[IC] The music within us

[Salrynn]

-In her words-

2 years before the war… everyone seemed to be happy and content, our patron saint was the goddess of music herself, we always enjoyed our music and everyone blessed her well… then they came… them monstrous soldiers from an opposing kingdom, it was strange because we are a very harmless kingdom…

The war started from there, and that was when I was blessed…
-Now-

Miah was busy getting everything ready for her recruitment, as this was the most strangest day, she was asked by the most important guard; the head guard to be recruited as she was one of the blessed ones. She knows that her powers of music will be effective in this war but she also knows that it won’t work by herself, so she will be happy when she will meet the others that are ‘blessed’ like her.

While waiting in the recruitment line she notices its her turn for the recruitment and explains everything to the recruiting soldier so he could write it on his scroll. Today was going to be a very long day, she didn’t even want to know what to do when it comes to training, she doesn't like the fact that this queue will most likely last a few days either. Although Miah knows that this will be a good time to practice her powers for a few days, sneaking into the training area without anyone noticing she brought out her weapon, the sleigh bells which she so loved and adored; beginning to allow their jingling noises to come into effect.

Once into the beat of her jingling she started casting her air magic, allowing the air to breeze through her hair and clothing.

[Jyggalax666]

Lyrian was running around frantically trying to accomplish everything that the Archmage needed him to finish. "If you don't finish by 3 pm.... I will fry your ears off!!!". The Archmage's words rang in his mind until he began to hear a beat, the beat was slow at first but increased steadily. Before long he was singing out loud to himself. He turned to find the Archmage standing and scowling. "So this is your idea of working hard? Singing?! *Slaps Lyrian to the ground* Enough of this childishness!". "But I was....." interjected Lyrian, "You were what!?!?". Lyrian kept his mouth shut because the Archmage had raised his hand again. "Nothing, sire....nothing."

Pleased at his exercise of power the Archmage cracked a smile. Lyrian noticed and scowled and him, the Archmage noticed this and began to beat Lyrian. Amongst his screams for help and frantic struggling to defend himself, the magistrate approached. "We are here to summon, Lyrian Danan, to active duty. Please come with us.". The Archmage spun around in anger "What have you done now? Why are you 'wanted' by the magistrate!! How dare you shame MY tower with your felonious behavior!!!" He raised his hand to beat Lyrian again but his arm was stopped in mid swing.

"Don't do that." the figured towered over the mage. "Oh and who are you to command me? I am the ARCHMAGE, none dare to speak to me in such a manner!!!". Before he could blink the Archmage was on the ground and the soldiers were pinning his hands down. "Where's your magic now??.... Old Man!" said the brute. The large man turned to Lyrian while still pinning the mage "Go to the recruitment center, register, we need your help Lyrian.". He was in shock "Me!?!?! Why am I so special?". "The goddess has blessed you and we have need of your skills. Go, we are gonna stick around and teach this old man why you never hit people smaller than you.". "But I'm smaller than you!! Isn't that a conflict of morals?" protested the Archmage. The brute nailed him in the kidney "I'm sorry were you saying something?". Lyrian practically ran to the recruitment center, smiling the whole way. "Serves you right you old coot!!!"

[PlateFace]

Jack Wanders the halls looking for inspiration for a song. As he wanders around he suddenly hears the sounds of Sleigh bells, They sound odd yet are strangely very soothing to his ears, Jack decides to look for the source of the Sleigh bells. He eventually finds them emitting from the training room Jack Comes and sits in the Training room and listens to the sound of the sleigh bells. For a few minutes he sits and lets the sleigh bells take him on a musical journey through his mind, before he drifts off into a sleep, he shakes his head and pulls out his guitar, and begins to play a nice song to accompany the sleigh bells.

[FallenTrinity]

Early Morning: Military Encampent

"Has anyone seen Zahir? Corporal Zahir! ZAHIR!"

Captain Faller yelled to his company as he went through his roll call, nervously pacing back and forth. He was a rather imposing figure. Tall, built and took zero bull from his soldiers. But for some reason he couldn't control one...Zahir.

"Dammit to hell! Were did that damn elf go to this time!"
"Sir..."

A private by the name of Felix called out, one of the few that Zahir considered something close to a "friend". Felix's eyes only met his Captain's for an instant before glancing over at the east gate, where the military encampment met the city.

"What is it Private?"
"Captain. Corporal Zahir has taken his R&R for this weekend."
"This weekend!? I told him specifically that we had the major coming through this weekend for inspection and he was to run the inspection! This is outrageous!"

