Taiko Market
Tenebrae - Friday, May 24, 2013, 9:51 PM
-=--=--=--=--=--=<* A07: Local Alexandria Market District *>-=--=--=--=--=--=-
Just west of the Northern Highbridge and east of the arena, commerce blooms. Noisy and bustling, most anything may be purchased here for a price. Vendors from all cultures sell their wares from exotically colored carts, and the smells of different nations and far-off city-states mix with local ones from Alexandria and its riverbanks.
For all its commerce, visitors are advised to keep hold of their purses. Even the merchants possess a certain, cunning look. Most are positioned at carts or stalls as opposed to a formal storefront, with trade here being mobile, and visiting from all parts of the world.
Though the quality of goods suffers here compared to Upper Alexandria, the options are more diverse. Too, the oversight of the Watch is slightly less, and during times events are held at the Arena, chaos abounds. After dark, the square becomes a hangout for bards and other entrepreneurs whose business is best conducted by night; the shadows at the edges of the square often contain furtive figures engaging in their own brand of business.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-- Contents --=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=-
Selia A sleek halfling lass, quick and nimble. 0s 26s
Halani Shortish, dusky skinned woman with almond shaped eyes 1m 3h
Tak has arrived.
BOOM! BOOM-BA-BOOM! THUMP-THUMP! BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM-BA-BOOM! THUMP-THUMP! BOOM!
BOOM! BOOM-BA-BOOM! THUMP-THUMP! BOOM!
The distant rumble grows slowly louder, eventually distinguishing itself into drum beats, echoing off the surrounding walls. The tones clear and the echoes die as the procession makes it's way into the market, a number of half-orc and hobgoblin carrying a massive platform upon their shoulders. Atop this moving stage sits a barrel of a taiko drum, a shirtless hobgoblin beating a rythmn upon it. And above the drum, perched upon it's wooden surface, a slim halfling stands upon her hands, swaying with the platform, her flowing garment fluttering in the breeze.
Tak is usually seen near the fernwood, he likes the pub since its not too rough, not too clean, but just right. He is seated on a bench in the market as the procession starts to move through, and he watches with obvious amusement at the odd display. "Thats rather impressive." he remarks to no one in particular.
GAME: Selia rolls acrobatics: (2)+19: 21
The platform comes to a halt, carefully set down on wooden legs. What is lost in height is more than made up for in stability, a great bonus as a second hobgoblin climbs onto the platform, stripping off his shirt and begining a counter rythmn upon the far side of the drum. As the new song begins, the Lucht atop stands to her feet, pausing a long moment before leaping off the drum... and grabbing onto one of the support struts to the canvas 'roof' of the platfrom, twisting and twirling in a sort of mid-air dance. Not quite in rythmn with the drums, but still in obvious referance to the beat. (( http://www.break.com/index/insane-indian-pole-acrobatics ))
Tak applauds when the halfling starts twisting on the pole. He reaches into a pocket, pulling out a small piece of jerky and taking a bit to chew while he watches the entertainment.
The drum continues it's rythmn, the beat almost an assault upon the eardrums, sweat pouring off the pair of hobs. After a creshendo that leaves the walls shaking, one drummer pauses, bows to the audience, and climbs down, as a third climbs up. A few moments later and the second sweaty hobgoblin climbs down, leaving just one fresh drummer to continue the music as the platform once again is lifted and proceeds off elsewhere in the city. Sometime in the middle of all this the Lucht has disappeared.
Halani watches the procession go by as well, perched on a railing while enjoying a bit of a snack, some meat and bread mishmash she picked up from a food vendor nearby. She doesn't applaud, though to say she isn't impressed would be a mistake. Throughout the acrobatic performance Halani's gaze remains riveted on her, as if... studying what she's doing. Which is why the monk is completely surprised when she loses track of the halfling.
Tak immediately checks his pockets, patting himself down to make sure nothing was stolen during the performance, its a likely tactic he would use himself if he had a partner, and the desire to rob decient folk. He grins though, clearly amused by the whole situation and since he doesn't seem to notice anything missing, he takes another bite of jerky as he looks around for the halfling.
"Ach, blood 'ell, my feet 're numb!" Selia complains to no one in particular, leaning agains the side of the Fernwood. The edges of her fluttery costume have been tied down to something a bit more practical, if still colorful and not a modest as might usually be found in the city. "Dem vibrations will git ya quick! Reckon shoulda practiced bit more with dat detail."
Tak finally spots the halfling when she speaks, himself seated a little bit away on a bench that was left by some merchants who closed up early. He grins at the halfling "That was most impressive, I've never really seen anything similiar."
Selia nnods, and shrugs. "Drums are Xian. Walking a stage comes from da Vast, though ain't only there. The dancing, ain't many blokes got the fitness and the rythmn to do it right, don't matter where ya go. I learn it in Charn, ain't sure where it came from orginally."
Tak nods "Ahh, who setup the performance? That seems an interesting combination of regions to mashup into one production." He takes another bite of his jerky, then holds a piece out in case Selia wants a bite.
Selia declines with a shake of her head. "Little of everybody, really. City got the whole thing going, Ironblood made the suggsetion. I got the blokes to make some stages, built 'em to move on their own. Liked the drums, asked to work with 'em, made the mix as we went. All worked out pretty grand."
Tak nods and puts away his jerky. "Thats fascinating, I may try to learn how to do that, I consider myself fairly agile." he grins a bit. "I'm Tak the storyteller, and you are?" He stands up, moving over to offer a hand to shake.
Selia touches the hand briefly, more like a hi-five than a handshake. "Selia Shadowkin, the Dancer. Wot sorta stories ya tell, anyways?"
Tak shrugs and sits down, "Whatever the crowd wants, I enjoy telling a grand adventure, stories of heroes and legends. I'm hoping one day I too might be named as someone legendary." he chuckles "For now I am merly the teller of tales though."
Selia snorts, and grins. "Ya met 'Steel Von Ironblood, Bane of Night'? Seems sometimes the legend comes first, deeds to follow."
Tak laughs and nods his head. "Yes, I have encountered him, and I'm sure that his legend will only last as long as he spreads it if there is no real deed behind it."
Selia shrugs. "So will last. Iornbloods done stuff, and good too. Just nay so much as he says. Nor thinks, most like."
Tak nods "I hadn't heard more than what he said himself, so I was unsure what was true and what was exaggeration. He seems a decient fellow, just a bit excitable."
Selia laughs, and nods. "I been with 'im adventurerin a few times. He's mostly talk, but with that much talk even a small bit left is still a fair bit. Reckon would be a song or two what mention'd 'im, if wern't for all the ones made 'imself."
Tak chuckles "Well, nothing wrong with spreading your own name I suppose, I might try that eventually, in the mean time I'll stick to seeing what the explorers guild can find for me to do thats worth mentioning to others."
Selia nods, and shrugs. "Reckon do what ya gotta, fame will come iffen ya deserve it."
Tak looks around, then smiles "Well, I guess I should get going, it was a pleasure talking to you Selia, I hope to see you again."
Tak has left.