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Ylena on Bawdiness in Elanthian Performing The following record is from Tanager's perspective. Ylena says, "Welcome to maybe the least used room in the Landing." Ylena grins. [Silvergate, Performance Hall] Each of the comfortably cushioned seats has an excellent view of the large stage that is the focal point of this room. Niches along the cream-colored walls are draped with rich gold damask curtains, and the red carpet laid over the oak parquet floor leads to the stage and its nearby podium. The low ceilings allow even those seated in the back row to hear the performances. You also see a polished oak door. Also in the room: Cathari, Nofret, Jadziana, Lady Ylena Obvious exits: none. It is difficult to get a good look at Ylena due to the number of mirror images of her nearby. You see Lady Ylena Fygar the Sylvankind Songsmith. She appears to be in her 100's, has shoulder length, curly red hair, green eyes, and fair skin. She is in good shape. She is holding an engraved silver key in her right hand. She is wearing a golden satin headband encrusted with tiny sunburst diamonds, a golden scaled tufted lizard, a shimmering teal feather boa, a thin gold and sapphire band, a blue sapphire shield, a rune-etched weapons harness, a glittering golden cloak, an elegant instrument case, a cerulean-blue silk music satchel, some golden gem-studded armor, and a pair of ankle-cuffed boots studded with tiny diamonds. Ylena says, "It is pretty." Ylena points at the stage. You say, "It's so much bigger when there aren't five hundred people here..." The stage has been raised one step above the floor and is richly appointed with blue velvet drapes trimmed with golden thread. Two hollow granite sconces border the stage and contain flickering candles that can be covered with colored crystal shades whenever a change of mood is required. You say, "...also so much quieter..." Ylena grins. Ylena says, "Absolutely." Jadziana says, "I don't think I've ever been in here before..." Jadziana chuckles. Ylena says, "We don't open it often." Ylena put an engraved silver key in her silk music satchel. You say, "It's where I first encountered Dagor, actually, a year some back." Nofret says, "Dagor I met at Aspis." You say, "As I recall, he scolded me and ignored me, but I made a better impression after when I wasn't asking silly questions." Ylena grins. Ylena says, "I met Dagor when I was about hmm.. a seven training Ranger." Ylena says, "Dagor bought me my first set of enchanted armor.. not that it kept me alive." Ylena says, "Well." Ylena says, "As the poster child for double entendre.." Ylena says, "The topic of discussion today is - Adult Entertainment, or, What You Can and Can't Get Away With in Mixed Company." Ylena grins. Nofret asks, "You can get away with a fair amount. I've always heard you have, anyway. Are there any specific don'ts?" Ylena says, "Which is one of the reasons I locked the door, because it IS a really blurry line, and I don't want to attract any attention." Ylena says, "Plus, it's hard to couch some of this in strictly Elanthian terms, and I'm not going to try." Ylena says, "Here's the absolute don'ts." Ylena says, "Obviously, anything that truly is a naughty word in the classic sense, you can't use." Ylena says, "A damn here and there will work." Ylena says, "Specific carnal references to body parts won't." Ylena says, "The good news is.. anything goes in a locked room, so if you write something scintillatingly clever that you can't perform in the open, you can always go find a hideaway and entertain your friends - so it's not a lost effort." Ylena says, "The bad news is.. after the rule about specific naughty words.. it gets REALLY blurry." Ylena says, "Official Simutronics policy refers to warnings for Masked Vulgarity." You nod to Ylena. Nofret asks, "Masked Vulgarity?" Ylena asks, "The problem with that is.. what is masked vulgarity?" Ylena says, "It's not really defined." You say, "I always presumed it was things like-- counting on none of you to report me, of course-- bizatch and the like. The people who will misspell to avoid the soaper." Ylena says, "And if we had a convention of 10 GMs here in the room with