LARP: 12

"Not good enough," Kalim said, sliding over to Moon. "When this ship reaches it's destination, we all may very well be in a fair amount of danger. If there's something up with you, we need to know it." She crossed her arms and stared at the angelic man with a foot tapping. "Spit it out."

I was pretty impressed by how assertive Kalim was doing. Thinking back, she was playing a Warlock, was what she said--she had said she didn't really plan to 'face' but she still was very compelling.

"I'm not trying to ruin your moment," Moon said, stepping away from Kalim, always staying apart. "I just know that this little moment of jubilation will end, that's all."

"What do you mean?" Kalim asked. "You know something more than that, don't you?"

Moon's eyes flashed for a moment. "Just enjoy yourselves. Ignore me. Really."

Moon stood there staring at Kalim for a moment, tapping her foot. But then, just as quickly, something seemed to settle on her, and she spun just as quickly on me.

"Seb! Sorry, sorry, Eimi--" she said, stepping over to me. "You're a bard. Moon's over there saying we should enjoy ourselves. Well, in that case, why don't you play us a song?"

"Song! Song! Song!" Fook began to call.

I blushed. "I mean... I don't know how well it will go..."

"Exactly right!" Kalim said. "That's precisely why I want to hear it now, while we're in controlled circumstances. Let's see what you can do. Play us a song!"

I took her point. I was a bard; if I couldn't perform here where it was safe, then who knew what would happen out on a battlefield. "Okay," I said reluctantly. "Okay, one second." And with that, I got out my lute.

 I began to play at the strings, just trying to let my fingers settle. I wasn't really sure I was singing singing, but I began to speak, surprised again at the sound my voice took on as I tried singing.

Hi there!
You might know me as Seb
Rolling dice with Patty and Malik all around
Now I'm Eimi feet on new ground 

I was having a hard time gauging Kalim and Fook's reactions. But they were watching, and listening, as I played out in this open air, feeling the wind blow my hair as we sailed beneath the stars. Somehow my voice wasn't as 'cute' as I'd assumed it would be, but I still was rather enjoying hearing it?

21st century left behind
Magic's real now it blows my mind

Not exactly revolutionary lyrics, but I didn't feel like I'd lost them yet. I tried something like a chorus, trying to fit the mood of what we were doing.

Sail on!
Sail on, Sail on, sail on!
Sail on, for loot, for glory, ho ho!

Of course, it wasn't a very sing-alongy chorus, I was still just doing this sort of folksy sound with my voice. I wasn't sure how well any of this song was landing, so I shifted to a brief solo on the lute, just letting my fingers guide me. I'd never been very good at guitar, and just hearing notes play that sounded at all melodic was very satisfying.

Mountains tall mines deep and cold
Shadows hiding secrets to unfold
Heart pounding with each tale told
Songs of heroes brave and bold 

This all felt pretty stock and campy. I mean, I had been excited to be playing some Damsels. But... I hadn't really expected to be a Damsel myself. I decided to riff a bit on that, blushing even as the words came out of my mouth.

Uh oh, is this bad?
I'm short and cute, but I feel kinda rad?
I don't feel sad-- there's adventure to be had!

Not exactly my best rhyming, but it felt... gratifying to just admit it, that I was actually enjoying being Eimi already. And I was really enjoying the idea that I might actually be good at music.
 
I followed it up with a refrain of the chorus, before finally letting the song close out.
 
"Well?" I asked. "What do you guys think?"