The Captain cocked an eyebrow. He looked over at the gate and frowned his eyes squinting towards the gate. That sonova...

Early Morning: Market District

He looked to the sky. It was a bit cloudy out where he was. Most of the time it was cloudy it was going to rain.

It seems like it's going to rain. Hmmm... Fitting for today I feel.

A frown sat upon his face as he scanned over the hustle and bustle of the early morning market place. Women with their children shopping for their fresh meals, men on their way to work; some boys even selling newspapers or offering shoeshine in order to have a little extra cash to hang out with friends later on. He sighed as he moved towards the center of it all. Strapped to his back was a amplifier, a rather large one at that, roughly half his size. Black, with hints of grey here and there. Numerous knobs and buttons along the top for all kinds of sounds and effects, flanger, tube, wah and many others. He carried in his hands a long case, one that matched the amp which he carried. He set the amplifier down in the center of the market and sat down on it as he opened the case. A beautiful sunburnt finish guitar lay in the case. Its neck of an amber color with its body in a somewhat hourglass shape. In the case a set of picks and a couple cords. He took the cords out and plugged them into the guitar and amplifier before turning it on. A low hum came from it before he began to pick each chord in order to tune it. When Zahir finished, he gave a heavy sigh as put the guitar strap over his shoulder and took a step on top of the amp and began to play.

(OST - Kamelot - Veil of Elysium)

"GOODMORNING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION!" He announced to the crowd with a bright smile across his face. A few in the crowd had stopped what they were doing and made their way over to him. A small group had gathered around, his smile still remained on his face as he scanned over everyone.

"IT IS TIME FOR YOU ALL TO ENTER THE MIND OF ZAHIR! What kinds of monstrosities will be revealed? A story of betrayal? Or a ballad about a lost love? WHEN IT COMES TO ZAHIR, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MIGHT GET!" A shadow casted over his eyes. The massive smile that was once prominent on his face seized into a grimace of one. He raised his head to show saddened eyes. He took one breath and began:

Hear my promise of blistering light~
Sowing a rose of obsidian~
My dear I promise death comestoall~~
Inaheartbeat~ only silence~

A whitish blue hue began to surround him as he played, the tempo began to pick up as he began to raise his voice. This causing the blue hue to travel down the cords and through the speaker which became to glow white as multiple voices began to be heard coming from it along with the sounds of other instruments; Violins, cellos, piano, drums and then it happened.

Burst forth from the amp am orchestra of heavenly looking figures with wings, each one of them as beautiful as the last, singing along with him in the chorus, their voices and music carrying through the market district. many people within the area that could hear the sound stopped where they were to listen. Zahir continued to play as the chorus ended, the beautiful creatures poof'ed into a large cloud as it began to reform to the music in the form of backgrounds, scenes from tragic love stories of the city, their voices still carried through the cloud along with the instruments.

Beautiful song to a beautiful woman He thought as he played. He still remembered all those days with her, the days in the music shop, in the city gardens, all of it.

[Salrynn]

In the training area Miah turned around and noticed the young man that joined her, she continued to play her sleigh bells, feeling the beat of his music and hers, the breeze around the two getting rougher and rougher. She loved every moment that this was giving the two, it felt just right and she was getting rather bored of just hearing the sleigh bells jingle in her ears, suddenly stopping Miah turned around to see what this guitar player looked like, his red hair was in a very unusual hairstyle but it seemed to have suited his facial-build; the same with his goatee... smiling, Miah decided to sit next to him in curiosity that he could be here for recruitment as well.

Suddenly the sound of something very loud could be heard in the distance despite the walls and Miah wondered what it was; she was very confused because the soldiers didn’t say anything about an introductory show or anything. It didn’t even sound like it was in the building it all either since the songs were very faint. ‘what the hell is that…?’

[Jyggalax666]

*blinks curiosly, ears twitch at the tip*

"What was that?!" Lyrian began to feel it again, the beat. He ran towards the sound as fast as his short legs would carry him. He ducked in and out between people as he scrambled towards the sound. The beat growing stronger as he grew closer. He didn't realize it but he had started to sing to himself again.

(Song he's singing is, Imagine Dragons: Radioactive)

[FallenTrinity]

(Taken down post for now until everyone who appears to be heading to my location gets there

[PlateFace]

"Maybe we should go check it out?" Jack says to the young lady that came and sat next to him as they played an impromptu melody. Jack Stands up and offers a hand to the young lady, "Coming milady?" Jack smiles his devilishly handsome smile.

