was made of two great wooden circles, with blades pointing inward along both disks. They would spin around and around to make a sphere, and Jaharra would be stuck inside, forced to fight on all sides. But that was only the beginning. It would be lit on fire, and darts would shoot from small holes all along the wooden frames. No ordinary human could even comprehend surviving such a monstrous contraption. Jaharra wold not only have to support her weight on her swords to keep her from being impaled on the spinning blades below, but she would also have to fight off hundreds upon hundreds of poison-tipped needles being shot at her each second. The fire would also burn her if she did not splice the air quick enough to keep it at bay. This was a true test of her skill. The men paled as she gave a dark chuckle, stroking the blade of one of the rings almost lovingly. Dropping her trench coat to the floor, she revealed a skin-tight catsuit in black leather, leaving only her arms and neck bare. Tattoos ran along her palms, up to her shoulders, and as she looked at the death machine, they seemed to shimmer and spread, thorn-laden vines dancing along with fire. Unsheathing her twin katanas, Jaharra twirled them expertly, sheathing them again before checking the straps around her two daggers, each one on either side of her boots. All good. Now she just needed to be called forward. "Remember, you still have to throw the . . . new ones at me." she said, grinning as the two assistants paled even further. "Yes, ma'am."
A tall man, no older than thirty, with a short black hair and dark brown eyes took a seat at the left of Nadia Eisendin. The man wore black jeans and a black shirt with the top part open. To complete his already black colored appearance, he also wore black shoes. Perhaps the only thing that stood up within that black was a golden necklace around his neck. Nadia inmediatly noticed the man, an unknown.... But why was that person there?. This was a special VIP location only for Nadia. "Excuse me... but who may you be?". The man smiled and then he fixed his glance on Nadia.. "Don't you recognize me Nadia? I'm Elean, Elean Valent, c'mon don't say that, it hurts me you know?. I used to play with you when you were just a little girl...." The man then crossed his arms in wonder... "Or perhaps my appearance had changed a lot within four years?. I knew I had a very long hair before... but that's all." said the man with a confused tone. A chill crossed the spine of Nadia. But yeah, she had to know this man... "Oh... right.. I'm very sorry... I'm just worried about the event of this year.... You sure know it right?. Grandpa is no longer here..." replied Nadia slightly confused The man's face changed to a more serene one, then he said. "That loss also signified a lot for me.... He and I were close friends despite the difference of age. We can only hope for Corel's performance to maintain Eisendin's honor..." A noise informed them to stay in silence... It was time for the philharmonic to begin with their event. Nadia, still a bit worried and confused fixed her attention on the scenary... Elean only smiled. -------------------------------------------------------- All the members of the philarmonic were already located on their respective spots, all waited for the signal to begin with their performance. Corel Nehilam stood in front of them, a baton in hand, the signal ready. As usual he introduced the philharmonic with a short speech that emphasized on the death of Lord Eisendin. Once he finished, exactly at 9:00 PM, Corel gave the signal with his baton, and commanded the philharmonic's acts. It was an unique spectacle of lights and sounds, and the eyes of the young Nadia shone as soon as a dragon made of light crossed flying over her. At his side, Elean smiled as response of her face's expression. This wasn’t just a marvelous mix of sounds, but also a show of the “Expression” of each artist, manifested in a spectacle of light, bubbles, smokes, and other wonders mixed with a perfect harmony. At the same time that the violins and trumpets mixed, red smoke flied toward the ceiling to be stopped by a wall of blue water, mixing both colors creating an beautiful purple steam, and this was the pure essence coming from the artists. Such was a concert inside of Anheldrim, a wonder that it was worth to enjoy. Half an hour… half an hour they continued playing their wonders, however this was a time that felt eternal… as this was the effect created by the art of the philharmonic of Eisendin…. To simulate the eternity, an eternity that delighted those in front of the spectacle. Yet also no one noticed the true flow of time. By this point all were entranced for at least three hours. So Nadia didn't notice the moment Elean abandoned his seating.
