Dionysus Venuvea takes your arm as you headout.

• Jack_C feels young again. (v)

Dionysus She hums a tune as you walk, & seems to be enjoying the time.

• Jack_C will try to harmonize.

Dionysus You do some marvelously, taking up the low end while she goes high.

Dionysus The walk to the Beastiary is not long, & when you get there, the sight, sound, & smell of the biggest zoo in the world greets you

• Jack_C doesn't really know where he's going, so he'll walk slow and take in the sights.

Dionysus Your heart nearly stops when you see the bird section. The song coming from it, while chaotic, is incredible.

• Jack_C closes his eyes and listens.

Dionysus Venuvea says, "Sing along."

• Jack_C is surprised by her instruction, but why not. he tries to pick up the song.

Dionysus Roll voice.

Jack_C deffinitely not the /worst/ I've ever done.

Dionysus Do you karma that?

Jack_C I think so.

Jack_C based on what motivation?

Dionysus One sec

Dionysus # he will never admit it, but being exposed to music again has reminded him of the passion he used to have for making music, and living life to the fullest. +?

Jack_C Perfect.

Dionysus As you sing, you notice that some of the birds get into synch with you & fly closer. Venuvea joins in, & some fly to her.

Dionysus You realize if you keep singing, or sing better, you might get some to actually fly right up to you.

Jack_C I'll give it a shot.

Dionysus Roll again

Jack_C "Ouch. Let me try that one again..."

Dionysus Unless you wanna figure out which two karma you can spend on this, some of the birds fly a bit away.

Dionysus Try again

Dionysus They come back to where they were this time

Dionysus Again, they fly away a bit.

Jack_C let me see if there's another karma I can use for that...

Jack_C music - an old, long-neglected lover +

Jack_C if you'll allow it.

Jack_C if not, I'll take it straight.

Dionysus That works. This is music.

Jack_C Besides, he thinks he's impressing Venuvea. (v)

Dionysus They get even closer, very much in tune with you.

Dionysus Once more.

Jack_C well, I'm out of applicable karmas, so it is what it is.

Dionysus The birds flutter back a bit. Venuvea says, "Try something else? Maybe your bass, too? Maybe... well, maybe whistling?"

Jack_C "Yeah. something different..."

Jack_C My bass is back at the inn, right?

Jack_C "They seem interested though."

Jack_C and what's my whistling skill? same as vocals?

Dionysus It probably is.

Dionysus Probably vocals-3?

Dionysus \Unless he's good at whisting

Dionysus Up to you

Jack_C I can't imagine he's notable for it.

Jack_C "Ay I got an idea, why don't we give 'em another duet?"

Dionysus She smiles, "I follow your lead or you mine?"

Jack_C "I got a feelin' about this. follow mine."

Dionysus She smiles, "Okay, Pop Star. Sing."

Jack_C "Haha!"

Jack_C wow. I suckify.

Dionysus And her normal success gives +3 to your voice, which isn't enough to get them to come.

Dionysus They flutter a bit more away. She laughs. "Let's try again, before they all leave completely. I'll follow again, but this time, try to mimic that one there." She points to one small chick.

Jack_C I do.

Jack_C blushing, with obvious humorous tone, "Maybe I did lose my voice. I'll blame it on all that running yesterday."

Dionysus "Well... there's one other thing we can try."

Jack_C "Oh?"

Dionysus "Maybe it's not your lost voice that's the problem."

Jack_C "I'll bite."

Dionysus She looks at you significantly. "What have you lost, Jack?"

Jack_C A cloud just hazes his face a little. "Want the list?"

Jack_C "But you're referrin' to my faith."

Dionysus She smiles, "I am."

• Jack_C nods, then shakes his head. "With my goddess in the trouble she's in, I'm not gonna ask her to impress a few birds."

Dionysus She shakes her head, "It's not about the birds, silly. It's about /you/."

• Jack_C thinks about that.

Jack_C "You know, there was a time when I was vain enough to think that even these fine songbirds should be impressed by me."

Jack_C "I'm not that vain anymore. But still..."

Jack_C "Maybe there is somethin' to be done here."

Dionysus "Well?"

Jack_C "Mother of Music, for better or worse, this is for you. It's what I got."

Dionysus What do you do?

Jack_C I give it one more go.

Dionysus Roll

Dionysus The birds scatter completely, & Venuvea sighs heavily. "Shall I teach you how to pray?"

Jack_C "You may have to remind me."

Jack_C "It's been a while."

Dionysus She smiles, "Kneel with me."

Jack_C I do.

Dionysus "Mother of Music, Sound of Sounds, Voice of Voices, the One True Note, we, your humble servants do beseech you.