[mindpalace]

Fingers dancing over the keys of his saxophone absentmindedly, Xavier sat in the courtyard. After he'd been to the recruiting place, he'd had no idea what to do next. He heard a beautiful guitar/sleigh bell duet ringing out quietly in the air, but couldn't be bothered to move towards the music. But suddenly, as he was staring up at the almost blindingly blue sky, he heard a louder tune, heartbreaking yet beautiful at the same time.

Standing abruptly, he decided he had to find the source of the lovely song. Holding his golden instrument firmly, he set off, leather boots soft on the cobblestone path. The music seemed to get louder as he got closer to the marketplace and he hurried his pace, passing people with a muttered 'excuse me, pardon me'. Seeing two others carrying instruments, he wondered briefly if they were also here for recruitment before stopping to stare, eyes wide at the stage. Or, the person-elf?-standing on it. He was completely focused on playing his guitar. Feeling only a slight twinge of envy at how well he'd mastered the instrument, he shifted his weight to one leg and looked down at his saxophone a little self-consciously. If this guy was recruited as well...how would he measure up? It was stupid idea to turn up.

[FallenTrinity]

He had played for quite some time since he first started and he had taken noticed to the crowd as it increased slowly in numbers. Many songs ranging from heartbreak to courage on the battlefield and just nonsensical songs. He also had taken a few glances at the figures in the crowd that held instruments. He had heard about recruitment a week ago starting up so he was wondering if they were.

Is that a band that wants to play or are they the new recruits that I heard about? Never mind I'll worry about that after this.

His second to last song ended as an applause was heard. His smile rose to his face again as he bowed. He raised his hand as the crowd settled.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN THE MIND OF ZAHIR! I HAVE ONE LAST SONG FOR YOU ALL. THIS IS A STORY OF A LOVE LONG LOST!"

He the smile on his face slowly fell. THe crowd quieting down.

"And....but not forgotten." He his eyes moved around the crowd as he tuned his guitar to what was needed. He strummed a few notes and was satisfied with what he heard. Zahir took a deep breath and began.

(OST - Killswitch Engage - My Curse)

The figures that once where seen through his songs slowly began to fade away as a single figure stood there. A woman with flowing bright golden hair and beautiful green eyes, she looked at Zahir as he looked back, a single tear falling from his face.

The only time I can ever see you now is when I play, and then your still not here. Only an image of you that I control...It's not the same. It never will be.

The drums and bass blasting as he hammered on each note as he played. A painful look began to pass over him as his mouth trembled as he tried to hold back the overwhelming sadness tugging at his heartstrings. So he figured he would let it all out with his last song. The tempo began to pick up as the bass ceased and only a kick from the drums was heard as he took a long breath and, with controlled harsh vocals the beginning of the song.

YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH RIIIIIGHT!
I watched you walk awaaaaaay~
LOVELESS with NOTHING TO SAYYYYY YEAH~
I strained my eyyyyes~
Hoping to see you aGAIIIIINNN~
THIS IS MY CURSE ( The longing~)
THIS IS MY CURSE ( Time~)
THIS IS MY CURSE ( The Yearning~)
THIS..IS..MY...CUUUUUUURSE~

The figure turned to the crowd as she saw Zahir in the same smokey form move his way from the crowd. She walked up to him as he did the same and took her into his arms and be to dance with her in a ballroom style of dance. The song represented his time with Samantha, his one and only love. The song began to hurt as flashes of his past were brought forth in front of the crowd: When they had first met at the music shop, the times they would stay in the garden and play for the other citizens. The times where they would be at the festivals, dancing together, blocking out the world and enjoying one another. It was a love story unfolding before the crowd. A "crowd" could no longer be the term used for the amount of people that stopped what they were doing to listen. It became an audience, a concert in the morning, something that these people could enjoy. The song was halfway through so he decided to make the ending interesting. The amp once again started to glow but this time brighter and brighter until it was as bright as the sun and then the light dispersed rapidly covering over the audience. The entire crowd and shielded their eyes from it. When the light died down, the scenery had changed into a flowing meadow throughout the entire audience, beautiful flowers scattered all around as the to ghostly forms danced and ran through it. This happened for a moment or to until the tempo slowed and Zahir's smoky form disappeared.