Fritz and Avalyn both entered the concert hall lobby. Fritz had been hoping to make a stunning entrance, which is why he kicked through the double doors. The loud banging sound rang out as the door smashed into the wall but unfortunately there was nobody there to hear it. The lobby was completely empty and the only thing that could be heard was the beautiful music booming from one of the stage rooms. A vain popped from Fritz's forehead his eyes seemed to locked on the door the music was coming from. He hated being out shined, most of all by things that weren't even living. "Such a travesty that my entrance had to be ruined! Everybody looks to in there" He said looking at Avalyn and then the door. "If I go and interrupt that performance the music will just disrupt my awesomeness. I can't have that." He sighed as he contemplated his options. "Alright any ideas on how I can do something that get people talking about me?" He asked Avalyn as he paced around the lobby.
Arthur He'd made it. Up through the bell tower, down the chute. Around the staircase, and into the ceiling of the concert hall. He was home. Peering out of a fresco with holes punched in discreet locations, Arthur observed the philharmonic below. He felt the music enter his soul, and time slow. The expressions of each one shone like the glimmers of heaven below him, filling his heart with joy. He never wanted it to end, wanted to stay there and listen forever. He wanted to just drift away into the music, and echo through the hall forever and ever, free and weightless. But even as he had those thoughts, those lovely joyful thoughts, he knew that it would end. And in the midst of his ecstacy, a shadow fell in the back of his mind.
Avalyn Fang Avalyn took only a moment to listen to the music before putting on her thinking face. Her bruised forehead crinkled as she pondered ideas. How to get people to notice Fritz; what could they possibly do? Well, through her pounding headache she had to think up something...and fast. Her gaze soon drifted throughout the extravagant lobby of the concert hall. The walls were embellished with decorative wallpaper and thick curtains lined every high window. A marvellous place for such a grand city. Finally her eyes dropped to the shiny floor covered by a large carpet. Avalyn snapped her fingers. "Oh! I got the perfect idea, Fritz." Kneeling to the ground she gave the carpet a distinct pat, like one would do to a dog. Instantly a ripple of energy coursed through the fabric and the carpet heaved upwards. Avalyn pointed to Fritz and it obediently levitated over to him. "Ok all we have to do is get on, steer through the door, and fly over every head in that room!" Avalyn said with a clap of her hands. "Then you'll surely be the talk of everyone in Anheldrim."
"Ah Avalyn you genius!" Fritz said as he hopped up on the carpet. "This will certainly make people know who I am and show up whatever the hell is going on in there." He said cheerfully. He started thinking up poses he could for when he flew in. "Avalyn does this make me look gay when I'm on here?" He asked striking a manly pose. He placed both his fists to his side and puffed out his chest. He also made sure his revolver was visible to anybody near by. He had thing for instilling fear and what better way to do that then a gun.
Fritz (and Avalyn's) Grand Entrance! Avalyn beamed at his approval. "Nope, not gay at all! In fact, I think everyone will be amazed by how spectacular we...you look." She walked over to the carpet and managed to get on. Not very gracefully, but on nonetheless. While adjusting her seating, she tried not to be too close to Fritz, in case he planned to use that revolver. Which was a 99.9% chance, of course. With a flick of her wrist, the carpet lurched forward with enough force to give someone whiplash. Avalyn cringed. "Sorry," she muttered. "Haven't done a carpet since...well, never." She tried to keep her hand steady as they gradually flew closer to the door. "Shouldn't be too difficult though." Another sudden jerk sent Avalyn slamming into Fritz's back. "Ah! Sorry..." Fritz shrugged her off his back with nothing more then a grunt. He fixed his glasses back on his face and resumed trying to not fall off the carpet. He likely would of booted Avalyn in the noggin for that annoyance. But instead he simply waved at her as his eyes focused on his objective. Avalyn gave a sigh of relief. But as she scooted away from Fritz, the motion only made the carpet move faster and she fell backwards. Lifting her head, her brown eyes widened as they rushed towards their destination. Avalyn shrieked and shielded her face. In response the thick fabric grazed the doorframe and did a loop-de-loop, flying up to the ceiling. Fritz didn't skip a beat as he didn't lose balance even for a second. He looked down upon on all the faces that were in the room and knew he couldn't afford to screw up. Fritz placed his hands hi in the air as he stared down at the crowd. "Hey performers!" He shouted looking at the stage. "Quit your babbling for a god dammed minute! I got something important to say." He spoke as he placed his hand on the handle of his pistol.
