Foghair - Level 5 Bard Review

The Storytelling Amphitheater
[Exits: west]
Strad is here.
(Intense Light Green Aura) Cordir is here.

Foghair fidgets.

Foghair holds a well-worn mandolin in his hands.
Foghair begins to tune a well-worn mandolin.

Strad appears out of nowhere.

Foghair smiles at Strad.
Foghair smiles at Lady Cordir.

Foghair bows deeply.
Foghair says (in common), 'May I begin?'.

Strad smiles at Foghair.

Cordir nods.
Cordir says, 'You may.'.

Strad sits back.

Foghair bow deeply.

Foghair says (in common), 'Thank you all for coming'.
Foghair looks around at the crowd.

Foghair says (in common), ‘I have entitled this, Ode to a Mermaid. It was inspired by two lovely ladies... and the first line is borrowed from Keats, the Bard, and his Nightingale'.

Foghair takes in a deep breath and caresses the worn mandolin in his hands.
Foghair strums a chord on the worn mandolin, then two, then three.
Foghair pauses for a breath.

Foghair speaks, softly...
My heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains
My sense attuned, as though her water I have drunk
Rose tip’d breast, hidden ‘neath her shells
Unseen, untasted since her daughter was a babe
Hinted, teased, revealed by daughters carefree garb
Still all untouched by sands slide thru the glass

Foghair strums a chord on the worn mandolin, then two, then three.
Foghair pauses for a breath.

The Lady Cordir's eyebrow rises slightly.

Foghair blushes slightly.

Foghair speaks, softly...
Sandy cove and shifting dunes, angry crashing waves
Breathe, relax, reflect, I lay me down to rest
Youth's sweet laughter giggles forth
Mother's comb stops at neck
Please stay, good Sir here in this place
Good dreams you will be blessed

Foghair strums a chord on the worn mandolin, then two, then three.
Foghair pauses for a breath.
Foghair looks around at your faces.

Foghair speaks, softly...
I wake alone, blinking eyes
No sign of sun kissd head
No lilting laugh drifts to the skies
I shake sand from my bed
A dream all wet, a mouth all dry
A scream, a sigh, a debt, goodbye...

Foghair strums a chord on the worn mandolin, then two, then three.
Foghair takes a deep breath.
Foghair closes his eyes and lowers the mandolin back to his lap.

Foghair bows his head and says, softly, 'Ode to a Mermaid'
Foghair bows and remains, head down.

Cordir looks thoughtful.
Cordir examines the Bard.

Foghair peeks upwards, head still bowed, a nervous expression on his face.

Cordir says, ‘Interesting, that.'.

Strad smiles happily.
Strad cheers Foghair on, confident that he will win.

Cordir says, 'Strad, what say you?'.

Strad shows his approval by clapping his hands together.
Strad smiles happily and nods.

Foghair takes a sip of water from an antelope hide waterskin.

Strad says (in common), ‘I approve.'.
Strad grins evilly.

Foghair fidgets.

Cordir says, 'very well, then. By audience acclaim…'.

### Foghair has earned Bards' Council approval for level 5.

Foghair lets out a half a cheer.

Strad grins evilly.
Strad says (in common), 'Congratulations, Foghair.'.

Foghair bows deeply.
Foghair hugs Strad.

Foghair dances around the room, as if with a partner that isn't there.
Foghair chuckles at his own joke, since no one else would.

Cordir shifts back ever so slightly, withdrawing a fraction of a finger's width, at the revelry.

Foghair fidgets some more, without meeting Her gaze.

Cordir says, 'Congratulations, Bard, on your first performance.'.

Foghair says, quietly, 'Did you like it, Lady?'

Cordir says, 'Something tells Me that future efforts from you are going to be ... '.
Cordir considers a moment.
Cordir says, 'Memorable.'.