The Muhabehe

[Vavutsikarios]

In the backstage of the Talent & Balance Theater the tall, half-orcy guy is working hard. Sitting in front of a desk with a lot of papers in disarray on it, holding a quill in his hand, Alex occasionally stands up, walks on the stage, runs up and down on it while moving his hands theatrically and singing verses. Then he will step down of the stage and will move through various spots where the audience normally -in the event of a show- sit and he will check the different viewing angles. Sometimes he grabs his big drum to play some rhythm and sing. Then he will return to the desk and write things down.

He has been there all morning, as he was the day before and the one before that. By now his work is almost finished, the first draft at least. His eyes fall on the first page where he has written, with big bold bright red letters, the title of the play:

The Music-hater Beating Hero (The Muhabehe)

[Lollercide]

Solid footsteps of steel against the wooden floor give a sign of approach to an old lady counting and recording staggs from behind a counter. Without offering a glance or greeting she barks, "What can I do you for?", still scribbling away in her log.

The man lifts off his helm and smiles to the woman, sliding a letter under her view. The man speaks in a warm welcoming tone, "Well met again Ms.Betty."

Ms.Betty pauses for a moment looking to the letter. She reads outloud, "Osclow?" and her eyes light up, smiling back to the man. "Indeed. I have a letter for him. Tell him it's from Hano and is uh.. Actually a pretty unusual request."

Ms.Betty frowns towards Hano mumbling, "What do ya want from him?" He shakes his head waving his hands in front of him, "Oh no - Don't get the wrong idea! A friend of mine is orchestrating a play! We wish to ask Osclow to lend us his great music and advertising talents." Betty examines over the letter carefully then nods. "I see.. He's out at the moment, but I'll be sure to give it to 'im when he comes back."

Hano smiles and nods, placing his helmet back over his head. Inclining his head he replies, "Good day to you, friend", then makes his way to the exit.

[Silas North]

Before the fireplace of the Sundren Comfort, the minstrel sips at a glass of wine, unfolding the note given to him minutes ago by Betty at the front desk. From 'some guy in really clean armor' she said. Odd was her choice of word inflection, but kind was her actions, considering that delivering messages was not necessarily a part of her job. A smile on the bard's face illustrated a sense of knowledge regarding the identity of the one who delivered the note. A snicker to follow showed his assumption was correct.

"A play?... For a friend of a hero? My dear Hano, I would be most honored."

Quickly the bard realized that such words were perhaps best placed upon a note of reply or spoken to the knight in person, rather than merely whispered to himself. The possibilities of bringing about his viewpoint to the details of the work of another artist intrigued him. While he dare not seek the spotlight when it was due for another, there was the possibility of his name being recommended for others in the pursuit of art in the future. Also, there was the promise of coin. Quickly he rose to his feet, only to sit back down slowly a moment after. One more glass of wine before he got to work.

[Kaeldorn]

Some time early during that afternoon, Yashia entered the Entertainment District of Sundren. Despite the sad situation she had worked herself into, the fallen paladin had a bright smile on her face and energetically treaded the path towards the Theatre. The thought of Alex' enthousiasm for the upcoming leap that his career was about to take brought her joy as well.

In her past life, Yashia had encountered artists of many sorts on the city streets of Scornubel. They had earned a place in her heart and for some time she had even considered to become one herself, but she never really went through with it. Recently having had a taste of stage performance in front of an audience, the travelling undead huntress had renewed her interests. She had been the one to open up this opportunity for Alex to become a star by introducing him to the leading actor of the Talent & Balance. Her later offer to the half orcish bard to aid a little in finishing the text for his musical play had been gladly accepted. Not only was she happy to help a friend, this was also going to give her some much needed distraction and maybe even a chance to learn something.

As she came inside, she politely greeted the doorman and told him who she was here for. Yashia, being known and accepted in the theatre, was allowed backstage without further ado. She closed the door behind her and warmly smiled at the artist she was here to meet.

"Hey Alex! I'm here, as promised."

The half orc looked up from his work and smiled back at her. "Hello Yashia, heh."

Some of the ranger's long blonde hair had gone astray and fell in front of her eyes. She quickly brushed it back behind the ear with her right hand as she walked over to Alex and grabbed a chair to sit down next to him.

"Now... let's have a look at the early beginnings of the masterpiece you have written so far, shall we?"

