♛ 04 - Plucking

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

[If you're walking through the garden, one might hear the faint plucking tunes of a stringed instrument (sounding like this), an upbeat tempo that at the same time would have been at home in a more formal occasion for a polite dance, but fit the atmosphere of the garden well if one was out for a simple stroll. 

And if one followed the sounds, they'd find Ashura seated in a small area on a large pillow, a stringed instrument in his lap, fingers plucking along with a sure familiarity, though they lacked some of the smoother grace of one who played such a thing for a profession. And sitting beside him, forgotten as he concentrated on his playing, was his journal and a feather pen, so the music was free to float through the magic system. Whoops.]

If you can, meet me in the gardens some time this afternoon, or later this evening in the library. Just let me know when you can make it.

[ooc: Journal and actiony! Taking a nice relaxing break after the big fights. Whee]

Comments

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

[His eyes nearly drift shut as he begins to pluck, his fingers moving more rapidly, then drawing out the slower, longer drawls capable with the strings.

The piece went on for some time, and then finally Ashura drew it to a close with some quick plucks.

Rubbing his fingers shortly, he grasped his tea cup and sipped again, saying nothing.]

[heroisms.livejournal.com]

_{[ Gilgamesh's clapping is slow...almost sardonic, even. Take that as you will. ]}

Very good _{[ And there's no venom, no sarcasm in his voice; he's just vaguely amused, like always. ]} You could have been a courtesan, in another life.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

[Ashura took his time in sipping his tea then, letting the immediate bubble of anger wash over him, and taking it an entirely different route.]

It is probably not a life I would have hated.

[heroisms.livejournal.com]

And what kind of king were you, to feel so comfortable in your own skin?

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

A confident one, who knew what he was doing, had been groomed for it, and had faced the pressures since boyhood. That, and one who wasn't afraid to take his pleasures when he could get them.

[heroisms.livejournal.com]

My, aren't you the royal.

_{[ He chuckles. ]}

I'vee been running Uruk since my father died -- yourself?

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

I'm been running Shurano since my father died as well, when I was sixteen.

My mother would have acted as regent for a time, but.... well, the loss of her husband was great.

[He shrugged, sipping more tea.]

[heroisms.livejournal.com]

So Fey politick is not so different than human, hm.

_{[ A sage nod. ]}

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

[Damn you, Gilgamesh. You aren't stupid enough to keep calling him Fey without reason. He grits his teeth for a singe second and takes a single breath, keeping calm.]

Politics is politics. I was the single heir to the throne. Of course I was crowned when my father could no longer bear it, and I have lords and ladies that serve beneath me, same as you I would guess: with the same machinations, praises, and knives every read to stab an unprotected flank.

[heroisms.livejournal.com]

_{[ Slowly sips his tea. ]}

I see.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

What of you?

[heroisms.livejournal.com]

What of me?

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

The politics in your world. Did you force your way to the throne? Did your people approve of it?

[heroisms.livejournal.com]

I inherited it from my father.

_{[ A beat, then he sips more tea. ]}

That's about all you need to know.

[wishmadeinfire.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling it is not, but I am a patient man.