us, we'd get 10 different answers." Ylena says, "That's definitely part of it, Tanager." Ylena says, "But my warning for the Box Song was for Masked Vulgarity." You blink. Ylena nods. You say, "I didn't realize you were actually officially warned for that." Ylena says, "I was." Cathari says, "Hmmm..." Ylena says, "In my stay here, I've actually had 10 of them." Nofret says, "That thing was banned for some unaccountable reason." Cathari says, "I may indeed be in trouble then." Ylena says, "I was a bad girl when I was younger." Cathari says, "But I guess we'll find out come Voaris and Laethe." Nofret asks, "But then you got older and got worse?" You say, "Clearly. I had no idea..." Ylena says, "However, don't despair.. the Box Song fiasco was five years ago." Ylena says, "The standards now are very different." Nofret asks, "What about the Flirt Food Song?" Ylena asks, "I'm being presumptuous.. you've all read the Box Song?" You say, "I've passed around information on where people can find both the Box Song and Flirt Food." Nofret says, "I heard it when you performed it for your Legend Party." You say, "Don't know how many have actually read them, but." Ylena says, "Frankly, it's innocuous as hell." Nofret says, "I've sent couriers to people with the Flirt Food Song." Cathari says, "I have never thought of Hell as innocuous." Nofret says, "I mean, it's just an acrobatic dance with a lot of talk about favorite foods and cooking." Cathari cocks her head at Ylena. Ylena grins. Ylena says, "Probably not." (Tanager murmurs under her breath, "...from bed to wurst?") Cathari nods to you. Ylena says, "Nobody ever makes it to the pun." Cathari says, "Painful, that one was." Ylena giggles. Nofret says, "I didn't understand that one, anyway." Ylena says, "When I performed that, everyone was in shock." Ylena says, "Personally, I think Flirt Food should have gotten me a warning." Nofret says, "I was sitting there wondering why everyone was in shock." You say, "I was rather in shock reading it, and I suspect it was more so when actually performed...." Ylena says, "It was way over the line.. not necessarily for the verse as much as some of the actions." Ylena says, "Licking the pole was entirely too much." Ylena grins. Nofret says, "The only thing that made me think was, "She's gonna get a splinter in her tongue, doing that."" Ylena says, "Nofret, a pole dance is a classic stripper act." Cathari says, "I thought it was brass. Perhaps I misread." Ylena says, "Licking a pole is deliberately provocative." Nofret says, "I wouldn't know. I don't know anything about strippers." Ylena nods. You say, "A pole is a very classic phallic symbol." Ylena says, "I know.. rent Demi Moore's Striptease. Horrid movie, but good information for you." Nofret says, "I really see no resemblance between a brass pole and a man's phallus...oh well." Ylena says, "You kind of have to pick your time and place carefully." Ylena says, "When performing 'edgier' stuff." Ylena says, "I wouldn't do it at Aspis Bardfest." You say, "...and Bardfest is typically not the place." Ylena nods. Ylena says, "Way way too many eyes." You say, "And no way to know how old the eyes really are... I know that's one thing that the city council thinks of." Ylena nods. Ylena says, "And that's probably the crux of what I want to say." Ylena says, "Here's the biggest problem with doing provocative things." Ylena says, "You can do them and be tasteful.. or reasonably so." Ylena says, "The problem is, someone will see that, and then go bare their breasts in Town Square.. and blame it on seeing your performance." You ask, "Did that actually happen to you?" You blink. Jadziana raises an eyebrow. Nofret says, "How peculiar." Ylena says, "Not everyone here practices restraint or consideration for their neighbors." Ylena says, "More than once, Tanager." Ylena says, "And that was probably what really made me stop and back away from pushing boundaries.. because it became painfully clear how many folks have no idea why they're there." Ylena says, "Flirt Food was my last great rebellion, and a lot of that was because I was pissed about the topic." Ylena says, "I hate to say this, because it touches the favoritism subject..." Cathari says, "Aye, the