Shaded Tunes and Elder Trees [Scoria]

[Blue]

The days passed quietly in the streets of Londenium, it's crumbling buildings standing tall, like guiding sentinals in the sea of forest that was the Unfounded
Kingdom. In these decaying buildings, where life flourished in its baser forms, a gentle tone played, a melody almost like the wind itself which floated through
the buildings like air. The sound reverberated, echoing out its serene notes through the district. Anyone could hear it, all they needed was to listen closely,
lest they mistake it for the london breeze.

Deep in the ruins of London, the chorus of wind played with growing depth, as if the windy melody heard from afar was a lure to bring questioning minds further
into the depths. A sirens call, you could call it, but was that not a sinister comparison? How interesting, that the truth is more suspicious than the lie.
All the same, the melody persisted, calling out to any that would listen. Bird, snake, rabbit, and rodent, the domestic beasts which didn't even register as
a threat in this worlds system, they all gathered, closing in on the epicenter of the melodic tune. A fine trail to follow if any.

Passing broken domiciles and crumbling workshops, the tune finally came into it's full potential, shedding the wind as its cover and taking on the complications
of a well thought score. The animals which had been guided here before now sit in droves within a grove, likely once the center of trade for this district, but
now the stage for select individuals who find this place within the unexplored territories of London. It's current occupant sat silently on a fallen elder birch,
surrounded by enchanted beasts whilst the tune which brought them here was played on her Irish flute.

A melody under the shades of elder trees, a hauntingly beautiful stage. Now for the actors to take their places.

Words: 313
Tags: Scoria
Notes: Will prettify later

[Scoria]

Impossible. Music. In my Londinium?

Scoria's ears pricked up as he walked the ruins, eyes searching for the source. No, that was pure foolishness. It had been so long since he had heard proper music, since anyone had so much as bothered to pick an instrument up to play anything other than violent, bloody music. He meant that both as a descriptor and as an insult to the music itself, as he felt like the only time he ever heard music at all was when someone used it to fight. And even then, it was just... it reeked of blood. Scoria followed his ears and not his eyes as he walked, quietly thanking his luck that he had summoned the Grey Wolf today and not Alraune. They walked in tandem, quietly, until the broken ruins gave way to warm sound and disrepair gave way to rich tones.

His steps were quiet as anything, taking the utmost care to not disturb the artist in question. For this performance alone, Scoria felt the pink-haired individual was worthy of a little bit of respect. So many people paid no attention to the most important parts of life and focused on gaining levels or conquering things. When that goal was reached, however, then what? Although the druid's glare did not fade, Scoria watched the flutist's back and sat down. He had accidentally snuck up behind her and now, would patiently wait until she was done or reached a proper lull in her song. At such a point, he would take the moment to make sure his presence was made clear with a soft, appreciative round of applause. Nothing too harsh or intense, but certainly enough to let the individual know he approved. The witch of ice had taken the stage and his familiar had shown itself as well, but the curtains had just barely opened. This, my friends, is just the first act.

[ Blue ]

[Blue]

The flutist's tune was an ode to nature itself, a sound to remind the world that nature was alive and all around them, not as some digital construct but as a
serene entity who's unmatched beauty permeated the world they lived in. This was Blue's finest score yet, a dream-like melody, offered to the world as her
pledge of respect. Even the animals who dared not approach the common adventurer had gathered in her quiet place, sitting around the musician in a quaint circle,
their curiosity and appreciation fueling Blue's breath as her little wooden flute turned it into the magic tones that now flooded this grove.

How long had Blue been playing this tune? It was as if eons had passed in a matter of hours, and yet this day persisted, the magnificent sun sharing it's light
with the world and peircing the canopy of trees which they stood under. It was a reminder that the day was still so young. Alas, that this act was coming to
an end, but all songs had an end, even this one. The pinkette finally lowered her flute from tired lips and watched as the animals departed from their seats in
the house of grass. Her head bowed in respect to the audience, a satisfied smile etched itself upon her features. Then silence, if only for a moment. It was the
calm after a performance that she knew well, when all anxiety and struggle was relieved. At least until the onlookers came to speak. That wasn't something Blue
expected in her hidden world though, after all there was only she. At least that was until applause broke the silence.