Timoth Grey Mr. Grey was walking briskly through the city, taking only the more hidden routes. These were the pathways that existed between buildings, where the cruel people of the city lurked. These alleyways were where he would usually obtain a contract, this was the residency of his more frequent customers; not his best customers. His best customers were those who paid the most, the regal or rich. The envious people of these slums were not the ones that could pay well. Though, in all honesty, Timothy Grey would kill for the lowest of payments. He casually brushed his fingers against the cold brick wall of the building to his right, his other hand adjusting the cowl that covered the top part of his head. The cowl was effective, but not as effective as a mask. There were so many mask makers to choose from, and he needed something unnoticeable, not a glorious art design from a famous person. But he did need it to be sturdy, and that would be the problem. We would need to tell a talented mask maker that he didn’t want an artistic design, even though he had lots of money… He would ponder that over more when he had some free time. He made his way over to the concert hall that started few hours ago. He wanted to be late though. He couldn’t come in when the lights were on, and he couldn’t come in when they were just turned off. The more unnoticeable he was the better of things would be. The audience would think he was coming back from the bathroom, he assumed. As he came closer to the hall—after exiting all of the more horrid places—he could faintly hear the music. He loved the music, he simply loved it. Although, it was the only thing he knew how to love. He wasn’t even aware if any part of his family was alive or dead, and he made no attempt to find love. He made sure that his lute was tightly fastened to his back in his pack. He rolled the cuffs back on his navy blue cloak so he could actually use his hands. Then, with as much discreetness he could use, went to enter the hall.
The music continued and continued, entrancing all the audience with a mix of sounds and expressions that resembled magic. The acts of several performers enhance the fantasy within the concert hall. All this couldn't be stopped, not even when some weird man entered flying on a carpet without reason at all. At most people start throwing empty cans and any other type of trash to him, however they quickly ignored him after that, hence if he was still flying around no one knew. However when people were trapped into the illusion, it was suddenly cut; not by someone or something, but because the philharmonic finished. The marvelous time that lasted both a extensively long time and a very short moment had finally ended, and the audience was pushed back to reality. Then a man stood up in the stage, right in front of the audience. Yet he wasn't Corel Nehilam. He was a different man Sporting a casual black outfit that matched his black hair, the man named Elean Valent showed in the stage as if it were to be natural. This of course surprised not only Nadia Eisendin, but the whole audience, as no one knew who that man was. "Hello people of Anheldrim and visitors, I hope you had enjoyed the performance of Eisendin's philharmonic." Said the man with a very loud tone, it was even surprising how audible it as considering that he wasn't using a microphone. "I realize you may not know who I am. But trust me I'm part of the crew here. Sir Corel is on the backstage and is now my turn." He then cleared his voice with a pair of coughs. "According to the will of Lord Eisendin wrote by himself before he died. There exist a special composition to be played by his philarmonic group right on the next great exposition of art after the date of his dead. Said composition will be lead by a close friend of him called Elean Valent." The man finished stating a portion of the will and then continued "My name is Elean Valent I present myself to all of you; now relax and enjoy the last piece of Lord Eisendin..." He turned his back to audience, facing the philharmonic. He raised his right arm carrying a baton on his hand. "I knew this was your time to shine Corel, I'm very sorry, but I have to overshade you" "Oh right!, didn't mention the name of the song. You all know it. The song of the legend.... The Scarlet Nocturne!!" And his hand moved down in a very fast fashion, claiming the beginning of the song. As soon as the audience heard the name "Scarlet Nocturne" a lot of whispers raised on the concert hall. Some