The Debut Duet

    It's a nice day in the city of Carmina Gadelica, and Merek takes the time to make the way along towards the place he has set up to perform with Uta. It looks like a small stage he's rented, and he takes up the stage while he brings with him what looks like a lute. He then waits about while he takes the time to tune the instrument.

Uta is on the stage already, with a flute, and next to a table with a few small instruments; also, a xylophone. Gwen seems to have managed to somehow stick her in a sort of operatic singer's outfit.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen! I would like to welcome you to today's concerto for Alchemist and Nurse, courtesy of Merek's Elixir Emporium! Merek's Elixir Emporium, where you can find the best Alchemical products, right here in Carmina Gadelica!"

Kauchemar is here... though for once no one would really notice it, as she is in her less often seen human form, with the hood of her cloak pulled up to keep the still thick locks of hair cover and out of the way. She's not here to be the center of attention herself, so a less attention drawing form it is.

She finds herself a comfortable spot. If she's here to see how well Merek learned, or how well Uta did as a teacher, is anyone's guess. A nod of approval is given to the instrument Merek is tuning though. Lutes are a good performance weapon.

Battle is a different matter, but that's why she mainly uses her voice in combat. This event isn't about her though.

Erufu had been back overseeing a supply pickup for the Landing. She'd also checked up on the inn. Somehow she'd found her way to this, she just had a feeling. Okay, she's heard about it, and given while not a bard she was a singer herself? The elf has shown up to join this very interesting event. She also wanted to find out where the mark had appeared on Merek vs her own. She's looking to get a good spot to enjoy this performance and unwitting will end up beside the human form for Kauchemar.

    Merek doesn't look like he has any tattoos at the moment, it is difficult to tell with the dark attire which he wears. The man looks from the scarf on his face to take in people, then he nods a bit. "Alright, this first one is Time Beyond Time," he will offer to the crowd, while he takes the time to begin with his fingers playing the strings. "From the cities underseas, to the skyways in the eeeeeaaaaaast. From the stations on the mooooon. To the planet of Neptuuune. I'm a sophisticated man, and you would say I'd understand. Is it a virtual design... Are we launched into a Time Beyond Time, speace beyond space. We are lost here in this cyberworld, is there no way out? o/¯"

This is Merek's big moment, so Uta takes a background position. She has a koto she uses in guise of an electric guitar, as well as some sort of odd custom pedal-operated drum system. Nothing earth-shattering, just a bunch of drums and cymbals with pedals. She switches between those and her flute, providing the accompaniment Merek needs.

Erufu ears twitch a the song pitch up, she seem to be watching intently. Given her conversation with Merek the other night she's been curious and it was a large part of why she was here so she settles in. He ears are twitching to the beat of the song if anyone is paying attention.

After a moment or two Kauchemar starts to tap along with the singing. "Huh. He's actually pretty good." The nightmare in human form smirks beneath her cloak hood. "Uta taught him well."

    Merek will of course finish up with that song eventually, then he takes the time to check his lute, then he begins a little melody. "Alright, this next one is the First Song. This one will be performed by both me and Uta. It's the First Song, and it's one that she knows to sing well with me. You can sing along if you know the words. Whatever they mean." The man begins to sing along. "Rrha ki ra tie yor ini en nha," he sings with a trill to his voice, "Wee ki ra parge yor ar ciel. Was yea ra chs mea yor en fwal! Ma ki ga ks maya yor syec!" There's a way that the words come to him, and he takes the time to motion for any Landers as well as Adventurers that want to join with that.

Once again, Uta lets the main parts to Merek, provides accompaniment, and backing vocals (like, for instance, the whispered 'Was yea ra chs hymmnos yor...' part later on. There is plenty of room for other people to join in -- and this, after all, the First Song. It's so widespread anywhere it'll be hard for anyone not to have heard it, and for anyone without Song not to know it. Uta herself, when allowed by her performance duties, will urge people to join in with expressions and gestures.

                                ~Some days ago~                                

    Mizuki wakes up, curled up in a circle like a cat in one of the shelters in Seeker's Landing. It's... Not morning. Did she go to sleep at a weird time? What was she doing last--

    OH NO.

    OH NO

    She's in no mental state to explore the Palace Lands like this. It would... be better to return to familiar surroundings. Find her friends. Friends like Wisteria who might give her a hug instead of RUNNING AWAY.

                                                        (Mizuki will remember that.)

    Mizuki spends the trip back to Yamato in something of a daze. Her mind is spinning its wheels with nowhere to go and no one to talk to. Battles and fighting for her life to protect the ship or solve the problems of the voyage are a welcome distraction.

                                     ~Now~                                      

    Mizuki walks into the Root Town in a daze, her legs on autopilot as her mind wanders. When she comes into sight of the western edge of the town, she stops and snaps out of it. Wait, what is she doing here? She was going to the Alliance castle, and

    ...This is Carmina Gadelica. F---!

    But... there's a concert going on? Merek can sing?? She knew Uta had [Song], but hasn't ever seen her use it for just performance rather than spellcasting.

    Mizuki stares at the stage, focusing on the music and losing herself in it.

Erufu is jusr really enjoying the concert at this point. She does seem to be pretty happy she pauses for a moment at the mention of the first one she knows this and it doesn't take long for the Elf to lose control and start singing along with Merek and Uta. Though it wasn't too loug but those near her could hear it.

