The show must drag on
Log Info
- Title: The Show Must Drag On
- Emitter: Eztli
- Place: Alexandria Theatre District
- Summary: Eztli is looking for a very specific actor for their production, Aelwyn is very curious about a show that might involve riding dragons, and Culix just wants to see Harkashan or others give piggy back rides.
Alexandria Theater District, Afternoon.
There was still a rather unpleasant chill to the air, but it did little to dissuade the warm spirit of the theater district. Buskers, Painters and performers of all shapes and sizes still littered the streets, albeit in perhaps more warm clothing than usual.
Outside of the Flightwright theater and off to one side was a standing tent with a makeshift desk set up underneath it, with several sheets of paper littering it, held in place with several stones to combat the chill wind still blowing. Behind the desk was a small makari sitting down with the back of the chair in front of them, watching the passerbies and trying to not let the wings on their back that were taller than they were get blown around too much.
Culix slips into the theatre district of the city, not so much minding the chill bundled up as she usually is in her cloak. The diminutive goblin seems to have acquired herself a pair of round-framed spectacles made of brass, and fitted with smooth smoked glass lenses which dull the oppressive light of the clear sky above. She'd spied the fliers, and if nothing else, seeing people trying out for bring ridden sounded like a blast to watch, and thus she is here to try and catch glimpses of just that scenario.
She deftly weaves amongst the colourful theatre district regulars, an out-of-place monochromatic blotch flitting about the technicolour crowd.
A tall flame was lit, as a burning blade weaved in the air. It's carrier, as usual, was wearing his leather cloak tightly around him; with a pair of small round lanterns also lit against the cloak. It was all hard work to fight off the constant chill that seemed to swallow the city.
Yet even though the ruddy scaled sith-makar had known the particular winged makari in the tent for quite some time; the shorter of the two still continued to surprise Aelwyn, the taller makari. "Spelldancer," The draconian greets with a tired looking flash of his teeth, as he makes his way closer. "This one was not aware there was such high demand for scrolls in this part of the city." He gave the papers a cursory look - but as usual, it was easy to tell his eyes were glazing over more than reading them.
Eztli glanced up from there papers as one of them threatened to fly away, pinned down by one hand while she looked for another weight to keep it in place. The signs of people coming over took much more of their attention for the moment. "Oh, hello, Aelwyn! No, I'm not selling scrolls, it's just paper, well, forms, really." The small makari explains. "Are you not here about the flyers I posted then? Were you able to read them?"
The small makari glances to one side at the crowds, and back to Aelwyn. "I'm looking to put on a play at one of the theatres, I thought you might be interested in that, is all."
Seeing he familiar form of Aelwyn, Culix sidles that way so that she ends up arriving at the stand at much the same time as the much taller makari. "Didn't take you for the theatre type." she observes of Aelwyn, before offering Eztli a waggle of her fingers- hands clad in fingerless woolen gloves- in greeting.
"Forms?" Aelwyn asks, his face obviously starting to scrunch up together in either distaste, utter confusion, or both. Probably just in distaste. He was never a form person. "But why would she-" He starts, then falls silent. His orange slit pupils suddenly wide and a broad grin spreads across his face - unable to hold back the full macabre visage of his teeth showing from his spread lips. It was like he was about to tear into something.
"This one did not-!" And moving forward, the ruddy sith-makar takes up one of the parchments, holding it up just above one of his small orb lanterns hanging from around his neck. "And yes, yes, this one is. What kind of play is it?" His eyes try to parse the text.
Then Culix appears and he spins around suddenly, before he then relaxes. "Tch, Knives. Has she not seen this one perform? If the world were not so unjust, the stage would be the one where this one would soar instead of those miserable trips into," He snorts in annoyance, "Felwood."
Looking at the papers, they appeared to be some sort of forms, although they were devoid of most forms of actual dates and similar. "Aelwyn not the theater type? It's just another form of performance, and I've seen him do that a lot around town. He's really good at it! That's why I was hoping he would come by, in fact, I was going to ask him if he didn't. Culix, right? I think I met you before at the river, when it was much less cold than this. How are things going?" They ask. "To be honest, I'm a bit stuck right now. I found someone who could take one of the leading roles who has acted in this play before, but, well, there's the big elephant in the room, or the dragon, in this case."