Blue couldn't help but be surprised, after all it had come from her blind spot. All the same, the musician elected to retain her composure, tilting her head
back to lay eyes on her secret audience. A man, Human by the looks, sporting Druid equipment even. Not as surprising she supposed, since she was attracting
all sorts of attention from the denizens of nature. A druid would take interest in a gathering of animals after all. The pinkette stood up and spun on her
heel to the direction of the Druid. She followed with a graceful bow to his applause, as was conduct for a performer in any concert. Looking to him, she gave
a warm smile.

"I'm glad you enjoyed the show. I wasn't expecting an audience today."

Words: 406
Tags: Scoria

[Scoria]

Scoria's glare was a timeless thing, it neither started nor ended anywhere in particular. Not the kindness of strangers or particularly good fortune could cause those furrowed eyebrows and that sharp stare to cease and Blue's music was no exception. He was not the smiling type, but he was at least a little amused at the way that this pink-haired musician carried herself. It was interesting, in a way. He nodded in response to her bow, an eye floating across the various animals that had gathered as he scratched behind the ears of his own wolf. Her smile had no chance of warming that nevermelting ice, but he did at least offer her this. "I have not heard music for the sake of music in quite some time. Sorry if I disturbed you..." He had, after all, taken some care to choose a moment in which the music lulled, in which he would not be interrupting that serenade.

After all, a sudden belting note from the side in a moment of pianissimo had the capacity to ruin everything that had been built up so far. He gave her instrument a once-over and turned his glaring gaze back upon the magician of the pipe, continuing to lightly scratch the ears of his companion. "Whatever the melody may be, good music is good music. Good things should be rewarded, should they not?" Scoria raised an eyebrow at the woman before glancing up at the sky and frowning deeply. He wanted an instrument. He wanted one. In fact, there were so many instruments that he wanted to get a hold of, and yet... just because he wasn't a bard. Haaaah. What a pain. Scoria wasn't particularly glaring at Blue, he simply glared as it was how he was. The sharp-eyed brute turned his crimson gaze back on the pinkette before saying just one more thing. "It'd be a shame." The druid nodded quietly and rested his eyes, trusting his ears and his familiar to warn him of any potential dangers. The man had the ability to glare even while his eyes were closed, but his words were softer than they normally were. Perhaps he was simply in a good mood today? Surely no one was expecting the rising action or conflict so early in the tale, right? Scoria scoffed under his breath. Blue seemed like the kind of person he could be pointlessly cryptic with and they wouldn't mind.

[ Blue ]

[Blue]

This man seemed to be of the less than sunny disposition, his permanently furrowed brow making that an abundantly clear fact. Blue didn't really mind though.
What hid in the dark was beautiful in its own way after all, it just needed eyes adjusted to that shroud of black to appreciate it. Analytical eyes hidden
behind azure green hues took this druidic stranger in, like a child with a new puzzle to learn, Blue looked to see what made him tick. With him stood a silent
wolf, a fitting companion to this mysterious practitioner of natures arts. Perhaps a clue to his own nature? Ah, but who was she to wonder these things? The
mystery of mankind was nothing to be rushed, nor would she find those answers in a single druid. Let it come naturally, as it always did. After all, Act one
was meant to build the framework for greater understanding.

Blue held close her Irish flute, the grain of the old wood digging into her palms as if afraid to let go. "You've no need to worry, it was likely best to stop
there anyway. Indeed, it seems the art of music has been tainted with too much blood these days..." Her expression darkened slightly, a sad voice escaping her
lips at the thought of her music being made only as a weapon. That's not what this world was about, and yet that is the path which the thousands of adventurers
trapped within had elected for. Yet that wasn't entirely true now was it? There was herself, and now this druid before her, drawn to the heartfelt tones which
she had poured herself into. Indeed, he was before her now, showing himself a true appreciator of good music. "You are correct in that. Though to me the music
is its own reward."

The bard, relaxing her shoulders and taking the same sitting position as before, now found herself looking to the sky with her new companion. His name still
unknown to her, she took the liberty of calling him Druid, as long as introductions were being witheld. The sun shined brightly above the londinium trees,
creating gorgeous rays of light and dancing shadows amidst the grove of elder trees. A shame... yes, it would be a shame, for anything like this to be disturbed
by the harsh cruelties of this world. Deep in the bards heart, she hoped to protect this peace, if only for a while longer. Yet without conflict, the world will
stagnate, and even nature understands this rule of the world. The show goes on, its actors hopeful wishes not in the least important.