topic didd seem poorly chosen if they were going to be picky about the results." Ylena says, "But the other parameter in what you can get away with is your own reputation." Ylena says, "If you've been around awhile and the Powers That Be know your heart is in the right place? You'll get a SEND to knock it off, and not a warning." Ylena says, "I think the only thing that saved me during Flirt Food was my reputation." Ylena says, "Anyone else would have gotten a warning." Ylena says, "I should have." Cathari asks, "Did you get a Send?" Nofret says, "You mean they expected you to do something shocking." Ylena shakes her head. Ylena says, "Not even a send." Ylena says, "Which surprised me, too.. I think they were all in shock." Ylena grins. You say, "Quite possibly." You say, "...and they may also simply have been petrified of the results of interrupting Bardfest, given what a huge player-driven event it is." Ylena nods. Ylena says, "It was a huge deal when I got yanked for Box." Nofret says, "I still say you should not have gotten yanked for Box." Ylena says, "The best advice I can give you is go for true entendre." Nofret grumbles. Cathari asks, "Such as? And opposed to what?" Ylena says, "If it truly can be interpreted as something innocent.. no one is going to have heartburn." Ylena says, "You want a what to do and what not to do example." Ylena grins. You say, "Well. It would be a shame to have you here without seeing you perform at all." You wink at Ylena. Ylena giggles. Jadziana grins. Ylena says, "Okay." Cathari beams happily at Ylena! Ylena says, "I will sing the Diversity Song for you" Ylena nods. Nofret says, "Go on. If I know what you're talking about and get embarrassed, you'll know it's bad." Ylena says, "This is my personal feeling of as "edgy" as you should get publically." Ylena stands up. You say, "I had a few words with someone for plagarizing this one, if it's the one I think." You ponder. Ylena removes a polished golden oak lute inlaid with deep golden topaz stones from in her instrument case. With a twinkle in her eye, Ylena begins a jaunty melody on her lute. Ylena sings: "The rogue earns his fine reputation, With amazing powers of concentration. He is known as the best, If he can open a chest, While ignoring extreme titillation." Ylena leans forward. Adroitly, Ylena slides her hand up the neck of the guitar and continues playing, raising the song a full two octaves for a verse before dropping back down to the normal range. Ylena sings: "At first, I demurely resisted, But my sorcerer lover persisted. He revealed to me, Dark philosophy - It's not just their wands that are twisted." Ylena asks, "Hearts and minds! Hearts and minds! What are you perverse people thinking?" Ylena gasps. Ylena begins building a complex, upbeat melody in a major key, her fingers lightly springing over the strings. Ylena giggles. Ylena strums the lute's lower strings, adding a heart-trembling low rumble to the melody. You say, "Well, Nofret's thinking innocent thoughts--" Ylena sings: "There once was a warrior troop, Whose leader would frequently poop. He did so mid-slaying, Which inspired the saying, 'He who would conquer must stoop.'" Jadziana grins. (Tanager quickly scoots away from Nofret, apparently afraid she'll catch an elbow in the ribs.) Nofret says, "That one I got." Ylena says, "And I thought their spitting was repugnant." Ylena shudders. Ylena executes an upward run of precise fingering, leading the tones upward in an inspirational spiral of sound. (Ylena dances gracefully towards Tanager, her feet as nimble as her fingers.) You say, "Oh dear, now what..." Ylena sings: "There was a young wizard in class, Who passed clouds of odorous gas. When he learned Major Fire, He lost job desire, For magedom was a pain in the ass." You laugh softly, trying to hide your amusement. With an outpouring of vibrant sound, Ylena bursts into an inspirational chorus of dynamic resonance. Ylena says, "I suppose you could say the poor lad suffered from a severe case of professional burnout." Ylena shrugs. Nofret says, "So that's where all the death clouds come from..." (Ylena slinks in a sultry manner back to the middle of the room.) Nofret rubs her chin thoughtfully. Ylena