[Vavutsikarios]

After his lengthy discussion with Yashia, Alex is deep in thought. He is thankful for her help in checking various parts of the play, but there is one change that she suggested which Alex is finding extremely difficult to implement. It just cant be done. Changing this specific word would require revising several parts of the play, some of them among those that Alex considers as the most artistic. Still, Yashia thinks that this specific word is a little too vulgar for a "cultury" play, and Alex has to agree with her up to a point. But if not for her suggestion, he would never consider changing it. Its not so much vulgar as manly, he thinks. And, even after her suggestion, he still cant make it work.

Then there is that other problem, equally important. He still haven't found an actor for the leading role, for the protagonist of the play, the manly Hero of the Land. Hano has already told Alex that he is willing to play the part if Alex doesn't find anyone, but Alex is not fond of the idea that his friend may do something he doesn't really want just because he is an oh so goody friendly paladin nice guy.

Frustrated, realizing that his artistic vision is having quite many obstacles to overcome before it materializes, he decides to make an ad.

He grabs a sheet of paper and writes on it:

Actors wanted. Not professionals. We are professionals don't worry we will show you what to do okay?

I need a man with heroic face to play the Hero and I need a woman to play a difficult role.

I am inside most of the time so come in. If I am not inside maybe I am at Jimmys or out somewhere beating goblins for inspiration. But I will come back, just wait. I am tall and handsome, my name is Alex. Contact me.

He pins the note on the Talent & Balance entrance door, for everyone to see.
Then he returns to his desk, opens a bottle of spirits, takes a manly sip and just sits there brooding.

[ThePaganKing]

*Elric reads the sign and laughs*

That Alex may have some talent after all.

[darcane]

Passing by the Talent and Balance...Quel feels the urge to approach the building...Upon reaching the door,her face lights up with pure joy for her friend Alex. "Wow!! I bet Al is pretty excited about this!"Thinking to herself,she cant wait to see him again to tell him congrats..."Hmmm? Maybe he will put me on the guest list"

[nickbeat]

Shalika notes the sign outside the theatre. She always loved a good play, "Hmmm, I wonder what he means by difficult. I can be difficult." She grins at the thought of taking on yet another role for the sake of art.

[Deathmage]

Peri, holding a bottle of ale, swaggers up to the poster.
"Alex, eh? A play now? What a curious name." she drinks deeply. "I'll definitely come watch, but acting? Ha..."

Singing loud hin songs and reminiscing about that time she acted at school when she was about six (and pondering on what a good job she did), she wanders into the night noisily.

[Vavutsikarios]

Alex is really happy. He has found the actor who will play the Hero and the actress who will play the baker girl!

The man who will play the Hero has a really heroic face and Alex couldnt be happier. He had his objections initially, he said that he doesnt know a lot about acting, that he is actually a gardener. But Alex can show him what to do! Sure! And his heroic face will be great for the show! Alex managed to convince him. He will be the perfect Hero, yes!

But the best thing is the girl. Alex believes that she is perfect not only for the baker girl part but also for him! Actually, he hasnt even told her about her part at the play yet. But he is sure she will be happy to do it, because she loves him so much.

A broad smile on his face, Alex changes the ad on the door of the Talent & Balance entrance door.

Actors wanted. Not professionals. We are professionals dont worry we will show you what to do okay?

I need a man with a heroic face -but not tooooo heroic- to play the sergeant and I need some short people to play the short music-haters.

I am inside most of the time so come in. If I am not inside maybe I am with my beloved somewhere! But I will come back, just wait. I am tall and handsome, my name is Alex. Contact me.

[Vavutsikarios]

Alex heads for the hills. There is a man there, a sergeant, that absolutely must play at the Muhabehe.

Alex approaches sergeant Grayham.

Sergeant Grayham: Hello there, lad. If ye havent noticed yet I m trite busy makin sure we aren overrun by th blasted spittles.

Alex: I came here to make a proposition to you. I want you to play the part of yourself in a play I am preparing! What do you think, heh?

Sergeant Grayham: I m sorry, but we are not allowed to participate in recreational activities while there are dangers that require our immediate attention, that is per the Exigo Trade Syndicate law 27, section D, page 7, paragraph 11.

Alex: Your kidding me...

Sergeant Grayham: Nope.

Alex: What am I supposed to do with the sergeant part now?

Sergeant Grayham: *shrugs* Give it to someone else when I am not looking?

Alex: You really hurting my artistic vision with this.

Sergeant Grayham: *whispers* If your needing more actors, I hear there are some loitering mariners in Port Avanthyr, and some refugees at the city gates. I d head that way if I were you. Theres really nothing more I can do for you.

Alex: All right, I ll head that way, thanks for the advice.

Alex returns to the city lost in thought. When he arrives at the Talent & Balance theater, he writes a new ad and replaces the one on the door.