people were excited, other confused. But some were even scared or terrified, particulary those dressed with church's attire. Yet no one said nothing, because as soon as the melody started to play, they forcefully drop on their seats, entranced within the otherworldly melody. Truly something completely different to anything heard before. Nadia of course wasn't the exception. Her reaction was a mix of confusion of fear. She feared that man, the one she was supposed to have met before, but didn't met at all. The same man was now playing the legendary melody of the gods. While entranced by the song, she remembered her childhood days, when the legend was not only told to her, but to a group of kids. ------------------------------------------------------- The legend of a sheet separated into many pieces on this world…The Scarlet Nocturne. Known by many of this age, a foolish fantasy rejected by the church’s followers...yet still spread, usually as a tale to entertain the kids when young. No more than that. The Scarlet Nocturne is a five minute long sheet that can be played by only one instrument or many too. The skill required to play it though, is enormous. Making it impossible to be played by pure luck or coincidence. It also contains a curse within it. Once you find the first pieces, you must not practice the sheet shown unless you complete it first. Otherwise the idea of a happy ending for your truth would be shattered. Now what’s the funny part of the Scarlet Nocturne? According to the legend if you play it completely without fail, the melody will reveal a chosen truth for you…of any type. Nothing can be hidden from the sheet. Scarlet Nocturne knows all the truths of this world. It's also related to the tale of the Lake of Knowledge. It's said that the first human to gain the ability to think, gave a meaning to the sounds they produced, creating the music. This one being part of the primary arts within others, like painting. So after playing with it a bit, they developed a very complex melody that no one was able to replay again. Due to that, they considered it divine, and offered it to the gods. The gods felt grateful and gave the blessing of all truth to the melody, revealing to the humans that if someone were to play the melody, they would be rewarded with the knowledge of anything they wanted. This is also an irony. Why would the church's followers reject a legend tied with the gods? And even today, the sheet has never been completed. It’s a very curious tale, don’t you all think? Sincerely, what would you choose to know if you were to play the Scarlet Nocturne? -------------------------------- Her memory of the pasted only lasted an instant, but it was felt for hours, the song had a similar entrancing effect that the previous ones. But this felt completely different. Any person would felt it's alien like origin, or perhaps the right term would be divine like.
Frieder DeShawl Frieder wakes up, as usual, with a jump-start and a gleaming smile. "What day is it? What day is it? What day-" This went on for a while, as Frieder frantically rolls out of his bed and runs to the calendar. He has been waiting for the big day of the exposition since he started sculpting. "This is the day mama wanted for me! This is why she and papa abandoned me! They made me the great sculptor that the world will finally meet!" Frieder has himself convinced that his parents saw him as an artist. In his own sculpted world, his parents called him a failure and left him at an orphanage to encourage him to work hard. In the real world, they were both in a tight fix for money having spent it all on drugs and alcohol. They had a son by accident a while back and had hoped that he might make them some money. When they saw signs of mental defection, they decided to leave him. Frieder stumbles to the calendar and sees that today is indeed the big day. He grabs a satchel full of clay and runs out the door, almost forgetting his coat on the hangar. The door is flung to the point of collision with the outer wall. "Oh no... It is too late, isn't it?" By the position of the Sun, it is clear that the exposition has long since started. "Surely, they will let in a great artist like me." All who aren't at the exposition stare at Frieder. A stumbling, grown man in overalls having kicked his door open isn't a common sight. This especially holds true when said man has a satchel full of clay and is as pale as Frieder is. At last, Frieder arrives at the exposition entrance. "Hello?"