Words: 440
Tags: Scoria

[Scoria]

It wasn't like Scoria didn't understand. Music was both a weapon and a way of life for some people, but sometimes it simply could not be helped. After all, even his wolf companion and the forest sprite that were casually referred to as his children saw bloodshed. That was the way it was, but for Scoria, that didn't mean that that had to be the only way it was. He followed his own personal code of conduct in regards to that, which was why the wolf was walking around now. His MP took a hit as a result, but he had leveled just to allow for this, hadn't he? Violence circled back into a hope for nonviolence, and then it rolled in the other direction. When Scoria's gaze happened to lock with Blue's, there was no wavering in that crimson pool. Blue had the ability to gaze straight into someone's soul with her gaze, but Scoria's gaze was no less piercing. That set of crystal rubies that set themselves in his eye sockets seemed almost soulless in the moments he locked eyes with Blue. When the gaze broke, everything was as before.

The druid considered using the interface to gleam a little extra information off about the musician in front of him, but it seemed rude to him. Not that he was usually one to care about consideration and politeness, but for some reason, he just didn't do it. The sky was pretty calm today, it seemed. The clouds were pretty lazy and it simply didn't remind him of London at all. The usual cloudy grey sky and murky, humid atmosphere was gone for a little bit. A good day for a walk, a good day for music, a good day in general. Scoria's lips didn't so much as twitch upwards in appreciation, but Blue was astute. Surely she'd see the twinkling in his crimson gaze behind his glaring expression. He let out a light sigh and turned to glance back at Blue. Well, it was probably time for introductions of a sort. Tilting his head sideways as he glared, he let out another short sigh.

"Kaguya. Or Ice Bitch, if you prefer." Scoria scoffed under his breath, a derisive sound that made to mock his nickname. 'Kaguya' was more of a joke than anything, a reference to his love of nighttime and a casual reference to the princess of the moon and the bamboo cutter's daughter. Well, it was a lot more than that, but those were the names that he offered. Closing his eyes again for a moment before glancing off to the other side and investigating the overgrowth of nature in the area, Scoria cleared his throat once more. "...What are your thoughts on music stores?" Someone had recently researched the ability to make musical instruments and Scoria had done something about score scrolls, so the druid wanted to spread music just a bit more, but if he was going to do that... Well, it might be a good idea to get the opinion of someone like Blue. Scoria was cold-hearted and business oriented, which meant that there was a distinct possibility he'd cut out the heart of the shop in return for profits of a kind. Best to put up safeguards against that early on.

[ Blue ]

[Blue]

There was something beneath the surface of this hard skinned druid that sat before the rouge musician. Yes indeed, she saw the twinkle of light in his eye that spoke of contentment, enjoyment in the situation. It made the young woman well up with pride that in this tranquil place, even the darkest of characters could let shine a spark of positive energy into the world. This was what she, as a musician had lived for. She leaned forward, tilting her head with an ethereal smile hanging on her lips. She wondered if the two could stare into each other like this for an eternity, analyzing each other, determining what made one another tick. Certainly he was searching in her eyes as she was his. Alas that they could only communicate so little without words.

the Druid finally spoke again, and from those lips creased by a perpetual scowl escaped a most peculiar set of words. She wasn't sure what prompted him to call himself such an obscenity but it brought a hint of wry amusement to her smile that she couldn't help. She hoped that he wouldn't mind her use of the former name. Kaguya was a beautiful name in contrast to the alternative. She was a fan of Japanese folklore, and knew the tale of the Moon Princess and its weight as a moniker. She could appreciate that, certainly. "Kaguya... A fine name I do think. Then that is what I will call you from now on." Her expression returned to its default position, a smile that spoke of a hidden mystery. She had to struggle to hear his scoffing words, but it all registered in the end.

"A music store... It had never occurred to me before actually. Not in this world." She sat there pondering for a while, crossing her legs and propping her chin up on a hand as she contemplated the presence of a place that dealt in music. Yes... Yes, that would work. For once Blue's expression had changed into genuine excitement as she met Scoria's eyes. The glow in her crystal hues was unmistakable. "If such a thing were to exist, it would only help this world we live in." She thought about it as if in a dream, a beautiful Londinium filled with music that echoed out into the streets and brought a smile to every resident's face. She stood, a serious but gleeful look on her face. "Do you think it possible?"