If there's anything that gives away the identity of the cloaked figure at the back of the gathering, it's when she joins in with a very familiar voice of a certain Nightmare Bard. Though Kauchemar is restraining herself a bit, as to not overpower the actual performers. It's their show, she's just providing some backup.

    Merek will begin the next song when it looks like the First Song will be finished up. Then he notices that there are more people, and will nod a little bit. He does place the lute to the side and nods to Uta. Then he steps up, and waves to people, Mizuki as well when he sees them about and waves to that feline. Then he begins to let his voice lift into what looks to be echoing along while he sings along. "Ah ah ah! Ah ah ah... Oh what will the signal be? For your eyes to see me. So I still will set the stage, send my thoughts to you... We're receiving every wave, this will send love through!"

Uta duets with Merek, as it is usual. For those who've never heard her sing (like Mizuki), she's quite good, and if someone has never heard neither Merek nor Uta sing -- at this point it would be hard to tell who's the teacher and who's the disciple. Looks like the program was successful.

Once the song is over, and everyone has had time to do something, Uta will wait until the applause of the Landers subsides (with a few bows), and after raising her hands to ask for silence, she'll begin, "Thank you all for coming here tonight. You know that we're here to celebrate a new star being born. And when a new star is born, there is only one way to celebrate it: Karaoke Night and plenty of drinks. Since we are a bit low on budget, there are alas going to be no drinks unless the audience will oblige-" The Lander audience erupts into laughter as Uta smiles, tongue firmly in cheek, "so we'll have to make do with extra Karaoke Night." She smirks at her student. "Sorry Merek -- I know this wasn't planned, but we both know we've had plenty of lessons on improvisation, and rule one of improvisation is, nobody expects the Yamato Improvisation."

Back to the audience, she calls out, "Okay, any volunteer wants to come on stage and challenge Merek to a battle of the Bards?"

Kauchemar has to keep some muffled snickering to herself beneath her cloak, because she knows what that song Merek is singing is from. But otherwise keeps to herself. Her trying to music battle with anyone would be kind of unfair.... That or she'd bardcore rickroll the crowd again.

If Kauchemar would take a look at the elf it was clear she was lost to the music at this point as every sonce now had he singing quietly along. She sem pretty happy though. She does not however get up from the audiance just yet no she too lost in the song.

    Merek will take a look about the place then to Uta, while he nods a bit, "Thank you! I am up for anything, if you would like to challenge!" Then, he's content to keep on with the music!

Uta looks around, "Nobody yet? Huh? No one? Hm. I might need to take this into my hands." She cracks her knuckles, and clears her throat. "Very well, Merek. It's time to challenge you to the ultimate test of musical endurance... the Infinity Song! Not to be confused with the Eternity Song," Uta waves her hand in front of her face, dismissively. "That's a completely differnet ball game."

She clears her throat once again, and begins, "o/~ This is the song that doesn't end... it just goes on and on my friend... o/~"

    Merek will begin to sing back along to Uta, although that will take a bit, then he's eventually trying to finish up things. "Thank you everyone, I appreciate it!"

Erufu watches the pair singing along and seems to be in very good spirits. There's only one thing in the universe that could make her happier. Which is getting a certain hunter to go on an proper adventure. She is quite the happy elf still...

Kauchemar is just in the back of the group, staring at Uta's choice of song. Some days she wonders if creating that effect together was such a good idea... but the chaos it causes is definitely worth it.

"Thank you, thank you everyone!", Uta says over the applause of the Landers and Adventurers. "All good things must come to an end, and this concert is drawing to a close. Before leaving you to our rendition of the Second Song, A big thank you to Merek for all the hard work he put into this. Give him a round of applause, and shout him your compliments -- or your insults, we can't let his success get to his head!"

Uta herself begins to clap her hands to start the long applause that follows.

Apparently someone decided they stood on the sideline enough, because the shadows behind Uta distort a bit, and the cloaked figure strides from them like walking up the steps from a cellar in the darkness. At the same time she shifts to her 'proper' form, flicking back hood to let her midnight mane spill free in it's usual glamrocker fashion. "Well then, shall we make the finale one they're sure to remember?"

    Merek will take the time to bow to those that will be applauding him, then he takes the time to begin to play the song with his voice, "Fukaki yumeji utsuroiiiiiiiii. Inochiii umareshi tokiii. Tsuyoku hikari hanatsu hoshi wa utai." The knight will take the time to sing the song, nodding a little bit along to Kauchemar, and anyone else that wants to sing, while he takes the time to watch the people.

Erufu is still here watching with rapped attention as the singing contiunes smehow this little event has fully distracted the elf from her own strange mood.

Kauchemar lets Merek lead off as it's still technically his show, but she joins in once the performance is going. She could do this all day, but we won't put the new guy's staminan to that sort of test on the first concert.

Allynna is leaning against a light pole as she listens to her friend perform, she does nod, taking pride in his improvment, softly humming along with him as she watches with her violet eyes that are hidden behind a pair of smoked glasses.

Allynna blinks as she looks to her menu. "Oh... crap I'm late." She says as she pushes off the light pole and looks to Merek. "Knock 'em dead kiddo." She says before she turns to walk off in the direction of a duty party.