Let Me Sing You the Song of My People

[peacockherald]

Who: Vanyel Ashkevron & Anyone
Broadcast: Yes
Action: S.S. Starstruck
When: Now

[ The feed pops open to show Vanyel, his hair pulled back in a loose queue that falls over one shoulder. It's like he tried his best to look good for this broadcast, but that surely was not it at all. He didn't even bother to dye out that gray streak running from his temple back into the rest of his hair. In his arms he is cradling a guitar in his arms, fingers idly plucking, soft little twangs underscoring his words when he speaks. ]

Good day - evening, perhaps? It is so hard to tell on the ships. 

I was wondering, as we travel to our new destination, if any one would wish to share the music of their home worlds with me? Music has always been a passion of mine, and I feel that the music of a world tells a much deeper story than simply words. I would appreciate, and be honored, to hear yours. 

[ For those who are aboard the Starstruck, he is sitting in what counts as his room, strumming the guitar though the tune itself is something that is more at home in a medieval king's court than it is aboard a sleek spaceship - or even on a guitar. He will gladly receive any visitors who wish to stop by. ]

Comments

[peacockherald]

Not one in particular. There are many that range from province to province. I do have a particular favorite though.

_{[ He plucked out the tune and sang the words, his voice surprisingly sonorous, complimented nicely by the notes. He kept any of his Bardic gift from the music, though the emotion behind it came through without - a warmth coming home. ]}

[thatwhichyields]

[It reminds her, oddly enough, of the Skaldi hearth songs. The warmth of returning to the hall after a long day in the snow. And his voice is no small thing - 'twould do a d'Angeline proud.]

Lovely. Do you travel often, where you come from?

[Travelers always knew more songs and versions.]

[peacockherald]

Yes, I do. It is part of my job as a Herald. I defend my country, and aid those in need of a Herald's services within in the kingdom. Travel is very much a part of my job. Some days I think I am melding with my saddle.

_{[ He laughed a little, hoping she saw the humor. ]}

[thatwhichyields]

[Her lips curve in agreeable humor, a small laugh escaping. She had felt the same at times in her own escapades.

One thing stood out to her however, use of words that didn't translate.]

A herald? You read proclamations?

[It didn't quite scan, not with the way he'd described it. There was such pride in his work at defence, yet is wasn't a large part of the job as she understood it. ]

[peacockherald]

No, not exactly. Bards are mostly in charge of such things - spreading news throughout the Kingdom with their songs and returning with news for the king's ears. A Herald is someone who has been Chosen by a Companion, and without exception Heralds have Gifts - the easiest explanation is finite magic.

Heralds serve the kingdom by riding Circuits, traveling to villages and lord's lands to address issues they might have as we bear the authority of the king as his representatives.

[thatwhichyields]

[There are a great many words there that Phedre re-translates through context as opposed to actually understanding.]

I see. Are you born with your Gifts, or do you come into them upon being... Chosen?

[The question lilt is meant to be for both the inquiry, and to ensure she used the word properly. In her head she equated these Gifts to being god-touched. They were possible to come upon many ways, but those who were touched had a strangeness to them that was unavoidable. Phedre herself at times gave people discomfort.]

[peacockherald]

You are born with them, and Chosen after. There are quite a few Gifts, and generally speaking, you are born with only one.

_{[ Personality, he thought, had much to do with the choosing, but in all honesty no one was sure how the Companions chose their Chosen, and the Companions were not telling them either. They had their secrets, and the Heralds had simply learned to live without those answers. The Companions would not even tell them where it was they came from, especially not Grove-born Ronoldo. ]}

[thatwhichyields]

[Born with them? This, then, was someone else who lived their whole lives being different. But they, perhaps, saw theirs as less of an affliction than she did.

She ponders that, and eventually asks the questions pressing in her mind.]

Do you ever believe that your gift shapes you?

[peacockherald]

I believe that mine did, yes, but I came upon my Gifts later in my life, and not as one usually might.

_{[ No, his had been much harsher, a crueler awakening than anyone deserved. ]}

I rather think it depends on which Gift you receive. There are a number of them, and some have more impact than others. Bardic and Healing will I think steer you towards one thing more than Fetching would.

[thatwhichyields]

[It dawns on Phedre that perhaps their gifts are very different from her own, and thre was no way for her to get the kind of answer she was searching for tactfully.]

I see. Those must be very powerful gifts.