[Tag: Scoria]
[Word Count: 412]

[Scoria]

She was sparkling. He was simultaneously enamored and perplexed. The Druid's expression stayed much the same, the same creased brow and flickering orbs, but his interest had been piqued. Putting aside whatever might be of his name, the ice mage reached into his inventory and smoothly withdrew a single item. A 'Score Scroll', he had called it, an item researched by himself. His openness and willingness to share were perhaps indicators enough, but when the Druid handed over a bit of his property to the Bard to inspect, it should have become clear that he held some trust in her now. That expression was not easy to fake. It wasn't as though he trusted her implicitly though. No one here had rolled a critical failure on sense motive.

"I agree." Music was not evil or violent. It was a means of communication, a means to enjoyment. Blue and Scoria agreed on this point and the Ice Bitch nodded as if to affirm it. Scoria rose with Blue, drawing up to his full height of 180 centimeters and gesturing to scroll he had handed over. "I think so." Now they had reached some rising action, the progression of the plot as the two principal actors had cast aside much formality. He did not mention that he ordered instruments for himself or his quiet interest in some exotic instruments. These were thoughts, and thoughts are not told and especially not shown. On the stage of the world, whether it be theatre or roleplay, it is action that matters. Pondering on life's complexities internally almost seemed like a waste of words in that light.

Druid

Blue

[Blue]

The rouge actress took the prop in her hand, her emerald hues scanning its perplexities with childlike wonder, only to find that it was not a prop at all but a script. A beautiful, blank script that would dare to change the course of the production that they lived in at this very moment. She opened the scroll, smiling with a sort of glee you could only find in a child at Christmas time. It was devoid of notes but the structure of the template was so obvious that anyone could tell, let alone one as versed as herself. A 'Score Scroll'. A simple piece of parchment that had the power to record musical notes and allow them to be spread among the populace. At the start of this all, there was no way to teach music but by ear. This scroll though... it could change how the entire Bard class worked, how music in general worked. 

Parting her eyes from the enchanting object, she once again met her gaze with Kaguya's still smiling as if in a dream. "I'm sorry, I must appear childish. This is just so..." She looked down briefly at the scroll again, biting her lip as she did so. What songs she could write on this parchment, to record and play freely for all to hear. Her ideal world flashed in front of her mind's eye, depicting a city brimming with the sound of music. A chorus that in its own right made the city glow with the freedom and glory of a world unlike any other. It was a struggle to break from that trance. Oh how she longed for it all. But that was not in the present... not yet. "This is truly a wonder you've created, Kaguya." She spoke again, smiling sweetly at this stranger who had entered her grove. "If you were to sell these, I'm confident it would spark a revolution in music for this world."


[Tag: Scoria]
[Word Count: 326]

[Scoria]

She understood. Wonderful. It wasn't explicitly or immediately obvious just what the implications of such a device were, he thought, but she seemed to grasp it right away. He turned his head away and glanced off to the side, marginally uncomfortable with just how... happy she seemed. It wasn't as though he had a problem with it, he just didn't know how to react. Smiling wasn't really his thing. Still, she seemed to 'get it', so he didn't make any needless comments or glare more than usual. He just harumped slightly and shrugged off her apology. "It's important to you. An apology is not needed." His awkward way of saying it was fine, still coming off roughly and turning his nose up very slightly.

Still, he too was enjoying the idea of streets filled with music. He had often thought that the songs and dancing that sparked up in movies out of nowhere were rather enchanting. Silly and unrealistic, perhaps, but enchanting. Filling the world with a bit more music seemed like a good idea to him. He wouldn't go so far as to say it was a wonder exactly, but... His head craned back towards her, eyebrow raising up in confusion. "Sell...?" He stared at her for a few moments, confusion mixing in with the glare. Recognition dawned on him after and he closed his eyes, harumphing slightly. Of course. That had been foolish of him. He had used the word 'shop'. He wasn't about to go off on Blue for following his cues, that would be far too rude. He had never intended to really sell. He wanted more to lend or barter or trade, like a 'take a book, leave a book' sort of bookshop type thing. It was a terrible business model, but he didn't need money. Still, Blue did not seem the type to care about money. The only real trouble was the processing fee. Had Scoria still been a Scribe, it would have been the cost of materials, but... Hrm. Either way, he was now enjoying the amusing idea of having a library cafe combo, where you could eat pie and read a good book. That sounded good. Best to be sure. "I imagine profits are of little concern to you?"