Dionysus "Grant us this day the fullest extent of our talents, that we might raise our voices to you in song, that our melodies might sooth you in your hour of need, & that we might understand what it is that brings us here."

• Jack_C is conflicted about an assortment of things, but generally lends his agreement to her prayer.

Dionysus She shakes her head, "No, don't just agree. Say it. Feel it. Mean it."

• Jack_C takes a deep breath,

Jack_C clears his mind.

Dionysus Roll will to clear your mind

Jack_C after a few seconds, he says, "Mother of Music, Sound of Sounds, Voice of Voices, the One True Note....We, your humble servants, beseech you. Grant us the fullest extent of our talents, so that we might raise our voices to you in song, that our melodies might sooth you in your hour of need, and that we might understand what it is we are really doing here. I've been away a long time. I'm trying to find

Jack_C my way back, and the way is not clear."

Jack_C still want the willpower roll?

Dionysus Yes.

Jack_C finally, about a half decent roll.

Dionysus You hear a whisper, "She wants you to know, she still bears love for you."

• Jack_C gasps the start of a sob.

Jack_C "Then she's better than I ever was."

Dionysus Venuvea looks at you. "What?"

• Jack_C shakes his head. "Long story. I just mean, she didn't walk away when I lost faith, I did."

Dionysus Venuvea nods. "You never lost your voice."

Jack_C "Just my courage. Or my will. or something..."

Dionysus "I mean, if she had lost her love for you, your voice /would/ have gone."

• Jack_C nods.

Dionysus Would you judge he has a higher music faith score now?

Jack_C I would.

Jack_C I would in fact say he has gained a music faith score. (v)

Dionysus What would you call it?

Jack_C 7?

Jack_C It'd be lower than vested level, right?

Dionysus Yes.

Dionysus 7 is fine.

Dionysus "I can see it in your eyes. Would you like to try singing again?"

• Jack_C nods. "Sure. I think I got it in me."

Dionysus +1 singing, permanent like.

Jack_C wow.

Jack_C I think I got a faith-related karma in there somewhere to spend.

Jack_C but I don't. (v)

Dionysus The birds do not come down this time. Venuvea smiles, though, "I think our songs earlier scared them away."

Jack_C "Probably."

Jack_C "I've done better in my life."

• Jack_C smirks. "You should have seen me in Kren'atan."

Dionysus She nods, "I would have loved to."

Jack_C "I'm sorry for all the drama."

Jack_C "Not countin' the...er...the thing yesterday. I didn't really have anything to do with that."

Dionysus She smiles, "I understand. We live in dramatic times."

Dionysus You go back to the inn?

Jack_C Yeah.

Jack_C So did I accidentally fuck up your plans?

Dionysus Not really. You just missed the opportunity to get your pet. You will have another chance, probably, if yer spending the weeek in Madziar.

Jack_C Yeah. I was actually thinking Jack would probably spend more time there now that he knows what's there.

Dionysus Nice

Dionysus We'll do some more rolls for it when he returns

Jack_C In fact, he'll say to Venuvea, "You know, now that we know I've got some business there, I think I'll spend some more time there tomorrow."

Dionysus "If you want company, I'd love to join you."

Jack_C "Meanwhile, want in on tonight's set with the band?"

Dionysus She blushes, "I'd be honored."

Jack_C "I honestly don't think I could not want your company."

Dionysus She blushes deeper. "Maybe..." She pauses. "I..."

• Jack_C looks to her.

Dionysus "You do know that... I mean, when you leave, I'll have to stay. My duties..."

• Jack_C nods.

Jack_C "Well..."

Jack_C "That's how it goes."

Dionysus She looks down, sorrow over taking her face. She's clearly trying not to cry.

• Jack_C stops and turns to her. "Look, do we both wish it wasn't that way, or is that just me being vain again?"

Jack_C "I can take it if it is. I know me. I live with me." smile.

Dionysus She sighs, "I... What's going on, my duties... They're bigger than this. I can live with it, but I do wish I could keep you here, or go with you."

Jack_C "When this is all taken care of, I'll come back here and see what you're up to. We can take it from there."

Dionysus She smiles, "I'll seeyou at the arena, for the final part of the contest. I'll have to be there, too."

Jack_C "Well that's something."

Dionysus She nods. "And I'll be your biggest fan."

• Jack_C smiles big. "That means more to me now than it would have when I was younger."

Dionysus She smiles, then leans in & kisses you.

• Jack_C kisses back.

Dionysus Afer the kiss, she holds your hand on the way back to the inn, humming an old love song