nods to Nofret. Jadziana grins. Ylena executes an upward run of precise fingering, leading the tones upward in an inspirational spiral of sound. Ylena exclaims, "Exactly!" Ylena plucks her instrument's lower strings, adding a driving bass foundation to the melody. Ylena sings: "The empathic talents command, Respect from us all in the land. It's amazing, but true - Pleasing things they can do, Without even lifting a hand!" Ylena smiles provocatively, daintily dabbing away a bit of moisture that gathered at the corner of her mouth during her exquisite rendition of that verse. Ylena accentuates her song with emphatic strums, adding to the intensity. Making the beat of the song even more infectious, Ylena sharply thumps the belly of her lute in time with the music. Ylena sings: "Let's focus now on the lost ranger. Is there anyone we know who's stranger? All that time in the woods Just leads to no good, And puts all of our rolton in danger." You try hard not to grin. Ylena smiles sheepishly, flawlessly playing a tricky transitional passage. Nofret chuckles. Ylena swings her melody into the lower ranges, driving it with a rhythm that resembles the proud march of a contingent of brave knights. You say, "Save Dagor. We hope. And don't tell him I said that." (Ylena strides confidently to the front of the room and sinks gracefully to her knees, piously glancing at the heavens.) Ylena kneels down. Nofret asks, "Smiling SHEEPISHLY?" Ylena says, "Cheap laugh." Ylena nods to Nofret. Ylena grins. Ylena sings: "A cleric spends time on his knees, Contemplating his deity? Please! He's praying, all right, That temple 'virgin' last night Didn't give him some social disease." With a complex series of chords Ylena bridges into a new key, taking the theme to a new level of exaltation. You cough. You try hard not to grin. Ylena stands up. Embellishing on the simple melody, Ylena skillfully conveys a measure of the joy she feels while playing. Nofret says, "I always knew those vereri were up to something." Ylena asks, "Let's see, that's rogues, sorcerers, warriors, wizards, empaths, rangers, clerics.. who have I left out? Someone tell me?" You exclaim, "Bards!" Ylena exclaims, "Oh! Of course!" Ylena launches into the next verse, this time adding in an impish harmony line that seems to tease the main theme along. Ylena sings: "There was a young bardess whose 'arts' Consisted of playing lewd tarts. She'd perform and she'd flirt, In her thigh-high slit skirt, So her solos all had exposed parts." Ylena smiles merrily, playing the chorus one last time. Giving a final showy circle of her arm, Ylena strums one last chord before deadening the strings. Ylena grins. You applaud. Ylena put a polished golden oak lute inlaid with deep golden topaz stones in her instrument case. Jadziana applauds Ylena. Nofret applauds Ylena. Ylena blushes a lovely shade of bright pink. Ylena says, "Hush." Nofret applauds Ylena. Ylena sits down. You say, "One thing I would just draw attention to..." You say, "You can get away with far more in bathroom humor than sex." Ylena nods. Ylena nods. Ylena nods. You say, "Annoying as that may be." Ylena says, "Sex is the big big taboo." Cathari rolls her eyes. Jadziana shakes her head. Ylena says, "You could write a gruesome decapitation piece and no one would blink an eye." Ylena says, "I've argued it for years." Ylena says, "Believe me." Cathari says, "So, what is the practical impact of a warning, and why should I worry about getting one. And I do mean *one*." Ylena says, "The practical impact of warnings." Ylena says, "Okay." Ylena says, "This is the Ylena view." Ylena says, "Not the Official Simutronics View." Ylena says, "One? Who cares." Ylena says, "Everyone makes a mistake." Ylena says, "It doesn't disqualify you from being a Mentor, or a Host, or really have any lasting impact." You raise your hand. You say, "Correction on that last." Ylena peers quizzically at you. You say, "It doesn't disqualify you from being a Mentor or a Host... after six months pass." Ylena says, "Okay, give you that." You say, "No one with a warning in the last six months can become either." Ylena nods. You say, "After that, well." You wave your hand in a dismissive gesture. Ylena