And still I want
And still I ache
but still I wait
to see you agaaaaaiiiin~

Zahir who was still on the amp stepped down and made his way over to her a hand raised with a flower. She took the flower and sniffed it with a smile as he laid his hand on the side of her face. He looked her up and down, trying to remember every detail about her. The two leaned into each other as if to kiss but instead she walked through him, into the meadow. She began to fade as the song came to its close. A sad look crossed over him once more as she disappeared. A loud cheer came from his audience as his back was turned away from them, his head down, silently he cried. He gained his composure as he heard the cheering begin to settle. Once again Zahir put on his smile and turned to them.

"THANK YOU LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOYS AND GIRLS! WHAT YOU HAVE WITNESSED WAS THE INNER SANCTUM OF ZAHIR'S MIND! I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE ENJOYED THE SHOW! THANK YOU!"

He stood atop his amp once again and bowed, a second round of cheers where heard. Soon enough everyone began to go about their day once more as he began to pack up.

[Jyggalax666]

Lyrian sitting atop a pile of boxes clapped quietly. "What sorcery was that hmmmmm...." wondered Lyrian, "....its like the music is...." he snapped his fingers shouting "Aha!!!" the startled people below him looked up at him with unusual stares. "What you never seen an elf on top of a pile of boxes?" one man replied "Yeah, just not one so short." Lyrian glared at him.

Leaping down he purposefully almost landed on the two. "Hey watch it stubby!!" Lyrian turns slowly stares right at him. "Call me 'stubby'.... one more time...". The man looked confused but replied "Ok, STUBBY!" he recoiled in pain as he suddenly realized there was a boot firmly placed right between his 'Crown Jewels'. "Why?! You told me to call you 'stubby'?!?!" Lyrian now eye to eye with the man "It was a rhetorical cyclic statement or as lower intelligence such as yourself call it... a loaded remark.". "Ok... *whimpers* Sorry..." noticing his sincerity Lyrian feels terrible for kicking him. "Sorry for emasculating you." confused the man asks whats "Emas..que...lating?" Lyrian facepalms "It means sorry for kicking you in the manhood."

Lyrian scurried to get a closer look, this time he was a little more polite. He tried as hard as he could to fight the crowd but he was getting swarmed by the mass of people.

[Salrynn]

Miah looked to the guitarist in absolute curiosity, nodding quickly as she dashed out of the training area briefly, urging the young man to follow her quickly, running out the whole recruitment area, trying to get to the market place as fast as she possibly could. She needed to find who was making the music and to see if they were also ‘blessed’ by the glorious goddess of music herself.

Upon getting to the market place she looked furiously around for this ‘musician’ she so wanted to see, but it seems the song has already finished upon her unfortunate arrival. She wasn't happy as she was pushed onto the floor by the stampeding crowds leaving, getting up quickly afterwards in a obvious annoyed manner. ‘Urrgh!! Can’t others have respect around here!!!?’ Miah grunted under her breath, feeling rather offended by what had just happened.

Upon getting up she finally noticed the noise-maker, a elven man so it appeared to be; the crowds were still rushing around trying to leave the area so what she did was… in-explainable. She got out her sleigh bells, making them sound louder and louder until the elf would hopefully heed her call, the winds getting rougher and rougher as she did so. It did catch the attention of the crowds but if it will attract the attention of the elven musician, she wouldn't know.

[Jyggalax666]

Lyrian fought his way through the crowd until he could see the musician. The beat started again this time it was different, there were bells. He was a little confused but kept listening. Soon his guitar and the bells were in sync, he could hear it all. He began to sing with the elf as he finally managed to get past the first row.

[FallenTrinity]

He looked up to see two individuals with their instruments. One male holding a guitar who seemed to be in sync with a women who held bells. The one with bells seemed to drawn a breeze to her. "So they are the new recruits." He grabbed his amp and guitar and made his way over in a causal stride. As he closed the distance he began to play his guitar with the other, syncing on a different octive, tapping his foot to the rhythm.

Now here we go for the hundredth time
hand grenades pins in every line
throw them up and let something shine
Going out of my fucking mind
filthy mouth, no excuse
find a new place to hang this noose

He stood there, playing with the new recruits for some time. It was nice to see some of the other "blessed" ones. It was a rare experience for those in the military to see a group of them together, let alone by themselves. Well, in his case anyway. He was like a ghost when it came to off duty. He preferred to be by himself most of the time unless it was to either help with inspection or introduce new recruits to their quarters. After a period of time, he stopped playing and held out his hand. His smooth and gritty voice welcomed the two with open arms. "It was a pleasure to play with you two. You must be the new recruits I heard about. My name is Corporal Zahir Tankian." I bright smile crossed his face, his eyes showed warmth but with a hint of ice behind it.