Actors wanted. Not professionals. We are professionals dont worry we will show you what to do okay?

I need some short people to play the short music-haters.
I dont need anyone to play the sergeant! I will change that. There will be no sergeant in the play I think.

I am inside most of the time so come in. If I am not inside maybe I am with my beloved somewhere! But I will come back, just wait. I am tall and handsome, my name is Alex. Contact me.

[Vavutsikarios]

Misery is in the air.
Alex felt a little better, for a while, thanks to drinking, beating music haters bare-handed and the considerate advice of a temporarily swordless knight.
But that was two days ago.
He is now at the theater, again, trying to concentrate his thoughts on the Muhabehe.
Not an easy task. The play is still far from ready. It is not just that his love, who he has managed not to encounter since the time he learned all those things about her -that she was fake, a joke, a fraud, a trickery- is no longer a source of inspiration for him. He had thought the girl was perfect for the baker girl part, and he wanted to include her in his artistic creation anyway. But now, he is again in a loss. He doesnt have an actress for the part.

The ad, of course; it has to change again.

Actors wanted. Not professionals. We are professionals dont worry we will show you what to do okay?

I need some short people to play the short music-haters.
I also need a woman to play a difficult role.

I am inside most of the time so come in. If I am not inside maybe I am out somewhere beating goblins for inspiration, or maybe I don’t know. But I will come back, I think, just wait. I am tall and I wear my armor all the time these days, my name is Alex, I dont feel like changing to my nice clothes. Contact me.
Right!

Right...
So now, what can he do about it? His thoughts are on Yashia again. The girl has been really nice and helpful. It is a pity she has reservations playing the part of a sexy girl when there are some certain words involved. Maybe Alex must talk to her again and try to convince her. She must understand that when she is an artist she must not be stopped by things like modesty. Modesty is fine, yes, but it can, sometimes, be bad for art. And also, in the end, it is he, Alex, that made those words. Yes. She isn’t responsible for them, right? This is about his kind of art type! She can play the part, Alex knows that she is more than capable for that, and it will all be great! Organizing his thoughts and his line of arguments in his mind, he feels better, confident that she will see his reason and accept.

[Vavutsikarios]

Must find something to write here.

[Vavutsikarios]

Alex is humming cheerfully. He has just returned to the Talent & Balance, after a successful meeting.
Unfortunately, his arguments didnt work with Yashia at all. The girl is stubborn, and she refuses to play the baker girl part in its current form. When Alex explained to her that he has tried to change it and the results had been clearly inferior to the original, she offered to give it a try herself. Alex agreed but, in the meantime, he is still looking for an actress.
But not anymore. He has found his baker girl!
He changes the ad once again.

Actors wanted. Not professionals. We are professionals dont worry we will show you what to do okay?

I only need some short people to play the short music-haters.

I am inside most of the time so come in. If I am not inside maybe I am out somewhere beating goblins for inspiration. But I will come back, just wait. I am tall and handsome, my name is Alex. Contact me.

He pins another note next to this one.

If you are a girl of 28 years, tall and dark haired and beautiful, and your name is Samantha then I must tell you: Your brother is looking for you.

Smiling content with himself, he returns inside.

[Vavutsikarios]

A few days later, there is a knock on the door of Alex study at the theater.
The face of the Talent & Balance porter appears, "Hey Alex, there is a gentleman here looking for you."
"Oh okay. Let him in, heh let him in."

A slender, shorter than average, nondescript young man enters the room and looks at the halforc appreciatively.
"So, you are Alex, the famous scripter, the grand drum master, the insuperable bard...
It’s a pleasure to meet you sir Alex. My name is Shookosh."
"Heh, alright! Nice to meet you too, heh. So, ehm, what can I do for you?"
"Well sir Alex, as I am sure you already know, we are professionally associated in a way."
"Ehmm..."
The slender man frowns, probably considering the infamous halforc intellect.
"I am referring to my contract with one of your actors, Franz, the mighty sorcerer, who is to play the cook part on your play."
"The cook part ehmmm... but there is no-"
"Exactly. I am his agent, his manager and his sponsor. Currently I am sponsoring his visit to Neverwinter."
"Ehmm... His what?"
"For his education, his taking acting lessons..?"
Alex stares at the man with a blank expression on his face.
With sudden realization, Shookosh can only whisper "You didn’t know, did you..."
"OH NO!" cries Alex, then hastily casts an expeditious retreat spell and starts running "I must stop him before he leaves!"
"Wait! There is nothing to be gained by this. He is already gone..." says the man, but Alex has already disappeared.