says, "But... here's the thing." Ylena says, "I think, as long as you have a well-written piece, and it's obvious you tried to ride the boundary? You won't get an official warning." Ylena says, "You might get 15 minutes in the Consultation Room, where you talk about it, but it won't be the Big Black Bad Mark on your record." Cathari asks, "And so if one is singing that boundary piece, one simply makes sure the choreography is ahh restrained?" Ylena says, "Make sure that it doesn't.. uhm.. ratchet up the impact." (Cathari eeps and belatedly raises her hand.) Ylena says, "Goddess, don't raise your hands.. there's only five of us." Ylena giggles. You try hard not to grin. You raise your hand. Ylena gives you a good pinch! You exclaim, "Ooh! Ooh! Teacher!" You look around, but can't see anywhere to hide. You duck your head. Ylena says, "Quit that." You laugh softly, trying to hide your amusement. Ylena asks, "You have any idea how hard it is for me to get used to the concept that I'm Elder Ylena With Credibility?" Ylena shivers. Nofret asks, "Cathari, why not play it here? To get the view of the woman who specializes in bawdy bards and broadside ballads?" You ask, "As hard as it is for me to have turned into 'Lady' Tanager?" You raise an eyebrow in Ylena's direction. Cathari blushes a lovely shade of bright pink. Ylena grins. Ylena says, "I'd love to see it." Ylena nods to Cathari. Cathari asks, "Would anyone object?" Jadziana shakes her head. Jadziana says, "Not at all" You say, "No objections. I like the piece, though, when I'm being more 'myself', it sends me into paroxysms of blushing." You wink at Cathari. Nofret says, "I want to hear it again. It was funny." Ylena nods. Jadziana says, "Its a great song" You say, "And I really don't know which side of the line it falls on." You say, "And the expert is here." Ylena blushes a lovely shade of bright pink. You turn to face Ylena. Ylena says, "The Poster Child for Bad Behavior." Cathari says, "It's just verses still, mind. Haven't had time to choreograph. Plus I've been waiting to see what I learn here" Ylena says, "Verses are fine." Ylena nods. You say, "You know me. I don't have the experience with pushing the line in-game." You wink. Nofret says, "I think it's safe if the Poster Child for Total Innocence likes it and finds it funny." You turn to face Cathari. You say, "Yes... but you don't see what was wrong with Flirt Food." You flail your arms about. Cathari stands up. You see Cathari D'albi the Half-Elf Bardess. She appears to be in her 20's, has shoulder length, curly light brown hair, green eyes, and fair skin. She is in good shape. She is holding a thanot cittern in her right hand. She is wearing a white cotton blouse, some dove grey leather boots, an embroidered blue linen skirt, a delicate gold heart-link belt, a pearl trimmed silk shoulder pouch, a steel-banded ora shield, a blue brocade sack, a blue silk sheath, a crystal amulet, a lovely dark violet ribbon, a silver-edged mauve velvet cloak, and a gold ring. Ylena just hugged Nofret. Ylena says, "She's right." Ylena grins. Nofret turns an inquisitive ear towards Cathari. Nofret leans forward and rests her chin in her hand, a thoughtful expression on her face. Cathari says, "This piece will be performed at a festival for Voaris and Laethe. I ntend it as a contrast to all the ahh more traditionall love ballads that will doubtless be performed" Cathari says, "It is called "The Lovers' Gate: A Cautionary Tale"" Cathari sings: "I went to see my one true love, Or at least my evening's fun. But at his door, I quickly learned, My night had just begun." Cathari sings: ""Not now, not here, just wait, my pet. Our loving we must hide. My lady wife must never know, You'll have to wait out side."" Ylena grins. Cathari sings: "An hour I stood in evening's chill, Til I could bear no more. Then to the house I softly crept, And tapped upon the door" Cathari sings: "Out popped his head, "She's off to bed" He whispered, leering wide. "But her mother's here, I sadly fear, You'll have to wait outside."" Cathari sings: "For half an hour I paced the grounds, My ardor quick to fade. At the window ledge he spoke again, "Our tryst must be delayed."" Ylena grins. Ylena says, "Men." Cathari