“Your late,” called Greg as Josh stopped, out of breath in front of him. “It’s all good bro, I told Darren you were out back fixing lights and stuff. He seemed to believe me.” Greg chuckled as Josh caught his breath. “Thanks bro, appreciate it. Now where we at?” “Just need you backstage to help the sound guys with whatever they need but other then that we’re covered.” “Cheers.” Josh and Greg fist pumped and Josh headed backstage. He wound his way through performers and stage hands till he got to the sound desk. The concert was already in full swing and the music was floorless. He could feel its beats moving around his body and he smiled. There was nothing he liked more than feeling the music beat through him almost as if it spoke to every muscle and nerve in his body. He closed his eyes just for a moment to take it all in, then with a deep breath, filled with music, he opened his eyes. For a second Josh was stuck between reality and a strange colourful dimension, but with a blink it was gone. He shook his head, thinking it must have been some trick or one of the musician’s expressions. Thinking nothing more of it he got to work helping the sound techs and stage hand with anything that needed doing. He was so caught up with what he was doing he didn’t notice the music stop until it started up again. He was halfway through cabling some stage lights when the music changed. It hit him so hard it almost knocked the wind out of him. It was eerie, odd and wonderful all mixed together. He had to put the lights down for fear of dropping them. He walked as close to the outer stage that he could without being seen or actually being on stage and he watched. The music, ebbed and flowed in a tangle of blessings, of knowledge and pleasure but also a curse and it drew him in. Before he knew it he was so immersed in the music that time came to a halt. He looked around, saw the stage, the crowd, the philharmonic, the strange yet beautiful expressions of the musicians, but they were not clear, like they had almost been phased out or white washed. The only colour that existed was that of the expressions, or so he thought. But when he looked closer two people stood out to him, clearer than the rest. The man conducting the philharmonic, every aspect of him seemed to glow, every colour heightened into the most purest most intense form of itself. The other was a young woman standing in the front row of the audience. She was stunning in her blue dress, its colour almost too bright to look at. Her hair long and brown almost shimmered and her green eyes sparked with an intensity that was breathtaking. He found he could tear his eyes from her not just because of her beauty but there was something else, something foreign to him. He couldn’t put a finger on it but something about that girl intrigued him, pulled him to her. Something like fate or destiny.
Jaharra paused in her preparations as the song filled the chambers. The haunting, sad, yet mysterious notes played with her emotions as if they were puzzle pieces, jabbing them into the wrong slots until one would fall into place, only to be jerked out again. One moment she was joyful, then horrified. Another time she was fearful, then indestructible. Then it was gone, and Jaharra had to lance her sword into the floor to steady herself. Panting, she touched her forehead and saw that she was sweating. Not good. Nothing had affected her so much before as this. Looking up, she spotted her two attendants steadying themselves as well -both artists in juggling- hence the reason she always had them throw knives at her. "Are you all right?" she asked. They nodded, still dumbfounded, and Jaharra looked over towards the stage with wariness. Who did that?
When the man flew in on the carpet, I reached for my pen quickly, and then stopped, I had decided that he wasn't worth the ink, paper, or energy that I would spend creating an illusion to shock and humiliate him. "What an idiot." I thought, after a quick glare at the man I went back to enjoying the orchestra. As he announced the fabled composition that he was going to play, instead of fear, like my step parents, which was apparent by the expressions on their faces, I only felt intrigue. "A fabled melody that was a gift to the gods... and when it is played a truth shall be revealed..." I thought, several of life's great questions could be answered, 'why were we here', 'is there a god', 'what happens to us when we die', I could see why the church could possibly be afraid of this composition, it could prove that what they believe as completely false, though of course someone could just use it for a selfish or meaningless truth.
Fritz fixed the glasses on his face as various can's bumped off his head. Surprisingly he remained rather calm about the situation. He simply felt no anger. He was even a bit surprised himself that he didn't simply shoot as many people as he could. Fritz sighed. "Avalyn one of two things has just happened." He said tilting his head at his companion. "Either these people don't recognize greatness or this intro was a piece of shit." Suddenly Fritz's placed his elbow on the top the kneeling Avalyn's head. Not hard but enough to be unsettling. "So which do you think it is......huh? Which is huh? How come these people won't respect my greatness? Answer me?" He said with a wolfish grin. Slight pleasure raced through his body as he attempted to menaced Avalyn. Even as he did his face turned back towards the show. "Now way a performance like this could deny my presence." He said looking down upon the masses.