Druid

Blue

[Blue]

Blue paused for a moment, craning her head at the stirring reactions behind Kaguya's growling facade. Had her words perhaps danced on a nerve? Maybe she had been too presumptuous in thinking he wished to sell his invention. It was a fair assumption, she supposed, but it wasn't within her realm to decide what he could and could not do with these. Her own thoughts were voice by the druid, now afflicted with a mutual curiosity of character. "Profit is a means to an end." She stated rather frankly, the look of amused knowing spread across her features like a Cheshire cat speaking to her Alice. "To the wise man, profit will never be placed first, but he can not deny the necessity of currency in a world of industry." She spoke of human nature of course. It was truth that in an ideal world, monetary gain was non-existent, but despite Elder Tales fantasy roots, it was never ideal.

So in a world that ran on the need of currency, what did Kaguya believe, that he could willingly forgo such an idea and willing give out his work? Blue met the druid's eyes with that gentle analysis she had done when they first spoke, searching his soul for intention. "Were you perhaps content in giving these scrolls out for free?" It was a fair line of thinking, if a tad optimistic for its nature. Even Blue felt that would be a less than ideal plan. All it took was one scribe to see this new item and he would be able to copy it down and sell it on his own. "Or maybe a barter system?" A common middle ground when debating over the idea of monetization. The bard was certain herself that such items were worth a precious amount in a world so dire in need. "Knowledge is meant to be free of course, but you can't deny the need for certain 'quid quo pro' in a world reigned by humanity."


Words: 332
Tags: Scoria

[Scoria]

Scoria harumped and shrugged his shoulders before drawing up his interface and navigating through it as he kept one eye on Blue and her unsettling grin. She was a little creepy sometimes. He just needed to come out even, really. It was open research, listed in the system as something that could be made. The point was that it existed and Scoria had no intention of making some obscene profit off of it or anything of the sort. Besides, the thing that would be sold would be the music itself. You pay not for the score scroll, but the contents, the music. Thus the potential for a trading system. Write down your own song in return for borrowing someone else's. Pretty straightforward, he thought. But of course, it had its pitfalls. So when Blue asked if he was content giving out his scrolls for free, the Druid scoffed again.

"Pretty much." He flipped his interface around to display his current money balance, including what was hidden in the bank. The number was... well, it was over a million. He vanished the interface just as quickly soon after, dismissing the entire set of panels after displaying how little money mattered to him. If he came out perfectly even with zero profits, that was fine too. Barters were good too. "Write a piece to borrow a piece might work. The collection increases." As for denying the quid pro quo, hadn't he just done so? What he got out of this was fairly simple anyway. A better world. A happier world. If people wanted to take advantage of him, he could probably handle it. Well, whatever the case was, he had made his arguments. He turned to Blue and stared her down, searching her thoughts as she had done his.

Druid

Blue

[Blue]

Perhaps it was wrong of Blue to make such assumptions of Kaguya so quickly, though in any other situation it would be fair to think there was some form of monetary angle. As a musician, Blue had a thorough understanding of the music industry and its... complications. It had clouded her view of others, adding a dark vignette to her perspective of people. But that was not this world, this Elder Tale that they now lived in. The nature of humanity was being tested now, throwing the old rules to four winds in an attempt to see how it would develop knowing its former flaws. The bard shrugged off her presumptions, looking back to her druid companion with fresh and clear eyes.

"Free trade of music... It sounds like just a myth when you consider what it was like back in the old world." She said almost to herself, tapping an index finger against her chin in a contemplative manner. "You seem to have it all figured out." Her voice trailed off a bit as ideas sprang to mind. Musical notes floated around in her head, and her finger now tapped to an imaginary beat. She smiled, stifling a giggle as she caught herself getting too far ahead. She noticed the Druid staring at her. Was he searching for an answer from her? Or perhaps he sought to understand her as she had done with him. Her expression twisted into a mirthful grin. "You've made an interesting case, Kaguya. I think I'd like to see this 'better world' you are striving for." Her words were genuine, the glow in her expression radiating hopeful wishes and thoughtful ideals.