sings: "Ten minutes then, I vowed to tarry, A quarter hour, no more! And then, at last, a crack of light Came from the opening door." Cathari sings: "'One moment, dear,' he said to me, As even the dog went in. I didn't hear what he said next, And he closed the door again." Cathari sings: "My anger flared, my cheeks grew hot, I whirled and made to leave. But soft my lover came to me, And pulled me by my sleeve." Cathari sings: "Into his arms I meekly went, My ire I did not show. For vengeance sweet would soon be mine, Though he did not yet know." Ylena giggles. Nofret grins. Cathari sings: "I let him hold me close to him I let him kiss my lips. I let him stroke my creamy skin With his fingertips." You try hard not to grin. Cathari sings: "I let him pull me to the ground, All wet with evening dew. I let him think that we would love, As we were wont to do." Cathari sings: "But when he sought to breach the gate For pleasure's sweetest stride, Twas then my smile went cold..." Nofret smirks. Jadziana grins. Cathari recites: "And I said..." Cathari recites: ""You'll have to wait outside."" Ylena laughs! (Cathari grins impishly) Cathari says, "There is a moral. It's not over yet." Cathari sings: "A lesson, then to lovers all, Whether sweetheart, mistress or bride. If love you seek, don't ever keep, Them waiting cold outside." Ylena giggles. (Cathari bows flamboyantly.) Ylena exclaims, "Bravo!" Cathari curtsies to Ylena. Ylena says, "Honey, you have NO problem with that." Cathari asks, "No?" You say, "This was where the subject came up in the first place, y'see." You smile at Ylena. You say, "I really didn't know whether it would be a problem piece or not." Cathari says, "There was much debate. Some thought the gate verse was too much, Some objected to the previous two." Nofret says, "I love it." Ylena says, "No, it's perfect." Nofret says, "And it's a classic ballad. Just not a romantic one." You say, "I'm glad to hear it's inside the line instead of outside it." You say, "Ta'Vaalor won't know what hit it...." You release a slow, low whistle. Cathari sings: "The dwarven stature is not tall It cannot be denied But other things make up for that And dwarves, they have their pride " Cathari sings: "So ask the wenches if you will O what will make their day And they will tell you true, my friend it isn t *tall*, but *wide*." Cathari says, "I often sing in TSC, so my verses are quite short." Ylena says, "There's great virtue in brevity." You say, "As dangerous as it may be to ask, though...." You ask, "You said you were going to show both sides of the line?" You grin at Ylena. Nofret nods. Nofret says, "This I have to see." Nofret leans back. Ylena says, "Well, okay." Ylena says, "This has no artistic merit, you can't possibly pretend it means something else, and it's tacky." Ylena says, "In my own defense, it was a very very early effort, and a friend asked for it." Ylena says, "I sang this at a wedding." Ylena says, "This was my first warning." Ylena smirks. Ylena says, "Date on the file is 8/1/98." Ylena giggles. Ylena says, "And I know I did it before that, too." Ylena sings: "I met a man who said that if I was very good He'd show me things to make my eyes grow wide. So I tried to be just as good as I could be, Even though I got all fluttery inside." Ylena sings: "He was a magic man - his skill was unsurpassed And his gestures - oh, they made my heart beat fast! I was ready to be rapturously transported somewhere beyond - So I was disappointed when he yanked out his iron wand." Ylena winces. Ylena sings: "My dismay was e'er so great - the evening seemed a bust, Such an icky instrument, and I'm not too fond of rust. T'would be a shocking experience to misuse it so on me! But then he whipped out his silver wand for me to see." Ylena sings: "A little better, I thought, but still I wanted to weep, Silver's way too soft, and it makes me feel cheap. Too thin and way too delicate to be used all alone. "Don't take me for granite," he said as he hauled out his rod of stone!" Ylena shudders. Ylena sings: "It was wider and heavier, but cold - as cold as ice! The size was getting better, but the temperature wasn't nice. I had thought he had potential, but this just seemed no