"Dance, sure, I get that. But I prefer the bawdier performances down at the docks. Figured they'd be more your speed." Culix offers with a toothy grin Aelwyn's way then. She looks back to Eztli and offers a nod, "Think you're right. Well enough, I s'pose." she replies.
"Felwood... is not great, but I've been worse places." Culix says then. "I'll take dark and creepy over hot and humid any day. Prefer cobbles underfoot than brush, either way, though." she admits.
She looks back to Eztli and scratches her cheek. "Couldn't hire an illusionist for the dragon?" she wonders. "Or just paint a horse." is her next suggestion.
Aelwyn turns his head towards Culix, and he reaches out with his tail to tap at the goblin's ankles. "Now, this one does have a taste for partaking in the fine performances in the establishments down south." He rumbles in amusement, flickering his tongue out. "Yet, theatre can be even more physical and murderous."
The Dragoon's gaze returns towards Eztli and he waves the form at her. "One of the leading roles is already taken?" He lets out a low rumble, obviously not pleased. "They must be _exceptional_." Lips twisting, he then tilts his head. "A dragon? There is a dragon?" A grin spreads on his face. Then his grin widens slightly. "Why shan't she ask Lava? He -" And he pauses, the grin faltering for a moment. Another moment passes, as he struggles with something. "Certainly built as one."
"No, to be honest, I'd rather stay out of the felwood, too. But that being said? I really want to give the place a chance. Those towers might be the key to having the place not be cursed forever, after all, you know?" The small makari sighs, glancing out of the city. "Who knows, maybe if we succeed, the place won't be horrible down the line?"
But other matters are on her mind, and Eztli quickly shakes her head. "No, no, illusions won't work, and horses well, horse can't fly without magic, you know? But either way, it's a role like any other, so it needs an actual actor for it."
"It was a lot easier in dragonier, usually there would be dragons with a love for the arts or younger ones wanting to try something new who would take the role, but well, most of them aren't an option, now." The small makari trails off, frowning a bit. "There's a dragon, and a dragon knight, have you heard of them before Aelwyn? Lava, as funny as that would be, he wouldn't work, did you have something else in mind Aelwyn?"
"Yikes, yeah... I mean you might be able to get a dragon from Dragonier, but the city frowns on Necromancy." Culix offers, glancing down to the tail tap but otherwise not particularly reacting to it. She looks back to Aelwyn. "See, I like a show where you can get pissed up and sing along. Fancy theatres kick you out if you try that." she says with a finger waggle.
She scratches her cheek again and looks around, "Doesn't look like you got many folks signing up." she says to Eztli then. "I guess actors" she puts on airs to pronounce the word like a stuck up noble. Act-oooors. "Don't much relish the idea of being ridden. How come magic isn't an option? Well, I guess a horse couldn't do the speaking lines... what about a ventriloquist? Or some mechanical creation from the artificer's guild? Or both?"
Aelwyn makes a face at the discussion of Felwood. "There is very little to be saved in that place, this one is certain. The more this one ventures, the more certain this one is." The recent escapade had him twisting his lips in annoyance, the memory of it, but he doesn't let it stop him from focusing on more important things.
"They do _not_? Tch, Knives must attend the poor ones." Aelwyn rumbles in amusement, but he was distracted, eyes returning to the smaller makari. His eyes widen again. "This one was not saying so in a jest. He is-" The ruddy sith-makar starts to gesture, makes a face, then gestures further. "... big. Wings, breathes fire." He tilts his head. "This one assumes."
The flaming glaive is leant against and Aelwyn gives Eztli a more puzzled, but very interested expression. "Perhaps she should explain this play further." His teeth widen out. "She had me at a dragon and the dragon knight."
The small makari freezes up, and looks more than a bit aghast. "No, gods no, no necromancy, no, the thing behind it has already seen to that, I imagine. No." They answer with finality.
