Yvonne woke up with cold stone pressed to her back. 'Where am I?' Her only memory was her name: Yvonne. She groaned and slumped over. 'What's going on? Who... who am I?"

The tavern was alive. A skilled bard was playing a fast tune on a harp, all the patrons were cheerful, and everyone was having an epic time. But none moreso than the pirate.

He downed his ale like it was water, guzzling it faster than the man he was in competition with. He patted the mans back roughly, causing him to spit his ale out and laugh. The frog and frigate was in full swing tonight.

"Oi, bard! Sing me a slow song, won't ye, lad?"

As he plucked his harp in a gentle tune, the pirate stood on a stool.

"This song goes to all our brethren, fallen t' the sea. May she continue to be a perilous, restless friend, yet could be yer enemy in a heartbeat!"

Amid great cheers, the bard was still heard, and moisture formed in almost every sailors eyes, as they all said the name of a dear companion, and sent a toast to the other side.

Velox plucked away on the harp. The tavern was jumping, and he was having a merry time.

He had many times played for a bar like this, however there had typically been many people who had no taste for his music. This time however, was great. And then, it happened.

Out from the crowd, and unruly fellow asked for a slow song. Then he gave some great profound speech as to how it was for fallen comrades to the sea... Who did he think he is?

Velox was just about to say something when everyone cheered. Oh great. He would have to go through with this. Well... okay.

"Haha, good sir. I, the great and famous Velox, will acquiesce your request. A slow ballad, a song of sailor and sea, it shall be!"

With that, Velox begins plucking the strings in a slow, moaning melody. He then begins to sing.

"Small craft in a harbour that's still and serene.
Give no indication what there ways have been.
They rock at their moorings, all nestled in dreams.
Away from the roll of the sea.

Their stern lines are groaning a lullaby air.
A ghost in the cuddy, a gull on the spar.
But never they whisper of journeys afar.
Away from the roll of the sea.

Oh had they the tongues for to speak,
What tales of adventures they'd weave.
But now they are anchored to sleep,
And slumber... a lee."

Velox continued his song. The crowd was loving it... but that unruly fellow was still there. Well, now he knew the great Velox was great at the request of everyone who he performed for.

Idi's head was spinning as she walked towards the tavern at the heart of the town. She had had a long week of travel and looked forward to a hot meal and some lively company. There was a spring in her step at the simple thought of the tavern raucous and drunken merriment that so often accompanied the crude setting.

As she entered the tavern the music that filled the air was mournful and depressing and many a man was drunk and tearful as they all seemed swept away in the emotion of the ballad. It was quite a shock to see so many misty eyed grown men. And she had to check herself at the door for she had an overwhelming desire to chastise them for their silliness.

Not wanting to get on the bad side of a room full of drunken sailors and their nostalgia Idi quickly made her way to the bar tender ordered a bowl of hot stew and a pint of dark ale. She laid her hard earned coin on the bar then made her way to a table that would give her a good vantage of the room and most of all the entertainment of the evening. She had every intention of seeing the mode turned on its head before the night was through.

The pirate waded through the sea of men towards the bard.

"Well, Velox. Let me buy you a drink. Ale for this man!"

He grabbed a mug from the waitress and sat it next to Velox.

"Th'names Argent Ra'vhirr. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Yvonne wandered through the streets. Life... Life filled them. Her mind was clouded.

Suddenly, she happened across a very loud place. She frowned.

What is that?

Velox moaned inside as the unruly man approached him. He wasn't looking forward this.

As the man gave him an ale and introduced himself, Velox replied. "Thank you... I guess. I'm more partial to fine wines myself, but since you are buying something for the great Velox, I will accept. I know it's a pleasure to meet me. It always is. I assume that you've heard of me before, correct? That is why you chose to test my talents?"

As the song came to a close Idi finished her bowl of stew and took a large drink of her frothing dark ale. One of the men that had so intently enjoying the music upon Idi's entrance walked over to the bard and offered him a drink. She decided now would be a good time to walk over as well and see if the elf would take a request.

Picking up her drink Iduvina moseyed over to where the two men where conversing. Careful not to interrupt their conversation she interjected,"Good evening sir, I so enjoyed your skill with the harp and was wondering if you might bless us with something merry and... alive." She gave the bard a wink and took a gold coin from her pocket and flipped it into the air.

Argent laughed.

"Don't swell up now, boy. A sad song and a toast is always welcome to a drunk pirate, no matter the artist. I'm just happy to know that you had the sense to obey the request, as that is what wins the bread for a bard, is it not?"

He smiled, letting his rotten teeth show through. The seas had been rough on his hygeine, but he didn't care. He walked back into the crowd, thoroughly enjoying himself for the night. He nodded at a lady that was again speaking to the bard. Velox, eh. He'd have to remember that one.

Velox smiled, taking his attention away from the pirate, and towards the woman who addressed him. "Now there's another request that the great Velox... myself... can not deny. A lively tune to lighten the soul... I like the way you think."

"Now, I shall play you the dance of the Valkyries. An epic tale of soldiers who are unafraid to die in battle. I met a few Valkyries... bested them in a mix of combat and wit. Because I am the great Velox."

And with that, Velox begins to pluck the strings in a slow manner, but he steadily picks up the speed, to the point where his hands were a blur. However, he was playing it effortlessly.

As the bard played effortlessly Idi took a spin around the room. Trying to get as many people off their feet and dancing as she could, or if they were too drunk to not fall on their face at least get them clapping and whistling. It always fascinated her how easy it was to control a mob of people. Especially with the majority intoxicated. It also facinated her how quickly they could turn on you.

As the room got stirred up with the gaiety of the music Idi ordered the bard a bottle of the house red wine along with the gold piece she had offered, to be delivered upon the songs completion. Then she sat back at her table and observed the spirit of the evening.

The large pirate made his way out of the tavern. He needed some fresh air. As he pushed the door open, he saw spotted a very confused looking woman standing out in the street. "Well, what have we here? What you lookin' fer, miss?" His bronze skin was still shining in the moonlight, his cutlass hanging at his side. His hands had callouses from years of ropes onboard a sea vessel, and he stretched as he spoke to her.

Seluna walked unhurriedly into the town, carrying herself with as much grace she could muster. Her stomach rumbled like a thunderstorm, and she surveyed the town for a place she could have a good meal and a good ale. A woman caught her eye, staring at some building. Seluna averted her gaze and saw the tavern, the same building the woman was looking at.

Lights came from the tavern, and the sound of music and drunken laughter poured out as a man dressed in seagoing clothes stepped out. Seluna sidestepped him, keeping her eyes down, and entered the tavern. She made her way through the crowd and to the bar. She sat down on one of the stools and rested her elbows on the surface.

"One ale, please, and a bowl of that stew," Seluna asked. As the barmaid poured her ale and stew, Seluna spun around and observed the place. The tavern was filled to the brim with drunken men.

She heard the clank of dishes being set on the counter and she turned around to see her food and beer. She dug into it, savoring every slurp of stew, every gulp of beer.