good, Then he exposed a huge and distended wand of wood!" Ylena gasps. Ylena sings: "Eeek! I said, and cowered. You should have seen my face! Can you imagine splinters in such a delicate place? I definitely have to say his bark was worse than his bite, But then he produced his golden wand to save the night." Ylena sings: "This was getting better now, warmer, full of fire, He let me stroke it tenderly, for that was his desire Not yielding, not overwhelming, a perfect fit it seemed, Until he smiled and showed me his wand of which I'd dreamed...." Ylena sings: "Well, there's much to be said for the sorcerer's art Equipped with implements to please every heart Wands of metal and iron and silver and wood and stone, And after you touch them, you can't leave their wands alone!" Ylena says, "Don't do that." Ylena nods. Jadziana grins. Cathari applauds Ylena. Ylena says, "Bad verses, tacky subject, not even remotely able to be interpreted any other way." You applaud. Ylena says, "Oh, stop." You say, "Definitely tacky." You try hard not to grin. Ylena says, "You have no idea how far performance has evolved." You say, "And I see why you got warned." Ylena says, "So do I." Ylena grins. Nofret says, "Well, have to admit I never thought of wands in quite that way before. Though I suspect I shall never forget it." Cathari says, "I always did wonder about the twisties, tho" Cathari blushes a lovely shade of bright pink. Jadziana giggles. You say, "Apparently so did she...." You point at Ylena. You wink at Cathari. Ylena says, "I admit, I get this totally horrid visual with those." Ylena blushes a lovely shade of bright pink. Jadziana buries her face in her hands. Cathari giggles. You say, "...whereas I thought of them as sort of unicorn-horn shaped, only not tapering." Ylena says, "Big veined wood..." (Tanager gives Ylena a mildly reproachful look.) You try hard not to grin. Ylena coughs. Ylena says, "Yes, well." Nofret asks, "Gods, Ylena, when you started with the wand of wood, I was thinking, what was it, sequoia sized?" Ylena says, "This was back in the day when you'd see things like this..." Ylena smiles and suddenly you see a bucolic scene - a peaceful meadow full of wildflowers, with a lovely sparkling brook running through it. Ylena says, "People did that crap all the time" Nofret says, "That's a lot to see in one smile." Ylena says, "I admit, I did my share.. but... at least I'd cast spirit fog or sunburst so you have some rationale for something happening." Ylena says, "I always liked casting spirit fog, it makes sense you could twist the fog into something." You say, "I would tentatively say that bawdiness is kind of like pushing the line with special effects..." Ylena nods. Ylena says, "It is." You say, "The better and more subtly done... the more you can get away with." You say, "Witness the candle flame cantrip I persist in using. No one's ever shouted at me about it." Ylena says, "And well-crafted material goes a long way, too." You say, "Despite the fact that I theoretically can't do that and am 'cheating'." Ylena says, "Four-syllable words don't seem quite as crude." You chuckle. You nod to Ylena. Ylena says, "Odd, that.. but true." Cathari says, "I did have to do a bit of coaxing for that gate verse" You say, "...though... nudity is treated so oddly in Elanthia...." Ylena says, "Which is why I think you have no problem with that, Cathari." Ylena says, "It's well written, and good language." Cathari nods to Ylena. Cathari says, "Thank you" You say, "You'd think we'd at least come in with pants." You realize there are some important matters you should tend to . . . later. Ylena grins. Ylena says, "Well, according to the Powers That Be, you do." Ylena says, "Nothing special doesn't mean naked." You let out an exasperated, "Pbpbpb." Ylena says, "Just means you're wearing 'nothing special.'" Ylena exclaims, "Oh!" You say, "There's a young warrior who runs around in the catacombs stark, I don't recall his name but I've seen him once or twice." Ylena says, "Lizard loresinging." Ylena asks, "Do you want to see it?" You ask, "Ohhh, will you loresing your lizard for us?" Ylena nods. Ylena says, "I love this." Ylena put an engraved silver key in her silk music satchel. You