There's a long pause, and the small sorcerer does manage to collect herself after a short cough. "Well, no, it's part of acting, sometimes you need to be out of your comfort zone of course, but riding a person well, it's not the right fit for this, I guess? But it's an acting role, and they need to be capable of some varied flying maneuvers as well as being able to carry someone." She explains, unable to surpress a light chuckle. "To be honest, I was hoping there might be some dragons hiding out in Alexandria that might jump at the opportunity, but then again, if they are, they're probably keeping a low profile. Stupid hope, I guesS? They were always around back home, and here, well, nothing. It's not something you can replace, it's part of the soul of the show, and that's probably why no one has shown up, since it's impossible to do without one. Didn't play much outside of Dragonier for that reason."
The small makari pauses again, tilting her head and snickering again "Oh, me? Well, yes, I guess I kind of am, but, you know, wouldn't work. I was thinking of asking Un'eth, but I don't know if she would be up for it. What would you want to know about, Aelwyn?"
Culix shakes her head a bit at Aelwyn, "I mean, the city has been in tougher spots before than the felwood is in now. Things have a way of coming around, around here." she says. She finds something to lean against, weight on one heel and the other ankle crossed over, and folds her arms. "I mean, I could ask around." she says to Eztli then. "I know some folks who know some folks who might know if there's any dragons hiding out. But if they're hiding out, they're not likely to be best pleased with being tracked down." she says.
She considers the problem for a while, "I dunno, still reckon magic's your best bet. Maybe shapechanging magic on a regular actor."
Aelwyn snaps his teeth shut. He was slowly trying to parse all of this as Eztli spoke - or rather, keep himself together. Which is why the comments about Felwood doesn't really reach him - except to make his lips twist and his teeth show in a brief show of grimace. "Spelldancer wishes to hire a _dragon_ to a play?" He asks, doing all he could to stay calm. "And there shall be a knight to ride one?" Now he was just grinning stupidly. "What does this one want to know? This one wants to know everything!" He spreads his hand. "Every detail!"
Lowering his hand, Aelwyn clicks his teeth. "Tch, Lava can fly, but perhaps he is not much of a dancer." Then he rumbles in more excitement, "For one, what is the play called? What is it about?" He flashes his teeth. "Beyond about dragons and their amazing knights." He was near like a hatchling about this point.
Now it was Eztli's turn to grow excited, as even a mention of finding someone made the sorceress burst into a wide(and slightly terrifying) grin. "You might know some? I mean, yes, I imagine if they're in hiding they might not want to be tracked down, but it would still be wonderful to at least get a chance to talk to them even if they wouldn't want to take part, wouldn't you agree, Aelwyn?" They rattle off, nodding quickly to the other makari.
"Ah, right! It's called 'The Nobility Of Knighthood', it's an old, old play in Dragonier, based on the dragon knights who come from there. They are amazing, and that's the broad part of it I guess? It's about a noblewoman who was set to be wed to another house for political gain, and well, it's still a tragedy, even if it ends on a slightly hopeful note, but they end up meeting one of the dragon knights, who shows them that there is more to life than one's social standing, and the importance of doing something valuable with the time you have on Ea. It's well, it's one of my favorite plays ever, and it's very close to my heart. That's why I still remember so much of it." They list off, rubbing at the side of their snout as they finish. "Have you ever heard of it Culix?"
Culix unfolds her hands to hold them out defensively as Eztli grows excited, "Now I didn't make any promises. I just know folks who are good a finding stuff that doesn't want to be found, alright? I can ask around, but that's all." she asserts.
She pauses to listen to the explanation and can't resist the urge to roll her eyes a bit. "See, isn't that the plot of like. Every play ever?" she wonders. "It's either someone's gotta marry someone they don't like or some monarch I've never heard of getting offed by his son or general or vizier or treasurer or wife." she says then, and gives an apologetic shrug. "Sorry, like I say, I don't go for that stuffy stuff." she tells Eztli. "My favorite play, I don't know if it has a name, it's mostly 'the one about the pirate with a wooden...' well. Best not to repeat it in polite company. Dirty jokes and songs that sound even better with two dozen drunk sailors singing along. That's more my speed. I mostly swung by because I was hoping to see Aelwyn here or maybe Hark giving a grown man a piggyback."