[Word Count: 277]
[Tag: Scoria]
[Notes: Was longer but crash wiped it all so bleh]

[Scoria]

"Really? Music piracy ran rampant and if you needed a song, it was on YT or Soundcloud or Grooveshark or such, was it not? Music spread free." Scoria scowled sharply and scoffed, the last words coming out in a drawl. Piracy was a bit of an ugly truth about the recent times of humanity, and he himself had been a perpetrator. It was almost commonplace. Artists got screwed, people enjoyed their 'free music', and what could be called exploitation was a reality. For the songstress, the painter, for all of them. Well, that was that and this was this. No one had to enter the musician's chorus if they didn't want to. But still, Blue was hopeful.

Scoria let out a heavy sigh and nodded. "If you think it is possible... then I hope to see you there. Not in a better world, but perhaps just a better street." Scoria harumphed lightly and almost scoffed again, not willing to explicitly state anything about such lofty goals. He thought quietly to himself for a while, closing his eyes and pondering what he knew of Londinium, having avoided exploring the other towns too much recently. If he was going to set up some place, here was as good a place as any. But not there or there, but perhaps at the King's... Well, he would see. He had extended the invitation. "I'm sure you'll be able to find it easily." Scoria scoffed again, fingers swaying and scratching at air as his arms stood crossed, telltale signs of mental calculations under a defensive posture. "And you're most certainly welcome to play there at any time." It was a matter-of-fact statement, accompanied by a tilting of the head to affirm what he had just said. There was no smile, but neither was there any hard glare, just the usual furrowed eyebrows. Company was, at times, welcome.

Druid

Blue

[Blue]

Perhaps it was her own experience in the industry, but his words touched on a nerve for Blue that only nerves of steel could restrain. Maybe it was the fact that her latter years in university were paid by the royalties and donations she had acquired from her own publications. Piracy had become quite the thorn in the side of the everyday artist looking to live off of their craft. Not that Blue was relying solely on her music to get by. A painting could sell for almost obscene amounts of money if you knew where to display it. To be honest, it had become easier to drop traditional publishers all together and set up an account on a third party publication site where patrons could donate for bonus content. Blue remembered the guilt welling up in her stomach the day she set up her Patreon account for her fans to donate. She hated the idea of asking for support from her followers, but bills came before pride. It was something she had to stomach for a while now. At that time, money had become a poisonous topic for her. This world had given her an escape from that anxiety though. Throwing away the concept of capital and monetization had allowed the people to develop a society that didn't need to worry about coin. Now Kaguya stood before her with the idea of free music. What an unreal but beautiful world they lived in.

"I will be sure to keep my ear open for word of your opening." Blue smiled kindly, a genuine expression of her feelings toward Kaguya and the idea he strived for. She held tight the old wooden flute in her hand, barely able to contain the enthusiasm that was welling up inside her as she envisioned his quaint little shop. "When the time comes, I will make sure to play the best of my works for you." It was a promise she hoped to keep for them both. The stage was not something she took up lightly, but if it drew more actors into the harmony of this play, then who was she to reject? Their eyes met yet again, emerald blues staring into crimson hues, their expressions contrasting but their minds alike. The Bard was glad that Kaguya had walked into this grove today. She was certain that there were few other people that could provide as stimulating a subject as he had brought her today. Her hand stretched outward and summoned the social window of the in-game interface. There weren't many names on her list of friends. It was a special right she had reserved for a precious few. "If you would be so inclined, I would like to keep in touch." She said, drawing his name into the search box and adding him to her list. The request would ping in his own interface instantaneously. 

Not waiting for his response, her head upturned to stare at the sky beyond the canopy of trees. The color had changed from last she had checked at the start of her show. Not that she wanted to leave, but she had made prior engagements before, and it would be irresponsible to not show up to them. She looked back down at her new acquaintance and gave an elegant bow. "I am afraid I must leave for the time being, but if you ever wish to speak with me, my contact information is there for you to use. I hope you have a wonderful day, and that your plans are successful in the future." She spoke eloquently, smiling up at Kaguya from her bow and giving a playful wink before rising to turn on her heel. There was much work to be done, and time waited for no man or woman, Adventurer or Lander. There was a new-found vitality in her step as she walked out of the grove. The animals that played as her audience earlier followed her silently, waiting for her to begin singing again. 

[Word Count: 669]
[Tag: Scoria]
[Notes: That's my wrap-up.]