say, "This has nothing to do with bawdiness, but it's really neat." As you scratch your sleeping golden-scaled lizard behind its head, it stretches languidly, gives a little huff of pleasure, and then goes back to sleep. Ylena says, "Baby probably needs to be fed, though.." Ylena nods. Ylena removes an ornate gold cricket box from in her instrument case. Ylena says, "I need more crickets." Ylena put an ornate gold cricket box in her instrument case. A golden scaled tufted lizard sees Ylena's cricket and freezes, its eyes locked on the cricket. The very tip of the lizard's tail twitches, and it emits a soft huff of excitement. Suddenly, the lizard lunges forward, grasps the cricket in its jaws and gulps it down! Ylena says, "C'mere, sweetie." The tufted lizard nips playfully at the fingers of Ylena. Ylena lifts her hand to remove a golden scaled tufted lizard from her shoulder, prompting the creature to begin dashing back and forth from one shoulder to the other. For a moment, Ylena looks like she is shooing away bees, what with all the flailing of her arm! She finally corrals the creature against her neck, and lifts it gently despite the fact the lizard is squirming and huffing in protest. Ylena says, "Stop that." As Ylena pets a golden scaled tufted lizard, it nuzzles her hand in response. Ylena sings: "Lizard brave, lizard bold, Tufted lizard, subtly gold, Such a lovely, pricey hue, Will you sing? I want you to." Ylena holds her tufted lizard, stroking its head to calm it while she sings. The small creature grows more fidgety as the song progresses, huffing a time or two impatiently. Ylena sings: "Lizard tiny, lizard small You don't eat enough at all, Look dear, we have company, Please, please sing? Let them see?" As Ylena sings to the tufted lizard, she keeps a restraining grip on it in an effort to prevent the thing from fidgeting. Finally, it relaxes and gazes up at Ylena inquisitively. As she utters the final refrain, she loosens her hands and smiles at the creature, affection and hopeful expectation in her expression. Suddenly, the lizard leaps up and hangs from Ylena's face, chittering loudly! Ylena gingerly extracts the lizard's claws from her scalp and neck, and holds the creature for a moment, glaring murderously at it. Just as you think the lizard is likely to get a flying lesson, Ylena sighs and shrugs. Ylena says, "You are so stubborn." You chuckle. Ylena sings: "Lizard precious, lizard pet, Stubborn thing, you'll sing, I bet! Open up that tiny throat, Warble dear, some lizard note?" As Ylena sings, she gazes intently at the tufted lizard sitting in her hands. The lizard seems to be listening fairly intently this time. The creature begins swinging its tail to the melody, and bobbing its head as well. Then, with a start, you realize the lizard is emitting a very high song of its own, in perfect harmony with Ylena's own complex composition. As they sing together, bard and lizard seem locked in their song's embrace. Their figures shimmer, as if joined in a magical swirl of color. The song ends, its melody dying away, leaving Ylena gazing at her tufted lizard with a mixed expression of wonder and bemusement. Ylena exclaims, "Oooh!" You stroke your golden-scaled lizard behind its little eye ridges, and the creature hums contentedly. Then, just to show you how much it cares, the lizard turns its head and gives your finger an affectionate bite. Ylena sings: "Lizard darling, lizard dear, I'll always love you, never fear, Though sometimes you're annoying, true, You're my baby - through and through." Ylena sings to the tufted lizard, a faraway expression on her face as though she is is watching something in the middle distance that no one else can see. Finally, the song fades, leaving Ylena staring down at the lizard in her hands with a fond expression. Then, she smiles. Ylena places her tufted lizard on her shoulder. The creature shifts a couple of times, then settles down and emits a little hum of contentment. A low rumbling sound comes from your golden-scaled lizard that seems to come all the way from its stomach. You glance at a fluted golden-scaled lizard. You chuckle. You say, "Point taken." |
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