Aelwyn's teeth widen to match Eztli's excitement. "Meeting a dragon would be a great honor, indeed." Then he turns towards Culix. "This one is certain we both would be happy to assist her in her search for one."
Then at Culix's point about the play, Aelwyn tilts his head, letting out a bit of a rough rumble. "While this one cannot deny the truth, where theatre excels in making that story _alive_." The Dragoon starts. "Sometimes they can be as clinical - but this one has seen tender plays enacted with blades and splatters of blood. It all depends on the direction." He lets out a long rumble. "... though execution of that play was... exceptional."
The ruddy sith-makar's tail twitches then, before he eyes Culix with a tilt of his head. "A piggyback? Hmmh. Only for good coin. It is hard work to be ridden, after all." His teeth were unbearingly wide.
"Oh, that's okay, I guess I was getting my hopes up a bit high." Eztli sighs, coming back down a bit. "Like I said, it's an old play and dance, so there are a lot like it, might not be the first production like it either. But I guess it means a lot to me, and the story really resonates with me, too. Even more nowadays." The small makari chuckles ruefully.
"Oh, I guess you thought I didn't mean a literal dragon then, huh? I guess it is a bit far fetched, isn't it?" Eztli chuckles again. "Less so in dragonier. I just, I don't know. I want to let people know that everything about the nation didn't die with it, you know? And I'd like to do it for the dancer I met too. And well, it would fulfill one of Aelwyn's dreams in the process, so it's not entirely selfish, is it? As for that, I think Aelwyn is a liar, he'd do it for free."
Culix scoffs at Aelwyn, "You let Irshya climb all over you." she retorts. "Then again, it's kind of tricky to stop her when she decides she's going to clamber." she admits, glancing away and tucking a stray wisp of silver hair behind one of her ears. "Yeah, I've never even seen an actual dragon. At least, I don't think I have." she tells Eztli. "And I will ask around for you, just, didn't want to get your hopes up. If there's any dragons in the city they're probably schmoozing with the nobles or posing as wizards or something like that."
She adjusts her spectacles a bit and stands up straight, pushing off her leanining post. "I suppose if there's not going to be any piggybacks, I'll move along. For what it's worth, I'm sure the play will be great. Just- like I said, not my thing.
"
Aelwyn rumbles tilting his head. "This one has attempted." The draconian just suffices to respond to Culix about the Irshya situation. "Trust this one. And that attempt definitely was not free." He cannot help but share a bit of the disappointment at the prospects of finding a dragon, but he bows his head towards the goblin all the same. "May the skies bless her step, Knives." The Dragoon tells her in parting.
Eyes turning back towards Eztli, he flashes his teeth again. "She has met another dancer? And they inspired this need to arrange this play? Tch," He rumbles, leaning forward towards the table. "This one must hear even more about this latest obsession of hers." Putting the form down, he bows his head as well. "Perhaps this one shall see her later in the TarRaCe?" He asks, as he begins to leave.
"I've heard a few rumors of a silver dragon somewhere in Alexandria, but I haven't come up with anything concrete. I'll keep looking around, but you know, rumors and all." Eztli shrugs, shuffling a few papers back secure. "I'd appreciate it if you could keep looking around, but I won't get my hopes up. Maybe Un'eth would be willing to give it a try? A druid might be the closest thing, but she might not want to, after how I heard the last time went."
"Yeah, I met someone I knew from Dragonier. I'll tell you more about them another time, maybe at the Tarrace? I could use a cold drink after all this snow, you know." The sorceress laughs. "If an exhibition is for everyone, it's for no one, my teacher always said." Eztli notes. "Thank you Culix, I sure hope it will be."
"Someone she met from Dragonier?" Aelwyn's eyes widen the umpteenth time, jaw going a bit slack - and then he shakes his head. A torrent of not so welcome emotions reach him for the moment, but then he grins at her. "Tch, this one shan't be able to wait to hear all about it."
Then he picks up his glaive and starts to walk away, pointing at the smaller makari. "Hot drinks! Not cold! Hot drinks! Shan't bring the snow in!" He calls out, as he leaves into the crowd.