The performance of the Scarlet Nocturne enlarged more and more. From the very act of playing it no expression was showed. Yet a mysterious effect was carried by the melody, as people were entranced by it, deeply submerged within the sounds. A song of another kind, a song from another world, a song that belonged to a different dimension. Call it whatever you want too, yet that's the feeling existing within it. Something that is not from here, no, something that shouldn't be here. It brought joy, it brought sadness, it brought fear, it brought rage, it brought love, it brought hate, it brought appreciation, it brought contempt. A mix of every single feeling within it storming right into the heart, mind and souls of the audience. Yet the magical melody's effect was not only bound to the concert hall, no, it expanded, it grow up, the music defied the logic and covered the whole city of Anheldrim. Those who weren't in the concert hall found themselves entranced within the melody that came out of the blue. Those that rejected the exposition and were outside of it, in the corners of the city, the border of it; even they were no exception to the entrancing effect carried by the Scarlet Nocturne. However, there were a few people who although caught by the powerful melody were not completely submerged within it. Yeah, they were marveled by it, they were also impacted by the enormous amount of feelings carried by the notes; but they did not fell into the trance. The reason was unknown, perhaps their minds were strong enough, carrying a full determination and will of iron within them, thus not even the song blessed by the gods would had a total effect upon them. Thus those who were entranced were in fact weak willed, or perhaps simply not strong enough. All this is no more than speculation of course. Yet something was true. Those who were not completely affected were a very little number.... and they had the power to reshape the nature of this world. While the performers did not stop playing the song, it was clear that some of them were just automatically playing, as they were entranced by it too. Only four were still within themselves. One of the trumpeters, a lady who played a golden clarinet, a very strange man, who played nothing, but instead focused on painting on a white small paper with a brush on hand..... And the last one was the conductor itself, Elean Valent. But they were all sweaty and tense, they were not just listening to the song, but playing it, this was a heavy work forced upon them, and they were barely withstanding it. Between the audience there were also a few who weren't caught completely by the entrance. Those were the key elements of this unfolding event, those able to imprint their dream into this world. On the VIP seats a figure dressed in blue resisted the effect of the melody.... She was Nadia Eisendin, the girl who nervously gripped the case that rested on her legs. She was also sweating a lot.... the reason however was of a different nature... After a very very long span of five minutes, the song ended abrutly, as if it were suddenly to be cut without reason. Elean Valent breathed heavily after lowering the baton in hand, the same was for the other three that resisted the effect of the melody. After recovering his breath, the man raised his stance, a smile on his face while he observed the audience... "....Ha..haa...haa... t-thank you very much...." said the man while difficultly bowing in front of the audience. Yet no one clapped, after all almost all were still trapped into a trance.... a seemingly eternal trance... Elean smiled and then carefully looked up for those who resisted the effect of the Scarlet Nocturne... "Marvelous.... there are so many.... this will be indeed a hard challenge...." And then Elean turned his head towards Nadia. The girl still assaulted by a mix of feelings, avoided the glance of the man. Elean replied with an smile and then he said... "C'mon Nadia Eisendin... you're the honor guest of this event, come to the stage..." The man walked toward her, leaving the stage. He then softly grabbed her hand and forcefully dragged her toward the stage. The girl show only resisted a little, then she let herself be carried by the man. Her case fell to the flour making a sound that echoed through the hall but was quickly ignored. "Ladies and gentlemen.... well, those who are still here...." said the man as soon as he returned to the stage carrying the girl with him... "As you all may know, Lord Eisendin passed away, a tragic event for all of us. Also as you know, time ago the descendants of Eisendin passed away, everyone on different situations. And yet only one of them married and had a child. The girl known as Nadia Eisendin..." As soon as he pronounced her name, Nadia tensed. The only idea of that man adressing her felt wrong, felt completely wrong. She wanted to run, she wanted to scream. But she was unnable too. Her fear was suddenly interrupted once again when the man spoke again. "But is very sad, sad tale. This girl here is just the lowest scum of all.... a shame for the name of Eisendin...." continued the man without any restrain. Nadia felt fear, a very deep fear close to a soundless agony.... She was about to do something, anything, when it suddenly happened. "Let me introduce her to you. She is Nadia Eisendin, the heir to the Eisendin family, a very talented girl who plays the violin..... And a shameless murderer..." And then all fell into darkness. The body of Nadia flied and crashed on one of the nearest walls. Her nose was bleeding heavily, and tears and snort flew over her face. A fierce kick propelled her, a very strong and fierce kick executed by the man named Elean Valent. The man who had just played the Scarlet Nocturne for unknown reasons.
