QUIET MOUNDS - STEF HEART

[abardacttofollow]

You find yourself in a stone room that looks like some sort of medieval dungeon. There are (thankfully), no torture instruments, but there is a man strung up here. One large manacle is around his neck, chaining him stiffly to the door. His hands are free, but each foot is manacled to the matching bottom corner of the doorframe. There is a visible lock on each of the three manacles.

It's Stefen, and there's a knife in his chest. Despite that, he's alive, apparently alert, and doesn't look to be in pain, perhaps due to the lulling, sense-dulling music that seems to be coming from nowhere at all—in fact, if you were in pain before you entered, it's gone here. His wound is bleeding, but only a little, and he smiles his usual bright smile at you.

Behind him, but in front of the closed door he's bound to, you can see three double sets of strings running vertically. Where they meet the floor, they are fastened, and then each runs across the floor to the three doors on the opposite wall, then under them.

There is nothing else in this room.

((OOC: Here's how this will work! Since we're doing individual runs, rather than me putting up individual top levels for areas, just jump the post itself, and I'll run everything for you within your one thread. If you're wanting to do a run with someone else, just stay in the same thread together.))

Comments

[abardacttofollow]

"Really?" He seems amazed. "Me? Even though I'm from here?"

[originsong]

Yeah! She came looking for you specifically. See, I told you, your voice would reach further someday.

[abardacttofollow]

He considers it, fidgeting, then nods. "...Okay. Hope it's not a front for something."

[originsong]

She seemed very genuine. And if not, I'll rescue you.

[abardacttofollow]

"Thank you," he tells her. He takes a couple of coins where he's hidden them in his rag bed and heads for the door.

[originsong]

You're welcome.

[ ... watches to make sure he gets to the lady okay before heading back to the main room ]

[abardacttofollow]

He does, and she leads him away.

Heart's Guard Stefen looks up. "Hello again."

[originsong]

I have another key. Would you like a hug? It seems like your childhood was difficult.

[abardacttofollow]

I wouldn't mind a hug! I'm mostly over my childhood, I think, but these things do tend to stick with you. Nothing messes you up like what happens to you as a child.

[originsong]

[ i was grown in a vat so i cant relate really but ]

Even when it's from a long time ago, the past can still hurt.

[ anyway though you get a nice hug carefully avoiding the knife in you ]

[abardacttofollow]

[half-hugs back, patting her shoulder]

[originsong]

[ +1 affection points! ]

Then, there's just one path left, right? And then you can move around freely...

[abardacttofollow]

That's right. The Gift.

[originsong]

Then, I'll go there next.

The Gift 1

[abardacttofollow]

He points.

When you go through, you find yourself in a royal court, with a king on his seat. He looks tired and unwell, but is upright and smiling. The music is loud here, the source of where it's playing throughout the Heart: Stefen, much the age you're used to seeing him, seated on the dais and playing a lute for entertainment. Across the king's lap is a scepter, and a long lush carpet leads up to the throne. On either side of the carpet are people come to get the king's audience, mostly the rich and fancifully dressed. Behind the throne there is a door; the cord runs through the middle of the room, under the throne and the king's feet, and under that locked door. Next to the door is some sort of empty scale, clearly attached in some way.

"Well? Who's next?" the king asks, in a friendly voice despite his paleness, and the dark circles under his eyes.

A sign on the door reads: "What is the weight of security?"

[originsong]

Next for what...?

[abardacttofollow]

"Ah, for an audience," the king says.

[originsong]

[today on The Character Who Saya Plays Tries To Heal Every Problem With Healing Magic]

Oh. It might be me...? Are you all right? You look ill. Would you like me to help you?

[abardacttofollow]

"Unfortunately, it's not something that can be healed. The pain can be kept at bay, though." He nods to Stefen.

[originsong]

Oh...

[ looks over at Stefen you did it you became a singer! how you doin' over there ]

[abardacttofollow]

He looks like he's tranced out, playing—and has been playing long enough that his fingers have blistered, and the blisters have even started to tear.

[originsong]

[ listens for a bit

then starts singing along with his playing, matching the tune and trying to match the emotions it invokes as well?? and just adding her OWN feelings of 'don't be in pain' and 'feel better' to it

listen, i'm a song magic person, i do song magic exclusively ]

[abardacttofollow]

It's true, and it's canon that his rare painblocking talent can be taught to healers.

Stefen hesitates, but keeps playing.

[originsong]

[ she's not trying to overpower it or anything she's just like, joining in! harmonizing with it! helpin'. ]

[abardacttofollow]

Stef's blood is on the strings, but he's more focused than ever after he gets used to it.

King Randale... draws a breath, and gets through the rest of the people requesting audiences in what must be record time.